THE JOB, Chapter 1: Invitation To Absurdity.

DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyou! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC. I claim no right to it. However, all the events depicted within this fic are entire of my own imagination. So please do not change them! You may distribute as widely as you see fit.

FOREWORD: This is a little idea I had the other day while listening to Unstoppable, by The Calling. This fic is based on the Tenchi Universe continuity.

AUTHOR: Dreamr

LAST REVISION: 16 August 2002

EMAIL: [email protected]

BEGIN.

"But Kiyone!"

"I absolutely refuse!" Kiyone Makibi stood with her partner, Mihoshi Kuramitsu in their small apartment in the suburbs of Okayama Prefecture. Since they had taken up duties as resident officers within the protected zone of Earth, they had had to get several part-time jobs to make payments on the tiny living space, using local employment to gain the necessary funds. Jurai currency was not exactly useful on Earth. In fact, it was useless. And, at the moment, Kiyone was of the opinion that her partner was just as useless as the money building up in her off-planet savings account.

Somehow, Mihoshi had qualified them for a new job. Normally, Kiyone would have been proud of Mihoshi. But the job, as it turned out, was at a night club as exotic dancers.

"But, Kiyone, the nice man said all we have to do is dance on stage!"

"In our underwear!"

"Uh, no. I don't remember anything about that. He did say we should wear two-piece swimsuits, though."

"Mihoshi, don't you remember the places we've busted where stuff like that was going on? Those places are filled with disgusting pigs that'll put their filthy hands all over you the first chance they get!"

This time Mihoshi laughed and waved away Kiyone's concerns.

"Oh, no, Kiyone. It's not that kind of place! He said we'd be very well taken care of. His establishment has a reputation of being clean and safe."

"Yeah, right! I don't care if it is clean. I'm not taking my clothes off for money!"

"No, no! I made sure to ask if it was that kind of place. He said all we have to do is dance! Come on, Kiyone! You're always saying I should do more to help out! I got us a job! We could at least go look."

Kiyone tried hard to stay firm on her decision. But, the fact was, they needed the money. She knew very well that the pay an exotic dancer made was very good. Especially for such little work. It only depended on how far the supposed dancing was required to go. She pinched the bridge of her nose with her right hand.

"This sounds more like something Ryoko would do."

"You know, that's not a bad idea! Why don't we bring her along? Maybe she'll get offered a job, too!"

Mihoshi held her hand to her face and whispered in a conspiratorial tone of voice.

"I'll bet Tenchi would be impressed if she did."

Despite her reservations, a small grin managed to crack Kiyone's stony facade.

"Well..."

"Oh, Hi, Sasami!"

Kiyone looked towards the telephone and saw that Mihoshi had already placed the call.

"Is Ryoko there?"

"Mihoshi, cut it out!" Kiyone snatched the phone from Mihoshi just in time to hear Ryoko's voice in the ear-piece.

"What's up?"

"Sorry, Ryoko. Mihoshi got offered a job at a strip club and she thought it would be a good idea to get us invited, too."

"Is it a strip club or a bikini bar?"

"Eh? What do I care? I'm not going."

"If it's a bikini bar, you might want check it out. If it's a strip club, forget it. Not your style."

"Ryoko! I can't believe you're agreeing with Mihoshi on this!"

"Why not? It's good money. Hmm... Maybe I will come along. When are you supposed to start?"

Kiyone dropped the receiver into Mihoshi's hands.

"I give up. If you want to go with Ryoko, go ahead. I'll be looking for decent work."

Reluctantly, Mihoshi informed Ryoko of Kiyone's decision.

"Ryoko? Kiyone says she's not going."

"Her loss."

"Um... Rich said to show up Thursday night at 6:00."

"Not exactly peak hours. Well, no surprise. I'll stop by Thursday afternoon and we can go together."

Mihoshi immediately perked up.

"Okay! 'Bye!"

As Mihoshi hung up the phone, she looked at Kiyone apprehensively.

"Kiyone, please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad, Mihoshi. I just think you're making a mistake about this."

"Won't you please come with us? It'll be a lot more fun if you're there."

"No, Mihoshi. I'm not going."

Kiyone did not want Mihoshi to think that she did not care. But, sometimes, she had to learn things the hard way.

END.

AFTERWORD: It's a little short compared to the chapters in Invasion, but I wanted to get some opinions before I go any further with this story-line. It's a bit of a stretch that Mihoshi would accept a job as an exotic dancer, don't you think? Is the new font okay?