CHAPTER 78: A Proposition

 

Barbara had woken up a little before Jeremy and had showered and got dressed before he awoke.  It was a day off today and she decided to wear her new, special dress...she'd had it a few days now and STILL Jeremy hadn't seen her in it.  After whipping up a breakfast, Jeremy arose at the smell of freshly cooked eggs.

"Uuuurrrruuuraaaahhhh" he said, rubbing his hair and letting out an enormously loud yawn.  Hmmm those eggs smell good......." his voice trailed off as soon as he saw Barbara.  "Wow!" he exclaimed.  "I haven't seen you in that outfit before!"

"You've been too busy to notice" replied Barbara.  "Do you like it though?"

"I like it, I like it a lot!" said an approving Jeremy.  "I'll make us some coffee...although all I want to drink right now is you in"

"So, I've got another ordinary day at work...shame I can't spend it with you but I think they'd notice me gone and I can't use the 'I've got the 'flu' excuse again" said Jeremy.

"I like my man in his smart business suit in his high powered job...no, you must go in because I'm going to be busy today doing some research on the city"

"Sounds intriguing, tell me more!" said Jeremy.

"Now, now, that would be telling.  I'm meeting up with Suzy for lunch but before that I'm doing some city exploration...I'll reveal all later!" she said.

"Is it the kind of reveal where I get to see more of you..." Jeremy, said with a mischievous grin.

"Tsch! What a dirty mind you have, Jeremy Saint...Saint by name but not by nature..."

"I have my naughty side!" he joked.  "But all the best with your research project and say hi to Suzy from me"

After Jeremy left for work Barbara headed off to Magnolia Promenade.  On her last trip there, to go clothes shopping, she noticed an old abandoned building.  She guessed it used to be a shop given its large front windows and that it was smack bang in a shopping precinct.  The red brickwork was faded and dirty and there was a huge pile of wooden crates stacked up near the delivery entrance as she took a closer look.

She got close to the shop doors and looked through the dirty, tinted windows to see that inside the place was empty and derelict.  But...on the plus side, the building was large enough to support a modest sized shop and it wasn't falling down from what she could see of it.

Barbara wanted to find out more so she decided to ask a local about what they knew about the place.  And help would come from an unlikely source...

"Anyways it's the grand opening today and they needed a children's party entertainer" said the woman.  "And what have they got you doing?" she enquired of the gentleman dressed as a hot dog.

"2 for 1 luncheon meal offers this week only" said the man with a heavy sigh.  "We all drew straws to see who would get to wear the costume....I lost" he said, looking forlorn.

Suzy overheard this last part of their conversation and approached the oddly dressed pair.  "Oh hello..." she began "Do either of you work or live around this area?"

"Yeah, I work at Hogan's Burger Bar...2 for 1 luncheons only this week" said the Hot Dog man.

"I'm a party entertainer but I know this area pretty well" said the clown woman.

"Ah good, do you know anything about that old, empty shop over there?"

"That used to be Carbolite Tool & Die" said Clown Woman.  "They shut down just after the Korean War...no one's opened its doors for....13 years!" she said, in a spooky voice.

"But it's not haunted, if that's what you're thinking" said Hot Dog Man.

"No, I'm looking at retail properties to buy or rent" said Suzy.  "You wouldn't happen to know if that place is on a particular realtor's books?"

Hot Dog Man thought for a moment but Clown Woman had an idea.  "I think there's a local real estate agency a couple of streets away; Century 20.  They might know"

"Thanks, you've been a great help" said Barbara.  "Oh and good luck with your special events" she added.

"And good luck with yours" said Clown Woman.  "Hey, I've just noticed you guys are wearing the same kind of tights!" 

"Don't remind me!" said Hot Dog Man, sighing again.

Barbara located Century 20 Estates and managed to get one of their agents to show her the shop in more detail.  Inside didn't take long to check out:  It was well and truly abandoned and empty.  However Barbara had a few questions to ask.

"So how much is the owner asking for this place?" she said.

"15,000 Simoleons for the property as it stands.  Just to let you know at the moment the electricity and water are shut off, but could easily be re-activated should you purchase the place."

"I see.  Well, I've got the details" said Barbara patting the brochure with the shop info on it.  "I'll be in touch"

I can't believe I'm seriously thinking of buying this place! She thought to herself.  I should talk it through with a few people...Jeremy, obviously, but I want to do my research properly first.  Present him with a solid business plan....he'll like that.

She had to canvass some other opinions first.  People who were experts in their field of what Barbara wanted to sell in this shop and it just so happened that she was going to meet the very person she needed to talk to for lunch.

"Well, thanks for inviting me out today...it's a good job you found that 2 for 1 lunch offer today" said Suzy after the two young women had met up and grabbed a bite to eat.  Now they were taking a walk through the park to discuss Barbara's plan more.

"Suzy...I want to set up a shop in Sim City" said Barbara.

"A shop?  Wow, that's a big investment.  What do you wish to sell?"

"A clothes boutique.  Suz, I've been getting into fashion in the last few months and I think there's a gap in the market.  Where's it all happening in fashion right now?"

"That'll be London, Carnaby Street.  A little bit in Paris as well but London's the place to be" replied Suzy.

"Exactly.  The hottest names in design right now are Quant, Courreges, Clarke, Cardin and Gernreich but those labels are pretty rare over here.  I want girls and women our age to wear the top European trends here, in America."

"It'll be very expensive importing those fashion labels over here" said Suzy, sounding a note of caution.

"I know...but there must be more local designers out there who are dying to get a chance to sell their wares to the public who have been influenced by the Carnaby Street trends?" said Barbara, warming to her theme.

"There are, and I know a few.  Things can be pretty staid around here" replied Suzy.  "I can put you in touch with the kind of young, eager designers who want a big break and are fed up with the indifference of the big fashion houses.  But what about the costing, though?  You don't earn the kind of money you need to set up a shop working in a fast food restaurant...and what's Jeremy had to say about it as well?"

"Costings?  Well I'm researching that right now.  The shop I viewed today will cost me $15,000...My folks did agree that if I found a place to buy in Sim City they would help with a deposit...and seeing that I live with Jeremy and that's going great I would put that money towards a business.  But that's why I wanted to speak with you about the fashion itself...I'll put together a business plan now.  As for Jeremy?  The risk will be mine, not his and I could call on his business skills to advise me but I haven't told him yet so hush-hush for now"

"Barbara this is all very exciting" said Suzy.  "I won't say a word to Jeremy but I have to get back to work now...I'll send you a list of people I think you should approach.  Good luck!"

Suzy left and Barbara shut her eyes, took a deep breath and thought about the exciting prospect of owning her own shop.

"Meow" came a little sound nearby.  Barbara exhaled and still drank in the moment.  "MEOW!" the noise got louder.  Barbara opened her eyes, looked in the direction of the sound and saw a little ginger and white cat sitting in front of her.

"Oh hello puss..." she said.  "Are you looking for a stroke?" she went to pat it but the cat went "HISSSS!" and Barbara pulled her hand away.  "Maybe not, but you do want something.  A treat?  I don't have any cat food on me, puss, but...hang on...I have a cookie left over from lunch.  Would you like a nibble?"

Barbara held out the cookie to the cat and it nibbled at it around the edges before taking the whole thing from her hand.

After that, the cat was very friendly.  "Awww, you're so cute with those big green eyes!" said Barbara, now able to give the kitty a gentle stroke.  "You seem a long way from home...or is this your home?" she mused, noticing that the cat didn't have a collar.  "Well, next time I'm here I'll look out for you AND I'll make sure I have some more treats with me.  Goodbye kitty"

The cat followed her for a little bit but departed from her side and headed off into the middle of the park.  Barbara headed for home, where she found Jeremy had made some dinner for them both.

"Sorry, sweetie..." she said, hanging up her handbag and running to the kitchen table where Jeremy had everything laid out.  "...I would have made us something but I had a full and exciting day"

"Oh yes" said Jeremy, inquisitively.  "What did you get up to?"

Barbara was about to tell him all about her boutique idea but hesitated....it was a big step and a lot of money.  She wanted to make sure she had more of a business plan before telling him about it.

"Erm...." she said, hesitantly.  "Do you like cats?"

CHAPTER 77: More Than Just BFF

 "Hey, Summer....breakfast's ready!" yelled Travis as he knocked on the door to the bedroom.

"You can come in, I'm decent" replied Summer.  Travis opened the door and stepped in whereupon his jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Summer....wow...is that a new hair do?" he said, impressed at the way her long blonde tresses cascaded over her shoulders.

"It is" she said, giving her hair a flick.  "I just decided to let my hair down, but pin it up a little at the sides.  Do you like it?"

Travis more than just liked it; he was impressed at how she looked in general...he hadn't seen that dress she was wearing before either.  The sight of her and the wafting of her perfume produced a sensation in him which he noticed and then tried to conceal by sitting on the edge of her bed and crossing his legs.  The problem then was that she sat next to him.

"Soooooooo, what do you have planned for today?" said Travis.

"I'm on the evening shift so I've got nothing planned until late afternoon" replied Summer.  "And you?"

"It's my day off...there's a bunch of technical manuals I have to read at some point but..." lame, man, so lame! He thought to himself.  Summer didn't want to hear about his boring work books...she's a babe, a bird, a hot chick, she's going to be turned off by all his nerdy talk.

Since they threw that party, Travis' feelings towards Summer had intensified.  When he had moved in with her and Liberty he had felt torn between which of these beautiful girls he fancied more.  Liberty was more his intellectual match...actually she was way more intelligent than him but they shared a mutual like of technology.  But Summer was sweet, kind, funny, great company and a cute blonde as well.  The more time Travis spent in her company, the more he liked her and now he was sexually attracted to her as well.

They stood up and went to the kitchen to have breakfast, with Travis trying to conceal his boner discretely.  Liberty was up and about now and joined in.

"What are you going to do today, Libs?" asked Summer.

"I have a day off...I might give a certain someone a call" Liberty replied.

"Is it that dude you met hanging around our house?" said Travis.

"Gary was lost that evening and, yes, I'll give him a call after breakfast to catch up with him" replied Liberty, justifying her interest in a random stranger she met whilst putting out the trash after the party.

"I was thinking of going for a walk...around the neighbourhood.  Would you like to join me, Summer?" said Travis, making a move.  Liberty picked up on this and watched with interest what Summer's response would be.  She knew she liked Travis, but then again Travis often took her for granted which annoyed Summer...she might turn his invitation down.

"That sounds great, Trav" said Summer, a note of excitement in her voice.  "I mean, just a casual stroll....right?"

"Oh yes, just to take advantage of the fine weather" he replied.  Liberty tried to suppress a smile...these two really did have a crush on each other.

"You know, this is a pretty nice place around here" said Travis, as he and Summer took their stroll.

"I know....and weren't we lucky to have found each other....I mean, you, me and Libs" replied Summer.

"Yes...I remember the day I found that card on the noticeboard in the library....that you were looking for two room mates.  The funny thing is, I almost didn't respond...the advert sounded too good to be true"

"Imagine if you'd passed on it" giggled Summer.  "We'd might never have met!"  There was an awkward pause before Travis piped up.

"Then my life would have been a whole lot emptier without Liberty....and you....to share it with" his voice became soft as he expressed this heartfelt sentiment.  He had even put a slight emphasis on 'and you' to drop a hint to Summer how he felt about her.  There was another pause; Summer looked down at her shoes then up again into Travis' eyes.  He took a deep breath and thought to himself 'ow heck!  I have to make my move now...there won't be a better moment'

"That's a lovely thing to say, Travis." said Summer.  "I'm so glad you did answer the advert"

"You know" said Travis, taking a deep breath "I'm just going to come right out and say it: You are the most groovy chick I know!"

Summer was taken aback.  Was he being serious?

"Gee....thanks!" said Summer, eventually.  "You know, I really dig you too" she added.

"So...." began Travis.  "How about we head on to the communal garden and chill out there?" he said, jerking his head in the direction of the gardens around the back of their house.

Meanwhile, back home Liberty could see Travis and Summer walking past her window and, to her delight, they seemed to be getting on very well.  Well, she thought, why should they have all the fun? She went to the phone to give her new friend, Gary, a call.

"Hi Gary...it's Liberty" she said.

"Liberty!  Hey, I'm so glad you called....I was going to head over to Magnolia Blossom Park today...do you want to join me there?"

"Absolutely!  What time?"

"11am...see you there" said Gary, the tone of his voice sounding inviting.  Liberty put the phone down and did a little jog of delight.

Back at the garden, Travis and Summer sat down next to each other on a park bench.  "You know, Travis, we don't use this area as much as we should...look, the apples are ripe for picking"

Travis got up and picked one, then went back to the bench where he presented the apple to Summer.  "Sweets for the sweet" he said.

"You can be the real charmer when you want to be" replied Summer.  "I'll save this for at work" she said, giving the apple a little polish and putting it next to her.

"Oh..." said Travis suddenly.  "Splinters...in the bench.  Hmmm, yes the varnish has worn away exposing a particularly grainy area of wood"

"Uh huh?" said Summer, with a wry smile.

"Oh yes.  Splinters can be more dangerous than they seem.  I mean, you could get one and it could go septic later on"

"Wow, this is REALLY romantic stuff here, Trav" 

"Also...I don't want the splinters or bits of wood sticking out ruining your lovely outfit.  Here, this middle bit of the bench is smooth.  Let's sit a little closer"

"You know, if you wanted to snuggle up here that's totally OK with me" said Summer.  "But I appreciate your concern for my safety"

Meanwhile Liberty had headed off to Magnolia Blossom park to meet with Gary.  She was excited at landing a date with a cute guy...it'd been a long time since she'd been on a date, in fact she couldn't remember the last time she had been on one.

"Wow, Liberty, you look great!" said Gary.

"Thank you...I thought, seeing that it's my day off I'd wear something more eye catching" she replied.

"It certainly is...anyway, it's a lovely day today here....now I'm guessing you're the kind of girl who combines brains and beauty; do you play chess?"

Liberty looked Gary directly in the eyes and in a low, welcoming voice, said "try me"

"Check!" said Liberty, confidently placing her bishop in line with Gary's exposed king.

"Again?" he said before looking at the board, trying to work out how he'd been outflanked.

"I told you I was good" said Liberty.

"Excuse me..." said a young man who approached them.  "You wouldn't happen to know a Suzy Kent, would you?"

Liberty looked up at this man...or more accurately, a teenaged boy.  "Erm...yes?  Why?" she said.

"Oh no particular reason....I just like to know who her friends are.  I'll leave you to finish your game" and with that the young man walked off.

"Who was that guy?" asked Gary.

"No idea.  He seems creepy though.  Anyway I reckon you're mated in 3 moves." said Liberty, changing the subject.

"What?  No way!  Oh dang it....you're just too good.  I say we take a walk"

Liberty and Gary took a walk around Magnolia Blossom park, which lived up to its name as the spring blossoms were in full bloom.

"Funny how we met...me being lost and you taking out the trash at that exact moment" said Gary.

"I actually keep a sack of trash by the door just for when cute guys walk past the house" replied Liberty.  Gary laughed.

"You're a goofball...I like it" he said.

"That's good...you'd better get used to it"

"So you see us hanging out a lot more, eh?" he said

"Uh-huh...what about you?"

"Definitely...if only to brush up on my chess skills"

Liberty smiled and gently grasped Gary by the arm as they strolled.  They talked, joked and watched the clouds drift by...losing all track of time until a distant church bell chimed.

"Drat...that's work calling" he said.  "I have to go but I had a wonderful time.  Let's do this again and soon"

Liberty gave him a big hug and they said goodbye for now.  Liberty found herself skipping all the way home where she found a very happy looking and satisfied Travis watching TV.

"Well you look pleased about something" said Liberty, sitting down next to him.

"I could say the same thing about you" replied Travis.  "I take it the date with Gavin..."

"Gary" Liberty corrected him.

"Gary went well?"

"It did!  I think it's worth a second date...but that's not the big news is it?  I want to hear what happened with you and Summer!"

"Well you know..." said Travis, teasing Liberty, who was on the edge of her seat wanting to know how her housemates had got on in her absence.  "Let's just say it's the beginning of something special"

"Did you....you know...kiss at least?"

"That would be telling!" said Travis.  Liberty lightly punched him in the arm.  "OK....no, we didn't.  Not this time but...you know, next time...you might even witness it!"

CHAPTER 76: The League Of Decency

 

Julia looked at the business card she'd been given by Edna Sneedley when she was treating her for a slipped disc.  "The League Of Decency...stopping the moral rot and decay in society.  Phone Mrs Edna Sneedley at 555-5705".  Julia pondered calling that number:  She'd liked Edna's pitch about the League and as a moralistic young woman who recoiled at all the sex, violence and drug use that was becoming more commonplace in movies, TV and especially magazines she thought that maybe she could lend some support to the cause.

She called the number and waited for an answer.

"The Sneedley Residence, the lady of the house...Mrs Sneedley speaking" came the formal and haughty voice at the other end.

"Hello...this is Julia Epstein...Doctor Julia Epstein" she added the emphasis on Doctor to help remind Edna of who she was.

"Oh yes, Doctor Epstein, how lovely to hear from you.  I must say you worked wonders for my back; I haven't had any trouble since"

"That's good news, Mrs Sneedley.  The reason I'm calling is to find out more about your League of Decency:  I'm potentially interested."

"Good...good...excellent" said Edna, also putting emphasis on a word.  "Well, George...that's my husband...and I are free to talk with you this morning if you are free.  You are?  Excellent.  Our address is The Sneedley Residence, Bedrock Straight, Oasis Springs"

Julia made her way to their house and there, out the front and pruning a flower bush, was Mrs Edna Sneedley.  She put down her gardening gloves and secateurs and came to greet her visitor.

"Mrs Sneedley, thank you for inviting me to your home" said Julia, trying to make a good, positive impression.

"Delighted you could come" said Edna, who initially smiled but then a slight look of disapproval came over her face as she looked Julia up and down.

"I suppose all the young women these days are wearing those....mini skirts" she practically spat the words out.  Julia looked embarrassed all of a sudden.

"Oh...this" she said, tugging at her skirt.  "Well, I'm very busy and this skirt is practical to wear as I rush about" Julia tried to say this with a light hearted chuckle.  "I didn't think it was too provocative though"

As Edna led Julia towards the house to meet her husband, George, she commented more about Julia's attire.  "Don't you find that men gawp at your legs, that you have too much on show?" she said.

"I've not noticed.  I don't like to bear a lot of flesh, Mrs Sneedley" she said indicating her long sleeve turtleneck sweater "and I wear thick tights with my skirts".  This, she hoped, would somehow compensate for her skirt. 

"I suppose so" replied Edna.  "Ah, let me introduce you to George" she said.  George Sneedley was seated on an outdoor stool, reading a book called "The Decline And Fall of Today's Youth".

"George... I want you to meet Dr Julia Epstein; she's the young lady who fixed my back" said Edna. 

"Pleased to meet you.  What was that I heard about skirts?" he said, his interest seemingly piqued.

"Oh I was just reassuring your wife that I try to strike a balance with my skirt length by wearing thick tights to not show flesh"

"Oh...you don't wear stockings?" said George, slightly crestfallen.  He shook his head "I'm afraid standards have fallen in the youth of today; seeking simplicity over stylishness"

"Now George" said Edna "There's no need to be so harsh on our newest recruit.  I'm sure there are more important things we could talk about"

Julia felt nervous; she had, inadvertently, failed the test here just by what she wore; which she didn't think was immoral.

"Don't worry, Doctor Epstein, we wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable" said Edna.  "And I can tell you're a very moral and upstanding young woman in your work and, I'm sure, your personal life as well"

"Oh I am, Mrs Sneedley"

"Call me Edna" she said, smiling whilst her gaze remained fixed at Julia's eyes.  Let me take you for a tour of my house whilst I explain what the League of Decency is about.

"Society today is at a crossroads, Julia" began Edna.  "Since the big war, we have all become too complacent:  We have wealth, prosperity and comfort but have forgotten our strength and values along the way."

"I understand, Edna" replied Julia "I come from a strong Jewish family and we were raised to respect our elders and value tradition"

"Oh you're Jewish are you?" said Edna, curiously.  "Well that's interesting.  I agree; your people do place a lot of value in the family unit.  George and I have forgone having children but I do respect motherhood and the importance of good parenting...in the traditional manner"

Julia was looking at a bookshelf in the Sneedley house and the titles all seemed to fit a theme:  SEX, DRUGS AND THE END OF THE WEST.  COMMIES UNDER YOUR BEDS.  A CALL FOR BETTER MORALS.  I WAS A MIDDLE AGE SEX MANIAC.  REPENT NOW!  AN ANALYSIS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR IN YOUTH.

Julia picked up that last title and flicked through it.  "Oh a very informative text" said Edna.  "It shows how the Permissive Society is destroying the West."

Julia turned a few pages in the book and noticed a photo of someone she recognised.  "Hey, that's Alan Cuffe...founder of Lothario magazine and The Kitten Club!" she said.

"Oh a terrible man.  Did you know that he used to own the house next door where he would host his wild parties?  Thank goodness he's moved" Edna replied.

"He once tried to recruit me into his Kitten Club." said Julia, putting down the book.  Edna looked shocked.

"You didn't...." she stammered.

"No way!  I turned him down there and then on the spot" said an indignant Julia.

"Good for you!  He's exactly the person we need to bring down and George and I have been working on some ideas"

"Well count me in on that.  Mrs Sneedley, I may not have impressed you at first but I want to join the League of Decency and help you end Alan Cuffe's pornographic business"

"Oh never mind about your choice in clothes...as long as it's not wild we can forgive the eccentricities of youth.  As far as I'm concerned, you'll be an asset to our society"

"How many are in your society?" asked Julia.

"Oh you're our third member"

After a productive first meeting, Julia headed back to Willow Creek to relax and maybe play some piano at The Blue Velvet club.  It was very busy tonight and she had to fight her way to the bar.

"I've not seen it so busy!" she said to a very svelte looking lady sitting next to her.

"Good luck trying to get served in here tonight" the lady replied.  "They've put some complimentary snacks out to while away the time as they deal with each customer" she added.

Julia looked down the length of the bar and noticed a familiar and unwelcome presence: Alan Cuffe.  He was there in his lounge robe accompanied by a friend and two fashionably dressed young women who Julia recognised as Lothario Kittens.  At least they weren't wearing the club uniform in here, thought Julia.

"Hey, it's the Hot Doc!" said Cuffe, making a pistol shape with his hand and pointing it at Julia.  "We meet again...now are you sure you don't want to be a Kitten, like my friends here?" he said, giving the flanking girls a squeeze around their waists.  They giggled.

"Do not refer to me as 'the hot doc' Mr Cuffe.  It's DOCTOR Epstein to you.  And no, I never want to sell myself out by joining your organisation"

"And furthermore" said Julia, her back well and truly up "take your hands off those women; they're not your property!"

"This is a free country, Doctor Epstein..." said Cuffe, his face now a scowl "They're consenting adults and might I remind you of the First Amendment?"

"The Founding Fathers didn't consider girlie mags when they drafted that" said Julia.

"I produce art!" said Cuffe, getting angry. Julia snorted in derision.

"Please...can you take your argument outside; it's disturbing the other patrons" said the bartender.

Cuffe raised his hands to indicate no resistance and turned to the smart woman Julia had been talking to.  "Abigail, so lovely to see you" he said.

"I wish I could say likewise" replied the woman.  "You're trying to poach my staff again I see...you've tapped my protégé, Suzy Kent, to work for you"

"Strictly on a freelance basis, Abigail" said Cuffe.  "I've asked for an article and, as far as I can tell, she's allowed to submit articles to other publications on a freelance basis.  Now just because you're beholden to your backers and I'm not..."

"Alan, you never do anything unless you can work your own personal angle into it" said Abigail.  "It won't be 'just one article' with Suzy, will it?"

"I don't disclose my business in public, Abi, you know that"

Julia had remained quiet in the meantime.  So this woman is Suzy's boss and Cuffe's trying to get her friend and neighbour to work for him?  Interesting, she thought, very interesting!

CHAPTER 75: Burning The Candle At Both Ends

 

John Action staggered out of the Discotheque Pan Europa at 5am in the morning, putting on his shades to lessen the burn on the early morning sun on his eyes.  He'd completely lost track of time and it wasn't until the staff asked him to physically leave the premises that he realised he'd been there all night; dancing, drinking and flirting with the groovy chicks.  He went there...alone...without Katherine.  He was in two minds about her:  She'd teased him recently and that had got his back up.  She just didn't seem to take his experiences seriously and could display a coolness and haughtiness that comes from someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth.  That wasn't Action; a man hewn from the roughness of the ghetto and the jungles of South East Asia.

Action headed over to a nearby café that he knew.  They served breakfast and, more importantly, a decent cup of coffee.  This was going to be his fuel for the morning:  He had a full shift at the Precinct today and was existing on caffeine, sugar and adrenaline to compensate for the lack of sleep.

 

About halfway through his breakfast Danish and espresso, he was joined by a familiar face at his table.

"Hey, Action, this is a bit early for you" said the newcomer, a dapperly dressed man in his late 30s who was sporting the fashionable mod-Indian look enjoyed by men at least a decade younger than himself.

"Deano" said Action, smiling.  He'd known Dean Lunn for nearly a year now, since he joined the Sim City PD.  He kept his nose clean...for the most part...but was a good source for information and the low down.  "I might say the same thing about you"

"Got to get to the farmers' markets early, before the good stock gets sold out" replied Dean.

"Keeping your nose clean, Deano?"

Dean looked shocked and offended. "You know me, Action, I run with no gang and run a clean ship."

"It's too early for business anyway" said Action, pouring another cup of espresso into his and Dean's cups.

"I can sure smell the bacon at this table" came a harsh voice from behind the two men.  It was a woman's voice and she was not happy to see Action sitting there.

"Hey, Ashley, stay cool baby...Action's one of the good guys!" said Dean.

"There ain't no good guys on the Force" she said, practically spitting the words out.

"Who's your friend, Deano?" asked Action, trying to maintain his cool.

"Ashley's my particular friend, if you get my drift" said Dean.  "How about we all act civil?"

"My brother was busted by you guys on a trumped up charge!" said Ashley.  "They planted drugs on him...everyone knew it was a fix but you pigs know all the crooked judges and so they sent him down.  He's on appeal but no thanks to you lot!"

Action took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool.  "Hows about you give me some names of those cops you think are crooked?"

"So you can warn them?  No thanks!  Dean...I should be more careful about the company you keep!" she said, standing up and storming off.  Dean went to make an apology but Action held up his hand.

"No need, bro" he said.

OASIS SPRINGS, 11:46am

Action was on patrol in the smart end of Oasis Springs...the pleasant valley, charcoal burning everywhere.  There were some reports of fights breaking out, which was unlike that part of town, and Action was dispatched to check things out.  For a weekday in a residential area, the place looked busy with people hanging around on every corner.  Nothing illegal was obviously happening...according to Action's trained eye...but he noticed there was a strange vibe about the place.

"Hey, you! You're a cop, aren't you?" said an angry looking young man.

"What's it to you?" replied Action, cooly.

"I recognise you...you investigated that break in at my friend's house: The one where you noticed the chess pieces were in the wrong places"

"Oh yes, I remember you now...you're a friend of Travis Scott"

"Yeah, look man....see that lady over there?" the young man was pointing to an attractive, raven haired woman in mod gear.

"I sure do" said Action, with some approval.

"She's weird, man, like in up to no good.  She tried to hypnotise me!" said the man.

"How do you know that?"

"She was looking into my eyes really intensely.  She kept repeating the same things over and over like 'you're in my power' and then I felt a slap on my face but she didn't move her hands, man!  It's like I was slapped by a ghost!"

"Look, buddy, if you're high and tripping out don't waste my time" said Action, rolling his eyes in disbelief.

"I don't do drugs, Officer...she's weird, like crazy weird....look, those guys over there witnessed her doing it!" the man was pointing at a couple of other guys dressed as hippies who were standing nearby.

Action walked over to the two hippies and asked them what was going on.

"I ain't seen nothing, that guy's making it all up!" said the white hippy.  

"I saw her talking to this guy...but I didn't see any hypnotism or slapping or anything like that" said the black hippy who was wearing a far out Victorian military jacket.

"They're lying!" said the angry man.

"Hey! We were just chatting and didn't have anything to do with you or her!" said the white hippy, getting angry himself.  "Officer, get this crazy cat out of here!"

"I'm going to have to caution you for disturbing the peace" said Action to the angry young man.  "Now there's one person I haven't spoken to yet....YOU stay here!" he said to the man.

Action walked over to the young woman who seemed to be at the centre of this disturbance.  "Excuse me Miss?"

"McGregor.  No problem, officer" said the young woman.  She had an easy going charm about her, a delicate, lilting voice and she locked eyes on Action.  

"Do you know that man over there?" said Action, pointing to the complainant.  "He claims you were trying to hypnotise him"

"I have no idea who he is, I just asked him for the time and he freaked out" she said, calmly but with her eyes never breaking contact with Action's.

He asked her a few more questions, about who she was, what she was doing here and her alleged connection to the angry man but although she calmly answered them, Action thought the intensity of her gaze was off kilter...he couldn't put a finger on it, but something wasn't normal about it.  In the end he concluded that her intense stare was probably interpreted as being hypnosis by this uptight young man who, despite his protestations, had probably taken some uppers and as a consequence was hypertense.

Action thanked her for her time and told the angry man that he couldn't charge her with any offence as it was just her words against his with no witnesses.  The man skulked off but the woman was nowhere to be seen.

Action finished his patrol and headed back to the precinct house.  He went upstairs to the recreation room for his scheduled break, poured himself a coffee and sat down to think about a few issues on his mind.  That last patrol was crazy...he never felt in any danger but he got a glimpse of the kind of crazies he had to deal with:  Drugs, cults, weird new-age beliefs...it was all there.  He'd seen plenty of madness growing up and in the Marines but here it was, in quiet suburban Sim City as well.  He wanted a rock, something he could be sure of to anchor himself and then he thought about Katherine.  He'd been avoiding her recently; wondering if there was more to life than just hooking up with one woman who he shared little in common in terms of background.

"Hey, Action...ain't you got a home to go to?" said the Duty Sergeant.

"What?  My shift over already?" he said, checking his watch.  He went to the station pay phone to make a call; his hand hovering over the receiver for a few seconds as he thought about whether he should make that call or not.  Then he picked it up, put in the coins and dialled the number.

"Hi Katherine, it's Action.  Yes I know I haven't called in days....No, I haven't forgotten you.  Hey, are you free tonight?  Yeah, I know it's a bit much expecting you to be free on such short notice but, hey, you know I'm spontaneous....but you are free?  Great, see you at 8...my place"

Action put the phone back on the hook and smiled.  He was actually looking forward to seeing her.

...and there she was, already waiting for him...a vision in red and white.

"I must be a fool to be here" she said.

"I'm a bigger fool for not appreciating you more" he replied, happy to see her.

"You've got that right" she said, smiling.

They went inside his house where Action couldn't contain the urge to embrace her.  "Sometimes I don't know if I'm more messed up than the crazies I deal with on the streets"

"You're too harsh on yourself" she replied, stroking his face.  "I know you deal with things I can't imagine"

The two of them settled in for an intimate evening together; Action glad for the peace Katherine brought.  However, outside there was a lurker spying on his house:  Leann McGregor.  She made a mental note of where Detective John Action lived, how big was his house, what time he got home from work and what company he kept.  She also wondered how much of what he was told by that young idiot did he believe? 

Leann had much to consider:  How much did Detective Action put in his police report about that incident?  How many of his colleagues did he speak to about it afterwards and has he told his female visitor anything of it?  Perhaps that idiot, Yamaguchi, will have to be dealt with....many things to consider....

CHAPTER 74: To The Next Level

 

The house was a complete mess.  Suzy had let things slide too much of late and the result was a filthy sink, filthy shower and even filthier kitchen.  Well, her morning was settled:  A thorough clean of the place.

"Phew!  But spick and span now" she said to herself. "That's nearly 2 hours out of my day and there's so much to do....so much"

Suzy went to her room and looked out the window across to the strange, large tree that was just on the other side of the road.  She knew there was something inside of it, some kind of tunnel, but where did it lead?  Last time she checked the place out with her friends: Neil, Summer and Jeremy but now she decided to go it alone on her second expedition.

Approaching the tree she located the concealed entrance in its trunk, pulled aside the ivy and other creeper plants and stepped inside, into the darkness.

This time around she knew not to follow the small dot of light in the distance, for that just took her back to the start, but instead follow the sound of a stream.  Taking careful steps she inched her way further and further into the tunnel until her right foot stepped into a shallow stream of running water.  She wondered if this was part of the canal that ran alongside the back her house or, worse, was it a sewerage channel.  She withdrew her soggy foot and looked for a dry place to cross the stream.  In the end she leapt over it to the other side where the tunnel continued.

Soon a light, silvery mist filled the tunnel and Suzy found it difficult to navigate...but she could hear the sound of a breeze and birds tweeting in the distance so she pushed on until the mist started to lift and a light could be seen ahead.  She had found the other end of the tunnel and stepping out, she expected to be somewhere on the other side of the container park that was across the way from the canal in Willow Creek.  

She didn't expect to see what greeted her on the other side.  She had emerged from a tree that was very similar to the one in her road and all around her was this beautiful, tranquil wooded glade.  She looked around, not recognising where she was...by her calculations of how far she had travelled in the tunnel, she should be on the other side of the container park and that should have been visible from where she was standing, but it was nowhere to be seen.

Some things here did seem strange and out of place:  Everywhere was tinged with a pink glow...from flowers, shrubs, even the rocks.  Looking up she noticed the sky was pinkish-orange in colour.  It was only late morning and yet this place seemed to be in a twilight glow.  Just how far had she travelled and for how long?  It didn't seem like much of either to her and yet this place seemed far removed from where she expected to be.

There were some signs of human habitation though:  There was a fishing sign near a pond and another down by the edge of a river so she couldn't have been the first person to visit here but other than that there were no signs of any human presence.

"I wish I'd bought my camera!" said Suzy, thinking what a missed opportunity this was to get some evidence that she'd been here.  The whole glade had a mysterious, dream like quality to it and she was only half sure that this place was real....just where was it in relation to Foundry Cove?

She spent about half an hour at the glade before deciding to head for home.  Walking back to the identical, large tree she found an entrance way and trudged back through the mist and the shallow creek to home.  She wanted to tell someone, anyone, what she'd just seen but the street was deserted.  Suzy jogged home and wanted to phone Summer, Jeremy, Burr or Neil but looking at the clock she realised she didn't have much time to get ready for a date she had planned with Neil.

Her dress had some dirt on it from trudging through the tree and tunnel and her shoes and nylons were wet from wading through the stream so she completely changed her outfit to look smart for her date at Chez Llama.

Neil arrived at her place in a taxi and she was impressed at how good he looked in his white tuxedo.  Ever the gentleman, he escorted her to the taxi and they were whisked off to the most exclusive restaurant in Sim City.  

"You look fabulous" said Neil.

"So do you...you could be James Bond in that suit!" she replied.

"Maybe I'll have a dry martini, shaken not stirred when we get to Chez Llama" 

When they entered the restaurant, the two of them went to the bar whilst their table was being readied.

"Go on then, do it" said Suzy to Neil.

"Do what?"  replied Neil.

"Ask for a dry Martini, shaken not stirred...I dare you"

"OK....erm....barkeep!  May I have a dry vodka Martini, shaken not stirred?"

"You're about the 5th guy to ask for one of those today" said the Barkeep.

Suzy and Neil laughed and drank their fancy cocktails when they were led to their table.  Suzy couldn't keep her news from Neil any longer.

"I went back to that tree near my house this morning" she said.  "And you'll never guess what I found!"

"Did you go into that tunnel again?" said Neil.

"Yes...and it actually leads somewhere!" she said, excitedly.

"Where?" said Neil, his interest piqued.

"I'm not sure...it's not anywhere that's visible from Foundry Cove and yet I didn't walk that far down the tunnel.  It's this woodland glade, very beautiful with trees and flowers I didn't recognise and a crystal clear river that isn't part of the local canal....It must be a little area tucked away in Willow Creek."

"Can you walk or drive to it?"

"Not that I could tell...I came and went via that tunnel which emerges from an identical tree to the one in my street.  It's really odd."

"I've got a map of the local area at home" said Neil.  "We could look at that to try and see where this place is."

"Good idea" said Suzy.  "And next time you can come with me to check that place out"

A waiter appeared to take their order.  Neil said "shall I order for both of us?"

Suzy nodded.  Neil looked at the menu and confidently ordered two of the chef's specials.

"Certainly sir and madam" said the waiter.  Once he had taken their menus from them and walked off to the kitchen, Neil leaned in towards Suzy.

"You know, when you're all excited and fired up you are so beautiful" he said.  "I can see what drives you, that energy you have...I find it intoxicating.  You are my muse!"

Suzy liked hearing that and she became coy, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously at him.  Neil normally didn't enjoy public displays of affection but the mood, the drink and the presence of Suzy was all working on him, getting him to drop his guard.

The meal and the conversation were delightful and the two were entranced by one another.  After he paid the bill,he stood up and held his hand out to Suzy, gently pulling her towards him...and to her pleasant surprised, he kissed her full on the lips.

"Hmmm, that was good" she said when their lips parted.  "So....what now?" she said, coyly.

"The night is young" replied Neil.  "Fancy a dance?"

There was THE place to go....The Orange Peel!

The place was starting to buzz as more people arrived but in between songs a man approached Suzy and Neil.

"Hello...Is it Miss Suzy Kent, the writer over at 'Hey, Wow'?  Permit me to introduce myself, I'm Alan Cuffe from Lothario magazine and The Kitten Club"

Suzy stopped dancing.  "You're THE Alan Cuffe?"

"The same.  May I take a moment of your time, Miss Kent?  Excuse me sir" he said, acknowledging Neil.  "May I borrow your delightful date for a chat?  I assure you, my intentions are honourable"

Suzy nodded to Neil and he graciously agreed.  Cuffe took Suzy to one side of the dance floor and began to speak.

"Miss Kent, I've read some of your articles in recent months and I must say I'm impressed by your writing.  You not only explain things eloquently but you also have a finger on the pulse of what is in and what isn't.  These are qualities I want for Lothario magazine" said Cuffe.

Suzy was lost for words for a few seconds, but responded "Mr Cuffe, I'm flattered.  Do you wish to poach me for Lothario?"

Cuffe shook his head.  "Nothing so simple or obvious.  Are you happy at Hey, Wow?"

"I am.  It's pitched to an audience I relate to and it's opened a lot of doors for me"

"But it recently rejected your expose piece, am I right?"

"How...how did you know about that?" said Suzy, shocked that Cuffe had heard about her Landgraab expose story being quashed by her editor.

"I know a lot of things that go on in our industry, Miss Kent....may I call you Suzy?  Now the thing is Lothario magazine is often misrepresented in the popular press.  Yes, I publish a magazine promoting the free love, promiscuous and libertine lifestyle but it's not all about the centrefolds and the celebration of the female form.  I want the best writers producing intelligent, thoughtful articles as well.  I see talent in you, Suzy, talent I want at Lothario.  What I'm proposing is that you write freelance for me, ad hoc, on any topic you like.  You don't have to leave Hey, Wow...you just go on my list of contributors, that's all.  What do you say?"

"Any topic I like? asked Suzy?

"Any topic...including the one your editor didn't approve of.  I'd like to read it"

"It's not very flattering about the Landgraabs, just to warn you." she said, wondering why Cuffe would take such an interest in her recent work.

"I'm not beholden to the Landgraabs, Suzy." said Cuffe, nonchalantly.

"OK...shall I send it to your office, Mr Cuffe?"

"As soon as possible and call me Alan" he said, offering his hand and smiling warmly.  Suzy shook his hand and they made a verbal agreement there and then.

Returning to Neil, she said "wow, that was Alan Cuffe! And he wants me to write an article for him!"

"Phew!  For a moment I thought he might ask you to join his Kitten Club!"

"You were worried he was going to whisk me away to his den, did you?" said Suzy, teasing Neil.

"Well...yes...I mean the man has a reputation with the ladies." said a sheepish Neil.  "I might have had to fight a duel with him!" he said in mock seriousness.

"I'm flattered you would do that for me...to save me from being one of Alan Cuffe's Kittens.  Don't you think I'd look good in the bodysuit and kitten ears?"

"I think you'd easily make Kitten of the Year" said Neil, looking into Suzy's eyes.

She put her arms around him and drew herself close to him "I'm not interested in being Alan Cuffe's kitten....when I could be yours"

Neil raised an eyebrow and smiled.  "So...shall we move on to the next part of the evening?  Your place or mine?" he said.

"I make a good breakfast" said Suzy.  "Mine"

Back at Foundry Cove, Neil and Suzy were so excited to spend their first night together.  They both knew that this was a big step...the next level of their relationship.  They couldn't wait to get inside and straight to the bedroom to cap off a wonderful evening.  

"I'm sorry but I don't have a Kitten Club outfit to change in to" said Suzy, taking off her hat and slipping off her shoes.

"Never mind" he said.  Suzy turned her back to him and he unzipped her dress "it wouldn't be on you for long"

The dress slid to the floor and, stepping out of it, she turned around and undid his bow tie.  "Neil...I never knew you could be so dirty minded" she said, kissing him.