Thelma Jones pulled up to the curb with an easy smile on her face. Benefits of her ridesharing gig during the summer months were as follows: constant air conditioning, listening to her summer playlist on repeat, and frequent ice cream stops. The latter was the most important perk. It was a little early in the day to be dreaming of a vanilla shake, but she’d already gotten in the habit and it was still technically spring. 

Although it wasn’t the dream job, Thelma enjoyed more than just the summer perks of driving other people around in her hand-me-down Subaru Outback. It was nice to see different parts of the city and the people watching was prime. Everyone needed to get places and people willing to pay to drive privately were interesting in their own right. Sure, she usually just picked up lost tourists and drunk young people, but every once in a while she’d get a gem. Also, sometimes some vomit (hence the plastic covering the floor in the back--one could never be too prepared for weekend bar time). 

Besides the need for plastic, Thelma liked being in her car for hours on end as well. She made it ‘hers’ with a colorful driver’s seat cushion and her eclectic mix of pop music (although she was always willing to change it for a rider). The lemon air freshener swayed lightly in the blow from the ac and the car smelled faintly of it mixed with the young woman’s coconut and rose lotion. As she waited a moment for her rider, Thelma checked her phone screen for the name of her rider--she was apparently waiting for someone named Agnes. It looked like they were headed to a popular luxury shopping stretch in downtown. 

Brown eyes stole a glance at the rearview mirror. Her dark curls strained the poor cloth elastic holding them up off her neck. The heat of the day hadn’t yet melted her makeup, which was a plus. The sleeves of her air conditioning-proof black pullover were adjusted as Thelma hummed along to a Janelle Monáe song. Usually pick ups only took a minute or two and she’d just arrived at the address in the Upper East Side. 

She whistled at the fancy buildings around her. Not a lost tourist today….

Things could be going better. Then again, that could simply be because she was hard to please. But the reality was that Agnes had plans, plans that suddenly went awry when her little, redheaded pet had attempted to grow a spine for once. The whole thing made her sour but the parting words she had left Becca with should be at least somewhat of a consolation. There was every possibility that it would be enough to break the redhead down further and bring her back into the fold. But only time would tell. For now it would seem that she would have to entertain herself.

This type of thing would have never been possible in her old life. She spent most of her youth living in the streets and scrounging around for edible trash. Even when she got out of that situation and became a full-fledged musician, she still needed to mind herself. But that wasn’t who she was anymore. Not only could she get a number of free things with just a smile and a wink, now she had the means of affording the life she always wanted, and partaking in the one thing she always dreamed: shopping therapy.

There were tons of ridesharing services out there, enough that Agnes had a few on her phone. Picking on, she dialed in her destination for the downtown shopping district and moved to ready herself. By the time she had finished dressed in her tight, hip-hugging jeans, ripped (yet strangely expensive) off the shoulder, bare midriff shirt, and wedges exposing her green painted toenails, there came a ring to her phone. Her ride had been chosen -- and she purred.

Thelma. Didn’t she look delictible? It wasn’t a bit picture, but it was enough to pique her interest.

Grabbing her expensive bag, her tortoise-shell sunglasses, and a red lollipop from a dish near the door, the young insect queen grinned as she stepped out her door and towards the elevator. She was planning on having some fun today.

The trip down to the lobby was short. As she walked, the moved the candy back and forth between her lips, the white stick dangling out like a thin cigarette. She didn’t bother to turn towards anyone who addressed her and instead simply continued on, unimpeded. Stepping out into the light, she sighed and glanced down to her phone, eyeing the pictures of the face and car of who would be picking her up. It didn’t take long for her to spot the car at the curb and another mischievous smile curled the corners of her lips.

Confidently she stepped forward and didn’t really bother too double check that it was the right car. Instead she merely opened the side door and slipped in the backseat. Peering over the rim of her glasses, she smiled at the sweetheart who was waiting in the driver’s seat. The picture didn’t do her justice.

”Please tell me you are Thelma and I didn’t just completely embarrass myself,” she said, batting her eyelashes in a most sweet and adorable way.

The young woman at the wheel was pulled from her admiration of the towering apartments around her by the click of the car door as it was opened. Before she had a chance to turn around her nose was hit by a field of honeysuckle. The car was spacious, but her passenger's perfume flooded it. Thankfully for Thelma, it was a pleasant smell--she’d had more than her fair share of cars filled with ‘designer’ perfume that smelled rancid. It was harder to get chemical smells out of her upholstery than it was the natural ones (although those were also gross--hence the plastic floor coverings in the back). 

Thelma turned bodily in her seat, an easy greeting smile pulling the corners of her mouth upwards. Her passenger was textbook gorgeous. Thelma instantly thought she must be some sort of model or commercial actress. If Agnes wasn’t, she should be. The other woman definitely looked the part of the neighborhood, in any case. The shades and bag alone probably cost more than Thelma’s rent for three months. Someone less secure than the brunette might have felt inadequate in her fast fashion jean shorts and basic black pullover, but Thelma was able to admire her passenger without comparing the two of them.  

>>”Please tell me you are Thelma and I didn’t just completely embarrass myself,”

 A short laugh escaped Thelma’s throat “As long as you’re Agnes, we’re alright.” Her slight southern accent rounded out the consonants at the end of her words. The young woman turned back in her seat and turned on her blinker. After checking her blind spot, they smoothly pulled from the curb. A thin brown hand smoothly adjusted the volume of the radio, turning down the Solange song that was next in her playlist. 

“How’s your day so far?” Dark brown eyes darted to the rearview to take a glance at her beautiful rider. “Any big plans besides--” She peeked back at her phone screen for the address they were driving towards. “Shopping?” Thelma didn’t always make small talk while she drove, but sometimes she felt compelled to. Agnes seemed friendly enough. It was a nice change--she’d had a particularly antagonistic passenger recently. Come to think of it, everything about this ride seemed to be in stark contrast to that uncomfortable afternoon--the attitude, the direction, the smell. She’d aired out her car for hours to get the burnt smell out.

Also, it didn’t hurt that light conversation sometimes helped her get high ratings--she was going for a five-star streak the last few days. 

Thelma was quite the looker. Agnes was pleased by this. She never used to base her opinions on others simply by their looks but these days she certainly had a different outlook on life. Agnes lived a fairly hedonistic life but not enough to draw too much attention, of course -- just enough to appease the hungry beast of vanity and pleasure that dwelled within her curvaceous body. Thelma had a rather gorgeous look about her and that was something that surely earned her points from the enigmatic brunette.

Glancing over her glasses, her sapphire-like eyes smiled sweetly at the driver and coyly mentioned that she hoped that she had gotten into the right car. She knew that she wasn’t wrong but some playful dialogue was certainly warranted.

>> “As long as you’re Agnes, we’re alright.”

Agnes wrinkled her nose cutely and nodded. ”That would be me, sweetie.” She straightened up in her seat and buckled herself in. With a sigh as she moved her sunglasses up so that they rested upon the top of her head. Another smile and Agnes turned, peering out the window as they pulled away from the curb and into the street.

Conversation never used to be her strong point but that was when she was weak-willed and full of uncertainty. The woman sitting in this car now certainly was nothing like that anymore. She was bold and forward and talking with complete strangers, as it turned out, became one of her favorite pastimes. That was why she turned and smiled to young Thelma with the driver spoke up.

>>“How’s your day so far? Any big plans besides--Shopping?”

A finely manicured nail tapped on her chin in thought. Really what were her plans for the day aside from some shopping? She guessed that that was a good start to her day, but what was the goal? Well, that was simple enough, she wanted to feel good and treat herself to some goodies. A glance to Thelma and she grinned. goodies that come in all shapes and sizes.

”My day is going pretty good,” she smiled. ”Treating myself to a mental health day. Project I was working on...went a direction that was less than ideal. But, rather than wallow, I’m going to treat myself. Some shopping, some pampering…” she shrugged. ”...I’ll see what the day throws at me.” She then tilted her head to Thelma. ”What about you, darling?” she smiled teasingly. ”I hope your day is well?”

With their identities playfully confirmed, the women in the car traveled steadily towards their destination. Thelma’s car was not new by any means (she’d had it passed down from her father), but she’d been driving in the city long enough to be comfortable behind the wheel. When her passenger responded to the question, Thelma peeked back using the rearview mirror. Without her sunglasses, Agnes’ eyes were some of the brightest blue the young woman had ever seen. Again the thought crossed her mind that if Agnes wasn’t modeling, she should.   

>>”My day is going pretty good. Treating myself to a mental health day. Project I was working on...went a direction that was less than ideal. But, rather than wallow, I’m going to treat myself. Some shopping, some pampering...I’ll see what the day throws at me.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Polite concern tinged her voice before it perked back up: “That’s the perfect attitude--it’s a gorgeous day for it.”

>>”What about you, darling? I hope your day is well?”

Thelma returned the smile before pulling her eyes back towards the road. “Me? Oh, my day is easy-peasy.” Her accent came through more heavily on the colloquialism, drawing out the vowels a bit. Just like before, her tone was bright and cheery. It was so darn nice to be giving a normal ride. She hoped the rest of her day was as smooth. “Just a lot of this all day.” Thin fingers on the wheel stretched upwards in explanation and then gripped the wheel again. As soon as she dropped Agnes off her phone would likely ding with a shopper wanting a ride back to their hotel or apartment. After that, it was anyone’s guess where in the city she’d end up.

She thought for a moment and then added: “And then take-out night at my apartment--I think we’re getting chinese.” It was a weekly tradition they’d had since Thelma moved into her current Brooklyn apartment. Thelma’s roommate Janet was picking that night. Janet always picked chinese. Of course, to be fair, Thelma always wanted to go to the closest taco truck when it was warm out. Their relationship was based on compromise.

She smoothly pulled them around a corner before slowing down for a group of shopping bag laden tourists. They were a few minutes out from the address Agnes had requested in her pickup. Traffic on the way had been light enough that they made good time, but the closer they got to the designer shops the heavier the foot traffic was. Thelma turned off her radio so she could concentrate. It was one thing to be confident in her driving--she was not confident that pedestrians would make good choices. “Nearly there--your retail therapy awaits.” Another glance in the rearview was stolen at the should-be-model in her backseat. Her blue eyes really were intense. 

Agnes smirked. Wasn’t she sweet? Of course, being in a public service, Thelma could have just been trying to feign concern so that she could get bigger tip later on, but Agnes could almost sense the sincerity in her. This piqued the young insect queen’s interest. She continued to watch Thelma, even after she turned her eyes to the road, and took a few mental snapshots for remembrance later. In the meantime, she continued with the conversation at hand, taking a second to pull her compact from her bag and looking briefly at her reflection.

>>“Me? Oh, my day is easy-peasy...Just a lot of this all day...And then take-out night at my apartment--I think we’re getting chinese.”

Sounded...mundane. Pity. The young woman appeared so interesting but a day of driving strangers around and ending her night at home with Chinese food was just so...bleh. She almost felt a swell of pity for young Thelma. Someone who looks like her should be out, partying it up, breaking hearts and living her life to the fullest. There was a whole world out there and people needed to take advantage of it because you never know what the future would bring.

”Sounds fun,” she said with a sweet smile. Agnes was a good actress. While deep down she may have felt like Thelma’s plans mundane, she wasn’t going to offend the young woman. No, she didn’t deserve her ire -- rather, she deserved her help. With small grin she began to formulate some kind of idea.

Eventually the streets grew familiar and Agnes knew that they were getting closer and closer to their destination. However the going would be just a tad harder as the streets were growing compact with people. This was downtown, after all, and certainly she wasn’t the only person who would be out shopping. But at least it afforded her a few more moments with this precious creature who was winning her favor with every passing second.

>>“Nearly there--your retail therapy awaits.”

She beamed. ”Excellent. We getting there quicker than I thought,” she turned to look outside the window, musing to herself as the silence in the car grew a bit heavier. There was still a bit to go but Agnes wasn’t about to sit in absolute silence the whole way. ”Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself, Thelma? You have a lovely voice and I’m in the mood for a story.”

As soon as Thelma uttered the words ‘nearly there’ it seemed that the pedestrians of NYC were conspiring to make her a liar. It wasn’t really unusual for downtown traffic, but it was annoying. She tried to keep the constant stop and go smooth, but a few times were a bit on the abrupt side. Didn’t anyone read crosswalk signs anymore?  

>> ”Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself, Thelma? You have a lovely voice and I’m in the mood for a story.”

“Oh, thank you--that’s sweet to say. Let’s see...” She bit her lip for a moment, pausing to think about how much of ‘her story’ she ought to share with the charming woman in the backseat. “Well, I’m obviously not from New York. I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina.” Another pause before a self-deprecating laugh. “Now this is the part that gets cliched, okay? I moved out here about a year ago to pursue my acting career. Feel free to roll your eyes, but I’d keep a screenshot of your ride receipt as a future momento.” She winked in the rearview mirror. “Could be work a lot someday.”

Thelma idled as she waited for a school group from somewhere in the midwest to cross the street. “I did a lot of local stuff when I was in Charleston--in high school, I was in a public television series. In New York, it's like starting over, but I’m glad to be here. I’m getting a lot closer to what I want.” For the briefest of moments, something in Thelma’s eyes grew a lot more serious. Although her tone was light, she was being completely honest. It wasn’t a perfect life by any stretch, but she was pushing herself every day to make it happen. Dark brown eyes softened again. “And now I do rideshare and meal delivery to pay rent. I just couldn’t bring myself to apply for any waitressing jobs.” She laughed lightly at the cliche. 

“Now please tell me you’re a model or something because if you aren’t, honey you ought to be.” Thelma deflected back to her usual confident self. Normally she didn’t tell passengers much beyond that she was from Charleston--she always let them assume that she was a student or something. It felt a little too open, but she was sure she could turn the conversation outward for the few minutes they had left together.

>>“Oh, thank you--that’s sweet to say. Let’s see...”

Agnes smiled as she settled in. The traffic always got a bit thicker the closer that they got to downtown. The streets were wide but there were always people moving through, dropping off some, picking up others, or just pulling to the side and yelling randomly to passerbys. It seemed that was just the way with this city. Everything else could be working out for you but the second you get downtown, be prepared to wait. So, if that were the case, the insect queen wanted some entertainment -- and Thelma certainly had the voice for it.

>>“Well, I’m obviously not from New York. I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Now this is the part that gets cliched, okay? I moved out here about a year ago to pursue my acting career. Feel free to roll your eyes, but I’d keep a screenshot of your ride receipt as a future momento...Could be work a lot someday.”

She grinned. It was a story as old as the city itself. People came to the big metropolis to make it big. Acting, music, theatre, the allure of the spotlight was a hard one to ignore. Thelma was just another victim seeking the limelight. Agnes remember the same thing had happened to her. When she was young she wanted to plan the violin. Then she did. Then she actually found her way to the stage. And that was when everything went to shit. But she wasn’t going to judge others for seeking their dreams -- all she could do was wonder how it would fair for them.

Still, she likely Thelma’s enthusiasm and bowed her head. She had already screengrabbed Thelma’s info from the app. For what purpose she wasn’t sure yet but she would find one. ”Consider the momento saved.” She said with a teasing smile.

>> “I did a lot of local stuff when I was in Charleston--in high school, I was in a public television series. In New York, it's like starting over, but I’m glad to be here. I’m getting a lot closer to what I want.”

She could see that slight change in Thelma’s expression. It wasn’t big. It wasn’t as if she were incredibly depressed now, but Agnes could see the shift. Again, the story was familiar. She achieved some local success where she is originally from but it didn’t translate when she moved to the big city. New York was like that. I didn’t care who you were before, only who you are now. Thelma had a tough road ahead of her and the wear was showing...

>>“And now I do rideshare and meal delivery to pay rent. I just couldn’t bring myself to apply for any waitressing jobs.”

She smiled. ”Nothing wrong with holding onto some standards, sweetie.”

>>“Now please tell me you’re a model or something because if you aren’t, honey you ought to be.”

Agnes pursed her lips. She supposed she could make up some bull about her being a model or something but she didn’t feel it necessary to craft a lie. Besides, if her thoughts on Thelma were wrong, the next thing that happens is she’ll be asking for her to “pass her name along” to someone important. While she normally had no problem breaking people’s hopes and hearts, now wasn’t the day for it. So, rather, than a bald-faced lie, she’ll tell the truth -- with some necessary edits.

Her smile drew wider as she looked back to Thelma’s reflection. ”Aw, do you think I’m that beautiful?’ She said, tilting her head and pulling her hair back over her shoulder to expose her neck. It was down with the supposed intention of just stretching her neck muscles, but the tease was there. ”No, I’m not a model. Though it has been suggested in the past. I actually run a new club in town. The Diamond Lounge. It’s attached to this swanky hotel called the Sapphire. You should come by sometime.” A sweet smile. ”I promise you’ll get the five-star treatment.”

A regular hourly job was something that Thelma had considered when she moved to New York, but the type of life she wanted to have on her own was a lot less structured. When she wasn’t working rideshare, the young woman still took acting classes and went to giant casting calls. Her life was a constant flow of motion and exhausting. Thelma didn’t mind--she held onto motivation like she gripped her steering wheel in traffic. Slowly but surely….just like how the pair in the car was slowly but surely making progress towards their destination. Thelma could see the shining glass storefront from her windshield view. 

>> ”Aw, do you think I’m that beautiful?’

Thelma smirked slightly at that comment. And murmured her agreement with an: “Mhmm.” As if women who looked like Agnes didn’t get instant validation the moment they hit the streets. Toss in a little of the charm that her passenger carried in spades and it was a given that she’d receive similar compliments daily. That was just part of the deal--whether wanted or not. As if her body language wanted to prove Thelma true, Agnes shifted in the back, exposing her neck.

>>”I promise you’ll get the five-star treatment.”

Brown brows lifted slightly at this. After a mere moment to consider, however, it made sense. Based purely on their conversation Thelma could tell that Agnes was comfortable with and probably had a way with people. Running and promoting a club would require a lot of people skills (assuming it was going to be successful). Definitely, a glamorous enough job for a woman whose idea of a mental health day was designer shopping. It sounded like something out of a TV show--as if Agnes spent her evenings drinking trendy drinks and telling attractive bartenders what to do. Not a bad gig in Thelma’s imaginings. 

“That sounds like it’s gotta be fun--I can’t imagine all the work that entails.” Thelma’s tone was appreciative. And, fantasies aside, it did sound like a big job. Running any kind of business meant a lot of moving parts and people to look after. Running a successful club in a city that loved change had to be brutal. 

Thelma returned the smile at Agnes’ offer. It sounded like one of those things people said to be polite. There was no way that she was seriously offering VIP treatment to a wannabe actress who spent her weekends ferrying other people to and from other trendy bars. “If that’s the case--by all means, put me on the list.” She laughed lightly as if the other woman were teasing. Besides...there was no way Thelma could afford a night at a place attached to somewhere described as ‘swanky’. Her wallet shrunk just thinking about it. The young woman enjoyed going out with friends, but did so rarely...and usually in mildly divey clubs in Brooklyn. As long as the music was loud, the club was dark, and the drinks were two for one, she was happy. The thought of going somewhere more upscale, even for a night, was alluring but impractical. 

She did her best to quash any additional daydreams of herself in the TV version of New York as she slowed and prepared to find a spot to momentarily park. She turned her signal on and made quick work of a roomy parallel park between two luxury cars. They had arrived. “Is this alright for you, or would it be better if I pulled round to the door on the other side? It’s no trouble.”

Agnes knew that maybe she sounded just the tiniest bit self-centered. She wasn’t diluted enough to actually think she wasn’t an attractive woman but at least she didn’t outright laugh at Thelma’s comment and make her feel awkward about it. Rather the insect queen simply dipped her head and inquired if the driver actually found her all that attractive. The response she got was more than enough to bring another smile to Agnes’ lips. Mm, it was such a tender sound that she uttered -- she wonder, briefly, what other sounds Thelma could make.

Still, she held onto her more predatory side and simply acknowledged the young woman’s comment and explained that that wasn’t her trade. Rather she was in the nightclub industry. It wasn’t a lie, though. That really was what she was working now thanks to her joining Poseidon and his Syndicate. Knowing her usefulness and her ability to make people bend over backwards for her, she seemed like a fitting addition to the Diamond Lounge. After all, he couldn’t manage both that club and the one he had across the rift. And the salary was more than fitting, hence what allowed her to afford trips like this.

Sometimes it was just good to be so, so bad. Of course she didn’t relate the finer details of her job Thelma. Just the basics. And that was all that was required.

>>“That sounds like it’s gotta be fun--I can’t imagine all the work that entails.”

”Oh honey, you can’t imagine,” she smiled gently. ”And yet, for as much trouble, I do consider myself blessed.”

For as dark as she had become, Agnes did consider herself blessed. Some would say that the real Agnes would never think that the creature she had become was any sort of blessing. She was manipulative, used people, tossed them away, and for the most part only cared about herself. That wasn’t who Agnes was before she left New York. But that Agnes was dead to her. Now she was someone altogether different and every day that she lived this life, it was a life that made her giddy with anticipation.

So she offered. If Thelma wanted to partake and be treated like a VIP, then she could make it happen. Agnes was sincere in her invite because when she saw someone who desperately needed a taste of the fantastic (as well as probably tasted fantastic) she would pull all the stops to bring them into the fold. However it would seem that her invite was not treated with as much validity as it actually entailed.


>>“If that’s the case--by all means, put me on the list.”

She grinned. Thelma may have thought that she was being false but Agnes was far from it. As a matter of fact, she was already pulling up her phone to send her the details when she looked up at the familiar sight of the shopping center looming closer. Oh boo. They had arrived.

>>“Is this alright for you, or would it be better if I pulled round to the door on the other side? It’s no trouble.”

Agnes bit her bottom lip in thought before a rather wicked but alluring smile curled her lips. Leaning forward she spoke to Thelma earnest. ”Listen, you may think I’m just talking out of my ass but...I have a proposition for you. You say you’re doing…” she gestured to the car all around her. ”...this all day, right? What if...I match what wages you’d earn on an average day...and you come out shopping with me. I can use a partner and, I mean no offense, but you seem like you can use a day off and pamper yourself” She grinned, watching Thelma for a reaction before she threw in the last bargaining chip. ”My treat.”

>> ”Oh honey, you can’t imagine. And yet, for as much trouble, I do consider myself blessed.”

Glamorous suspicions confirmed, Thelma allowed herself to imagine once more the lovely life that Agnes could be leading. Driving pulled her from those thoughts. She needed to lay off the streaming services before bedtime. Too much TV was rotting her brain. 

Thelma turned around in her seat when Agnes leaned towards her. The smile she gave to Thelma was a bit more intense than her previous. The driver was once again struck by just how intensely blue the brunette woman’s eyes were. Brown eyes blinked slowly in response. And then Agnes began speaking...

>>”..partner andWhat if...I match what wages you’d earn on an average day...and you come out shopping with me. I can use a partner and, I mean no offense, but you seem like you can use a day off and pamper yourself”

The young woman tilted her head to the side as if she needed to listen more closely. Despite any wish to remain cool and collected, Thelma felt her mouth slowly open as her passenger made the offer. At the same time, she felt her eyes narrow slightly in surprise. Agnes was right, it did seem like she was talking out of her ass. And yet...The New York TV reel played a montage in her head. It was crazy to consider something like that from a stranger, but wouldn’t it be nice to just see where the day could take her? Even if it only resulted in following this beautiful, glamorous woman around for the day--what an experience. The tantalizing notion of ‘what if’ danced across Thelma’s brain waves, tinting her thoughts rose colored for a few moments.

>>  ”My treat.”

Wait…”What? I’m sorry...I just…” She honestly had no idea what to say. There was a not-so-small part of her that was begging her to just go with the flow and take up Agnes on her more than generous offer. (That part of her was really interested in a day off.) And then her pride flared up (and Thelma Jones had a lot of pride). Where was this coming from? Pity? Untainted generosity? Something else that Thelma didn’t understand? She'd said 'no offense', so Thelma tried not to take it personally. It wasn't a lie anyway--she probably did seem like she could us a day off. Her brow furrowed and she let her unfinished thought dangle aloud.

Practicality took over to attempt to smooth things over. If she decided to ‘pamper herself’, what were the concerns? Safety--she’d text her roommate and let her know what was up. Money--apparently already taken care of. Her feelings of self worth--still undecided. Two out of three wasn’t bad…

“Or, I’ll drive for you and be your shopping partner and I’ll pay my own way.” It was a slight stretch of the truth, but it wasn’t totally beyond her means. It would easily work if she window shopped and only spent money on food. A day playing hooky with an interesting stranger was sounding more compelling the longer she took to think about it. Her treat sounded good, very tempting, but Thelma wasn’t sure it would sit well in her stomach. Faking it till she made it sounded a lot more palatable.

Yes. This would be her project for the day. She didn’t do this all the time (she wasn’t a millionaire) but she had deep enough pockets (Syndicate pockets) for her to treat herself and her experiments. Of course, normally it didn’t take a lot to seduce some hapless young thing into joining her for the day and work her wiles on her. In reality she figured the same thing would apply in this case. All she needed was to dangle the bait.

On her. This day, if Thelma wanted it, would be totally on her tab. All she had to do was say the word.

>>”What? I’m sorry...I just…”

She beamed. She loved it when they got flustered. The disbelief and shock usually always gave way to acceptance. Half the women she hit on would would initially go into this day thinking they found a goldmine or had successfully duped an airheaded socialite. But by the end of the evening, they payment was demanded through seduction, they were too lost in her world to really say no.

>>“Or, I’ll drive for you and be your shopping partner and I’ll pay my own way.”

Huh. What an interesting and…practical answer.

Agnes wolfish grin curled as she looked over Thelma carefully. She thought she saw the slightest ting of hurt pride at the mention of paying for her but Thelma recovered soon enough -- and with an alternate idea. Rather than be dragged around like an accessory, she would instead allow herself to work for her spot at Agnes’ side. Most young women would have jumped at the opportunity to be pampered and spoiled by a supposedly rich socialite who took an eccentric interest in a total stranger. The fact that this was going to opposite way was almost...endearing. Truly this would be an interesting day.

Her slip of a smile on her lips she nodded her head as she reached between the seats and offered her hand to Thelma. They would shake on it. Today, officially, Thelma would be her driver, and oh what fun they would have.

”If that makes you feel more comfortable...then agreed.” She waited for Thelma to slip her hand into her’s. Once their fingers curled and held tight, she stopped the shake and held up her other hand in a sign of pausing. ”But first, promise me something,” she leaned a bit closer and dropped her voice to a scalacious whisper. ”If you see something you really...want, you’ll grab it.” Her oceanic eyes danced with amusement. ”Deal?”

Thelma was oddly relieved when Agnes nodded that her alternative arrangement was acceptable. She wasn’t much interested in trying to politely argue herself out of being seemingly spoiled for a day (and her manners focused upbringing hadn’t really prepared her for what she walking into). An easy smile tugged at the corners of her mouth and she felt her body relax. It was awkward but exhilarating and the young woman had decided to allow herself to roll with the day.

>> ”If that makes you feel more comfortable...then agreed.”

Their hands connected in a shake. Her own was warm from gripping the steering wheel during the drive. The movement of her hand was stilled by Agnes’ free one. Thelma felt like she’d learned a little bit more about the other woman’s personality from that simple gesture. She was going to add something to the terms--Agnes was confident enough that Thelma would accept that she was willing to press her way the tiniest bit. The young mutant didn’t know it yet, but she was further out of her depth than she could safely swim. Agnes’ eyes were like the still ocean--once you floated out, it was hard to make it back to shore. 

>> ”But first, promise me something. If you see something you really...want, you’ll grab it. Deal?"

It’s all good, she thought. Going with the flow, remember? Besides...that isn’t a promise that I’ll ‘want’ anything. Pride abated once more, Thelma gave in to the last request. The contrast of their skin tones blurred with the handshake. “Deal.”

She broke the contact spell that the other woman’s tone had momentarily cast on her. After the shake was finished Thelma pulled her hand away and turned to grab her phone from its cradle near her radio. “I just need to clock out of a few things quick.” As thin fingers furiously typed on the smartphone, Thelma’s eyes darted to her side mirror, checking her makeup and hair. She looked well enough. She logged out of her rideshare and meal delivery apps. As she suspected, she’d already been pinged to pick someone else up downtown. She canceled it with little hesitation--Agnes had promised an average days pay. 

With a quick text to her roommate Janet (no real details, just a promise to text a few times that day), Thelma was ready. “All set,” She unbuckled her seatbelt with a snap. “I’m all yours--lead the way.” She’d pay the parking meter quick once they got out of the car. 

Agnes was serious -- on two levels. Aside from the obvious innuendo, Agnes really wanted her to have a good time. If Thelma saw something that she wanted, then she needed to reach out and take it. As much as she liked the driver, she couldn’t help but notice that there were some things that she was clearly missing out on. Local fame doesn’t translate to the big city and it seemed to be a lesson that was descending upon Thelma with every passing day. So why not offer an exit? A chance to escape from her life and live high on the hog? She would walk away from it with some stories to tell…

The conflict was there but something about the insect queen had managed to entice the driver. As Agnes watched her, surveying her expression and her internal thought process, she already had an idea of where her decision was going to turn to. Intrigue always won out over caution.

>>“Deal...I just need to clock out of a few things quick.”

”Splendid,” she said with a perky grin. A tiny clap of her hands was given as she sat back and waited for Thelma to complete whatever needed to be completed. She wanted to get on with shopping but she also wanted to show her new “friend” a good time. She would be patient.

As Thelma tapped away on her device, Agnes pulled out her cellphone and idly ran through her messages. So far none of it seemed important, a few random ads and pleas for return messages from willing subservients that Agnes had already cast aside long ago after she had returned to New York. Aside from a certain redheaded Scot, she didn’t revisit the past.

Another swipe and she came across a message from her new employer -- Poseidon. Random praise, a reminder about a meeting later in the week, and notice about something in the Diamond Lounge he noticed needed to be replaced. Still, he wasn’t reprimanding her and rather seemed more pleased than anything else. Good. She wouldn’t want to be on his bad side and, vice versa, he shouldn’t be on hers.

>> “All set,...I’m all yours--lead the way.”

Agnes perked up. Closing the message, her eyes fell back onto Thelma’s smiling face. Such a pretty woman. At the mention that she was set -- and all her’s, Agnes purred like a cat on nip. She smiled cheekily as she responded with an ”Mmmm....I certainly hope so…”

Turning she pushed open her car door and stepped one slender leg out into the daylight and onto the hard concrete. Climbing out of the vehicle, she sighed as she adjusted her jacket and her bag. This was their first stop -- a string of lovely boutiques that sold high-end apparel and accessories. Already she could feel her good mood returning.

Eyes falling to Thelma, Agnes smiled invitingly as she pressed up, looping her arm through one of the driver’s. She really didn’t have much sense of personal space with strangers. As a matter of fact, the more flustered a person got, the hard her iridescent wings fluttered. Then, for the first time since they met, her truer nature was revealed as Agnes’ wings fluttered in appreciation. Nothing too flashy but given Thelma’s proximity, she couldn’t miss it. The air behind the “socialite” beat hard with the sound and a riot of rainbow colors from her wings colored the air behind her. Her secret was out. But, Agnes only hoped that Thelma wasn’t a bigot, or this day was going to go a far more different direction than what she hoped for.

”Ready?”

>> ”Mmmm....I certainly hope so…”

The comeback made Thelma with an (only slightly) nervous giggle. She got out of the car and immediately busied herself with paying the parking meter. The tiny crossover bag she wore barely held more than her phone and basic necessities, so it took her a moment to stack her wallet back in, Tetris style. She was definitely not dressed for luxury shopping in her jean shorts, black pullover, and athletic slip ons. For a moment she contemplated tossing the pullover back in the car, but she decided the tank she had on underneath was even more casual.

As she turned back to the boutique, Agnes sidled over and looped their arms together. The other woman was very close. Thelma stiffened in surprise for a moment before she returned the smile and relaxed. It was almost like playing pretend--as if they were friends who’d done this a million times before.

>> ”Ready?”

“Those are beautiful, by the way.” Brown curls bobbed as Thelma gestured with her head at the wings she hadn’t noticed before. And they were. Thelma was not open with her own mutation--it was her biggest secret. That didn’t mean, however, that she had a problem with mutants or mutations in general. She’d grown up with parents that would have been supportive if she’d ever told them of her powers. There were just a lot of internal hang-ups surrounding her ability to influence people’s happiness--her mutation closet was about as full as the boutique the women entered arm in arm.

Thelma grinned at the door attendant--she felt like she was doing something she ought not. As if girls like here weren’t allowed in places like that. It also helped that she felt like she was skipping work (which she basically was). The first store was fairly fashion-forward and ready for spring/summer. There was a lot to take in, but the young woman felt her eyes drift behind them to Agnes’ back. 

“This might be totally inappropriate to ask, but can you fly?” There wasn't a Miss Manners book she could consult when it came to asking about or commenting on physical mutations. Thelma was grateful that her mutation wasn’t really visible (unless she overdid it). The iridescent wings Agnes had were pretty and cast rainbows behind them--they also made her a target for anyone with anti-mutant attitudes.