[Veronique makes another snkr, a wet kind of sound, as she scuttles out a little further. Val snaps his book shut nearly in the same moment.]

There!

[He throws the book away onto the table--it lands, skids across the scarred surface, and bumps up against a pitcher--and swings his legs over the chair. Without treading on Veronique (she makes yet another snkr, antennae waving in--? irritation?), he crosses the space to the door before Richard can back away, and holds the door open against his attempt to close it.]

I am not busy any longer. And if I was, I would gladly interrupt for this. Come, please! Bring the cart inside, and yourself, too. You have our attention. Come!