[Beta]

Tanya laughs, too.  “Oh, Mister Preston, I did not hire you for your gaming skills.  No, that is just a happy and somewhat unexpected side benefit for me.  And I really prefer to not call you Mister Preston.  Is there a first name I may use?  And please call me Tanya.  As long as we might be working together we might as well use first names.  If you do not mind, that is.  And I can applaud your impression of stuffy asshole British aristocrats.  My father and mother certainly were, my cousin definitely is one.  However, I think that you would find my uncle to not be one and I try very hard to be one only when I need to be.” 

"It certainly isn't 'Mr. Preston,' I agree that is horrible. Preston is a nickname, I guess, but I pretty much use it as a first name.  Or you could call me" he has to take a moment to remember the name of his current ID '"Peter,' which might be better since that is what anyone looking at me in AR will see."

She motions to the couch, “But come on, let me get you set up and maybe you can help me knock off a mission I have not been able to do solo.”  She grins and runs to the couch, sliding over the back to take a seat.  Your initial view of the room and its luxury tells you that nothing here is ornate or ostentatious.  The furnishings are low-key, but everything suggests that you are looking at things with costs that have gone well beyond the wow range and well into the zowie area.
 
Monique calls out, “Milady, really now.  What……”
 
“Hush Monique, I have a chance to get past this block.  And since we are dining here I do not need to get dressed until after.  Besides, the tux is not here yet and everything else is arranged for the party.  We will do the briefing at dinner.”
 
Monique lifts her head and rolls her eyes but nods.  “Of course, milady.”
 
Tanya lifts up an arm rest of the couch and pulls out a second controller.  “Ok.  I am sending you the codes to the PAN.  And you can snoop all you want; this PAN is connected to nothing but the entertainment and sound systems.  There you are.  Just enter a password and user ID you want and in you are quicker than Bob’s your uncle.  Oh, and if you are not into this game so much, what is your fav?  I might have tried it.”  You hear a snort and a short laugh from somewhere behind you in the room.  Tanya raises a hand above her head and makes a crude gesture before lowering it back to her lap and the controller.  “Please pay no attention to the serving wench.  Let’s play.”
 
When you are in and set up, Tanya looks around then giggles and says, “Sound up a bit, I think.”  She hits a button and noise comes from speakers all around the room, immersing you in a bleeding edge surround-sound system.  During game play Tanya is having fun; pure unadulterated fun and she shows it by laughing, squealing, and moaning at times as she does well or fails.  She is easy with her congratulations when you make a good play and absolutely into winning when it come to the boss mob at the end of the mission.  At times she lets her shoulder bump against you by accident as she moves the controller in the way that enthusiasts do.  She is probably not a good candidate for the sort of special team you once considered, but she is an excellent player.  It is pretty obvious that she likes to win, but likes the fun of the game more.  When the boss is finished off, she yells “Yes!” before tossing the controller aside and jumping up to do a short victory dance, turning about and bending over in some sort of odd celebration of victory.  Sitting next to her for the past hour might have let you forget that she is an adult woman, but you are clearly reminded that she is one as her breasts move under the pajama top and her rather nice butt is emphasized when she bends over.  She flops back down on the couch next to you after finishing her little dance.  “Whew!  That feels bloody fragging good.  Thank you ever so much.  I have been trying to get that guy for weeks.  And sorry for getting you wiped twice.  I got turned around when he hit me and could not get back on target in time to save you.  Hmmm.  Still not quite 1500 yet.  What is it you like to play?  We can try to get a start at it, if you like?”  The smile on her face is a hint that she would like it.

   * Monkey: That was fun!
   * Coleman: Our performance was decent, but on the final boss I think we need to increase our arc of separation by another 10 or so degrees, and compensate by closing the radius to keep in support range.  That should reduce the time to dodge out of the sliver blast by about 0.1 seconds, which should more than compensate for the slightly reduced travel time on the boss's shockwave blast.  In turn this should allow the second target to avoid pulling out of combat for a healing orb the third time, presuming we focus shields on that avatar during the final burn phase.  That increased up-time should let us knock at least three or four percent off our overall boss kill time.
   Oleg: A decent woman shouldn't be shaking her ta-tas around like that.
   Monkey: Maybe she isn't a decent woman!  Do I have time for indecent thoughts?
   
Preston firmly turns his thoughts to other possible AR games, and away from possible sources of trouble.  It is a surprisingly difficult question -- games he has played in the last few years could mostly be divided into 'things he played while addicted to hot sim' which he doesn't want to touch just now, and 'extremely violent and anti-social games he played to blow off his frustration with life' which he doesn't want to admit to.  Then inspiration hits.

"Have you ever played, or even heard, of a game called 'Ourobos'?  It is a two player game, where we control a two headed snake.  We each have full control of one head and the first link of body next to that head, then the next link if 90% the nearest head and 10% the far one, the 80/20, and so on.  So you mostly control the part nearest you, it is completely shared in the middle, but you have some influence toward the far end."

"It is quite hard just to get the snake to move at all -- basic modes are crawling or forming a hoop that can roll, by the way.  I'm told that once you complete an introductory level there is quite a challenging set of missions to complete where you have to use all sorts of crazy moves.  I've never had a chance to play it with someone who likes -- and is good at -- games.  We may not have time to figure out how to do much more than crawl and roll, but ... want to give it a shot?"

Preston tries very hard not to think about how Tanya is going to look while twisting and contorting.  That is not at ALL why he suggested this game.

[Beta]

for Mercy

Tanya laughs but her ‘link is already putting up a catalogue of matrix games on the trid viewer.  She glides effortlessly to where Ourobos is and brings it up.  “Nope.  Never even tried this one.”  She raises her voice a bit.  “Someone I know is only into the big MMOs and won’t try two or three player games like this.”  There is a slight chuckle from somewhere behind you and then Monique says in a loud voice, “Won’t waste my valuable time with the piddly stuff.  Call Petra over if you want to go three player anything.”  Tanya looks over at you.  “Now that is an idea.  If you decide to stick around and take the job, we could get her to come over once in a while.  I think you might like her, but she is a bit on the stuffy side.”  There is a rude sound from off somewhere like someone just snorted a drink.  “Anyway, you will see her at the party tonight and can make your own opinion then.  So let’s see how this game goes.”
 
It is indeed a different game and there is a good bit of twisting and turning involved with the console.  Despite it not being the main reason you mentioned the game, more than once your eyes are treated to a nice view down the front of Tanya’s pajama top as you both try to control the snake.  Although you do not get very far, it seems to be a lot of fun, but the game time is interrupted when Monique steps in front of the trid screen and announces that dinner is served.  Tanya reluctantly shuts the system down and puts the two consoles back into the arm of the couch.  She stands and says, “I guess this part of the fun is over.  She reaches out and puts her arm in yours and takes you into the dining room where you see that there are three place settings.  Several steaming trays and platters cover the middle of the table and everything smells wonderful.  She motions for you to take the single seat on one side of the table while she sits opposite from you.  Monique serves from the trays and then sits next to Tanya.  After a few bites, Tanya looks up at you and says, “OK.  Here it is, Peter.  Like that name, by the way.  You were not selected quite by chance.  And this is not simply an opportunity for you to eat, see the opera, and escort me to my own party.  But I rather imagine that you have already tumbled to that.  I am looking for someone with certain skills to assist me in a major project.  That project I will not discuss because you might not fit my needs, however I will tell you what I want from you tonight.  I will pick someone at random from among the list of people attending my little party.  They will also be at the opera, but not in our box.  I want you to observe this person and tell me everything you can about him or her.  I will allow you to use any sort of methods you like to gather information, to include the matrix.  Be innovative.  Be bold.  You will have one week and then you will tell me what you have found out.  I think that you will find that I do not do things by half-steps.  I appreciate hard work and I appreciate even more hard work with results I can use.  I will pay you 5000 nuyen for the week regardless of the quality of your information, and another 5000 if I like your work.  And you may keep the tux and shoes.”
 
Tanya takes a few more bites while you digest this information then points her fork at you and says, “If you want out we can still have fun at the opera and the party afterward.  No harm done and no hard feelings.  If you want in, we can talk about other things.  As a teaser, please consider this next week a job interview, as I will have lots more work for you if you fit in.  So, Peter, in or out?””

[Beta]

"I'm certainly in."

"I do need to know what limits you may want. Can I start tonight?  I presume you won't answer questions about the person -- does this apply to your staff too? Can I work with them enough to abscond with a drinking glass?   Would you object if I dropped a stealth tag on the mark here -- I understand if you don't because if it is found soon it may be obvious when it was planted.  In short, let me know what I can't do."

Preston realizes he is smiling broadly. 

   * Monkey:  Woot-woot, this is going to be fun!

[Mercy Merchant]

"You will be starting tonight after I give you the name, but you will not get to begin anything except conversation and matrix searches tonight.  The only other real restrictions are to not get caught and do not implicate me.  I am glad that you are in, Peter.  I hope that you have a good time with this exercise."

The food is excellent, perhaps some of the best you have ever had.  Tanya and Monique are good conversationalists and it is easy to tell that, despite the repartee, they are good friends and not just mistress and servant.  Just as dinner ends, there is a knock at the door and Monique goes to answer it.  She is gone several minutes and when she returns she says, "The valet is here to help Mister Preston get dressed."  Tanya thanks her and looks at you.  "Ready for this?"  She stands and walks toward her room, removing her pajama top as she goes.  By the time she reaches the door she has it off, revealing her bare back before going through the door.  Monique shakes her head then motions for you to follow her, taking you to one of the rooms that open off the living area.

The bedroom beyond is huge and very nicely appointed, with a queen sized bed, two nightstands, a large desk with a chair and a table with two more comfortable looking chairs.  A large walk-in closet is off to the right.  Your tuxedo is hanging on a suit rack and a new shirt, tie and other trappings of the well dressed social elite are arrayed on the bed.  An older gentleman in the uniform of the hotel is waiting for you.  He bows to you and introduces himself as Milton.  "I will be dressing you, sir.  Have you worn a tuxedo before?"

[Beta]

7:05pm, 27 May, 2070  Grand Rapids, Michigan
"You ever worn a tuxedo before, kid?"

"No, Fisher, and I don't get why we are going to wear them now."

"Well, for starters you can rent 'em cheap, and since I can't drive around with every disguise in the world in my truck, its a nice way to change things up.  But second a tux is a kind of uniform, and uniforms have a wonderful power -- people see 'em, classify you, and stop thinking about you.  Well, most do, the dangerous ones won't."

Preston thought about it for a moment, then shook his head "That doesn't make sense.  A uniform that is out of place is really going to stand out."

Fisher nodded "Exactly.  And what will people remember?  'A construction worker standing outside the bank, looking impatient' or 'two guys looking like they were dressed for a wedding or fancy party, drinking their sorrows in a dive bar.'  The stories almost write themselves.  And none of those stories are going to have 'Bounty hunter' as the main character."

"I don't know, anyway, I don't know how to tie a bowtie."

"Don't worry, for what we paid, the ties and cummberbunds are clip on.  Which is what we want, don't want to look too rich."

"Do I have to pay for my own rental out of my stipend?"

"Nah, this one's on me.  I need you to make me blend in better, so I've got it covered.  When we go into the bar, remember, let me do all the talking."

"I know: you drive, you talk, you use the chainsaw."

===
11:17pm, 27 May, 2070  Grand Rapids, Michigan

Preston and Fisher had seen the dwarf put down enough beer to float a good sized boat, but she'd still picked up on their move in time to make it into her brand new two-seater.

"Get out of my way you damn monkeys, or I'll run you down."

"Here you go, Fisher."  Preston came running back from the truck with Fisher's monofilament chainsaw.  The older man fired it up with a ear-stabbing roar.  Over the noise he yelled back at the dwarf "Give it up Maybelle -- I'll open up that thing like a pack of tofu, and drag you out.  Or spare the car and give up now."

"You're crazy, I can make this baby dance around you like you were from 2050."

Fisher took a step toward the car as he revved the chainsaw.  "You sure you want to chance it?  I'm quicker than you think."

The car started sidling backwards, Fisher moved to keep the gap constant, keeping the chainsaw loud enough to drown out the yelling of their target.

The car suddenly stopped.  Fisher let the chainsaw swing loose in his right hand while his left hand had made a Remington Roomsweeper appear from somewhere.  "Nice job on shutting down the car, kid.  Got it unlocked, too?"

"Of course!  Ran a few scripts on it and it opened up like a crocus in Spring.  But, uh, you weren't really going to try and stop the car with a chainsaw?"

"Naw, I just wanted to fix her attention while you hacked the thing in the matrix sense of the word.  Chainsaws make a great distraction."

===========================================

6 June, 2075, Seattle

"I have worn a 'tuxedo' before, but it was a cheap rental with clip on tie and stuff.  I'm sure I'll need help with this one."

After a moment of thought, Preston adds "Wearing this one will hopefully be an entirely different experience."

[Mercy Merchant]

Milton smiles.  "Sir, from what I know about tuxedos, you are in for a very special treat.  I am quite sure that this will have the effect you desire."  The man helps you out of your clothes and carefully hangs them on a second suit rack near the bed.  He shakes his head and motions to your socks and underwear, too, and does not appear to be the least bit concerned about whether or not you are embarrassed to be naked in front of him as he directs you to the shower in the attached bathroom.  Your first impression is that the bathroom might be bigger than your living room.  After Milton pushes a few buttons to expose hidden counters and another closet with stacks of exquisitely soft and comfortable towels and a robe, you know the bathroom is bigger than your living room.  Your next thought is that this is a guest bathroom.  The tub is huge and could easily seat two, and you note a number of jet nozzles along the sides and at each end.  The water adjusts evenly to your desired temperature without a lot of monkeying about and you can make it as hot as you want.  With a slightly guilty thought, you open the sliding glass door to check the wall next to the shower but find no slick notice of what the hot water ration is.  It is easy to luxuriate under the hot water but Milton returns after a while to politely remind you that you do still need to dress for the evening.

The towel feels as luxurious as it looks and it is hard to put it down.  You hang it on a rack that seems designed for that purpose and step back into the bedroom, where you see that Milton now has more than your tux laid out.  He offers you underwear and a t-shirt that feel like heaven when you put them on.  Underwear!  There is something about the material used that gently feels like nothing you have ever had next to your skin before.  The crappy tux you rented with Fisher did not come with these accessories, but what do you expect when the entire thing cost about thirty nuyen for the night?  Milton motions for you to sit on a plush bench at the end of the bed and hands you socks that could have been made of silk.  They could have been made of soy for all you know, but they feel great.  He hands you your trousers and you slip them on and the feeling of fragging money hits you.  Fragging tons of money.  What does this woman need you for?  What sort of drek are you getting into?  She could have bought any number of men.  Is she buying you, too?  And if so, why?  By the time you realize that you have no answers to these and about a hundred other questions running through your mind, you have a shirt on.  Milton ties the cummerbund and bow tie on and even your jaded outlook has to agree that from the view you have in the huge mirror on the wall, these look much better than the clip-on variety.  The only thing odd so far, well besides the entire thing, is that the cuffs have holes instead of buttons and Milton does nothing about them.  Shrugging, you think that perhaps this is a new fashion style.  After all, it has been like..................forever since you moved in this sort of circle.  Still it looks damned odd and you ask Milton.  "Yes sir.  I believe that Miss Marisart wants to give you some special cufflinks for tonight so I have left the other set in the box from the tailor."  He sits you down again and brings a box covered with leather to you, kneeling at your feet.  The box has fancy snaps and opens to reveal a pair of shoes.  Milton reverently sighs as he looks up.  "Le Clerc, sir.  Very nice choice."  He carefully lifts out the shoes and uses a shoe horn to put them on for you.  He nods and produces a small towel from somewhere to rub off any smudge he might have put on the brilliant gleam of the leather.

Finally done with the shoes, Milton has you stand and walks around you, examining everything with a fine eye.  He pulls a brush from some inner pocket and carefully cleans off any suspected lint or stray hair.  Satisfied, he then takes a hair brush out, intending to use it on your hair, asking how you part it.  He appears completely unsurprised when you have the hair fix itself.  After one final check he pronounces you ready and opens the door for you.  The woman standing next to Monique in the living room is easily the most beautiful you have seen in a long time.  You are looking at the back of a long, floor-length gown in a shade of green that has to have been created especially to accent Tanya's red tresses.  The back of the sleeveless gown is open all the way to her waist, exposing a large amount of flawless, evenly tanned skin.  As she turns, the view only gets better.  Her smile could light the room and drags your eyes from her chest, where they been headed.  Something about her own eyes keeps your attention, even though part of your brain is telling you that the dress has a deep vee that goes to her waist in the front as well as the back.  That small part of your brain is wondering just how the thing stays on and manages to cover and expose her breasts all at the same time.  Her hips sway provocatively as she move with a special grace towards you.  A string of green stones sits around her neck with one dropping down into her cleavage on a short chain.  She is wearing a bracelet and earrings that match the necklace.  Gone is the happy-go-lucky gamer; here is a cultured and beautiful woman.  Your brain filters her walk as if in slow motion as she approaches you.  She has a small box open in her left hand.  "Peter, you look amazing.  That tux suits you well.  I have these cufflinks I would like to let you wear with it.  I know that some were sent over by the tailor, but I was hoping that you would consider wearing these tonight?"  Forcing yourself to look into the box, you see a set of metallic cufflinks, each with a large blue stone and several white stones settled around it.  She removes them form the box one at a time and puts them in the holes on your sleeves.  Standing back she puts her hands together and admires the overall effect.  "Perfect.  Just perfect.  You look very nice, Peter."

[Beta]

 Once dressed he asks Milton to let the ladies know he'll be out in a minute.  Once alone he carefully removes his jacket and pulls up his sleeve so he can access his smuggling compartment, and pull out taser and lockpick set.  He finds the hidden pocket under the right armpit of the tux for the taser, and above the heel of one shoe for the lockpick.  Neither one was truly quick access, but it would do.

Then he left his room, and saw Tanya.

" ....                         "

  * Gamma: I should not trust the rationality of my thoughts right now.
   * Oleg: Damn witch, how does she, she, .... keep that dress on.
   * Monkey: This is the life!

"Uh, cufflinks, umm, sure?". Where did one put one's eyes when dealing with a woman dressed like that?

A client, no less?

That dress....

Then having the cufflinks put on.  The sensual overload while the cufflinks were being fastened threatened to overwhelm him.  He was used to stimulating his mind, but tended to neglect physical pleasures much of the time.  This it left him feeling all topsy-turvy.

Finally he gasps " Sorry, do we have a few minutes still?  I think I need to acclimatize, not used to these altitudes.  And this is probably crass to ask, but is there any chance of a soycaff or even coffee?  I don't think I'm caffeinated enough for this..."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya gives you another smile from less than two feet away.  From here it is easy to smell a subtle odor of.........jasmine?  It totally suits her and is not enough to be cloying.  But it is fragging nice on her. 

        *Coleman - Her body and her smile might be weaponized.  They are having a dangerous affect on us.
        *Monkey - Let your eyes feast on her.  Maybe she is on the menu
        *Coleman - See?  A dangerous effect.  Feeling.......trapped.  Might be an ambush.

Almost by magic, a cup of steaming coffee is in your hand.  Turning to look, you see that Monique has changed as well, but her obviously very attractive and quite sexy gown is muted when near her mistress.  She smiles and says, "Five minuets, Mister Preston.  After that you can acclimatize in the auto."  Tanya hands the small box to Monique and turns to pick up her purse from the couch and your heart almost stops.  She straightens and comes goes over to Milton, who is standing near the door.  "Thank you, Milton, you have done an excellent job.  I do so appreciate it."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Marisart."  With that, the man nods to you and........and does he actually give you a wink?  Then he leaves the suite.  Tanya waits for you to finish your coffee, not pushing you at all.  She walks over to look out of the huge picture window at the ocean beyond.  The hotel has positioned underwater lights to illuminate various parts of the seabed, allowing viewers to catch a glimpse of the sealife out there.  You finish your coffee and Monique makes a noise, causing Tanya to turn.  She smiles and moves back to you.  "Sorry.  I just love the view from here.  It is always moving and always changing.  I know that some of it is illusionary, but it is still an amazing view, don't you agree?  Shall we go?"  She slips her hand into your arm and allows you to escort her to the door.  Monique bids both of you farewell, saying that everything will be ready by the time you are back.

The elevator ride is short and silent and the girl on your arm feels very nice.  Very nice, indeed.

[Beta]

For the thousandth, maybe ten-thousandth, time Preston curls around a cup of hot caff before heading off into a high-stakes situation.  Sometimes it has been an important "Star-Troopers: Orion" match, other times trying to collar a bounty.  A few times it was to kill someone in cold blood.  This time it is the opera with Lady Tanya Marisart. 

   * Coleman: There could be traditional dangers to consider, but will I recognize the more subtle dangers?

Fragging LADY Tanya Marisart.  Who could change in the blink of an eye, from .... well it hadn't been the blink of an eye, just he'd been off showering and dressing, so subjectively it had seemed fast.

   * Gamma: I was putting on my costume while she was putting on hers.

Oh.

Yah.  He was trying to do something subtle, she was doing something much more noticeable -- but the idea was the same.  Like wearing a tux to a dive bar.  Give people an outside to look at, let them fill in their own story, never look deeper.

He should have caught on more quickly, But FRAG she was good at it.  When he told Sonya about the evening he'd have to make his failure apparent, give her a chance to chide him for being oblivious, for being a guy overlooking women's tricks.  That would be good, could downplay the luxury a bit -- let her have some vicarious thrill at how the rich lived, without rubbing in what he'd enjoyed and she hadn't.  She'd have loved that shower.  Maybe sometime they could spend a night or two in a luxury hotel that might have something close, let her luxuriate in all that hot water and options?

Oh, right, they weren't together anymore.  He couldn't take her anywhere.

He took a deep breath, finished his coffee.  His brain seemed to be back in his body now.

He carefully set the cup aside, inspected himself to make sure he hadn't dripped, then stood up.  It was show time.

=========================

The elevator ride was short and silent.  Tanya felt good on his arm: agile, clever, a professional in her own way.  He maybe couldn't fully trust her--she could still be scamming him --but he could trust in her competence, he was sure of that now.  It felt good to have something close to a partner by his side.  Spirits he missed that, more than he'd realized.

As they arrived at their floor he could feel her subtly shift, changing from riding with him to facing the outside.  A side glance took in her beauty, but also how she expertly presented herself. 

   * Gamma:  This sort of social manipulation isn't something I'm very good at.  I could learn a lot from observing her.
   * Monkey: I could spend a LOT of time studying her!  Like the view from her side right now....
   * Coleman: I can't afford that distraction, I need to keeping an eye on our perimeter.  I'm not geared up to take out threats, so need to be ready to escape or seek cover. 

Preston braces himself, and starts scanning for matrix entities running silent.

[Mercy Merchant]

The private elevator opens to an expansive lobby of marbled floors and columns.  The overall motif is the ocean and the large paintings around the room fit it well.  Several small conversation areas have been created by an artful placement of couches and chairs.  You can hear the click of Tanya's heels as you walk across the lobby.  You detect several devices running silent on several people in the large room.  Two are large men in the uniforms of the hotel security and three others on guests or visitors.  As you pass a huge sweeping stairway to the second floor you are met by a man whose name tag identifies him as "Branson - Assistant Manager".  He comes to walk with you for a few feet.  "All is prepared for your guests, Lady Marisart  They will be shown directly to your suite.  Thank you so much for using the hotel services for your needs."

Tanya gives the man a warm smile.  "Thank you, Rupert.  I know that I can always count on you to make things easy for me.  It is much appreciated."

The man bows and falls away in your wake.  You observe a number of people staring in your direction as you walk, both guests and hotel staff.  Tanya whispers, "Don't worry.  You will get used to them staring at you soon enough.  Doubtless they are all wondering who you are and your picture will be plastered in the gossip rags by morning.  One of the perks."  She laughs softly as you head to the door, where two uniformed men open the huge glass doors to let you out into the evening air.  An immense limousine is parked at the curb and the driver is standing at the already open door.  Tanya takes you up to the man and stops.  "How are you Alphonse?  Sophia doing well and that boy of yours?"

The man bows to her and says, "Good evening Lady Marisart.  Yes, doing well, all of us.  Thank you very much for asking.  Roger scored quite well in his first year and is looking forward to the second.  He will be coming out to visit us next month and we would be glad to have you out for some of Sophia's chicken and dumplings."

"You know the exact bribe.  Monique?"

"Absolutely invited as well,"  The man takes a close look at you.  Tanya turns and says, "Alphonse, this is Peter.  Peter, Alphonse.  Alphonse is the best driver in the world."

The man laughs.  "Her Ladyship does exaggerate a bit.  But I will get you there."

Tanya motions for you to enter the car then hesitates at the door.  It almost seems as if she takes a step back and away.  Alphonse leans close and whispers something to her and she smiles and nods before climbing into the expansive rear seat.  The driver shuts the door and you are cocooned in luxury.  The comfortable, genuine leather seats seem to form to fit your body.  Tanya presses a small button to expose a well stocked mini-frig.  "Please make yourself at home.  Would you mind getting me a Dr Pepper, please?  There are controls for the surround sound system just to your right.  There is a wide range of music to select from.  Please choose something you like as I would like to know more about you.  I know that you play games but not much else."

[Beta]

Once in the car Preston relaxes a bit --from all that he's seen he's quite confident that he is currently in one of the safter spots in the entire city.  Things will open up again once they reach the opera, but for now all he has to worry about is his client.

   * Oleg: It would help if she acted more like a client, and less like ... that
   * Monkey: She's a lot more interesting than most of our clients!
   * Gamma: Sonya started as a client.
   * Monkey: Clients can become more than clients -- ook-ook!
   * Coleman: I need to ignore the the attention bait and focus on the underlying.
   
The comment about music comes as a welcome distraction from his thoughts.

   * Gamma: Jazz and hot-sim were welcome distractions too.
   * Monkey: I can stop looking at her any time I want, really!  I just don't want to ...
   
Although it still takes him a moment to quiet those thoughts and focus on his answer.

"I could give you a canned answer, backed up by passing familiarity and perhaps quick matrix searches. With this face I'd think perhaps light jazz, like Minelli Stevens or the Half-Moon Jazz Orchestra -- and if anyone asks me tonight that is what I'll say.  That sounds innocuous and mundane enough to bore most people off the topic, I'd think."

"But since you are my client, I'll be honest: I never really developed my own tastes in music.  Long and not overly interesting story, but I've spent most of my life listening to what other people like.  Maybe I have defective artistic appreciation, because while I enjoy a lot of it, I haven't formed those strong identifications with particular artists or genres that some people have.  There are times I've felt jealous of people who have certain music that helps them deal with particular emotions, or grounds them, or whatever, but it just has never had that impact on me."

   * Gamma: At the age where statistically people form the strongest bond with music, I was exploring hot sim, which has a much stronger emotional impact.  This may have prevented me from forming those strong emotional connections.
   
"Maybe worth mentioning is that I've simmed recordings of people who love music, and that can be a pretty intense experience.  So I actually do know that I don't have the same emotional response that at least some people do.  Anyway, the opera could be interesting in that there is story as well as music, and I can appreciate the way in which the music tells the story, the performers manage to both deliver music and tell story, and so forth."

"All of that said, I'd love to put on a performance of the operetta we are going to see tonight.  I half listened to it this morning as I was getting ready, but I'd like to hear how it sounds with this high end system.  I know we can't listen to the whole thing, but it will help attune my ears so I can get more out of the performance."

post 20

[Beta]

For Mercy

Tanya smiles as you explain about the music.  Nodding, she does something and the opening bars of the operetta come through the system.  There is a soft click and Alphons'e cultured voice comes through an intercom.  "Lady Marisart, I have just been informed of a traffic slowdown on our route.  We will still be early if I keep going.  Would you like to review the two alternate routes?  I do not believe that they will get us there any faster."
 
Tanya smiles, "Then let's stay the course, Alphonse.  Thank you."  Turning to you, she says, "Well, you may have a few more minutes to listen to the music than you thought you would."  She sips at the soft drink you hand her and settle back into her seat, eyes closed as she listens.  Her left hand is waving in time to the music, matching the tempo.  It is as if she has heard this several times before.  Looking at the woman across from you, it is difficult to maintain a completely rational distance from her.  You try to bring Sonya to mind and that helps for a bit, but the truth is that Sonya is not with you any more and seems to be very willing to maintain a "lets be friends" distance.  Perhaps she realizes better than you how destructive you are to each other.  Certainly the woman in the limo with you has not made any indication that she is interested in anything other than the job she has hired you for, but at the same time some of her words have been.....................interesting, depending on how you take them.  While playing the games, she had been so easy to talk to, so down to earth and just nice.  Well, nice in a very rich sort of way.  But now.  But now your attention is focused on her again.  The rhythmic rise and fall or her chest suggests that she is relaxed and listening to the music.  With her eyes closed you can look and what you see would make many a SIM starlet jealous.  She has an almost perfect figure, and by the way her breasts move they are real, not implants.  When she crosses her legs the slit in the side of the gown shows of a view of a thigh that does not know what fat really is.  Given that you observed at dinner that she has a very healthy appetite, she must do some sort of exercise to keep her figure.
 
Alphonse's voice comes over the intercom again to inform you that the car is in the line for the Opera house and you have about two minutes to get ready.  Tanya opens her eyes and thanks him for the update.  Checking the chronometer in the limo, she looks at you and says, "Showtime.  Are you ready, Peter?"

[/color]

[Beta]

As he listens to the music, it begins to sink in just how exposed he is going to be at the opera.  In an act that he realizes might be massively insufficient for what could be happening to his anonymity shortly, he fires off a couple of quick messages over his internal commlink.  This first goes to his shadow banker:

      Geneva [Preston]: At your convenience tomorrow, I would appreciate an appointment to purchase a couple of thousand Y of gold Reals.

The second goes to the fixer he's bought fake ID's from in the past.  The man often called Korean Gordo prefers payment in gold, but is worth the bother.  This one he composes in Korean.

      Mr. Kim [Preston]: Could I come see you tomorrow evening? I am looking for someone -- nobody special but they need a driver's license.

The euphemisms were not all that subtle, but should clearly enough indicate to the fixer that he was looking for a basic fake ID with an attached driver's license -- it didn't even need to match anything about him, just something he could broadcast when driving around town.

It wasn't much, but even that little bit made him feel a little better.

"Showtime.  Are you ready, Peter?"

And suddenly his anxiety shot to the fore again.

   * Coleman: The car provides protection and a host of tactical and strategic options.  I think exiting it near any sort of crows is a bad idea.  Perhaps we could find a quiet side entrance?
   * Gamma: I did not apply enough disguise to fool advanced facial recognition software nor trained observers.  Given that amount of attention that has been indicated, I may be tracked by appearance in the future.  This would be very bad for my professional life.  If I'd applied a beard it would have provided more distortion.  To stay remotely anonymous on a job like this might require one of those modifiable facial implants.
   * Oleg: What the hell am I doing?  It isn't too late to say 'no' and insist I get dropped off elsewhere, and escape this whole zoo.

Preston gathered his courage, and responded "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose.  Stepping out into all the likely attention is ... not a comfortable feeling.  But so long as anyone aiming devices our way are wielding cameras, not guns, I guess I'll live." His attempt at a joke was pretty lame, but he is quietly pleased that he could even attempt humour, given that all of his thoughts are gibbering in fear about what a bad idea stepping outside the car is.

   * Monkey: This is so thrilling!

Well, almost all of his thoughts were gibbering in fear.  But he couldn't let that stop him, he'd come this far, he'd see it through.

"What is the procedure when we get out?  As in, who exits which doors in which order, am I to take your arm, can I smash any drones that get too close?  That last part was a joke.  I think."

As he reaches for the car door, he muses out loud "For the next few minutes, we are going to BE the show, aren't we?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya smiles and the music shuts off.  “Just be calm, Peter, and you will be fine, but I am afraid that YOU will be the show.  Everyone we see will be wondering who you are and why I am with you.  Frag all of them.  Be confident.  Put everyone else out of your mind then take a deep breath and focus on me, not the crowd.  Tell yourself that you are with me because I wish to be with you.  Then tell yourself that you know that you will be sharing my bed tonight and all of the other people will not.  Answer questions or not, but I have been doing this for years and know that you need to be careful with lies, so tell as much of the truth as possible and simply avoid saying anything that might be a lie.  Be mysterious instead.”

“Once we get to the entrance, someone outside will open the door.  You will be first out of the car and will offer your hand to me.  Move slightly to the side so that the cameras can get a good shot of me exiting the car.  The rags always like to see a bit of leg and maybe more.  Do not attack any of the drones that are certain to be floating about.."

She sits back in the seat so you can digest this.  When the car stops, she puts a hand on your arm.  “Believe it or not, I was serious, Peter.  I am sure that by now you know that I am not an old-fashioned girl.  I say what I want and mean what I say.  So here it is, straight and simple; I like you and if you are interested at all, please consider spending the night with me.  This is not in any way to be considered related to your employment.  It is just me interested enough in you to want to have some great sex with you.  I hope that gives you some confidence.  If not, I am doing something all wrong.”

[Beta]

A furious flash of thoughts dart through Preston's mind, as usually overlapping and interacting as they cope with the latest twist.

   * Coleman: She is dangerous, she is trying to distract me just as I step into danger!
   * Monkey: I nailed it!  Oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy!
   * Gamma: I am not the sort of man who generally gets these offers from anyone, certainly not someone like her.
   * Oleg: She doesn't play by the rules, I hate that.
   * Gamma: I make a living by subverting the rules.
   * Oleg: If others don't play by the rules, how can I subvert them?
   * Coleman: I can't afford to be distracted by thinking about this right now.
   * Oleg: If I were a better man I'd just dismiss this nonsense right now.
   * Gamma: I don't think I can do that.
   * Monkey: Monkey will take care of these thoughts, and not disturb me until later.
   * Oleg: If 'later' ever gets here, hrmff.
   
Preston half smiled, hearing his uncle's aggravating 'hrmff' echoing through his thoughts.  Then, mind as clear of distractions as he could manage, he locked the half-smile into place as best he could.  The door opened, he stepped out and slightly to one side, then quickly turned to proffer a hand to Tanya.

Completely unrelated to the current situation, the thought comes to him "I forgot the cookies I made in my car, I never did give them to Tanya.  Maybe there will be an opportunity later."