"When the stars align!  Are liquids not objects, for you?"

"...I can make liquids." He tilts his coffee mug for her to see, and then adds a dusting of cinnamon.

"I don't have a second guess for what illiquid means."

"It means we don't have cash. Fabulous material wealth in all other forms and not cash."

"Oh, well I think Andrea said they're going to keep paying me, so that doesn't seem like a problem for me personally?"

"Right, you'd have money, but nobody around you would be using it, at least not right away."

"Well, it sounds lovely."

"Cool. I can bring you home with me though we might not make it all the way back down to Atriama till later today, I have more topside errands to run."

"Whatever's convenient for you is fine by me."

"Is there a batch of victims who might want to also leave for Atriama today or do the gears of society take longer than that?"

"I'll spread the word and see if there are any by the time you're ready to head down.  Is here a good place for them to gather?"

"Here's fine, nice landable roof."

"I try.  Do you yet know what time you'll be returning?"

"Couldn't say, but I can give you some warning if I leave you a phone."

"I have a few already but I suppose it's hardly putting you out."

"Plus I don't have intersystem compatibility handled yet." A phone appears on her desk. "Hopefully the controls are self-explanatory enough."

"Thank you.  Suppose I send you a message through previous channels if they aren't?"

"Works for me."

"As for other tourish activities, I recommend you visit a bank to set up an account for any bribery money it's suitable for you to receive."

"Do you recommend any specific bank?"

"Yes."  She gives flying directions to one.

"Thanks. Melissa, I will collect you and some refugees when I'm ready to go to Atriama, pack anything you want that it would be awkward to ask me for or inconvenient to go without between occasions of seeing me."

"Yes sir."

"I would appreciate a preliminary rundown of the conditions and needs of the refugees, including but not limited to medical problems, if you can have that ready for me by the time I return."

She nods.