643: Doctor in the House

by Lance Hartcort and Trick London
81105.1330
Following Doctor's Orders

-=Illusions Lounge, USS Serendipity=-


Trick wiped down the bar, grinning as he took stock of the crates piled up behind it. He could barely walk back here tonight, not having had time to unpack the haul of real liquor that Hok had managed to procure through his 'connection' on Earth.

He set about opening the first crate, filled with bottle after bottle of genuine Jack Daniels, and analyzed the color of the liquid as he lifted the first bottle up to the light. "You beauties," He said under his breath, "You're going to make us an absolute fortune, one shot at a time."

He looked up as he heard someone standing at the bar, clearing his throat.

"Good evening, welcome to Illusions." Trick offered the stranger a welcome nod. "You must be new around here."

Lance flashed a charming smile across his face. “Just hitching a ride for a bit on this fine ship.” He reached across the bar, holding out his hand in friendship. “Dr. Lance Hartcort."

"William Patrick London, but you can call me Trick." London said, returning the handshake.

"Nice to meet you.” Lance glanced down at the bottles of Jack. “Nice to meet them, too. Planning a party?” he asked hopefully as he sat on a stool.

"Always seems we're planning a party around here. I've never seen a more socially minded crew in my life aboard any ship. But then, their work is very stressful," London said, tilting the bottle toward Hartcort. "Care for this or something else?"

Lance thought about the offer for a second. Was he on duty? He honestly did not know the answer to that question. It was not like he had to work any set shift. After all he was just to evaluate the medical situation on the Sera while in route to the conference. Now that the LMH was back online, Lance's work would entail mostly paperwork.

He finally convinced himself that he was indeed off duty.

“Ya know what, I’ll think I will have a Jack n' Coke if you please Mr. London.”

He watched as Trick pulled out a clean glass and prepared to make the drink.

“So a little blonde birdie told me that you would be the man to ask about the various social events on this here ship. As well as the current social availability of the ship’s female population?”

"I bet that little blonde birdie has spots, doesn't she?" London laughed. "That's our Bru. Yes, well, I have to tell you that most of the senior staff is attached, but there are several...tempting...options available to a man among the junior officers." Trick sized up Hartcort, who was a man much younger than himself.

"You barely look like more than a 'junior' yourself." Trick placed the mixed drink down before Hartcort and waited as he sampled it. Lance nodded his approval, and Trick continued. "It's a shame, you just missed what I thought was one of the most interesting young women to come aboard ship in awhile. Landry Steele. Sadly, she's just been sent back to the planet. There are several lovely ladies in Stellar Cartography...though the Deltan is married, I warn you..."

"Damn."

"Tell me about it."

Trick continued going through available female crew in his head. "There's an amazing redhead in Security but be advised, she works out." London's eyes flashed. "Could injure a man if he didn't know what he was doing."

“An in-shape redhead. Sounds interesting.” Lance replied, looking into his drink.

"Oh, and a final word of caution..." London leaned closer, polishing up a glass in his hands as he spoke. "I heard a rumor that the Vulcan nurse has just hit Pon Farr. I'd steer clear if I were you."

Lance looked up. “Pon Farr, really?” Lance turned the options over in his head. He had not met a Vulcan nurse in Sickbay but if she had indeed begun Pon Farr it was most likely she had exiled herself to quarters. Being a doctor, he was well aware of Vulcan physiology so he knew as much as there was to know about the Vulcan equivalent of the seven year itch, though he had never experienced it first hand.

Lance was one quarter Vulcan and had never suffered the Pon Farr but he often wondered if his Vulcan blood did have something to do with his overactive libido. He silently made a mental note to research it at a later date.

“How about entertainment? Obviously there are holodecks but are there any card games that I might get involved with?” He smiled. “A man's got to find something to pass the time.”

"Card games you say?" Trick grinned broadly. "You might want to talk to our Ensign Hok...he may be able to steer you in the right direction."

Lance grinned. A card game might be just what he needed to improve this trip. He was just about to answer when his badge chirped to life.

[Commander Hartcort, please report to the bridge.]

Lance’s head sagged and he let out a long sigh. “Looks like I’ll have to look up this ensign Hok at a later time.” He winked at Trick as he hopped off of the barstool.

He tapped his badge as he headed for the door. “Hartcort to bridge, I’m on my way.”

---------------------
Commander Lance Hartcort
CMO USS Revolution
Currently aboard the USS Serendipity

and

Trick London
Manager, Illusions Lounge