[center][h2]”Read The Room”[/h2][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/2KDIbF6.jpg[/img] [/center] Thing she come tah like most ‘bout Mr. Eleanor was he didn’t cut ‘er no slack in his teachin’. Diff’rence was after he done whupped her ass, he’d take time tah show ‘er how he done it. Abby watched as fer the last time, he snatched ‘er queen from tha board. “So,” the old man peered above horn rimmed glasses. “How did I take your queen?” She studied an’ studied afore answerin’. One thing he taught ‘er ‘bout chess was how important it was tah keep relationships with all yer pieces. And now, without the black queen fer an anchor, what she put tahgether weren’t gon’ hold off his attack fer long. “I’s too busy chasin’ yer bishop,” she said. “It’s [i]‘I was[/i]…too busy chasing your bishop.’ Ever heard of diction, Squirt?” Matter ‘o’ fact, she had. The mem’ry took ‘er right back tah her first days on China Doll, when ole Rex come struttin’ up like he done owned tha boat. Weren’t but a tick afore they’s thowin’ barbs like squabblin’ kids when he taught ‘er that word. “Ah have,” Abby’s eyes come up from tha board. “Why Ah need tah sound like ever’body else?” “Ah!” Cyrus Eleanor gave her a rare smile. “Do you know the old phrase ‘Read The Room?’ Do you understand the meaning?” “Sure’n Ah do,” the deckhand give a quick nod. “It’s like knowin’ all tha exits, never sittin’ with yer back tah tha door…sizin’ up them as like tah come at yah.” Her response wasn’t quite what he had in mind, but it was nonetheless correct. “True,” replied with a nod. “Now, change the scene from that dingy barroom. Head uptown to a really fine establishment.” Abby shook ‘er head. “Ah never go tah places like that. Don’t aim tah start now.” “But that,” he lifted an index finger, “is where you can find the really big coin. Read the room,” he waved her attention to the chessboard, “and you’ll always come out ahead.” Without preamble, he reached across, plucking one of her a black pawns from the line to make a two space initial move. “But why’dja…” She went silent. Abby always tried keepin’ as solid a wall ‘o’ pawns as she could tah protect ‘er king, but Mr. Eleanor done made an opening. She then looked on that pawn, try’na figger out his meanin’. He sat quiet as she conjured. Fer true they’s now a lane tah her back line, but that pawn just saved ‘er knight…and, she come tah see, give ‘er a whole new advantage. He’d have tah back ‘is queen, and that meant all the white queen protected would have tah back up too. “Ohhhhh,” the girl give a slow nod. “Ah see it now…but how’s that connect tah muh speakin’?” “Read…the…room.” Cyrus retreated, his queen taking a diagonal path out of danger. “It’s the little things,” he offered with a touch upon her pawn, “that will win the day. Diction, Squirt. If you find yourself in a room with kings and queens, dialing that twang down and the skill to play at their parlance can help give you power.” He flipped his palm upward, gesturing as he continued. “Under all that rough and tumble, you’re a pretty girl, Abigail. That’s an advantage. Your move.” Tha whole board done changed afore her eyes. Inwardly, she thought tah bristle at his boldness. Ever’ time in her life a man come tellin’ her she’s perty ended up with tha Colt persuadin’ him tah keep his hands tah hisself. But Mr. Eleanor weren’t makin’ no move tah touch ‘er. Hell, from what she could see in ‘is eyes he’s jest tellin’ somethin’ he felt was true, alot like somebody’d speak about tha weather. “Ain’t no whore,” Abby finally said as she pushed a knight two left, one forward. He nodded his satisfaction. “Good…good. You see it. You don’t have to be a concubine, Squirt. But when the times demand, proper diction, a little charm, and some upgrades to your appearance can transform you from Abby to Abigail…and the marks will be eating out of your hand.” He pushed a pawn up to cover the queen’s retreat. “Yah mean like a Companion?” Quill Cassidy come tah mind. Abby never conjured no taste fer girls, but Quill…she’s just so gorram beautiful an’...elegant. “Seems a mighty high mountain fer such as me tah climb.” “Somewhat,” Cyrus’ hands rested on the tabletop. “But what if you only had to act the part for a few hours? Suddenly it becomes manageable. Do you follow?” “Like a caper…runnin’ a job?” “Exactly!” His queen broke left, a last ditch effort to protect an exposed king. Abby’s eyes narrowed. “What’dja say yer line ‘o’ work was, Mr. Eleanor?” She could take that queen with her knight…wait. Then he’d kill tha knight with his king. But if her bishop done the deed, with tha knight guardin’... Cyrus offered a contented smile in return. “I don’t believe that I did.” He watched as Abby removed his queen from the board, her bishop/knight combination posing an intractable threat to his king. “But, my dear Ms. Travis, I accomplish much of my task through reading the room…” He fell to silence as China Doll’s intercom squawked to life. [i][b]“Attention all crew and passengers, this is your pilot speaking. We've got about five minutes before we begin docking at Little Moriah Skyplex, please prepare for arrival and ensure all cargo is strapped down and all passengers are prepared for entering atmo. Thank you kindly!"[/b][/i] Abby took to her feet. “Ah got work,” she said. “Need a hand gittin’...getting…your steamer trunk off?” Cyrus dismissed her with a casual wave. “I’m shiny,” he quipped as his threatened king was laid to rest on the board. “Good game, Squirt.” “Didn’t think Ah was gon’...excuse me…I didn’t think I was going to like you,” she admitted. He offered his hand, and they shook. “I don’t suffer fools unless there’s coin to be had. And you, Abigail, are no fool.” Cyrus Eleanor hoisted his steamer trunk onto a pair of inset casters. “Please take care of the chessboard for me. We will be playing again.” ********************************************************************************* Docking Berth Three-Oh-Nine. China Doll was secure, pulling power and vitals from Skyplex umbilicals. Abby lowered the cargo ramp, then watched as one by one, the passengers disappeared into moving sea of humanity. “Read tha room,” she whispered, afore Yuri’s voice come over the com. [i][b]”Attention all hands, this is the first mate. Due to the length of time and remote location of our next job, Captain’s ordered everyone to report to Medbay for a complete physical exam. Abby, you’re up first. Imani will be ready for you in thirty ticks….”[/b][/i] The deckhand shrugged. “Guess them rooms...I suppose cleaning those guest rooms will have to wait."