The Challenge Part 2
The Terms and the First Date
"Is that what you're wearing?" Abby asks tilting her head examining Olivia's attire for the evening.
"Yes, why? What's wrong?"
"How shall I put this? Umm...your boobies are practically spilling out of your bra leaving nothing to the imagination and your jeans are so tight you're going to need grease and crowbar to get out of them."
"Excellent, Olivia beams. Exactly the look I was going for".
"Wait…what… why?" Abby is confused. She points her finger at Olivia. "This look is intentional? Are you planning to add a blonde wig so you look like the rest of the bottle jobs he has an affinity for?"
"Abby, give me some credit. The look is all a part of my strategy. I need to keep Fitz off balance, unfocused but extremely interested. While he's drooling and making inappropriate comments I'll get him to agree to all the terms of the challenge. He says I'm an unproven commodity, this blouse coupled with my little X-rated talk from earlier should satisfy his need for a foretaste of the flesh to come".
"Remind me to never bet against you", Abby says shaking her head.
"Okay, let's make sure we have everything, it's almost time to head out. Two copies of the proposal."
"Check".
"Highlighters, red pens, breath mints".
Check, check, and check", Abby confirms rummaging through her satchel.
"Sanitizer and wipes? I don't even want to know what people are doing in these study rooms. The last one we reserved smelled of Doritos, cheap cologne and unwashed genitalia".
"Double check, we're good to go".
"All right, let's do this". Olivia high fives Abby. "Let the Challenge begin!"
Olivia and Abby arrive at the library early to check in for the reserved study room. They quickly wipe the table and chairs down and air out the room using the door as a fan.
"Everything looks and smells good. Time to bring in the contestant".
"I'll go", Abby volunteers, "you get your game face on and focus. You know he's going to try and get you back for the stunt you pulled this afternoon".
"Oh, he'll try but I have his number. He's in my wheelhouse".
"Something tells me you shouldn't be overly confident Liv. This will all be for not if he passes on your offer".
"Trust me Abby he won't. He doesn't like to lose". Olivia takes off her jacket and sits on the side of the table facing the door.
"Back in a flash".
Abby stands in front of the patio cafe next to the library. She checks her watch marking the time, 5:29. Ten seconds later a man approaches talking on a cell phone. He stops and speaks to her.
"Abby", he inquires warmly.
She eyes him suspiciously before answering. "Yes".
"I'm Stephen Finch a friend of Fitz. He'll join us shortly, shall we grab a table in the corner away from everyone?"
"Actually, Olivia reserved a room in the library, much more private".
"Great, lead the way. Give me a second to text Fitz our location".
Abby and Stephen enter the study room.
Surprised by the stranger accompanying Abby, Olivia quips, "Abby that's not Fitz".
"I'm aware of that. This is his friend Stephen Finch".
"You must be Olivia, it's a pleasure to meet you", Stephen says offering his hand.
Olivia stands to shake Stephen's hand. Leery and somewhat irritated by his presence, Olivia and Abby take positions behind the table, Olivia gripping the back of her chair, Abby standing akimbo next to her.
"Mr. Hench", Olivia starts.
"Finch, my name is Stephen Finch".
"I apologize. You'll forgive my faux pas?" Olivia covers her to top of her breast with her hand to emphasize her sincerity. "Not to be rude but we were expecting Fitz. Why exactly are you here instead of him?"
"It's quite obvious you were expecting Mr. Grant. His reservations about a face to face meeting appear well founded".
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage Mr. Finch. What do mean it's obvious and his reservations appear well founded?"
At this point, Fitz makes his presence known on Stephen's speakerphone. "Was I right Stephen?"
"Spot on Fitz".
"Care to share what you two are talking about?" Abby interjects.
"What are you wearing Pope?"
"Wha...what?" Olivia stutters.
"You heard me. What are you wearing?"
"A blouse and jeans", she responds innocently.
"Stephen please translate Ms. Pope's description".
"White silk blouse opened to her cleavage line exposing the top of her bare breasts. Probable use of a push-up bra to exaggerate actual bust size. Unable to determine if the pair are natural or artificial in origin".
"And the jeans", Fitz probes.
"Tight fitting, I'm surprised she's able to sit, or breath for that matter".
"Excuse me what just happened here? You have some nerve Grant!" Olivia barks.
"Oh, don't try to play the objectified female card Pope. Clearly you came there with a scheme, so let's skip all the pretense of righteous indignation. I told you before but it bears repeating, you are not the only one who can read people. You showed your hand this afternoon. I knew you'd try to use my attraction for you against me. That was your plan, right, get me all hot and bothered, keep me distracted so I'd agree to anything. Ha, fool me once Pope, fool me once".
Olivia stands, mouth slightly agape, quietly pondering whether to refute his argument or eat humble pie for getting caught. She decides to split the difference by not denying his astuteness but pretending to be offended.
"Why I never…"
"So you say Pope, but that pornographic mouth of yours tells me you've come damn close an awful lot of times". Fitz referring to the naughty things she whispered in his ear earlier in the day.
"Excuse me", Olivia snaps while placing her hands on her hips.
"Cut the personally offended act Pope and get on with why we are here".
"I'd love to Grant, problem is you're not here".
"Ah yes, my proxy is there in my stead and I am participating via speaker from a nearby location.
"He's your what?"
"You heard me, Stephen is my proxy, you know my second, my mediary, and counsel if you will. You do know what a proxy is, don't you Pope?"
"Of course I do. I'm just surprised you do. Do you have a thesaurus app open or something? Look, this not good faith negotiating Fitz".
"I'm going to put Fitz on facetime", Stephen informs as he places his phone on the table propped against a book.
"Good faith, if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black. You have some nerve Pope".
"What you talking about Grant?"
"Stephen enlighten the woman."
"Mr. Grant believes in the interest of fair play he should participate via facetime to avoid experiencing a predicament similar to the one that occurred earlier today. He is fully committed to negotiating in good faith the terms and conditions of this so-called challenge. His physical absence should not be seen as anything other than his effort to ensure the elements of distraction in no way confuse the participants or put either party at a disadvantage. Equity and clarity Ms. Pope. Equity and clarity on both sides".
"I knew you would dress provocatively in an attempt to keep me unfocused, therefore I sent my proxy slash counsel instead. I'm on to you Pope".
"Counsel? Why do you need counsel, this is friendly agreement amongst us two?"
"I understand that. Why is Abby there?"
"Moral support".
"Really? If this is a friendly agreement as you put it, why the need for moral support?"
"Maybe moral support is the wrong term. She's more like my sounding board in the event we need to renegotiate terms. She's also an interpreter, a clarifier of conditions if needed".
"Are you saying your proposal is convoluted?"
"No, but some of the rationale behind certain points in the proposal may need to be said in a different way, ".
"Pope have you notice you have this annoying habit of speaking to me in a condescending manner. Whatever the terms are of your proposal, I think I'm more than equipped to discern your meaning and intention. So, can you refrain from further demeaning my intellect and get to the point of why we're here".
"I apologize. No condescension intended".
"Pope your words and actions are always deliberate, designed to invoke a specific reaction".
"I have no idea what you're insinuating". She spouts taking her seat at the table.
"Oh please, from the very beginning your every move has been calculated in an attempt to keep me off balance. First, you draw attention to your boob-age and derriere and now you're chewing on your pen, licking the tip". Olivia immediately puts her pencil down.
"You've got to work on your skills of subtlety. Fool me once Olivia, that's all you get.
Dead silence. Olivia contemplates her next move. "Alright Grant, let's do this, all games aside".
Olivia takes deep breath to regain her composure. She's been outwitted by the trust fund philanderer and she doesn't like one bit. Fitz is proving to be an exceptional opponent. She won't make the mistake of underestimating him again.
Olivia begins to read the terms of the challenge.
"Parties to the agreement, Party A, Katrina and Party B, Devin".
"Wait a minute Pope, who the hell are Katrina and Devin?"
"You really don't expect me to use our real names and run the risk of you carelessly leaving this agreement laying around somewhere like the kitchen counter of your frat".
"Watch it Pope, you're doing it again".
"Sorry".
"I object to the names used in the agreement".
"What…why? What's wrong with Katrina and Devin?", Abby asks miffed because she suggested the names.
"This is mutual agreement, correct? So if code names are going to used, each party should be able to choose their own".
"Fine, whatever Grant, what name do you want to use?"
"Give me second, I'm sure you put more than five seconds of thought into Katrina and Devin. Then again maybe not, they're not the most imaginative names."
"Hey", Abby squawks.
"Okay, I've got it, Linus and Lucy."
"Peanuts characters? Seriously, Olivia questions incredulously. How old are you? Let's just skip the names and use Party A and Party B. Abby and your proxy can serve as witnesses to the agreement."
"We have to use our real names and you two get to be anonymous?"
"Yeah, why is that, Abby adds?"
"All right, all right, this is getting ridiculous, Olivia grumbles. We'll be Parties A and B and you two can sign as the Peanuts duo. Okay? Everybody happy now?" Everyone nods and Fitz verbally agrees.
"Continuing on, the Purpose of the agreement, is to provide the terms conditions under which the Party A will date and have sexual intercourse with Party B..."
For the next hour and half, they go back and forth adding and deleting provisions. In the end Olivia's original proposal remains relatively intact because Fitz is determined to prove her wrong.
Terms of the Agreement
Duration - one semester
Number of dates - no less than ten, no more than twenty, unless both Parties agree to additional dates
Date restrictions- at least five dates must involve public transportation, at least five dates must be at no cost, no date can exceed $30 and no date can involve using any of Party B's expensive cars
Party B must tell his friends he's been cut off financially.
Party A must accept the date and times of the dates without question unless an exam or class paper is due.
Party A must participate fully in the date, even if outside her comfort zone.
Party B must do his own laundry.
Party A must show Party B how to do laundry. This can constitute one date if Party A so desires.
After each date, Party A will report to Linus her likes, dislikes and rating of the date. Party B will do the same accept he'll report to Lucy.
At the end, all four will meet to determine the success or failure of the challenge. If a success, Party A will go away with Party B to a place of his choosing and consummate the successful completion of the challenge.
If the challenge is deemed a failure, Party B will cease all pursuit of Party A and the two will forgo all future contact.
Regardless of the outcome everyone agrees to abide by the non-disclosure clause of this agreement.
Olivia, lays her pencil and copy of the agreement on the table. "Any questions?"
"Let me get this straight no date can cost more than $30. Some dates have to be free. I can't use my car. I have to use public transportation at least five times and I have to do my own laundry. Are you insane? Who can go on a date for $30? And why do I have to tell my friends my dad cut me off?"
"Grant, don't you want to be sure who your real friends are? This exercise will prove whose real and who's with you for what they can get from you".
"You think I don't know who the hanger-ons are? My family is wealthy and politically connected, I'm surrounded by brownnosers and gold-diggers all the time, it comes with territory. Pope you must really think a person's IQ diminishes based on the number of zeros in their net worth. News flash, not everyone with a trust fund is an idiot or intellectually stunted".
"Fitz, you seem a little too worked up about this. I hear what you're saying and it is true I may have a certain bias towards those with wealth but believe me my experience with and exposure to those with means informs my opinion. Your tone suggests I struck a nerve. There are hundreds of students here who could complete this challenge blindfolded and with one hand tied behind their back. Your problem Grant is that you've never had to use ingenuity or live by your wits. The mere thought of a budget, sitting with the common folk or not having access to your trust fund scares you shitless and you know it. You've never had to work for one thing in your life, not getting your way or doing something you know you won't succeed at doesn't even register with you. You can't see the value in something derived from hard work. You know the cost of everything and the value of nothing".
"Pope I'm going to make you eat every single last one of those words. Where do you get off judging someone you barely know? Who do you think died and left you in charge? This challenge will be an eye-opener for you Pope."
"Really, how so?"
"You are judgmental, condescending, a believer in stereotypes and arrogant. I'd call you egotistical but you don't strike me as narcissistic".
"I am not!" Olivia screeches as she picks up Stephen's phone to virtually get up in Fitz's face.
'Yes, you are", Fitz replies mimicking Olivia's voice.
"Okay you two, save the biting comments for the actual challenge".
"She started it!"
"Fitz man, enough already!"
"Okay Stevie, I'm done". Stephen takes his phone away from Olivia.
Before they leave, everyone agrees the challenge will begin after winter break.
Fitz begins challenge in earnest. His first order of business is to store his Porsche in the long-term lot downtown he uses. He normal stores the Prius his aunt Betty, who was a card-carrying member of Greenpeace and every other environmental organization there is, left him when she passed. He'll use it for the challenge. His next task is to convince his friends he's been cut off financially. As Olivia predicted, many distanced themselves from Fitz believing him on his way to becoming a freeloader. Fitz was aware several of his looser friendships were only wallet deep acquaintances but he truly expected Hershel and Matt, who he grew up with, to be there for him. Only Preston and Herbie James, frat brothers who come from new money and Stephen who knew about the challenge, remained loyal friends.
Fitz, Stephen and Herbie James sit in the campus cafe discussing Fitz's change in social status. They see Matt, Fitz's childhood friend, take a seat at the table directly in front of them, then abruptly get up after he sees Fitz.
"Did you see that, Matt is actually avoiding me".
"Man, the minute he realized he was sitting across from you he hopped out of that chair like it was on fire", Herbie chuckles.
"Nothing like descending into the ranks of the middle class to make you a pariah among blue bloods".
"Be kind Herbie, in less than a week our friend here has reached social leper status".
"Matt, that little fucker? How many times have I saved his sorry ass? Yet the minute a say my well has run dry and ask to borrow a few hundred he bolts as if I asked for a blow job or a kidney".
He probably wishes you had asked for a blow job. Boy has issues. They all laugh.
"You're bringing me to Costco for our first date".
"Yeah, I need to get some things and thought, hey why not take care of two things at once".
"And how pray tell is this a date?"
"We are going to dine, get a few groceries and window shop". Olivia shakes her head. Secretly she is impressed he actually figured a way to have no cost date.
"What made you think of Costco?"
"I remember one of my baseball coaches saying Costco was a bachelor's or a starving students best source for a good meal. You get to sample a variety of cuisines, then spend a buck and have ice cream for dessert".
Pretending to be engaged, they try on rings at the jewelry case, then talk to the travel agent about romantic honeymoon destinations. They even chat with the satellite and air conditioning representatives about their pretend house in the suburbs.
They strolled through the aisles sampling Spanish rice, bacon wrapped scallops, quesadillas, barbeque pork riblets, chicken sausage, energy drinks, horchata and granola bars. The only thing they both didn't particularly care for was the quinoa and lentil salad. By the time they reach the checkout line they're stuffed.
"That's all you're buying, deodorant and toothpaste? I thought you needed groceries?"
Olivia ends up the one buying groceries. She couldn't resist the bacon wrapped scallops, chicken apple sausages, the black seedless grapes, croissants or the 18-count double pack of eggs.
"Oh right, thanks for reminding me. Hold my place in line".
Fitz sprints over the health food section and grabs a couple boxes of protein bars and a bag of protein powder. Olivia looks at what he brings back and chuckles.
"What is so funny?"
"This challenge isn't about complete deprivation".
"I know. Meals are included at the frat, I just need the protein powder for my morning shake and the bars are my on the go snack".
No wonder he stays in shape she thinks to herself.
Back at Olivia's apartment Fitz is gloating in triumph at a successful first date.
"I'm waiting", Fitz sings staring at Olivia.
"Fine, I'll admit you did a good job thinking outside the normal date box".
"And?"
"And? What do you mean and?"
"Come on, admit it. Say it or prepare to be tickled until you do". Fitz moves closer clawing his fingers in and out. Olivia moves back just out of his reach. Fitz jumps from the kitchen stool and starts to tickle her. Olivia screeches with laughter.
"Okay, okay, I'll say it. Let me go".
"No say it first". He continues to tickle her.
"All right, all right, all right", she gasps out rapidly. She turns to face him, he still has his hands on her waist.
"I had a really good time, thank you."
"Good enough for a kiss?"
"Don't push your luck Grant."
