Plissken sighed and took a booth well to one side and off in a corner. A drink came for him immediately but he wasn't very interested. His mind was distracted by a thousand other things. The only choice was to let his mind wander so it would clear out before he went into the arena. Snake laid his head back against the wall and ran his hand through his hair. His mind was on the government and what he was hearing through fairly reliable sources. Someone in Virginia had lost their mind, more then usual. Snake sighed and froze when he felt a small but demanding tug on his jacket sleeve.
Plissken lowered his arm and peered down at the little girl wrapped in a silk sarong. She smiled when she finally received his attention.
"You like, I do something for you mister?" Her words were a little shaky as she opened the wrap to show him her body. Snake stared feeling his good eye twitch. He wasn't looking out of sexual interest but shock. Few things stunned Plissken; crazies, a few idiots and this but this was the worst.
Snake looked back down at his drink and knocked back the shot. He needed a drink stronger than this to deal with being propositioned by a child. She was no more than a baby. The worst was sending her a way was a less desirable fate than actually accepting. The whole situation knotted Plissken's insides.
"You want I go?" She had that verge of tears in her voice. It was so bad that Plissken couldn't bear looking over at her. He took a deep breath and smiled to himself.
"No." He answered her and slid over in the booth.
She clamored up next to him and settled in. She was staring down at his pants. Plissken shifted uncomfortably next to her.
"I make you happy?" It was more of a question than a statement.
"Yeah." Snake answered offhandedly while putting in an order with the waitress. The woman had just turned away when Snake felt a much too small hand groping him. Snake thought he was going to vomit. The lurching in his stomach brought the bile taste with it as he took the hand away and set it in her lap.
"No, sweetheart." Snake let her hand go and tried to force down the sick feeling.
"No?" She didn't understand at all. He could see it in her eyes. "But I make you happy."
Snake sighed and leaned over close to her. "You will."
Snake left it at that before pulling away. He realized soon enough that he hadn't been convincing when she slid up on to his lap. Her little legs barely straddled his. She looked up with big, questioning eyes.
"What's your name?" He asked trying his best to not think about what she was aiming to do.
"Mei Ping" She whispered looking down.
"Pretty name." Snake commented as he watched the crowd ebb around in front of him.
She leaned up and kissed his cheek. Giggles erupted when she was prickled in the lips. Snake assumed that probably wasn't something she was accustoming to. As quickly as the laughter started it abruptly ended. Snake hardly noticed as his mind was drifting again.
"Not happy with Mei Ping. Get other girl?" She was tugging at his shirt this time.
Snake looked down at the girl in his lap. The fear in her eyes worked its way right down into Plissken's soul, past even the hate that burned so brightly. Her eyes were diverted elsewhere and he saw the man staring at them. A deep frown creased his face as he watched Plissken in the booth with the girl.
"No." Snake was in luck as he saw their food coming toward the booth. "You will make me very happy."
"How?" Her voice was a high pitched child's cry. She was terrified of that man, whoever he was. Plissken didn't care. If he came over to start on him Plissken had two very potent methods of shutting him up, permanently.
"Eat with me." Plissken smiled as the two bowls and hot pot were placed on the table. He was serious. Too many meals over the past weeks had been alone. Plissken could use the company even if she didn't say much.
Mei Ping glanced over her shoulder at the food and the audible rumble told Plissken what he expected. She hadn't eaten in awhile.
"Turn around."
She shifted and came to rest on his knee. He hadn't noticed until now that if she sat in the booth she'd be too short to reach the table. Snake took the chopsticks and started piling the smaller bowl with noodles and covering them in fish broth. She squirmed anxiously when he slid it to her. The noodles were shoveled in like it had been days since she ate. Plissken on the other hand savored the noodles. Snake always took time to enjoy his food when the chance presented itself. He had two hours and could certainly afford to take his time with lunch.
He was still eating when little arms wiggled around his chest. Snake looked down to see a big happy smile. It was a contagious smile that spread in Plissken's expression as well. It made him feel playful as she nuzzled into his shirt. Snake took a bite of shrimp and grabbed her nose with the chopsticks. She squealed and buried her face under his coat. Snake chuckled more and went back to eating.
Plissken was glad for the company. What made it more welcome was the lack of strings or worry. She was a kid. He could relax without having to decipher the meanings behind her words and actions. That alone made her presence worthwhile.