Lauren Ridgeway & Reginald Keystone
Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks -> Savoy Hotel -> Qasr El Nil Barracks
Skills (Lauren): N/A
Skills (Reginald): Leadership
Rather than wasting time attempting to flag down someone for his forementioned plan to send a man ahead to secure adequate (and adequately classed) passage upon the northbound ferry, the Lord Major simply cleared his throat, turned his head toward the door leading out of the Officers' Club, and inquired as to a specific man's presence by means of a generic, enlisted man's rank,
"Corporal?" As if summoned by salt and magic and a circle of flaming hawthorn, one could hear the approaching footsteps of a man at a frenzied run, sliding to a halt the moment that they neared the Club. The door burst open with a force almost unnatural in nature; a singular but oft repeated bellow was flung from the lungs and throat of the man revealed by the door's sudden movement:
"Lord
MAJOR!!!"
"Yes!" For once, Reginald seemed to be genuinely pleased to see the man. Or perhaps he was just placating the Corporal to ensure a speedy and thorough job done.
"Expedient as always, there's a good chap! Now, if you will give me but a moment..." Reginald reached into his jacket pocket and produced a large gentleman's wallet, from which he retrieved a bearer bank note and a small but official looking piece of cardstock, the latter being a Notice of Military Classification. Such paperwork was common when a subordinate acted on behalf of their commanding officer, with the person of lesser rank receiving certain liberties based upon the job they were called upon to complete. In this instance, Reginald inscribed with bold strokes that the bearer, as mentioned by rank and name, was to act as his personal Valet and Concierge in the interim. A decent thing to grease some wheels, with the knowledge that any and everything would be reported back to the Qasr El Nil Barracks. Among other things, it meant that he would be speaking with the Lord Major's authority and reputation to get the ball rolling on their immediate needs.
"I charge you, old boy, with the acquisition of passage for myself and all of our guests upon the evening riverboat - northbound - as well as appropriate supplies (which you will have no doubt noticed in the courtyard), animals and sundries thereof for a journey besides. Gather a team of soldiers to move these things, see to our spacious and befitting accommodation, and when you are done, old chap; ensure that my travel personals are handled to my stateroom. Have you got all that?" The Corporal was looking in amazement at the card that Reginald had just handed him. He was beaming in slack-jawed appreciation at the thing, seemingly lost to everything else in the world. When asked if he had gotten all of the Lord Major's instructions, he replied with a stately, "Oh, most absolutely, Lord
MAJOR!!! A thousand blessings and a pint of barley whisky upon your head, sir! Right positively away, then! Much to do, much to do!" He ran from the room, already barking orders at any supporting soldiers that he had authority over. The door came to a full close, but the moment hung expectantly. Within the next two seconds, the Corporal poked his head back into the room, screaming a last "Lord
MAJOR!!!" before returning to his new assignment.
As annoying as he was, Reginald did trust the man to do a good job. That in place, he turned to Lauren, who had quite made herself at home behind his Officers' Club bar.
"Miss Ridgeway, if you would be as kind as to discontinue pilfering His Majesty's Booze," He paused to finish the dram within his own glass,
"I and our driver will be waiting outside to ferry you to your usual Cairo accommodations to gather your personals for the trip. Cheers, Miss." Reginald then looked to Vera and George, nodding,
"The soldiery shall be at your disposal Lady Munn, Mr. Benaszewski, for purposes of heavy lifting and act as escort. Miss Ridgeway and I shall be away by means of motorcar." he turned to Lauren,
"I shall await you in the rear seat of the Rolls-Royce, sitting in idle in the courtyard outside." Reginald then excused himself and exited the room, anxious to get started.
Lauren gave Vera a friendly smile and nod, she was grateful for her to make sure that the cat would get whatever it needed, she hated to leave the thing alone she did get attached to it rather quickly. She jumped slightly when the Lord Major called out for a Corporal and then heard the guy yell out. Which made her rub her ears slightly as Lauren went back behind the bar to set the booze that she gathered for the other ladies. Lauren would watch occasionally as the Lord Major and the corporal talked amongst each other, as she finished putting the drinks away Lauren looked up to him.
"Was just finishing putting them away." Lauren said giving him a slight smile.
She then winced slightly hearing the corporal yell out again, before going on the assigned duty that he was assigned to by Reginald and gave him a nod.
"Lead the way just finished." Lauren said giving the Lord Major a slight smile as she quickly caught up with him and headed towards the courtyard.
"Ah yes, very good then." bubbled the Lord Major, noting the approach of his companion for the next hour or so. The moment he waved to a soldier standing post at the Motor Pool, he nodded vigorously and ran inside, screaming something unintelligible from their distance. Within a short minute, the familiar vehicle had pulled up and doors opened for Reginald and Lauren.
Lauren stepped out onto the courtyard looking over at some of the soldiers that were there then over towards the motor pool as one of the soldiers quickly got their ride ready for them and followed the Lord Major over towards their car. Lauren climbed in and looked over towards the Lord Major and gave him a nod. Once inside, Reginald addressed the American lady,
"It was the Savoy Hotel, yes? I seem to recall you mentioning." "That is correct, I wont take long at all." Lauren said towards him as she leaned back slightly, she just needed a change of clothes and a few other things as well. Reginald looked to the driver, repeating,
"Savoy Hotel, soldier. And be ready to stand as personal guard following our arrival." The driver spoke a militant affirmation, and eased the vehicle out out the Barracks and into the streets of Cairo.
The general hustle and bustle of the city had taken its late-morning lull, people having had breakfast and settled into work for the next few hours. It was mostly clear and open for the motor vehicle to make its way down the streets. The Savoy Hotel wasn't so far away either, making the journey a relatively short affair. As they pulled up to the front of the hotel, Reginald reminded Lauren,
"Of course, Miss Ridgeway, do remember that we are embarking on a little adventure over the Nile and desert beyond, possibly with other parties acting against our plans. Dress and pack accordingly, if you would madame. I shall supply as best I am able, naturally, but I do not know how you might take to military accoutrements." The driver exited the vehicle and walked around it, opening the rear door for Lauren and Reginald to exit. He then snapped to attention and waited on the Lord Major and his guest. Inside, Reginald insisted,
"After you, Miss Ridgeway. Do show us to your temporary lodging." Lauren turned her head to look towards Reginald and nodded, she didn't really have clothing that was appropriate for the desert and mainly had a few dresses with her.
"I'll be fine with whatever clothing and other needs you are willing to supply with." Lauren said towards the Lord Major as she looked out the window seeing the various people going on about their usual duties during the day. A few seconds later they were at the Savoy Hotel, and climbed out of the car once the soldier opened it for her.
"Follow me please then." Lauren said as she left the car and headed into the hotel, going down a flight of stairs where usually some of the employees lived in it was the cheapest place she could get.
Taking out her room key and unlocked it, and made her way towards one corner of the room where she had her bag and started to open up a few drawers putting her clothes in it. Then a few letters of her family and two bottles of her family's beer as well and stuffed them all into a single bag.
"Alright i'm ready to go." Lauren said towards Reginald and the other soldier as well.
The Lord Major looked upon Lauren's single bag. Moreover, he attempted a quick eyeballing of the items she packed within said bag. She was most assuredly
not prepared for a journey in the open desert.
"Ah. Miss Ridgeway, I had mistakenly expected that you might have attire better suited for rural shenanigans. This expectation did not take into consideration the fact that you likely did not come to Cairo to romp about in the sun-baked Sahara. When we return, I shall make certain you have access to some proper footwear, khaki cargo shorts, and a ripping good pith helmet, wot! Come along now, if there's nothing I can help you carry, let us be off!" The spirit of adventure was taking hold of Reginald; he held the door open for Lauren with a big, infectious smile, and proceeded back down to the car as soon as she was through.
"Mayhap you should check out before we depart. There is no telling how long this outing shall last. Not to worry, the busy season has not started quite yet." Lauren gave Reginald an awkward smile and nodded towards him, all of her clothes wouldn't be used well while out in the desert even her shoes would be well in the sand.
"That would certainly be great, my clothing isn't really cut out for the road out in the desert really." Lauren said towards him, as she held up her bag over her shoulder and started to make her way back up the stairs. And then over towards the receptionist desk, giving the Lord Major a nod she was ready to leave then paid up the rest of her money for the rest of the day as well as returned her hotel room keys.
"Thank you for the room." Lauren said, as she turned around and followed alongside Reginald and the other soldier back to the car.
The ride back to the Barracks was highly uneventful, unless you count an overzealous street vendor attempting to assail them for some fruit pastry or another whole they were allowing intersecting traffic to pass. Reginald waved the man away with a polite smile, declining in flawless Arabic. It was a tricky language to pick up, but he managed well enough during his time in this part of the world. He did enjoy Cairo, the light and dark of it all.
As the car pulled into the Barracks, Reginald was happy to see that the pallets of supplies as well as the cart full of "luxury items" were already taken away. This was a good sign. It meant that, more than likely, passage aboard a reliable riverboat had been secured. He personal and travel effects had been packed and piled neatly outside of the motor pool with a man guarding it; apparently the Corporal must still be with the bulk of the supplies at the boat, wisely waiting until things were a definite go before moving the Lord Major's own possessions out. He could understand the logic. Or he was horribly misjudging the scene. Reginald took over for the man with his belongings, speaking to him as a commanding officer might.
"Private! Excellent bit of labour, keeping the ne'er-do-wells and vagabonds away from my personals and sundries. Now, I require you to perform a service for young Miss Ridgeway, and in quick time. Linens, soldier. Civilian Auxiliary wear; khakis of course, and one of those charming pith helmets. Oh! some decent socks and broken-in boots." He looked to Lauren,
"Now, what size boot do you wear? You may whisper it into my ear if it is not a ladylike dimension, of course." And back to the soldier,
"Four changes of each. We may sort the remainder out another time. Off with you!" As the man ran off to get the items requested, Reginald confided in Lauren,
"The cargo shorts I mentioned shall still conform to a woman's modesty, if that is a concern. Though they are indeed considered short pants, they are long enough to pass your knees. And the socks, well... None shall question you as anything but a lady of practical decency." Once they were at the barracks Lauren quickly hopped off of the car as she held her bag over her shoulder, looking over at Reginald as he started to address a private and smiled as he told him to get her some spare clothes as well. And then bit her bottom lip for a moment as she thought about her shoe size.
"Of course Lord Major." Lauren said as she leaned in and whispered into his ear to give him her shoe size, and then leaned back.
"As long as it's comfortable while we are out there i'll be fine and should fit perfectly." Lauren said, it wasn't really the first time she had to wear pants or socks either.
A scant bit of time later, the soldier had returned, bearing a large pack of tan, duck-cotton canvas. It was not completely full, having only the contents requested within. He handed it over to the Lord Major, threw a salute, and left for other business.
"Here we are, Miss Ridgeway. I might suggest penning your name into the fabric of the pack somewhere, or otherwise make its new possession known. There are quite literally hundreds of these within the city at the moment, and more in parts beyond." Reginald handed it over to Lauren, continuing,
"Four changes of khaki knee shorts, long puttie socks, Victorian greyback undershirts, light, ah, lower undergarments of a boxer short variety, and one pair of brown B5 issue ankle boots. You shall notice that they remain without rank and insignia, as to do so would be a grave offence as you are, indeed, a civilian (and American, though you cannot help the circumstances of your birth, madame). You shall also notice that they are cut for a man's physique, though he seemed to be able to locate items small enough in size for yourself." "Now madame, I leave this to you: We might keep our belongings here with little fear of molestation by others. Shall we wait out here in the burning sun until the others arrive, or shall we abscond to the Officers' Club to await the triumphant return of the rest of our Fellowship? Perhaps take in some light refreshment ere we leave for adventures unknown?" There was a twinkle in the old man's eye, as if something might have brought him back a decade or three in humor or disposition.
Lauren watched as the soldier came back carrying a bag with a change of clothes for her, looking over at the Lord Major as he handed them over to her and gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you once more, these will fit just perfectly." Lauren said, as she looked at them once more. Though they didn't have to go for any sort of undergarments she had spare ones in her bag as well, but didn't say anything really about it.
"I think we should head inside and wait a little bit in the officer's lounge for the others, I have a feeling we will be in the heat in the next several days." Lauren said, as she grabbed her things and gave Reginald a smile as she headed over towards the barracks and up to the Officer's Lounge once again.
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