Part 34 - Working
January 31st 2009 02:43
Hu enjoyed her work at the pub. She learnt a lot about local culture and was amazed to see how the customs and customers changed over the years. Back on DisQuientia things changed slowly. Fashions lasted for millennia and it took a long time for new trends to take off. Here on this strange planet she assumed the speed of living was due to the seemingly short local lifespan. At home life was long, as was mourning, but the people here dropped dead all over the place. Few noticed and even less seemed to care.
After only a three months at the pub Hu found she needed to update her wardrobe. Her colourful one-piece jumpsuits had sparked a small trend of their own at first but she soon noticed the women at the Ladies Bar had moved on and were sporting new hairstyles, make-up and costumes.
Hu also noticed the men - the rough, dominant, hairy and sexy. Her feelings for Ru hadn't changed, she still loved him more than anyone in the universe, but on more than one occasion she found herself wishing he had some hair on his chest and gravel in his voice.
Suzette came to her one day and said, "Hu darling, it's time we went shopping. You need a new look." Hu was petrified at the thought of shopping but Suzette was her boss and it scared her even more to say no. The following Saturday Suzette rostered them on to the evening shift. In the morning she took Hu to Grace Brothers on Broadway for a shopping spree.
Hu had never seen anything like a department store before. At home all shopping was done by viewing catalogues on a computer. Anything you liked you selected and had reproduced on a 3D printer - clothes, food, houses. Manufacturing was never heard of on DisQuientia.
The dresses were her favourite, she'd never worn one before and discovered she loved the feel of the hem dancing around her knees as she walked; a tickle in every step. She was tempted by a mini-skirt that flirtingly dared to reveal that special place only Ru was allowed to know aboutt That was too much of a change for her in just one day.
New make-up was a bit of an issue though, but she found she could put the latest styles on over the top of her tattooed-on face. She had to apply it a little heavy but Suzette assured her that from a few feet away no-one would notice. She replaced her stiletto boots with platforms, a tiny shoulder bag removed the need for pockets and a multitude of wigs helped cover her poor hair-styling ability.
Hu and Suzette giggled their way through sampling every item of clothing that time would allow. Before long their arms heaved with purchases and they were back on the bus as it bounced up Parramatta road to the pub.
"I've had a wonderful time today," Hu gushed.
"I'm glad," Suzette smiled. "It seems all you do is work and go home. It was good to see you having fun. I think that husband of yours doesn’t appreciate you. Why doesn't he take you out from time to time? You never have a holiday or see a show."
"We enjoy each other's company. We don’t need to go out."
"And what does he do with his time when you're at work. Does he have a job?"
Hu had expected there would be questions like this and was well prepared with plausible lies. "He’s a scientist. He works from home."
"Really?" Suzette's eyes lit up at the thought, "Does he work on secret projects for the government?"
"No, it's private research. He’s trying to unlock the secrets of the universe."
"Sounds important."
"It is."
The bus arrived at their stop. They grabbed their bags and made their way.
Back at the pub they were changing into their new outfits before their shift when Suzette cornered Hu and kissed her passionately on the lips.
Hu was startled and tried not to kiss her back. She pushed Suzette away and covered her mouth with her hand.
Suzette stared intently at the floor. "I'm sorry," she said. "I couldn't help myself. I think I love you."
After only a three months at the pub Hu found she needed to update her wardrobe. Her colourful one-piece jumpsuits had sparked a small trend of their own at first but she soon noticed the women at the Ladies Bar had moved on and were sporting new hairstyles, make-up and costumes.
Hu also noticed the men - the rough, dominant, hairy and sexy. Her feelings for Ru hadn't changed, she still loved him more than anyone in the universe, but on more than one occasion she found herself wishing he had some hair on his chest and gravel in his voice.
Suzette came to her one day and said, "Hu darling, it's time we went shopping. You need a new look." Hu was petrified at the thought of shopping but Suzette was her boss and it scared her even more to say no. The following Saturday Suzette rostered them on to the evening shift. In the morning she took Hu to Grace Brothers on Broadway for a shopping spree.
Hu had never seen anything like a department store before. At home all shopping was done by viewing catalogues on a computer. Anything you liked you selected and had reproduced on a 3D printer - clothes, food, houses. Manufacturing was never heard of on DisQuientia.
The dresses were her favourite, she'd never worn one before and discovered she loved the feel of the hem dancing around her knees as she walked; a tickle in every step. She was tempted by a mini-skirt that flirtingly dared to reveal that special place only Ru was allowed to know aboutt That was too much of a change for her in just one day.
New make-up was a bit of an issue though, but she found she could put the latest styles on over the top of her tattooed-on face. She had to apply it a little heavy but Suzette assured her that from a few feet away no-one would notice. She replaced her stiletto boots with platforms, a tiny shoulder bag removed the need for pockets and a multitude of wigs helped cover her poor hair-styling ability.
Hu and Suzette giggled their way through sampling every item of clothing that time would allow. Before long their arms heaved with purchases and they were back on the bus as it bounced up Parramatta road to the pub.
"I've had a wonderful time today," Hu gushed.
"I'm glad," Suzette smiled. "It seems all you do is work and go home. It was good to see you having fun. I think that husband of yours doesn’t appreciate you. Why doesn't he take you out from time to time? You never have a holiday or see a show."
"We enjoy each other's company. We don’t need to go out."
"And what does he do with his time when you're at work. Does he have a job?"
Hu had expected there would be questions like this and was well prepared with plausible lies. "He’s a scientist. He works from home."
"Really?" Suzette's eyes lit up at the thought, "Does he work on secret projects for the government?"
"No, it's private research. He’s trying to unlock the secrets of the universe."
"Sounds important."
"It is."
The bus arrived at their stop. They grabbed their bags and made their way.
Back at the pub they were changing into their new outfits before their shift when Suzette cornered Hu and kissed her passionately on the lips.
Hu was startled and tried not to kiss her back. She pushed Suzette away and covered her mouth with her hand.
Suzette stared intently at the floor. "I'm sorry," she said. "I couldn't help myself. I think I love you."
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