Grug paused by the window of his penthouse suite, pondering the nature of things, as suited the old caveman, no longer did he thunk, he thought, not knowing that he idly toyed with a finely braided antelope leather cord strung through with malachite beads separated by oval nodules of horn.
"Grug miss the plainsfolk. Like Grugton city well enough, but city missing something. Grug need to dig deep for this one, cheer Banou too, Grug still not like seeing good folk sad, no matter how long it be."
Grug splashed some water on his face and straightened his wrap, rubbing his face dry on the plush green velvet of the drapes.
"Time to get the road on the show."
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{Welcome back everyone! This is Helga Vandermich, standing in for our beloved host Banou Tzimitzkes, who will no doubt be returning soon, have no fear!}
Grug crossed his arms, looking at the leggy blonde with a degree of skeptical cynicism.
"Banou not quit, did she? Grug have exclusive contract, you know. Might have to exercise option if muscle in on Grug legal turf.
{Of course not, Mr.Grug, she'll be back soon, so why don't we resume where you left off? Something about...Helga's face twisted before she could stop herself, and quickly schooled her expression.Bird droppings? Heading south? Banou's notes weren't exactly clear.}
"Grug tell. Grug and riders coming to land of Hide-Cave people, great big flat land after leave hills and valley. Grug come to last hilltop, and look out over the flat lands, seem like stretch forever."
Grug's face grew slightly wistful as he recalled the scene.
"You ever see tall grass? Up to hip, go in big field? Now imagine it go for forever, every way but behind, endless sheet of waving, living shiny. Grug know it not real shiny, tasted to make sure, just grass, but still beautiful. Then Grug look harder, see gentle stream and small pools here and there, antelope, fat hairy auroch, rabbit, rodent, many of good eating creatures, playing and eating and drinking. Finally Grug look up and out, see bluest sky ever has Grug seen, with but smallest wisp of clouds and small shapes of birds swooping through air."
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{It sounds breathtaking Grug, and you tell it so well.}
Grug bared his canines in a toothy grin, but his eyes were flat and hard.
"Flattering Grug get you nowhere, Helga on probation still with Grug. Grug move on to getting there.
So Grug and riders are going through this field of shiny grass, Long-Snouts making easy work of trip, until Grug see the cook-smoke, Banou told word to me, and smell odor of auroch poo. Come closer for hand of sun or so, until see hide-caves of Plainfolk."
{I thought they were the Hide-Cave people, I recall you calling them that earlier. Is there a reason for the two names?}
"Grug people call them Hide-Cave people, because caves made of hide and bone, not know what those called. They called Plainsfolk by chiefs and other folk live same way as they. Grug think Banou tell Grug in pre-production that thing they live in called a Tee-Pee, which Grug think is stupid name, why not call Skin-house or pack-home or even mobile-home, since travel across plain like mammoth through mountain valleys?"
Helga tapped her foot silently on the carpet, waiting for Grug to finish with a degree of impatient grace. Grug subtly quirked an eyebrow, but continued, otherwise visibly unperturbed.
"Grug move on, get excited after see and smell, until Grug come to cleared area with pretty little lake, few trees and bush. Tents were higgledy-piggledy everywhere around lake, but big bunch together near Grug travel group. Plain tribe folk see Burly Riders and Grug, some grab spear and other go to biggest tent, get two old fart, probably chief and big shaman, and gather tribe as Grug stop group.
Grug get down from Long-Snout, is Grug travel group anyway, and wait for chief."
Grug rubbed his full beard thoughtfully, dislodging crumbs and small bones, then reaching into his snack pocket and absentmindedly chewing on the produced pickled fieldmouse.
Meanwhile, Helga looked on the display with obvious dismay and revulsion but said nothing.
{A-a-nd...then what happened, Grug, did things stay peaceful?}
"Grug looked at old fart chief booking it and was impressed. He fast for so old. When get to Grug, he raise hand in greeting , say how doing, he not know Big Rock tribe, but hear about Grug make things, like only-shiny, pillow, sour-berry mash. He say his name is Geddabug, introduce brother, old fart big shaman named Goddafigs, and big son of shaman, Geddafigs.
Thing go well, much stuff of Grug's to sell, until--."
Grug paused at the upraised hand of Helga suddenly near his face.
{We're out of time for today, Mr. Grug, another interview needs this room, see you back again tomorrow?}
"Grug suppose, but this most irregular, pretty sure pay for unlimited shoot time, Grug come back tomorrow, not hear anymore about early ends."
{Of course, Mr.Grug. }
Helga pushed a lock of hair behind her ear before turning towards the camera.
{Thank you everyone for tuning in with us today, This has been Helga Vandermich for Channel Big Rock , reporting live with the CEO of Bouldercorp, Grug Quicktalker. So long, and good night!}