[For once, Mr. Proietti doesn't show up at Club Rapier when he's typically expected to. Instead, via a tan-skinned courier, Aiichiro receives an old-fashioned, handwritten letter. In a society where networking brain implants are ubiquitous, letter writing is thought of as a very self-indulgent practice.
"My cute little Aiichiro," the letter reads. "I hope this letter finds you hale and whole. It's my deepest regret to say that I will be unable to meet with you today, or tomorrow, or even another few days hence. After considering the wisdom of your words, I've taken it upon myself to pay a personal visit to one of the indigenous settlements outside the City of Ariel. I worry that I might be too late to mend this bridge, that what's coming is beyond our control... but the negotiations have shown some promise already. In the meantime, listen to instructions and take care of yourself. Thinking of you, Chase Proietti."]
9/17
"My cute little Aiichiro," the letter reads. "I hope this letter finds you hale and whole. It's my deepest regret to say that I will be unable to meet with you today, or tomorrow, or even another few days hence. After considering the wisdom of your words, I've taken it upon myself to pay a personal visit to one of the indigenous settlements outside the City of Ariel. I worry that I might be too late to mend this bridge, that what's coming is beyond our control... but the negotiations have shown some promise already. In the meantime, listen to instructions and take care of yourself. Thinking of you, Chase Proietti."]