Better get a lawyer son (Jerod's Second Tale - Part 5)

Music track for this episode

I know that Brains and Brawn still aren't getting along. You don't have to be even close to hear them shouting.

She keeps using him as a verbal punching bag. I'm a bit surprised that he hasn't made her into a physical one, yet. That gives him points for professional discipline.

As for me, I'm visiting the Hawas family. Nepthy is someone I know with a teenage daughter.

"Nepthy, might I borrow your lovely girl for a few hours?"



"Borrow? What do you mean?"

Ah, the locals speak Simlish so well, I forget that there may be some phrases they don't understand. "I mean I have a small job I'd like your daughter to help with."

"A job?"

"I need a teenager to help test someone."

"If Meret agrees to help you, I see no reason to refuse."

"Good day, Meret. I was wondering if you'd like to do me a favour and earn a little money?"

"What would this favour be?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just bat those pretty eyes of yours at someone in base camp."

"Is he big, strong, handsome?"

"He's certainly big and strong. You'll have to decide about the handsome when you see him."

"What exactly am I to do?"

"Pour out a few drinks. When he's had one or two, just flirt with him."

"Why?"

"We are looking for how suitable he is for a job coaching a high school team. If he responds to flirting by someone your age, he's not going to be suitable for the job."

"How will I recognise him?"

"Big guy, wears a lot of black." I pulled out one of my photos from the other day.  I showed her the picture. "This is him."

"Oh, he is handsome."

"Remember, you just flirt with him once. Let him take care of the rest. There will be people close if he tries anything at all."

While Meret went over to base camp, I took the precaution of getting Sophie out of the way.

"Miss Pesce?"

"We will offer you a thousand simoleons for a good photograph of a treasure chest."

"I understand that there should be some chests under the local graveyard. You should check it out soon."

She took the bait and left immediately.

Meret decided to accept my little proposal. She went straight to it when she arrived at camp.

First she mixed and poured some drinks.

Kane grabbed one so fast you would have thought he had been the one left in a tomb with no supplies.

Meret waited until Kane had downed one drink. Even a big guy should drink a bit slower then he did.

Of course, he doesn't know that Meret is using 110 proof alcohol as the base. I've decided a bit of extra proof when traveling might come in handy. It won't take long for that to kick him in the head.

"Well hello, big, strong and handsome."

"Well, darling, aren't you the cute one?"

"Why thank you, kind sir."

"Call me Travis. And you are Adorable, right?"

"No, I am Meret. I haven't met anyone named Adorable."

"I meant, oh just forget it. I was pretty bored with this place, it looks much more exciting with you, Meret."

"Exciting?"

"Well, a beautiful native to show me the sights, take me on tour, so to speak."

"Travis, there are many groups that tour the local sights."

"I didn't mean the tourist tours, Meret. I meant the special ones for couples."

"I don't think I understand."

"Oh, I'm sure you do." He lunged at her and pulled her into a hug.

"Let go of me!"

"What the hell are you talking about? We're just getting acquainted."

"Get your hands off."

"Look, it was only a hug. What's the deal?"

"I said NO!"

"You minx, you know you want to."

"Would some one help me?"

Amin was there and a witness to Meret's distress. "My child, what's wrong?"

"That man, that Travis. He's trying to force himself on me."

"Don't fret, Meret. Nothing will happen, I'll make sure of that."

Amin turned to Kane. "And what do you mean, forcing yourself on a 15 year old?"

"Oh shit. Fifteen? She looks much older."

"That is not an excuse. She is underage and she clearly told you no."

"God damn it, this isn't my doing. She started it."

"She is legally underage. You should have known."

"But I..."

"I'm afraid you will have to tell  the judge when he arrives."

"When?"

"We are a small community. One judge travels around to many such places. I believe he is due in three or four weeks. In the meantime, you will accompany me to the jail?"

"If I refuse?"

"You have no options. The airport won't let you fly out. The scooters you can borrow won't get you to another town. You could try hiding but the ancients have left many traps. Jail is much safer and more comfortable than a pyramid."

Kane continued to grumble, but he went quietly enough.

Excellent. That's one gone.

The local jail should prove to be quite the education for Kane. His people will probably eventually be able to get him out. Some well placed bribes should do the trick. When they find out where he is.

Now to turn my attention to the Pesce woman.