The penguin clicked and whirred a bit, technology in this era wasn't exactly up to the standards set by the thirty-first century. But it didn't need to be thirty-first century tech to get the message across.

"Greetings, agent," came Lyle's voice from the speaker, slightly tinny but completely neutral in tone (which had taken some doing. He'd had to practice his speech over and over until he'd been able to say it without smiling). "Your assignment, should you choose to accept is, is to meet a debonair and charming stranger for a romantic dinner at 7PM tonight in the glacier-viewing room here at the Pole. I suggest you take the role of a mysterious and ravishing beauty, sharp of eye and keener of wit, with a smile like the onrushing dawn as viewed from space..."

It went on for a bit. It had been fun when he'd been alone in a room making it up, but hearing it now, it was beginning to sound a little corny...