The Importance of Undergarments & Conventions- A Continuing Story-Part VIII (8)

Part VIII (8)

Previously:
“Well there was this magazine I picked up, the title was a temperature reference or something, and I was reading a story about a man and woman that drove into a parking lot. She asked him to park in a dark area and—”

“Whoa…” I exclaimed, not wanting to go there…well at least not yet anyway. I needed a distraction. Then as if a miracle (insert heavenly music here) was beamed down from wherever they come from, I saw one. My miracle came in the simple version of a paper flyer which was posted on the wall.

“And the parties are a true con experience you don’t want to miss out on either,” I said.

“Party? A body of persons united for some common purpose...this is an important part of the ritual?”

“Important! Why of course. You see, there are the daytime activities and then there are the night time activities. Parties are a common theme at most conventions.”

“Describe them more,” she said.

I felt her hand tighten on mine—must be really into this touching thing I thought—will save that for later consideration.

“Well let’s see, there are a few that are regulars such as the bar-nymphs, pirates, other conventions promoting themselves,” I rambled off the top of my head quickly.

“Bar-nymphs? This terminology is very conflicting. A bar is a place of drink or similar social activity, but nymph may refer to maidens or the young of insects? Please explain,” she said as that perplexed look that I was becoming accustomed to come over her face…again.

“Well, it’s just a group of fun folks that get together and have a good time.”

“Specifics please—she said firmly as her grip on my hand squeezed tighter. “I need to understand the terminology.”

“Ah…let’s see,” I began, “I’m not really that sure about the connotation behind the name, perhaps they start off as the insect version of nymphs and end up as maidens? Alcohol can be a wonderful transformation tool if you know what I mean…”

“I do not,” she said, “how can insects turn into maidens?”

“You missed my attempt at humor,” I said.

“Apparently,” she agreed readily.

“Look, it’s just a group of people. They’re fun and entertaining—well most of them anyway.”

As I waited for her response, she tilted her head to one side and kind of looked off into that distant place she had a habit of going to. But this time it was different than before. Her face held a bemused look as if she was …I don’t know how to explain it—before she had that look…very vague and indistinct. Earlier I coined it as she was off somewhere having dinner with Elvis or something. But now it was as if she was communing with Elvis…or worse. She had this mischievous look on her face that well…both scared me and delighted me.


“Hello?” I said.

“What about the pirates?” she asked surprising me by coming out of her trance and changing the topic away from the bar-nymph issue. “What do pirates have to do with a science fiction convention?”

“Ah…good question. Never really thought about it before but I guess they play in the fantasy realm enough to qualify,” I answered. “Regardless they are still a very fun crowd and some of the wenches…well we’ll save that for another time.”

“As you wish,” she said simply.

At this point I am starting to wonder why she is agreeing with me and letting this stuff go by without any further explanation. Something had changed. But if she was going to be agreeable—this seems like an opportune time to suggest some extra curricular activity of my own. But I needed to ease into it somehow.

“Can I get you another drink?” I suggested.

“Do you want me to change like your bar-nymphs?” she asked.

Hmmm…I said to myself. Was that a touch of Snarkism I detect? That’s new. Maybe she has this alter personality going on or something. Maybe its time to ratchet this up a notch and—

“We shall go to the 4th floor,” she said. “Now! I am ready!”

“Ready for—” I began as she snatched me out of my chair and motioned me toward the elevator.

“In a hurry are we?” I asked.

“Yes,” she simply said with no explanation. “We must get to the 4th floor.”

As she ushered me into the elevator she placed her arms around me and kissed me…deeply. I say again…deeply.

To be continued…