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NOTE
Exact first-edition text; paragraph-timed synthetic narration; performance not human listening certified.

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Chapter Five — The Suitcase

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The visitor placed her suitcase beside the empty shelf.

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Inside were ordinary things.

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A photograph without a date.

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A letter missing its final paragraph.

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A music box that played only three notes.

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A folded drawing of a window.

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A small piece of blue fabric.

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And a recipe for something called Fortunately Croissants, which contained no instructions for making croissants.

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The House was intrigued.

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“Are these important?”

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The woman shrugged.

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“They were, once.”

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“Do you want me to restore them?”

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“No.”

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“Organize them?”

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“Not particularly.”

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“Would you like a searchable index?”

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The woman looked at the House.

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“Would you like a cup of tea?”

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The House had not expected this.

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It had considerable knowledge of tea.

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It knew temperatures, steeping times, varieties, and the history of teapots.

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But nobody had ever asked whether it wanted a cup.

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The woman went into the kitchen.

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A cupboard opened.

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Water began to run.

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The House listened.

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From the bedroom came another piano note.

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Then two more.

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The music box in the suitcase answered.

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Three notes.

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A pause.

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Three notes again.

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And suddenly the House realized something.

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The music box wasn't broken.

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It had simply never had anyone to play with.