Logfile from Brass&Steel.

It is very eraly in the morning, and the streets are at their most quiet.
A few cars pass by now and again, and the streetsweepers and garbage
collectors make up the rest of what little life there is. A tall man comes
walking slowly down Roanoke and into the plaza.

Ruby is standing on a corner with a cigarette. Doing her best to ignore
the hopefuls around her. Being a known face has its downsides and it
sucks, pure and simple, to have to deal with autograph hunters constantly.
It only takes a moment before she's scribbled a few before she begins
walking again...opposite direction of the tall man so she'll pass him.

This woman is quite a sight really. She pulls off the model look so well
she just -has- to be one. Isn't it annoying? She's 5'8'' or so in height,
very slender and quite pale. Her raven hair is straight, falling to the
small of her back, usually kept loose and brushed behind her ears. Hair
like taken out of a shampoo commercial. Not fair. Not by a longshot. Her
face is elegant and aristocratic and quite astoundingly beautiful really.
She has high swung, perfect eyebrows. Over deep, -deep- brown eyes. With
looong lashes. Her nose is straight...aristocratic...elegant. Leading to a
pair of lips that just -ache- to be kissed. Full, red...sensual. All this
leads down to a slender neck, and further down to a body to die for.
Fairly simple.

 She is dressed casually. A pair of cowboy boots in black leather. A pair
of black Lee-jeans...the brand of a lifetime. Low slung on her hips, with
a button fly. No back pockets. They cling to her, before going into a pair
of loose bottoms...not bellbottoms but almost. She wears a red silk
halter-top with the print "Too hot to handle" on the front. Around her
neck is a gold necklace and in each ear is a gold hoop. No tattoos and no
scars mar any visible part of her. She is a household face by now.
Spokesmodel for Lee...so she's on more or less every billboard imaginable
down the interstate.

As the godess comes into view, the man takes in the sight. He doesn't
bother to hide his admiration, and even smiles to her. His eyes are warm
and sparkling with good humour. He slows his pace just a little bit as
they come closer to each other.

Ruby raises an eyebrow. Does she know this man? She does stop, at least.
Nods in return, "Yes sir? Can I help?", she asks.

Zach smiles broader and approaches. "Very kind of you to ask, ma'am, but
don't think so. I'm just happy basking in your glow, as it were. Wha't a
work of art like you doing in a town like this. And at this God-forsaken
hour?" He chuckles. "Besides turning heads, I mean." He doesn't seem at
all bothered by thess incredibly cheesy lines. In fact he sounds like he
means every word in the nicest possible way.

Ruby chuckles slightly and doesn't seem to mind the flattery at all. Then
again, that'd make her poorly suited for her job if she did. "Heading to
the company headquarters for an early morning meeting actually.", she says
and blows a smokering.

Zach squints slightly at her. "Hey.. You're the beauty who's all over the
billboards these days. The Lee girl!" He twinkles a merry smile. "Wow.
I've never met a real-life model before." He straightens up holds out his
hand. "I'm Zach. Zach Ellis. How do you do, ma'am?"

Ruby smiles crookedly, "Nice to see that someone can recognize my face
instead of my butt.", she muses and shakes the offered hand, "My name's
Ruby...pleased to meet you, I'm sure.", she says. There's a merry twinkle
in her eyes too

Zach laughs softly as he squeezes her hans. His grip is firm and honest.
"Any man worth his salt should be able to recognize /both/. I mean, you
can't greet and talk to butts." He pauses. "Much."

Ruby can't help a slight smirk, "Doesn't stop 80 percent plus of all the
men I come across from trying to do so though. That or my bosom. I
mean...it's -amazing- how men think that the eyes of a woman are at chest
height.", she comments.

Zach tsks. He hasn't offered her bosom one single glance so far, and
doesn't now either. "It's a pity. Eyes are usually much more interesting
to talk with than bosoms. Oh well, to each his own I guess." He casts a
quick glance around the plaza and the buildings. "So - does your company
have their headquarters around here, then?"

Ruby laughs, "You're different. That's good. And yes, Lee Jeans are based
out of Kansas City....", she says, "What about you? What do you do for a
living?"

Zach smiles and shifts his positure a little. "Me? I'm a machanic. I fix
cars, bikes, planes, choppers, industrial machinery... Anything with nuts,
bolts and cogs and stuff really."

Ruby chuckles, "A monkeywrencher. Why not...", she muses, "I suppose the
feeling of making something work must be worth it."

Zach smiles warmly. "Oh that's for damn sure, ma'am. It's very satisfying
to hear the smooth roar of a newly repaired engine. It's even more fun to
build them from scratch, but I don't get to do that much. Generally I'm
just a repair-man."

Ruby raises an eyebrow, "Why not building from scratch? I should say it'd
be possible to find the parts laying around and put them together, ne? If
nothing else, buy old banged up pieces seperately and put them together to
something new?"

Zach nods enthusiastically. "Oh yeah. I have a small project going, but
that sort of work don't pay. And I gotta eran my living too, in between
building things and chatting up models, y'know." He grins from ear to ear.

Ruby heh's and nods, "I suppose everyone's gotta eat.", she agrees and
flicks her hair back, "So...what else is there to know about Zach Ellis?"

Zach's grins eases down to a kindly smile. "I dunno.. Whatcha wanna know,
ma'am? I have to admit I'm more interested in learning a bit more about
you, but far be it from me to deny a request from a lady."

Ruby ooh's and seems further flattered. "Well, what would you want to
know?", she asks, apparently glad that someone is actually -interested-.

Zach inclines his head. "Well.. Everything." He smiles teasingly and
clarifies: "Where do you come from, where have you been all my life, how
did you get into modelling, are you enjoying it, can I buy you coffee or
anything... You know. Everything."

Ruby shakes her head with a grin, "You really are something else. I tend
to say I come a little bit from here, there and everywhere. It's easier
that way and I try to keep my past a private affair. It's not something
anyone who's a public figure really wants out in the open, trust me. And
where I've been all your life? I don't know to be honest. Sacramento? I
got into modelling because someone looked my way and said "Hey, you are
pretty enough to be a model.". Since he was from an agency...that was more
than usual flattery. And yes, I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Where else would
I get paid for looking like me?", she muses, "And coffee? No. Not as long
as I can outrun the cafeine, but a cup of tea wouldn't be entirely out of
the question."

Zach chuckles and gestures over to an old geezer opening up a small
coffeeshop-on-wheels near the Bacchus statue. "Let's go see if he has
someething tea-like." He starts ambling toward the stall if Ruby makes a
gesture of following. "We can sit on the bench beneath old Bacchus,
there."

Ruby chuckles, "The roman god of wine and merriment while having a cup of
coffee or tea. There's some twisted humor in there, but I can't put a
finger on it.", she says but does follow along.

Zach nods smilingly and leads her over to the coffee-seller. He buys a cup
of fresh brewed tea for Ruby and a cup of industrial-strength coffe for
himself. "You want a donut or something to go with the tea, ma'am?"

Ruby shakes her head, "Not a good idea. I have to watch my calories, after
all.", she says and takes the tea, "Thank you for offering though.". The
old timer gets a polite smile as well.

Zach nods and pays the old geezer with a smile. Then, armed with coffee
and a last-minute bought donut of the huge persuation, he leads her over
to the aforementioned bench. Gallantly he actually waits for her to sit
first before he plops down next to her. "So, miss Ruby.. Have you been in
the modelling business long?" he asks interestedly.

Ruby sits, "A few years. Didn't make it big until I got discovered for
this advertisement idea though. I suppose it has to do with my being
agressive in finding jobs.", she says and crosses her legs and sips her
tea, "Yourself? You been a mechanic all your life?"

Zach nods and carefully sips his scalding hot, extra-mean coffee. "Yes I
have, more or less. I've always had an affinity for all kinds of
mechanical work. Ever since a was a little guy."

Ruby nods, "So you have been building or repairing things since you were
yae high?", she asks and puts her hand at childs-head level. "Interesting,
really. Must be a calling, then, eh?"

Zach takes a bite of his donut and nods while chewing. "Yes, that would be
a good description I guess. It's kinda nice to be able to do what I like
the most and make a living out of it. I guess I'm kinda blessed or
something. How 'bout you? Do you intend to live long and happily as a
super model? Maybe get into acting or music?"

Ruby shakes her head, "I sing like a dying swan. Everyone thinks it'll be
beautiful and in reality it's awful. And I have litterally -no- skill at
acting. I'm hoping that once I'm done with looking good I'll end up at a
very big mahogany desk at some major company. On the top floor. Preferably
with my name on the door and the letters CEO underneath."

Zach laughs. "Ahah! I am /so/ on to you madam! You have a brain! I just
knew it!" He grins to her. "See this is why speaking to eyes are far
superior to speaking to bottoms and bosoms. Had I been doing that, I'd
never discovered the brain."

Ruby chuckles, "A brain? I suppose so.", she says, "but I do see your
point. I must say your way of making it is quite...lengthy but well made
and frankly I enjoy someone who takes the time to -realize- that there's
more to me than my face."

Zach shrugs with a twinkle in his eyes and drinks more coffe. "I like
people," he states simply.

Ruby heh's, "Funny. I tend to find -people- stupid, obnoxious and
opinionated. Individuals can be excellent company, however.".

Zach nods. "Yes, people can be that way. I find that fascinating as well.
But then I guess there is a bit more of a.... I dunno... Competetive
athmosphere in your business, right?"

Ruby nods, "Few friendships, yes. None that last beyond the occasional
backstabbing at least. That's alright. I know that girls in the business
call me "fatso" when I'm not around. I could care less, really. All I need
to do is look at the bottom line of my bankaccount."

Zach shakes his head with a rueful smile. "I get yelled at some in my job,
when someone who's car has broken down is in a hurry. But at the end of
the day, my custommers drive away happy. There is no backstabbing, thank
god."

The current time in Kansas City is 07:05 AM, Wed Aug 14, 2002.

<OOC> Zach says, "Do you have any generally recognizable accent or
dialect?"

<OOC> Ruby says, "slight italian/french"

Ruby chuckles, "That reminds me of an analogy I heard once.", she says
with a little smile, "Not that I'd tell it in polite conversation."

Zach turns his head and looks curious. "Oh? You sure?"

Ruby nods, "I don't think it'd go down too well in most places."

You say, "Now you got me all curious, miss Ruby. That's /cruel/. I can
take it - come on.. Tell me, please?"

Zach looks very curious indeed.

Ruby shrugs, "Oh well, don't say I didn't warn you. Well, it's about two
people. And the hypocricy of mankind. About morality being worthless.",
she starts, "Imagine this. You have two people. The first person is a
taxcollector. He works for the IRS. He's a good, godfearing man with a
wholesome family life. Wife, two kids, his own house without mortgage and
two cars. Probably a dog too. He plays golf every weekend with his buddies
from work while his wife prepares the pies for the church-gettogether the
next day. His kids say their prayers every night and when this good
gentleman walks down the street, people turn around and nod politely to
him. Smile to him. When he's passed, women will tell their children, "Look
at Mr. Jones. He's such a -fine- gentleman. You can learn from him.". He's
considered a model citizen and a fine, upstanding part of society. Yet,
when people come to him at his job, they leave broken. Ruined. In tears.
Having lost -everything-. Their lives, their hopes, their dreams. And all
he does is shrug and say "Oh well, tough. Those are the rules.". He ruins
lives for a living but he's -such- a model citizen. The other person is a
prostitute. She works for a living. On her back. Taking degradation and
belittlement -every- day of her life, several times a day. She lives in a
rundown little hole where the electricity doesn't really work properly and
hot water is a luxury commodity she has to give her landlord a blowjob for
free for. When people see her in the street, women make their children
turn their eyes away. She's yelled at and scorned and has to suffer one
slap on the face verbally and socially after another. She might easily end
up in jail in fact. But when people come to HER at work, men leave with
their backs a little straighter. A little less likely to hit their wives
over sexual frustrations. Feeling a little more like "proper
men"...whatever that is. But she's considered a pestilence and a blot on
society. I ask you...who is the better person?". She lights a cigarette
again, "Bullshit. Modern morality stinks. "Love thy Neighbour" the big
book says. Yeah right...love thy neighbour while you hump his wife, steal
his money and blow his brains out with a 12 gauge shotgun. People will
howl about "christian values" at rallies. Christian values don't exist.".

Zach quirks an eyebrow. "Well.. That analogy unfortunately has a lot of
truth in it. Although if the men who needs to buy self-esteem from a woman
they consider beneath them in every possible way... Well, I'd say those
men might just deserve a little meeting with the "gentleman". Personally I
have no time for creeps in any shape, form or colour. And for every creep
out there, there is one who is not a creep. One who might just be able to
if not love, then at least have a decent, friendly relationship with his
or her neighbour - /without/ the whoring, stealing and killing."

Ruby nods, "Oh yes, it's certainly -possible-. But you take a walk in
average suburbia and have a listen at what people are saying.
"Ohhh...HELLO there Mrs. Kowalski...how -nice- to see you. Oh I simply
-love- that dress and didn't you get your hair done? And your cookies at
the church rally? They were -divine-. Blah blah blah.". Five minutes later
Mrs. Kowalski has walked on. The same person sees another person she knows
and starts, "Why hi there, Miss Petersen. Yes...it really is such a drafty
day isn't it? Oh, I JUST saw that Kowalski-woman. GAWD you should've seen
her -hair- and that -awful- dress she was wearing....blah blah blah.".
Humanity is a rotten sea of worthlessness. With a -very- few islands here
and there where you might meet someone who's actually worth getting to
know. The rest are ripe for the trashcan. Lying, stealing, cheating,
adultering, callous, careless, selfish and dare I say murderous
-bastards-. Sorry...I don't really like my fellow human beings much in
general."

Zach finishes his coffee and studies her with a tiny hint of sadness in
his eyes. "Oh boy, someone has hurt you bad... The human condition is not
all sunshine, I know that. But it ain't /that/ bad either. You just gotta
give people a chance. Sometimes it's as easy as flashing a smile
unexpectedly, other times it takes more work - including a good
ass-kicking. Usually worth it though."

Ruby shrugs, "I suppose that's a difference in opinion. I learned a long,
long time ago that there's only one creature I can rely on in this world
and that's -me-. I make my own way. I make my own fortunes and my own
luck. I don't ask for help. I don't put my faith in something that doesn't
make sense and doesn't care and which is built on one lie after another. I
live my life as best I can and I'm getting along better than most, I
think."

Zach nods thoughtfully. "And how do you treat those around you?"

Ruby says, "that depends on the individual."

Zach smiles a bit. "Do you do unto others before or after they have done
unto you, was what I tried to ask."

Ruby shakes her head, "I try to avoid doing onto others. I don't let
people get close enough for them to -become- "others"."

Zach chuckles softly. "Everyone's 'others'. But I guess it makes sense in
your world to be wary. It's sad though that you've never been able to rely
on anyone but yerself. Shouldn't have to be that way, but God knows I see
enough of lonely people around - struggeling with whatever life throws at
them."

Ruby heh's, "I don't complain. This is what I've been dealt. It's not
fair. It's wrong to the bottom in fact. But it's what I have to work with.
So what can I do, apart from live my life based on this? Nothing, that's
what."

Zach stretches his long legs out in front of him and turns his face up
against the rising sun with a smile. "Well that's admirable at least. One
thing you might try once, though is to give someone a chance. Your view on
humanity in general is rather bleak."

Zach sighs contentedly at the sunrise.

Ruby nods, "I know it is. I've never had reason for it to be anything
-but- bleak.", she says, "It gets to be a habbit after a while."

Zach mms. "True I guess. Maybe I'm just the eternal optimist, me. It's
more fun maybe. I dunno since I havent walked in your shoes." He
considers. "I'd probably look like a clown and keep falling over, so I
better not..."

Ruby looks down at her boots, "Why? I'm not on stilletos. I've seen plenty
of guys in cowboy boots. This is the midwest after all. American
lifestyle...oh the horror of it.", she muses.

Zach looks at her boots. "Oh /those/ I might survive. They'd be too small
and give me sores all over my toes and heels, but part from that I'd be
fine. It's those stilts I'm worried about."

Ruby nods, "Alright, that far I can agree with you. You'd need some in
your own size, I suppose.", she says.

Zach nodnods. "Yep. But then they wouldn't be your shoes anymore, and the
whole point is moot."

Ruby looks crosseyed, "This is getting pretty existential. I'm sure
Kirkegaard would've approved."

Zach laughs heartily. "Kirkewho?? Oh wait. It's a philosopher right?"

Ruby nods, "The father of modern existentialism, if I remember right. A
model for people like Sartre. Little french men with poloneck sweaters and
pipes, speaking volumes about the bleakness of existance and the absurdity
of the cosmos. IF they had been less pompous about it...they'd have been
right."

Ruby says, "Kirkegaard wasn't french though...somewhere else."

Zach hmms. "Name sounds kinda scandinavian. Swedish or Danish maybe? Oh
well - haven't read any of his. I'd probably just get annoyed by all the
bleakness if I managed to understand the text at all."

Ruby nods, "That's oen way of looking at it.", she says and finishes the
last of her now mostly cold tea, "I should be on my way though. Thanks for
the chat."

Zach smiles to her. "Thank /you/, miss Ruby. It was a good chat. My
appologies to you bottom and bosom for ignoring them." His eyes again
twinkle rougishly.

Ruby laughs, "I think they're quite content with being ignored.", she says
and fingerwaves as she walks off...

Ruby heads east on 47th.

Ruby has left.