He gave a small bow. "Sorry to startle you, sir. We are on a road trip, and just arrived; and were wondering if the shower facilities were still open tonight." He smiled, trying to look harmless. "I know it is late, but we got a late start and have much ground to cover."

The man tilts his head and eyeballs you both for a moment. "Humph. Yeah. The showers are in the back. MEN on the left. WOMEN on the right. Don't mix it up and don't think about any funny business. This is a clean establishment. We don't put up with and fooling around."

He mutters some more, loud enough to just be heard. "Bloody kids these days. Sure didn't see a ring on either of their fingers. Bloody disgraceful is what it is..."

Jiro's smile was a bit strained as he gave another small bow. "Thank you, sir; and again, sorry for disturbing your sleep." No point in trying to correct him; his type would not care for any facts that do not agree with his personal truths.

He made his way to the back, mentally noting the layout on the off chance something... untoward happened. Something nagged him about the old man's words; not just the annoying conclusion jumping; but something more ominous. Tired from the long day, Jiro could not pin down what made him uneasy. As he entered the men's room he shook his head to clear it, resolved to figure it out later. For now it was not terribly important, he was sure.

The facilities were worn; in need of updating, but well cared for, and clean. A mop and bucket sat in one corner, next to the sinks, looking ready for its next round. At the back of the room, past the stalls, was a bank of showers, each in its own little nook, each masked by a thin, beige plastic curtain. At random, he picked one. His towel and bag went on a hook, and he looked at the shower itself as he disrobed. A thought of the old man out front, and he made sure to tuck the sports-bra away deep in the toe of one shoe in case of snoops. So, fate, how are you going to mess with me tonight? The day's gone fairly well, after all, I'm probably due... Bet the hot water fails. Do I give the old man conniptions after? Nah, just slip by. Good practice.

Alex looked at the crazy old guy without saying anything. She was fairly convinced that he had a few screws loose. Who slept with a shotgun in their lap?

And funny business with Jiro? Yeah. No way. Definitely not.

Pleased to find that the showers are reasonably clean, Alex doesn't waste any time getting into the hot water.

The showers are hot and uneventful. It's wonderfully relaxing. Alex and Jiro end up finishing about the same time, leaving the respective bathrooms within 30 seconds of one another.

Musing about fate's unexpected mercy, Jiro dried and dressed with practiced efficiency, slipping into clean, new shirt and pants. The rest of the bundle went together as he stifled a yawn; the day's length and the hot water catching up to him. Holding his bag with one hand, the other rubbed at the back of his neck as he exited the shower room, almost simultaneous with Alex. "Well, Alex-san, at least the night seems to have a good ending." A mischievous grin split his tired face. "Shall we wind him up on the way out?"

"What do you have in mind, you terrible terrible person?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing much; something simple and low key; like holding hands as we head for the door." If you spoke Japanese I'd suggest chatting about nothing in flirty tones, but that's a non-starter. "If an ignorant man wishes to jump to a wholly foolish conclusion, it can hardly hurt to give him a boost."

Alex looked uneasy. "Uhh... maybe. Not sure if I... she trailed off, sounding nervous.

The unease vanished an instant later and was replaced with a cocky smile "Ah, why the frack not. Let's do this."

The Slayer took Jiro's hand and started heading back to the main room with a skip in her step.

The efforts to wind up the old man are wasted. He seems to have gone somewhere, leaving his shotgun laying on the counter.

Jiro looked around for the old man. "I will admit, Alex-san, that I am halfway disappointed. Though it is, perhaps, for the best." I am probably being too silly for my own good; nerves. It would be nice to not leave an enemy behind me. And for that matter, I still need to fuel up in the morning before we go. As they walked across the store, heading for the exit, he retrieved his hand and pondered the road ahead. "Tomorrow's drive should take us to Minneapolis or so, I believe, if we do not push too hard. For now, do you want the top bunk, or the bottom?"

As he reached the door he took one last glance towards the counter, seeing the shotgun again. His tired brain ticked over, and he froze for a moment, as the old man's words caught up with him. He was expecting someone else. Perhaps something else. Someone who was there, and then vanished. A glance around revealed nothing that jumped out at him as suspicious, and he forced himself back into motion. Whatever it was, it seems to have passed. And I am not in condition to poke around even more; too tired to think clearly. I will have to be cautious; keep my sleep this night light. And perhaps make some polite inquiries in the morning. A frown. At least I do not operate under a time limit. I can take a day, if needed, to help. If it is something that help such as mine can be useful for.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:42, Wed 08 May 2013.

Alex's mad grin faded as she realized that the old man wasn't there. "Ah well. You win some and you lose some."

Her fingers trailed along Jiro's hand as he released her. "Oh, I'll be on top tonight." she said with a sultry expression and a seductive tone. This lasted for all of three seconds before she cracked up.

Jiro chuckled. "I walked into that, I did."

"Well with an opening like that, how could I turn it down?" The sultry tone returned for the first few words, but Alex couldn't maintain it and cracks up again. "Let's get some sleep."

Trying not to think that hard about his worries, Jiro followed Alex back to the 'bago. Climbing into the lower bunk and drawing the curtains, he made himself comfortable and tried to nod off.

Just outside Billings, Montana, Tuesday, September 9th, 2008  6:15 AM
---

The pair manage to fall asleep swiftly. Their sleep is untroubled at first, but some time just before sunrise both awaken. There is a palpable tension in the air that sets their instincts alight.

There is nothing immediately obvious that is the cause.

Jiro felt the tension in the air and grimaced. Knew it couldn't be that easy. Quickly, he pulled on fresh clothes and moved into the main room of the 'Bago. "Alex-san, I do not like this... feel of things. Care to join me, looking around?"

Whatever her response, he pulls on his shoes and steps outside, looking carefully around for anything that might be amiss.

[ooc: 19:39, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 26 using 1d20+12. Notice check.]

"Why can't anything ever go smooth?" Alex asked with a sigh as she jumped out of bed. "Let's see what terrible forces of terrible terribleness are at work."

15:32, Tue 14 May 2013: Alex rolled 23 using 1d20+7 ((16)).

Peering out the window you don't see anything at first, just a slowly lightening sky. However as you look longer, you catch sight of movement in the sky. It's a flying object of some kind, with a number of small lights. You can not make out any more details about it.

It seems to be hovering somewhere over the town.

Jiro stared towards town at what appeared to be an honest-to-god unidentified flying object. "Alex-san, please tell me you are not seeing this." I must still be asleep. He took a moment to pinch himself, then looked back towards the flying... thing. Or not. Kuso.

"Don't worry Jiro. I don't see the ufo hovering over the town. However, if there are any Chryssalid
 running around the town I am leaving and waiting for X-Com to show up. Just FYI."

Cryssa- no, no need to ask. Context tells me all I need to know. "Well then. If nothing else, looking into this will wake me up properly for the day." He walked to the front of the 'Bago and fired it up. "If this does turn out to be a situation to be run from, having out wheels with us should help, no?"

[OOC: unless Alex protests, Jiro will drive for town, aiming to get wherever the UFO is hovering over.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Wed 15 May 2013.

The 'bago only makes it a few hundred feet towards the town before the engine dies. A quick inspection shows that most electronic devices have stopped functioning.

The floating object is holding steady over the town.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Thu 16 May 2013.

For a moment, Jiro glared at the 'Bago's console; at the dials that were suddenly and abruptly dim. "Kuso," he muttered, but without much feeling. "Well, having the car with us in case things went sour was probably asking the universe too much. I suppose we shall just have to take our chances." Pocketing the keys, the martial artist made his way to the door; a deep breath as he started his ki flowing through his system, and then he began to run at his best speed towards the UFO, a faint nimbus of soft blue light trailing him.

I am no superhero, to deal with alien invaders or the like. But I am here, and I have skills that might allow me to deal with it; certainly better than the local police are likely to be able to. This is a job for the Freedom League, or the Atoms, or even the Ex-Cons; but in their absence I shall have to do my best.

What kind of man would I be if I refused to help the meek, ordinary folks this thing threatens?

[OOC: Array is in Ki Strike, running for the UFO at top speed; I know Alex can keep up from past performances.]

The pair takes off towards town at a run, leaping over fences and small bushes without breaking stride. A few blocks from where the UFO is hovering a sound can be heard or more accurately felt. A low thrumming fills the air, shaking you to the core.

Looking down the street there seems to be some kind of movement underneath the UFO. It is to dark to make out any details at this distance. The UFO is still quite unidentified, with no more details being discernible at this range.