Painting the Town Red.



















  A hot night, an overly-tactile lover, an unfortunate tofu and
tsukemono sandwich, and the benefits of a catholic childhood. 
The woman on the bed began to sweat, and dream....



  "Oh, no.  You must have a night out with me and Benten, we'd
love to show you the sights, wouldn't we?"

  Benten maintained an unusually diplomatic silence.  Well, as
diplomatic as it was going to get when his boyfriend was
suggesting something quite unreasonable.  Like he was really
going to spend an evening with that... man, and his spherical
sidekick.  He needed this like he needed a hole in the head
oddly enough Hasegawa seemed to feel the same way.  He could
tell by the way that... person was spasmodically clenching his
jaw.  Even his woman seemed a little dubious - but then she
always did.  But - Foxy had just done a really good run - and he
wanted to treat his friends, and houseguests.  He'd bought
everyone little presents, Benten sighed at the bit of frippery
he'd been given.  Junk, junk, junk.  However, he had managed a
smile, and a thank-you.  Right up until that...thing had leant
over and whispered,

  "Pink.  The planets were obviously advising him you needed
something pink.  Never mind - I'm sure you'll look lovely in it.
It'll attract all the little boys, and girls." 

  He'd only kept his hands from around that stringy neck by
force of will, and the worried frown of Foxy.  The little
bishonen hated people to fight, it obviously threw his world
into uncertainty.  Airheads didn't cope well with instability.

  "I'll discuss this with you later!", he'd hissed.  The Dekacho
just gave him one of those smug smiles - he could knock those
teeth out, one by one.



  Foxy gnawed on his lower lip.  He did so want his friends to
enjoy themselves.  Maybe he should have spent a little more
money on them, he could feel a lot of tension in the air.  Deep
down the old fear.

  *No one really likes me.  I have to buy affection*.   

  He tried not to let it show, no-one wanted to party with a
long faced ninny, not if they had other friends to go with.  He
forced a bright smile onto his face.

  "It'll be lovely, we can have a really good, long, chat.  Get
to know each other better.  I just know we'll have fun.  And I
can wear my new outfit!  Oh, do say you think it's a good idea!"



  Unable to resist any small, furry, animal, and with a nose for
potential entertainment, Melissa 

was the first to speak.



                                                                
1.

  "Foxy-babes," Benten shuddered at that appellation, "what a
super idea!  You're right you know, I haven't been out in ages."
 She shot a look of pure poison in Hasegawa's direction.  "Maybe
we could go to one of those posh restaurants Jackie always raves
about."

  "I don't think I could, Melissa.  They serve meat... but if
you really want to I'll go with you."

  *Yes, and have those soulful eyes turned on my every mouthful,
brimming with tears as you think of the dead little lamby-kins. 
No thanks.*

  "We'll go vegetarian then."  Melissa's head turned around so
quickly, Benten thought her neck would snap.

  *Bad move Police-chief.  You're the one who's got to sleep
with it tonight.*

  "Gosh, uncle Juzo!  What a smashing idea!  Oh, do say you're
not unhappy, Melissa!"

  Melissa did a heroic thing: she restrained herself from
slapping her lover for coming over all macho, and smiled
benificently at Foxy.  "It'll be fine, Fox.  I love good food
however it comes."

  "We'd noticed."

  "Why Benten, how clever of you.  What an intelligent little
lad you are."

  Bitch!

  Fox was tapping away at the restaurant listings on-screen.  It
sounded like Melissa, and Benten, were already finding things to
discuss.  How sweet.  Even uncle Juzo was smiling at them. 
Ah-ha!  Just the thing.  A new elven-cuisine eatery had just
opened, and it was only a five minute taxi-ride away.  He tapped
in a request for a reservation, when the demand for his credit
details came up, he sent one of his new multi-credit account
numbers.  It was only a bank's entertainment/expenses account. 
A Japanese bank.  A Japanese, yakuza-run, bank.  The 

booking confirmation came back with indecent haste.  `Oh well.' 
Fox thought, `It is mid-week.  Business is probably a bit
slow...'

  He turned back to the merry, little, band.  "Is everyone happy
with that then?"  Juzo nodded, he was smiling even more broadly
now.  He did enjoy watching a good fight - especially when the
combatants were only armed with their tongues.  He judged it to
be about equal, at the moment.  And - of course - they hadn't
actually raised their voices, used bad language, or permitted
themselves blatant insults.  Fox was such a restraining
influence.

  "Time to get ready, everybody!  I'm just going to reserve a
taxi..."



  Fox pranced about in front of Benten.  "Come on, tell me.  Do
I really look nice?"

  "For the thousandth time, kawaii-stuff, yes!  I don't know why
you're bothering for those two though.  Not unless there's one
in particular you want to dress up for..."

  "Don't be a silly sausage.  I always like to look my best. 
Besides - Melissa hasn't seen this little number before."  He
pulled the neckline a little further off of his shoulders, and
the g-string high enough to turn it into an a-note.  The silvery
shot-silk matched his eyes, and the pale seed pearls caught the
light just so.  "See darling, even I'm wearing white tonight
we'll match."  Benten just closed his eyes in resignation - *not
in this lifetime*.  Foxy was thoughtfully pondering two - to
Benten's eyes - identical silver chains, with small, tinkling,
bells attached.  It was a bit like escorting a wind-chime some
nights.  Didn't the damn things catch in his hair ? And didn't
the noise drive him mad ?  He scowled at the clock, well they'd
only spent one hour at this game - so far.  If you didn't count
the fact that Fox had spent most of the day in the bath already,
or doing his hair, or polishing his nails, or...  The irritation
became too much, "Fox!  They're exactly the same, why do you
need to spend so long dithering?"

  "Because I don't want to let you down."  A doleful face turned
his way, the boy was biting his lower lip again.  "I just want
us all to have a lovely evening.  I don't mean to upset you, if
you like I won't wear any jewellery then.  You don't need to
shout..."

  SHIT!  SHIT!  SHIT!  Benten forced his voice to soften, it
would hardly be worth going out



                                                                
2. 

to a restaurant, if the bishonen refused to eat anything.  "Fox
love, I'm sorry."  It nearly choked him to say it, but it had to
be done.  "I'm just not very good at waiting - you now how
impatient I get.  And I really can't see any difference between
them - they're both equally lovely on you."

Foxy gave a little snort, "I'll go and ask uncle Juzo.  He
always takes an interest in what I wear."

  *No.  No.  I will be calm.  That hinin can't touch him with,
his lover in the same apartment, she'd flay him*.  Summoning
reserves of calm he hadn't known he possessed, Benten casually
said, "I'll just go outside and keep an eye out for the taxi
then."

  Hssssssssss.  White hair, and red eyes.



  Melissa was also skulking about the room when he came out. 
She looked up as he walked towards the computer, and called up
the security screen.  He really did intend to keep a watch for
their cab.  The older woman sauntered over.

  "You look as happy as I feel."  She extended a plump hand. 
"Truce?  If only for tonight?"  Benten thought of the powdering,
and primping, going on in at least one of the bedrooms, and
shook on it.  If Foxy was going to feel delicate, he'd need all
the allies he could get, otherwise Jackie might get to hear of
it.  And she scared him!

  "How's yours doing then?"  Benten looked up.

  "He's dressed, and picked out his jewellery.  But he's still
got to put his face on.  Yours?"

  "Fretting over the expense this is going to cost the child. 
Trying to decide which tie matches which shirt.  Dithering over
which skin-scent to wear."  She pulled a face, "We could be here
for hours yet."

  They sighed in unison.  Benten called up the tri-d so they
could watch the news whilst they waited.

  At least an hour later Fox emerged from his room - a radiant
vision.  Melissa, and Benten were sitting together on the couch.
Melissa looked up, she extended her palm towards Benten.  "See? 
I win..."

  Foxy looked puzzled.  It didn't matter though, he was ready to
party now.  Benten spoke up, "We had to delay the taxi again..."

  "Never mind, we'll just have to give the driver a really big
tip, won't we?"  Benten sulked, he disliked spending extra cash,
in this fashion.  The cab company was charging enough danger
money as it was!  He turned to Melissa, "How're you going to
get..."

  "Git-features?"

  "...out of your room?"

  "Foxy-babes", the slender stunner turned on one heel, he was
just adjusting the drapes of his wrap, and posing in front of
the hall mirror.  "Perhaps you could help Juzo-chan to choose
his tie.  He seems to be having a little trouble."

  "Ooh.  Of course I can Melissa.  I know just the right one as
well!"  Foxy scampered into the guest room.  Melissa counted
down, "...five, four, three, tw*".  Hasegawa shot out - pursued
by Fox.  He'd beaten his own best time.



  The ride to the restaurant was very interesting.  Benten still
couldn't trust that... that man... wouldn't try something on
with Fox.  So he'd created a very quiet fuss, and made Hasegawa
sit on the row of seats behind the driver - facing the other
three.  It assuaged Benten's nerves - but then he couldn't see
what Melissa was getting up to with Fox.  Hasegawa could - and
he wasn't best pleased.  In the dark of the night, someone
kicked someone else on the shin.  There was the sound of indrawn
breath.  Hasegawa was scowling - what was the bastard trying to
do to Foxy when Melissa booted him?  Benten scowled across the
dividing space,  *just don't try it 





                                                                
3.

again.  I'm watching you!*  Melissa was busy helping Fox
retrieve his cred-stick from the depths of his shoulder-bag. 
There were archaeological layers in there undisturbed by time,
or the hand of man, since Fox had bought it.

  "Oh, look.  The lost tribe of Israel."

  Foxy giggled, setting Benten's teeth on edge.  "I know - I'm
just such a little squirrel."

  "So where are your..."  CRUNCH.

  "Gosh, uncle Juzo !  Did your foot slip?"



  After Fox had paid the driver, he led the exodus to the
pavement.  Benten followed him closely, then Melissa, then
Hasegawa.  The Dekacho closed the door, and waved the driver
off.  He then turned to find his progress blocked by the short
frame of his mekake, a small hand reached back and grabbed him
by the testicles.  That hand had suprising strength for such
short fingers - Hasegawa's breath left him with an audible
whoof.  The grip tightened, and twisted - now he was making
cautious, placatory, sounds.

  "Come along, you two love-birds."  Fox called happily.  He
tripped towards the restaurant door.  As Melissa relaxed her
grasp - and limped towards the entrance -she could hear Fox's
confusion, as he talked to Benten.

  "What?  What?  I think it's sweeeeet."



  The doorkeeper slid the expensive inner panelling aside.  This
must be the BANK party then.  In the lead was a young elf, the
man approved - the adolescent was most attractive, and very
tastefully clothed.  He was followed by a less decorative, but
equally charming, figure - oriental and svelte.  Then came what
was probably the oyabun, suitably dark, and menacing, even if he
was human he should fit right in, he possessed a certain
malevolent elegance.  The doorkeep ushered them in graciously,
whilst trying to unobtrusively close the portal in the face of
the dwarven-wannabe.  She squawked an ungainly protest, and the
elf felt constrained to raise his voice to hiss, "be off with
you, we don't want your sort in here..."  He didn't get any
further, as he suddenly realised he was looking up into a stony,
eastern, face.  "I'm sorry, good Sir, but this person was
just..."

  "Melissa.  Is this boy giving you trouble?"

  Twin thermic lances were burning their way into his eyes, oh
shit!  They did not need this kind of major faux pas so soon
after the opening date.  He swallowed, and heard his throat
click, "I'm sorry honourable.  We didn't realise the... lady...
was with you."  The statue-like expression did not alter as the
oyabun ripped the door fully open, to allow the unacceptable
face of consumerism to enter.  He continued to level a hard gaze
at the elf until the woman reached back, and nudged him
slightly.  The blast of cold air the open door let in had
provoked comments from guests in the bar-area, until they saw
the yakuza.  Then everyone suddenly became engrossed in their
drinks, or conversations, again.  Hasegawa let the beautifully
carved wood slam shut, then he turned his back on the doorkeep,
in an obvious gesture of dismissal.  The elf thought he'd just
go and help behind the scenes for a while, he did not want to
infuriate this business-man any further, by his presence.  And
he rather felt that all that glaring had given him a headache.

  Foxy shuddered as the draught hit him, he wasn't wearing much
under his wrap, and what he was wearing was fashionable - not
functional.  Gracefully he let it slip from his shoulders, and
handed it to the garment-supervisor.  She folded it perfectly,
and turned to accept the older elf, and oyabun's coats.  The
oriental human had gone a deep shade of puce, from Melissa's
standpoint it was hard to tell whether he was blushing, or
trying to inhale his tongue.  *Maybe I should have warned him. 
Benten described the outfit so well, but still hasn't quite done
it justice.*



                                                                
4.

  The silk was transparent, and only an increase in density of
pearls hid what little there might 

be of Foxy's modesty.  It was shot in a mixture of silver, and
white, and made the young figure look very regal - and very
sexy.  She reached out a hand nonchalantly, and had it slapped
away by her best beloved.  Benten turned at the sound of flesh
on flesh - *trying for a quick grope were you, you bastard!*  He
snarled softly at Hasegawa, who was too involved in giving
Melissa a lizard-eyed expression to notice.



  Whilst they waited for their table to be made ready, they were
escorted to the best seats in the bar area.  Very high seats. 
Melissa regarded them unfavourably - *I came out for a good
meal- not a brisk bout of mountain-climbing*.  Benten was
positioning Foxy for maximum effect, aided, in this vital
project, by the little tart himself.  Fox posed so beautifully,
it became an art form - and something of a spectator sport for
the other customers.  Hasegawa was not yet used to the concept
that other elves found the youngster's taste in clothing quite
normal.  The looks were appreciative, not condemnatory, and
lacked the predatory appraisal most humans wore.  He scowled at
Benten, *you should have been a window-dresser*, "Putting the
goods on display, are we...", he murmured.  Fortunately for
international relations, that one passed over Benten's head. 

  Melissa - meanwhile - was having trouble getting served, and
rapidly coming to the conclusion that it wasn't just her lack of
metres, where the bar height was concerned.  Or rather it was
precisely her lack of height, and species, and shape.  *I feel a
bit like Malcolm X at a Ku Klux Klan rally, only at least then
I'd be given a warm reception*.  Fox looked up suddenly and saw
Melissa waving her credstick in the direction of the barstaff,
in a threatening fashion.  "Oh put it away, Melissa.  This is my
treat."  He happily smiled at the greying elf behind the
polished, marble, bar.  The woman came straight over,
"re-discovered our eyes, did we?", came the drawl, from below
counter height.  The barwoman ignored it, and took the drinks
order from Fox, after first looking to Hasegawa for permission.

  "I think I'll be very daring, and have a little champagne
cocktail," Fox cooed.  "What would you like uncle Juzo?" 
Hasegawa winced, *aren't you too young to be drinking?*  Still
it was a special occasion, a small tipple couldn't hurt.  The
only way children learned to consume alcohol sensibly was by
watching their elders.  Fox rapidly ordered a whisky for
Hasegawa, and sake for Benten.  Then he looked around for
Melissa, she was leaning against the bar-stool, and sulking. 
"Gosh, Melissa.  Don't you want to sit down?"  Hasegawa looked
down - years of police-work crystallised the situation in an
instant - he lifted his lover by the waist, and sat her on the
stool next to him.  "It's all right, Fox," he said, "it's just
her skirt was a little tight for getting onto the seat
comfortably."  His expression defied her to contradict his
version of events.  She hissed, sotto voce, "What was that about
teaching children honesty by example?"  Hasegawa whispered back
- "It'll only upset him unduly, to encounter prejudice amongst
his own, especially as he wants us to enjoy ourselves."  Melissa
realised Fox was looking expectantly at her, "Sorry love - I was
just discussing something with Git-face here."  Fox smiled, it
was so cute the way Melissa kept pretend-insulting uncle Juzo. 
She must be awfully fond of him, really.  "I'll have a vodka, my
sweet."

  The drinks came: a tall, fizzy, fluted, number for Fox - a
hot, steaming, flask for Benten - and a tumbler brimming with
best scotch for Hasegawa.  Melissa's vodka might have provided a
bath for a gnat, if it was a baby, and there happened to be a
tax on having baths in force at the time.

She sighed resignedly, the whole evening was going to be like
this, she could tell.  However, she had decided not to upset
cutey-pie over there, for a whole evening, so she wasn't going
to whinge about this display of elven bad manners - yet.

  The waiter came over to escort them to their table.  Hasegawa
lifted Melissa down - carefully - from the stool.  "Fragile
then, am I?"

 

                                                                
5.

  "My very own piece of bindoro."

  "And don't you forget it!" 



  Hasegawa lifted Melissa onto the dining chair, when they got
to the table.  The furniture in here was just as leggy, elegant,
and uncomfortable as a super-model, at a dykes-on-bikes rally.

Melissa had hung onto her glass, the way things were going she
might not get another one.  Luckily her handbag contained a
quarter bottle of spirits, for just such an emergency.  It also
held a paperback, the card for the maglock, her credstick, a
clean pair of knickers, and a toothbrush.  You just never knew.

  The waiter brought the menu to Hasegawa - *who died and made
you the responsible adult, Git-features?*  Others were laid in
front of Fox, and Benten.  Melissa pursed her lips, but said
nothing.  Fox noticed though, "Can my friend have a menu too,
please?", he trilled sweetly.  Hasegawa looked up, and levelled
his concentration at the hapless waiter.  Who bustled - he   
hoped not too obviously - off, to get one.

  "It's all right really Foxy-babes," Melissa said, "I could
always have shared Ju-chan's one."  She noticed that the use of
the diminutive wasn't lost on some of their fellow diners. 
*Humph.  That'll give them something to think about*.  It had
one couple decided to leave early, before the staff's overt
dislike of the woman provoked an INCIDENT.   

  The waiter appeared with a menu, and set it before her,
strange how it looked as though it was a draft copy.  As Melissa
squinted it she noticed two things: her copy was written
completely in elven, (Hasegawa's was in Japanese), and there
were no prices on any of them.  *If you have to ask...*  Benten
seemed pre-occupied with Fox, Melissa smiled indulgently, it was
nice to see how well they were getting on...  *OH SHIT!  He's
finished that one already - and he's got no food inside him
yet!*  

  Melissa called across the table to Fox, "Petal.  Would you
like to recommend something for us - after all, you're the
expert in elven cuisine in our little group?"  

  Fox was charmed at being asked, "It's all nice really.  But
I've heard they do really good green salads in here.  And a
stunning range of low-fat dressings."

  "Stunning." she mouthed at Hasegawa.  He felt his anxiety
level start to mount.  *Please don't let her throw a strop here,
now*.  So he missed Benten's look of consternation as Fox
ordered his second drink, a white wine spritzer.  Finally -
after much humming, and hawing, they were all ready to order. 
One man took the orders, whilst the other set out a frightening
array of cutlery.  Hasegawa read out all the dishes they
required, to the waiter.  That way the elven bigot couldn't
ignore any particular member of the group.  Whilst the waiter
was concentrating on being deferential to Hasegawa - Melissa
took the opportunity to fill her glass, surreptitiou- sly, from
the hidden bottle.

  The starters arrived.  Foxy had ordered one - out of deference
to his guests.  But he'd chosen the dish mostly for it's play
value.  He remembered from childhood how you could make it
appear that you'd eaten an awful lot of mousse, just by breaking
it up - and spreading it about your plate.  Benten was steadily
regarding a smear of artichoke soup.  Hasegawa had a small bowl
of pickled vegetables - he looked down at it.  This was
worrying- even given Melissa's notorious love of food in big
quantities- she would have good reason to moan about the size of
the portions.

  "Why, Melissa!"  came Fox's voice, in tones of shock, "aren't
you going to eat anything?"  Hasegawa looked around in horror. 
Fox dug his foot even further into it, "You don't have any food
at all!"

  "No, darling," came the quiet reply, "that's because I don't
have a plate, or any cutlery, or a napkin, or a napkin ring..." 
She took a large swig from her glass - shit!  He hadn't realised
it 





                                                                
6.

was so full!  Drunk, belligerent, and hungry.  It was at that
moment that Hasegawa's finely honed instincts told him that even
though Fox had chosen the restaurant, and even though Melissa
had agreed to it, when they got back to the apartment it was
going to be - ALL HIS FAULT.

  However, there was no need for this excessive rudeness, on the
part of the proprietors.  He wasn't going to have their evening
ruined by this tasteless display.  Even in the super-elite
restaurants in Oedo you were more in danger of being patronised,
than starved!  So Hasegawa got up to do something about it. 
Benten was glancing worriedly at Fox, he was becoming quite
loud, and seemed a bit distressed by the slow service. 

  "Calm down, lover", he whispered.

  "But Melissa's hungry, and that's not nice."

  Benten felt his elbow grabbed, Melissa spoke brightly to Fox. 
"That's okay sweetie-pie.  I think they're just warming my
plate.  Ju-chan's just gone to check."  Mollified, Fox turned
round to see which direction Hasegawa had gone in.  He spotted
him, just as the smouldering police- chief advanced through the
kitchen doors.  Meanwhile, Melissa was hurriedly appraising
Benten of the situation.

  "Merill!  Can't you do something!"

  "Like what?  He's your lover!"

  "Yes.  And he's pissed off, and you're bigger than I am!"

  "Just relax.  He won't kill anyone - unless they forget your
dessert."

  "You're enjoying this - aren't you?"





  There was a muffled noise coming through the pneumatic doors
to the food preparation area. As if someone were telling a room
full of people politely, but forcibly, what esteem they were
held in.  What they could do to improve their standing.  And the
time limit that they had in which to achieve this
transformation.  Hasegawa returned to the table, sedately. 
Followed by a line of kitchen staff bearing, what looked to be,
the entire contents of the salad counter.  Cutlery was placed
before Melissa - a starched, linen, napkin was laid,
reverentially, over her knees - a clean glass was brought for
her.  All in a strained hush.  Somehow she felt like she'd quite
lost her appetite.  Too late now.

  "Ju-chan.  I'm very fond of you, you know?"

  "As long as I keep you fed, eh?" 

  The evening progressed - and the main courses were brought on.
Melissa got a nice lentil roast to go with her salad.  A lot of
lentil roast.  Possibly the E.E.C. lentil roast mountain. 
Benten had something that looked like it might once have been a
perfectly good, mushroom, stew - before it was miniaturised. 
And git-face had tempura - hardly a traditional, elven, dish. 
Fox was expertly shredding one of those famous green salads,
without actually eating that much of it.  A strange concept when
the entire dish seemed to be composed of one lettuce leaf - and
a couple of mange-tout.

  Melissa had another swig of vodka.  The house's own brand now-
there was a bottle of it on the table. Strangely enough she
didn't even feel merry - *well, no suprise there then, eh?*  But
she knew she'd had quite a lot - very odd!  

  "I need to go to the lavatory, now." she announced - any elven
sensibilities left, could go and fuck themselves.  "What a good
idea!"  Fox leapt off of his stool to join her, "I need to go
and tinkle too."  As he watched their mis-matched figures
recede, Hasegawa reached into his jacket pocket - and extracted
a small packet.  He shook one of the pills into Melissa's drink-
when they arrived the blister wrap had only been popped three
times.  Now a further four tablets were missing.  Benten watched
him closely,  "What's that?"



                                                                
7.

  "Stay-So."

  Benten recognised the brand name.  "May I?"  He held his hand
out, and Hasegawa dropped the box into it.  Benten scrutinised
the directions - then carefully broke one pill in half - and 

dropped it into the young elf's spritzer.  A moment of rare
understanding passed between the two of them - neither wanted to
cope with their partner being drunk in here, and embarrassing
them in front of the other.

  Juzo Hasegawa suddenly realised he had let his lover accompany
Fox to the toilets.  *No. She wouldn't*.  Fox was a child.  She
knew how he felt about that.  A sudden cold wave swept over him-
it's only outward sign, a slight widening of the eyes.  He went
to rise, "And just where do you think you're going?"

  FUCK!  Benten's voice had reminded him; he could hardly march
into the ladies' loo, and if he followed Fox into the men's... 
Assuming Fox had used the gent's.  Oh, christ - this was
becoming one of his nightmares.  Well, if she was molesting him,
they'd all know about it soon. 

Foxy was hardly quiet when he was having a good time - then he'd
have to protect Melissa from an outraged Benten.  Or try to get
them out of this place without being arrested.  Somethi- ng very
like a whimper, escaped his lips.  

  Luckily for his peace of mind, and blood pressure, Melissa and
Fox re-appeared only a moment later.  They sniggered
conspiratorially as they approached the table, Benten wondered
just what was so funny.  "Don't mind us," Foxy snorted
delicately, "girl-talk."  *If you two could only have seen your
faces when we came back...*



  The strain eventually became too much - even for Melissa. 
Being sober was an unexpected hazard, when the food was so
meagre - and this place wasn't hot on entertainment.  Just after
the kitchen incident, the crowd had thinned out rapidly - and
now the screeches of what was  extremely fashionable, modern,
music - echoed around an almost deserted dining-area.  Not that
the staff seemed to be in any hurry to see them leave.  *Last
time I was in a joint like this, they charged by the hour*. 
Foxy seemed oblivious, "Does anyone want pudding?" he asked. 
Much to Benten's suprise, the skinny elf ordered a small,
incredibly sweet, confection - on the grounds that, as it was an
elven establishment, it would have less calories.  It also had
indoor sparklers, and a fancy glass.  *That comes from the
child's menu, I bet*, Hasegawa thought.  To Benten's look of
suprise Foxy explained that his afters was fruit - that was
nourishment, Fox's granny had always fed him lots of fruit.  "We
should make a right pair then," Melissa said - remembering the
lentil-fest she had felt obliged to consume.  Benten decided
that - to encourage his boyfriend - it was best to show willing,
and order a dessert as well.  Luckily they did a traditional,
aduki-bean, paste - red and chewy - just like school dinners all
over again.               Hasegawa was having another whisky,
sullenly eyeing the overly attentive staff - who were hovering
at the edges of the room.  They'd re-filled his glass several
times without asking - and he was starting to feel in need of
some `Stay-So' himself.  He'd divided the last of the packet
between himself, and Benten.  It hadn't stopped Foxy giggling,
and saying that the wine was going straight to his head, but
Benten was visibly more relaxed.  Just what did he think the
child was going to do ?  Dance on the tables ?  Melissa sat
nursing her drink, they'd re-filled that several times as well,
but the little green pills were working wonders.  She'd
resolutely refused a dessert - even when the waiter had offered
a whole variety of delights - some of which weren't even on the
menu.  They'd seemed almost hysterical about it.  Hasegawa
smirked *that'll teach them to insult my lover!*



  When it finally became obvious that they were all restless,
Hasegawa asked for the bill.  It was an education to see
apprehension, and relief warring on the faces of the staff.  One
brave soul ventured to ask if they'd enjoyed the meal - and
whilst Foxy busied himself charming the 



                                                                
8.

owner of the establishment - Benten had passed the charge card
to Hasegawa.  A silent waiter took it away, and handled the
transaction, it would have been appalling bad taste to ask the
Oyabun to watch the addition being done at his table.  After all
- he didn't even carry his own cred-stick, but had an elf to do
it for him.  Probably his catamite.  It was all handled very
discreetly, and decorously - the Japanese, and high elven
society - had a lot in common.  The card came back on an
expensive platter, with a bill written in elegant elven.  As
their coats were brought to them Fox glanced at it.  "Look at
that," he said in astonishment, "they haven't included a service
charge!"

  As Fox was expertly wound into his wrap, by the female elf who
had originally taken it, the others were helped on with their
respective garments.  One white bias-cut jacket, camel-hair
trenchcoat, and woollen shawl later, everyone else was ready to
leave - except Fox.  He was enjoying being fussed over, "but
don't you think it drapes more prettily this way?"  Benten
sighed, and counted to ten.  "Fox, darling, I'm sure the staff
would like to close up soon.  And the taxi is waiting outside."

  "Oh.  Is it?  Thank you for ordering one for us," he beamed at
the cowering employees, "you really didn't need to go to all
that trouble, just for us!" 

  "That's all right," the proprietor managed, weakly, "We do the
same for all our noble, and esteemed guests."  The last was
levelled at Hasegawa, who was doing an impressive imitation of
an Easter Island statue.  "We only hope that any
...misunderstandings... will not have caused any lasting harm." 
He looked up hopefully at the Yak boss - no, still graven image.
They'd better give the insurance policies a check tonight - and
find somewhere else to sleep.

  "Come on.  We're going."

  "Juzo, I love it when you act masterful!"

  The owner wondered at how such sarcasm was allowed to live.





  Foxy was now highly strung  - and raring to go.  The rest of
the group were just strung out.

  "I want to go to a night-club.  Come on Melissa!  It'll be
fun!  I know some really good ones, they've got floor shows like
you wouldn't believe!"

  *I'll bet I would- and I bet you'll be one of them*.  "No
babes- I'm sorry.  I'm just a little, old, lady, and I'm, `too
pooped to bop', but you take Benten with you, I'm sure he can do
with lots more excitement than I can handle tonight."

  *Bitch!*

  "Ju-chan will just have to tuck me in, with a cup of tea."

  "I see," simpered Foxy, "you want to get an early night."

 The taxi dropped them off outside the front entrance to the
building, given the neighbourhood she wasn't going to hang
about!  Hasegawa, and Melissa, had barely time to alight -
before the doors were shut by the driver.

  "Byeee, love-birds!" they heard Fox calling, as he waved
frantically to them from behind the cab window - and, very
faintly,  "What?  What?  I think they're sweeeeet!"





  They clung together, like the last two survivors of some great
disaster.

  "Thank Fuck that's all over!"

  "Before you relax, Git-face, you do realise that baby-cakes
kept saying, `"we must do this again sometime.'"  Hasegawa
shuddered, 

  "We'd only get life imprisonment for murder."

  "It might just be worth it at that."

  Melissa's stomach gurgled.  "You're not still hungry, are you,
`Lis?"



                                                                
9.

  "No, Ju-chan.  It's all those bloody lentils repeating on me. 
Tell me you've got something in your travelling pharmacopoeia
for wind."

  "Just how badly do you want it?  Just how nice will you be to
me?"

  "Sunshine, have you considered the alternative?"

  He did.  "Oh, all right then.  But only because I like you." 
Force one raspberry - idea dismissed out of hand.  "Meanie", she
said.  Then Hasegawa's stomach roared - they both stared at his
solar plexus in suprise.  "Let's get inside, and find you a food
company that will deliver."

  "At this time of night?"

  "Seattle never sleeps.  Besides it's that, or raid the
spam-carving exhibition."

  "Can whatever we get have lots of garlic?  It's good for
cleansing the blood."

   "We sleep with all the windows open, though.  Okay?"

  Together they tottered into night.











































































                                                               
10.