Swamped

"Actually, now that you mention it, Mr. Lou barely seemed to be doing anything except eating his birthday stew. Didn't see him talk to anyone. If he hadn't personally asked me to supervise, I'm not sure I would have guessed it was his party."

Now that's real interesting. Colleen said he'd asked her, too. Perhaps someone else talked Lou into having the party, whatever its purpose?

Well. Before you can think more on that, Lex comes out holding a rat.

"Can't find the mask," he says. "I did find this little pest; it was just lying dead in the middle of the floor. Guess it got too much of whatever gas is left. Or maybe it ate the whole damn mask and choked to death, I'm no expert."

"We don't have a lot of masks, Mr. Lex. But if it did eat the mask, the wizard might be able to do something about it."

"Should I go and see Wiz, then?"

"No," Resk shakes his head. "Put down the rat carcass and hand me those gloves of yours. I want you to help carry Ms. Sally to the infirmary."

At that moment, a few other sailors arrive.

"Nails said there was someone who needed to be carried, sir?" one of them asks.

"Ah, and perfect timing for that," Resk continues. "So I'll take the rat to the wizard while you all carry the patient."

Hmm. If you're in the infirmary, you won't have much chance to question Lou. The best idea you have right now is to ask Lex to do it for you.

But Resk and a bunch of other sailors are around, so you'll have to be careful in how you ask.