[Beta]

Preston looks behind Tanya’s back at where Radiant Shadow is still standing, and gives a trace of a shrug, trying to project “I don’t know what is happening here either.”

   * Gamma: This sort of thing doesn't happen to me.
   * Monkey: Don't look a gift kiss in the mouth!
   * Coleman: Tactially, this still seems like it could be a way to lull me into a state of reduced alertness.
   * Oleg: Is the woman trying be seen as loose?
   * Monkey: Seriously, Don't. Look. A. Gift. Kiss.
   * She wanted to, I cooperated to please her.  Sometimes it isn't all about me.
   
"Who are you" Preston urgently thought at himself. 

It had only been in the last couple of years that he'd pulled those thought streams out to their voices and names.  When Sonya had suggested that he needed to learn to hear when it was 'the monky on your back' talking, she hadn't expected him to implement that suggestion quite so literally.  The others had happened naturally enough as he learned to identify Monkey -- and he could trace where in his life each of them came from.

But never had he had something like this happen.  He chose to give his thoughts their own space and identity, they didn't put themselves forward.  And where did this voice come from?  This was driving him crazy!

Or ... was it a sign that he was going crazy?  Had he cracked under the pressure of kicking his addictions?

Or was the voice not actually his?  Could someone be messing with his thoughts?

The 'Boojum' had controlled his actions, and that had been a terrible experience: he'd never forget the horror of shoving the mini-grenade in his mouth and thumbing the activation button.  It had been tear gas, so he survived with only scarred and wheezy lungs instead of being torn apart horribly.  Still that moment would still haunt his nightmares if it wasn't that the folowing moment had n't featured him helplessly wretching while Fisher jerkily opened the gate to the hellhounds that killed him.

This was nothing like that had been.  But Preston had heard that some mages were more subtle, controlling what someone thought rather than controlling their movements.  Or more subtle yet they just gave them suggestions, almost like a hypnotist.  He wasn't sure how true all of that was, it could just be fear-mongering, but he knew that some forms of mind magic were real.

But why would anyone .... unless Tanya was a mage?  He hadn't seen any signs, but wasn't that the case with the really good ones?  How could he know that she wasn't?  None of the rumours he'd seen about her suggested any magic, and surely with such a public figure, it would be known?

He was stressing out, he could feel the clammy armpits, the elevated heartrate, soon Tanya would notice.

"Sorry" he whispered "I have to go to the washroom.  Too much coffee, should have gone during intermission, but ...."

[Mercy Merchant]

You step through the blackout curtain and open the door to the hallway.  There is a young man in the uniform of the opera house sitting in a chair against the wall.  He is dozing when you pass by him and barely manages to stand up before you are past and down the hall towards the large door that lead to the stairway to the lobby.  Pushing on the doors, you pass into the main mezzanine waiting area.  Several uniformed men and women are standing in a small group near the stairs and all turn to watch you as you approach.  After you ask the location of the nearest restroom, you continue on down to the main lobby.  You think one of the women is trying to get your attention, but your mind is clouded by the various thoughts that are rampaging through it right now and you do not hear what is said to you before you enter the restroom.

If you have ever seen a more ornate bathroom than this you cannot remember where or when.  Marble floors and walls with some sort of granite countertops.  The sinks have gold fixtures.  Fragging gold fixtures.  A man is standing near the counter and he smiles at you as you enter, asking if he can assist you in any way.  As if you need any fragging help to take a piss.  Standing at the urinal, you relieve some of the pressure from the volume of caf, both real and soy, that you have consumed today already.  After washing your hands in the fancy sink, you leave the room and re-enter the lobby.  A bright sign over the stairway tells you that the doors to the auditorium are locked until the next major scenery change, which ought to be in about twenty minutes.  One of the ushers comes forward and asks if you are alright.  He shows you to one of the very comfortable couches and offers to get you some coffee, if you like. 

[Beta]

Preston clamps down on his voices and his desires, and replies to the man "Just some water, please" while thinking "At least here I can probably trust the water."

Once the man returns with the water, Preston finally comes to grips with his revving thoughts.

"If she is a mage, the coverage of her would mention it if was reasonable detectable.  I think some can hide their gift, but for such a public person, and then to use it publically?  No, it seems unlikely -- or else she is SO good that there is little I can do to protect myself from her, so might as well assume the more likely case that she is in fact mundane."

After a moment more contemplation he eases off his mental clampdown to let Gamma do its job of observing him

   * Gamma: Attractive women who are not shy are often described as bewitching.  It could be that I'm discovering the truth in that.
   * Gamma: I'm not at my most rational, buffeted by so many new faces, situations, and offers.
   * Gamma: I'm not used to interacting so closely and constantly with someone.  Normally I have long stretches on my own to think things through.  It could be that my social fitness is not good, like someone who has not been active being quickly exhausted from not overly intense but continual activity.

Yah, that all sounded about right.    So what to do about it?  Not a lot he could do about the evening as a whole, but he had this window of time which he should take advantage of to decompress.

He sets a mental alarm, then slips into AR and skims reviews of the latest cyberdecks.  Not that he can afford one, but dreaming about them is soothing to his thoughts. By the time one of the ushers signals him that it is time to return to the box he's feeling at least somewhat more settled.

[Mercy Merchant]

An usher does in fact come to you just as your internal chronometer chimes.  He leans over to take the glass of water and tells you that you have a three minute window to use the doors to return to the auditorium.  Rising, you follow the young man towards the doors when you Radiant Shadow coming through them.  She comes over to you and takes your arm, moving away from the hallway to a slightly more secluded spot.  She looks closely at you and softly says, "Are you alright, kid?  You look a bit pale and unsteady.  If I were a young man and standing near her, I might look that way, too.  Hell, having heard about her exploits with other women, I might feel that way if she was paying attention to me.  So, are you in need of something to give you an edge?  More confidence?  I have some prime Jazz right here if you do.  Frag, she might even pay for it if you ask nicely and............."

She is interrupted by a rather cold tone.  "No, she won't.  Maybe I should have explained things a bit better, Peter.  I do not use drugs to get high, and I expect that you will stay clean while we are working together.  If that is a problem, I will pay you whatever your standard rate is for an evening and look for someone else to work with.  I caution you that this position is not negotiable and your decision is needed right now.  Ms Shadow, if Peter rejects my offer, please consider yourself not welcome at my home tonight.  If he decides to continue employment with me, then by all means feel welcome.  I know full well that there are a number of people on my guest list that partake of your wares, and I would think it nearly impossible to prevent some of them from contacting you tonight.  I ask that you please find an excuse to not be able to provide anything at the party, but you may set up something for once you have left the hotel."

She looks between the two of you and adds, "We have missed the opportunity to return to the box and there will be no more scenery changes before the end, so we will have to wait here so that I can take my flowers backstage after the curtain.  But I would like an answer at this time, Peter.  Are you in or out?"

[Beta]

"Are you alright, kid?  You look a bit pale and unsteady.  If I were a young man and standing near her, I might look that way, too.  Hell, having heard about her exploits with other women, I might feel that way if she was paying attention to me.  So, are you in need of something to give you an edge?  More confidence?  I have some prime Jazz right here if you do."

   * Monkey: I haven't had Jazz in soooo loooonnnng, just one hit should be OK, right?
   * Gamma: I still have nightmares from things I did while hopped up on Jazz.

"Frag, she might even pay for it if you ask nicely and............."

She is interrupted by a rather cold tone. "No, she won't.  Maybe I should have explained things a bit better, Peter.  I do not use drugs to get high, and I expect that you will stay clean while we are working together.  If that is a problem, I will pay you whatever your standard rate is for an evening and look for someone else to work with.  I caution you that this position is not negotiable and your decision is needed right now.  Ms Shadow, if Peter rejects my offer, please consider yourself not welcome at my home tonight.  If he decides to continue employment with me, then by all means feel welcome.  I know full well that there are a number of people on my guest list that partake of your wares, and I would think it nearly impossible to prevent some of them from contacting you tonight.  I ask that you please find an excuse to not be able to provide anything at the party, but you may set up something for once you have left the hotel."

She looks between the two of you and adds, "We have missed the opportunity to return to the box and there will be no more scenery changes before the end, so we will have to wait here so that I can take my flowers backstage after the curtain.  But I would like an answer at this time, Peter.  Are you in or out?"

   * Monkey: I hate her!
   * Oleg: She has strange morals, for a hussy.
   * Coleman: Nice pattern of escalating emotion going here.  If I continue it, it might hit a stage of conflict.  Fisher could use that to step in, but being part of that pattern it is not clear how I could exploit such a volatile situation.  Tanya could have set up this pattern deliberately, or she could be showing a topic on which she is emotional.
   * Gamma:  My breathing is getting very rapid and starting to get rough.  I did not bring a puffer with me.
   
"We missed the chance to go back in?  I didn't want -- why did everyone -- I --"

   * Remember, it isn't all about me.
   
"Just, just give me a moment."  Preston forces himself to slow his breathing before his scarred lungs and bronchials start spasming.  He takes the few breaths to compose his thoughts, figure out how to return this to the realm of conversation he understands.  First up, polite framing.

These are things he's studied and practiced.  He takes a step back so that he forms a triangle with the two women, instead of being between them.  Politeness says to address all people in a conversation at once, rather turning your back on one to address another.  Giving way on a small point, even if you have to create it as a straw man, can help defuse growing conflict.  "I am sorry that my earlier exit has now resulted in all of us being locked out.  I did not mean to cause such drama, nor to cause any of us to miss the latter part of the show.  I didn't realize when I first left that I wouldn't be able to return --this was a piece of etiquette that I'd overlooked.  I'm sorry that my mistake has led to this."

There, that had been polite, and neutral.  Now to address a substantive point, but don't take on a loaded statement directly.Turning slightly to Tanya to indicate that this is primarily addressed to her, he says "I would like to know if there are further employment conditions that you haven't stated as of yet, before we continue.  To be clear I was intending to turn down that offer -- I did spend some time addicted to Jazz and it is not an experience I would like to repeat.  Certainly I wouldn't risk it due to social stress. That said, it is a tool that I might use again if I thought that it could make a difference in a life or death situation.  I don't anticipate any such situations in this job, but having options constrained is never welcome."

Dare I say the next part?

   * Negotiating boundaries is part of good relationships
   * Gamma: My history with negotiations is very bad.  Making discussions smooth I've mostly figure out, but negotiating introduces an element of conflict that I handle poorly.
   * Monkey: No-no-no-no!  Pretty woman who is willing to sleep with us.  I bet she has sheets of silk, or better!  And real coffee in the morning.  Make things good with her!
   * Oleg: After the pig incident, Fisher always did say to leave the talking to him.

The memory of Fisher's reaction about the pigs almost leads Preson to smile -- 'If he'd only been willing to transport them, I still think we could have made our money back and then some.'  He doesn't quite smile, but if helps take a bit of the sting out of the next part.  Imply a balance of blame, such that both sides can retreat with face saved.

   * Monkey: Nooooooooo!

"I'm not going to tell you how to handle my contract--it isn't my place, and I'm terrible at that sort of things anyway.  You have the money, that let's you decide.  But I think from my perspective I would like a clear understanding of all of your rules.  And I think I need to step back from any further personal entanglements in order to keep a clearer, more professional, head.  Trying to deal with both is leading me to do both badly." 

post 30

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya’s eyes and expression are cold and dark and she opens her mouth to say something then shuts it.  Her face becomes more thoughtful and then she smiles, an expression that is very much shared with her eyes.  She turns to Radiant Shadow and says, “Would it be too much trouble if I took Peter to talk with him in private?”  The other woman shakes her head and Tanya offers you her arm, leading you out the main doors to the street curb to a small nook in the wall that has a padded bench to sit on and an awning to protect them from the slight spit of rain that seems to want to come down.  She sits and motions for you to do the same.

“I must apologize to you, Peter.  I am afraid that I sometimes fall victim to myself and my inbred snobbery.  It is very easy to be the sort of person to use my money and title to get my way all the time.  I try to be more real than many of my contemporaries, but the trap is easy to fall into and I apparently did just that with you and I could not be sorrier.”  She sighs.  “Listen, story time, if you are alright with that.  I know what it is like to be addicted to drugs.  When I was eighteen, I was in a brutal auto accident that took the lives of my parents and brothers and almost killed me.  I was bloody well messed up and should have died.  Frag, I wanted to die.  My uncle forced me to live.  Lots of surgeries later I was ready to shoot him for convincing me.  The pain was fragging excruciating and the doctors gave me meds for this pain and different meds that pain and then even more meds for all the pain and then some “friends”, and I use that term lightly, introduced me to Bliss and I thought I was in heaven.”

“I had just hired Monique as a replacement for the fourth or fifth personal maid since the accident and she saw what was happening to me and tried to get me off of it.  I fired her about twenty times in the space of the first half-year but she did not leave.  Bloody stubborn Frenchwoman.  Anyway, she called Uncle and he dropped what he was doing and flew in from some meeting he was having in Singapore.  They kidnapped me and took me to his estate in Scotland.  My uncle, my aunt, and my maid pulled me out of my life and forced me to change.  I hated all three of them and told them so many times, saying the nastiest things imaginable.  I said them so many times that they should have tossed me in the moat and watched me drown.  They didn’t.  I survived, thanks to them.  My own parents would have sent me off to some boarding school for wayward girls again, as if that had ever worked on me when I was a teenager, or some halfway house, or perhaps even a nunnery somewhere.  My aunt and uncle are more my parents than my parents ever were and Monique is the best friend ever.”

“So I know addictions, Peter.  I applaud you so very much if you have kicked your demons.  I reacted poorly when I overheard Radiant Shadow offer you some Jazz.  I jumped to a conclusion that was not well conceived or considered.  That was very wrong of me and I hope that you can forgive me for that.”

She looks closely at you and you can see that there are some tears on her cheeks that she quickly wipes away.  She places a hand on your arm and you can almost feel the heat coming from her touch.  “I am impressed by the way you stood up to me; I like that.  So let me be a bit more honest with you.  A lot more honest.  I steal things.  I love the entire concept of theft, from finding the item to snooping out the security to actually pulling off the heist to selling the item.  I do it for the challenge, for the love, and the excitement.”  She smiles again.  “And the money helps.  I cannot maintain my standard of living on what my tight assed cousin, the fragging 16th bloody Earl of Leicester sees fit to give me as an allowance.  So stealing expensive things pays the bills.  And do I have a score.  I have been contracted to steal an object that is nearly priceless but has a price to someone.  A very, very high price.  The object is extremely well guarded and the entire thing could be bloody dangerous.  And bloody exciting.  Part of my demand to my client is that I am not given a timeline, which allows me to make this perfect.  I am usually a solo player who contracts out for specialized assistance, but I think that it is time that I take on a partner, a protégé; someone to bounce ideas off other than Monique.  You, if you are interested.  Are you interested?”

“And if you are interested in being a partner and not an employee, could I maybe talk you into reviewing your decision about personal issues?  Would you be willing to see me as a woman who wants to share her body with you?  To give me a chance?”

[Beta]

 OOC1: I know the drug is "Jazz" not "the Jazz."  It is just a verbal quirk of Preston's
OOC2: Sorry about another wall of text post.  Just kind of heavy stuff going on, from a character point of view.

 * Oleg: not so high and mighty after all.  Maybe she isn't so bad.
   * Monkey: Say yes!  I don't care about the details, just say yes!
   * Coleman: Not as big of a risk as it seemed on the surface.  She can deny, or play it off as a joke, and would be believed over me every time.
   
"That ... makes a lot more sense than what I had up until now.  And that is a lot to process."

   * Gamma: This is an awkward pause.
   
Confession for a confession, that was the technique Fisher had drilled into him.  Probably he should have some stock fake confessions handy, but he'd have to settle for something real.  Since they were on the topic of drugs anyway ... "Oddly, Radiant Shadow was one of the people who helped me get off of the Jazz.  It helps that she mostly deals only in the purest grades, that give more kick for less dosage and less side effects -- a little easier to deal with.  But once my cause for starting to take it was gone, she also helped me walk the ladder down through lesser stimulants, until I stalled at 'caff.  I mean, she wasn't the one who put up with my rants and occasional screams, begging and occasional threats, or who helped me focus on my goal to get past all of that.  But still I don't know if I would have done it without her support and belief that I should get past my addiction to the Jazz.  She's a weird sort of dealer, doesn't like seeing customers implode."

After a moment of looking at blood splatters on the wall of his memory, he adds "I was riding it pretty close to that implosion point, she could probably tell.  Was going way too fast to observe myself or realize what I was really thinking.  It's an incredible rush to be moving and thinking that fast, but without those checks ..." Preston shakes his head ruefully, and sums up that period with "Now I get to go over some of those moments in my nightmares.  Maybe it was needful at the time, maybe it wasn't, but either way the psychic debt takes a long time to pay off."

There, that felt fair.  No need to go into the hot sim addiction that was another part of how I got off Jazz.  Not that I'm planning on getting back into it, either -- but that is another avenue I don't need her blocking off.

As for the rest, where to even start?  Thief? Lover? Employee? Partner?

   * Oleg: Doesn't she ever take a breather?  I haven't even gotten past my job interview job yet!
   
There, that was his angle.  "It sounds like you love a thrill, a sense of danger?  I guess I have a bit of that, but also it just makes me feel sick to my stomach.  That was part of why the Jazz was so appealing, it helped me feel more in control because I was ahead of the action most of the time, and that left me feeling less sick.  'Till the Jazz wore off, of course, and it was all worse until the next hit, but I guess you understand that sort of cycle."

"But my point is that having everything happen at once isn't the good kind of stress for me.  Stress can stimulate higher performance, or it can interfere with smooth functioning by distracting from the real priorities."  He can hear Sonya's psychology hectoring ring through his head -- how many of these words are hers, with a shift of pronoun?  "Having all these choices, all these opportunities, I'm guessing that would be exciting for you?  But for me it is more just overwhelming, too many decisions with not enough data to support them, too many possible interactions to analyze ... sure things get complicated when you are in the middle of doing things, but survival has a nice way of pushing distractions aside until later."

"Where I'm trying to go with all of this is that I think your offers are really exciting, but could we hold off on them until after this week?  Let me do my best on the job you've already given me, then we'll know more where we are, and stuff .... "

   * Monkey: No, no I just didn't.  I blew it, then she let it be un-blown, then I did this?  I'm outraged!
   
"Although, I wouldn't say no to another kiss or two, since that is already part of things."

   * Monkey: A kiss?  SILK SHEETS AND WAKING UP TO REAL COFFEE AND A REAL WOMAN AND I SETTLE FOR A KISS?
   * Delayed gratification is a key part of emotional intelligence
   * Monkey: Pbpbpbpbpbpbpbpbbpb to delayed gratification!

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya sits quietly next to you on the bench as she digests what you have said.  She shrugs a couple of times as she considers how she wants to respond.  Finally, she looks at you and nods.  “Alright, I respect your decision.  I have to say I am a bit disappointed, but a kiss?  Sure.”

She hikes her gown a bit, exposing a tremendous amount of bare thigh then tosses a leg across you to sit on your lap, facing you.  She puts her arms around your neck and draws your head towards her, meeting your lips with hers.  To say this is just a kiss would be completely wrong.  This is a kiss that starts hot and begins to burn into you, leaving your insides all melted and warm.  The kind of kiss that tugs at the soul and seems to last forever, and the only people in the world are you and whoever is on the end of the other set of lips.  You feel the fullness of her taught breasts as she leans into you and your body reacts predictably.  Some kisses can be described as being able to knock your socks off, but this one could easily knock one's clothes off.  She moves a bit on your lap, which brings about a totally understandable reaction and is audibly panting when she finally breaks the kiss, leaning forward to whisper into your ear.  “Let me know if you change your mind.  From what I am feeling here, I am pretty sure that part of you is quite willing to take a chance on the excitement I can bring to your life.  You should perhaps consider that some things in life are worth the stress they bring.  Do not be nervous about the sex or the job as both are yours if you are willing to grab for them.  Consider this; out of all the men and women here, it is you and only you that I wish to sleep with tonight.  You can back away if you like, but.................”  She gives your earlobe a gentle nip and sits up, still straddling you.  She stands, again showing an expanse of leg, and carefully rearranges her dress before offering her arm for you to escort her back inside.

[Beta]

As Preston takes Tanya's arm, he gives it a bit of a squeeze-his senses fired up from that kiss to note every little thing about her body.  But her arm doesn't squeeze, not the the way that flesh would, even toned and fit flesh. 

   * Oleg: Women shouldn't defile their bodies with such ware.
   * Gamma: Her right arm, my left arm.
   * Monkey: We match when face to face, like when kissing.  See, we should do more of that!

He stops their progress, and suggests "I know it is traditional for a man to give his left arm to a lady, but perhaps I should be terribly gauche and switch sides?  That way we'd each have our, ah, 'better' arm free.  Probably not an issue here and now, but perhaps just a good habit to be in?"

   * Coleman: I like the tactical options that this could present.  There are moves that could be worked out, even.

From Mercy:

Tanya smiles.  “You should realize by now that I am not strictly a traditional sort of woman.”  She glides behind you and takes your other arm and lets you escort her back into the building.  While climbing the steps, she leans over and whispers, “Although, I do rather think that you would find that I am equally proficient with either arm at certain……activities.”  She laughs a bit and adds, “You do look cute when you blush like that.”
Radian Shadow is sitting on one of the benches and nods at you, smiling back when Tanya smiles at her.  Tanya gently pulls you in her direction, where she holds out a hand and says, “It seems that I owe you an apology as well.  I jumped to an erroneous conclusion based on incomplete information.  I hope that you can be gracious enough to allow me to say that I am sorry.”
Radiant Shadow smiles and says, “It is easy enough to make a mistake and just as easy to forgive one, Lady Marisart.”
 
The three of you have to wait in the lobby for almost fifteen minutes before the doors are opened once again.  Mabel comes through the door with Tanya’s flowers and hands them to her.  After several words are exchanged between the two, Tanya leads you both through a separate, guarded door where access is restricted by a uniformed man.  The hallway beyond leads to the backstage area and Tanya moves among the small crowd of performers and appreciative audience members with a practiced ease, eventually coming up to the lead actress, whom she addresses by name and introduces you to her.  Tanya gives her the flowers, which are quickly passed off to a waiting assistant to be put with the others she has received.  After several minutes of mingling, Tanya makes excuses and leaves after several rounds of cheek bussing with other audience members, some of whom she indicates will be at the party later.

Preston hangs back, hoping to observe more than be observed.  And frankly uncertain about the etiquette in this unusual environment and preferring not to take chances. 

He takes particular note of whether his target, or the target's female companion, are about.

From Mercy

Actually, you do see both the man and his companion at the backstage gathering.  The graying man is talking to several of the actors from the performance, but from your angle it is easy to see that he spends most of his time looking the chests of the women he is speaking to.  He is balancing a bit on his fancy walking stick and you notice that he has a slight limp when he moves between from person to person.  His date is left standing pretty much alone against a wall and is not looking particularly happy about the situation.

[Beta]

   * Coleman: She's isolated and her support isn't paying attention.  Good time to make a move.
   * Monkey: I'd like to make that chest move!
   * Coleman: Tanya may be more perceptive than our target, so oggling would be a bad idea.
   * Oleg: Get implants like that, then wear a dress like that, you better expect to get oggled.
   * Gamma: I should be able to control my actions independent of perceived signals from others.
   * I could just be nice to her, instead of leering at her like everyone other man does.
   * Coleman: That might put her off balance, make her more vulnerable, or it could put her on the defensive because it is so unusual.
   
Preston gritted his teeth.  He had to figure out why he was getting a new voice, and who or what it represented for him.  So far it seemed to be offering sound social advice, as best he could tell.  This was part of why it was so disturbing -- he couldn't think of any aspect of himself that had developed sound social instincts, so where could this be coming from?

But back to the issue at hand, there was a clear opening here.  If he were Fisher he'd shift his walk and body language, come up with a distinctive voice for the interaction, then casually spin her a completely made up story that would engage her sympathies and interests.  If he were Tanya he'd probably go over, greet her familiarly, engage her in small talk that somehow seemed to know all about her, and for all he knew probably flirt outrageously with her.

But he wasn't those people.  He was good at not being noticed, or at being ever so proper so as not to give offense, but not at manipulating people.  Well, perhaps that would be good enough for now ... although it was too bad that he hadn't brought a stealth tag with him, planting one on her now might save a lot of work later.  Where would he plant it, given that dress?

   * Gamma: I'm stalling.
   
Preston did allow himself one last mental character check 'Slightly geeky, slightly awkward, but wearing top-of-the-line, no, ABOVE-the-line clothes, AND here with Lady Tanya, so more confident than he's used to.  Peter's no player, won't last in this scene long, but is enjoying the moment and trying not to seem too star-struck.'  Not much of a stretch at all, really. 'He should give an obvious compliment, because not that suave, but a compliment is expected.  He'll assume shared feeling, which could be a bit gauche so can let her feel more worldly and sophisticated than him, but at the same time is a classic way to build a bridge so is appropriate for the situation.  '

With the mental part of his disguise in place, Preston did his best to saunter his way around the outside of the room to where his target's companion was loitering.  As he got close he commanded his voice to something quiet, but clear enough to carry a short distance through the low hubbub.

"I am so happy that I'm not the only abandoned companion here.  They really should provide a couch for us, or maybe a bar?  That's a thought, next time I should smuggle in a flask!  My name is Peter by the way; although if you've managed to smuggle in anything intoxicating -- besides your smile -- and you are willing to share, you could just call me 'forever in your debt'."  Preston tries for a smile, which he expects will probably come out more like an awkward grimace -- but that is in character, so he doesn't mind much.

[Mercy Merchant]

The woman you are approaching seems a bit bored with everything going on and is apparently staring at part of the wall just past where her escort is standing and chatting up a gorgeous actress.  You think that she is probably in her late twenties or maybe even early thirties and stands about five foot six inches tall.  Her butt is nicely turned as are her legs, but her chest is the rather obvious attraction and it is easy to see why men might be attracted to her.  Her hair is set to frame her rather nice face, which is generously made up.  She is wearing only a set of drop earrings in a color of blue that sets off the dress she is wearing.

She looks up at you as you come close and seems surprised when you stop to talk to her.  She smiles at you and her smile really is nice.  Laughing softly, she nods and says, “You have that so right, Peter.  Please call me Amanda.  And abandoned we seem to be.  A couch would be nice and a bar divine.  Unfortunately there is not enough room in this gown to smuggle my panties in here, much less anything like a flask..  I wish I had some, because it certainly looks like I will need to have someone in my debt before long.  See that girl there?  The one from the opera?  Well, my guess is that she will be the new me in about a week, maybe less.”  She looks sad as she pauses before continuing, “Oh, I can read the signs and realized about a month ago that it was coming to an end.  I can remember when I was the new whoever had my place on his arm before me and how he acted when he was talking to me.  I had heard that he runs through mistresses like water, but I was hoping to last a bit longer, you know.  Say, you wouldn’t happen to be looking for a large-chested soon-to-be-ex mistress of a rich lawyer, would you?  I might be getting a little weathered at the edges, but I can still rock your world in bed.”

[Beta]

Preston does his best to look Amanda in the face, not the bosom, although it is certainly a challenge.

   * Monkey: I totally think she could hide a flask in there.  Maybe I should check that she isn't holding out on me?
   * Gamma: I don't even like spirits that much.
   * Monkey: Sometimes I take myself far too literally!
   * Oleg: Aside from the obvious distractions, she's dressed pretty classy for a mistress.  I think he is wearing more jewelry than she is."
   
"I'm sorry to say, Amanda, that I have my doubts about lasting beyond the night myself.  I didn't realize that going out for a pee break meant you couldn't come back in until scenery change, at which point Tanya came out to see what was wrong, and we ended up not making it back in time so I made her miss the end.  I'm pretty sure rule one of this gig is supposed to be 'Don't cause a bother.'"

"Sadly, before this came up I was seriously considering if I should go back to my college job of slinging soycaff, so my budget isn't stretching to a mistress, no matter how talented."  He fingers his tux and muses "I think I get to keep this lovely thing, but not the cuff-links.  Bit of a shame --better re-sale value in jewelry.  I guess that is why it is the traditional gift for mistresses?  I certainly hope you received more than you are wearing, especially since he's so decked out."

   * Gamma: that was not subtle.
   * Oleg: Of course not, I'm not some smooth-talking Frenchie!  Everything I said was true; give me truth over subtlety every day!
   * Monkey: I hope I didn't insult her so much that she takes her lovely breasts away.
   * Coleman: the more important tactical question is whether it was obvious that I was digging for information about her patron.

[Mercy Merchant]

Amanda smiles.  "Slinging soycaf, eh?  Well, for me it was dancing on a pole and taking my clothes off at "Bernie's Old Time Strip Club and Bar".  I am probably going to go back there and get my job back.  Pretty sure I still have a few good years before gravity makes me more of a joke than an attraction.  But, seriously, Howard has been nice to me.  I have some money saved up from what he has paid me and some new clothes.  He has been a bit off with the jewelry, which is too bad.  I had to buy the earrings myself.  Just costume stuff, but they look nice, right."  She pauses then looks up at you.  "Hey, it's alright to look at them, Peter.  Most men do and I would be wondering about you if you didn't.  Here........."  She turns slightly so that her back is mostly to the small crowd and does something to the dress, exposing her rather large chest for you in all its glory.  After a few seconds to let you get a good ogle, she puts the dress back together and turns around again.  "There, now you don't have to wonder what they look like.  Bernie was sad to see me go, but he was right when he said that I would be back.  I will try to milk Howard for what I can before he puts me on the curb.  Say, you know that offer to get together is still open if you are interested?  Even a soycaf slinger deserves good sex once in a while."  She nods to where Tanya is talking to a small group of the actors.  I"I have heard stories about her, but I don't put much stock in stories.  Is she as hot in bed as the gossip feeds hint?"

[Beta]

"Is she as wild in bed as the tabloid rumours say?  Hmmm, isn't rule 2 not to kiss and tell, unless told to?  But what could I say?"

   * Oleg: Ah, Howard, my target, likes common hussies.
   * Monkey: There is nothing common about those!  Am I sure I can't afford her?
   * Gamma: I will be embarrased if Tanya observed that little display.
   * Poor girl   Doesn't hurt to be kind, but doesn't mean I have to get any more entangled with her.
   * Coleman: She is no doubt stressed, falling back on what has been her winning strategy so far.  That can be risky tactics; playing to your strengths is good, but being predictable isn't.  I should pay attention to make sure I don't fall into this same trap.
   * Gamma: Ahem!
   * Coleman: Ah, right, I'm already monitoring for that.
   * Gammma: If I'm forgetting who I already am, that would be cause for concern.
   
Preston attempts to laugh suavely but ends up with more of a cough. "Sorry, ah, I think you can look at her background, make speculations about what you would have spent your time learning if you grew up with that sort of money, and come to some reasonable guesses of what she is like.  I can certainly say that she likes to get her way ... and speaking of which, I should probably go dance attendance and see what she wants now."

   * Coleman: She could be a useful contact for this job, I should establish a way to re-establish contact.
   * Monkey: Oh yes, I should definitely get in contact with her, preferably with no clothes in the way!

Preston had already been hatching plans on how he might accidentally meet his target's mistress 'by accident' within the next week, but if things could work out this easily, why not take a chance?  Tomorrow was already looking busy, but he could offer the following day.
   
"But I'd love to know how things work out with you, and hey, maybe we could share some comfort?  Never bad to have a friendly face to look forward to, so maybe we could set up a meeting for another time.  I'd guess you might be at free ends quite a bit during regular business hours, so I was wondering if you'd like to meet up for a caff in a couple of days, while I'm still on the paying side of the counter?"

   * Gamma: I just offered to meet up with another man's professional mistress.  That was the sort of thing that Fisher kept me firmly away from.
   * I'm learning.  I could probably learn more from her.

That was a thought, she lived by the social dance as much as by her looks, by the sound of things.  Could he hire her to train him on how to do better with people?  Not that he shouldn't also find out about his target from her, and maybe a simple bout of matress fun would do him good?

[Mercy Merchant]

Amanda looks at you for a moment then smiles.  "You know?  I think I would like that a lot.  And it is nice of you to offer, but I am not starving yet; I can go Dutch if you like.  There is a nice coffee bar down on 42nd Street.  Vera's.  Downtown district.  Say noon on Friday, or is something better for you?  Howard has meetings all day but he will want me at the apartment on the weekend.  Give me a comm code and I will send you my private one in case something comes up."  She looks you up and down and leans a bit closer as she whispers, "We can commiserate with each other about the sort of life we lead and why we do it and give sympathy to each other over our current bosses.  And it might be really fun if something did come up, you know what I mean?  And speaking of bosses, yours is on the way over."

Just then you notice Tanya approaching.  She is smiling as she puts her arm through yours.  "I am sorry that I left you, Peter, but I am glad that you are getting acquainted.  Amanda. right?  I do hope that you can excuse us.  I would hate to be late to my own party and am in danger of doing just that.  Monique will be furious and that means trouble.  Besides, you are coming tonight, right?"

Amanda nods, clearly a bit surprised that Tanya is talking to her as a person.  After some small talk, Tanya excuses the two of you and asks to be taken to the waiting limo.  While walking at your side, she leans over to you.  "Already working?"