Every year the three police departments, one sheriff's department, and one shared forensics lab of the area known as Four Corners came together for a friendly olympics-style event known as the Battle of Four Corners. All the proceeds of the event were divided up evenly between five charities, one charity per participating team.
The theme of the Battle changed each year. It was decided upon by a committee made up of members of all the departments and the lab. Ideas were nominated, seconded, and then voted on.
So here Gail was, partly because this was where her friends were, and partly because mandatory participation meant no sleeping away her Saturday. And maybe, just maybe, she was here because the charity her department settled on this year was one she suggested - a local foundation for foster care and adoption. Regardless, it was a little early to be out of bed, and way too early for the amount of work being done to prepare for the opening of the gates in a couple of hours. Try as she might - and she didn't - Gail couldn't hide the scowl that served as an early warning to those who might otherwise think about approaching her. This technique served her well in avoiding any significant work during the final prep time until Frank, her boss, had wrangled her over to help set up the event she would be participating in.
The way the Battle worked is that patrons paid an entrance fee and were encouraged to donate freely throughout the course of the events. This made the decision of what events to include, and who should participate very important as the most entertaining events were the big moneymakers. It also meant the no two events happened simultaneously as that would decrease the possible number of donations for each separate event. Every event had the full attention of every attendee.
Gail made her way over to her event area, slowly, so as to avoid as much work as possible. Luckily her event didn't require much setup and when she strolled into the area, she guessed that most everything was done. There was a large inflatable pool in the center of the area which had already been . . . erected? Anyway, there it was in all its rubbery glory. As Gail continued to look around she saw several five-gallon pails by the outskirts of the pool. She also saw a couple of men pouring the contents of the pails into the pool.
"Alright ladies, can you all come over here so I don't have to yell?" The megaphone mouthed woman did not look familiar to Gail but Gail sure-as-shit hoped that she wasn't competing, and if she was, that Gail wouldn't end up paired with her.
"Hey everyone, my name is Rosie and I am the organizer of the woman's oil wrestling. Now, for those of you who are worried, I am not competing. Otherwise, who would keep the eye-candy organized while I wiped the pool with your sorry asses? But I digress . . . This is the part where we set up the matches for today. What I need everyone to do is go get a name tag, which you will only need for the next few minutes, and then stand in front of the banner for your station or lab. You will not be matched with anyone from your own department unless we are down to the last two and there is no way around it. Keep in mind the matches are being set up to maximize potential donations. Keep your minds on the charities and off your egos. Chop chop you saucy minxes. Let's do this."
Gail was guessing there about 20 women who migrated over to the name tag table and followed Rosie's riveting instructions. After about 5 minutes everyone was in their respective places. And Rosie and her unnamed partner were walking back and forth sizing everyone up and taking notes. After about ten minutes the decisions were made and Rosie started bellowing out the pairings, waiting until each pairing had found each other before moving on.
"Gail Peck from Burlington PD and Holly Peck from Forensics."
Gail turned toward the forensics area and took in the woman who would writhe all over her for charity.
As she took her in from top to bottom, Holly's approach changed to a slow motion saunter as Gail stepped out only enough for Holly to spot her and then waited. "Holy Holly," Gail said on her breath.
It was not lost on Gail that Holly was main event material. Gail was not modest, but being paired with Holly definitely elevated her ego . . . for charity of course. Holly was in it to win it. She had retro rockabilly bandana hair with bangs curled and black hair, obviously long, knotted on top of her head. Her shirt was gingham, snap-close (which Gail's body was humming with anticipation of popping open) and slightly reminiscent of MaryAnne from Gilligan's Island. She had tight dark jeans cuffed up mid-calf and low red Chuck Taylor's. She was a rockabilly goddess. Wait. What was she carrying? As Holly got closer Gail saw that in Holly's right hand was an old school metal Wonder Woman lunchbox.
"Seriously, Lunchbox? You're my challenger," Gail asked eyeing the retro metal box. As Gail's snark snapped her back to reality from Holly sexy land, she restarted her approach.
"Careful," Holly said quickly and Gail momentarily paused. "My invisible jet is in the shop so I am in my invisible plane. You are headed straight for a propeller."
"That almost would have been clever if I'd called you Wonder Woman, but I called you Lunchbox, Lunchbox."
Holly let's a small smile break across her lips. It is endearingly lopsided, raising higher on the left side. "See? The truth lasso is already working, otherwise you wouldn't say something so hurtful to the woman who's about to get lubed up and ride you like a slip and slide."
Gail arched an eyebrow at that.
"Really? Well, giddy-up Nerd. This slip-n-slide is rodeo rated."
Holly looked down at her feet and laughed. It was a genuine laugh and it brought a real smile to Gail's lips.
"Well Holly, I am honored to grope you for good causes. What's the lab's charity? Nerd Outreach? Science Is Cool dot org dot com dot ca dot edu?"
"Actually we did Nerd Outreach last year, this week we battle for the Four Corners Gay and Lesbian Center. You?"
"Four Corners Fostering and Adoption Agency."
They momentarily stood and just looked at each other, each noticing the smiles on their faces were genuine enough to reach their eyes. Gail felt a flush start at her neck and work its way up to her face and ears. Her blue eyes broke contact with Holly's brown ones as they closed and Gail momentarily dropped her lids and allowed herself to feel the humming in her entire body. When she opened her eyes, Holly extended her hand to Gail. Gail cocked her head in question.
"For charity. For the day. I will enjoy this and I will excuse my behavior in the pool by convincing myself that all the charities will be better off." She follows the statement with a wink as Gail puts her hand in Holly's and replies, "Hold on tight because I am going to baste your giblets, butter britches." She returns the wink, backs up a few steps, and then turns to meet her department for the final pep talk as the gates open.