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Alois, Mercedes enter the scene
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Alois
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Mercedes, hello! I have a request for you.
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Mercedes
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Oh, Alois! What could you possibly need at this hour?
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Alois
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A little birdie told me you're good at telling ghost stories.
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Mercedes
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I suppose I am.
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Alois
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So it's true! Excellent. I'd like to hear one of your finest ghost stories. Would you be amenable?
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Mercedes
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Goodness, you want me to share one? Well, certainly!
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Mercedes
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I'm rarely asked to tell ghost stories.
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Mercedes
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Which should I tell? Perhaps the one I heard in the monastery the other day?
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Alois
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W-wait a moment!
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Mercedes
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Is something the matter?
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Alois
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I was only asking whether you'd tell me. The telling itself will have to be another time.
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Mercedes
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Are you sure? It's no trouble right now.
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Alois
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No. I have to steel myself... Er, I mean, I have something important to do!
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Mercedes
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I see. That's a shame, but I suppose it can't be helped.
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Mercedes
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If you don't mind my asking, why the sudden interest in hearing a ghost story?
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Alois
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Well, you see, ah, ghosts...terrify me.
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Alois
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But I'm a knight. Someday, somewhere, I may have to deal with one!
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Mercedes
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Hmm... A knight who's afraid of ghosts.
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Alois
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Yes. It's quite embarrassing.
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Mercedes
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I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. Even knights can't be stoic toward everything.
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Mercedes
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I'm impressed that you're working so hard to face your fear.
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Alois
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Oh, it's nothing, really...
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Mercedes
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I will tell you my scariest ghost story the next chance I get!
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Alois
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It needn't be your very scariest! A moderately scary story will suffice. Thank you for taking the time.