Deputy Director Malmö came to the Immerlis Family home with his Wofuzi camera, photographed the two Welfare Form clients, then left smiling with the notebook Uncle Mason had given him, a tip tucked inside.
"So, what do we do next?" Aunt Winnie asked everyone present.
Kallen spoke up. "Since someone unknown has paid, let's do as they asked. There's nothing immoral about giving the dead a better burial, anyway."
Then Kallen pointed at the male magician's corpse. "Send him straight off to be cremated."
Actually, the magician's corpse would have been better suited to feeding dogs;
but dumping a corpse in the city was not only immoral, it could easily have unpleasant consequences. That was why every major civilization developed rites and customs for handling the dead. It was not merely a matter of religion: the original, primary reason was that improperly handled corpses could easily damage the environment or even cause a plague.
Since he was already dead, they might as well cremate him.
Kallen pointed at Mandila next. "As for her, since someone's willing to pay for her, Aunt Winnie, please give her one of the reasonably priced coffins in the basement. And Uncle Mason, thanks in advance for going to call in some favors right now and securing a cemetery plot.
"Then, since even the person paying is anonymous, there's naturally no need for a Memorial Service. Her identity is still unknown, so no friends or relatives could possibly come.
"Oh, right, the letter gave her name: Mandila. Uncle Mason, remember to put that on the headstone."
After saying this, Kallen disregarded Dis, who was still standing there in his priest's robes, and imitated his tone as he addressed everyone:
"In short, meeting our clients' needs comes first."
Aunt Winnie nodded. "All right." Then she called, "Alfred,