Outstripped

by Avery, T. C.

  Jody nearly climbed over the table to kiss him. She could hardly contain herself. Her initial excitement when she walked in was now elation and giddiness and actually a little more representative of her age. Bill attempted to get a grip of things and bring her back to planet earth.

  He said, "Whoa, hold on, don't get carried away just yet, there's a great deal to go through before we decide to actually open up."

  "You said 'We'" Jody interjected and started clapping her hands rapidly in front of her moon sized grin. "It's gonna work Bill, I just know it, you'll see. This is the beginning of well, everything. Thank you, Thank you. Were gonna be great together.”

  After that Bill couldn't get a word in edgeways for the rest of lunch, and since Jody was so intent on talking, not listening, she didn't quite pick up on the point he made about needing to involve his wife.

  "For all our little grievances and misgivings,” he started, "she is the brains behind our operation, and she does support me you know. I'll introduce her some time."

  "Yeah, yeah, Bill. How long do you think you'll need the figures for?" she jumped in.

  "Not sure, give me a week and I should be able to determine if it's a goer and how much we're going to need to get things underway."

  "I've already got a few girls lined up," she bluffed, "and it shouldn't be too difficult to get a load more. You remember Rachael and Lucy don't you? Well you'd better anyway."

  "Of course I do. Two of my favourites actually."

  "Well they're up for it, and, well, oh never mind, I'll leave it till you get back to me. In the mean time, I'll put some more thoughts into names and lights and decorations and, ooooh, its so exciting! We'll have to start looking for premises too."

  “I’ll leave all that up to you for now," he said "I think I've got enough on my plate studying this lot," and he gave her the brochures back.

  They finished lunch in traditional 'skinny girl, big guy' fashion. In other words, she was watching her figure and too interested in talking anyway, so he finished hers, as well as his own.

  With coats re-shouldered, they engaged in a mock and pretentious European style kissing session and ended with one big heartfelt sloppy real one, right in the middle then they left the restaurant heading in different directions. Both in the rain.

  The old adage of never mixing work and pleasure didn't apply to Jody, as she didn't see the difference between the two. "Work just has to be fun, otherwise what's the point?" she said to herself. "Anyway, time to get back to plotting and scheming." and she knew just how to proceed with yet another link in the chain.

  This one was very important. It couldn't be rushed. It could take time. A long time. But she had time. So she was in no particular rush. It would all come together with a little patience.

  Jody set up a meeting with her two friends and assets. She explained her big ideas about the Strip Club, and Bill and how she was going to 'set up' as a freelance travel agent. The pair of them loved it, but sensibly held back from jumping in with both feet, just yet. At least until Jody got things up and running.

  Rachael was more than happy to take a job alongside Jody with the agency but not until contracts and connections and Central Reservation Systems and services had been secured and readied. She couldn't afford to leave 'Three Kings' until then. And when the Club opened, she'd be there like a shot. Oh yes! This was her big chance to shine, and she was getting good, very good. Her 'customer entertainment' (lap dancing and such) was, and had always been, just fine. It was her dancing that had improved dramatically, with a little help and guidance and practice down at the club.

  Lucy, as it turned out could be put to work almost straight away. She was also keen to join the club, but it was her other skills and capabilities that Jody needed help with now. Administrational and secretarial skills. Lucy had been out of a 'daytime job' for some time. She'd done reasonably well out of her dancing and hosting but extra work from Jody in setting up these ventures would improve her 'lot' considerably.

  Initially, Jody had some 'ad hoc' requirements and tasks and such, as any business or office arrangement would, but whilst they were in 'set up' mode, Jody had a great plan for 'Temping' Lucy 'out' and killing a few strategic birds with one very well placed stone.

  "It means you'll have to work in a few different places,"

  "I know, I know," chipped in Lucy.

  "But the money should be good and the work is a doddle. They never really ask too much of 'Temps' coz there isn't enough time or any point in going through specific training, so it's mainly just the odd letter, a bit of typing and answering the phones. Easy."

  "I get the impression you have somewhere lined up already," said Lucy.

  "Well, other than stuff for me there isn't anything specifically arranged," Jody replied, "but I have got a little espionage of the horny guy type for you to cut your teeth on."

  "So long as he's hot, I don't mind a bit of wheelin' an' dealin' but I don't want to get into anything dodgy."

  "You'll be fine. This'll be right up your street. Six two, dark, handsome, go getter, runs a big company down the East End, and all you have to do is seduce him, get the job and steal the diamonds. Voila!"

  "You're 'avin' a laugh aren't you? Diamonds?"

  "I'm yanking your chain, Lucy," interrupted Jody "You just have to take care of him, if you know what I mean, and run a few tiny errands for me whilst you're there. Nothing serious, he's an old boyfriend, so I can't do it myself but I can tell you now, you won't be disappointed."

  "So he really is a catch then? I suppose he can't be that bad if you've already been there."

  "Yeah, he really is, but you can't ever mention me or my name or anything about us and what we do. Anything O.K.?"

  "Yes okay. When and where for this job?"

  "Actually you have to get him to ask you to do it. That's part of the game, and the fun of it. Now before you go all weird on me, it'll be fun. I've got everything worked out. I know where he lives, where he works, what he does, where he drinks, his mates, his cars, his inside leg and the colour of his socks every day of the week."

  "You're jokin' aren't you Jody, nobody knows all that shit, unless you've been stalking him of course?"

  "No, not at all," she lied, "I remember some of it and I had another friend fill in the gaps for me. I just wanna surprise him one day, so we've got to keep it totally hush-hush."

  "Yeah, yeah, I've already said okay."

  "Just checking," said Jody, "it’s important, and I don't know the colour of his socks." She lied again.

  "So how do I get my hands on this hunk then?" demanded Lucy, now keen to meet some 'meat' outside the club.

  "He goes in 'The Last Drop' down the Isle of Dogs in Canary Wharf. You need to get down there mid week. He's normally there with a few of his mates, so I'll get a couple of the others to back you up and I'll spot you the fare and some cash for drinks. There's no rush, so when you do see him, and you won't miss him, play it cool. Remember you're after a Temp's job when it comes up, not just a quickie or two, though if you think it will help then use your feminine charm. Don't just fuck his brains out coz you can. I need this. We need this, okay?"

  "Holy shit Jody! Is that all? Will this tape self-destruct in 30 seconds? Have you got my script ready as well or can I ad-lib? It all sounds a bit serious."

  "Its not really, I just want to get this right. I've been trying to plan something for him for a long time, as a 'thank you', you know, but it’s a bit hard when you're trying to keep it all a secret at the same time."

  "So, what are you thanking him for?" asked Rachael with a wry smile.

  "Now that bit is a secret. Personal. You know? I really do appreciate this Lucy and I'll definitely make it worth your while, though I can't help thinking you'll be getting your rewards anyway, if you know what I mean. He is a bit of a push over." She winked.

  Jody was trying her best to deflate the sense of seriousness over the plot and make light of it, but at the same time she needed the message to get
through. She had faith in her 'saucy secret agent' though, and she was confident Lucy would come up trumps.

  Jody fumbled round in her handbag and came up with a portrait photograph of Lucy's man/target/mission/objective.

  As she passed it over to Lucy, Rachael snatched at it saying "let’s get a good look then. Oh, I see what you mean now. He is quite 'bonkable' isn't he? Can I 'do him' instead?"

  "Can you type at five thousand words a minute?" said Lucy, "No, I didn't think so. Give him back. He's my mission. Get your own."

  Rachael pulled a 'trout lip' and faked some huffing and sulking before they all had a good giggle.

  "Has he, er, got a donkey's doo-dah then?" asked Rachael, trying to get a further look at the photo over Lucy's protective arms.

  "All I can say is, well, like I said before, you won't be disappointed. If you go there that is. And I'm not saying you have to go there."

  "I would," said Rachael, "Bloody right."

  "We know you would. You'd go anywhere phallic, with or without a pulse" said Jody.

  "Or batteries," added Lucy and they were all back to giggling again.

  Jody brought an end to the conversation, arranging to meet up again with Lucy for some finer details on how to get Luke Banner to take her on as a Temp.

  Over the following days Jody had some business cards and a letterhead made up and she put together a few references for Lucy that could be used when the time came, together with a fake C.V. and such. Lucy was to wear Jody's old travel agency uniform and pretend she and the others had met up straight after work for a drink at "The Last Drop".

  It was one of those newer styles of pubs that you can't help but like. Huge, but not so as you'd get lost. Big enough for a shit load of people without seeming over crowded. Although it was nearly new it had been 'decked out' to look old, eclectic and well established using architectural antiques and 'less-than-perfect' collectables. These types of places are very cleverly put together in such a way as to appeal to both the older generation, who remember all this gear, and the younger, trendier generation who think it’s all just so cool. Which it is, of course.

  'The Last Drop' was buzzing. Six o'clock on a Wednesday for some reason is always popular, everywhere, especially with the white collar brigade. No one was ever quite sure why, but it was always traditionally a good time to get a drink in the city. Maybe because its approximately half way to the weekend and people simply can't wait that long to blow off a little 'city steam', or maybe its for some other, much more technical, psycho-analytical and sensible reason that's beyond your average 'non-MENSA' student's capacity to comprehend. Who cares? It was a good time to go for a drink.

  Lucy and Co. had arrived early for a thorough reconnaissance mission. They scoped the place for strategic vantage points for both letching at others and being seen in the best possible position. Two or three drinks into their session, Luke and whoever he was to meet in here had still not turned up. Lucy got up to go to the toilet.

  She passed the bar on the way and as she squeezed past a few people close to the tall tables, she spotted him. He was standing with a number of smart suited guys and a couple of girls who were sitting on bar stools at one of the tall tables. They all seemed to be having a laugh and a good 'wind down'.

  "How the hell did he get in here, without us seeing him?" she thought. He looked up and caught her eye as she all but gawped, open mouthed in his direction. She smiled then quickly looked away and continued on her trajectory towards the bladder relief room.

  She hurriedly took a pee then pulled herself together in the mirror before returning to the main arena to do battle.

  "Patience," she muttered to herself, "Get a grip, it’s only a dick with legs, like all the others. Steady, steady, okay, and, action!"

  And with that she bumped into the back of him pretending to trip. He spilt some of his drink down his fancy silk tie and as Lucy returned to the upright position, holding one of her heels aloft as if she had removed the guilty article for reprimand, she apologized profusely and began wiping his tie down for him.

  "I'm so, so sorry," she went on and on, "I can have that cleaned for you if you like, it looks expensive. I can pay for it if it doesn't come up like new, would you like...." and he stopped her there. He smiled and in a very forward manner put a finger to her lips and said, "It’s fine, accidents happen, don't worry, I've got a wardrobe full of these."

  Lucy thanked him for his politeness and apologized once more before making a submissive departure back to her friends. Upon returning she budged them all round in their seats so she could end up facing her imminent conquest for the occasional exchange of smiles and politeness.

  Time passed and Lucy caught his eye again. She decided to raise the game a notch and lifted her glass to him in a questioning gesture to see if she could offer him a drink. Whether he took it the wrong way or not, she didn't know, but he nodded to her then headed straight for the bar. To her embarrassment, and absolute amazement, over he came with a Gin and Tonic in a tall glass with ice.

  "Is this what you were after?" he said, unexpectedly finding room on the chair next to Lucy as the others made space. Lucy apologized again, as she tried to explain how she was offering a drink, not requesting one.

  "I know," he said, "I just thought it was easier this way, since I was already by the bar."

  "How did you.....?"

  "I know the barman and he said this is what you were on. Hope it’s just how you like it?"

  "Er, yes, but I thought you were with all your friends."

  "I am. They can survive without me for a few minutes, though, whilst I introduce myself."

  "Luke," he said, "Luke Banner. Professional silk tie mannequin and pathway blocker extraordinaire."

  "Delighted, yet embarrassed, to meet your acquaintance, Sir," she said. Then extending the back of her hand, she followed up with, "Lucy. Lucy Drummond, part time high heel stunt woman and professional Temp Secretary."

  The girls around the table burst out laughing at the 'Thespian' experience unfolding before them before one of them pulled his sleeve saying, "Don't touch her, she's damaged goods."

  "Not now," interrupted Lucy, "Don't pay any attention to her. She's just jealous you bought me a drink. She's a lush you know. Professional too!" and they all fell about laughing again.

  "Sorry, Luke, we're a bit piddly, and you're not really seeing me, I mean us, at our best" and with her cleverest 'come on without coming on' manner she added, "Do you come here regularly? Sorry, that sounded like a cheap chat up line." Lucy put her hand lightly on his thigh and started again, "I'd like to return the favour some time and buy you a drink. If I can't buy you a tie, that is. When are you likely to frequent this establishment again?"

  "We're in here quite often, probably tomorrow even, how about then, then?"

  "I think I can manage that. Should I bring this rabble with me?" she added, taking full charge of this 'chat up' situation.

  "She's good, isn't she?" Luke said turning to Lucy's entourage for agreement. "How to ask a guy if he's dating without saying it, eh? Actually you can all come if you’re available. I don't succumb to pressure that easy, and all my other wives, over there, don't mind anyway."

  "Right," said Lucy, "it’s a date, or rather its not a date, its just a drink." She rubbed his thigh a little then let him go, knowing 'full well' he got the message.

  "See you tomorrow night then," he said and politely left their table to return to his own social gathering, some of whom were straining over their shoulders to see what, or rather who was keeping him. The sexual 'sizing up' and the 'eye to eye skirmishes' between groups continued for the next half hour or so, before our young ladies decided it was prudent to leave.

  Reconvening the following day, at the same time and the same place, our bevy of provocative agents set up camp at the tall tables. A bold manoeuvre, since it left nothing hidden, or to chance, about their intentions to engage the locals.

  Eventually the object of their intentions arrived.
This time, quite obviously via the front entrance and arm in arm with a striking young lady he was clearly enamoured with. His crowd made their way over to another of the tall tables whilst one of the guys ordered drinks.

  Lucy knew her challenge had just escalated, but she remembered what Jody had said about this not needing to be rushed. It didn't matter if this took a while and the objective was not to get laid, but to get a job offering. She pulled back her jealousy a notch and returned Luke's smile when he engaged her from a distance.

  Time passed by, along with a few more drinks, and other than the occasional cursory, and going nowhere, glances Lucy was bored with her challenge. She couldn't compete in the uniform stakes, since the girls with Luke and his party were all wearing tailored business outfits and some very expensive shoes. She would always have the upper hand, though, in the straight-to-the-point, flesh and fantasy world in which she lived. Luke would not be able to refuse her once she started and, casting Jody's instructions to the wind, she consciously decided to gamble and go for gold. She was not about to beat around the bush and she didn't want to wait.

  As luck would have it, Luke's bladder eventually got the better of him and he made his way through the tables. Lucy grabbed him on his way past. She couldn't tell whether he was embarrassed for bringing company to their rendezvous or simply not interested any more in engaging her. She extended two fingers to him with her shiny new business card betwixt then moved to whisper in his ear. He bent down to her face level and she looked over his shoulder back at his now staring 'female company' and with straight face quietly asked him, "Have you ever thrown your hot, steaming, secretary over your desk and fucked her senseless in the middle of the day?" And without waiting for a response she added, "Take my card, I play my secretary role very well. What the boss needs, he gets."

  The card read:

  Lucy Drummond

  Senior Administrator and P.A.

  Professional Temp Solutions

  Luke's eyebrows went up, he didn't quite know how to react but looked at Lucy, and the card and back again, and said, "Thanks, I might just do that."