MD3PAD 271-273

[Toby G Levy]

        Benjamin Franklin shows that he knows all about the Seahorse
episode and decries the British willingness to risk scientists' lives.
He is sure that sooner or later America will go to war against the
British.

        Two women, early version of "groupies," show up to escort
Franklin to a recital he will be giving later at a pub called The Fair
Anchor. The women are named Molly and Dolly.

        Out in the street, Mason and Dixon discuss the oddness of
Benjamin Franklin. They decide to go to the Fair Anchor that night.

        The Fair Anchor is a melancholy place, well suited to Mason's
demeanor. The walls are covered with portraits of Swedes, from the early
days of Swedish settlement.

        Franklin appears, his glasses changed to "nocturnal blue." The
two women arrive with two similarly dressed women, and they call out for
Mason and Dixon to join them at their table.

        Franklin plays his Glass Armonica. During an intermission he
introduces Mason and Dixon to a Mr. Tallihoe of Virginia. Tallihoe says
that he wants them to meet George Washington, who has "been out there,
knows the country, the Inhabitants..."  Tallihoe implies that Washington
and Mason and Dixon are all surveyors, which irritates Mason. Dixon
says that Washington is supposed to be from a Wear Valley family and
people from his neighborhood have advised him to look him up.

        Mason and Dixon meet Tallihoe at dawn outside the city. An odd
shaped Coach is driven up to them and Tallihoe helps them aboard, but
declines to accompany him. He tells them it is about a 24 hour trip down
to Washington's place in Virginia.

Toby