Subreality: Lines and Shadows... (part 1 of ??)by ALC Punk!"What are you gonna call it?""Well, Dex had a good idea--The Full Monty?" "Yeah, but will the performers go that far?" "Dunno," Shreela pondered, scratching her head. "OK. We call it.. uh.." "Oh, c'mon, you *can't* tell me you're actually going through with this??" "Yeah. I've even bugged the Manager for some help on setting up a small business in Subreality--s/he was really helpful." Shreela sipped her mug of rum-laced cocoa and made a notation on the yellow legal pad in front of her. "I've also got Jim to MC for us--he does some wonderfully awesomely bombastic intros. Exactly what we need." The Muse sitting across the table from her shook his head, "And you've actually gotten fictives to agree to this?" "Yep. A lot of them are bored sitting around, drinking all day--even those that frequent the Mhaire hut feel stuck in a rut." Cullen winced, "You have to make those awful puns, don't you?" She grinned, "I'm good at it, yes?" He shook his head and took another swig of his whisky. Around the two of them, the activity of the Subcafe followed its normal, daily course. Fictives sat around chatting, getting drunk, minding their own business--or prying as in the case of a few of the telepaths. Sunlight spilled in the high, clerestory windows, turning the wood paneling into molten copper, gold and bronze. Glass and silverwork gleamed with the polishing the ever-industrious Bartender had given them in his hourly rounds. "Anyway, I've already set someone to Writing me up the building--an architect I know owed me a few favours and designed it rather well." Shreela shifted and made another notation, "I've also lined up at least one Logan, three Alex Summers--they seem to flock--a Superman--no, dunno *why*--several out of character Laurell K. vampires and Night Man." Cullen choked, "How many?" "At least two." Shreela grimaced, "They're nice to look at--but they all look the same!" "Yeah. So, how many nights do you plan to be open?" "Oh, every. I've got some ideas for theme nights and such.." "Erm..." He shifted a bit, "I have one question.. Male and female strippers, yes?" "Well of course! I've just gotten more men asking to strip for money than women right now!" She shook her head and leaned back in her chair, "Really I'd like to divide it evenly down the middle--with the odd night being a joint night. Men and women stripping." "So, what are some of the themes?" Cullen leaned forward. She leaned forward too, eyes twinkling, "Welll," she whispered. "None of your bloody business." "Oh," he flumped back into his chair, looking a bit defeated, then he brightened. "Can we be partners in this? You will need a man around to help, won't you?" Shreela rolled her eyes at him, "Y'know Cullen, sometimes you can be such a total ass. No, we are NOT partners. I do, however," she smiled sweetly, "Need some sort of on-site manager, someone who knows the job and is willing to make the decisions needed." "I could do that." "Exactly. It's why I dragged you into this." Shreela made another notation, "OK, now, we need to figure out pay-scales and entrance fees and such--it's all going to be very boring, and I really think we should move on to the next scene."
"We still need a name." "Point." Shreela stretched, groaning as her back and neck popped and pinged. "Can it wait? I need to get up," she blinked as the ambient backlight darkened. "It's coming on towards evening. Maybe a walk? I sometimes think well when I walk." So they left the 'Cafe, and stepped out into the warmish evening air. Trees shifted in the soft breeze and in the distance strange sounds could be heard from various dens. The road stretched out, tree-lined, quiet, calm. "Comic Strip." "No, I want.. I'm not sure. Something catchy. I think I'll know it when I hear it." Shreela sighed and hopped, then resumed walking. "Hooters." "Hell, no. I'd go for something artistic--comicbooks.. Lines and Colour." "Too artsy-fartsy. The Dex Club." "No. No, no, no. That man already has way too big an ego. I am NOT naming my club after him. Lines.. Hrm.." Her voice trailed off and she walked on, contemplatively. "Nothing overt, like Shreela's House of Strip?" "NO!!!!!" "OK," the smirk could be heard quite clearly. "What about the fact we're going to have a lot of heros.. Spandex Lounge?" "No.. Spandex. Ick. Not all will be spandex-clad. What about the Line and Shadow?" "Again, too artsy." "Hrumph. Shadow Lounge? Ink and Paint?" "The Ink and Paint is already taken." Cullen pointed out. "Oh yeah. Damn that Jessica Rabbit." She grumbled. "Fleshpot? No. Strip. Need strip in it? Maybe?" He laughed, "Dipstick. Comic Strip." "I like that! Too punny, though." Shreela sighed, "This is more difficult than I thought it would be." A convenient bench appeared in front of them, "Let's sit and think." "The Marble Arch?" "No.. Strip Ink?" Cullen chuckled again, "I like that, but it's..." "Not right. Yah, I know. Damn." She sighed again. "Lines of Darkness. Nah, sounds like a story title." "You've got a line fixation. What about StripLine?" "No! Strip Joint." "Lined Stripping." "Follow the Leader Strip." "What ARE you two talking about??" Shreela blinked up at the Rachel that had appeared. She was a bit more muscular than most, but still looked like the Summers child that she was, "A name, for the strip club." "Oh! I'd heard about that, through the grapevine, y'know." She shifted and then plopped down on the grass in front of them, "What've you got so far?" "Nothing," Shreela stared at her hands for a moment, feeling terribly gloomy. "What about Drawing--no." "Pinup Gallery." The Rachel's voice was a bit diffident, as if she wasn't entirely certain that offering the suggestion was a good idea. Shreela was glad she was sitting down. "Yes. Yes!!! And to shorten it, The Gallery!" Cullen jumped to his feet, and pulled Shreela up, then danced them around the clearing. "We've got it! A name!" A throat cleared behind them, Shreela shook herself loose of Cullen's grip and turned. Rachel stood there, looking a little uncertain. "Um, you don't happen to need a, um, a Bouncer, would you?" "Yes, we would. What skills have you?" "Powerful TK/TP, I'm intelligent, and also just plain cute." She grinned. "Heh. OK, you've got a weeks trial, once we've gotten the building up and schedules worked out," Shreela pulled out her yellow legal pad, "What name should I put down?" "Rachel Athena Summers." "Athena??" "Yeah," Rachel blushed, "Mom thought it was a good idea at the time--and she and dad weren't exactly speaking after she telekinetically threw him across the room.." Shreela snickered, "OK, mind if I call you Thena? That way there aren't too many Rachel's." "Go ahead, I may take a while to answer to it, but.." She shrugged, "Better than feeling typecast."
To beee continuuuueeeed
Credits.... © 1999 ALC Punk!. |