"Ah, Bernice," Braxiatel said, because there was really only one way to greet Benny when she was distressed, and 'Ah, Bernice' was it. He closed his folder - Braxiatel had strong intuition about how long any given conversation with Benny would become - and got to his feet out of manners and perhaps some self-preservation instinct that wanted him ready to run.

Then again, his self-preservation instinct couldn't be that strong, as he strode up to Benny, arms spread wide in greeting. "How good it is to see you!" he said, suicidally blithe. "How can I help you this fine morning? I trust everything is in order?"