In Shadow - Ch 11 - What Would Mariah Do?

Crap, Genie thought. Crap, crap, crap.

Her rush of temper had carried her out her mother's office and back into the Old City. Now, wandering the cobblestone streets, her anger faded, leaving a vague uncertainty in its place. 

It had been stupid to think her mom would help. All she'd ever wanted from Genie was for her eldest daughter to be quiet ("this is a very important meeting, Genevieve"), be polite ("he is a very important donor, Genevieve"), be pretty ("you have to do something about your hair, Genevieve") and sit still for the cameras ("this is for your father's campaign, Genevieve").

Alright, Genie thought, fine. Now what do I do? What would Mariah do? 

She'd take charge and kick ass. I can do that.

First step...

"Be it ever so humble," Genie muttered. It was an old joke, and not a very good one.

Riding the ferry across the bay to the Crumbling Isle (a misnamed place, she thought, home to the estates of Windenburg's wealthy and powerful), she realized that she'd been avoiding going back.

Looking at the old mansion, she remembered the fateful evening a year ago when she'd brought Mariah and Aadi here. It had been a simple plan - get grand-père's files, lock up Nick Alto and free Mariah from her ties to the gangsters. That should have been the end of things.

Well, if at first you don't succeed... 

"Good afternoon, Ms. Geneiveve," Stephens greeted her.

The family butler, Stephens had been a fixture of the house for as long as Genie could remember. Trained in the old traditions of service, he cooked, cleaned, greeted guests, managed the house and oversaw the staff of maids and gardeners who came in daily. Tireless, unflappable and always stiffly formal, Genie's sister, Blair (or had it been Debra?), had, more than once, suggested he was actually a robot.

"We were not expecting you," Stephens continued.

"No, sorry," Genie said, putting on a courteous smile. "Kind of a spur of the moment thing. Are my sisters here?"

"I believe Ms. Debra and Ms. Blair are in the media room," Stephens replied. "Ms. Kassidy is in the dining room."

"Have you seen or heard anything from my Uncle Max?" Genie said. 

"I have not," Stephens replied, his disdain for Max Villareal evident even though his formal tones. 

Genie found herself suddenly wondering why. Surely Stephens knew about her parents' unsavory ties. Was it just that Uncle Max didn't put on a polite and proper front? Did it matter?

"Because you can't let him in," Genie went on, trying to make her voice firm and commanding but pretty sure she just sounded a little panicky. "You can't let him anywhere near the twins or Kassidy. He... I mean, it isn't... they're not safe."

"Calm yourself, Ms. Geneiveve," Stephens said firmly. "Your mother has given standing instructions that Mr. Maximilien is no longer welcome in this house."

"Further, I can personally assure you no harm will come to any of the young ladies of this family as long as I draw breath," Stephens went on, then added with a sardonic look: "Provided, of course, that your friend Ms. Huntley does not see fit to incapacitate me again."

"Yeah... I'm sorry about that," Genie sighed, remembering Mariah knocking out Stephens with an Agency stunner that night. Thinking about it, she really wished she had one of those stunners now... not that she wanted to knock Stephens out, but she felt it would come in handy eventually. 

"Shall I set a place at table for you this evening Ms. Geneiveve?" Stephens asked, seeming to once again set the entire incident aside as an unfortunate case of bad manners. "Your father is away, but we are expecting your mother for dinner this evening."

"No, I don't plan on staying," Genie said, welcoming the social shelter of the butler's formality. "I just need to talk to my sisters. Thank you, Stephens."

"Of course," Stephens nodded. "I am, as always, at your service."

----------------

She found the twins in the media room, just like Stephens had said.

"I need to talk to you two about something important," Genie said. "You remember what mom told us about Uncle Max. Well, he came to see me. Wanted me to tell him where my friend Mariah is..."

"Is she really a gangster?" Debra asked.

"I heard she was working for the Agency," Blair put in. "Did she and Miranda really get married, or is that just like a cover?"

"What? No," Genie stammered. "Of course they got married."

"Because I heard Miranda works for the Agency," Blair continued.

"No, she doesn't," Debra said. "Her mom works for the Agency."

"Cassie can't work for the Agency, dumb-ass," Blair argued. "She's a big-time star... and she's a witch."

"You're the dumb-ass and she's not really a witch," Debra scoffed. "Witches aren't real."

"Girls!" Genie burst out. "I need you to listen! Uncle Max threatened me! He threatened you. I need you both to stay safe."

"Don't go anywhere with strangers. Avoid high risk areas and activities," Debra recited.

"Communicate plans. Maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times," Blair rolled her eyes. "Really, Genie, mom has us go through Kidnap and Ransom training, same as you."

"Well, remember it," Genie said. "Especially when you go away to college this fall."

"Yes, mom," the twins said together. 

"Low blow," Genie muttered.

----------------

Warning her youngest sister, Kassidy, was kind of easier. Except...

"We wouldn't even have gangsters like Uncle Max without the aristos and the super-rich creating a hierarchical system that oppresses the working classes," Kassidy said passionately.

"Kassidy, we are the super-rich," Genie pointed out.

"Well, you're not! You walked away from the corrupting influence of our family's money," Kassidy said proudly. "That's so freeing and empowering!"

"It's not as much fun as you think," Genie chuckled.

"I'm going to live on a commune," Kassidy said brightly.

----------------

Second step...

She needed information. She needed grand-père's files, hidden in the secret rooms behind the wine cellar. That meant getting past Stephens, which called for subtlety and discretion.

"I was just hoping to sneak a bottle of '71 Rossi," Genie lied. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"A fine vintage," Stephens said. "I believe we have several left. Though I am convinced the workmen absconded with a few bottles. By chance rather than design, I suspect. One would hardly expect connoisseurs among locksmiths... though I suppose it is possible."

"Umm... locksmiths?" Genie said, trying not to sound too interested.

"Yes, your mother had them in after the incident last year," Stephens said. "They changed the locks on the late Monsieur Villareal's private rooms. That was after she moved his personal papers to another location... which she did not deign to share where with me, of course."

"Damn," Genie breathed softly. 

"If one wished information that might have been in the late Monsieur Villareal's personal papers, about a family member for instance, one might be better served speaking with one of their associates," Stephens mused.

"You wouldn't happen to know any of Uncle Max's associates," Genie said, giving up any semblance of pretense.

"I am pleased to say, I do not," Stephens said. "Not his current ones at least. I did when he was younger. Most of them were very unpleasant people, but I think you might find Ms. Fyres to be of a more amiable nature. That would be Ms. Morgan Fyres... Morgan Goth now, as she married Mr. Alexander Goth some years ago."

"Morgan Goth?" Genie blinked.

"Yes, I believe you will find her in residence at the Goth family estate," Stephens continued. "If one were so inclined, I believe that by catching the next ferry back to the Old City one might arrive at the station in time for the evening train to Willow Creek."

"Stephens, you're a marvel," Genie smiled.

In Shadow - Ch 10 - Research Trip

"Are you going to have that background research on Axis completed before the election, Ms. Elderberry?" her editor asked in his usual caustic tone.

After a sleepless night following Uncle Max's visit, Uncle Max's threats, Genie had tried to get into work early. She'd hoped to do some research of her own, into him and his ties to the Alto family, before anyone got in. Of course, she hadn't actually managed to get in as early as she'd wanted to, and getting in before anyone else seemed impossible anyway. She was starting to think her editor slept in his office.

"Sorry, Mr. White," Genie said. "I'm a little distracted. Family stuff."

She knew that, if she'd been almost anyone else on staff, Mr. White's response would have peeled paint and blistered flesh. Instead, his sharp newsman's eye gleamed. She was pretty sure her family connections were a big part of why he'd hired her. 

"Well, about 60% family stuff," Genie went on, "and about 40% a possible story."

It was, Genie admitted to herself, a manipulative situation all around. 

"Alright," Mr. White huffed with barely concealed curiosity. "Pass what you've got on Axis over to Jimmy. He'll finish it up. Take the afternoon and deal with your family stuff... but I want that story proposal on my desk first thing Monday morning." 

"Yes sir," Genie smiled. She was going to owe Jimmy big time, but he was a good guy. 

------------

Windenburg. If San My was The City, then Windenburg was the Old City. Nestled at the base of the Granite Mountains, it was a place of cobblestone streets and medieval wood frame buildings, but also a place of modern commerce and the driving beat of hard rock music. 

For Genie Elderberry, who'd grown up here, it was cold and grey, old and crumbling. Still, in some corner of her heart, it was home.

On the train up from San My, watching the countryside speed by, she thought about how she was going to do this. She still wasn't sure. 

She was frankly dreading her first stop - Gesellschafter Square and the Von Windenburg Bank. Nowhere was the mix of old elegance and modern commerce better displayed, than the offices of this financial institution that had served the noble families and captains of industry since the Middle Ages.

It wasn't the sort of place where the average person kept his savings, or even passed through the centuries-old doors, but no one stopped Genie even as she headed up the stairs to the executive offices. They knew her here.

After all, she was Luna Elderberry's daughter.

"Genevieve, come in," Luna said, not looking up from her tablet. Her mother still insisted on using her full given name, no matter how many times Genie corrected her.

"It's Genie, mom." It was a reflex at this point. 

"Sit down. I just need to finish up one thing," Luna continued as if she hadn't spoken.

"Mom, I need to talk to you," Genie started, taking a seat in one of the luxurious comfortable office chairs.

"Of course, dear," Luna said, still working on her tablet. "I just need to..."

"It's about Uncle Max, mom," Genie pressed.

A cold look flickered across her mother's face as her hand paused over the tablet. Luna's entire body seemed frozen for a moment, before her calm, confident mask dropped back into place. 

"I believe Max is traveling abroad, dear," Luna said. "You don't need to worry about him."

"He visited me last night," Genie said.

The cold stillness settled over Luna again.

"He wanted me to tell him where Miranda and Mariah are," Genie continued quickly.

"Did you tell him?" Luna asked, her voice controlled.

"No," Genie said hotly. "And I wouldn't have, even if I knew! Mom, he threatened me. He threatened my sisters. He knows I'm the one who gave Mariah access to grand-père's files..."

"Don't be ridiculous," Luna interrupted. "What would Mariah want with your grand-père's personal papers? I always thought that girl was trouble... just a delinquent."

"Mom, I need you to tell me about Uncle Max," Genie said over her. "I need to know about his connections to the Alto family, the people he works with... anything you can tell me."

"Really, Genevieve, I am hardly acquainted with my brother's criminal associates," Luna sniffed.

"Mom, you launder money for the Altos," Genie scoffed.

"That is an absurd thing to say," Luna bristled. "Not to mention slanderous. I have no knowledge of, or association with, Nick Alto's criminal enterprises. I did work on some accounts for legitimate business interests, but everything was entirely legal. I hardly knew the man, personally."

"You slept with him, mom," Genie said flatly.

"I am appalled that you would believe such low gossip," Luna gasped. 

"I don't care that you slept with him," Genie snapped. "Hell, I banged him, in the library, at the Yule party, two years ago!"

"Genevieve!"

"It doesn't matter," Genie continued passionately. "It doesn't matter that you sleep with other guys, or that dad bangs interns who are younger than me. I don't care! Uncle Max is threatening me, my sisters, my friends, and I need to know more about him, and who he's working with, so I can protect the people I do care about!" 

"There is nothing I can tell you," Luna said, the confident mask dropping into place again. "Really dear, I don't know where you get these..."

"Fine!" Genie interrupted as she leapt to her feet. "If you won't help your own daughters, I'll find out another way."

In Shadow - Ch 9 - Family Ties

Genie loved the City.

She loved the lights, the cracked streetlights, the towers like rigid Yule trees, the distant flashes of a police car. She loved the sounds of it, of a stereo being played too loud, of some couple's argument, heard through a window left open on a hot summer night. She even kind of loved the smell of it, that weird mix of hot asphalt, spicy food and over-ripe trash. 

The whole bright, crazy, dirty mess of it was so different from the antique streets of Windenburg where she's grown up. The Spice District was about as far from the stuffy elegance of her childhood as you could get. Sure, it wasn't the nicest neighborhood, but it wasn't that bad. 

It wasn't like criminals were just randomly breaking into apartments, no matter what Representative Friend said on the news. 

It was actually a shock to open her apartment door and find a man sitting on the couch, eating a sandwich. That, a moment later, she recognized him did nothing to reduce the shock.

"Uncle Max?" Genie gasped.

"Hey, Genie-bean," Uncle Max said cheerfully. "I let myself in. You know, your locks are shit. Hope you don't mind, I made myself a snack while I waited."

"What... where's Gabbie?" Genie stammered. 

"Cute girl, short hair, glasses? She went out with some guy," Uncle Max replied. "I waited until she was gone. Wanted to talk to you in private."

Slowly, Genie made her way across the living room and gingerly took a seat on the couch next to him.

She hadn't seen Uncle Max in years. Her mother had made it clear that her younger brother wasn't welcome around the family. Even back then, Genie had heard the rumors... Max Villareal was a gangster. A dangerous man who had done horrible things. When she'd been younger, there had been a kind of dark appeal to it and to him. 

Now, sitting in her apartment, the apartment he had just admitted to breaking into, he didn't seem appealing. He seemed frightening. 

"What do you want?" Genie said, finding her voice and trying to put into it a confidence she didn't feel.

"I can't just check in with my favorite niece?" Max said smoothly. "Hey, how are the twins? They're in college now, right? And little Kassidy... not so little anymore. I bet she's driving Luna and Rohan crazy with her whole teen bohemian artist thing?"

He knew exactly what her younger sisters were doing, Genie realized. His warm smile never touched his cold, flat eyes. 

"They're fine," Genie said softly.

"What about your little friends, Miranda Goth and Mariah... what name is she using now? Basso? Huntley? How are they?" Uncle Max asked coolly.

"I don't know," Genie said. "I haven't heard from them since the wedding. I just know what I saw in the news."

"Genie-bean, it's not nice to lie to family," Max said.

"Where are they?" he added firmly.

"I don't know," Genie insisted softly.

"Would you tell me, if you did?" Max asked with a slight smile.

"No," Genie replied, and the defiance of that one little word made her feel stronger.

"Good girl," Max chuckled, "but you want to reconsider that."

"No, I don't," Genie said. "I think you should leave."

"I'll leave when I'm done," Max said confidently. "You need to understand something, Genie..."

"I understand you're a gangster," Genie snapped.

"That's right," Max answered. "So, if you're smart, you'll shut up and listen... and you're a smart girl, Genie-bean."

"A smart girl like you knows that her whole family is bent," Max continued harshly. "My dear old père, your grand-père Jacques, he was as crooked as they come... and as connected as one man could be. He did deals with all the Families, with aristos and politicians, with captains of industry and finance. Anybody who is anybody did deals with the Old Man... and he kept files on every one of them. Even now that he's dead and buried, Villareal Files are a threat hanging over some really important heads. A threat your dear mère has used well... to advance herself and that limp-dick of a husband of hers."

"I'm not part of any of that," Genie insisted.

"You're a Villareal," Max snapped. "Even if your mom took that pussy Rohan's name, you're a Villareal in your blood. Remember it... because other people do. Important people."

"The thing is Genie, your little friend gave the Crown Prosecutors evidence against Nick Alto," Max continued, all cool menace again. "Evidence about things she couldn't have known about by herself.  Your little friend gave up the Old Man's files on Nick Alto. 

"Now some people... important people... dangerous people... wonder where she got those files," Max said softly. "Your mom managed to convince them it wasn't from her. After all, she had to do some fancy footwork to not get pinched with old Nick. So, who else could have given Mariah those files?"

"I don't know," Genie lied.

She remembered that terrifying night. Leading Mariah and Aadi... cheerful 'Double-O Aadi' in their fancy tux like it was all a game... into the mansion, looking for grand-père's secret office. 

"No?" Max smiled like a shark. "See, there's a very dangerous man, his name is Grey... and if he thought that maybe Kassidy or the twins knew anything about it..."

"You leave them out of this!" Genie shouted, horrified. "You know they had nothing to do with it!"

"Do I?" Max snarled. "Let me tell you what I know, Genie. I know that Grey would do very bad things to whoever he believes is responsible for turning on the Altos. Now that can be Mariah B... or it can be someone else. 

"Now, something else I know, Genie - family is important," Max added. "Like my fat brother Hugo, with his fat wife and fat kid... and my dear sister, Luna with your limp-dicked father... and my sweet nieces. Especially you, Genie-bean... you know you're my favorite niece. So, as long as my family acts like family... helping each other out, supporting each other... well, then I will make sure that nothing bad happens to any of you.

"So, if you hear anything from your little friends Miranda and Mariah, you'll tell me," Max said, standing and walking confidently to the door. "Won't you Genie-bean?"

"You're a monster," Genie whispered.

"Genie-bean," Max smirked, "if you think I'm a monster, you really have no idea what you're dealing with."

"No, I don't," Genie breathed as the door closed behind him. "But I'm a reporter and I'm damn well going to find out... because I'm going to help my friends!"

In Shadow - Ch 8 - Old Salt House

"So, were you able to help her?" Jenny asked.

She'd been happy when Orange had called her and asked to meet her for a drink at the Old Salt House, a popular club on the edge of the City's somewhat shady Spice District. Of course, the evening wasn't exactly starting out the way she'd expected.

"I honestly don't know," Orange sighed. "I mean, it's obvious she's in a bad... probably abusive... relationship. I gave her the number for a women's shelter I help out at, and the name of the counselor there. I hope she calls them..."

"... but you can't make someone get help," Jenny said, understanding. "At least you tried."

"Yeah, I guess," Orange sighed again. "Anyway, I'm sorry. I asked you to meet me and I've done nothing but talk about another woman."

"It's fine," Jenny said, honestly surprised that it actually was fine. "Usually sharing bad days is more a fourth date thing, for me... but I don't mind. Say, you said this Corrie wanted to be an actress..."

"Yeah, she kept saying how this guy she was with promised to make her a star," Orange scoffed.

"Well, if you run into her again, go ahead and give her my number," Jenny said. "I can introduce her to some people who won't take advantage of her."

"You'd do that?" Orange asked, obviously pleased and surprised.

"Absolutely," Jenny smiled. "When I was starting out, Cassie Goth did the same thing for me. Got me out of a bad situation. Maybe I can do it for this Corrie."

"Wow. Alright. Thanks," Orange smiled. 

To her shock, Jenny felt something flutter inside her heart. She liked his smile, she realized.

"So, is this a thing with you?" Jenny asked.

"What do mean?" Orange said, puzzled.

"This whole White Knight riding to the rescue thing," Jenny said. "I'm going to have to contend with a lot of damsels-in-distress, if we start dating?"

"Well, I mean... wait, did you say dating?" Orange blinked, then smiled again. 

Damn, she really liked his smile.

"Oh, you caught that," Jenny smiled back.

--------

Well, this is a surprise, Genie thought.

Jenny had called her that afternoon and asked her to come by the Old Salt that evening. She knew Jenny had a maybe-date with a new guy and was looking for support and a possible graceful way out. Jenny hadn't mentioned her maybe-date was with Orange Bailey-Moon. 

"Hey Jenny," Genie called over the club's music. "Hi, Orange."

"Genie!" Orange smiled, leaping up to greet her. "I heard you were in the City. How are you?"

"I'm good," Genie said, accepting the big guy's friendly hug. "It's good to see you."

"So, I guess you guys know each other," Jenny said. 

"Yeah," Orange laughed. "It's a small world."

"Well, join us," Jenny said, giving Genie a quick look that said she wasn't looking for a rescue, but still wanted the support.

"So, how did you guys meet?" Jenny asked, clearly curious.

"College," Genie replied, taking the seat Orange offered her. "We were dorm mates, and I was friends with Miranda..."

"Who I knew through the whole 'kids of famous parents' thing," Orange said, claiming a spot on the nearby couch. "And my mom and dad knew Miranda's mom, Cassie..."

"... and my mom and dad knew both of Miranda's moms from back when they were all in college," Genie said. "God, it really is a small world."

"I guess the real question is why didn't you two meet sooner?" Genie laughed.

"I don't know," Orange mused, "but I'm glad we did now."

"Yeah," Jenny said with a little smile. 

Genie could practically see the actress's heart flutter at Orange's smile. Oh boy, Genie chuckled to herself, she's hooked.

"Hey, why don't I grab us some drinks?" Orange said, standing. "What can I get you ladies?"

Genie had the distinct sense that he knew they wanted to talk without him and was gracefully giving them the chance to. She was impressed by how much he'd matured since they first met in college.

"Cherry cola, please," Jenny said.

"Pint of the House Stout, if you're offering," Genie added. "Thanks, O."

"No problem, cherry cola and a House Stout, coming up" Orange said. 

"OK, tell me everything you know about him," Jenny said as soon as he was out of earshot.

"Oh boy," Genie sighed.

"Wait, did you two...?" Jenny smiled. 

"We hooked up once, first year," Genie admitted. "It was... well... it really didn't go well."

"Oh," Jenny looked disappointed.

"But that was before the whole 'yes means yes' thing," Genie said quickly. "Kinda right before..."

"Wait a minute," Jenny said, eyes wide. "Are you... Her? You are! The one where he thought everything was going well, but you didn't..."

"Yes. OK," Genie groaned. "Our one and only hook-up went so badly he literally wrote a best-selling book about how to not have dates go that badly."

"Wow," Jenny breathed. "I don't know if I'm impressed or what..." 

"We had a bad hook-up. I freaked out. Mariah threatened to kick his ass and Miranda talked me through things," Genie explained. "We confronted Orange, and he was horrified when he found out how I felt. He's really a good guy, Jenny. We're good, Orange and me. We reconnected in our third year and we're friends now. He's sincerely a good guy."

"Wow, OK... thanks," Jenny sighed. "I'm glad because... I really like him."

"I can tell," Genie said.

"So... what's he like, you know..." Jenny said.

"Jenny, he wrote a best seller about how bad our hook-up went," Genie said. "I'm not in a good place to judge."

"Oh right," Jenny said.

In Shadow - Ch 7 - Life in the Fast Lane

"Good evening, folks, and welcome back to Life in the Fast Lane," the host, Nadine Lane, announced. "Our next guest is no stranger to the Fast Lane. He's been a child celebrity, an all-star college athlete, an influencer and now author of the bestselling book Yes Means Yes, a Dude's Guide to Consent. Welcome back to the show, Orange Bailey-Moon!"

"Thanks, Nadine," Orange said in his deep, melodic voice. "It's great to be back."

"Have you met Jenny Poole before?" Nadine asked, nodding at her other guest.

"No," Orange admitted turning to smile at the actress. "Somehow, we haven't crossed paths before. I loved you in Curse of the Pirate Queen."

"Why, thank you, Orange," Jenny said with a sultry look. "I loved watching you on the soccer pitch... in those very tight pants."

"Uh... thanks," Orange chuckled.

"So, Orange, I know you've been out talking about your new book... and didn't come to me first, you naughty boy," Nadine teased.

"Well, you were all booked up," Orange smiled. "But yeah, I've been out doing a lot of promoting. I feel very strongly about the subject of consent, and I want to get message out."

"So, let's talk about that message," Nadine said. "Why 'Yes means Yes'?"

"It's about looking for active consent," Orange said. "We all know 'No means No.' When I was a young man, my dad took me aside and really taught me that. We all know that Thorne, you know my dad, has a bit of a reputation... but he was really clear to me that when a woman says no, that means no. Not maybe, not convince me. Just plain no.

"I thought that was it, and by understanding that I could be a good guy, respectful of women," Orange went on. "Then, in college, some great ladies taught me a really important thing... that sometimes a woman just doesn't feel that she can say no, even when she wants to."

"It's true," Jenny nodded.

"So, as I guy, I could think that everything was going great, that we're both having a good time... because she isn't saying no," Orange said seriously. "When in reality, she isn't OK with things but doesn't feel comfortable saying so. I'm thinking everything is fine, but it's really very much not. No means No just isn't enough, guys. You gotta get to Yes."

"Now, some people would say that can ruin the moment," Nadine suggested. "Can I kiss you? Can I put my hand there? Can I touch you here now? Doesn't that take the passion out things."

"Maybe, but if it does, don't do it that way," Orange chuckled. "The key to consent is good communication. Try talking about things ahead of time. What are you like? What do you really enjoy? What would you be OK with, even if it's not something you're usually into or maybe haven't tried? What are your... some people call them Hard Limits. Something you absolutely are not into. Have that conversation with your partner, with your date, with a casual hook-up. Then you can get to Yes."

"That could be a little awkward, couldn't it," Nadine said. "I don't know that I'd be that comfortable talking about what I like in bed with a date."

"Which is fine if you don't want to go to bed with them... or do other things that should require consent," Orange said cheerfully. "And that's also a conversation you should have... what are the limits of this date, of this encounter. But if you are thinking of taking things to that next level, I think you absolutely should talk about these things. If you're not comfortable talking about it with someone, it seems to me you're not comfortable enough to be doing it.

"Not only is all this a key to consent, it also makes things better... more fun, if you know what your partner enjoys," Orange added.

"Well, I think that sounds like a great idea," Jenny Poole said. "It certainly would have helped rescue some rotten dates I've been on."

"Exactly," Orange smiled.

"You know Orange, maybe you and I should talk more after this," Jenny added, with a flirty look. 

"Well, I think we'll let those two talk," Nadine chuckled. "The Orange's new book, Yes Means Yes, a Dude's Guide to Consent is available at Fields and Gentry's website and their brick-and-mortars everywhere."

----------------------

"Caught you on Fast Lane last night," Anthony called as Orange came into the living room.

The two guys, former college dorm mates, had made the easy transition to roommates in the City after graduation. Orange didn't really need someone helping with rent. Between his dad, the famous singer Thorne Bailey, and his mom, an equally famous songwriter Octavia Moon, Orange had a pretty substantial trust fund to support himself. Really, he just liked the company.

"What did you think?" he asked.

"If I'm being honest dude, you got kinda preachy," Anthony said as Orange sat down next to him.

"Says the politician," Orange grinned. "But yeah, I hear you. I guess I am preaching... trying to get a message out, get people to think about relationships in a different way."

"You're a rare man, Juice," Anthony grinned, using Orange's old soccer team nickname. "Hey, I gotta ask... Jenny Poole. Did you guys really talk after?"

"Yeah, we did," Orange said. "We might grab drinks sometime. She's nice."

"Nice? Nice?!" Anthony said, staggered. "Dude, she is Jenny freakin' Poole. She is hot. Like girls-gone-wild, burning down the house, brutally hot. You know she's on my Freebie Five, right?"

"What?" Orange chuckled. 

"The five celebrities I could hook-up with, guilt free," Anthony said. "Dude, you have got to get a girlfriend. Gabbie and I totally have our Freebie Fives."

"Really. Who's on hers?" Orange asked. "Maybe I could introduce her to some of them." 

"Dude! Not cool!" Anthony said coldly.

----------------------

Jogging always helped Orange think. The simple physical activity of it cleared the cobwebs from his head and focused him. 

Anthony had, accidentally, kind of hit a nerve. He didn't need a girlfriend... not need... but Orange did think he would like one. Here he was, after all, the media-appointed champion of consent culture and positive relationships and he wasn't actually in a relationship. Yeah, he dated, but nothing really long term. It wasn't something that could be forced, he decided. When it was right, it would be right. 

Jenny was nice, he thought. Anthony was right, she was hot, had a reputation for being wild, and she'd been really flirty last night after the show. Still, Orange had the feeling there was a lot more to her than just the hot actress with a spicy rep and some naked pictures of her on the internet. (He didn't hold that against her. There were at least a couple pictures of his naked butt online somewhere, after all.) He should definitely call her, see about getting that drink and maybe... 

... wait. What's going on here?

"Miss, are you OK," Orange asked the young woman. "Do you need help?"

Tears slid down Corrie's face, streaking her makeup, as she looked a little fearfully at him.