Audra was already seated at a table. She was sipping a Perrier as she
was going over some reports on a PADD.
As Joe approached the table, he called to his lunch mate. "Hey,
Audra.... "
Audra had been engrossed in the report she was going over. It was news of
another likely Brotherhood on the station. Once again Engineering was the
target. She could not help but wonder if there was a reason for that.
She
looked up when he said her name. "Hi, Joe. I am glad that you could join
me."
As he took his seat, "I'm happy you called. I've been eating at my desk
or on my feet for what seems like forever. Eating with someone not
involved with my assignment is a breath of fresh air..."
"I know what you mean. With everything going on, it seems like work is
taking up all of my spare time lately," she said with a smile, holding her
PADD up in evidence. "What has your team been working on?"
"Too many things..... I've got a group working on reviewing contracts for
purchases, another tracking down surplus fleet hardware and other goods,
and others working on getting witnesses. It's a paperwork nightmare, and
almost impossible to keep on top of. I'll be happy when things can wind down. At
least I haven't had to go off station in a while.... How about you...?
What have you been up to these days?" he sounded as overworked as his teams
workload.
"Well, the station has been organizing new policies and procedures since
the attacks on board. The Brotherhood has been causing a bit of havoc and that
all has to be dealt with while making sure that the station continues to
operate as a shipping and transportation hub." Audra's face expressed the
weariness she was feeling about it all. They were definitely both in the
same boat.
"It sounds like we both need a night on the town to get away from it all,"
she said as her face brightened slightly at the prospect.
"You're on.", he answered. The thought of seeing more of Audra was very
appealing to him as well. Fun..... what a concept.
"Where did you have in mind?"
Audra smiled. "I have always wanted to visit Bourbon Street in New Orleans."
"That sounds great. I've always wanted to go, just never found the time. This lunch is getting better and better," Joe replied. Inwardly he was thinking, 'I'll bring the bead necklaces...'
He was right. This lunch was getting better and better. Audra face brightened with a devilish grin. "I always thought you were supposed to earn your beads."
(Joe?)
Just then the waitress walked up. She had big, artficially pale blond hair that seemed to defy gravity. She was also chewing gum and, for some reason, the eraser on an old fashioned pencil. "Were you kids all set to order?"
(Joe?)
AJ
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