SBR 1.27: Dalliance

"'Sam has finally wrangled another guest for the Enlightenment Segment, and there is more to him than first meets the eye...'"

Events of Note

 * Sam says that there have been consistent issues with the Spirit Box services, and many have not been able to commune.
 * Sam interviews Oliver Boleyn at the Hatfield Karpos.
 * Sam finds out that his Rose is actually an arcane artefact and a 'non-entity'.
 * Sam finds out that his strange tarot deck is a True Arcanist Tarot deck, created to define and categorise Arcana.

Summary
Sam begins the episode by apologising for the issues with the Spirit Box and thanking listeners for their suggestions. He mentions that he tried to ask Anna for help, even going so far as to visit her house, but to no avail.

This particular Enlightenment segment is broadcast from the Hatfield Karpos, with Oliver Boleyn as a guest. As an introduction, Sam asks Oliver about why he became a florist. After an initially succinct answer, Oliver continues, talking about the purpose flowers and their relationship to death, comparing the life span of a flower to a human.

Sam picks up on a particular phrase in this monologue ('When you've lived as long as I have'), and questions Oliver regarding his age. He reveals that he is approximately five centuries old, his physical body having been suspended at the moment of his death. Sam compares him to the impossible children mentioned in previous episodes, and Oliver states that they are similar, but not the same as him. Oliver remarks that he cannot seem to stop talking when in conversation with Sam, and subsequently seems surprised when Sam then changes the conversation topic to something more preferable. The implication seems to be that he is not used to his comfort being considered.

Oliver mentions that he spent some time both in Paris and at the Palace of Versailles not long after its construction. He says that he had some form of relationship with the Duke d'Orleans, to which Sam awkwardly asks after his sexuality. Oliver identifies as queer, and Sam states that he is pansexual. There is gay tension.

Sam asks about how Oliver can grow naturally poisonous flowers that are safe, and Oliver explains that it is more a case of persuading the plants, but does not elaborate, citing 'trade secrets'. They then ask about Sam's Rose, and Oliver says that isn't actually a flower at all, but instead an artefact of the arcane. Sam understands it as a 'rose ghost'.

After being infuriatingly mysterious and Sam lightly snapping at him, Oliver tells Sam about the Arcanist Forms, as system created in the 12th century to categorise Arcana and arcane artefacts. He explains about 'True Arcanist Tarot', and Sam recognises it to be the strange tarot deck they found. Oliver requests to see the deck and Sam says that he doesn't currently have it with him. Oliver states that he will simply have to return to the Karpos. Sam begins to suggest plans of a less professional nature, and Oliver reminds them that they are on air. Sam rambles through his sign off quickly, ending the episode with a giggle.

Characters Featured

 * Sam Enfield
 * Oliver Boleyn
 * Kitty Enfield (mentioned)
 * Madame Marie (mentioned)
 * Anna Enfield (mentioned)

Listeners writing in/mentioned:


 * Abigail from Burnage, asking how Oliver can grow 'safe' poisonous flowers
 * Frank in Abergele, asking for Oliver's opinion on Sam's rose

Trivia

 * This episode is tooth-rottingly adorable and, furthermore, perfect.
 * This is also the episode where Sam's status as 'simp' is confirmed.