Chapter 17 Part 2

The weird thing about Bubble Joust is that you would expect the person who fell the most would be at the disadvantage. Sometimes, though, the exact opposite would happen. A person might have eight rounds to the other person's two, but suddenly at eight rounds they would reach something like Bubble Joust Zen. The incoming hits would cease affecting their balance as much as the person who was sober. Since the other person was trying so hard to knock the other guy down, their overconfidence worked against them and they would fall off instead. This tactic was dubbed "The Gandhi" because the winning person won by taking no attack at all. It was not always meant as a compliment as Gandhi's example at the dawn of the holonosphere had been used as a reason why people ought to accept certain policies they did not agree with. If a person used this tactic too much in a game of Bubble Joust there was a good chance others would throw him out of the bar.

Sal could hear the cheers and the telltale splash of one of the losers. Some people drink to have a good time, whereas others drink to forget. The two usually did not mix well. Those trying to forget were often annoyed by those who were having a good time. About the only variety that circulated between these two camps with ease were those trying to get laid.

Sal rubbed his temples as he remembered how Felicia had escorted him out of Telray. She had blindfolded him--with a real blindfold.

"Some things," she had purred, "are best done the old-fashioned way, do you agree Mr. Grimone?"

"I can think of a few things I prefer to do the old-fashion way that involve blindfolds,", said Sal. "That ain't one of um."

"Oh, Mr. Grimone, please. It is either this or slipstream travel."

As she had fixed the blindfold, Sal felt her take his hand. Without his vision, he was forced to concentrate on the soft warmth of her. Her hand felt delicate, but yet also firm. What had surprised him was how she had somewhat playfully rubbed the inside of his hand with her index finger. He was not sure if it was absentminded on her part or intentional.

"Do you always take such careful pains to care for your prisoners, Felicia?"

"No. You are a guest!", she chirped. "I should think a prisoner would have a far less pleasant experience. Now I'm going to let Mr. Trigone escort you to the nearest Palcan with instructions to remove your blindfold once the Palcan is in motion."

"I suppose I won't be able to ask for the after date kiss, will I Felicia?" Sal sneered.

To his surprise, Sal felt her soft, warm lips on his cheek for an instant.

"I'm afraid that is all we will have time for, Mr. Grimone. See you around." 

Sal quickly sensed a burly arm shoving him in some direction less than delicately. "My, My, Felicia, you do like it rough," Sal said sarcastically. He heard a guttural grunting in reply. Mr. Trigone was not amused.