Honeymoon: Evening Out

[command_dot_com]

A few days after the incidents at the beach and spending them just rubbing on sunburn-balm and watching the local soap operas (what IS this thing with squids? It is so bizzare...) in their hotel room, the couple is more than ready to explore the city again

Comments

[mend_and_defend]

"Well, I dunno about the food yet, but the décor is certainly interesting." Bob looks around curiously. "So do we seat ourselves or--?"

The answer comes in the form of a short, stocky woman in a brightly colored sarong trotting up to the two sprites. "Welcome to Susie's!" the woman says brightly. "Will you be dining indoors today or would you like a table on the patio?"

[command_dot_com]

"Patio please," Dot beams, already, this place is showing itself to pride itself on customer service. "And a sampler platter to start? We've got some specific food allergies we'd like to check for before eating."

"Certainly!" The saronged hostess replies, taking a paper note. "Do you have a preferred grouping? We have sushi, spellwork, carnivore, omnivore, insectivore and herbivore sampler platters. Even a few live ones!"

[mend_and_defend]

"--nothing live, please," says Bob quickly.

After five hours in the Web, he's done with live food.

[command_dot_com]

"...alright then...right this way." The stout saronged woman nods, gracefully, leading them out to the breezy patio, before seating them and handing them their menus. "What would you like to drink while you wait? We have a lovely wine selection..."

"No wine...but I think a Thunderhead club soda will suffice."

[mend_and_defend]

"And for you, sir?"

"The same." Bob nods to the woman as she departs, then turns his attention to the menu. "Hm... hippocamp, grindylow... fur-bearing trout?"

[command_dot_com]

"The Conch fritters look delicious..."

[mend_and_defend]

"'Smallrus tenders in honey-mustard sauce,'" reads Bob. "Could be good... yikes, this stuff is expensive, though."

[command_dot_com]

"We have enough..." Dot checks her PDA. "...for about four plates. ...if we stick to the club soda."

[mend_and_defend]

"Four plates? That's all?"

[command_dot_com]

"That's if we stick to the american currency. Laini hasn't gotten back to us on the exchange rate for the energy units."

[mend_and_defend]

"Well, I hope we find something filling, then..." Bob trails off as he spots a notice at the bottom of the menu--the same notice, in fact, that was posted by the door outside. "Hey, did you see this thing about an eating contest?"

[command_dot_com]

"Was on the sign out front..." Dot says, looking down at the menu and then at Bob. "...are you suggesting.."

[mend_and_defend]

He shrugs. "It's worth a shot, isn't it?"

[command_dot_com]

...Considering their appetites...

"Well...if anything happens, we'll call Laini to bail us out later with money from home."

[mend_and_defend]

As if on cue, Sarong Lady bustles back in with a tray of drinks balanced in one hand. "I have your club sodas here," she says, placing each one on the sprites' table in turn. "The sample tray will be out in a few more minutes."

Bob gives Dot a questioning look: You want to tell her, or should I?

[command_dot_com]

Bob is given a return smirk.

It's the one where nothing good comes of this.

"Excuse me...Miss? What's this bit about out-eating the head chef?"