Time to play (Prelude).

“We're going to be late.”

“No we're not.”

“It's your fault.”

“How?”

“You were quite . . . exuberant this morning.”

“Most men wouldn't complain that their wife got on her knees suck their cock off.”

“Not complaining about the act, just the late timing. Besides, language. That's one, only two left.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“No, that doesn't count, we're talking about our sex life in private, so that isn't swearing.”

“Hmpt . . . Fine . . . Do you think the Westside Garage would be better or the Garner St. one?”

“Garner.”

“Okay.”

“I got a text from Harley this morning. She is very excited you're going dancing with us, tonight.”

David pulls the car into the Garner St. Garage and parks. Looking over at his wife he smiles, “We'll see. Ten hours in a convention hall surrounded by every nerd and geek in Metropolis might prove a bit taxing for you.”

“Oh sweetie.” Selina leans over towards her husband. “With this much as stake, you haven't got a prayer of winning this one. Besides, living with you has trained me for this day.”

“Funny.” David gives his wife a kiss and gets out of the car.

The couple makes their way to the LexCorp Convention Center. It's a little before 8:30 AM and the Metropolis FantasyCon will start at 9:00 AM. Finding Héctor Rodríguez's table Selina is less then thrilled to see that Japanese “kid” Hiro Okamura is also there.

“Hello, Héctor, Hiro, good to see you both.” David greets the two men.

“Hey, man.” Hector slaps his friend's hand with a strong handshake. “Thanks again to you and Selina.” The thirty-seven old technician from the Coronary Care Unit looks over at the shapely Gothamite, “Hey Chiquita, looking good as always.”

“You too.” Selina smiles at her favorite of her husband's friends.

“You guys know, Hiro?” Hector motions to the nerdy little Japanese eighteen year old. “First class Subtlety Rogue and the best programmer I have ever met.”

“Yes, we met Mr. Okamura, at the reception last month. Good to see you again, Hiro.”

Hiro gives David a respectful bow. “Héctor has talked much about you, Dr. Anderson, today is going to be be blast.” Turning to Selina he bows with a grin. “Hello, Mrs. Anderson.”

“Yeah.” Selina's curt response gets a quick glare from her husband.

“So Chiquita,” Hector looks at Selina, “I heard about your little wager.”

“Oh, really?” Selina smiles as her husband goes a bit red. “I find that a bit interesting.”

“Yeah, he told me last night on the phone. He wants me to keep tabs on you.” Hector explains. “Something about if you swear three times you have to go paddle boarding with him, but if you don't he has to take you dancing.”

“Yes, paddle boarding.” Selina looks at her husband greatly amused that she caught him in a white lie and now can't wait to use that against him once they're in private.

“I'll make you a deal, Chiquita, if you promise to get a few vids of El Pan Blanco trying to dance I'll only hear sweetness and honey coming from your lips today.”

“Wow,” David laughs, “four years of friendship, gone like that.”

“I always respect the ladies.” Hector ribs his friend. “Besides, she is a lot easier on the eyes than you.”

“Hmpt.” David jokingly complains, “Between your silver tongue Héctor, and Selina's looks, you'll have the whole convention on your side.”

“I could help you, Dr. Anderson.” Hiro interjects.

Everyone turns a bit surprised to the hospital intern.

The teenager unhitches a solid black necklace from his neck. “I could program my homemade wireless device here to recognize your wife's voice and if it detects her saying anything naughty it would ring your phone.”

“I don't think that would be necessary.” David immediately protects his wife. “But thank you for the offer.”

“But, Dr. Anderson.” To the amazement of everyone, Hiro continues. “This device would guarantee the game is played fair. And if I might be so bold, your beautiful wife looks very, how do you say it in English, crafty.”

“I trust my wife.” David replies in a firm, somewhat displeased voice.

Selina groans inside herself. She could just hit her husband for being always so fucking noble. Of course David knows she cheats all the time at these games, and at almost everything else in life, save their marriage. If roles were reversed Selina would have said the same thing, but has a means of subtly manipulating and shaming her mark into doing what she wants. But as she looks at her husband she can see in his face there is not even a hit of trying to manipulate her, his words come from the simple love of a good man that respects and cherishes his wife.

“Fine. I'll wear the stupid collar.” Selina blurts out as she slaps David's shoulder with the back of her hand in frustration.

“What was that for?!” Her husband looks completely confused at his trouble-making wife.

“Nothing.” Selina grumbles, frustrated that he has no clue that his simple decency is such an effective lever against her. Grabbing the collar she fastens it around her neck with a loud “clicking” sound signaling that it's locked in place.

Héctor gives an amused laugh, while Hiro's smile is most disturbing.

The geeky Japanese teenager asks for her husband's phone and after a few minutes of his lighting quick fingers adjusting the settings he gives it back to the good doctor.

“Now, Mrs. Anderson, please say a few words so the collar will get your voice print, and a swear would help to test the system.”

“You cock-sucking, mother-fucking, dickless, shit-eater.” Selina glares at the little man.

Héctor chuckles, as David turns away shaking his head in disbelief, though his phone, and Hiro's, does beep four times.

Hiro looks only at Selina. “You are a very lucky woman having such a protective husband, Mrs. Anderson.”

As if on cue David's loud old fashion ring tone goes off. Looking at his phone he drops his shoulders. “I can't believe it. Hector, it's the hospital, I have to run.”

“The Summerton girl?” David friend's voice gets serious.

“Probably. I'm sorry.”

“Go man, we will be fine. Saint Cosmas and Damian be with you.” Héctor slaps his friend on the back.

David gives his wife a quick kiss. “Sorry, dear, I'll call when I can.”

“Be safe.” Selina returns the kiss and watches her husband make speed out of the convention center.

“What a dork.” The emerald eyes thief sighs in affection and concern.

“Well, it is just us three now.” Hiro states. “Still we will have a lot fun.”

“That is some crazy tech.” Héctor ponders. “Did you make it yourself?”

“No, the technician from neurosurgery, Jervis Tetch, helped me with it.” Hiro smiles and turns to Selina, “It is now 8:30 AM, and the convention opens at 9:00 AM and the booths close at 7:00 PM, that gives you 630 minutes to keep your tongue clean, Mrs. Anderson. I'm very curious to see if you can hold out for that long." A very confident grin then runs across his face. "I doubt it.