Auction of Revenge
By JSRobertson
Every year the Nelson Institute of Marine Research held a charity auction where crewmen and officers would be auctioned off to the highest bidder for a date. This year was no exception even though it was scheduled a little later this year due to Seaview's many missions. This year's auction would benefit the women's shelter and food bank in Santa Barbara.
Edith Nelson was always in charge of the auction. She chose the theme and made sure everything was taken care of. Anyone involved in the auction was told what to do and where to go. She also picked who would be auctioned off.
Lee and Chip always got the highest bids but since Lee being married was unavailable for the obvious reason, Edith needed another headliner.
She was in Angie's office meeting with her, Wanda and Janet discussing the auction with them.
"This year's theme is Las Vegas. We're going to get neon lights, palm trees, and fountains," she told the girls.
This was Janet's second auction. The year she started at NIMR they held the auction early that year and she missed it. The poor girl who won Lee for a date had to wait a few months before he could take her out and by that time he was engaged to Janet. Lee did show her a nice time but she was a little disappointed it wouldn't go any further.
Last year was her first year to attend and she didn't realize how formal the event was. Everyone dressed to the nines. The people of Santa Barbara looked forward to this event every year. She was also amazed at how many people attended this affair. It was getting so large that Edith considered holding it at a downtown hotel in Santa Barbara instead of the institute.
She was also surprised at how upset the women were that Lee was no longer up for bidding. She knew he was very relieved he didn't have to be auctioned off.
"Who's going to be auctioned off this year?" Janet wondered as she sat on the corner of Angie's desk while Wanda and Edith sat in the chairs facing the desk.
"Well," Edith paused, "I think we're going to have a few more men and new this year a few women."
"Which women," Janet questioned knowing there weren't too many available.
"Angie, Wanda and Trish have graciously volunteered to be auctioned off."
"Aren't you afraid of whom you'll have to go out with? You don't know who they are," Janet asked cautiously.
"We won't let them pick us up. We meet them where we have set up the date. They also don't get our phone numbers unless we give it to them," Angie told her. "Thanks for your concern," she said giving Janet's knee a pat.
"Who are the men besides Chip, Kowalski, Patterson and Riley," Wanda asked curiously. Since she had attended the auction in previous years she knew that they would always be up for bids.
"Chief Sharkey and Will Jamieson are going to do it."
"Chief?" all three women asked at once laughing.
"Yes, I asked him and he agreed," Edith laughed too. "I was very surprised when he said he would."
"It's great that Jamie's going to do it too," Janet said happily. "He'll be a wonderful date for someone."
"You're still short one man. O'Brien can't do it this year as he's now married," Angie remarked.
"I have a surprise man left," Edith said mysteriously. "He will be the last one auctioned off and no one will know who it is but us for now."
The three women sat there trying to figure out who was left when the admiral walked out of his office. Three pair of eyes looked at him and then they looked at Edith. The admiral had no idea what was happening and left his office just staring at the four of them. Once he left the office they all burst out laughing.
"You actually got him to agree to be auctioned off," Angie asked grinning.
"He wasn't too thrilled; I kind of badgered him into doing it. Since Lee's no longer available I needed another officer. He's the surprise of the night."
"This should be the best auction ever," Wanda confirmed with a grin on her face.
The four of them continued to make plans. Edith as usual would take care of getting the decorations, advertising, food, drinks, and getting an emcee. She already had the tickets printed up and knew she would have no problem selling them as the event sold out every year. She loved doing charity work here in Santa Barbara and in Boston. She would be staying with the admiral for a few weeks getting everything together for the auction. The ladies would help her when they could but since they had to work their time would be limited.
((()))
In a hotel room in downtown Santa Barbara there was another meeting taking place. Claudia Hall, Roy Bell and Curt Taylor were meeting with David Pepin. They too were making plans for the charity auction at NIMR. David Pepin had a vendetta against Admiral Nelson and three other men. He had already taken care of the men with Nelson. Nelson was the last one and he would pay for all of his suffering.
"It's imperative you get tickets to that auction," David stressed. "You have to be there for my plan to work."
"Tickets sell out very fast. How do we get them?" Roy asked.
"Don't worry about that," Claudia told them smugly. "They're only sold through the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce and I have a friend that works there. She has already reserved three tickets for me. I'm going to pick them up and pay for them when we're done here."
"Good work," David replied very pleased. "Do we know who's going to be auctioned off?"
"I will find out when I get the tickets."
"We will meet here again tomorrow at 10:00," he told them. "Leave now I have another appointment."
"Yes sir," they replied leaving him alone.
He sat in the chair in the suite tapping his fingers together. He was very happy with the way things were going. There was a knock on the door. He slowly walked over to the door and opened it knowing who it was.
"Hello. Were you busy at the institute today?"
((()))
It was two weeks before the auction and Edith planned a meeting in Janet's office after work so she could discuss some details with the ladies.
"All the tickets have been sold out," Edith announced joyfully. "We should have a full house."
"Do you have everything arranged," Janet asked not knowing what was expected of her.
"Yes, but your husband won't do the emceeing," Edith told them unhappily. "He felt he wouldn't to the job justice so I got the Dale Heart, the mayor to do it."
"Sorry Edith. He told me that you wanted him to be the emcee but he's just not comfortable in that type of position."
"I know he can be a little shy. I've assigned him another job. He's going to escort the women on stage when it's their turn to be auctioned off."
"Does he know this?" Janet asked since Lee didn't say anything to her.
"No, can you tell him? He won't tell you no."
"Yes, I'll tell him but Edith but you know he will do almost anything for you too," Janet replied softly. She knew Lee had a soft spot for Edith.
"Yes, I can get almost anything out of him just by batting my eyes at him," she snickered.
Who's going to escort the men out?" Angie wondered.
"That's Janet's job."
"Yeah, lucky me."
"Have you made a decision on what uniforms the men will be wearing?" Wanda asked.
"I think they will wear their dinner dress blue uniforms."
"Have you told them? I know Lee and Chip don't mind wearing those uniforms," Janet mentioned.
"All of them will do what I tell them or else," Edith chuckled. "We'll meet again next week to go over the final details. I've got to find Harry, we have dinner plans with some friends tonight and I don't want to be late."
((()))
Angie and Wanda got their coats and were waiting for the elevator when the admiral, Lee and Chip came up from the sub pen. They said goodnight to the men and left for the day. Edith and Janet were waiting for the admiral and Lee to come back before they could leave.
"Oh good, I don't have to go and get you," Edith told Harry grabbing her coat as he went to his office to get his jacket and cover.
"I told you I would be here on time, Edith," the admiral said from his office putting on his jacket and put his cover under his arm, locking the door to his office and Angie's as he walked towards her.
"Yes, but how many times are you really on time?" she answered as Lee helped her with her coat.
The four of them stood there looking at the admiral. He knew she was right. Most of the time he was late when they were going out.
"Good night, Janet, Lee, Chip. Have a good evening," Edith told them smiling as they walked to the elevator her arm linked in the admirals.
Lee, Chip and Janet stood there as the elevator doors closed.
"Well, what are we going to do for dinner?" Chip wondered as his stomach grumbled loudly.
"How about we try that new barbecue place? I have a taste for barbecued ribs," Lee suggested.
Janet could see their mouths were already drooling for ribs. "Fine with me," she replied laughing.
Lee and Chip went to their offices to get their jackets and covers. Lee gave Janet a kiss as they waited outside Janet's office for Chip. She returned his kiss just as Chip came out of his office.
"Geez," Chip remarked. "You act like you haven't seen each other for a week."
"Sorry Chip," Janet replied sheepishly. "Since you were on Seaview most of the day, I didn't get a chance to see him so I had to make up for it."
Lee took Janet's hand as they waited at the elevator. When they got off the elevator they said goodnight to the security guard on duty.
"Have a good evening Mrs. Crane, Captain and Mr. Morton," Howard told them.
Since it was raining, Lee and Janet waited in the lobby while Chip brought the car to the front door. Lee held the back seat door for Janet while she climbed in. He hopped in the front seat just getting the door closed before Chip took off.
They enjoyed their dinner at the barbecue place and the food was good. Chip ate his whole meal and part of Janet's. She still couldn't figure out where he put all the food he ate and didn't gain any weight.
"See you tomorrow," Chip said as they got out of the car quickly as it was still raining. "I'll drive again tomorrow."
"Thanks Chip," they replied and went into the house.
After making sure everything was locked up they went upstairs to get ready for bed.
"Edith asked me to tell you what your job is going to be at the auction. She wasn't too happy you didn't want to be the emcee," Janet remarked as she brushed her hair.
"I know but I'm sure she has something real nice for me to do," he said laughing. He knew she was disappointed he wouldn't be the emcee.
"Actually it's not that bad. You get to escort Angie, Wanda and Trish out for the bidding."
"I can do that with no problem. They're all very nice looking women so they should bring in a lot of money."
He grabbed Janet by the waist and pulled her up against him and kissed her goodnight. They fell asleep with Lee's arm wrapped around her.
((()))
Claudia went to the Chamber of Commerce the next morning to pay her friend, Renee, for the tickets. Renee had also decided to go to the auction. The tickets were expensive but the money went to worthy causes so she didn't mind the cost. They were reading the brochure on who would be auctioned off. It not only listed their names but had pictures of them also.
"They sure have quite a few good looking men working there. I wouldn't mind going out with any of them," Renee stated. "Who do you like?"
"I'm looking for an older man because they treat you better. You go to nice places for dinner and maybe they take you dancing," Claudia replied as she leaned on the counter next to Renee.
"Well the only older man on here is Dr. Will Jamieson. He's not bad looking and a doctor."
"It says there's a surprise date. Do you have any idea who the surprise man is? Have you heard anything?" Claudia asked hopefully.
"Well the rumor I heard is its Admiral Nelson. He's never participated in the auction before but since his Captain got married and he was the biggest draw, he agreed to do it."
"I'm going to bid on him. He'll probably cost me a year's salary but I bet he knows how to treat a woman."
"I'll have to settle for a crewman. I don't have that much money for an officer," Renee pouted.
"I've got to go. I've got a meeting a 10:00. I'll look for you at the auction," Claudia said as she grabbed the brochure, tucked it in her purse with the tickets and walked out the door with a huge smile on her face knowing David would be very happy.
((()))
Claudia went to David's hotel room and knocked on the door. Curt answered the door while David sat tapping his fingers on the table waiting for her to show up.
"It's about time," Roy told her nastily as soon as she got into the room, "Did you get the tickets?"
"Of course I got them," she replied crossly glaring at him. She didn't like Roy at all.
She handed David the brochure to look at. He calmly looked at the people being auctioned off and didn't see Nelson's name but saw there was a blank place for a photograph and a question mark underneath it.
"Who's the surprise date?"
"If the rumors are correct none other than Admiral Nelson himself."
"Excellent. You must win the bid. It will make my plan so much easier."
"Roy and Curt you must make sure you get the dates with Nelson's secretary, Angie, and Trish the communications director."
"Mr. Pepin, how are we going to pay for these dates? I don't have much money," Roy asked cautiously.
"Don't worry about it. The brochure states you have a week to pay for your bid. I'll give you cash to put in your accounts. You'll get a bank check with your name on it so they won't be able to trace it back to me. You can make up any excuse as to where you got the money. Tell them a relative died and it's your inheritance. I really don't give a damn what you tell them," he said impatiently.
Curt asked curiously, "How much money do we have to spend?"
"Just get those dates all of you. Money is no object," he replied tersely.
"Yes sir," they replied.
"Go. I will talk to you again after the auction," David said dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
The three of them left David's suite heading down to their cars. He was still seated at the table with an evil grin on his face. He was very pleased with the way things were going, very pleased indeed.
((()))
Seaview had been gone so much lately Janet didn't have a chance to go out and buy a dress. She along with Angie and Wanda were going out after work to find her one. They would take her SUV as it's easier to get into then Wanda's and Angie's compact cars. After they finished shopping they were going out for dinner to Giovanni's. Edith and Trish had other plans so they weren't able to go with the three women.
"I better find a dress," Janet lamented, "I only have the blue one from last year and I don't want to wear that again."
"We'll find you one," Angie reassured her as they got out of the car.
They went to the store where Angie and Wanda found their dresses. There were a lot of black ones but Edith said no one could wear black but her. Angie was wearing a dark blue gown; Trish had a red one and Wanda a dark green one. As they perused the racks Janet was getting discouraged when she spotted a purple one. She wasn't sure she liked the fact that it was strapless but they insisted she try it on. When she came out of the dressing room, they were amazed at how good the dress looked on her.
"You better take that one," Wanda told her smiling.
"You look great in that color," Angie nodded her approval.
"Okay, I'll take it," Janet said with relief. She wasn't too sure about it but it would do. She would show it to Lee tonight and see what he thought. If he didn't like it, she could maybe leave work early tomorrow and look for another one
After paying for the dress, Janet laid it carefully in the back of the car while Angie and Wanda climbed in for the short drive to Giovanni's for dinner. Janet left the car with the valet to park.
"Good evening ladies. No gentlemen tonight?" he asked welcoming them as they walked in the restaurant.
"Girl's night out," Angie said laughing. "After working with them all day we needed a break."
The ladies didn't mind working with the admiral, Lee or Chip but for some reason they all were grumpy and short tempered today so they were glad they could relax, enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious dinner without them.
Unknown to the three women, David Pepin was also having dinner at the same time and recognized two of the women from the auction brochure. He tried not to stare at them as they ate but he was curious as to who the third woman was.
When they were finished with dinner, Giovanni had the valet get Janet's car and walked them out as David was leaving too. Giovanni opened the car door for Janet while the valet opened the doors for Angie and Wanda.
Mrs. Crane, please get back to the institute safely," Giovanni told her as he closed her car door.
"Thank you, I will," she replied softly.
While David waited for his car to be brought around, he had a big smile on this face when he found out who she was.
Janet dropped the ladies off at the office so they could get their cars. She waited from them to leave the institute before she would drive home. She only had a short ride to her house on the NIMR grounds.
((()))
Lee was watching TV in the living room as he waited for Janet to get home. He heard the garage door open and met her at the door as she walked in and laid the dress on the chair.
"Did you find a dress?" Lee asked as he helped her off with her coat and gave her a hug and kiss.
Returning his kiss and hug, "Yes, would you like to see it?" she replied.
She took it out of the bag and showed it to him. She didn't know by the look on his face it he liked it or not.
"Why don't you try it on," he suggested, "it will look better on you than on the hanger."
They went upstairs where she tried on the dress. Looking in the mirror, she still wasn't sure she liked the dress.
"Sweetie, you look fantastic," he said eyeing her up and down. He couldn't wait for her to take it off.
"Thanks honey," she said grinning, "but I could wear a gunny sack and you would say I looked good. If you think it looks okay I will keep it."
"It's a keeper. Come on, let me help you take it off so you don't wrinkle it," he told her as he took the gown off, threw it in a heap on the chair and took his wife to bed.
((()))
The auction was three days away. Edith has been at the lecture hall where the auction was to be held telling the decorators what she wanted done and where everything was to go.
The ladies were going to meet her there after work today to go over the final details. All the men involved would be there a little later so Edith could explain to them what they were to do. Most of them had been to the auctions before but Edith wanted to make sure there were no slip ups. Dale Heart would also be there to find out what to do and practice his lines since this was his first auction.
Wanda, Angie and Janet walked into the lecture hall and were blown away at how beautiful it looked. Edith had the decorators put white drapes up covering the brick walls and draped more from the ceiling. Soft colored neon lights of pale red, yellow and pink were placed in strategic places around the room. There were two black fountains in opposite corners of the room with water gently cascading down the sides. Palm trees were clustered together around the backs of fountain. The tables were placed in the center of the room covered in white tablecloths with black napkins and chair covers. The centerpieces would be red, yellow and pink roses with assorted greens. The stage at the front of the room wasn't too high and had another fountain with bubbling water in the back surrounded with more palm trees.
"Edith the room is breath taking," Janet told her taking in the beautiful room. "This isn't the Vegas I've seen though."
"I wanted the softer, calmer and elegant side of Vegas not the glaring version."
"You sure captured it," Wanda remarked looking around the room.
"I'm glad you like it," Edith said with pride and a fake wipe of her brow.
"Who wouldn't like it?" Angie replied. "It's gorgeous."
Trish couldn't get away as soon as the other ladies and was in shock when she walked in the room.
"Oh Edith it's beautiful. I love the black fountains and palms trees. It's so calming."
Dale Heart walked in followed by the admiral, Lee and Chip. Jamie, Chief and the rest of the crewmen came in right after them. They stood there looking around the room amazed at what Edith had done.
"Edith, my dear, you have done an exceptional job," Harry commented, "Who'd believe this was a lecture hall with brick walls."
The other men agreed with him as they looked around the room.
"Maybe we should keep the decorations; it might make the lectures more interesting," Lee remarked grinning at the admiral.
"Enough compliments. Let's get started," Edith stated in a no nonsense voice, "Dale, you will give an opening welcome before they eat dinner. We will be doing the auction as they eat. If we don't we will be here until the next morning. The first person out will be Riley, then Patterson, followed by Trish, Kowalski, Chief Sharkey, Wanda, Jamie, Angie, Chip and finally Harry."
"Janet will escort the men out and stay with them until the winning number is announced. The winning bidders will be brought over to my table where I will get their name, personal information and money if they have it now."
"Lee you will do the same thing with the women. Do we need to practice or can you handle it? There will be marks on the stage where you should stand. Just one more thing, make sure you eat before you come. I don't need any of you passing out from no food," she told them looking specifically at Chip as he was always hungry. "You'll not get dinner until the auction is over. The caterer will have food for us when we're done."
"I think we can handle this," Lee answered. "We've all been here before."
"Good. Gentlemen, one other detail, dinner dress blue uniforms. Dismissed," she said with a wave of her hand.
There were no groans from the group of men this time. Last year they had to wear their dress whites which none of the liked. The group left the hall and went home while Harry and Edith went to dinner with Dale and his wife.
((()))
Lee, Janet and Chip went to Chip's house and ordered a pepperoni pizza. It was his house so he got to choose the pizza. Janet didn't really care for pepperoni but would pick it off and give it to Chip. While they waited Chip brought Janet a glass of wine and a beer for Lee and himself.
"Thank goodness we didn't have to practice," Chip sighed while they waited for the pizza to come.
"Sometimes she can be very demanding," Lee answered back taking a swig of his beer.
"Guys, I know I've only been to one auction but she does have a good heart and only wants the best," Janet replied defending Edith on being a perfectionist. "I know a couple of men who are the same way when it comes to one submarine," Janet smiled as she took a sip of wine.
"You're right. It will be a lot more fun again this year because I don't have to go on a date," Lee commented looking at Chip with a sly grin.
"Very funny," Chip said sarcastically as the doorbell rang with their pizza.
As they ate the pizza, Janet had another glass of wine while Lee and Chip had another bottle of beer. After helping Chip clean up, Lee and Janet went home and went directly to bed as it had been a very long day and they had a little too much to drink. They don't usually drink on week nights when they have to work the next day. But they made an exception for tonight as they would only have to work part of the day due to the auction later that night.