Ben got up and had coffee ready by the time Lu-Ti came down. He listened to her prattling about her plans, feeling a bit lost because he didn't have any.

"If you want, I can take you over and pick you up this evening at six. Or take you car and not have to worry."

   Lu-Ti  smiles,If you wihs? You may take me? I am..prisoner..of  my  job. I will be there, Until Lindsey and I go, then I will be back to finish things, or set things in motion.. I will not be  done until around 6?

   after the breakfast  was finished, and the washing up was done,I am ready when you are.

"All right, beloved."

Ben led the way out to the truck, held the door for Lu-Ti, then jumped in and drove her to the Dragon Complex.

After delivering Lu-Ti to work, Ben decided to make the most of the additional day off. He visited a tackle shop and picked up some basic fishing equipment then went home and tried his hand at fishing from the jetty that came with the house.

Maybe he wasn't very good at fishing or maybe there weren't any fish around, or at least none gullible enough to try his bait, but he didn't catch a thing!

Once he got bored, he fetched a book and a flask of coffee and found that it was a wonderful place to sit and read. This time of year it would be a bit chilly in the evening, but it was pleasant in the late morning.

After a nice lunch, taken down by the river, Ben went back into the house, thinking he needed to set up a wifi repeater to the end of the jetty, and started searching men's outfitters. Time to sort out a tux. Given his size, he'd probably have to get one made to measure, so he couldn't hang about. In that case, he'd go for black, then he could wear it any time a tux was suitable. Dragon green highlights in cummerbund, bowtie, pocket square. Quiet and dignified.

After some searchong, Ben found a bespoke menswear store called Jaxson Maximus whose offerings looked good. He called for an appointment, at first they were saying in about 2 weeks then he mentioned his name and suddenly they found an appointment for that very afternoon! Marvelling somehwat, Ben headed out, he'd have to hustle to make the time they'd given him!

<<<<<<<<<<<  from  restaurants

  when they  got  Home, Lu-Ti was very happy to remove her  heels..I think..if i must wear heels, Yuto  and Father shoudl as well!... I did, a few years ago, notice how   men  in the board  roms, looked at me, differant way, when i have   heel, or I havd flats... Yuto  didn't  know. Adam  said  it  just made me more 'woman -like'..whatever that means..but  its  all part of  my  'power look'..Oddly enough, if i  where  Yoga  pants  or  jeans and wear sneaker..i get same looks..Men are incredibly complex inside their heads!

 She looked at the  clock  as she  reached the  stairs,Let us  do  another  thing, that makes me feel like a woman... there was a little smile  as she went up the stairs.

"You're all woman... and I like that!" Ben said, chasing her upstairs, giggling.

It may be some time before the pair of them get to sleep.

Ben and Lu-Ti arrived home. Ben was still enjoying the thrill of arriving at his own home.

Inside, he sorted out an over night bag, then asked Lu-Ti how dressy the party was. Did he need a suit or could he be more casual? A step up from the hoodie and jeans, to be sure, but a nice pair of pants and a long-sleeved shirt with a collar, at least.

 ....This is 'Fun' party, yes? I will wear  jeans and  Nice dragon green top, and  sneakers..though that will make me  much  shorter then you..they  have the dance floor  laid out   on the side  between the Manor and the lake..there  will  a bar  and such  in the back by the pool, and  , off course the Dining room will have   Buffet tables and  a bar There Is a   DJ who will play songs   he will be  near the floor, and there will be a bar out there as well

 Father and Carlton are making a big Push for these  ... independents . Carlton Like Underdogs..Father  ..and maybe  Mother? They missed thier chances..Father  wants to give these peple ..a good chance.

"Oh, well, can I stay like this, then?" Ben asked. The hoodie is Dragon-green with a small cartoon Jackie on the left breast and on the back  his HERE THERE BE DRAGONS slogan.

"WHat time would you like to leave?"

 Lu-Ti held  up a  finger rand gently poked  it in Ben's chest.we  must be there  before 8...we are part of the Host Family..so it would not  be  well received  if  we were late!

Ben trapped the finger and kissed it.

"Then we had better be on time! How long do you want to enhance your beauty?"

Not that he thought it needed enhancing, but he remembered how his mother tended to drive his father to distraction until a teenage Ben suggested that he told her they needed to be 'wherever' about half an hour before they actually were expected. She never worked that one out, but the Hope passion for punctuality was maintained without any more rancour!

 we  can go now.  If  I do not like the way i look, have  have things in my room to  fuss with... better to be  seen as 'already there!'

"OK then, let's go."

Ben threw his bag into the truck, handed Lu-Ti in rather more politely, and drove to the Amota Estate without further ado.

On the way he pointed out some of the places he'd noticed in prowling the area, and asked Lu-Ti where she went when she needed a doctor or a dentist.

<<<<<<<<<<<  Friday Night after   AFC Title.

 As they drove,  Lu-Ti said ,there wil be  many  Dragon gettign awards... You know you will be geting a few...it is Honor  for team, and the player.. Yuto has Divison   flay  in  the showcase  at main entrance.. There is the  other flag for  AFC Title and the  AFC  conferance  trophy.. across the  hall from it, will be all the records  yu and others have  made, and how many all stars  we have put  on the Team, and how  many All-Pros.. It wil be a big night.. The   Sunday, after very hard hitting practice, we get to see   if Lindsey and  Saage  bring home  an Emmy for  themselevs at Dragon studios..

"It's all a bit unreal right now," said Ben, concentrating on his driving.

"But none of us exist in isolation. I cannot score a touchdown if the QB doesn't thow me the ball and the rest of the O don't keep the D off my back."

He thought about that. Maybe it would do for the speech he was apparently supposed to give. He made the turn into their road and presented his card to the gate reader. The barrier opened and he drove through.

"Anything you fancy for dinner? I'll go do some shopping after dropping you off."

 Lu-Ti thought  for a Moment... You do not understand, the  ways of the Press  and the league!..Yes, it  takes everyone to  score, or stop bad guys from scoring, But it is you  they see cross the goal line, or  make big catch...yes?. Players  understand this.. Some fans   too? But most only see 'Big Ben' cross the little  , so little girl and scoreboard  can do their  'dancer!'

  I am in mood for   BK Burgers? but we will have many of those  the next two days, if  we  want them, at the Den.  What about Tacos? Teddy's  Taco's are just about  3  blocks  away. No cooking , you can relax?

"For me, cooking is relaxing. But if Teddy's Tacos you want, beloved, that's what you shall have."

He drove up to the house and they both got out. Cooking may be relaxing, but he didn't particularly enjoy shopping. They went inside and he pulled up the menu on his laptop.

"Come and pick what you want. Get me a house taco with beef and extra beans, please. Do you want wine? As I don't have to go out, I'm getting a beer."

  Lu_ti  orders   3  house tacos for ben, and a  six pack of  soft tacos, with packets of  Hot  and Mild sauces. and a 6 chicken stick box  along with a  frozen  Fruit drink for herself, since   Ben was having a beer.

 I have us  getting some extras. I am getting frozen drink, since you have beer? or did you want one?

once the order was made , Lu-Ti  said...You want to watch TV...or   look at NFL  Channel to see what they are saying about the Game..

Ben came in with his beer and sat down in an armchair.

"NFL Channel, if you can bear it for a bit. Then maybe a movie..."

 Yes.. that will kill time until the food  comes.. then we can settle in and eat with the Movie

 she   turned the  TV  one

(( see media ))

Ben watched the NFL show and sipped his beer. His mind wandered off to recipes for jambalaya.

"Do you like jambalaya, beloved?"

It wasn't long befpre the doorbell rang and he went to collect the food and tip the delivery person.

Lu=Ti  giggled,I have never  tried  it? But if it has crawdads.I won't eat it. Coach Sims  and  Adam always say, " i won't eat  what i use for bait!"..but..they have  chicken and  sausage and  vegetables, The sauce or 'soup' might make it a bit  too 'hot' for some people?.

she got excited for her Frozen Drink   as well as the goodies that were  ordered.

"I didn't know you fished. I tried from the end of our jetty a few days ago, didn't catch a thing. Either there were no fish around or I am rubbish at fishing. I suspect the latter."

Ben sorted out plates for their food, got a fresh beer, and settled to eat. He'd let Lu-Tu choose a movie and hope to stay awake. He was tired after a lot of running around.