CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER

       “I haven’t really done...anything unless I get invited to a party. Then I generally go as something basic. Sexy witch, sexy nurse. I once went as a plague doctor, but nobody talked to me all night, so. Erm. I really don’t think ‘scary’ is in anymore. If you’d like to pair up with me, we could do something spectacular, I’m certain. But Meg has to be included in some way, even if she’s just a pumpkin.”

            “I’m s-sorry, I just c-ca-han’t help myself.” Sniffle, sniffle. “You’re so cute...”

            “Actually, I wanted to chase after that woman with the tiny dog...but holding hands isn’t so bad either...you don’t have sweaty palms, do you?”

              i’ve been gone for so long...is anybody still around?

             “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

          “That sounds fantastic. Or that it pays fantastically---that’s what I mean. I’d love a job like that. Of course, I’m nowhere near bodyguard material. Perhaps sometime in the future...?” But then again, the thought of becoming as irreversibly marred as him was not appealing. “Yes, I’m quite grateful for my eyes. Unfortunately, I need glasses, so they could be better, but I’m generally content with them as they are.” She shrugged delicately and moved a little closer. “Have you got any exciting stories to tell? I’m a novelist, you see. I thrive off this sort of thing.”

          “I’m a working woman! If I’m not spread thin, I’m not working hard enough!” Which was a ludicrous statement, but she didn’t think he’d comment on it. “Please, there’s no need to worry over me. Go on and live your best life. Do...whatever it is kids these days do. Play video games and send texts to your friends?” That was the general impression of the current generation, wasn’t it? “I’m a rather lax employer, Ryu-kun. I wouldn’t have you act any differently toward me, other than, perhaps, calling me Boss...or even Captain. But that’s just a fun title. Everything else? Completely the same! It’s not as though I’d whip you for getting out of line or anything like that. I’m a good girl.”

even you, peter. especially you

           “Er. A bodyguard. That’s certainly not something you hear every day. Bouncer, maybe, but a bona fide bodyguard...well, then, whose body do you guard? Is it more like a series of smaller gigs for musical artists, or something in the big leagues, like protecting a president?” Her eyes widened. “Oh, but that’s probably not something you can say, hm? Well, as long as you’re doing alright, that’s good to hear. The resilience of the human body has always fascinated me...”

        “Which job? At my business, obviously. What other j---oh.” He had that funny impression of her, didn’t he? That was a bit of a hassle. “I sell books, mainly. Buy and sell. I’ve got an independent bookstore. Books and Baubles. It’s mobile. I sell out of a truck.” That made it sound so much lesser than it actually was. “Er. I’d feel guilty having you work for me for no pay. Would it be a problem if I were your boss? The object of your steamy, perverse fantasies?” A beat. “No, I’m joking. I don’t think it would change anything between us.”

         “Oh. Right. I forget that you’re a working man and not just...some kid. Do you really hate it there that much? You could always try looking, er. Elsewhere. I don’t know what pays well, or I’d be looking too. I’d hire you, but I can’t afford to pay another paycheck.”

           “Right...do I sound like a child? Really? Jupiter’s balls, I’m twenty-three. I can drink worldwide. Nothing can stop me now. Anyway. He told you I had a child? Is that...a selling point? I was just going to leave her with the sitter, but if you want her to come along, I can bring her. Considering you’re paying me, you can have things arranged any way you like---as a certain fast food franchise says. If you actually want to visit Chuck E. Cheese, that’s fine with me, is what I’m saying. You know, I envisioned this more as a ‘hire a girl to impress your rivals’ type deal, but I’m game for practically anything.”