Er... ah. This has primarily stemmed from a reading-comprehension error on my part. For some reason, I'd convinced myself this was all set in 2386. I remain unclear as to how or why. Apologies for the error.It's still quite the mental image, though...
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"She's old and lame and barren too, // "She's not worth feed or hay, // "But I'll give her this," - he blew smoke at me - // "She was something in her day." -- Garnet Rogers, Small Victory