Making Connections at the Game

(John's PoV)

Rita and I stand up to meet this mystery person. This is our first time being introduced together. With our difference in height my hand sits at the perfect angle to rest inside the curve of Rita's hourglass waist. Without heels, it would be the top half of the curve, in heels, my hand sits on the flare of her hip, above the curve of her thickening booty.

Yes, I am focusing on the cutie beside me to distract from not belonging around all this wealth.

The short walk leads to the interior couches, they are arrayed in small conversation circles. The low buzz of people talking forms a natural white noise. The different conversations mix like waves on a pond, making it hard to eavesdrop on a conversation happening the next couch over.

This feels like The Room Where it Happens.

I’ve never been in The Room Where it Happens.

Sitting on the couch in front of me is someone who has definitely been in the Room Where it Happens. I recognize the serious-looking brunette from her board picture. A mature woman with a predatory gleam in her eye. I feel like I've been led to a trap.

“Ms. Julissa Sterling, I present Mr. John Moore and Ms. Rita Torres. I brought him as you asked, can I go now?” Cotton's oddly formal introduction was coupled with a pout. I debate if I should tease her in present company.

“A pleasure to meet you, John. please have a seat. Thanks, Cotton, you can go.” Ms. Sterling dismisses her with a wave which turns into a gesture for us to sit. Rita sits up straight and keeps a hold of my hand. “Please, call me Julie. Once Cotton told me who she arrived with, I had to meet the boy Professor Summers has been talking about.”

“Professor Edith Summers?” I didn't expect that connection. “She mentioned me?”

Julie laughs, a perfectly calibrated volley of laughter, targeted at easing the tension. I am reminded that I’m speaking to someone who makes multi-million dollar deals to put people like Arthur Newman’s names on buildings and finance minor programs like the University Library.

“Yes, Professor Edith Summers.” She mirrored my intonation as the amusement reached her eyes. I relax a bit, she's teasing me. Why do I feel like her tease is more like bait? “We share a ... soft spot ... for young writers. Especially young men who are persistent enough to get past their fourth draft. She has been a trustworthy source of recommendations for many years. I enjoyed your novel. A solid first effort, tropey, but solid.”

“You wrote a book? That’s amazing!” Rita gushes at my side. I'm more shocked that bigshot money lady, Julissa Stirling, read my book. My awkward, coming of age, first attempt at a book. Bigshot money lady, Julissa Stirling, did not just read my book, she enjoyed my book. Bigshot money lady, Julissa Stirling, enjoyed my book to the point where she wanted to meet me. My heart isn't ready.

“I only got accepted for publishing a week ago. How did you already read it?”

"You wrote a book! That's so cool!" Rita repeated excitedly to herself. I allow my self a small smile. I should be proud.

My pride is met with the smile of a dragon showing off her hoard, Julie is all teeth. “I have a stake in the Professor’s favorite publisher. I always read her suggestions.”

"Sounds like you have a lot of respect for her." That's why Edith gave me that email.

Julie paused before replying, her dragon smile faded, replaced by a look of fondness. "I do."

"So does that mean you two went to the same school?" Rita asked from beside me.

I shake my head, there's no way Julissa Sterling did her undergrad at a backwater state school.

"I don't know. John, did you go to XXXX State?" The teasing tone is back in her voice.

"Class of 20XX." I reply incredulously. Did Julissa Sterling do her undergrad at a backwater state school?

"Class of 19XX." Julie responds with a smile. "I did my undergrad there. We have something in common." Julissa Sterling did her undergrad at a backwater state school! This isn't on her board profile! Did she grow up around Beaumont? I have so many questions.

Before I can ask, I feel a shift in her vibe, like she let her hair down. Her posture shifted from serious big-money-lady to successful auntie. It makes me reappraise the person in front of me. This time I look at Julie as a woman. Julie sat with a relaxed, confident posture, her wide-leg pants crossed and red-bottom heel casually bouncing in the air. Her silk top accentuated her modest chest without drawing too much attention. She worked in the school colors as her accent colors, a subtle touch.

"Sic Parvis Magna." I raise my glass. It seems like something she'd appreciate.

"Greatness from small beginnings." Julie raises an eyebrow along with her glass.

"Greatness from small beginnings!" Rita follows with more enthusiasm. Our glasses meet in time for the cheers from outside. I guess the sports started balling. Or something.

"I'll be watching you, John Newman. Let me know if there's anything I can do to assist you. I now consider you one of my own. You'll find I take good care of my own." The dragon was a back in her voice. Back, but shifted, she's accepting me in to her tribe.

Definitely getting Maria vibes, and this night is already full. Time to exit.

"John? I'd like some more sushi." Rita gives me an excuse to leave.

"It's been a pleasure, Julie." Rita and I stand for a handshake and Julie stands as well, surprising us both by going in for a hug. She hugs Rita first and then me, her hands lingered a bit on my back muscles before separated from with with an approving hum.

"A pleasure John, Rita. Enjoy the game." She's not talking about football.

We separate and head to order sushi. Our seat is still available, so we sit back in our own little world of the couch.

Neither is that interested in the football game, instead we take turns feeding each other and talking about various book podcasts we've been listening to. Rita fills me in on her internship applications before excitedly telling me about her job at The Muse & The Loom. I'm content to bask in her positive energy until I hear a voice that grates my nerves.

It's Brad. I can't make out what he's saying, but I'd recognize his cocky drawl anywhere. I'm sure he can't see me from this angle. I refuse to hide after spending so much on this Club for the season. I don't have to deal with him right now, but I'm not going to cower away from him.

I don't have long to be annoyed with Brad for existing. Our quiet cocoon is interrupted by a blonde bundle of energy.

"Whoooo!" Cotton jumps up to cheer for some event, grabbing Rita's hands. Rita's energy soon matches Cotton's both of them get absorbed into the game. Cheering for the high points and booing the low points. In the quiet room of established money, the young women's excitement really stood out.

Then, an idea hits me. What if I make use of one of these big shots as a target? I could use them to ensure my future at this prestigious institution. I can’t rush this, I need to carefully decide which one. Instead of worrying about how to fit in with this existing environment. I need to use my Quest Master power to reshape the environment for me and mine.

That means I’ll have to schmooze a bit over the next couple of games to decide who to use. I’m in no rush to use my last slot and could really use a couple of slow weeks after the whirlwind my life has been.

The energy in the room slowly grew to match the excitement in front of me. I enjoy my front row seat of the girls bouncing bottoms.

Go team!

Attracted by the energy, Jessica joins Rita and Cotton and adds to the view. Attracted by the girls, Brad joins me on the couch and ruins the mood.

“John… What the hell are you doing here?” Is he doing this? He's really doing this? After facing Julie the Dragon, he thinks I care about him? He jumped his name to the top of my list for targets. He only stayed there until I thought about how little benefit I could get from him. That dropped him to the bottom of the list. I'm better than petty ****.

I don't need to spend words on this guy.

"Did your little girlfriend invite you along?" Brad needles again.

I see no need to clarify, so I just grunt. That makes Brad laugh and lean back, spreading his leg against mine. Trying to take up all the space. I don't move.

"This is why you're a loser, John. I bought my season tickets with profits from my business."

"The axe-bar's profitable, eh?" I get an idea, maybe I'm not above petty ****. "Maybe I should swing by with my girl."

"You should." He stood up. I guess he got what he needed from this conversation. "Come on, Jess. This game is a blow out."

Jessica kept cheering along with the other girls. I don't think she heard him.

"Jessica!" He raised his voice, three heads turned. "Let's go!"

"We're having fun! Let her stay." Cotton spoke up first. Rita hugged Jessica from the side.

"Babe, do you mind if I stay with the girls?"

"Rita'll make sure she gets home, right?" Cotton offers. Rita nods her agreement.

"Not this time. We have plans." Brad reached out his hand. Jessica put her head down and took his hand.

"I should go." She starts to walk away. Rita holds on to her.

"John, can you take a picture of us?" Rita asks. "I-is that okay?"

Brad rolls his eyes. "Fine. Make it quick."

I pull out my phone and snap a couple of pictures. The girls pose Rita anchors the frame, pulling the other girls close. For being so short, she knows how to work the camera. I show the girls the pictures and send Rita her favorites.

"Bye Rita, bye Cotton, bye John." Jessica says her goodbyes as she is taken away.

"Bye Jess." The girls say at the same time. Brad and Jessica walk away and take Brad's grey cloud with them.

I hate to admit it, but he was right. The game was over. We won in a blow out. That didn't stop Rita and Cotton's energy from recovering and them cheering the rest of the game.

After the game we head back down the elevator. I'm focused on Rita so I let Cotton push the destination floor.

"Don't you wonder how I meet Julie?" Cotton offers, a little more timidly than usual.

Rita takes the bait. "How did you met Julie?"

"I told her I liked her shirt while we were drinking morning coffee." She's oddly dodgy about her reply. The door opens to the garage. I'm a bit confused, we came in the ground floor entrance. "I'll leave you two, my ride here."

"Is that it? Drinking coffee?" Rita asked. It was a lame story. Cotton steps out of the elevator.

She answers the question without looking back. "It was my shirt, in daddy's kitchen. She wasn't wearing anything else." The door closes leaving Rita and I stunned.

Well played, Arthur Newman. Well played.

Author’s Note: I’m retconning Edith Summers’ age. Fifty-five years old is Marisa Tomei in Spiderman, tell me she looks like an old lady. Edith's description fits someone closer to late sixties and retired. She's able to be