Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #202: Young People These Days (3/30/98)
Jon Drake looks in the lobby to see who is there as he makes his way to the daily roster.
Alea snatches another cookie.
Alea feels her hunger blunted.
Alea: Ready to work now...uh... Darrel?
Alea hopes that is right.
Darrel looks around the empty lobby.
Darrel: Yes, but there doesn't seem to be anybody requiring a channel's services just now.
Alea finally looks around the lobby and gapes.
Alea: Well, where'd they all go?
THuul marches into the lobby.
Alea: I know Snake wasn't here so they didn't...
THuul is a large Gen obviously into weight lifting.
THuul raises his fists in the air and roars:
THuul: "I am the demon king!!!"
THuul rips his shirt open, revealing a chest rippling with muscle.
Alea hops behind Darrel.
Darrel looks at THuul, confused.
Alea thinks, "Shen shen shen shen!"
Darrel: Can I help you, sir?
Jon Drake turns the new entrant.
Alea: I've been a good person lately, why do I keep getting caught in here with the nut cases?
Jon Drake wonders what's going on.
Alea closes her eyes. ~~ support ~~
THuul pauses and looks at Jon Drake.
THuul: You must worship me. [ostentatiously]
Jon Drake: May we help you?
Darrel tries to look relaxed and confident, which is easier than usual because he has a First supporting him.
THuul: Yes! All must bow before THuul!
THuul: ~~ godlike arrogance ~~
THuul, in addition to a fine sheen of sweat, is wearing a "gold" chain that probably weighs 18 lbs.
Jon Drake holds out the paperwork.
Jon Drake: Well, if you fill out these forms, we should be able to find someone to help you in just a bit.
Alea thinks about going and finding Tarsh and having a nice loooooooong chat with him.
Darrel zlins THuul to see what sort of not-well-enough-controlled substances he's been using.
Alea ~~ supports ~~ while she looks around for another Second to support Darrel.
THuul: ~~~ steroids ~~
THuul takes the paperwork belatedly.
THuul: Ah! A sacrifice. Ver-y good.
THuul studies the paperwork.
Alea doesn't like the sound of sacrifice.
Jon Drake directs him to one of the chairs without arms so as to give him enough room.
Alea glances at Darrel worriedly, wondering just how much experience he has with someone like this.
THuul: My throne!
THuul strides magnificently to the "throne" and seats himself.
Darrel is very glad that Simes can augment.
Jon Drake quietly sees that someone from security keeps an eye on this new arrival.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Darrel turns to Alea, worrying just a little.
Alea: So, Darrel, just how long have you been a channel?
Alea smiles invitingly until she sees the worry on his face.
Darrel: If he starts to make trouble, stay well back and let me handle him.
Alea's smile freezes with a 'oh dear' in her eyes.
Tarsh comes back from the Bursar's office with a sheaf of papers.
Alea: Do you think I'm going to get near him in my condition?
Alea: I have promised to stay well out of the way.
Jon Drake heads back to his office to do paperwork.
Alea: I promise you, I won't get anywhere NEAR him.
Darrel: Good.
THuul smiles at Alea.
Alea: Well, that's not good for you.
Alea: You won't have support.
THuul: ~~~ godlike good looks ~~~
Alea sees the smile out of the corner of her eye and gapes.
Alea moves further behind Darrel.
Darrel checks to see if THuul has completed the forms.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Micquayla walks into the lobby of the Sime Center.
Darrel sees the new arrival.
Darrel: Can I help you?
Micquayla is an elderly female Gen wearing a large, pink hat loaded down with fake fruit.
THuul has not done anything with the forms.
Tarsh looks up and sees some big Gen looking at Alea.
Tarsh: ~~ suspicion ~~
Alea nudges Darrel.
Micquayla adjusts the position of her cane, then looks up from her wavering grip on it to stare beady-eyed at Darrel.
Alea: Don't worry, I'll make sure someone supports you though.
Micquayla: Don't they teach you young-uns any manners these days!!
Micquayla: [snaps]
Micquayla: Offer me a chair!
Mostan lies sprawled across the bed, mouth hanging open.
Alea jumps.
Darrel gestures towards the couches.
THuul shifts his gaze over to Tarsh and smiles and winks at him.
Darrel: Please, be seated, and tell me what I can do for you.
Eliza carefully shuts the door behind her and moves over to the bed, shedding clothes as she goes.
THuul: ~~ smug knowledge of his own total superiority to all other males ~~
Alea moves over and picks up the magazines spread all over the couch.
Eliza has no idea what time Mostan got to bed, but figures he has had enough sleep.
Micquayla looks at the couches and her mouth starts working.
Micquayla's hands start working back and forth, pivoting the cane on its end.
Alea moves back and smiles, pointing, hoping to keep the peace.
Tarsh feels threatened by this Gen looking at Alea.
Eliza climbs onto the bed with him and starts nibbling his neck.
Alea glances at Darrel in question.
Micquayla finally gets up enough steam and starts walking in a quavering-back-and-forth fashion toward the nearest couch.
Micquayla: [muttering to her self] Young people these days... why, in my day.. [mutter mutter]
Alea sees Tarsh and smiles at him.
Mostan smiles and shifts in his sleep.
Alea mouths 'good morning' and moves back over to support Darrel.
Eliza puts her arm around his chest and whispers in his ear "Mos. Hey, Mos."
Darrel follows Micquayla at a polite distance, just in case she slips.
Tarsh zlins Alea's attention and mouths 'hi darling' back.
Eliza kisses her way around to his mouth.
Alea winks.
Alea ~~ supports ~~ Darrel.
Mostan has a pleasant dream about Eliza cuddling and smooching him.
Alea glances over and notes Thuul hasn't filled out the paperwork.
Micquayla stops in front of the couch, arms working back and forth on the cane, butt wagging back and forth, mouth working.
Micquayla: What are you standing there for!! [snaps at Darrel]
Alea frowns.
Micquayla: Aren't you going to offer me some tea?
Eliza's hand wanders over his chest.
Alea: Excuse me, sir, but to donate, you must fill out those forms.
Alea points at the empty papers.
Eliza: Come on Mos, wake up!
Tarsh goes up to THuul. "Did you need help with the forms, Sir?"
THuul looks at Alea, then shifts slightly to display his massively detailed chest and brawny arms to full effect.
Darrel blinks at the tea table, which is right next to Micquayla.
Tarsh is chagrined to upstage Alea.
Darrel: Help yourself to tea, and a cookie if you like.
THuul: Oh? Well, for as pretty a mortal as you, even I would go to... extra lengths.
Darrel: And then, perhaps you could tell me what brought you to the Sime Center today.
THuul: [ignoring Tarsh]
Mostan wakes up, crankily wondering who is interrupting his wonderful dream.
Alea: Mr. Chutmas will be glad to help you, then.
Alea pointedly turns her back on the imbecile who obviously can't read and continues to support Darrel.
Eliza kisses him.
Darrel is glad of the support, because he's not used to being around such strange people.
Tarsh: Did you want to donate today sir?
Micquayla mutters about Darrel under her breath, and slowly, painfully, sits on the couch.
Mostan: What? Who? No, I...
Eliza: Oh Mos...
Micquayla: What's the world coming to when an old woman can't even get help walking across the floor in a public building.. [mutter mutter]
Darrel: Did you come for assistance with your arthritis?
Alea increases her support moving back enough to brush against Tarsh.
THuul: Of course. What other reason does one descend to the earthly abode of channels for?
Mostan: [sleepily] "'Liza?"
Eliza is a bit annoyed thinking maybe he thought it was Jelana.
Eliza sits up.
THuul looks at Tarsh as if he is culturally impaired.
Eliza: Who do you think it is, with you, in my bed?
Tarsh: Ah. May I? [Goes to take the forms]
Alea whispers.
Alea: Ask him if he can read, Tarsh.
Mostan: I thought ... never mind.
Tarsh smiles.
Alea continues to offer support to Darrel.
Mostan sits up. "Hi sweetie."
Eliza looks miserable.
Eliza: Do you love me, Mos?
Alea realizes she hasn't been listening to the old woman and has no idea why she is here.
Mostan: Of course I love you.
Darrel waits for Micquayla to state her business.
Mostan puts his arms around Eliza.
Eliza puts her arms around him and presses close.
Micquayla sits there working her lips, and looking around in self-righteous indignation.
Mostan: [Sheet falls down to waist, no clothes in sight yet]
Eliza: Do you want me?
Mostan: Desperately.
Mostan starts kissing her neck.
Eliza moans.
Eliza: I want you so much!
Mostan: Oh good. That works out nicely then.
Eliza starts to giggle. 1
Alea relaxes as she realizes things aren't going to be so bad after all.
Alea ~~ easy support ~~
Tarsh: What was your name sir?
Darrel looks at Micquayla and shrugs.
THuul: I am THuul! Master of Demons! [stentoriously]
Alea reaches over and picks up a cookie and begins to nibble, getting rid of her hunger as she waits for Darrel to take...
Alea jumps at Thuul's loud voice.
Darrel: If you wish a channel's assistance, please let me know.
Alea thinks they're going to have to do something about people screaming inside the Sime Center.
Micquayla: You know perfectly well I wish a channel's assistance, young man.
Darrel absentmindedly takes a cookie and nibbles it.
Tarsh: Ah. ~~ apprehension ~~ I . See.
Darrel: Of course. What can I do for you?
THuul hands Tarsh the forms, which now have all the required information on them.
Alea is glances at Tarsh curiously.
THuul: [name: Jogn Jonez, address 111 Main Street]
Alea turns slightly to look at the forms, impressed that he actually CAN read.
Alea smiles at Thuul thinking that is certainly quite a feat.
Micquayla: Take my donation, of course! What else are you good for! [snaps]
Micquayla mutters, "Young uppity Sime so-and-so.... mutter mutter"
Darrel: I would be happy to, as soon as I have finished with Mr. THuul over there. In the meantime, perhaps you would fill out the forms?
Darrel snags a clipboard and set of paperwork from Clerk's desk and hands them to Micquayla.
Darrel goes over to Tarsh.
Darrel: Is Mr. THuul ready to donate now?
Micquayla: You'd think after 30 years of donations you people would remember my name! Things sure aren't like they used to be.
Tarsh: Ah. Thank you sir.
Micquayla snatches the clip board and begins to write.
Alea sighs, wondering why so many donors are such grouches.
Tarsh is grateful to be rid of nutman.
Tarsh: Yes, everything is in order.
THuul preens, showing off his shining gold ringlets of mane, and his well-defined thews.
Tarsh gives the forms to Darrel.
Darrel takes THuul's forms from Tarsh and glances over them.
THuul winks at Alea.
Alea: Would you help the lady, perhaps, Tarsh....
Alea blinks, certain THuul didn't just wink at her.
Micquayla writes carefully, making good headway until she gets to the bit about recent medical history.
Jelana goes into the cafeteria for a cup of trin and a bowl of fruit.
Darrel raises a skeptical eyebrow at some of the alleged info, but doesn't comment.
Darrel: If you would come with me, sir, I would be happy to take your donation now.
THuul: You will make a devoted servant. Your trainers are to be commended.
THuul rises and follows Darrel.
Alea turns and walks with Darrel and the donor.
Darrel shows THuul into a donation room.
Tarsh: Uhh.... yaah.
Tarsh mutters under his breath "ooohhh kaayy..."
Alea walks into the donation room, too.
Alea ~~ support ~~
THuul looks upon Alea with great admiration, as upon a masterwork of art.
Tarsh goes over to Micquayla.
Darrel: Mr. THuul, have you donated before?
Tarsh: Good to see you again ma'am.
THuul: Never.
Tarsh: Was there a problem?
THuul: Unless you count my gift of fire to the sons of Man.
THuul: That was many thousands of years ago, however.
Micquayla looks up.
Darrel: I see. Well, donating selyn is a bit different.
Micquayla: No problem but all this paperwork! It'll take an hour to describe every medical problem I've had in the last month. I'm 90 years old!
Alea can't help but grin.
Alea thinks this THuul is harmless enough and she just might enjoy listening to him.
Jelana sits down and eats her fruit and cereal.
Alea smiles at Darrel reassuringly.
THuul frowns, pondering Darrel's rather profound statement.
Darrel: Much simpler, really.
Tarsh leans over to read her name. "That may already be in our files if you've donated here before. Shall I check?"
THuul: Yes, yes, that would seem right.
THuul: It'll probably cause less trouble in the long run. [adds]
Darrel: It'll be no trouble at all.
Micquayla looks up at Tarsh in surprise.
Darrel: You just sit down on the lounge there...
Micquayla: Why, thank you, dear. That would be very kind of you.
Darrel points at the requisite piece of furniture.
THuul looks at the transfer lounge.
THuul: Ah... the chair of plenty. Many times have I heard its praises sung in renSimes' prayers.
Alea goes over by the lounge.
THuul sits on the transfer lounge, looking rather pleased to be there.
Tarsh: I'll be right back, Miz Micquayla.
Darrel sits beside THuul.
Darrel: Now, I'll take your arms and wrap my tentacles around them, then touch your lips with mine for a moment.
Alea pulls a seat up beside Darrel and seats herself.
Darrel: You won't feel anything happening at all.
Darrel: And in less than a minute, you'll be done.
Mostan pauses. 2
THuul: Very interesting. [nods]
Alea ~~ support ~~
Eliza: Come on!!!
Darrel zlins THuul to see how he is taking all this.
Alea folds her hands in her lap and smiles pleasantly, waiting.
Eliza: PLEASE!!! ~ desire ~
Mostan zlins more intently.
Eliza presses backwards.
Mostan: Eliza ... you're ...
Eliza wiggles against him
Mostan moves further back.
Mostan: No, Wait!
Eliza: What!
Eliza: Don't stop!
Mostan turns to the side and sits.
Eliza turns over and stares at him
Eliza: What!
Mostan hugs Eliza. I'm sorry baby, I should have....
Eliza: Whatever it is, can't it wait till later?
Tarsh goes over and looks through the files.
Eliza caresses his shoulders and nibbles his neck.
Eliza: What's wrong? Come on....
THuul: ~~ interested ~~
Darrel holds out his hands.
Darrel: Are you ready?
Alea wonders why Darrel is waiting
Mostan groans at her attention but then pushes her away.
Alea smiles in relief.
Eliza: ~ encouragement, lust ~
Mostan: No, Eliza, you don't understand.
THuul holds out his arms, self-reverently.
Eliza sits back on the bed, stunned at the rejection.
Eliza: You don't want me!
Eliza: You want Jelana!
Mostan: Eliza, I should have zlinned you first.
Jelana sips her tea, enjoying the quiet time of the morning.
Mostan: What? No of course not!
Eliza: What's that got to do with anything!
Mostan: I'm doing this for you!
Darrel takes the arms and wraps his handling tentacles around them,
zlinning the Gen's state of health.
THuul: ~~~ magnificently healthy ~~~
Eliza gets up and starts to get dressed quickly and angrily.
Alea ~~ support ~~
THuul has big, brawny arms with slabs of muscle.
Darrel: All right. Now just hold still for a moment, and you'll be done.
Darrel leans forward for the fifth contact.
Mostan: Eliza! Wait! I can explain.
Eliza: Explain, explain. It's obvious. [sobs and chokes back tears]
Alea notes Thuul's arms and thinks they're awfully big, and wonders just
how many drugs he had to take to get them that way.
THuul waits.
Mostan: No. It isn't.
Darrel drains the GN-3 level.
Mostan: You can't zlin your own ovaries.
Eliza: What!
Eliza: What on earth are you talking about?
THuul's selyn comes out in a minute dribble.
Eliza looks at Mostan as if he has gone mad.
THuul: [drip... drip... drip...]
Tarsh comes back with a thick folder.
Tarsh: You have been a generous donor, haven't you, Ma'am.
Tarsh: Let me see those forms.
Mostan: Eliza. That first time...
Darrel is confused at the draw speed, which appears to be much slower than he intended.
Darrel zlins more closely for some clue as to the reason.
Mostan: You told me you didn't want to have children.
Eliza: I don't want to have children.
THuul appears to have selyn available, not much but hey, he's a GN-3.
Eliza: I'm sorry if you do, Mostan.
Eliza looks miserable (and frustrated).
Alea wonders what is taking so long.
Mostan: Exactly....
Darrel increases the field gradient just a bit, hoping for an increase in speed.
Mostan gets up and touches her lower belly in two places.
THuul feels something and realizes it's like exercise... resists enthusiastically.
Mostan: But you are about to ovulate. Any time now.
Eliza jumps a little as he touches her.
Eliza: You mean, like I'm in season?
Alea, concerned, leans forward.
Mostan: Yeess... you could put it that way. Estrus.
Darrel feels THuul's resistance increase, and cuts off the draw, contenting himself with what little he's managed to glean.
Darrel breaks lip contact.
Eliza: Oh, no!
Eliza: But I want you so badly.
Mostan: You see now?
Eliza stifles a sob.
Darrel: There. All done.
Eliza: But if I'm likely to fall pregnant NOW... Oh, why couldn't it happen after your turn over!
Mostan gestures. "And I'm burning for you. But I don't want to make you pregnant if you don't want to be."
Eliza: Will it be the same every month?
Darrel: Just hold still for a moment while I retract my tentacles.
Darrel suits the action to the words.
Mostan: Well, there is a tendency for fertility to be soon after transfer.
Mostan: No, it will probably move.
THuul holds still.
Darrel stands up and goes over to the desk.
Darrel: You did very well for a first-time donor.
Darrel scribbles the proper notations on a voucher and hands it to THuul.
THuul: Thank you. ~~ arrogance ~~
Alea wonders what the shenned happened.
THuul takes the voucher, then does a double-take when he sees how small the payment is.
Mostan feels his lust growing and takes his tentacles off Eliza.
Darrel: If you give this to the clerk down the hall, she will see that you receive your donation payment.
THuul: This is all??! [in a completely different voice]
Alea shakes her head and goes to the door to get the next donor.
Alea pauses by the door turning back, hearing the note in Thuul's voice.
Mostan: There are pills you can Tect - err take.
Mostan: That prevent it.
Eliza: Oh! Let's go get some!
Eliza: NOW!
Darrel: Your payment is based on the amount of selyn you donated. That will gradually increase each month, if you continue.
Mostan: You have to start them after your menses.
Eliza: [whining] But that doesn't help us now!
Mostan starts to ache from the buildup and considers suggesting some of the... alternative methods.
Mostan: No.
Mostan realizes that a out-T, well brought up girl would likely be repulsed by such a suggestion.
Alea: Why don't you come right this way, THuul?
Mostan: They don't.
Alea: I'll walk you out to the cashier.
Alea smiles a 'I'll be right back' smile at Darrel.
THuul follows Alea, still staring in dismay at the voucher and looking somewhat deflated.
Alea walks out.
Alea: Don't look so down, THuul.
Alea: So some people lack in some areas.
Alea: Yours is obviously selyn.
Alea: Still, that is a little spending money to buy you a drink or possibly maybe lunch.
Mostan turns away to hide himself. "I'm so sorry Eliza. I'll make it up to you in 3 days."
Eliza: 3 days!
Eliza thinks she will have died of frustration by then!
THuul droops.
THuul: Oh.
Mostan: That's the vulnerable period.
Alea pats Thuul's arm.
Alea: There, there, don't worry about it.
Alea: That selyn will help some renSime, and you can be proud of that.
THuul wants to crawl into a hole and hide.
Eliza: 3 days! But Mos, isn't that about your turnover?
THuul stuffs the voucher into his back pocket.
Mostan: I... I'd better go... to work.
Alea slips an arm through his.
Alea: Come on, let's go to the cashier.
Mostan: Not quite. We'll have a little time.
Alea feels guilty for making him feel even worse.
Eliza collapses on the bed.
THuul: What's the point?
Eliza: Yes, you had better go find that Donor of yours.
THuul: It's only .003.
Eliza: Don't want to keep HER waiting, do you?
Mostan picks up his clothes and reluctantly pulls them on.
Darrel returns to the lobby.
Mostan: What? Don't be silly.
Alea: Still, you might as well.
Alea: You did donate.
Eliza: Now I'm silly, too.
Mostan: A Donor only interests me after turnover.
Eliza: Oh, great, then I'll not see you at all.
Mostan: No! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that Darl-* YEOW!
Mostan: ~~ embarrassing pain ~~
Darrel puts THuul's paperwork in the appropriate basket on Clerk's desk, with a notation that he should be checked out by a First on his next visit.
Mostan very carefully finishes dressing.
THuul leaves the Sime Center in despair.
Mostan: Eliza, I'm so sorry.
Eliza sniffs.
Mostan goes over to kiss her goodbye.
Eliza turns so he can kiss her on the cheek.
Tarsh finishes copying all the medical history over. "There you are."
Micquayla: Why, thank you dear.
Micquayla pats Tarsh's hand.
Mostan: ~~ disappointment ~~
Darrel walks over to Tarsh and Micquayla.
Alea goes back over to where Darrel is.
Micquayla: It's so nice to know there are still some people with values left in the world.
Mostan wishes he dared suggest... but no.
Micquayla: [grandmotherly voice]
Darrel: If you are ready, I can help you now, ma'am.
Mostan: I'll see you later, My Love Eternal.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Eliza: Yeah, maybe.
Darrel sighs in relief at the return of Alea's support.
Mostan looks tragic, but decides to leave bad enough alone.
Mostan goes out and closes the door behind him.
Eliza waits for him to go, then gets up and gets "street clothes", ie. not uniforms, out and puts them on.
Eliza brushes her hair savagely.
Mostan goes down stairs, pausing to punch the wall on the stairs.
Eliza: ~ ouch ~ Shen it!
Tarsh: Why thank you, Ma'am.
Eliza storms out of her room and through the lobby.
Griff walks up to the Ferry Building, delighted at the abandoned, mausoleum appearance.
Eliza thinks if she just keeps her head down and keeps going no one will notice.
Mostan is looking at the schedule board as Eliza passes.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Griff thinks that this is the sort of building a Sime with ooky tentacles OUGHT to live in.
Eliza doesn't realize that she is leaving a trail of ~ angry frustration ~ behind her.
Alea blinks as Eliza passes.
Eliza rushes down the steps and out on the sidewalk and walks very rapidly.
Mostan controls his showfield to conceal the ~~ frustration and pain. ~~
Griff knocks, savoring the gloomy echoes.
Toi Toi opens the door.
Toi Toi: Yes?
Toi Toi looks around, then down.
Toi Toi: Oh. What can I do for you?
Toi Toi is a Gen receptionist with no tentacles, ooky or otherwise.
Griff: Is this where Miz Ferret lives?
Griff: The channel with the ooky white eyes?
Toi Toi's mouth twists wryly.
Toi Toi: Er... yes.
Toi Toi: Did you want to speak to her?
Griff: Yeah!
Toi Toi stands aside to let Griff in.
Toi Toi: May I tell her who's calling?
Griff comes in, looking around at Rapol's furniture and the peeling wallpaper.
Griff: Neat-o!
Eliza storms along the street walking as fast as she can.
Griff looks back at Toi Toi.
Toi Toi: Your name, please?
Griff: Oh, I'm Griff Gussleman. Ms. Ferret said she had a real neat, ooky job for me.
Toi Toi looks him up and down.
Toi Toi: That I don't doubt.
Toi Toi: Please have a seat on the... er... couch.
Toi Toi still feels uncomfortable about calling it that.
Muttley sniffs around a likely looking alley.
Griff looks at the...er...couch.
Griff: A banana?
Alea ~~ support ~~ Darrel
Toi Toi: A Bondage Banana.
Toi Toi: [with as much dignity as those words can be said together with.]
Griff remembers Snake mentioning someplace that sounded strange.
Griff: From a Tentacle Parlor?
Toi Toi: No doubt. [dryly]
Griff: Neat!
Toi Toi imagines Rapol, and Nick and Snake for that matter, frequent just about every type of scumball establishment that has ever been invented.
Toi Toi: Please have a seat and I will let Her know you are here.
Griff runs over to the...er...couch and jumps, landing on it feet first.
Alea smiles over at Tarsh.
Toi Toi walks up the stairs [AGAIN]
Alea: What have you been doing today?
Alea: I was surprised to see you out in the lobby helping with donations.
Toi Toi hopes the improvements will include a lift, and an intercom system.
Tarsh: Just the usual accounts.
Toi Toi: [puff, puff]
Tarsh: Still can't quite balance the donor account.
Eliza starts to get out of breath and is horrified at how unfit she has become while at the Center.
Eliza: Too much food, not enough exercise there. [mutters]
Tarsh: I was just passing through. Didn't like muscles there looking at you.
Griff bounces a few times, then hits a particularly plush bit of peel and slips, landing on the floor.
Alea chuckles.
Griff: Ooof!
Eliza sees the towers of the Ferry Building in the distance and strides purposefully towards them.
Alea: I'm pregnant, Tarsh. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it.
Muttley wanders to the Sime Center door.
Alea glances over at the older woman, then back at Tarsh.
Alea: Has she donated here, before? [low]
Mostan sees he is on duty and looks to see where Jelana is now.
Griff scrambles to his feet and looks around to make sure nobody saw him fall.
Tarsh: [low] For 30 years, here in town.
Alea: I haven't worked with a channel who worked with her yet.
Jelana is just finishing her tea in the cafeteria.
Micquayla: Speak up, girl! [snaps at Alea] I can't hear you.
Muttley sees the closed door, and scratches on it on the off chance that the occupants may supply a free meal.
Alea starts slightly.
Alea: Ah, uh....
Darrel's smile is starting to feel glued to his face as he waits for the old woman to respond.
Alea smiles kindly.
Alea: I was just asking Mr. Chutmas, here, if you had donated here before.
Muttley: Woof.
Alea: I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet.
Alea: This is the channel who will be taking your donation. Hajene Darrel.
Alea: Are you ready to donate, then ma'am?
Alea smiles at Tarsh.
Alea: See you later.
Micquayla: I've been waiting here for forty five minutes! Of course I'm ready.
Micquayla: [snaps]
Alea: Great.
Eliza jumps up the steps of the Ferry Building 3 at a time, hoping that Snake is home.
Muttley: Woof, Woof
Eliza rings the bell and waits impatiently.
Jelana comes down the hall toward the lobby, looking again for Mostan.
Wise Snake comes down the stairs with Toi Toi preceding her.
Wise Snake: Ah... oh! [surprised to see the kid there]
Griff has by now discovered the strategically placed rings on the banana, and is trying to discover what they're good for.
Alea reaches over and squeezes Tarsh's hand.
Griff hopes it's something really ooky.
Alea: Well, then, let's get you to a donation room.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Griff turns and sees Snake.
Alea steps over to Darrel.
Eliza rings the bell again - harder.
Wise Snake: Er.. just a minute. [eyes lingering on the sight of Griff fondling the banana's strap rings, as she heads for the door]
Wise Snake opens the door.
Alea steps over to Darrel.
Griff turns and sees Snake.
Wise Snake: Hell.... look out!!!
Eliza jumps.
Wise Snake grabs Eliza and jerks her inside as the bell falls out the window.
Eliza: Shen!
Eliza: ~ startlement ~
Wise Snake closes her eyes and shakes her head as the bell hits the ground for the third time in a week.
Darrel offers Micquayla his arm.
Darrel: If you would come with me, ma'am.
Eliza: Geees, Snake, you should get that fixed!
Micquayla looks at Darrel in surprise, since he seems to have learned some manners in the last 45 minutes.
Wise Snake: If people didn't keep yanking on it so hard, it wouldn't be broken. [a bit peevishly]
Alea walks along with them, waving goodbye to Tarsh.
Micquayla takes Darrel's arm and starts heaving, trying to get to her feet.
Eliza: I didn't pull on it that hard! I just, oh shen. I'm sorry.
Alea realizes she was so intent on Tarsh she walked right off from Micquayla.
Wise Snake: It's okay. It's all right, at least you weren't hurt.
Alea hurries back over, blushing apologetically.
Eliza: ~~ miserable frustrated hot and bothered ~~
Wise Snake thinks THAT's all she needs today, a big Gen pain spike right in the head.
Wise Snake lets go of Eliza and goes to retrieve the bell from the front walk.
Darrel pulls Micquayla to her feet.
Micquayla scrabbles for balance, swinging around so her face is pressed into Darrel's chest, her free hand clawing his arm.
Muttley nudges the Centre's door with his nose and discovers that the last person out hadn't closed it properly.
Wise Snake comes back in with the bell and closes and locks the door.
Alea ~~ alarm ~~ darts awkwardly forward trying to grab Micquayla's other arm.
Muttley enters the Sime Centre.
Muttley is an old brown dog of (very) indeterminate parentage.
Micquayla finally regains her balance, spread eagled between Darrel and Alea's support.
Alea breathing rather hard.
Muttley: Woof [happily]
Alea sees the dog.
Micquayla stares at Alea's belly, then her (bare) ring-finger.
Micquayla: I see.
Micquayla sniffs.
Darrel steps a bit closer to Alea to close the distance and unspread Micquayla.
Alea sees where she looks and flushes at the reprimand.
Wise Snake: Um, Eliza, what can I do for you?
Griff has gone back to playing with the banana.
Eliza looks at Griff on the banana and blushes.
Eliza: I'm sorry, Snake, I was hoping to see you privately.
Eliza: I can wait if you are busy.
Wise Snake realizes she is still holding the bell and puts it on the floor.
Jelana walks into the lobby looking for Mostan.
Muttley goes bounding over to the people to say hello.
Wise Snake sees what she is staring at: Griff astride one end of the banana, facing the other end.
Wise Snake claps a hand to her temple and looks away.
Tarsh opens his mouth but then closes it.
Wise Snake: No... no... he can wait.
Alea ~~ dismay at the statement and the dog ~~
Darrel starts firmly leading the way to the donation room.
Alea: No, no. Bad dog. Shoo!
Mostan: Jelana. Ready to work?
Eliza: Well, it's kind of personal.
Alea is staring at the dog, not moving.
Jelana: Of course, Hajene.
Micquayla: Wait... my purse! [as she is dragged toward the donation room]
Jelana walks over ~~ support ~~
Micquayla strains to see if her hat and cane are still back there too.
Darrel has come to the conclusion that the best way to survive in this place is to avoid the lobby as much as humanly possible.
Muttley ignores the 'shoo' and goes over to Alea.
Alea is suddenly jerked with Micquayla.
Eliza: ~ embarrassed, frustrated ~
Alea stumbles and belatedly lets go of Micquayla.
Darrel: Alea, would you bring Ms. Micquayla's things?
Alea: I'll get your purse.
Alea: Yes, of course, Hajene.
Eliza: ~ embarrassed, frustrated, OVULATING ~
Alea nods.
Alea: Shoo.
Wise Snake: Excuse me, Mr. Gussleson? Can you wait a few minutes longer?
Alea motions the dog away.
Jelana ~~ support ~~
Jelana: How have you been today?
Wise Snake stares at Eliza, never having zlinned anybody ovulating quite so intensely before.
Muttley steer's in the opposite direction, straight towards Micquayla.
Alea's eyes widen in dismay.
Alea: Tarsh, help me catch that dog!
Mostan sighs "Don't ask."
Jelana was afraid of this after the confrontation this morning.
Jelana: Of course, Hajene.
Mostan relaxes against Jelana's field, balm to his distress.
Griff looks up and starts to pout, then remembers how delightfully gloomy the place is.
Tarsh: I'll get it!
Griff: All right.
Alea waddles forward grabbing at it.
Tarsh goes towards Muttley. "Here, puppy."
Griff goes back to playing with the...er...couch.
Alea remembers Miz Micquayla's stuff and turns back to get it.
Mostan: ~~ frustration and pain ~~
Wise Snake gestures to Eliza.
Wise Snake: Come to my office.
Wise Snake starts up the stairs.
Darrel continues to lead Micquayla towards the donation room.
Jelana studies Mostan worriedly.
Micquayla staggers after Darrel, caught in his armlock.
Micquayla: What! Is that mangy animal doing in a medical building??
Micquayla: Do you people have no concept of hygiene?
Eliza follows, wanting to take the steps two at a time but having to be content with Snake's slow pace.
Wise Snake shows Eliza into the office and offers her a seat.
Eliza throws herself into it.
Darrel would like the answer to that question.
Wise Snake closes the door, then takes a seat at her desk.
Wise Snake: Now... how can I help you?
Jelana: You know, Eliza cares very much for you, Mostan.
Muttley attempts to dart down a corridor.
Darrel: [the first one, that is.]
Alea comes back with the cane and the old woman's hat.
Eliza: Errr, well, someone told me there is a pill you can take to stop you falling pregnant.
Mostan: I'm a bit ... tense. Could you come to my office a moment?
Eliza: I don't want children.
Eliza: Ever.
Jelana: Of course, Hajene.
Wise Snake: A contraceptive pill? Yes, there is such a thing.
Jelana ~~ soothing ~~
Jelana walks with Mostan toward his office.
Darrel puts out a leg and diverts the dog away from Micquayla's legs.
Muttley darts into an open doorway.
Alea: Oh! Not Lanyi's office!
Eliza: Well, I don't want everyone at the Center to know my business, and I was wondering if I could buy them off you.
Alea: Catch it, Tarsh!
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: Well... sure, I suppose we could do that.
Eliza: ~ relief ~
Darrel leads Micquayla into a donation room and shuts the door firmly to exclude wildlife.
Eliza: And they work?
Mostan walks gingerly to his office.
Wise Snake: I don't like to steal business from the Center, but under the circumstances....
Eliza: I mean, you don't have to worry about when you, errr....
Jelana goes to into Mostan's office.
Tarsh runs after Muttley.
Jelana ~~ soothing support ~~
Wise Snake would much rather Eliza not reproduce, at least until it's seen whether she can be trained for control or not.
Alea goes after Tarsh and the dog.
Wise Snake: They are about 99% effective.
Wise Snake: That means, if you make out every night, you'll get pregnant 3 times a year.
Mostan closes the door. "Yes, I know she does, but sometimes..."
Eliza: Oh, shen.
Eliza: I don't want to be pregnant at all.
Jelana moves over to Mostan's desk.
Jelana: Yes?
Eliza: Ever, ever, ever.
Jelana waits.
Mostan sits down carefully, wincing.
Alea gets to the door of Lanyi's office.
Alea: Good. You have that little dog trapped!
Griff wonders what the straps are for.
Tarsh gets into the doorway and spreads his arms wide.
Darrel: There, ma'am. No dogs in here.
Wise Snake reaches for a box.
Jelana sees the wince and sighs.
Tarsh: [soothing] Here Nice puppy. Good boy.
Wise Snake: I buy these wholesale and use them as incentives to people to donate. [explains]
Darrel leads Micquayla towards the lounge.
Jelana thinks Eliza and Mostan much not have made up properly and moves behind Mostan to rub his shoulders.
Eliza: Isn't there another way? An absolutely sure way?
Muttley tries to hide under the closest chair.
Jelana: I think she might be a tad insecure, Hajene.
Tarsh picks up the chair.
Alea bumps into Tarsh, not stopping fast enough.
Micquayla is still muttering cantankerously about filth being the devil's work, etc.
Wise Snake stares pointedly at Eliza.
Wise Snake: There's always abstinence.
Mostan: But I keep telling her....
Eliza: No, that wouldn't work.
Muttley jumps, trying to avoid Tarsh, and hits Alea on her knees.
Wise Snake: Sex was, after all, intended to make babies.
Mostan relaxes under the massage.
Eliza: I don't think Mostan would like that at all.
Darrel pretty much ignores the mutters, as long as the mutterer is moving in the right direction.
Eliza knows damn sure she wouldn't.
Wise Snake: How about oral sex?
Alea's knees fold.
Eliza: Oral WHAT!
Eliza: Talking about it is okay.
Eliza: But really, I mean....
Wise Snake fingers her forehead.
Muttley tries to scramble out of the way.
Wise Snake: No, I meant... [explains what "oral sex" means in a few brief sentences]
Jelana: Well, keep telling her, then.
Jelana: And maybe... well, we discussed this.
Eliza looks horrified.
Jelana: You are trying to spend more time with her?
Eliza: You are joking?
Wise Snake: Hey... it works.
Wise Snake: You asked me for alternatives.
Griff looks at the straps more closely and decides that they were used to attach baskets to hold stuff, like yummy snacks to much while reading comics.
Griff looks around and finds a basket in a forgotten corner of the big building.
Eliza looks uncomfortable.
Eliza: Yes, but that's not what I had in mind.
Eliza had a dog desexed once....
Griff dumps the junk out of the basket and carries it over to the banana.
Tarsh grabs at Alea to keep her from falling over Muttley.
Alea: Shenned dog. Grab it!
Alea: Thank you, Tarsh.
Micquayla adjusts her seat on the transfer lounge.
Micquayla: [various aches and pains, bladder acting up again, etc.]
Griff experiments with basket and bondage couch, trying to attach the first to the second.
Jelana continues to rub Mostan's shoulders as she tries to think of what to say.
Jelana ~~ soothing relaxation ~~
Darrel: Would you like me to see what I can do about those aches while I take your donation?
Mostan: I'm trying to, but my schedule is so broken up, and she's always working or taking music lessons....
Muttley caromes off the nearest filing cabinet.
Jelana: Perhaps you should just sit down and talk to her then.
Mostan: I love her to death, but she won't trust me on that.
Wise Snake: Well... you could try taking the pills AND having him wear a condom. That'll pretty much eliminate any possibility.
Jelana: She is also taking up time that could be spent with you.
Jelana: Work with her to work that schedule around everything.
Eliza has heard of condoms but never seen one.
Eliza: Where do you get condoms?
Jelana: Both of you will have to give in areas if you each want more time together.
Wise Snake: Oh. Any general store. Or the Sime C... any general store.
Muttley: [the filing cabinet starts to tilt]
Jelana: As for loving her to death and trusting....
Jelana: Is there some reason why she doesn't trust you?
Eliza: You know, I had a dog once. We took it to the vet and then it couldn't have puppies any more.
Micquayla: Naturally [snaps]. I'm not an idiot, you know.
Jelana: Talk to her and find out, Hajene.
Tarsh leaps to catch the cabinet.
Darrel: I can see you're not.
Darrel holds out his hands.
Wise Snake looks at Eliza with the particular look that Snake is so good at, that is about 1/3 horror, 1/3 incredulity, and 1/3 head ache.
Alea gasps and darts the other way, remembering what caused her last miscarriage was a filing cabinet.
Wise Snake: Surely you can't be suggesting you get spayed.
Jelana: Don't allow this to go on between you. Sit down and talk, and get it settled--before your turnover.
Eliza blushes.
Eliza thinks that would solve the problem beautifully.
Muttley heads for the doorway.
Eliza: Well, I'll try the pills and the condoms.
Wise Snake: I think you'd better stick to the pills and condoms. Voluntarily sterilization is not a good choice for someone your age. And, it's risky.
Darrel takes Micquayla's arms and gently wraps his tentacles around them.
Eliza assumes that Mostan will know what to do with condoms.
Wise Snake hands over the pills.
Wise Snake digs around in a desk drawer and pulls out a string of condoms.
Wise Snake: Here's some of these for starters.
Tarsh puts it upright and dives to grab Muttley.
Eliza: How much is that, Snake?
Muttley's paws can't grip properly on floor.
Eliza: I really appreciate this.
Wise Snake: Shen! I can't charge you for this, Briel would skin me.
Eliza: I know you didn't want Mos and I to... be together and all.
Muttley starts sliding towards Tarsh.
Wise Snake looks at Eliza oddly.
Alea realizes she is crushing Micquayla's hat to her chest and it's a total mess now.
Wise Snake: Is that what you think I wanted?
Muttley: Hooowl.
Micquayla is matter-of-fact about the contact, her only movement being those generated by her infirmity.
Alea slips the cane close to her side and moves out the door, pulling it closed behind her, hoping Lanyi won't see anything out of place.
Darrel leans in to make lip contact, and begins to drawn selyn.
Alea: Grab him! Grab him!
Griff finds the straps inconvenient for attaching baskets.
Alea's foot hits a stray grape from the crushed hat and her foot goes sliding on the plastic object.
Muttley finally get a grip on the floor and tries to turns towards the desk.
Darrel neatly drains what is gleanable, then turns his attention to taming arthritis and soothing the irritated bladder.
Alea's feet go in opposite directions and she flies forward, hitting Tarsh and tripping over the dog.
Micquayla's irritation [both mental and physical] fades under Darrel's ministrations.
Alea: Sheeeenndooon it!
Muttley: Hoooooowl.
Alea goes down on hands and knees.
Alea ~~ pain ~~
Alea: You're gonna die, you little bit of doghood.
Alea kicks painfully at the door, closing the three of them inside Lanyi's office.
Darrel works a bit on a tendon which has been strained by leaning on the cane too hard, then breaks contact.
Alea: Come here, sweetie.
Darrel: All done.
Alea crawls forward on all fours.
Muttley heads for safety under the desk.
Alea: Come on... DARLING... come to Alea.
Micquayla: Hmph! It's about time.
Micquayla: ~~ grudging thanks ~~
Alea crawls painfully after the little wretch.
Alea: Perfect doggie.
Alea: That's the -perfect- place to go.
Darrel retracts his tentacles, and gets up.
Darrel goes over to the desk and writes out a voucher.
Alea gets caught up on her skirt, crawling around on the floor and stops to jerk it out from under her knees.
Muttley: Woof [loudly]
Alea: Woof! [back at it] [mumble mumble] Idiot shendoni dog.
Alea: You do know, the only way out now is if we let you out.
Micquayla reaches for her purse to put the voucher in, then realizes she still doesn't have it... or her hat or cane.
Alea chuckles.
Muttley edges back further under the desk.
Tarsh gets up and crawls around the other side of the desk.
Alea: And the only way I'm letting you out is through that window, dear one.
Alea: No way am I opening that door.
Alea chuckles.
Muttley: Woof, woof.
Darrel hands Micquayla the voucher, then offers her assistance getting to her feet.
Alea stops near the entrance of the desk and smiles at the mangy mutt.
Muttley darts forward and snaps at Alea's nose.
Mostan sighs. Thanks for your advice, Sosu.
Mostan gets to his feet.
Micquayla: Where's that [young hussy] girl who went for my things?
Jelana: I wish there was more I could do.
Tarsh: Hey!
Darrel is wondering the same thing.
Micquayla staggers to her feet, leaning heavily on Darrel.
Darrel: I'm sure she's right outside.
Mostan zlins Jelana, thinking of something, but then shies away from the thought.
Micquayla: I should certainly hope so.
Jelana looks curiously at Mostan
Jelana: What is it?
Micquayla: I thought we were past the days when a lady's purse could be stolen from the lobby of a Sime Center.
Tarsh: Hey!
Alea glares at the dog.
Micquayla: [gripe gripe gripe]
Darrel assists Micquayla back to the lobby.
Tarsh augments to snatch at the collar he hopes is there.
Muttley: Grrrrr.
Alea swipes at the dog with her free hand.
Muttley bites.
Muttley: [bites Alea]
Alea: Ouch!
Alea ~~ pain ~~
Alea jerks back.
Mostan looks away. "Nothing."
Muttley: Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Tarsh: ~~ anger ~~
Tarsh punches at Muttley.
Jelana: What is it, Mostan?
Eliza: Never mind. ~ embarrassed ~
Jelana ~~ worry ~~
Muttley tries to avoid it and fails.
Wise Snake gives Eliza a long look, then nods.
Eliza: Just, thank you very much Snake I really appreciate it. Oh!!!
Eliza: You won't tell Alea will you?
Wise Snake starts.
Wise Snake: What?
Alea: Oh be careful. Don't hurt it, Tarsh!
Tarsh: Teach you to bite my Gen!
Wise Snake: ... if you don't want me to, I won't.
Eliza: It's just that I really don't want her to know.
Alea hears his words ~~ dismay ~~
Wise Snake: Ok.
Wise Snake is used to her clients wanting their business kept confidential.
Eliza thinks that if Alea knows it would probably get into that shenned Tattler newspaper.
Mostan: We should get to work. Thank you for your support and advice.
Jelana: Of course.
Wise Snake: No problem.
Wise Snake: Is there anything else I can help you with...?
Mostan goes to the door, trying not to zlin Jelana's ....
Muttley: Grrr, yelp, yelp [trailing off into silence]
Eliza: No, you have been really really helpful and I'm keeping you from that man, err boy, errr person downstairs.
Micquayla looks around querulously as her cane, hat and purse are still nowhere in sight.
Micquayla: Where'd she go?
Tarsh grabs at Muttley's head, trying to immobilize it.
Eliza: On the banana thing....
Darrel is beginning to wonder if this Center has some strange curse that makes all the Donors wander off in the middle of the shift.
Muttley: Grrrrr.. [but he doesn't try to bite, just thinks about it]
Darrel guides Micquayla over to a couch.
Alea's nager goes flat and she leans back forward to help grab the mutt.
Darrel: Why don't you rest for a moment, and I'll track her down.
Eliza has a sudden fleeting image of Snake using that banana thing for some sort of Post oral sex ritual and feels suddenly faint.
Wise Snake zlins Eliza, concerned.
Muttley lets himself be grabbed.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Wise Snake is probably a lot kinkier than Eliza's wildest fears.
Tarsh tries drag Muttley out none too gently.
Alea: Careful, Tarsh.
Alea moves back, seeing Tarsh has the dog.
Muttley: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Alea pushes up and makes her way to the sink.
Mostan realizes he is zlinning Jelana's ovaries as they walk.
Mostan wonders what is happening to him.
Micquayla sits, looking confused.
Jelana walks along quietly offering strong, steady support.
Darrel makes a strategic escape and starts opening doors, looking for Alea.
Tarsh picks up Muttley's body clutched to him, with another hand on the head. A rather awkward position.
Muttley lets himself be carried (but he still wants a free meal).
Eliza stands up to leave.
Alea goes to the sink and sticks her injured hand under cold water.
Eliza: I'm sorry to take so much of your time. Thanks for the pills.
Wise Snake opens the door for Eliza and escorts her downstairs.
Wise Snake opens the door for Eliza and escorts her downstairs.
Wise Snake: No problem.
Mostan wishes Eliza could stay stable like this instead of flying off the handle at every little thing.
Griff is bouncing on the couch with impatience.
Alea has the hat and cane still clutched under one arm.
Muttley stops growling, and simply watches Tarsh intently.
Tarsh bumps up against the door and opens it with his dorsals.
Wise Snake shows Eliza out the front door.
Wise Snake wonders why Eliza doesn't want any of her coworkers to know she and Mostan are using birth control, then shrugs to herself.
Alea rinses the bite as well as possible, still reeling from what Tarsh said.
Muttley panics as he realizes where he's being taken to.
Eliza waves and starts walking towards the shops.
Wise Snake closes and locks the door, then turns back to the Banana and its rider.
Griff bounces to his feet as Snake approaches.
Tarsh struggles to hold onto Muttley as he walks down the hall.
Wise Snake: Hello. What can I do for you, then?
Griff: You said you'd give me a job.
Griff: A really ooky one.
Griff likes ooky things.
Jelana: Have you studied the boards yet, Hajene Mostan?
Wise Snake: I said I had jobs available. [cautiously]
Muttley begins to settle down.
Griff thinks Snake looks properly ooky for a Sime.
Wise Snake: I'd have to ask a few questions to make sure you're the man for the job, though.
Wise Snake: Want to come upstairs?
Mostan: What? Oh, the boards. Yes.
Griff straightens, less-than-impressive chest thrust out in pride.
Griff: Sure!
Eliza finds a general purpose store, walks in and starts looking at shelves.
Wise Snake leads Griff up to the office.
Jelana: Then you saw our schedule.
Tarsh comes to the back door, and opens it with his dorsals.
Eliza: Shampoo, soap, detergent, scrubbing brushes, toothpaste.
Jelana nods, knowing the answer.
Eliza: No....
Mostan: Uh, which did you mean?
Muttley starts to yelp again.
Jelana wonders if he remembered a thing...
Eliza picks up some perfume and sniffs it.
Jelana thinks, yeah ... he is going to have to work this out with Eliza.
Jelana: You're on transfers today.
Eliza puts it down again and walks further along the line.
Griff looks around the office, and decides that it's suitably close to a mad scientist's den.
Tarsh shoves Muttley out the door.
Tarsh: And STAY out!
Alea finally pulls her hand out of the water, realizes she still has the hat, and cane, and lays them on Lanyi's desk.
Mostan: Oh. Good. Let's get to it then.
Jelana: Great.
Wise Snake offers Griff a chair then sits at her desk.
Muttley lands on the path and starts to run away.
Wise Snake: You from Eastcove?
Eliza: Cordial, biscuits, hmmmm wonder if Mos would like... no. Jelana can damn well get them for him.
Griff: Yeah.
Tarsh slams the door closed.
Griff: My family lives on the base, because my brother's in the army.
Tarsh goes down the hall, muttering.
Eliza finds the condoms with the razors and shaving cream.
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: You're not planning on going in the army are you?
Mostan goes down to the Sime wing with Jelana.
Griff considers.
Eliza is amazed at the variety and picks up a box to have a closer look.
Alea digs through the cabinet, looking for the Farris med kit.
Griff: Well, I might when I'm grown up, but it'll be four years before I'm old enough to enlist.
Eliza sees an illustration on the back and fumblingly drops the box.
Eliza blushes and picks it up again.
Tarsh comes back down to the office.
Tarsh: Alea?
Wise Snake: Well.
Alea glances around.
Alea: Oh.
Alea: Yes?
Wise Snake: The position I have available involves a good deal of... well, for lack of a better word, "ook".
Eliza looks at another box. "personal lubricant"
Alea finally finds the Farris medical kit in one of the cabinets.
Mr. Grundy is measuring out beans into bags at the back of the store.
Griff: ~~ rapt interest ~~
Eliza: I wonder what that is for? [reads label]
Eliza: Oh, my goodness!
Griff: What is it?
Eliza picks up the next box
Eliza: Suppositories. What are they?
Alea: Would you help me please? [to Tarsh]
Alea pulls down the kit and fumbles to open it.
Wise Snake: I do some work down at a hospital. There's a lot of changeovers and stuff. Also, sick puking kids, kids with the runs.... they're a mess.
Tarsh: Of course.
Tarsh takes the case and opens it up on Lanyi's desk.
Wise Snake: Gunshot wounds, stabbings, premature breakouts....
Muttley limps down the street.
Wise Snake: beatings.... strangulations....
Griff's eyes grow wider.
Wise Snake: Um, of course, you'd have to do some actual work.
Griff: Oh.
Griff considers this.
Tarsh: Antiseptic?
Griff: What kind of work?
Eliza puts the suppositories down and takes the condoms and the lubrication to the counter.
Alea: As I've been working with you... the white medicine, thyrosprin is what goes on open wounds.
Eliza puts them on the counter and pulls out her purse.
Alea nods.
Alea: Right.
Wise Snake: Well, it IS a hospital. You'd be working with a channel trying to help all those people. Save lives and stuff.
Mr. Grundy comes over to the counter, wiping hands on his apron.
Mr. Grundy: Hello, Missy.
Wise Snake: It'd mostly be easy stuff at first, but then as you learned you'd be given more responsibility.
Wise Snake thinks, as he LEARNED responsibility he'd be allowed to use it.
Griff: Oh. Well, I think I could do that.
Wise Snake: How old are you?
Eliza: Hello, can you please tell me if these are right?
Eliza: Do I need the lubrication with the condoms?
Tarsh gets out the thryosprin and checks the label, just to be sure.
Griff: I'll be fourteen in eleven more months.
Griff: [proudly]
Wise Snake: Thirteen and a month, huh.
Griff prefers his own description.
Alea: You really have... learned... well... the medications and things.
Wise Snake: OK, well, that means you'd be underage to work in the hospital, so we'd have to call you a volunteer. You okay with that?
Tarsh squeezes some out and starts carefully spreading it on Alea's hand.
Eliza: And why are they colored? What difference does that make?
Alea holds out her hand so Tarsh can apply the cream.
Eliza: ~ honestly inquiring ~
Tarsh: I have to take care of you.
Alea ~~ uneasy ~~
Griff frowns.
Alea stiffens a bit.
Mr. Grundy eyes Eliza, judging her age.
Griff: Volunteers don't get paid. That's what my mother says.
Alea: Because I'm your Gen?
Wise Snake: Well, yes. I didn't say you'd BE a volunteer, we'd just have to call you one.
Mr. Grundy: Do you know what these are for Missy?
Alea displays a flash of hurt before covering it.
Eliza is a Gen of about 16 physical years.
Tarsh: What?
Wise Snake: That means, you'd have to take any money I might slip you on the sly, and keep it a secret. Can you do that?
Griff: Yeah!
Griff likes secrets.
Muttley spies something suitably fragrant out the front of a porstan parlor and limps over to roll in it.
Alea remembers her talk with Snake weeks ago over this very subject.
Alea: I was surprised that it wasn't me, that upset you when the dog bit, but that it was your Gen.
Tarsh: Oh. I was angry.
Tarsh: And I can't call you my wife...
Eliza: Yes, of course I know what they are for.
Tarsh: It just slipped out.
Mr. Grundy: Ah.
Mr. Grundy: Well, yes, you may want lubrication with them.
Eliza: That's why I need them.
Tarsh: ~~ ashamed ~~
Alea: So, I'm your Gen, then.
Alea: Like property.
Wise Snake: Well, I have my eye on a channel I'd like to hire, and if things work out right, the two of you could start on the same day. How's that sound?
Alea: Pre-Unity?
Alea: I guess more of your father wore off on you than I realized.
Mr. Grundy looks over Eliza's body, sizing her up.
Alea ~~ hurt anger ~~
Alea ~~ fear ~~
Tarsh: No, of course not.
Eliza sees the look and blushes.
Tarsh: I just....
Eliza: Errr, I'll just take them then. How much is that please?
Griff: Great!
Micquayla: EXCUSE ME!! [yells at the lobby at large]
Tarsh: That was unfair Alea. Bringing my father up.
Micquayla: Does anybody in this place have any clue what was done with my purse? And my hat and cane????
Alea deflates.
Alea: Yes, I suppose it was.
Tarsh looks around grateful for a distraction. "Who is that?"
Griff bounces to his feet.
Wise Snake: Ok, well, where do you live then? So I can get ahold of you.
Griff: When can I start?
Wise Snake: Umm... in a few days okay?
Mr. Grundy: The colors are just there to make things more... interesting.
Alea glances up, hearing the bellow.
Wise Snake: I'm still trying to line this channel up.
Alea: Oh, no....
Griff: On the base. Just ask for the Gussleman's.
Alea grabs up the hat and cane and waddles over to the door.
Wise Snake grimaces at the thought of going onto the base and decides she'll send a Gen to fetch him.
Wise Snake: Great.
Eliza doesn't see how colors can be more interesting when you don't see them anyway - at least not for long.
Alea pulls open the door and peeks out at Micquayla.
Alea: Uh, ma'am?
Mr. Grundy scribbles on paper, pretending to add up the price while undressing Eliza out of the corner of his eye.
Alea is upset, with Tarsh behind her and this woman in front of her....
Eliza fidgets.
Mr. Grundy tells Eliza the price.
Alea pulls the door open wider and steps out. ~~ guilt ~~
Muttley's now suitably fragrant, so continues limping down the street trying to find a meal.
Alea: Here we go.
Micquayla sees Alea appear, trailing fallen rubber grapes, and gapes.
Alea smiles and holds out the hat and cane to the woman, keeping her other hand behind her back.
Micquayla: My hat!?
Eliza pulls out her purse, drops it, picks it up, drops her bag, picks it up, drops the purse again, sighs, puts the bag on the counter picks up her purse and pays the shop keeper.
Tarsh follows Alea, curious.
Alea winces.
Micquayla takes the hat, tears coming to her eyes.
Micquayla snatches the cane as an afterthought.
Micquayla: And my purse? Where's my purse?
Alea: I will gladly replace that for you, ma'am.
Micquayla: ~~ worry ~~~
Alea: Oh.
Alea turns and goes back into the office and retrieves her purse.
Alea: Here you go
Alea ~~ guilt guilt guilt ~~~
Mr. Grundy is delighted at all the opportunities to watch Eliza bend over.
Micquayla: THANK you. [snatches purse]
Mr. Grundy rubs his hands on his apron before taking the money.
Micquayla plants the cane on the ground and grips it with both hands, starts working her way up to a standing position.
Eliza thanks him, picks up the bag with her purchases in and walks out.
Mr. Grundy: I'll... uh, just... get you your... change.
Alea turns back toward the room.
Eliza keeps walking
Mr. Grundy watches her go and wishing he were some very lucky young man....
Muttley continues on down the street, trying to avoid random kicks coming in his direction.
Eliza heads home.
Alea goes in and over to the Farris medical kit, and promptly bursts into tears.
Eliza sees the dog. The same one that she saw in the barn with Shonie the other day
Eliza: Hey Boy! Here boy! Come on! ~ nice dog ~
Tarsh takes Alea in his arms.
Micquayla makes her way slowly out of the Sime Center.
Muttley spies a familiar face and barks happily.
Tarsh: What is it, Darling?
Eliza: Good dog!
Muttley: [A familiar friendly face]
Eliza: Oh, goodness! What have you rolled in!
Alea: Nothing. I'm fine. Perfectly fine.
Muttley: Woof, woof, woof.
Alea wails against Tarsh's chest.
Eliza: Hey boy, want some dinner? Maybe a bath?
Muttley wags his tail and tries to rub against Eliza's legs.
Tarsh holds Alea and rocks her back and forth.
Eliza: Eeggh! Um... good dog....
Eliza: Come on, come with me. ~ nice doggy ~
Muttley: Woof, woof.
Alea: I just... hope... there is more between us than my field.
Eliza starts walking back to the Center with the dog running around her legs.
Alea cries this into his shirt, it coming out all muffled.
Muttley follows Eliza, barking happily at startled pedestrians.
Tarsh: Of course there is, baby. I love everything about you.
Muttley: Woof woof.
Eliza turns in towards the Center's front steps, thinks about it and stops.
Eliza: Boy, we might go around the back, I think.
Alea: Well, that's good, considering there is so much of me to love now.
Alea begins to cry all the louder.
Eliza takes the dog around the back and opens the back door.
Tarsh: I have enough love for the two of you.
Eliza: Come on, boy, I'll take you into my room and give you a shower.
Tarsh rubs her swollen belly.
Muttley happily follows Eliza back inside the building.
Eliza heads towards her room.
Alea realizes she is having a hormonal fit and tries to quiet down, afraid her emotions will adversely affect Tarsh.
Muttley: Woof, woof.
Tarsh: It's all right Alea. Your everything to me. I'd marry you in a second if you'd let me.
Alea: I'm sorry, Tarsh. I'm just being insecure and silly.
Alea hears Tarsh's words and pushes back, gaping at him.
Notes:
1) Eliza and Mostan then embark upon an erotic foreplay scene which, though very carefully worded, was not... quite... included here. [return]
2) Here we pick up with Eliza and Mostan again. [return]