A Day in the Life of Marlowe

Oh, hello, Aldo. Were you looking for me?

Ah, all right. In that case, don't mind me. I've got to go do some stuff.

Come to think of it, what kind of "stuff" does Marlowe do on a daily basis anyway? Looks like he was headed to Rebecca's house just now.

I'm REALLY curious, actually. I know I shouldn't, but...I'll just have a quick look at what he's up to.

I've finished replenishing those coal supplies, Rebecca. Anything else I can do?

Oh, that's all right, Marlowe. You've got a lot on your plate that you still need to get done, haven't you?

Well, that's mighty kind of ya! Nobody's done something so nice for me since my husband was around.

Haha! You can't flatter me like that, or I'll be here all day doing chores just to hear more of it!

Why don't I make sure that behind the house is nice and tidy before I go? And when that's done I'll head out to check in on Henry.

All right, but feel free to leave some of it to me!

And what do you think you're doing back there?

Indeed?

But that's precisely why I've got to make myself available to help with anything you guys need. So no need to hesitate, ask away!

But there's so much only you can do, Marlowe! As always, you're overthinking the matter. Chill out and chin up, as they say!

Really?

Well, I've still got Terry's place to visit, so I guess I'll just do some dusting around the bottles or something.

I really don't understand where he's coming from sometimes.

By the by, Aldo. Pray tell what you are doing behind my bedside table?

Indeed?

I did tell you to leave it to me. You're not a lumberjack and that's fine, Marlowe.

I mean, you've got the spirit already, but what'd you do if you bent your back out this young, huh?

I guess you're right. But if only I were just a little stronger, then I could do more to help...

Geez, and to think all he's gotta do is quit worrying and go with the flow. That's all we really need from him.

Ain't that right, Aldo? What're you doing back there anyway?

Okay, if you say so...

Watch out!

Wah?!

Oh, that was close! Thank you, Aldo.

I get that it's practically in your backyard but the forest still isn't the sort of...

Well...

I think that's enough tailing to know what Marlowe gets up to now. I should talk it over with the villagers.

All right, Aldo. We're all here, just like you asked. Now, what the devil for?

If it's gonna be a snooze-fest I'll be over there taking a siesta.

My, this is almost like the neighborhood parties we used to have when I was a child. Takes me back.

Well, I wanted to talk to you all about Marlowe. As a neighborhood.

Um...okay. But why do that at my house?

I've been tailing Marlowe the entirety of today. I was curious as to what his day to day was like and I saw that it's mainly him trying to help.

Wait, you were following me?! When? I had absolutely no idea!

That's what you were doing. Well, as you observed then, Marlowe does indeed help us villagers out a great deal. We're very thankful for it too.

But we're always telling him that he really doesn't have to anyway.

And it's not like we don't appreciate it, but I guess you could say it's just not very mayor-ly of him to be doing that stuff.

But what else am I supposed to do? I mean, I'm not much more than a figurehead as a mayor.

That doesn't make you any less of a mayor though, Marlowe!

My old man's a mayor and he always said the biggest part of a mayor's work was doing exactly the kinds of things you do!

Surely, it can't be that simple?

My fellow villagers...

What?!

But if we don't, what about the tasty eats?!

...Wow.

Very well. If that's what you'd prefer then that's what we'll do.

That's right. No point forcing it if the main man of the event isn't on board.

Plus those tasty eats ain't running away!

Um... Okay then. I guess that's that.

Thank you, everyone, for understanding. Your support means more to me than any fancy ceremony. I'm glad to know I have it.