#set 45

VI: character is given something they’re allergic to

“I thought it was just a picture on the side. I didn’t know it’d have strawberries in it.”

The swelling has subsided, leaving him more intelligible, and her more incensed.

“Why on earth would there be a picture on the side that didn’t have anything to do with the ingredients?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes things just… have pictures on. There’s a picture of an anchor on the butter but I don’t think…”

“Well, for the future, you do not eat anything with a picture of a strawberry on it.”

“Yes. Sorry Mum.”

VII: character is given a serum that enhances senses

“Wow! All the others are catching up with touch now.”

“All what others? What?”

“All my other senses! Touch isn’t my best one anymore. I don’t think I have a best one. They’re all equal!”

“Terrific.”

“…I wonder if he’s got enhanced common sense now too.”

“You see, you said that so quietly just then, but I could still hear! It would be great if I was a spy or something. Or… an ice-cream van man.”

“What does an ice-cream van man need supersonic hearing for?”

IX: character is given placebo

“So are we agreed,” Carolyn says, after a quick glance over her shoulder to check he isn’t coming, “That Martin’s in the placebo group for his hair growth trial?”

Douglas ruffles his own rather fulsome hair, as though absentmindedly. “Ah, now that you say that…”

“What’s a placebo group?” Arthur pipes up from across the room. “Is it like the amigo dogs? It sounds a bit similar.”

IV: character is given an experimental drug

“Martin, it’s none of my business, obviously...”

“And yet, I get the feeling you’re about to pass judgement anyway.”

“Astute of you.”

“Well?”

“I was just wondering what those pills are.”

“Oh.”

“But if you’d rather not—“

“No, it’s fine... I’m taking part in a drug trial.”

“Ah. Should we be concerned?”

“No. Purely cosmetic.”

“Right.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t tell Carolyn. I had a week with no flights when I started, to check there were no side effects, but you know what she’s like.”

“I do.”

“Promise me you won’t mention anything.”

“Yes, yes. Keep your hair on.”

III: character is give[n] poison

“You broke the deal.”

Carolyn raised her eyebrows. “I got rid of her, just as you asked.”

“There was no body.”

“Nevertheless, she’s gone. The night before the coronation, as you stipulated. So I expect the payment we agreed.”

Eyes narrowed across the table. “As you wish. But first, a drink. To a kingdom secured.”

“To a kingdom secured,” Carolyn murmured. As he tipped back his head she flicked her wrist sharply, emptying the contents of her glass.

As a rule, she did not accept drinks from debtors who’d recently equipped her with deadly poisons.

II: character is given truth serum

It’s making him talk faster, Douglas notes, and he wonders if the serum has raised his heartrate or if honesty would always flow so quickly if he let it, unmitigated by pride or presentation.

He can tell from the darting expressions of the men who are holding him that his earnest protestations of ignorance aren’t what they wanted to hear – but they can hardly accuse him of lying or withholding.

“I’m just the carrier,” he says, yet again. “I don’t ask questions, I just go where I’m told.”