Eleanor had just made it up the stairs when she saw Perrier approach her from the bar. Behind him she could see Penelope sitting at on a bar stool, that was almost as tall as she was, and Teddy laughing together.
"Ah you are ready I see. Diana did a superb job," Perrier commented.
Eleanor turned away from Perrier as she felt her face turn slightly crimson.
Perrier sighed and rubbed his temples with his right hand. "But I am a mess you see," he continued pointing at several stains across his vest and shirt. "Miss Penelope's brother is what we call in France, a messy eater. I'll have to plead with Mademoiselle to clean it again."
"Who?"
"Oh, sorry. I mean Diana of course."
"Oh right." For some reason this seemed to bother Eleanor but she could not figure out why.
"So I will be back in five," he said as he scooped up her hand and kissed it. "Stay beautiful my chérie."
As he walked towards the stairwell with a slight strut Eleanor eyebrows arched slightly but she shook her head in dismissal. Considering she had more time to kill she decided to head over to 'Penelope's Fubar' and see what the two were doing. Teddy was desperately trying to read a newspaper with hands covered in saliva and food particles while Penelope was rearranging the shots glasses according to the colors of the rainbow. Apparently having given up Teddy stuffed the paper in front of his sister ruining her fabulous work. "What does this say?"
Penelope's face turned red and she clenched her fists but then she calmed down and flattened out the folds of her dress. "It says, Teddy dear," she replied with an edge, "Rioters in the streets; Ryan declares martial law."
Eleanor peered at the paper and realized it was ages old. The paper must have been published just before the splicers had torn through the streets. Aunt Gracie had told her all about it and how horrible and frightening it had been. How her next door neighbor, Mr. Bennet, had tried to help a copper who had fallen during the attack only to get himself killed.
Aunt Gracie would always say that old Mr. Bennet was good at two things: shining shoes and giving compliments. Whenever she paid him to shin her shoes he would pay her a compliment. Aunt Gracie would always hide her eyes after talking about Mr. Bennet. The reflection left Eleanor wondering if Aunt Gracie was okay.
"Pipsqueak what are rioters," Teddy inquired.
"People who are complete bums with no jobs and nothing to do but complain. But complaints do not fill ones tummy-er stomach," Penelope stated glaring at Eleanor. "And what do you want hmmm. Not satisfied taking away my hired help." Her hands went from the sides of her hips to being folded in front of her. "You look pretty." The little girl's face blushed in embarrassment. "Daddy's angry, you'll be sorry," she blurted out then continued fixing the shot glasses.
Eleanor smiled warmly then stretched her arms wide as she sat down. The bed had already begun to call her back even though she had just slept. "Why thank you Penelope. I did have some help though."
"I know. I gave Maxine the dress to use," the little girl whispered.
Teddy looked up from his paper again. "Hey what's martial law?"
Eleanor decided to reply this time. "It is the control and policing of a civilian population by military forces and according to military rules. Andrew Ryan ceased running through regulations and instead used an iron hand to rule Rapture."
Teddy still looked confused.
"Basically he gets to call the shots."
Teddy scratched his huge head. "Oh. I wish I could declare martial law. Sounds like fun."
Eleanor rested an arm on the big guys shoulder. "No you would not. You would make your sister very sad if you went around bullying people."
"I would not be sad at all," Penelope pronounced. "We make more money when Teddy bullies people."
Eleanor's face soured up. "Penelope that is not…"
"I'm back."
Eleanor turned to see Perrier approach them. He was still wearing the same black slacks and shoes but Perrier had changed into a crimson dress shirt. His neatly combed hair seemed to be the one thing he worried about the most because he kept dodging every time a drop of water threatened to ruin it. But even before he had even announced his arrival, Eleanor had smelled his cologne. It became stronger and more pungent the closer he came. By the time he was standing next to her, lifting a loose hair out of her face, she was feeling nauseous. In one hand was a bottle of champagne and in the other was an purple flower.
"The flower is for you. It is an orchid; one of the few flowers that bloom down here. In ancient time it was thought to have medicinal properties. I know you would like it."
Eleanor took the orchid from Perrier and breathed deep the fragrance emanating from the beautiful flower. "Thank you."
"Please allow me," Perrier replied. He took the orchid and nestled it between Eleanor's ear.
Eleanor tried to hide it but she was blushing. "So ready to go Perrier?"
"Ah yes." Before he left Perrier grabbed two glasses from behind the bar. He could feel the heat come from Penelope glaring at him. Perrier's pace picked up a little causing Eleanor to have to keep up.
Even from behind the crinkled paper, Teddy could feel that something was upsetting Pipsqueak. He unceremoniously folded the paper almost tearing it in half. "Don't worry Pipsqueak. I think Eleanor's okay. She's strong."
"I not worried about her," Penelope stated stomping her foot. "But Perrier took the best glasses in the house. He'd better bring them back or else."
"Best?"
"Yes Teddy. They were the only clean ones. Now I have to wash more."
