CHAPTER 44: Cherchez L'Homme

 

No more messing around today....Suzy Kent was fed up with the lack of a love life. Every guy she met was either taken, obsessed with their work or flaky. There HAD to be some eligible bachelors in Sim City but where? It was time she stopped getting sidetracked by her own work and investigations because she was meant to be this hip, swinging mod chick and yet she had the look but not the lifestyle. Today was the day where that would change!

The first part of the plan was to be in the right physical and mental state so it was a trip down to the spa where she had booked in a yoga and exercise session. She had purchased spa membership months ago but had seldom taken advantage of it but today she was a girl with a purpose. Arriving at the spa, she pinned her hair up and changed into her favourite pink sparkly leotard and ballet tights; a legacy of when she was almost serious about becoming a ballerina before deciding on a career in journalism.

"And breathe in....stretch both legs out....breathe out....now on to your stomachs...." the instructor's calm voice guided the yoga class through their bends, stretches and poses. "Now we'll assume a position known as the crouching vole..." Suzy put her old ballet skills to good use as she could get into position a lot easier than her fellow classmates.

After the session, she had a little time in the sauna to cleanse the pores and focus her mind on what she had to do...meet a cute guy. When she was ready, she changed back into her street clothes, reapplied her make up, dabbed some perfume on and was ready to go! She'd heard of a swinging new club called the Lame Duck and decided that was the place to check out.

Her excitement at checking the place out met with disappointment when she went inside....apart from the bartender it was all women and middle aged women at that. This wasn't a swinging nightclub, it was a neighbourhood knitting circle!

Suzy stuck it out there in the hope things would improve and she had some nice chats with the ladies there but it took the time to have a couple of drinks before things started to liven up. More people...and men this time...started to show up and hit the dance floor. Although it wasn't classical ballet, Suzy could do a mean go-go dance.

The vibe was definitely improving but things came crashing down when some policemen showed up, telling everyone that the club had to temporarily shut down because of a report of a safety violation. Suzy couldn't think what that could be but when she saw that next to the police was the malevolent presence of Edna Sneedly, the town prude. She wanted all nightclubs in Sim City shut down and Suzy guessed that this "violation" was nothing but a trumped up excuse by Edna and her husband to get their way. As all the patrons trudged out of the club, she overheard a couple of them saying "well, at least the Romance Festival is still on tonight". Yes! The Romance Festival! The last refuge of the romantically desperate!

The festival was slow going at first...it always was...and Suzy got into a pleasant conversation with a local artist when she noticed a familiar person waving to her to grab her attention.

"Suzy! Suzy! It's me, Neil Humphries! Do you remember me?" said the young man calling to her.

"Hello Neil, of course I remember you" replied Suzy, walking over to him. Neil was a cute and talented young artist but very, very uptight. She liked him but wished he'd loosen up a little.

"So you've got a selection of paintings for sale" she said. "All your work?"

"All original Neil Humphries" he said, proudly. "Which one do you like the best?"

"Hmmmm....I like this one" it was a scene of an old stone cottage in winter.

"Would you like it? It's yours, free" said Neil.

"Oh no, I couldn't take it for free...let me pay for it" she said.

"How about a discount in exchange for a nice review in your magazine?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Neil" she said, smiling at him.

"Done" he said, taking the painting down and wrapping it for her in brown paper.

"So...you're back at the festival I see?" said Suzy, starting to warm to this guy.

"Oh...well...I don't care for that whole, you know...erm...romance stuff" he said, awkwardly.

"And yet you keep coming back" said Suzy, starting to playfully tease him. "I think you might protest too much"

"Well...it's a nice location here" he said, looking around.

"How about we go and see what's happening?" she said, trying to get him to buckle.

"Over there with all the flowers, hearts and dancing?"

"Why not?"

"Because it's...."

"Because it's what?" said Suzy, batting her eyelashes. "What are you afraid of?"

"Well...if you put it THAT way..." said Neil, caving in. Suzy grabbed his hand and they ran over to the festival.

"Sakura tea" said Suzy. "They say it unleashes your mind....helps with creativity, inspiration and...passions. Let's have some!"

"Creativity...inspiration....and *gulp!* passion...sure!" said a very nervous Neil.

They both drank a cup of Sakura tea and soon felt its effects. Neil definitely loosened up and Suzy felt a warmth and desire for her new, uptight friend.

"What I need to boost my art is a muse!" he said, boldly.

"Uh-huh" said Suzy, batting her eyelashes at him again.

"A beautiful lady like you....Oh my gosh! What am I saying here!" said Neil, barely able to contain the flirty vibe.

"Go with it, Neil" she replied.

"Actually I need to go to the toilet!" he said "be right back!" he added before bolting to the public bathrooms.

Suzy sighed...Neil was cute but needed working on. Was it worth it? Well, time would tell.

"Hi Suzy" said another voice. It was Barbara Dubois, Jeremy Saint's girlfriend.

"Barbara! Are you here with Jeremy?" she said, happy to see the woman who had brought joy to her next door neighbour's life.

"Yes, he's just getting us some tea but there's a bit of a queue right now"

"So I hear you guys have made it official...as a couple?"

"Yep...we're officially going steady and...well...before he returns I've got to say he's FANTASTIC!" said an excited Barbara.

"What? Fantastic in...."

"YES! Oh my goodness it was the best!"

Suzy stamped her feet and clenched her fists in excitement. She wanted to ask more but Jeremy was on his way back with the teas.

Suzy said hello to Jeremy but knew what effect that tea would be having on her friends and she didn't want to become a third wheel. Fortunately Neil returned from his trip, still looking confident.

"I'm glad you talked me into coming tonight" he said to her.

"Well, it's good to take the plunge occasionally" she replied.

She looked over at Jeremy and Barbara once more...they were already snuggling up together on a bench and whispering sweet nothings and she wondered if Neil was the man who she could do that with as well. It was slow going, and he was still a little tense around her but time would tell. She also wondered if Sakura Tea was available in the shops.

CHAPTER 43: Hot Date

"Life is great and life is fine!" exclaimed Jeremy Saint as he went for a stroll around Foundry Cove. He couldn't contain his excitement and greeted everyone he met with a broad smile.

"Hello, madam, what a fine morning it is! Good morning, Pizza Guy! I was saying what a great day this is!" he said to two random passers by.

"Erm...I guess, man." said the Pizza delivery man. "Are you tripping out?"

"Only on the joy of life! I have a wonderful new girlfriend and just now I was able to book a table for two at Chez Llama to celebrate out getting together!"

"Whoa! Chez Llama's pretty expensive, man" said the Pizza guy.

"I know...but it's worth it because she is" said Jeremy.

Jeremy was on cloud 9 and later on he got ready for his date. Earlier on, he and Suzy Kent went to the trendy Simnaby Street to choose a new suit for him to wear. Using her sharp, up to the minute fashion sense she chose for him a light grey suit which had a radical collar style and a white shirt with a yellow tie pattern on it instead of a tie.

Later on, Jeremy paced up and down outside Chez Llama waiting for Barbara to arrive. He'd got there early, which was a habit of his, but instead of calming his nerves about being late, it instead played on them because he had a fear she wouldn't show. His watch ticked onwards towards the date time...10 minutes to go, then 5, then 3 and then at 2 minutes to the arranged meeting time there she was...Barbara Dubois, Jeremy's date. His heart skipped a beat as he took in her loveliness...she was dressed in a white Chanel skirt suit and matching heels. She had certainly made an effort for the occasion.

"Wow! Chez Llama! I can't believe you got us a table here!" she exclaimed. "I hope I look alright" she added.

"You look wonderful" said Jeremy. "And I wanted everything to be fantastic so hang the expense for one night"

The maitre d showed them to their table and they looked longingly at the menus, which listed meals of the like they had never heard of. Jeremy ordered a bottle of red wine and Barbara helped him translate some of the French food terms.

"I would have struggled to order without your help" said Jeremy. "Do you speak French fluently then?"

"I'm from Montreal so I'm bilingual" she replied. "My dad's French-Canadian and my mom's from Nova Scotia so I grew up speaking both languages"

Their pleasant conversation was interrupted by the people who were sitting at the next table.

"Honey, I really think you've had enough to drink!" said a man to his wife.

"Nonsense...and you're not my boss! Well hello there, young man" she said, turning to Jeremy, winking and giving him a flirtatious smile. "Fancy seeing you here!"

"Jeremy, who is that woman?" asked Barbara

"I have no idea!" said Jeremy, bothered by this interruption.

"No need to play coy with me, handsome" continued the woman. "Once you've finished with the little girls, maybe you'll want to be with a woman"

"Honey, I insist you control yourself!" said the man to his wife. Their teenage daughter, sitting next to them, slumped on the table.

"And I insist you shut your big yap, Mister!" said the wife.

"OK, if that's the case...hello there little lady" said the man to Barbara. "You know you could do so much better"

"Jeremy, who are these people?" said Barbara, looking visibly upset.

"I HAVE NO IDEA!" said Jeremy, a little too loud. He composed himself.

"I've had enough!" said the teenage girl, leaping to her feet. "You too are an embarrassing pair of old drunks!" she said. "That nice, handsome man who looks good enough to eat in that sharp suit, yum, doesn't need an old dried up soak like you or someone who's clearly just past her prime..." she said, nodding at Barbara. Barbara leapt to her feet.

"That's it! I've had enough!" she said.

The manager came over to their tables and asked the family to leave. "I am so sorry for the disturbance" they said to Jeremy and Barbara.

"I swear I'd never seen them before" said an apologetic Jeremy.

"Harumph! I hope not!" said a still seething Barbara.

Jeremy looked over at their table and saw 3 empty bottles of wine on the other table. "They were absolutely smashed!" he said. "Hopefully our dinner will take away that unpleasantness...I would never do anything to jeopardise what we've got going, Barbara. You mean a lot to me"

Barbara sighed and looked into Jeremy's warm, gentle eyes. "You mean a lot to me too...I don't want anything to ruin our time together." She reached out and touched his hand. After dinner they ordered a taxi and he turned to Barbara and said "would you....like to come back to my place?"

"I'd like that very much" she said, holding his hand. The taxi arrived and they travelled back to Foundry Cove.

As they were about to walk up to the front door, Jeremy turned to her and said "when I said let's come back here what I meant was would you like to stay the night again?"

"I would and....I don't have to be up early tomorrow and I'm not feeling tired now" she said, raising an eyebrow seductively.

They entered the house and Barbara sat down on the couch, patting the seat next to her for Jeremy to sit next to her.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening" she said.

"Despite....?" he replied.

"Despite...it'll take more than that...to....stop.....me......from......doing.......this...." she said, leaning towards him as they drew closer and closer.

"Hmmmm" said Jeremy. "I see your French skills don't just end with reading a menu"

"We can be a very passionate people" she replied. They made out some more on the couch before Jeremy stood up and took her by the hand to join him.

"I think it's time" he said

"I think so too" she replied

"What's 'woohoo' in French?"

"It's woohoo"

They walked hand in hand to the bedroom and there they made the magic happen.

 

CHAPTER 42: All In A Day's Frustration

It'd been a frustrating day at work for Julia Epstein...first, the bus she was on during her morning commute had broken down, then she desperately tried to catch a subway train but couldn't find a space in the rush hour crush, then an old lady collapsed through a lack of air on one train and Julia had to help her medically. In the end she arrived an hour late for work and got chewed out by Dr Murakami. Her day didn't get any easier either; she was assigned all the worst jobs, from changing bedpans, mopping floors and taking people's temperatures....the unpleasant way. To add insult to injury, the canteen failed to provide a kosher lunch option. Her friend and colleague, Francesca Griffith, arranged for a suitable sandwich meal to be delivered to Judith so she wouldn't drop through hunger.

"Ugh, Murakami hates me; that's the only explanation!" said a frustrated Julia to Francesca.

"You need a break...why don't you and me check out that new art installation over at Crawdad Quarter this evening?" said Francesca.

"Won't your family need you?" replied Julia.

"Husband's off with his friends for 'gaming' night and our daughter's with my parents this evening....I was going to catch up on some revision for my promotion exam but I can make up the time later....you need serious cheering up!"

The exhibition at Municipal Muses was "Artifacts of Late Medieval France" and it was hardly a sell out with the two of them the only ones in the place.

"I expected more....more...." said Francesca.

"Gild? I was thinking that as well...I don't think they've labelled the piece properly either: It says on the card that this armour belonged to a duke but looking at the decorations I'd say it was more that of a fairly prosperous knight...not too wealthy as you can see the armour doesn't cover the full body and has chain mail segments" replied a very confident Julia.

"I didn't know you're an expert in medieval armour?" said Francesca.

"More of a passing fancy...I know more about early Renaissance German art than French medieval"

"I think you shouldn't let Murakami get to you, Julia" said Francesca after a while.

"Grrrr, that woman drives me up the wall!" growled Julia. "She has it in for me! I know it!"

"She's strict with all of us...our hospital has the best track record of any in Sim City. You need to be patient, you need to be in control and also you need to demand more respect from others there. For starters, you lay down the law about what food they should serve...they got it wrong because they don't care enough. Make them care." said Francesca.

"Sigh, I'm sure you're right...I'm just so tense right now and that erroneous artifact sign is bugging me as well!"

Francesca smiled and wrinkled her nose. "I know what we should do next!" she said, grabbing Judith by the hand. The next thing she knew she was being dragged two doors down to the Blue Velvet nightclub.

"Dancing?" asked Judith.

"Sure...and maybe you could meet a cute guy as well?" said a beaming Francesca.

"Ugh....I don't want to meet any guys; cute or otherwise" replied a disgusted Judith.

"Oh..." Francesca looked embarrassed for one moment. "I didn't know....well, that's OK by me...I'm not judging"

"And no, I'm not interested in cute girls! I'm not that way inclined either...I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowledge and excellence and relationships are a barrier to my goals"

"How about some fun in general then?" smiled Francesca.

"Well....erm....I am not averse to fun if in the pursuit of higher goals" said Judith.

They went into the nightclub but Judith nearly bolted and ran when she saw way too much physical contact between men and women as they danced. 

"Francesca" Judith began "You have been a good friend to me since I started at the hospital, let me buy you a drink and some food"

"Thanks, I'll have what you're having"

Judith went to the bar and tried, politely, to gain the bartender's attention...without much luck.

It was very crowded at the bar until a well dressed middle aged man seated right in front of her turned and said "You can't expect to be noticed by being mousey, little lady. What do you want, I'll order it for you"

"Two sweet n' spicys and two of those delicious looking giant pretzels they have as well, thanks"

The man snapped his fingers and got the bartender's attention. He placed the order and turned to Judith. "My treat. By the way, I hope you don't mind me saying but if you took off those glasses and let your hair loose around your shoulders you'd be very beautiful"

"I do mind you saying, and I'll pay for my own round thank you" replied a cold Judith.

"I'm a bit of an expert in what men find desirable. I'm Alan Cuffe, owner and editor of Lothario magazine"

"I've heard of your salubrious publication...it is not to my taste" said Judith.

"It's not meant to be. But it influences fashion, style and looks. You could learn from it."

"I am not influenced by such trivialities and thank you for your help in getting my order...good evening, Mr Cuffe"

Back at the table Judith gave Francesca her drink and pretzel. "Do you see, Francesca, how sleazy men are?" she said.

"Oh I get it all the time from male patients. I tell them my husband's a professional wrestler"

"Is he?"

"Oh no, but they see the wedding ring and what I say is enough to frighten them"

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly. Judith had a little too much to drink by the end of it and it loosened her inhibitions. Seeing a young man attempting to sing "Yeah Yeah"...badly...she couldn't stand it anymore. "Someone needs to accompany him on the piano and that person is me!"

Judith got up and began to play. Francesca smiled....Judith was a young woman of many talents but she was sure hung up over so much!

CHAPTER 41: Five Little Maids

 

One of the perks of being in the police force was that it allowed an ordinary beat cop to enjoy the luxury facilities of the Skye Fitness Club, courtesy of a year’s free membership to all at the 13th Precinct for their assistance in resolving the hostage situation last New Years’. Action had a daily exercise regimen and in his view why just pound around the local streets when you could enjoy the luxury penthouse views whilst on the treadmill?

After showering and getting dressed he noticed Nancy Landgraab had just arrived. Their eyes made contact for only a second but it was enough to prompt her to break off her warm up exercises and head over to him.

“Officer Action” she said as a greeting.

“Mrs Landgraab. I hope you are well” he replied.

“I am and thank you for keeping Mortimer Goth off my back”

“I just keep the peace, I don’t insert myself into other people’s problems”

“I understand and your impartiality will not affect the Landgraab Foundation donation to the Police Veteran’s Fund.”

“Why should it?” Action remarked.

“Oh…no reason. You protect and serve…just remember who that is” she said, cool as you like, before returning to the treadmill. Action watched her go, suspiciously, and headed off to work.

13TH PRECINCT HQ, 10:58am

“Chief wants to see you” said Officer Datta.

“Makes a change…he usually wants me nowhere near his office” replied Action, sauntering off to the Captain’s office.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” he said, after entering.

“Action…sit down! I know you like to be out in the field but…you’re too slow getting results!” said the Captain.

“I gather evidence, sir, with all due respect” said Action.

“Well, sometimes you have to knock a few heads about to teach the villains on the street just who’s boss.”

“I don’t like to haul some juve into the slammer and then find out he didn’t do the crime” said Action.

“I want results today, Action….actually I want results YESTERDAY! Get to it!”

“Yes. Sir” said Action, getting up to leave. No sooner was he out of the Chief’s office than Sergeant Kitchen approached him.

“Hold your horses, Action, there’s been a big burglary over at the Solar Flare lounge in Oasis Springs” he said.

“I’m on my way” said Action, putting on his cap.

THE SOLAR FLARE LOUNGE, 10:28AM

A full squad was on the premises already gathering evidence. Action noticed some unusual marks on the ground and brought them to the senior detective’s attention.

“Footprints…two sets. One large, man sized. One smaller but also male. Although the length would suggest a female it’s too broad and has to be a man’s. They ran across the flower bed here and into a getaway vehicle…you can see the tyre marks there; that indicates a quick getaway. I reckon it was a large vehicle as well; pick up truck or van.”

“It looks like a load of artwork’s gone missing.” Said Datta.

“Makes sense; the Solar Flare promotes a lot of new artistic talent on its premises so they have originals but they’re not well guarded.”

“And we’ve got some witnesses as well…I’ll dust for prints, you start the interviews.”

“Typical, I bet I’ll get the confused old ladies and retired majors….oh, hello nurse!” said Action, noticing who the witnesses were. Three very attractive young women.

The first was called Judy Dyble and she described the van she saw parked out the front. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it leave or who drove it but I definitely noticed it was parked oddly. I got a partial licence plate…651 is all I remember, sorry”

“Well, don’t be, that was very helpful Miss Dyble” said Action, warmly.

Moving on to his second witness, a perky blonde called Skye Warner, he got more information.

“I saw two guys run out of the building carrying paintings…they wore ski masks but one I noticed wore a short sleeve shirt and shorts…he was young looking. They waved a gun at me and I had to duck behind this stone bench”

“That was the right thing to do…and very brave of you to remember those details; it all helps” said Action, again trying to put Miss Warner at ease.

The third witness was inside the lounge: A striking young woman called Chloe Gibbs who was dressed in the height of mod fashion.

“I…I…was rehearsing for my live set when these two men in ski masks burst in and took the paintings there and just over here. They tried to grab my guitar but when I protested they waved a gun in my face…I’ve never been so scared in my life since….since….well, I heard my husband was killed at Ia Drang last year.”

Action put down his notepad. He’d fought at Ia Drang as well; it was a desperate fight for survival.

“I’m an ex-Marine, ma’am, I understand” he said, sympathetically. “Anything else you noticed?” he continued.

“Well, one of them…the one with the gun…got real close to me and I could see his eyebrows were red. He must have red hair”

“That’s very useful, Miss Gibbs”

“Call me Chloe”

“Sure thing. Now listen, Chloe, I’ve got some photos of some suspects here in this holder. I want you to look at them to see if you recognise any of them.”

Chloe looked at the photos in turn and shook her head. “No, they don’t look like the man I saw…it’s the eyes that I remember. They don’t have the same kind.” She said.

Action thanked her and headed back to the police station…he felt for Chloe, being a widow so young was rough and how many brothers in arms had he seen lose their lives in combat, never to see their loved ones again?

Back at the station Action looked at the evidence gathered and started to put together a crime map. What he had so far was two men, a van description, one of the men had red hair, a short sleeve shirt and was wearing shorts but no names yet. A new pair of villains working the town? Perhaps.

Action was having a drink of water in the evidence room when he heard the blades of the ceiling fan start to sound like the blades of a Huey helicopter. The room got hotter, like the jungle and he could hear cries, screaming and gunfire all over again. Chloe’s story reminded him of how he’d narrowly avoided getting killed himself and it triggered a Vietnam flashback.

The shift had ended and Action needed to switch off from work. He was hungry and remembered the Spice Festival was happening tonight. That sorted out his food problem…now he needed the company of a beautiful lady….he’d been casually seeing Katherine Bowie, the socialite, and things had been going well between them. Phoning her as he was ending his shift, she agreed to meet him in the Spice Quarter.

“Hard day at work?” she said, instinctively reading his face.

“You could say that…fancy some decent chow?” he replied.

“Always up for that and pleasant company” she smiled.

The festival was busy but they found a place to sit, eat and talk.

“I’ve always been grateful for the presence of the police…I couldn’t do what you do, couldn’t put up with the horrible and wicked things people do” she said.

“4 years in the Marines trained me well to deal with it” he replied.

“That’s what I admire about you, Action, your bravery" she said before breaking into a smile "amongst other things"

Action smiled as well and leant in towards her.

"So what's a rich girl like you doing with a brother like me?" he said.

"I don't care for categories...I see someone I like, I want to be with them" she said, calmly.

"Aren't you bothered by what other people might think?"

"Are you?" she said.

Action shook his head. "Never needed or cared for affirmation from others" he said. "Let them think what they want...I don't let them stop me"

"We're very much alike, John" she said, smiling.

CHAPTER 40: The Tree

 

After the last few days doing field research for "Hey, Wow!" magazine, Suzy Kent was due in the office today. She'd woken up early, showered, got dressed in her green leaf patterned mini dress and light green shoes, applied her make up and was ready to go by 7am. The trouble was if she left now no one would be in the office. For good measure, she decided to do some last minute street interviews with passers by.

Once she'd got her interview done, a strange sensation came over her...maybe it was the sunshine, maybe it was the loveliness of this tree that she remembered had a prominently marked question mark on the map of Foundry Cove that Burr DeBenning had shown her. Now Suzy felt this sudden urge to sing.

She knew it must have looked silly to anyone looking...it certainly drew a bemused smile from a little girl who happened to walk past at that moment, but sing she had to do.

As she drew to the close of her song, she checked her watch...it was time for work. Letting out a nervous laugh for anyone still bemused by her impromtu session, she quickly ran to the bus stop.

At work, her editor pulled her to one side. "Suzy...you've been out in the field chasing a story and I like that kind of initiative" he said. "However, we need articles. Now, with all that research you've done, do you have a story?"

"Well, almost one" Suzy replied. "I'd like more time to gather evidence"

"Give me a first draft of what you've got by the end of the day. That way I'll see if it's got any merit to it" he said.

She went to her desk in the open plan office, shut the noise and hubbub of fashion, pop music and movie gossip and got typing. She wrote about the rivalry between the Landgraabs and the Fengs, how the Goths fit into high society in the city but she didn't have anything near enough a consistent thread. How would she write about the Landgraab's alleged criminal activities? If she got any detail wrong she and the magazine would be sued. She kept it vague for now.

When she handed it in to her editor, he read it through very quickly. "I like your writing style..." he began. "But you talk about a trilogy of power and yet that's incomplete. You allude to criminal goings on with Malcolm Landgraab but your source is one anonymous person. I can't print this."

Suzy looked down. She knew she'd be lucky if it did get published.

"We're a trendy fashion and lifestyle magazine for the youth of today" said her editor, standing up and pacing around his office. "Will they go for any of this? Dusty old politics? Middle aged rivalries? The fuddy-duddy Goths? No, they won't go for a blow by blow account of Victor Feng vs Geoffrey Landgraab"

"I know...it's just I found some information on them and just ran with the story" said an apologetic Suzy.

"But...there's definitely something here" said the editor. "You've got an angle: Malcolm Landgraab. He's young...our target audience. He's one of Sim City's most eligible young men and has a reputation for being a bit of a bad boy. How bad? You find out."

"So...you want me to continue?" asked Suzy

"Yes, but focus on the Landgraab boy. Follow up with your contact...oh, and Suzy?"

"Yes sir?"

"Dang fine work you've done. In fact, I'm so impressed by the quality of your writing and photography that I'm giving you a promotion!"

"Thank you sir!" said an elated Suzy. She was going up in the world and, well, she could do with the extra money.

At the end of the work day she went home and cooked a celebratory dinner for one. There was a knock at the door; as usual, it was Summer Holiday. Summer had become Suzy's closest friend and the two shared a trust as well as a friendship: They told each other everything that was on their minds and this evening was no exception.

"I got a promotion at work today!" exclaimed Suzy.

"Congratulations!" replied Summer. "Let's celebrate"

The two went inside and Suzy started to tell Summer about how her boss liked her writing and that she should pursue the Malcolm Landgraab angle on it.

"So I guess our little stake out the other day paid off then?" said Summer.

"Definitely. So you'd be up for more snooping around?" said Suzy.

"Well, Malcolm Landgraab is too young for me and not my kind of guy but...hey. The other day was fun"

"Hey, you wouldn't believe what happened with me today" said Summer.

"Go on" replied an interested Suzy.

"Well, I was down at the Rattlesnake Juice Bar with some friends and this guy comes up to me and says I'm stunning and asks if I was a model"

"You don't say!" replied a shocked Suzy. "Who was he?"

"Some guy I'd never heard of but he said he ran a magazine and was always on the look out for beautiful young women who had modelling experience"

"And you think he was on the level?" said Suzy. "I mean, you could easily be a model but there's a lot of creeps out there..."

"I know and I treated him a bit cool...I'm suspicious of that kind of flattery"

"Did he say the name of his magazine?" asked Suzy.

"Lochnivar? Lottery? Erm...Lothario! That's it. Lothario magazine"

"Never heard of it" replied Suzy. "Hey, if you're interested in modelling I could hook you up with some genuine fashion photographers. There's a demand for good clothes models at the moment"

"Thanks but that's something I'm not really interested in" replied Summer. "I'm a bit two left footed and gangly"

"So...we haven't talked about our sucky love lives yet" said Suzy. "I'm getting nowhere...fast. Where are all the decent, single guys?"

"Hey, I know that Jeremy and that Barbara girl he's been seeing are getting serious now. Twice she's stayed over"

"Woooo! Good for him, he's such a nice guy!" said Suzy. Suddenly, another urge hit her....she had to dance this time. Switching on the radio she got up and had a boogie. Summer wondered what was going on.

"Don't ask me..." said Suzy. "It's been one of those days!"

CHAPTER 39: A Declaration

 

There'd been something gnawing away at Barbara Dubois and it wasn't the alleged rat that her work colleagues and the sandwich bar claimed existed in the dry food storage. The last few days she couldn't get Jeremy Saint out of her mind. The more she thought about him, the more warmly and fondly she felt. Despite the outwardly square and awkward demeanour she knew he was really a romantic and caring person. Plus he was the first guy she'd dated who wasn't interested in one thing and one thing only. Barbara wasn't a prude by any means but she liked being courted, wooed and romanced and that's what Jeremy brought to their courtship. He was also the first American she'd dated since her move from Montreal to Sim City and that made him seem more exotic, crazy though that seemed.

But this lunchtime she'd finished her shift and and was desperate to see him. Maybe he was in, maybe he'd had lunch at home? Sure, she could wait until after 5pm but she HAD to visit him just in the slight chance he was there....to see him and tell him how she felt. However, knocking at the door she knew there was no one at home. Sighing in disappointment she began to trudge off when an idea struck her...she'd leave a note for him, telling him she wanted to see him soon. Not too desperate, but clearly displaying her eagerness to meet up. She wrote a note, folded it and pushed it through his letterbox.

At a little after 5pm Jeremy had arrived home feeling crushed, disappointed and embarrassed. He was certain he was going to get a promotion today after all the nods, winks and "attaboys" he'd been getting from some of the senior staff at Dewey, Cheathem & Howe. He'd heard his name being spoken in corridors along with the word "promotion" so when he was called into J.J. Gotcha's office he began by saying to his boss "Thank you, you do me a great honour and I'm pleased to accept the appointment...can we talk about my salary?"

"What salary? What are you talking about?" said Gotcha.

"Well, the promotion" replied Jeremy

"But what's your salary got to do with Henderson's promotion?"

"Henderson?" said an incredulous Jeremy.

"Yes...Henderson is being promoted to department manager. You didn't think it'd be YOU, did you? Ha. Ha-ha. Ha-ha-ha!"

"Well, sir, it's just that there were rumours...." said an embarrassed Jeremy.

"Hey! Bronson...come in here for a moment!" said Gotcha, calling to a passing colleague who stopped to listen. "Saint here thought he'd be getting the promotion! Ha-ha-ha-ha- ha!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" said Bronson, bursting out laughing.

"What's so funny?" said a woman clutching a folder who was also walking past. When Bronson explained that Jeremy thought he was being promoted to department manager she started laughing as well. The laughter was so contagious it started to spread around the office. Soon Jeremy couldn't take it anymore.

"Gahhhhhh!" he said, running out.

When he got home he just wanted to die. If that didn't happen then he'd probably pack his bags and move back to Crested Butte.

He opened the door, sighed and noticed a little note on the floor. Opening it up, he saw it was from Barbara.

I have to see you, is this evening any good? Please call me....hugs and kisses, Barbara

What could she want to see him about? Knowing his luck is was another dumping, just like Bianca. But she did sign it hugs and kisses so maybe it wasn't all bad? He raced to the phone and called her.

"Barbara...are you alright?" he said.

"Jeremy! Oh I'm so glad you called. Did you get my message?" she replied.

"Yes...I'm free tonight as a matter of fact. Is everything OK with you?"

"Oh absolutely...I'm so looking forward to catching up with you. See you shortly" she said, enthusiastically. Jeremy smiled....she didn't sound like she wanted to dump him. He went over to the radio and switched it on and noticed his "employee of the month" award. How long ago did that seem? Now he was "laughing stock" instead.

He changed into a casual suit and started to prepare some dinner for him and Barbara. Just as he was putting the finishing touches to a clam chowder, the doorbell rang. Springing to life he saw that it was Barbara.

"Jeremy, thanks for inviting me over" she said, entering the house.

"My pleasure. So you really wanted to see me?" he replied.

"Is that so strange? I'm.....very fond of you" she said, sheepishly. She wanted to say something else but fear had gripped her out of worry of being rejected.

"Well you're in luck because tonight I've cooked another of my grandmother's recipes...clam chowder, I hope you like it"

"I love chowder...it's a favourite dish back home" she said, smiling.

They ate and soon Jeremy forgot all about the work humiliation he'd suffered. Barbara was the ray of light in his life and he wanted to tell her....to tell her how fond he was. No, that sounded weak....he felt much, much more for her but he couldn't quite say it. What if she rejected him just like Bianca did?

Barbara joked and told silly stories about her work but she was barely supressing what she really wanted to say to him. Everything was perfect right now, what if she said something that panicked him?

After dinner they went to Jeremy's study where they talked about their favourite books, places they'd like to go and things they both enjoyed. But there was an elephant in this small room and it wanted to escape! Barbara looked at her feet and scuffed one of them on the floor whilst clasping her hands....

"So....I really wanted to see you tonight. I couldn't stop thinking about you at work today" she said, hesitantly.

"I sometimes feel that way about you" Jeremy replied, looking around the room, too frightened to look her in the eye.

"I....think....well...I KNOW that I...." she began.

"I...I...I..." said Jeremy, trying to fill the silence. "...I want to say, what I mean to say is....

"I LOVE YOU!"
"I LOVE YOU!"

They both said it simultaneously.

There was a short laugh and then silence. Both looked each other in the eye and couldn't break contact. Then they drew towards each other, as if by magnetism, neither wanting to stop what was happening naturally.

They parted after kissing for what seemed like an age. Jeremy stroked Barbara's hair and finally they spoke.

"What were we ever nervous about?" he said, softly.

"I know" she said, looking deep into his eyes. "What next?" she said.

"Stay" he said. She nodded.

"I was hoping you'd say that" she responded. "As it so happens I packed some nightclothes in my bag just in case"

"Good call. Shall we retire to the bedroom?" he said, a new found confidence in his voice. Anything was possible now, he thought.

"I'll just go to the bathroom first" she said. Jeremy went to his room and changed into his pyjamas, neatly folding his clothes on top of his dresser. His heart was starting to pound...he was going to spend the night with her and...well, this could be the night where they would...he couldn't bring himself to think of the word.

His heart began to pound faster when Barbara entered the bedroom. She'd changed into her nightclothes but they were not what he expected. She was wearing a white satin basque with matching garters and sheer white stockings. She'd gone the extra mile.

When Barbara packed a bag earlier on today, in the hope that she and Jeremy would spend the night together, she wondered about how risque her lingerie would be...maybe it would make Jeremy think less of her? As she put the garments on, however, she felt seductive and alluring. Sauntering into the bedroom she stood resplendent. Jeremy's jaw almost hit the floor.

"You're....beautiful" he said, admiring her from across the room.

They slid into the bed and began to snuggle and kiss. Each wanted the other so much but....it was late, and slowly, as they were canoodling, tiredness overcame them. Before anything else could happen they were fast asleep.