tragic_mask | (no subject)

They are outside the Blue Owl Bar. It's mid-morning, so there are cars rushing [so to speak] by, and people walking, biking, or rollerblading down the sidewalk nearby.

"Well, here we are," she says brightly, ponytail ruffled by a light breeze.

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From:

mechanicalswans

"Then toss it over, as far as you can," he says, motioning over the railing. "Why let fountains have all the fun?"

From:

tragic_mask

"True. I'm sure mountains are just as fond of money," she says, and throws the nickel.

From:

mechanicalswans

"More so," he says with a smile. "They take the money and hide it... and, if you're both brave and lucky, you may find treasure someday. But only if you give a little, now and then. They know who their friends are."

From:

tragic_mask

"I'm sure you have connections," she says, nudging and winking ridiculously. "You seem like a mountain kinda guy."

From:

mechanicalswans

"Boy Scouts," he says solemnly. "It's all part of the secret lore they only teach you after you get your hundredth merit badge. I've got all of them."

From:

tragic_mask

"So it does pay off."

From:

mechanicalswans

"Naturally," he says. "Remind me to show you later how I earned some of the more advanced badges. You'd be surprised, the things they teach you."

From:

tragic_mask

She raises a brow. "I'm sure I will be."

From:

mechanicalswans

"I can catch and prepare dinner, cook it over a fire that I built myself, and then entertain you with songs and stories and astronomy," he says with a grin. "And then... the advanced badges."

From:

tragic_mask

The brow definitely stays up. "I see."

From:

mechanicalswans

"I was very advanced for my age, like I said. An overachiever. I do very good massages, for one thing."

From:

tragic_mask

"And you got a badge for that?" she asks, amused. "The Boy Scouts have clearly decided to branch out."

From:

mechanicalswans

"It's all part of their mission to turn out the next generation of rugged heterosexuals," he says. "Same as it's always been. Just think, by not being in the Girl Scouts you've missed out on the corresponding training for girls. And all those cookies."

From:

tragic_mask

"I think I managed," she says. "Though you're right about the cookies."

From:

mechanicalswans

"My cousin sold them, and we always bought at least half a dozen boxes," he says. "I remember getting up early on Saturday mornings and sneaking a cookie or two. Never more than two, and only if the box had already been opened. My mother was strict about snacks."

From:

tragic_mask

"Actually..." she says slowly, "I've never had a Girl Scout cookie in my life."

From:

mechanicalswans

"Never?" he asks, brow raised in surprise. "Not even the mint ones, or the coconut ones, or the shortbread ones? Those were always my favorite. My cousin has been out of scouting for years, but I'm sure we can find some girls selling cookies, when it's the season for it..."

From:

tragic_mask

"Never," she says. "Girl scouts don't like climbing three flights of stairs to get to their customers, apparently."

From:

mechanicalswans

"You need a connection, then," he says, "a dealer. Or you need to seek them out. But it's worth it, even if they are expensive for what you get."

From:

tragic_mask

"There's dealers for this stuff? Hanging Girl Scout vests on telephone poles on a specific corner, that kind of thing?"

From:

mechanicalswans

"They get a certain look to them," he confides. "They're easy to spot, if you know what to look for--a glazed contentment from sampling their wares, a strange determination to sell as many boxes as they can. And the parents are worse."

From:

tragic_mask

"Oh, dear," she says. "Sounds like a dangerous road to travel."

From:

mechanicalswans

"We used to sell popcorn, but we were never so... forceful," he says. "Still, if I ever have a daughter, she'll be joining the scouts, just so I can get cookies."