“You want me to what? Upset her? Like, piss her off?”
“Whatever you have to do. I can’t talk to her here. Too open. I need her one on one.”
“Still sounds like you’re getting ready to smash her.”
“Even fully healthy, I couldn’t and wouldn’t.”
“You serious?”
“Very. If you can’t do it, I understand. We can—”
“Can’t make a scummy bitch cry? Who the fuck you talkin’ to? You just leave it to FiFi and wait right there.”
Tegan watched Fiona walk into the gym. By the time Tegan had reached for her bottle of water, taken a few large gulps, put the lid on the bottle, and placed it down on the floor, she heard screams and shouts. Fiona was being moved outside rather forcefully by two burly looking trainers. She was screaming a foul mouthed tirade at someone inside that Tegan couldn’t see but knew to be Emily. Eventually, Fiona had been moved back far enough into the parking lot that continuing the performance would be stupid. She gave both trainers the finger and moved away, walking slowly to the side street, hiding behind a wall, waiting for Tegan’s signal.
Once the trainers had gone in, and no one would see which car Fiona owned, Tegan beckoned her over.
“That was quick...”
“Too easy, drill sergeant.”
“What the hell did you say?”
“Nothin’. She’s just a pussy. I just started out saying, ‘Excuse me, I’d like to talk to the key member of staff here called Emily.’ She asked, ‘Me? I’m a key staff member?’ I said, ‘Yes. Not important or valued, mind you, but key as in everyone gets...’” Fiona twisted her wrist like she was unlocking a door. “‘...a turn.’”
“Ouch.”
“Then I showed her my credit card and said, ‘Sorry, do you take cheques, or do I just swipe this down your sin cave? Do I get frequent flyer points if I use paywave over your clit?’”
Tegan placed a hand over her mouth.
Fiona checked her make up in her mirror and said casually, “Then she had the nerve to say I’m rude and demand I leave. That brought tweedle dee and tweedle dumb. Who I called pimp one and pimp two. But she really lost it when I asked her how much money she’d made to sell out Owen Gasnier. Who wouldn’t fuck her with a dog’s dick as he has standards. He only fucks humans and she don’t qualify.”
“Oh Jesus, FiFi...”
“Don’t feel bad. Bitch messed with my man.” Fiona closed her make-up and glanced at Tegan. “Sorry, our man.”
Tegan smiled. “We are sharing him, are we?”
Fiona said, “Pfft. You have that whole true love, once in a lifetime bullshit, yada-yada. But I...” she said, raising her eyebrows and continuing in a mock-serious tone, “I have his soul. Why would I give that up for six inches?”
Tegan sucked her lips in a touch, saying nothing. She knew what Fiona was trying to do. She shook her head quickly as Fiona glanced at her.
“Seven?” Fiona whispered.
Tegan shook her head again.
“Eight?” Fiona asked, her eyes widening.
Tegan looked at her and shook her her head again, slower. Fiona sat back and pretended to burst into tears, smacking the steering wheel, throwing a tantrum. “I wanna swap!” she whined.
“Shit... is that her?” Tegan asked, spotting a female employee, heavily distressed, leaving the gym, raking through her bag for her keys. “Get down...” Tegan hissed. If Emily saw Fiona in the car waiting, they’d have to deal with cops and the whole plan would crumble.
Emily pulled out of the car park and headed off, and the two girls followed her. It wasn’t a lengthy tale either. Emily stopped her car in a small car park at the top of Coogee Beach. Tegan waited until Emily had gotten out and then slowly followed. Fiona stayed in the car with only a small protest. But this wouldn’t work unless they were one-on-one. Tegan found Emily on a park bench, completely alone, sobbing so hard her shoulders shook. Tegan gently eased herself opposite her.
“Hi, Emily,” Tegan started. “Sorry to startle you, but I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time.”
Emily was startled and sat upright, taking in Tegan’s appearance with her beany on her head. “Who are you?”