Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #106: Nice... Towel (1/18/01)
Nick is blissfully submerged in steaming water, in a small private cubicle in the Narosian bathhouse.
Nick is rapidly becoming addicted to the facility; it feels so good to be completely warm for once.
Nick wonders what it would take to get Arat down for a good long soak.
Nick realizes such a scheme would be premature, at least until he managed to come up with a scheme to remove all the non-Farris safe soaps, lotions, bubble bath gels, and other materials.
Nick is glad that he, at least, can take advantage of the facility, even if he does have to rinse extra-thoroughly after using the bubble bath.
Du Wie has been having a very productive month. She finally managed to talk Franses into letting her manage a portion of his income. That was worth the considerable effort she put into it. Mule is the kindest thing she could think of calling him. The poor fellow was drinking and gambling away a small fortune every year.
Nick swishes his hand in the water, watching the bubbles build up.
Nick feels all his cold- and stress- knotted tension soaking away.
Nick: ~~ contentment ~~
Du Wie is now preparing for her toughest nut to crack. She has been trying to catch up with Nick for a month. Now she has found him.
Nick lies back, half-floating in the water as he wets his hair.
Du Wie looks to see that no one is paying attention to her. She slips quickly into the private bathing room that was pointed out to her by a very helpful little girl.
Nick's eyes are closed, the better to relax and keep soap bubbles out of his eyes.
Du Wie now has to try and get Nick's attention without giving him a heart attack. She clears her throat softly.
Nick hears the noise and his eyes open.
Du Wie is looking at the far wall and not at Nick directly.
Nick sees the marriage-minded woman who was going after both him and Frances, and his first instinct is to duck.
Nick's head goes under the suds.
Nick flounders for a moment, then gets his head back above the water and spits out a mouthful of soap suds.
Du Wie shrugs and goes to sit on a convenient stool near the tub.
Nick: Didn't anyone ever teach you to signal?
Nick: ~~ indignant ~~
Nick: This is a private room.
Nick is well aware that the private rooms are frequently used by groups, but that is with the consent of all present.
Du Wie: Yes I know, but I've been trying to speak with you for some time now. You are a very busy person.
Nick: I am. And right now, I'd much prefer to spend my hour's break finishing my bath.
Nick reaches for a washcloth.
Du Wie: I promise I won't take up much of your time. In fact I'll be happy to scrub your back for you.
Nick's eyes open in alarm.
Nick has nothing against back-scrubbing, but not at the hands of someone who appears to be on the prowl for a husband.
Nick: That won't be necessary.
Du Wie: As you wish.
Du Wie wasn't really that keen on getting herself wet anyway.
Nick lets himself sink chin-deep in the bubbles, the better to hide the merchandise.
Du Wie: You really are a hard man to pin down, Nick.
Du Wie: If I could have found any other way to get to you I wouldn't be here right now.
Nick doesn't like this talk of pinning him down. Particularly not when he's clothing-deficient.
Du Wie is aware of Nick's discomfort but she is used to her prospective clients being a bit reluctant at first.
Du Wie gives Nick her most open and honest smile.
Nick: I really don't have much leisure time.
Nick: And frankly, I prefer to spend what I do have on recreations of my own choosing.
Du Wie: Yes. I saw your schedule. It is grueling. Perhaps I can help you acquire more of what it takes to take time off.
Nick doesn't like the sound of that, particularly given the Tecton regulations that specify that Donors, as well as channels, must be allowed sufficient time off for procreation.
Du Wie takes off her winter coat, hat and gloves.
Nick's eyes widen.
Nick wonders whether he could manage to get rescued if he screamed loudly.
Nick doubts it, although that might bring several relations of various degrees eager to participate.
Nick: I really don't think it's likely that my schedule will loosen up until spring. At the earliest.
Du Wie looks down at herself. Yes, she is still fully clothed in her bright red shirt and brown slacks.
Du Wie: Yes, I figured as much which is why I am here now.
Du Wie: The reason I wanted to speak with you is to offer my services.
Du Wie: I am prepared to explain those services in the most minute detail.
Nick looks at Du's voluptuous figure.
Du Wie is use to being ogled. It has often proved useful but Nick isn't her type. Money, now money is her type.
Nick blushes.
Nick: Er, please, perhaps in a different setting....
Nick's voice trails off weakly.
Du Wie inherited one very strong trait from her father: the ability to concentrate on her goal.
Du Wie: Really, Nick, the whole thing can be over and done in just a few minutes. Then you can take full advantage of your bath afterwards.
Nick doesn't like the sound of that implication: that he's going to require a bath after dealing with Du.
Du Wie: In fact I might take one myself. It is so very nice and warm in here.
Nick gulps.
Du Wie is use to being much farther south and east. She hasn't been warm since she arrived.
Nick measures the distance to the fluffy towel sitting on a chair by the side of the tub.
Nick weighs the danger of remaining, naked in a bathtub with a sex-crazed marriage hound, versus the embarrassment of trying to run through the crowded bath house dressed only in a towel.
Du Wie: Now about my services. I would like to make you a very profitable proposal.
Nick: Really, I think you'd do better talking to my father about your services. He has an interest in that sort of thing.
Du Wie fishes in her winter coat pockets and pulls out a note pad and pen.
Du Wie's eyes light up.
Nick edges back until he is plastered against the far side of the tub.
Du Wie: Really, do you think he could use my services?
Du Wie is counting monstrous amounts of cash. She catches herself as her fantasy of covering herself in showers of money try to take hold.
Du Wie: Sorry, first things first. Let me get you squared away and then we will talk about you father.
Du Wie knows her one great desire. Her problem is she won't lie, cheat or steal to get it. That is how her father got his and she wants none of that.
Du Wie: I would like to start off by saying that all my clients have been very satisfied with me handling their assets.
Nick moves his wash rag under the bubbles to cover said assets in a futile gesture of protection.
Nick: I don't think my, er, "assets" really require handling of that sort.
Nick has nothing against asset handling, but he prefers to select his own partners.
Du Wie: Oh, but that is where you are wrong. Careful handling will insure that your assets grow fully.
Nick's assets threaten to wither as Du speaks.
Du Wie: And I feel that your assets have tremendous growth potential.
Nick's face is now scarlet.
Nick: Really!
Du Wie knows that cornering Nick in the bath tub has to be embarrassing but one must do what one must do.
Du Wie: Oh yes indeed. I am currently handling the assets of several Donors here at the site.
Nick hasn't been around such an insatiable female since his last meeting with his Grandmother Prunida.
Nick never was any good at standing up to his grandmother; that's why he ran away.
Du Wie: So shall we get to it?
Du Wie flashes Nick a bright smile.
Nick gives an alarmed yelp.
Du Wie stares at Nick. Has he hurt himself?
Du Wie: Nick, are you all right? [reaches toward him]
Nick reaches up a hand to ward Du off.
Nick: I'm fine, I'm fine!
Du Wie takes the proffered hand back.
Du Wie: Good then let's get this knock. And you can get back to your bath in peace.
Du Wie: In order to serve you best I will require a full disclosure of your assets. That disclosure will of course remain between us.
Nick: A full disclosure?
Nick's voice threatens to climb into the soprano register.
Nick has no intention of standing up in the tub and revealing his assets to Du, even though the water is no longer quite so warm.
Du Wie: Why yes. However if you like we can proceed with a partial disclosure of your assets and get to the full disclosure later.
Du Wie has had clients before who feared to let anyone know the full extent of their holdings.
Du Wie is actually getting a bit too warm in the steamy room. She fans herself absently.
Nick: I really don't see why I should reveal my, er, assets to you at this time.
Nick is trying hard for dignity, which is a bit beyond his social skills at this point.
Du Wie: Well for one thing we have some uninterrupted time. It is always best to jump on these things when the opportunity presents itself.
Nick is going from merely alarmed to frankly terrified.
Du Wie: Like you, I do have pressing business to attend to. I have two more to do today.
Nick: ....Two more?
Du Wie: Yes. I do my best to stay busy.
Du Wie: After all, one can't enjoy the fruits of ones labors if one never labors.
Nick isn't used to seeing anyone besides Riyyh handling that sort of schedule, and he even he would only do so if all concerned really wanted it.
Du Wie: So shall we get started then?
Nick looks around for an interruption--any interruption.
Nick: Er, if you have two more people you have to see today, perhaps you'd rather just relax a bit? I'm sure there's another bath room you can use.
Du Wie: Oh, you do tempt me.
Du Wie has been thinking just that. But she has places to go and people to see. She will make it her reward to herself for getting everything done today.
Nick smiles in his most Prunida-soothing fashion, which works about as well as one might think.
Nick: There. Just talk to my cousin at the desk, and she'll have you soaking in a jiffy.
Nick: You can even get clean fluffy towels and a robe--one of my brothers is renting them down the hall.
Du Wie: Please, Nick, I have to do you now or it will throw my whole schedule out of whack. I'm sure you know what that is like.
Nick: Have you always been maintaining such a full schedule of... asset handling?
Nick: If so, you really should talk to some of the channels about it. My father is fairly knowledgable in these things.
Du Wie: No, I have to admit that my work load has increased tremendously since I got up here. But I like it. I really do.
Du Wie likes anything that increases her own net worth.
Du Wie thinks, well almost anything.
Du Wie puts on her best businesslike air.
Du Wie: Really, Nick I promise you that our liaison will be very pleasant and fruitful.
Du Wie prides herself on having the most satisfied clients in her field.
Nick has heard of women who try to trap male Donors and channels for the purpose of getting the Tecton's child support payments, but has never been accosted with such single-minded determination before.
Nick discards his washcloth in the now lukewarm water and reaches for his rented fluffy towel.
Nick: I really am sorry, I must get back, Arat will be wondering where I've gotten to....
Du Wie hasn't had this much trouble getting a potential client to at least talk to her about business.
Nick lunges out of the tub, inadvertently revealing his assets quite fully.
Du Wie gasps at Nick's sudden southern exposure.
Nick wraps himself in the towel.
Nick slips damply into a robe and turns his back on Du to dress.
Nick doesn't usually turn his back on threats, but in this case, he's convinced that allowing a frontal view might turn a potential threat into an imminent disaster.
Du Wie is nothing if not persistent. After all, that is how you get the money. However she does turn away while Nick dresses.
Du Wie: I take it that you have to get back to work.
Nick: Yes, of course, he's probably wondering where I am, I'm sure I must be late....
Nick is babbling.
Du Wie: Well I certainly wouldn't want you to be late.
Du Wie thinks that that would lead to a sharp decrease in assets to manage. She is unaware, as most people are, that First Order Donors are almost never fired.
Nick finishes dressing, gaining a bit of confidence with the extra barrier of clothing.
Nick: Thank you, have a good day, enjoy your stay here....
Nick fastens the last button on his shirt, grabs his coat, and sidles cautiously past Du towards the door.
Du Wie: Oh, actually I am going in the direction of the Center. I'll come with you that far.
Nick gulps.
Nick then reflects that at least he will be fully clothed for winter weather, and in the presence of a thousands of witnesses.
Du Wie has already put on her coat and hat. She doesn't put her gloves back on because she wants to be able to write as they walk.
Nick has no real confidence that this will serve as a sufficient deterrent to a woman who would accost a stranger in his bath and demand fertilization services, but hope springs eternal.
Du Wie thinks better of it and puts on her right hand glove. This will leave her left hand free to write and she will only have one frozen appendage.
Nick then realizes that this might provide a golden opportunity to get Du's obvious problem under treatment.
Nick at least is pretty sure that Arat would agree that Du's behavior is a bit excessive, even for a professional prostitute.
Nick: Very well.
Du Wie: Wonderful. We can continue our conversation on the way then.
Nick leads the way out of the cubicle, wishing that he had managed to get the relaxing bath he'd intended.
Nick is still wishing so as he climbs the stairs to the Sime Shack, shivering.
Nick did not dry himself as thoroughly as he might have, which is perhaps understandable, under the circumstances.
Du Wie has been going on and on trying to convince Nick to let her handle his assets but he is a really tough sell.
Nick is definitely more protective of some assets than others.
Nick slips inside, just in case Arat is talking with someone, and starts taking off his coat and scarf.
Arat looks up.
Arat is wearing the why-did-you-take-so-long-and-leave-me-all-alone-when-I-am-too-proud-to-beg-you-not-to look.
Du Wie is still right on Nick's heels.
Arat's look quickly changes to the what-the-heck-followed-you-home expression when he spots Du Wie.
Arat stares at Du Wie in genuine offense.
Nick: Hello, Arat. I'm sorry I took a bit longer than I'd said, but I ran into... complications.
Du Wie realizes where she is. Ooops!
Du Wie: Good day Controller. I didn't realize this was your office.
Nick's own expression contains a distinct element of "Help!"
Du Wie would love to get her hands on the Controller's assets.
Nick: Miz Wie slipped into my bathing room to assess my, er, assets.
Nick: She was quite insistent about it, actually, and demanded a fruitful union.
Du Wie knows about what everyone else does about the Audnes fortune meaning no where near enough for her tastes.
Du Wie is momentarily distracted by her favorite fantasy again.
Arat stares at Nick for a moment.
Arat zlins Du Wie's sudden surge of sexual interest, and Nick's very real discomfort and plea for help.
Arat can't quite reconcile the fact that Du Wie's attention doesn't seem to be on Nick during that brief burst, though.
Nick: And that after she told me she'd lined up appointments with two others this afternoon.
Arat thinks, that explains that.
Du Wie drags herself back to reality. She didn't quite hear what Nick said to Arat just then.
Arat: Nick, I have told you you must expect a certain amount of unusual attention because of your elevated social status.
Arat: You must learn to handle these situations in a dignified and... decisive manner.
Nick: In my bath?
Nick's voice is heading for the soprano range again, and despite his best efforts his nager is fraying around the edges.
Arat's expression frays around the edges in reaction.
Du Wie: I have to admit Nick, you have been hardest to get interested in my services.
Nick smoothes his nager as best he can and moves his assets around the desk to his chair by Arat's side.
Arat would simply tell the woman to leave or have her removed, but he does believe Nick must learn to handle these situations. Under fire, if necessary.
Nick: I already have far too many relations, thank you very much.
Du Wie now wonders if Nick has dependents. That had never come up before.
Du Wie: Well then all the more reason to get your assets in working order.
Arat taps his pen impatiently.
Nick looks as indignant as any 27-year-old man confronted with such an accusation.
Du Wie is also sizing up Arat in the back of her mind. Talk about two tough nuts.
Nick: My "assets" work just fine, I'll have you know.
Du Wie: But I can make them work even better and grow to their fullest potential.
Nick: But I don't feel obliged to share them with everyone who comes around.
Du Wie: Well, I am glad to hear that.
Arat observes that Du Wie zlins entirely of business now.
Du Wie: My desire is to help you fully realize the and increase the fruits of your labors.
Nick is starting to feel that old nightmarish feeling: this woman is just as difficult to deter from her path as his grandmother.
Nick personally feels that there are far too many copies of his genes running around already.
Arat considers going ahead and evicting Wie anyway.
Arat: Miz Wie. Nick has indicated a lack of interest in your... product.
Arat: Perhaps you should respect his wishes.
Du Wie sighs and looks at her watch. Her next appointment is in ten minutes.
Du Wie: I'm afraid I have to agree Controller. I guess some people have no interest in planning for the future.
Nick: I am not my father, Ms. Wie.
Nick: That particular future has been realized beyond all reason.
Du Wie stares at Nick for a moment and then feels she now understands his reluctance.
Du Wie: Nick, I didn't realize you already had acquired the services of a Financial Planner.
Arat blinks. He had apparently totally misunderstood Nick's less than coherent explanation of what Wie wanted of him.
Du Wie: I would never dream of poaching on a colleague.
Arat next wonders where in the world the acute sexual embarrassment on Nick's part and the turn-on on Wie's part came from.
Arat attempts to assign Du Wie's lust to the thought of landing a rich client, and can almost see it, but Nick sexually embarrassed by the discussion of money? Is this a previously unrecognized serious problem with Nick?
Arat looks rather surprised as a result of this chain of thought.
Du Wie now sees a large chunk of her beloved money receding into the distance. ~~sadness~~
Nick wonders if "financial planner" is a new camp euphemism for "pimp".
Nick grew to know a number of pimps while Snake was working the streets of Bender Cove, and they tended to avoid uncontrolled nymphomaniac types.
Du Wie: Well, I have to be going. I have another appointment in about nine minutes and if I rush I can just make it. ~~slight embarrassment over having misunderstood Nick~~
Nick is just ~~ very glad to be off the hook ~~
Du Wie: Sorry to have troubled you both. Good day to you.
Arat: Good day.
Arat is so flabbergasted that he actually responds in words.
Arat proceeds then to ignore Du Wie as he zlins Nick thoughtfully.
Du Wie hurries out. There are less tough nuts out there to crack.
Arat: It is wise to avoid the solicitations of such as her. There are better financial planners to be found in the heart of Capitol.
Nick is plainly ~~ disquieted ~~
Arat: If you would like my assistance in obtaining the services of a reputable one, I would be pleased to help.
Arat in fact is sure Nick has no clue what to do with money. He's always been sure of that. It's this new business with sex and money he is not so sure about.
Arat: I am familiar with most of the financial planners of suitable quality, having done much research on this myself.
Nick is even more clueless than Arat suspects about money, but figures that "financial planners" are one of those things that Donors are expected to make use of.
Nick: If you think it is advisable, I would be very glad of your recommendation. Just make sure they don't ambush me when I'm bathing and demand a full disclosure!
Nick: Once was quite enough.
Nick hadn't thought that Arat would take a personal hand in getting Nick a suitable lady companion, but the Tecton's ways are still a bit mysterious to him.
Nick supposes, on further reflection, that with the Jeniard issue being what it is, Arat would find it convenient to trot out a discreet lady-of-the-evening on demand.
Go on to Episode #107: Unpopular View
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