Pilatus

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Lee Stephens

Lee gave a smug grin at Gwen’s princess attitude as it occurred to him fairly quickly that maybe she was new at this or just wasn’t that good at it, maybe both as she sneered at her customer then begrudgingly moved over for him to sit before going back to her brooding. He didn’t take her up on the invitation, but instead swiftly plucked away the small plastic case containing his cycles. He planted one boot on the bench demonstrating that he wasn’t going to run, not that she could’ve stopped him, and merrily began inspecting the contents as he spoke. “Now with an attitude like that, you’re nevah gonna find a man.” He said, verifying everything, thumbing through neatly packaged pills and vials for direct injection. There was a bench press competition coming up at the Steel Mill and he wanted to remain undefeated, after that there would be an actual show that he would need to cut down for, so it would be a tough run until the start of the Fall. All the compounds looked to be in perfect order as usual and he closed the small box. The plastic tabs shut securely under his hands with an audible pop.

@Eviledd1984

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Lee Stephens

By the time he had finished his shift at Port Delta, Lee had personally driven a forktruck, a crane, a frontend loader and at least two yard trucks. It was a normal day and the good thing about Wednesday was, as the regular expression went throughout the shift: tomorrow’s Friday. As his crew worked four, ten-hour days, Thursday was the last day of the week with Friday being always optional to work overtime with the weekend crew. The union didn’t always care for his willingness to do all the jobs of the shift, or work over the set hours, but generally they didn't bother him. He paid his dues, the men were loyal to him and his shift regularly put up the best unload numbers. Lee played the system to his advantage: If he needed to work he worked. If the port was swamped and he only had time to give them forty hours, then that’s all they got. No one dared question him and he knew it was primarily because of his physical stature that he was left alone. Today they got ten and when the afternoon whistle rang out over the container yard, he was walking through the gate with the rest of the men.

Normally his work week was consistent nearly down to the minute. He followed the same schedule religiously. Today was a little different. He twisted the throttle on his bike, picked up another gear and headed across the bay towards Mandarin Park.

Right after the lease on his boat and food, supplements for training were the largest expenditure of Lee’s earnings and not that long ago were not difficult to get in hand. However, mostly because of the public spectacle of the Olympics, everyone in the fitness industry and particularly bodybuilding knew the writing was on the wall and it would only be a matter of time before politics came after the drugs. If you wanted to be ahead of the game, you had to have a reliable source. Being intimately in the know for several years, Lee was one such person and he kept several avenues open for his needs. The one he was on his way to meet was one his preferred sources. Sure, the drugs weren’t illegal, yet, but this individual had already made the right moves in Lee’s mind, by moving his operation into as low key and undetectable methods as possible. He was positive the guy was dealing in a plethora of other substances, but that was neither here nor there as long as he got what he needed, the other customers could do whatever they had to do.

Friday would have been a preferable appointment, but that was the nature of the beast. He had always kept his stuff out of the hands of the US Postal Service, so when it came available, he picked it up. Today would be a leg day when he headed back over the bridge to the Steel Mill and that was always the shortest training day. The shift ended mid afternoon before the traffic so he could make up some of the time if he kept the throttle open.

As usual, the contact person was not the actual procurement agent. Lee knew some of these individuals liked to consider themselves “dealers” which he found amusing. However, they were more like runners to him. Someone else made the big deals, but there was still a needed separation to keep the supply chain secure and these people had to make a living as well. The agent himself often changed up the runner, which Lee thought was probably a smart move, it just happened that this one was supposed to be a young girl which was new. The exhaust popped and cracked as he nonchalantly eased into a parking space near a couple of vans, dropping the kickstand. He shut the engine down and glanced around, finding the girl sitting alone on a bench, just like the phone call had said.

“Discreet” was never a term used to describe Lee. His presence alone attracted attention, though the park wasn’t exactly crowded and he didn’t really care who was looking. Fresh out of the port, he was still wearing his navy blue union t-shirt Local 510 which looked absolutely painted on his upper body- the chapter’s heat-pressed image of a dock crane stretched from a multitude of uses, equally worn jeans, workboots and sunglasses. The aroma of gasoline, sweat, machinery and ocean water accompanied him as he sauntered up to the bench giving the dejected looking girl a once over before speaking: “Oi! My God it can’t be that bad,” He said with a chuckle. His accent wasn’t the least bit hampered by his move to the United States. “It’s a nice day, you’re at the park, try smilin' a little bit, you’ll feel better.”

@Eviledd1984

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Name: Lee Stephens
Age: 28
Appearance:

Hider

Height: 5’7”
Weight: 225-250 lbs (depending on competition/cycle)
Eyes: Blue

Likes:
+Working Out
+Deep Sea Fishing
+Motorcycles/Cars/Offroad Trucks
+Comic Books (mostly Superman)
+Crude Jokes/Poorly Timed Humor
+Steak & Eggs

Dislikes:
-Bad Form
-Lack of Discipline
-Cold Weather
-Crazy Conspiracy Theories
-Cheese
-Slow Drivers

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Special Talent: Weightlifting/Bodybuilding - Lee has naturally good genetics for physical fitness. He can gain/cut weight fairly easily and has a naturally balanced physique.

Profession: Foreman at Port Delta / Pro-Level Bodybuilder

Bio/Personality:
Eccentric, bizarre, unorthodox, most people that encounter Lee remember it. He has a ton of natural energy and most people just enjoy being around him even if they don’t share his interests. Having a party? You gotta invite Lee. Going to the DMV? Why not? Just don’t introduce your wife or girlfriend. There never seems to be a time that he is not living life to the fullest.

Along with his impressive physique, his thick accent instantly sets him apart and he’s usually quick with a joke (often vulgar). He likes to work and be out and about, rarely staying sedentary for very long. He welcomes the attention and enjoys helping people get started in bodybuilding, lifting or just fitness in general, though he’s usually a good encouragement no matter the task or goal.

Lee enjoys competition and approaches the stage with a laser focus. It’s the only time he doesn’t seem to be at ease and can be agitated easily when he is preparing his mind.

Your character's favorite song:

Hider

Recent History:
Originally from Airlie Beach, Queensland, Lee’s family were middle class fisherman and port workers. Being farther from the city, he spent most of his youth in the fishing industry though he made the move to Brisbane in his late teens to be closer to his primary hobby: bodybuilding. Days were spent working in the Port of Brisbane while training took up most of his evenings. Having a genetic advantage strongly suited to the sport, time and money were generally his biggest hurdles. Port work was secure and always available, though there was still not sufficient cash flow in professional competition without ascending to the absolute heights of the sport. Still, Lee viewed the Australian circuit as merely a stepping stone to making his move to America where he could be at the epicenter of the sport.

At present, Lee has been in Delta City for around two years. Having brought over amateur and professional accolades/awards from the Australian bodybuilding scene, his presence is an anomaly in an already obscure sport. He finds himself again doing port work to supplement his hobby, though he is closer than ever to making his goal of living on his bodybuilding salary alone. Lee is a regular fixture at the Steel Mill Gym(their only Pro-Card holding member) and often trains people free of charge, but only a couple at a time and only after they have demonstrated a commitment to keeping up the work. To keep his expenses low, he lives in a sailboat docked not far from downtown and drives a Harley Davidson motorcycle rather than owns a car or truck.

Actor or Actress/Public Figure:

Lee Priest

Tell us about yourself:

-See Sena Knight CS-

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

&

Sena Knight

Sena had moved her sunglasses up prior to GiGi’s return, tousling back her black hair with the frames and exposing the red ribbon slightly more. She regarded the other girl carefully, sitting with her hand propped against her cheek. They were about the same age and she had noticed GiGi examine her message to their young fan. “You know, you’re really pretty.” She said with a slight smirk, completely serious and ignoring the blonde girl’s question about their order.

Karina’s eyes lifted from the menu, where she’d been trying to understand some of the local items. Cheesy Western? What did that mean? Sure, she got the cheese part, but how far west? Did they really call it that? No way. However, she knew when Sena was up to something and she curiously glanced up at GiGi to see her reaction.

GiGi blinked as she was blind-sided with Sena's compliment. "I'll take the compliment since I'm pretty sure you look in the mirror at least once a day." She tipped her head and her blonde ponytail swung lightly brushing across her back. "So…" GiGi poured Sena some coffee making sure to leave some room for add ins. "What are a couple of high class ladies, like yourselves doing downtown? Taking advice from Mr. Joel?"

“See, she agrees.” Sena’s smirk increased at GiGi’s response.

“Mmmhmmm…” Karina gave a sly grin.

Sena was about to speak again when a raucous noise entered alongside the sound of jingling door bells and she instantly knew it was Danny talking boisterously on his cellular along with their pilot. He quickly hung up with a rather aggressive button-push to end the call once he found Sena and Karina.

“Ha! What a day!” He said with a mix of satisfaction and frustration before checking his watch. Whatever the conversation had been, his mood seemed to have lightened considerably from the flight over. He looked around, noticing the commotion he had caused and recognizing one particular hotel proprietor when he had an idea. “One check.” He said to GiGi motioning with a single finger.

“Danny…” Sena said with a familiar sense of feigned civility. She hated being interrupted.

“One check for everybody! Courtesy of Knight Enterprises.” He announced.

“...Danny” Her tone became more curt.

“Whatever they want,” Danny continued. He could see the regulars expressions turning from cautious surprise to approval. He even recognized a few faces from years back. One old-timer held up his coffee mug in appreciation, prompting Danny to pick up the cup GiGi had just placed on the table and take a healthy swig along with him. He winced slightly at the taste. “Sweet Jesus... Nevaeh must be working.” He looked up seeing her tending to Jackson. “Nevaeh! Looking wonderful as usual-…”

“Danny!” Sena finally barked.

The sound of her voice hit the Sweeper like a jolt of electricity and he wheeled back around. “Yes Sena, my dear, sorry! Big developments, big moves. I’ll tell you-”

“Hello Danny.” She spoke as if she were putting a small child back in the lunch line, resetting the conversation.

“Yes, Sena?” He knew this tactic of hers and waited for the question.

“Are there any openings for staff at the Diamond?” She asked. “In the restaurant?” It was common to refer to the downtown location as the Diamond as it was the first built. Sena didn’t care for the slang nickname Double-D.

“Oh so this is an HR meeting now?” Danny said with a coy smile. “We could have had this back at the hotel, you know with the other squares.”

Sena blazed a look of cold death right back at him and said nothing.

“Kidding! Kidding!” He raised his hands defensively. “I have no idea, why? Who’s asking?”

“I think GiGi would be a good fit for us there.” In an instant her entire demeanor changed from roaring hatred towards their band manager to warm invitation as she glanced back at GiGi. She had noticed the blonde’s name-tag early on. “What do you think?” She asked. “Would you want to come work with us downtown? Or uptown rather?” She said with a slight raise of an enticing eyebrow, playing off the girl’s musical allusion.

Smiling GiGi was about to make a witty remark when those damned bells went off. Turning sideways she glanced over at Nevaeh who in a saccharine voice said, "Welcome to Chef's!"

Rolling her eyes she turned back to the girls only to have the awkward moments of the new occupant of the restaurant announce his lack of tact and apparently his overabundance of wealth. She raised an eyebrow at the man as Sena almost slew him in one breath with one word. His name.

GiGi blinked down at Sena. Is.. is this chica like a 40 year old mother of 3 teenage boys?! Cause she sounds just like one. Like she'd gladly stuff him in a barrel and roll him down a hill. Then it was like Wimbledon all over again. Martina Navratilova versus Pat Cash this time, and Martina was serving fireballs. GiGi watched as if at this tennis match. She'd almost dumped the coffee on Danny when he grabbed the cup. Damned ingratitude of men.

GiGi looked over at Nevaeh who whipped out. "You damned right I did. Made it just how Bert likes it. Didn't I sugar?" Bert, the old timer, lifted his mug in a salute yet again. Nevaeh lowered her voice but grumbled out. "Don't know how I feel about a man tellin' me how I look in front of people when he says different when we're alone. Keep your forked tongue in your mouth."

GiGi was half listening to Nevaeh on one side and Danny and Sena on the other. When the famous, or rather, infamous Danny tossed in HR and the word squares she raised a brow. So when Sena actually said her name GiGi turned toward the girl and smiled at her referring to Uptown Girl. "You know it would have to be Uptown wouldn't it? Let me get you a clean mug I just noticed has a spot on it."

Moving to get a clean mug GiGi was waylaid by Nevaeh. "Excuse me what?! You cannot be seriously thinking of going all Diane on me!"

"Oh so I can't move on to a better job? I've been here since Cheers started. No before it started. I need better pay with the paper still paying me as a freelancer. I can't ask that of Chef, not to mention you. Working with a part time kid who's making more than you. Yeah, not happening. Claro que no, Chiquita. This right here is a chance, a sign that things are turning around. I have to take it." GiGi pleaded for Nevaeh to realize that she needed this.

"Well when you put it that way…"

GiGi hugged Nevaeh, grabbed a mug, the pot of coffee and the orange juice walking back over to the table. Pouring the coffee, a fresh pot this time, in another mug and slid it towards Sena then she topped off Karina’s orange juice. "Sounds too good to be true. Me? Work for a rock band?" She paused for a moment. "Do I answer to ya'll or to a 3rd party? Do I have to wear a uniform like this? Is it just waitressing? What kind of atmosphere is it? Am I asking too many questions?"

“Don’t worry about any of that stuff,” Sena said cooly with a gentle wave of her hand. “Just be there Monday morning and we’ll take care of the rest.”

@Almalthia
@PrinceAlexus

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

We have a little crowd forming at everyone's favorite sushi establishment.

@PrinceAlexus is going to lead off the posting for Team Sushi. Yall can either make a colab or go with a posting order. Whatever works.

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

@Eviledd1984

This is fine. Just wait for one more GM approval.

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Sena Knight

“Hello!” Karina answered GiGi and smiled accepting the menus. She tossed the green copy away and it slid partially under the napkin holder. Sena glanced down at it briefly, still wearing her sunglasses, reading the last paragraph of the last page when another voice jumped in excitedly over their server.

“SENA! KARINA!” The young girl shrieked. She couldn’t have been over sixteen and had the red ribbon in her hair along with a white Duran Duran t-shirt from the band’s Rio album that Sena found mildly amusing.

Karina winced a little as her name was shouted, but she smiled back, “Hiiiiiiii!” She answered like she’d known the girl forever. Within the lineup of the band, she was aware people kind of regarded her as a ditz and they weren’t completely wrong, but she genuinely did enjoy people particularly when the setting was less chaotic. She didn’t have to fake any appreciation of the fans and it was a large part of her popularity.

“I can’t believe it’s… YOU?!” The girl continued, basically inserting herself in front of GiGi. “What are you doing here?”

“I guess we just knew you were going to be here.” Sena said with a smirk.

The girl just melted at the words. “No one is gonna believe this!” She clasped her hands together and shook her head.

“Sure they will,” Karina produced a marker from her handbag. Another multicolored and diamond studded affair. She pulled the green paper back out from under the napkin tin. “Autograph?”

“Uhhhhh, like yeah!” She couldn’t believe her luck and bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly.

Karina scribbled her name and the thick marker bled over the printed type easily. She slid it back over to Sena who picked it up briefly to reread the same final paragraph with a snicker. Who knew if the girl would ever read what they had just signed over, but something about the “Gabber-In-Chief”’s words felt fitting. He was half right. With a few strokes of the marker she had drawn an inverted crown and a phrase: No King - No Master right above it. “Even if they don’t believe you now, they will in a couple weeks.” Sena said, signing her name with a heavy flourish on the “S” and the “t” at the trail of her last name that ripped through the letters like a whip being cracked.

“Oh my God, that is just like the most badass thing ever.” The girl said, gripping the paper in front of her with both hands as if she were holding a piece of priceless art and looking for a sign of approval from GiGi before tucking it back against her chest and dancing away happily singing to herself.

Karina read the phrase briefly as it passed by her eyes, it was something new, so she wasn’t sure where her sister was going with it. Sena never made plans and if she did, she waited until the last minute to announce them which usually ended up being a lot of fun watching everyone scramble. Still, Karina wondered sometimes if Sena wasn’t taking the whole “rebellion” thing a little too seriously. She glanced back up at their server who seemed to have been pushed to the background amidst the whole encounter and tried to be as nice as she could be: “Orange juice for me,” She said politely looking around at one of the tables that hadn’t been bussed amid the spectacle of the chopper landing. “In a clean glass, please.” She was completely sincere as she looked at GiGi.

“‘Rina!” Sena snapped. “They’re not gonna give you a dirty glass, you ditz.”

“Well I didn’t know,” Karina replied, shrugging innocently. “Maybe they need to save money or something.”

“No, that’s not how this works.” Sena replied, shaking her head. Still behind her sunglasses, she glanced back at GiGi, looking the girl up and down briefly before speaking. “Sorry about all that, just coffee for me.”

@Almalthia

80's Retro-Style - Slice of Life

Gonna give this one more bump. We are up and running in IC now, still easy to join. Appreciate everyone who has jumped in thus far!

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Sena Knight

The Sweeper really had a time understanding the daughters and maybe under a different set of circumstances it would have been easier. He had two sons, both of whom he had encouraged to stay out of the hotel business and both of whom ended up joining the Navy. It was a good fit for them, full of firm structures and discipline, unlike the pair setting across from him in Marcus’ Bell Jetranger. As the humid turbulence jostled the aircraft a bit while they flew over the Bay towards downtown, he concluded, again, that if he had daughters like Sena and Karina he likely would have hung himself from one of the chopper’s landing pads, mid-flight, while over the shark-filled waters south of Pace Island. He hung up the helicopter’s large onboard phone having just rescheduled the interview that he knew there was no possibility of them making on time. There was at least a sales element to it that he could understand and unlike the promptness and careful attention to detail required for making property deals, many in other countries with their own explicit customs and tastes, a good manager in music had to sell the experience more than the music, which meant, in many situations, you could just lie your ass off completely. Sena wasn’t busy and she didn’t have a scheduling conflict like he told the station- she was just hungover. He could get her, and Karina, sobered up and on the air in an even better time slot later in the evening, that is, if the station still wanted the hottest act out of Miami to grace their airwaves- and he knew they did. The Downtown Diamond was where his office was located, they could land on the roof helipad, he could deposit them at the restaurant for a while, get some work done and then pop back over for the interview during rush-hour when everyone would be listening.

“I’m not eating at the Diamond,” Sena said flatly, her hand propped against her cheek as she glanced out of the window. She didn’t turn her head to speak.

“Ugh, not again.” Karina chimed in and checked her watch, one of several brightly colored bands along her arms. “It literally would be like the squarest place in town right now.”

“Bunch of old fudds having brunch over stock options…” Sena smirked. “No thanks.”

“This is literal five-star dining!” Danny protested. If nothing else, he would always defend his livelihood. “They’ll fix whatever you want, I have meetings there all the time.”

“Yeah, that’s the point.” Sena said, cutting her eyes back at him.

“You have meetings there.” Karina finished the thought.

“Might as well call it the wrinkle-room this time of day.” Sena grinned smugly as Karina cackled.

“Oh for God sakes,” Danny wiped a hand over his face and let out a huff of exasperation.

“You gettin’ mad, Danny?” Sena’s dark eyes seemed to liven up and that prospect of getting under his skin a little.

The older man thought for a moment as they carried on towards the city center with the steady sound of the rotors overhead. Suddenly, he had a thought and looked up, glancing past the pilot to see how far away from the hotel they were. He grabbed the phone back off the hook and mashed a button to get the pilot’s comms.

….

Sena barely seemed phased as they descended past tree-tops, while Karina craned her neck and looked around inquisitively. Dust began to kick up as the turning blades got closer to the ground and she could see people pointing and watching, some scrambling to get out of the wash of air that beat against the ground and fanned the grass. Sena continued to look unconcerned. She and Danny were having one of their battles. Karina smirked a little. It was similar to how her sister and their guitarist, Levi, got along, but Danny was older and could be very clever when he wanted to be, one reason why he’d been so successful in working for their dad. It was all very entertaining. The skids settled onto a soft, grass wayside and the pilot shut down the engines with a sleek mechanical whine. The rotors turned lazily for a moment casting rotating shadows while the hum of regular traffic became audible in the cabin.

“Let’s eat!” Danny said, rubbing his hands together as the pilot lowered the hatch.

Sena stepped down first into bright morning sun with Karina right behind. Visually, the sisters could not have looked more different other than the starkly black hair they shared. Sena wore acid-washed jeans, high-top Chucks and a matching black tank top. Both arms had a similar dark assortment of bracelets and a pair of sunglasses. The only color was one of her trademarks: a red ribbon that she wore discreetly through her long hair in a manner similar to 50’s styles. It was a custom many of her followers picked up. Karina on the other hand, wore bright yellow shorts with a blue belt, red flip-flops and a matching tube-top. Her hair was considerably shorter at shoulder length and she didn’t quite have Sena’s figure, being more boney and childlike in her appearance. She smiled brightly behind wide, red-framed glasses as she stepped down behind her sister. In contrast to Sena’s subtle ribbon, Karina wore a large red bow in her hair. It was never planned, but the differences between them became part of the appeal. None of the band members looked like they belonged together.

A bright yellow sign blinked with red neon across the street: Chef’s Drive-In.

“Me and your old man used to eat here all the time when they were building the Double-D.” Danny proclaimed with some smugness, but Sena was already walking away.

“That’s nice, I don’t need a life story or anything,” She said, not turning back. “Just don’t sit anywhere near us.” The small intersection was stopped for a traffic light and someone honked with a cat-call as Karina caught up. Sena blew the burly truck driver a kiss prompting several more horns and shouts of approval. She stepped up on the curb and strode across the small, weed-cracked parking lot.

A pair of bells on a rope wrapped around the entrance let the staff at Chef’s know when visitors came and went from the tiny establishment. Inside was a combination of smells ranging from fried food, a worn counter-size griddle with burgers sizzling, cigarette smoke and some combination of glass cleaner and bleach that was used to wipe down the tables and bar. The whole place could have used a coat of paint, but that project was scrapped long ago. The grease in the air from years of hearty cooking stuck to everything consequently making it so that paint wouldn’t stick to anything. Sena walked in as if she had been there a hundred times, unphased by the stares and murmurs of the locals, particularly those holding a certain piece of green copy. She slid into a booth and glanced briefly across the street seeing the traffic light had changed behind them, leaving Danny and the pilot to wait at the crossing.

Karina slid in across from her and plucked one of the green papers from between the salt and pepper shakers thinking it was a menu since she had seen several lying around when they walked in. She flipped her sunglasses up on her head and began scanning. She loved new things, though “Chef’s” wasn’t exactly a private reservation at Shogun.

“That’s not a menu.” Sena said. She still had on her sunglasses and had shifted sideways with her back against the wall, letting her legs stretch out.

Karina’s expression wrinkled some in disappointment and she flipped one of the pages and turned it upside-down, craning her head oddly to follow the words of a bizarre, coupon ad. “No… I don’t think I need a…” She pronounced the words slowly, having literally never read a sale flyer before in her life: “Psychosis...of...Savings...at ‘Insane Jane’s’ electronics outlet.”

@Almalthia

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

If everyone is happy with the map staying in the first OOC post, I will leave it there. Looking at using the zeroth just to keep the current time skip posted for easier reference.