1090-176 -- 1104-310 -- 1104-340 -- 1104-341 -- 1104-342
The Meeting of James Crockett, Amanda Parsons and Mikhel Dromah
Gazulin/Gazulin: Alternate Home Port for 202nd Fleet, 6854th Imperial Marine Regiment Field Training Area on-world.
While Marine Academy Cadet Crockett was on Work Experience between semesters, he and his BFF, Amanda Parsons, were sent to the Naval Base - Gazulin/Gazulin. There, while out on the town, Crockett's BFF was hit on by a scruffy low-life. It turned out that the shabby individual was Combat Medic Mikhel Dromah, and they were actually going to be touring the Medical Facility the following day, where Dromah worked. They partied, and checked out the lower, seedier side of Gazulin Downport. This extended into a few weeks of fun, until the Academy called the Cadets back for their next semester. (Streetwise-1 @)
They hadn't been in the drinking establishment longer than it took to walk to the bar, when the commotion began.
Marine Academy Cadet James Crockett watched as some scruffy guy was moving around pushing people clear of a strip of floor, preventing them from walking on that part. The little guy was quick, and very in-the-face of anyone trying to use that part of the floor, he even beseeched the bouncer staff to help him as they came to sort out the disturbance. One of the bigger, meaner looking bouncers started giving directions to other patrons to clear the area, and made them avoid the strip of floor the little guy was fussing about. Marine Acadamy Cadet Amanda Parsons, Crockett's partner, was busy trying to get the bartender's attention so they could order some drinks. She didn't notice what was happening in the middle of the bar floor.
Once the strip was clear, the little guy went to the door of the bar, where the first part of the strip began, and got down on his knees beside it. He then bowed down, face to the floor, and mumbled something. He rose up onto his knees, and shuffled a few feet from the door, along the strip. and bowed face to the floor, again.
One of the bouncers started laughing. Another, obviously puzzled, bouncer came up to the first, laughing bouncer and whispered in his ear. The laughing bouncer pointed along the strip, from the door to the bar, and at the guy. The laughing bouncer gave the now surprised bouncer a five credit note. The second bouncer started laughing, too, and pulled out a second fiver.
Crockett nudged his lovely buddy, and said, "You have a situation developing that will need your attention, shortly." As Amanda turned to Crockett, he pointed his chin to the strip and the kneeling figure mumbling on the floor.
At that moment, another bouncer stepped up to the other side of Amanda, and said, "Ma'am, this is your call. We'll back you on this. We could just toss the guy out right now, if you like?" The strip of floor that had been cleared, was from the door of the establishment, to the bar where Amanda was sitting. And the little guy was working his way, bow by bow, toward her.
"Do you want to throw him out?" Amanda asked.
The bouncer replied, adamantly, "Absolutely not! I have money on this." He looked at Amanda all seriously, "Mikhel is a regular here, and I've never seen him do anything like this. He's usually really quiet, and not a bother to anyone. Pretty weird. It is still your call, though."
"It might be a bad idea, and I'll probably regret it, but I'm ever so slightly intrigued. What's the bet?"
"Can't say. For a few reasons. It might influence the outcome."
By this time, the little guy had reached the end of the strip, and was bowing in Amanda's direction. He was nearly in tears, as he exclaimed that the stool was so fortunate, so blessed. The stool got more bows. And Amanda finally addressed the supplicating figure, "Just what do you think you are doing?"
The answer came from the figure, who still had his face to the floor, "I am completely unworthy. My worthless self is not fit to even hear your glorious words. Oh, radiant goddess, my totally worthless self deigns to pay homage to the ground blessed to carry you forth among the unworthy. Low I be, but all honour and respect should be paid to anything that supports your grace and loveliness. The dirt beneath your feet basks in praise of your passing."
Crockett laughs. "Darling, he is worshipping the ground you walk on. For real! Stars, if this isn't a come-on, he's a gonner." Crockett gives Amanda an appraising glance, "Although, I can't say I blame him."
Exasperated, Amanda turns to the prostrate individual on the floor and says, "Stop that and get on your feet. Dare I ask you what you want, now that you've disrupted the whole establishment?"
Mikhel stands, with head bowed, and replies quietly, "Anything you wish, Goddess. I will move the planets and stars, if that is your desire. Your slightest wish will be my life's work."
The bouncer beside Amanda said, "Oh, stars! He's done. Lady, we may have to throw YOU out. You could so hurt this guy. If you aren't interested, just tell him to go away, and we'll escort him out. If you're willing to be nice, and not abuse him, that's OK, too. But, he's so far gone, you could be really cruel, and he'd take it. And we'd come for you."
Amanda replied, "I'm not that type. I'll be as nice as I can. Crockett can be my conscience."
It was actually the start of a great evening of camaraderie, once the introductions were done, and all the principle individuals discovered they were all fellow Marines.
And things progressed from there, as they had mutual interests in entertainment, besides being in the same career paths.
