James 74 "Gently... Take it easy..." Sherri said, "Honey! Too hard and it'll slip out again." "Nah, it's in tight enough... Oooops!" I jerked my head as the two pound servo-plate fell off the bottom of the plane, barely missing my forehead. Although assembly of Max's canard plane was finished, Sherri had been working on improving the design of the main wing. Her theory was that by reducing the lift of the wing, it would do less work, and therefore produce less drag. This would translate to more speed, and more range for each tankful of gas - a theory which was tested and proven with Amanda's work at Regan's testing facilities. A side-benefit of this design was that the plane could handle sharper turns - trim the outside wing for less drag and the plane would literally swing around on the other. To do this properly, Sherri had devised a servo-plate, a piece of aluminum with bezier-like groves cut into it to balance out elevator and aileron angles depending on the position of the rudders and the 'stick'. My job was to get it aligned and fastened in place while flat on my back, my face perilously close to the drop path of the hunk of metal. "Grrrr! Why don't YOU do it!" The plate had slipped off again. "No honey," Sherri laughed, resting her head back on my stomach. "My job is to make sure everything works as planned, and we all know how good you are with your hands! Ooooh, so gentle, so tender... Mmmm, soooo loving!" She shivered and grinned at me. "Will you two cut out the foreplay and get back to work?" Amanda yelled from the cockpit where she sat ready at the controls. "Slave driver!" I muttered. Sherri gave me a smile and wiped the sweat off my face with her T-shirt, then she pulled it all the way off to do my forehead. My eyes drifted from my work. "Honey--" I whispered. "Hmmmm...?" Sherri gave me half-lidded look. "I'm sweaty elsewhere too!" "Any idea where?" Without waiting for an answer she started searching. "Ahhhh, you're getting close..." I sighed. "Yes... I think can feel something dripping!" "Ohhhh! It... ah... needs a w-wipe..." "What are you two doing?" came an impatient voice from above us. "They're listening to you! They've skipped the foreplay and went on to the main action," Brenda said, watching us with a smile as she stood at the wing flaps, ready with a protractor to measure the deflection angles. "I'm just showing James a way to tighten the nuts!" Sherri laughed. "They're tight enough already!" I grunted. Amanda wiggled the yoke and I rushed to hold the plate back in place. "Another time, sweetie," Sherri smiled, "we'll do this and get to your nuts later!" I gave the plate one last check and tightened everything down. "OK, OK, it's in!" "But not the way you wanted, right?" Brenda laughed. Sherri had her T back on and now went to help Brenda fine tune the arrangement. I stayed in position, ready to give the plate a nudge to get it into the perfect angle. Finally they declared the process finished and helped me to my feet. They dusted me off as Amanda glared at me, "Harry's gonna be here with the truck any time now! We'd be all done if you hadn't wasted all that time - it wasn't all that hard!" "It was... It still is!" I grinned. Inadvertently she glanced down and gave me another dirty look. "I'm not talking to you anymore!" Harry arrived with his antiquated Ford trailer, and together we took the wings down and wheeled the fuselage up, then tied the whole thing down like a Christmas present - in this case a wedding present, for M&M. Harry started the truck and Amanda and Sherri went to the Jag. "Do you want us to come along?" Brenda asked. "No - Harry will be doing the ground tests and checking things over with Sherri." Amanda answered, "And I have to fill in for his ground lessons while they're busy!" With a giggle and a wave they left on a cloud of dust. "Looks like we'll have to go find our own entertainment!" Brenda leaned on my shoulder and took my hand, "Where can two people while away some time here?" "Hmmm, nothing comes readily to mind. Why don't we go somewhere and put our heads together." "Hey! You two!" Sara stuck her head over the patio and yelled down, "Get up here and help! It's not break time yet!" She disappeared back inside. "Damn, that girl has no heart!" Brenda fumed, "She KNOWS how much I wanted time with you!" She sighed and wrapped her arms around me, "I'm definitely due for some loving!" "Sit here." Sara directed us to the table, "Nicole and Jules started to help and then they said they had to get CL-ONE's cabin ready for the party tonight!" She shook her head at the disappointing caliber of the help. "James, you're setting up the Wi-fi cards for the Hotel, then you'll help Brenda with the ones for the village." I resisted the urge to salute. "As you know," Sara continued, ignoring our looks of dismay at the piles of network devices around us, "we have to boost the signals of the primary channel - which is different for the hotel and for the village; and attenuate them on the others to prevent cross-talk. The rest we'll leave at 30mW so that local wireless networks can still work." She showed us the program to increase the power for one channel and dampen it for the two others. "Start with the USB boxes then the PCCards." This time we DID salute her with a regulation, "Yes Ma'am!" as she turned to leave. The programming went much quicker than I had expected - the USB were hot-pluggable; despite dire warnings from the computer about Device Failures, I could jack them in, zap them with 2 mouse clicks and start on the next victim within 15 seconds. Sara had stocked 125 USB boxes and 30 PCCard devices and she allocated 20 of the latter for the hotel deal, since they would invariably involve laptops. We found that it was easier for me to do the USB while Brenda concentrated on the Cards, since those HAD to be deactivated before the next one could be recognized. Sara returned with lunch from the restaurant, leaning to give us soft kisses - after assuring herself the job was completed. She also had with her an empty tin can which, until recently, had been a half-gallon container for catsup. "It's actually nearer the dimensions for the stove-pipe antenna," Sara explained, then, while we demolished the food, she dexterously fashioned an antenna from it. Despite a number of corrugations around the middle, a quick test showed they had little or no adverse effects on performance. "I need you two to do one more thing for me," Said Sara. "It's not to lavish your body with all sorts of sick and depraved things - is it?" Brenda asked hopefully. "Er, no!" Sara laughed, then turned to me, "Take your horny friend and the PCCards to the Marriott - along with a cell phone and a laptop to help me align this thing." She pointed with the tin can, "Oh, yeah, and bring the contract and those brochures with you! Nicole and Jules made them up earlier." "Aw, I was going to do that!" I complained when I realized they were advertisement for our computer services. "Is it because you don't think I talk good enough?" "Heck no - we all know you can write more betterer than most!" Sara grinned, "But you were busy with the plane and, ahem, we felt you might be somewhat distracted." "Whatever could you mean?" I asked, my voice a little quavery as Brenda ran her tongue around my ear. Sara laughed again, "Tell you what, get the hotel up and running and you two can start with your debauchery." "Deal!" Brenda exclaimed, then she abandoned me and took Sara's hands, her voice becoming soft and beguiling, "Do you want us to save a spot for you...?" "Later, perhaps, love." Sara smiled, "After I get Patrick started on networking the town - he and his sister will be busy after M&M go on their honeymoon..." Abruptly Brenda handed me a box and started dumping stuff in it, "C'mon, get a move on! Time's a-wasting!" "Ta-ta guys!" Sara waved in amusement as Brenda dragged me out the door, "Have fun!" "Don't park it too far away," Brenda said as she tossed the car key to the valet in the hotel driveway. "We're not going to be long!" She waited until I struggled out with the packages then led the way into the lobby. "Alright, you get on the horn with Sara and I'll take care of the staff training," Brenda told me, going up to the desk and gesturing at the desk clerk. "Please inform Ms Bradley that her visitors from JamPC are here." "Are you sure you know what you're gonna tell them?" I asked as the flustered girl ran to get her Manager. "Of course! I'll give them the high-tech spiel: how the bleeding edge is going to increase productivity with less effort from everyone." She grinned, "Don't worry! I was briefed by Jules when we planned the network for Brookhaven." "You know," I leaned in close, "I'm counting on you to do a good job! You might say my performance later depends on your performance now!" "Worry not, my little debauchee! My talk'll be inspiring and invigorating! Not to mention lasting more than 10 minutes!" She winked at me, then turned to greet Ms Bradley, "Ah, Betty, so nice of you to see us!" Brenda took her hands, "I'd like to take a moment or two of you and your staff's time in covering the features of the wireless network we're introducing." "Would you be more comfortable in the dining room? Or a meeting room? I'm sure we can arrange one in a few moments!" "No - that won't be necessary," Brenda assured her, "It will not take long - about the same time my associate here gets done with the final calibrations..." She gave me a pointed look, "Right?" "Er, yes, naturally!" I gave a small bow and retreated. Powering up the laptop, I called Sara on the phone. She had rough sighted the antenna and I confirmed the signal strength in the lobby. "Let's start with the azimuthal setting - head to the top floor." I followed Sara's instructions and went to the roof cafeteria, around the tree-lined jogging track, calling readings off the laptop to her, much to the amusement of the hotel guests there. "OK - back downstairs, to the center of the parking lot - that would be one edge of our coverage." Then she directed me to the other side of the property to verify reception from the marina and out over the water. "That's great honey!" Sara's tinny voice came over the phone, "Now let's repeat the process to be sure..." It was another twenty minutes before I finally staggered back to Brenda's group, which now included quite a few interested hotel guests as well. She waved me up and I demonstrated the laptop and its wireless attachment while Brenda wrapped things up, "In a nutshell, wireless communications brings your office to wherever you may be - you are constantly and directly in touch; free to be where the action - or inaction - is. It's a time multiplier; a tool to maximize your working hours." She grinned, "And nobody needs to know whether you're doing it at your desk... Or at the beach!" We waited around to answer questions as Betty's staff distributed pamphlets and information, then Brenda took my hand, "It's time we did a little communicating of our own..." "Oh, James, Brenda!" Betty Bradley called out after us, "Can you do me a favor? The wine that JulieAnn's ordered is ready, would you mind taking it back with you?" Brenda made a choking noise and rolled her eyes heavenward, "Why now, lord?" With a smile she turned us back, "Of course! It's on our way." Fortunately, there were only four cases - two of champagne and another one each of red and white wines. Betty helped us load them into the back of the Solara, "The wines are my contribution to your opening. Just managed a shipment in from California." She tapped the case labelled 'Charles Shaw Cabernet,' "I thought you might like to try the hottest selling wines in America: the famous 'Two-buck Chuck' from Napa Valley, so called because they retail for $1.99 a bottle, with a real cork, even." She laughed, "The White Sauv is passable, but the Cab here is actually a decently dry table wine." She shrugged, "In any case, by the second glass, they'll all gonna taste pretty good!" "Thank you very much!" "No, thank you!" She waved as we drove off. The parking lot in front of the marina was jammed with people, vehicles and equipment. Celeste waved us over to a rumbling cement truck in front of the garages. Brenda turned to Celeste, "Why are we standing here watching a long hard shaft pumping a big load in a hole when we should be doing it?" Celeste stared, "You are SO sick!" Then, after a thoughtful pause, "Hmmm, you've got something here - so smooth... so hot! Fills you right up; and it just keeps pumping... and pumping..." Brenda staggered against me, "Oooh! Stoppit! I'm feeling faint!" I fanned her face, "Maybe it's the sun. You'd ought to lie down..." "Mmmm, yes, and like you cover me--" She giggled, "--with your body." "Cut it out, you two!" Celeste laughed, "Save it for later!" "That's the point," I explained, "Between now and Marjorie's Shower party, I'd sort of promised Brenda..." "Darn straight!" Brenda told Celeste, "I'm not letting him out of my sight until he can, er, discharge his duties." "Well if you can keep your knickers on for a bit longer, I have something to show you..." She led us around the structure. We were greeted by the girls and Marjorie, who were admiring the finished carports. And there, between ports 4 and 5, was a lovely little shed with a high sloping roof sporting a galvanized steel chimney. Celeste had given Max's smoker-oven a nifty home, replete with a 'KEEP OUT! THIS MEANS YOU!' sign. It also had no doors. Max stood to one side, scratching his head and muttering to himself. "Tough break," I offered as I went to join him. "It's a right pretty shack though!" Marjorie commented as she followed, looking not the least bit sympathetic to Max's loss, "Goes good with what Celeste's done here..." She ignored Max's glare and turned to me, "We've decided to start the party - we're all going to change now." She went into the apartment as Max and I watched the other girls hustle Brenda away. Jules called back, "Make yourselves useful - get the boat ready and put a case of the champagne and wine on board!" She gave a cheerful wave as she disappeared. "Hmmmph! Those girls! Treat them like daughters... And they start ACTING like daughters! No respect!" With a shake of the head he turned back to his pride and joy, "It was a good smoker... The best..." He sighed, "Folks for miles around'd come around when I had something going in it." I did not ask him HOW the folks from miles around would know he had it lit. "C'mon Max, let's get the booze on board before they find more jobs for us," I said as I took us to take the cases from the car to the yacht. "Nice!" We both decided, as we started the engines and the boat lights came on. The luxury cruiser which Anna's mother, Deanna had shipped us on consignment had been delivered with a garish purple flowery motif but the girls had counterpointed that with gold and rust drapes, softly lit with strings of pink and amber lamps. "You want to take a bottle of the bubbly?" Max asked as we loaded the champagne in the oversized fridge. "They'd probably take inventory..." "Yeah - and champagne's not my drink anyways," Max sighed, "I'd invite you in for a beer, but Marjorie wouldn't be pleased..." "Yeah, I could ask you upstairs too, but the girls..." We nodded together, in silent commiseration. "Oh well, we'll just have to wait until they're gone to have our drink." He smiled grimly, "You know, I used to envy you with the girls. But now..." Max waved his hand in the direction Marjorie disappeared to, "I'm not so sure." "Getting cold-feet?" I asked. "No... Marj is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I can't even imagine me not being with her anyhow. We're as good as married now - this wedding thing is just to give her a way to ease Bert's ghost; and for our relationship to have a permanent record. But living together really means compromises - you have to give up a bit of the person to become more of a couple - you know what I mean?" "Yeah, like no raised toilet seats." I nodded. "Right, and belching after a good meal," he agreed. "Or chewing too loud." "You too?" He looked at me, "Of course dishes have to be washed right away." "Hmm, and dried, and stacked too!" I reminded him. "What about no clothes on the floor?" "Oh for sure! Went out with the pissing in bushes." "Damn, that one's tough... But I get my three squares..." "And your pants have straight creases in them!" "My underwear too!" Max confided with a snicker. "You mean they don't stick when you toss them against the wall now?" "Hell no!" He started laughing, "Man I miss those days!" He paused, "Not that I WANT them back, mind you, but I sure will miss them!" "'Cept my smoker," he said, as he took me back to the shed. "What say you and me go build ourselves another one - double the size of this one?" He started looking around, "Now what's a good spot for it...?" I was about to suggest Mexico when we were interrupted by the return of the girls. They flowed up in the fashions Kelly had contributed, in all the hues of the rainbow. Brenda seemed to have overcome her reluctance and blew me a kiss. They collected Marjorie and giggled and danced their way aboard the yacht. From the parking lot we followed the boat's progress until it rounded the bay. "Is it me or has the place become very quiet?" I asked. "Those gals can sure liven up a place, I'll tell ya!" Max replied. "So guys, did you miss me?" It was Brenda. She slinked up in her black ankle-length number and took our arms, "It appears I've missed the boat!" "I think it's time I bid you good night, then!" Max bowed. "Oh no, let's go paint the town!" Brenda exclaimed. "I'll have to pass, honey, Marj's made me dinner already and... and I want to do some surfing on the web!" Max gave us a broad wink and turned away. Brenda started walking us back to the wheel. "So they tossed you for unladylike conduct?" "Yep! And that's for you to find out!" She grinned and nuzzled my neck, "Actually the girls told Marjorie about my, er, needs and, after I grovelled a bit, she let me off for humanitarian reasons." "And I'm just the one to deliver the humanitarian aid," I smiled, as I let her lead us to the Wheel. She watched me strip out of my shorts and 'T'. "Help me out of this thing!" I put my arms around her and held her, "You know - we have all night..." I added a kiss, "How 'bout we take your suggestion and go paint the town - just let me change into something that won't look too bad beside the most gorgeous redhead around." "Oh... oh..." She closed her eyes and gave me a soft kiss, "Mmmm, yes..." I turned after donning my shirt and a suit and her eyes were still closed. "I'm ready now... You OK?" "Yes," she breathed, "I just wanted to forget as much as I can - so I can fall in love all over again..."