Chapter 3: Geppetto's

The town car pulled up to a large building in the district of Akasaka, not far from the Tokyo Midtown complex. Interestingly enough, it did not stop at the front of the building, but at a much smaller side entrance. The Chauffeur (now Chinese once more) got out of the car and went around to let the waiting couple out. "Sir and Madam? We are here," he told them.

"This is it?" Ranma asked.

"Yes, it is sir. The restaurant serves a rather restricted clientele and prefers to maintain a low profile. It takes 'knowing someone' to get in the door."

"O.K…." Akane said with a raised eyebrow. "So who do we know? And who are we going to run into?"

"I believe Doctor Ono has some of the appropriate connections. As for your second question – there's only one way to find out," the Chauffeur stated, gesturing at the building.

Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "At least this should be interesting. Shall we, my lady?" he said offering his arm.

Akane smiled at Ranma, accepting the gesture. "Yes, sir, we shall."

"Good," their Chauffeur stated while reaching into his coat and pulling out two envelopes. "When you get to the reception desk, just give your names, but before you go, please read these notes the good Doctor gave me to hand to you at just this moment."

Puzzled, each member of the couple took an envelope with the appropriate name on it. Ranma open his and read silently:

Ranma:

Remember the things we talked about. Most important: Be honest and hide nothing. Let there be no more secrets about anything or anyone – especially you. Don't assume – ask and discuss.

Doc

Akane also read hers silently:

Akane:

For a tough young woman, you are full of many sensitive emotional spots. So is Ranma. Explore them together. He's willing to learn if you are too. Be patient and courteous. Don't assume – ask and discuss.

Doc

The couple blushed as they finished reading at the same time, and then looked at each other shyly. Ranma thought for a moment, then threw caution to the wind and handed Akane his note. Akane looked startled for a second, then smiled shyly again and handed Ranma her note. They each read the other's note and handed them back, smiling a little more confidently. Ranma once more offered Akane his arm which she accepted, quoting Tofu: "Don't assume…"

Ranma answered: "Ask and discuss." With that, he led them toward the unremarkable door.

"They will do just fine," thought Daran as he climbed back into the car and drove off into the night.


The couple stepped into a hallway with a carpeted floor and a wood ceiling with recessed lighted panels. The walls were of a burnished metal containing a complex pattern of short lines in vertical and horizontal directions, almost looking random. They walked twenty meters into a small rectangular reception area. At the far end was a reception desk set on a platform about a meter above the floor. A thin man in a grey pinstriped suit with a pencil thin mustache and perfectly groomed hair sat behind the desk looking at a large tome in front of him, occasionally making notes in the book. He did not look up as they entered the area. Ranma looked at Akane, but she only shrugged her shoulders (which Ranma didn't mind as it made the dress move in interesting ways). He returned the shrug and led them to the desk. Immediately in front of the desk was a tall wooden pedestal about a meter or so high that was capped with a glass top. As they stood before the desk, still getting no response, the man's most unusual characteristic struck Ranma – he cast absolutely no aura.

Remembering Tofu's admonishments, Ranma cleared his throat and spoke. "Excuse me, sir," he said with a firm voice. "We are looking for a restaurant by the name of Geppetto's."

The man looked up from his book at the couple. His sharp face briefly looked slightly annoyed, but settled into a condescending mask as he coolly addressed Ranma: "Somehow, sir, I doubt that very much."

Ranma didn't appreciate the look or the tone, but kept his temper. He was determined to behave properly in front of Akane. He spoke firmly once again: "My name is Ranma Saotome. I have a reservation for two at Geppetto's for this evening."

The man flipped through the large book and ran his finger down a page. His eyebrows arched in surprise and then settled again. He looked penetratingly at the young man who stared back fearlessly. He then turned to regard Akane, looking at her eyes. Akane was determined to back up Ranma, returning the stare. "I see," the man spoke evenly looking at Ranma again. "Please place your right hand on the scanner in front of you, Sir"

Akane released Ranma's arm as he placed his hand on the glass-topped pedestal. Immediately the scanner lit up with a vibrant green color, vividly outlining the hand. The man in the pinstriped suit dropped his pen, but gave no other sign of surprise. He nodded at Ranma and then turned to Akane. "Madam, if you would now please do the same?" His voice sounded ten degrees warmer, so Akane raised her hand to the scanner. Again, the glass glowed a brilliant green, causing the man to whisper an oath: "The gods have a lot to account for." For a brief second, Ranma sensed an angry aura flash from the man, only for it to dissipate again into nothingness.

The man's demeanor changed as he stood and pressed a button on his desk. "Yes, Mister Roth?" an electronic tinted voice asked.

"I need someone to take the desk for a few minutes. Geppetto's has two new clients who have just arrived. I need to run through the necessary introductions and show them the way to the restaurant."

"It will be seen to, Mister Roth."

"Thank you." Mister Roth released the intercom button and turned to the couple, speaking very cordially to them. "Please excuse the slight delay, Sir and Madam, but if you follow me we can attend to certain necessities and get you to your table. It will take less than five minutes, but it must happen." He came around to the side of the desk and indicated a side door recessed in the wall near the desk. "Please Sir and Madam?" he asked smoothly. "Much will be explained and I will make it as quick as possible."

Ranma looked at Akane, who shrugged her shoulders once again (to Ranma's private delight), so he led her to the door Mr. Roth opened. Inside was a small sitting room consisting of a couch, a small table with a steaming tea set on it, and a comfortable but unimposing chair. Mr. Roth gestured to the sofa which the couple took, while he settled into the chair and began pouring tea for all three. He took a cup and began speaking after Ranma and Akane accepted their cups. "First off, let me apologize. I am normally not such an ogre, but part of my job is protecting my clients from those who would seek to disturb their privacy. Many times a week, I receive various attempts. A cold shoulder is often the best and easiest resort."

"Is that a big problem?' Akane asked.

"Yes, Lady Tendo, it is here." At the couple's raised eyebrows, Mr. Roth explained: "Your name was listed with Master Saotome's." He then continued: "You see, the clients of Geppetto's and its brother restaurants often live extraordinary lives. Many are known collectively as the 'Others' - they are often the movers and shakers of the world; people very much in the public eye who never seem to get a minute to relax. Besides the 'Others' is a group collectively known as the 'Hunted and the Hunters', a mix of people who must always be on their guard, so much so that they often lose themselves." Ranma sighed at that, and Mr. Roth gave him an understanding smile. Then Mr. Roth concluded: "So they come here, to 'The Complex' where they can be anonymous."

"The Complex?" Ranma asked.

"Yes," Mr. Roth nodded. "Geppetto's, Villa Margarita, Xanadu, The Yellow Submarine, and many others are part of 'The Complex.' Over time, as we see how you handle your privileges and responsibilities, you will be told of the other restaurants and entertainment facilities."

"Responsibilities?" Ranma prompted.

"Yes, Master Saotome, responsibilities. Here, we give you your privacy back. In exchange, while you are in the bounds of The Complex, you must give others their privacy, whether it be your best friend, or your worst enemy. Whatever happens outside The Complex stays outside. Whatever happens in The Complex, stays here."

"And I suppose the first rule of Fight Club is 'You do not talk about Fight Club'?" Akane said with a demure smile.

Mr. Roth actually laughed at that. "Yes, Lady Tendo. You must never mention the names of the various facilities here or the overall existence of The Complex. Geppetto's should be known as that 'Italian place we went to.' Should you meet other customers outside of The Complex and wish to arrange a gathering here, discussions outside these walls should be as vague as possible. People come here for a break. If The Complex becomes public knowledge, that will no longer be possible. We all have a stake in maintaining our privacy. That is your primary responsibility."

"Are there any others?" Akane followed up.

"Just one – the common defense," Mr. Roth said. The young couple perked up at that. "Inside The Complex, we often have people who hate each other, but ignore that for one night in the name of privacy. Should an outside force try to invade our privacy, everyone is expected pitch in and help protect that privacy, even if it means you battle alongside your hated foe. We ask for delay, confusion, and minimal force tactics from all patrons to allow everyone to hide and escape – and to hide the facilities. As you two are Fighters, I again emphasize minimal force. No one should be seriously injured – sending people to the hospital is the surest way to make the news. Besides, the management is strictly pacifistic."

"Is this a common occurrence?" Ranma asked.

"We have to initiate a delay-and-hide scenario about once a year. Rarely do we have to perform an actual defense, but it has happened."

"I see," Ranma said. He looked over at Akane who nodded her head. "I suppose we can live within those rules."

"Excellent! Lord Ono thought you would find the conditions acceptable. I'm please to see he was right. Now, that covers privileges and responsibilities. Let's discuss Protocol." At their nods, Mr. Roth continued: "As I said, people come here for a bit of privacy. However, no man (or woman) is an island, and that applies even here. Sometimes, people like a bit of company or to meet new folks from their peer set. So, the tables are color coded into black and white tables. White tables are near the center of the room and/or near the dance floor. If someone is seated at a white table, anyone may join them and start a friendly non-business, non-political discussion. However, customers at black tables may not be approached except by wait staff, and the wait staff are not allowed to relay messages to black tables. People may switch from a black table to a white table, but you must have a reservation to switch from white to black."

"Easy enough to understand," Ranma stated.

Mr. Roth nodded his head. "One last thing: Let's say you meet someone inside 'The Complex' and strike up a real friendship. Then you run into them outside of The Complex. The proper Protocol is to at least acknowledge each other with a polite smile. If you can talk and wish to, you nod as well. If the other person nods, then you may strike up a conversation. This is also the Protocol on the dance floor where a couple would often rather pay attention to each other rather than their neighbors. Any questions?" Seeing their head shakes, Mr. Roth finished his tea and stood up. "All right, let's get you to your table."

Mr. Roth ushered Akane and Ranma back outside the small conference room, where the couple received a small surprise: Mr. Roth was at the desk again. They both turned to see Mr. Roth smiling from behind. "This is my twin brother, Mr. Roth," the man behind them said. Ranma noted that the new man also gave off no aura.

The second smiled. "Actually, my brother is simplifying things. You'll find our brother, Mr. Roth, checking on the facilities from time to time as well."

"Is your brother also dressed identically as you two are?" Akane asked with a raised eyebrow.

"As a matter of fact, he is," the Mr. Roth behind them answered. "It protects our own privacy. Collectively, we are just known as 'Mr. Roth'. We can switch duties as it pleases us and no one is the wiser."

"And no one can pick a fight with an individual person. They take on all of us or none of us," the second man said. "Now let's show you how to access the facilities." He came around the desk and stood at the opposite side wall. "Master Saotome, if you would place your hand against this wall?" Ranma came over to him and placed his palm flat against the wall. He was not surprised when a small part of the wall slid open to reveal an elevator.

The first Mr. Roth spoke: "The elevator will respond to either of your handprints courtesy of the scanner. When you step inside, the buttons for the various restaurants and facilities will appear."

The second man continued: "In the future, when you visit us, you will not need to speak to us. Just place your hand against this wall and the elevator will appear."

"Seems a little rude to just pass you by without saying a word," Akane stated.

"Actually, it's part of the Protocol," the second man returned. "We are suppose to be invisible – at least unless something is wrong. We appreciate a 'Good Evening' and a polite smile…"

"Which you will receive in return…" the first chimed in.

"But if you have anything to say to us beyond 'Hello' or 'Good-bye', you need to place your hand on the scanner first. This is part and parcel of the Protocol," the second continued.

"But you won't tell us why," Ranma finished.

Both men nodded their assent. "Again," the first picked up, "just know it is needed. We all have our secrets after all."

"Fair enough," Akane said.

Both men gestured to the waiting elevator. Ranma took the hint and turned to once again offer his arm to Akane. She accepted and accompanied him into the elevator. With a smile at the two brothers, she pressed a button labeled "Geppetto's" and the two brothers watched the doors close. As soon as the elevator was gone, another brother walked out of a second alcove. "Actually, my brother is simplifying things…" he said with a mocking tone.

The first and the second looked at the third with raised eyebrows. "Never tell people anything they do not need to know…." they said together.


Once the door smoothly closed, the elevator rose. Above the door, a countdown appeared starting at 45. Exactly forty-five seconds later, the door opened to reveal a large foyer occupied only by a well-dressed young woman standing at a podium with what was obviously a reservation book. "Mr. Saotome, Ms. Tendo, Welcome to Geppetto's. Your table is ready." The couple smiled and uttered a greeting, then followed the woman into the restaurant proper to receive their first view of Geppetto's.

The restaurant was very large, but the subdued lighting and the fact that the restaurant featured raised half-walls, about two meters high and topped with a mix of overflowing planters and Roman columns which rose to the ceiling, broke up the feeling of vastness. Walking among the tables (most of which had a black table cloth) felt like walking through a complex flower-filled maze. The hostess led them through the maze into the center section of the restaurant. The center was organized as two half-circles of tables around a center dance floor. The inner half-circle consisted of nineteen tables, organized two deep in a staggered fashion, all with white table cloths. The outer half-circle consisted of half again the number of tables of the inner shape, also organized two deep in a staggered fashion along the inner boundary of the maze, but with black table cloths. There was five meters of open floor space between the two half-circles, but the inner half-circle of tables was right next to the dance floor. The dance floor itself was half-filled with couples moving to a music piece encouraging close dancing. At the far end of the room was a DJ in a blue-sequined jacket, sunglasses, and a derby hat surveying his domain with a satisfied smile.

The hostess led them over to a corner of the central area where a private two-person table with a black table cloth awaited them. There were close-set columns atop the raised half-wall behind the table, giving the couple a bit more isolation from those behind them. A broad leaf vine climbing up the columns completed the wall. Akane loved it, and said so aloud. Ranma thought it was perfect and thanked the hostess. Ranma then went over and pulled out Akane's chair for her with a flourish, angling the chair so she could see the dance floor better (and moving her closer to his chair). He then walked around the table and took his seat, smiling at his Date.


Next up: And they danced...