Robert & Jody Lynn Nye - License Invoked

He started off up the street with the others trailing along behind.

"Something a little different, I hope," Lloyd said, raising his voice to get in the last word. "Lord knows we have enough ordinary restaurants in England and Ireland."

"I think I know just the place," Boo called back over his shoulder.

"Not too far away, I hope," Liz said, stepping up beside him. "I still can't believe how hot it is down here."

In truth, she was having difficulty even thinking straight. Within half a dozen steps of their leaving the studio's air conditioning, she was drenched in sweat, and things seemed to weave and swim in the bright glare. It was like wearing a hot, wet, sweat suit in a steam bath... a very bright steam bath.

"Don't you worry none, darlin'," Boo reassured her. "We'll have you back inside in a jiffy. It's just around the corner up ahead."

"I feel I should apologize for Mr. Preston," Liz said, lowering her voice slightly. "He's being a bit of a prig. Not all of us are like that."

"We get people from all over down here." Boo smiled. "Both as visitors and them that settle down here. Near as I can tell, a certain percentage of people are light on manners, no matter where they come from."

In spite of her discomfort, Liz had to smile.

"I never thought of it that way, but you're right. I guess I just worry too much."

"No harm in worryin'," Boo said. "Just so long as it doesn't interfere with thinkin'."

Liz shot him a glance, but her partner's face was bland and guileless.

"That's it up ahead," he said, turning to the pair behind them. "It's new and folks say it's the latest thing. It's called Lucky Chang's."

He started to reach for the door, but Lloyd slid into the doorway ahead of him and barred their progress with his body.

"Okay, here's how it is," the security man said firmly, glaring down at them. "I know you're just trying to do your jobs, but the lady here would just as soon have a quiet meal without too many people hovering around her. She's going to have plenty of that once we reach the Superdome. Why don't you two find someplace else to have lunch, and we'll meet you back at the hotel."

"Now just a minute..." Liz began, but Boo laid a restraining hand on her arm.

"Works for me, he said. "You're sure you can find your way back to the hotel by yourselves?"

"Positive," Lloyd said, holding the door for Fionna. "If we get lost, we'll just take a cab."

"Okay. You two enjoy your meal now," Boo called, but the door was already shutting behind the pair.

"Well I never," Liz fumed. "I know we were just talking about manners, but that was rude no matter how you look at it."

"I'd have to say we're lookin' at it the same way, then," Boo said, taking her by the arm. "C'mon. Let's get you somethin' to eat. There's a place just across the street here I think you'll like."

Liz glanced at the white-fronted building Boo was steering her toward, then pulled up short as she caught sight of the sign.

"Antoine's?" she said. "I think I've heard of this place."

"It's been around for a while," Boo agreed, pointing at a sign that read SINCE 1840. New Orleans seemed to have the same gift of understatement as Scotland, where a "wee while" could be four hundred years.

"But isn't it kind of fancy?" Liz hesitated, glancing at Boo's somewhat bedraggled outfit.

"You forget, darlin'. The Quarter lives on tourist money. Not many places will turn business away just because they aren't dressed right."

With that, he led the way into the restaurant's cool interior.

Liz still felt slightly ill at ease as she surveyed the rows of tables with their spotless tablecloths and more than spotless waiters. It certainly looked like an upscale place.

"Boo-ray! What brings you out in the daylight?"

One of the waiters swept down on them, pumping Boo's hand vigorously with one hand while pounding him on the back with the other.

"Hey, Jimmy. Just showing the young lady here a bit of the Quarter," Boo said. "She wanted to see the most overrated restaurant we've got, so naturally I brought her here."

"I'm going to tell Pete you said that," the man said, hastily seating them at a window table. "You just sit here while I go tell him you're out here."

"Say, Jimmy. Before you do," Boo beckoned the man closer, "could you do me a little favor? Call Michelle across the street and tell her to give the couple that just came in special treatment. She can't miss them; the lady has bright green hair. Tell her particularly to pull the explanation sheet out of their menus."

Jimmy retreated, grinning.

"I take it you're known here," Liz said.

"I drop by once in a while," Boo said with a shrug. "Like I told you, most folks in the Quarter know each other."

"What was that bit with the `special treatment' for Lloyd and Fionna?"

"Don't you want them to have a nice meal?" Boo's face was a picture of innocence.

"Don't be evasive, Boo," Liz insisted. "We're supposed to be working together, remember?"

"Well, I believe I mentioned that Lucky Chang's was different. Well, it's not the Chinese/Cajun menu that makes it different."

"Could you clarify that a bit? What is it about the place that requires an explanation sheet?"

"Mostly, it's the help. Did you get a look at them at all?"

"Just a glimpse, but they all seemed to be attractive young ladies."

"You're right. That's what they seem."

Liz frowned, then her face brightened with a mischievous smile.

"You mean..."

Boo nodded.

"That's right. The waitstaff may look female. In actuality, though, they're some of the most practiced cross-dressers and drag queens in the Quarter. I think it could get downright interestin' if your friend Lloyd makes an after-hours date with one of 'em."

They were still sharing the laugh when a black-haired cook dressed in a crisp, white apron emerged from the swinging doors and approached their table.

"Hey, Boo! Where y'at?"

"Pete, how many times have I got to tell you that you'll never get that `yat' accent down well enough to convince anyone?"

He quickly introduced Liz, who was still chortling.

"So, what can I get you folks to eat?"

"Actually, we haven't seen a menu yet."

"Shucks, Liz," Boo put in. "Just tell Pete here what you feel like eatin', and if he can't cobble it together in that kitchen of his, he'll just order out for it."

Suddenly the tensions of the morning slid away from Liz, and she realized she was ravenously hungry.

"You know," she said, "I think what I'd really like is some of the hot Cajun cooking I keep hearing about."

"Darlin', Gen do that for you in a flash," Pete said, charmingly. "How does a bowl of gumbo sound?"

"Make that two," Boo said. "And be sure to make mine extra-extra spicy."

"Mine too!" Liz nodded. "Extra-extra!"

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Boo asked as the cook disappeared into his realm. "I though you British liked your food kinda bland."

"Don't believe everything you hear," Liz said with a smile. "Haven't you ever heard of the English Raj? We invented vindaloo curries. I believe there's more Indian restaurants than Continental in London today. And lately Thai food has been all the rage in England. We adore hot spices."

"Well, all right, ma'am."

True to her word, when the food arrived, she proclaimed it delicious and finished every drop, though in actuality she found it a little disappointing. There wasn't enough spice in the mix to raise a sweat. Still, she felt it would have hurt the cook's feelings to complain or add seasoning, as he had hovered over their table anxiously through the whole meal. Both he and Boo watched her as though they expected her to burst into flames. They looked almost sorry that she didn't seem discomfited. It would have been rude if she hadn't reacted, so she fanned her face with her hand.