Page 22 of Free for Adventure
The man arranging the tubes of paint said, “We have the right to refuse that method of payment. We do a lot of barter around here. So, we would like to see your eyes in exchange for the repair. Fair?”
She huffed, closed her eyes, and removed her sunglasses. When she looked at them, they gasped. The one with the paint murmured, “Wow. I have never seen truly white eyes before.”
She wrinkled her nose and slid her sunglasses back on.
The computer guy said, “So, are they light-sensitive?”
“No, just freaky.”
The guy working on her tripod grinned as he straightened the legs and lined up the broken connections. He got a drill and started making holes, attaching patching metal before using a cold rivet to fix the broken spines.
“So, you guys are obviously into the visual arts.” She looked at all of the amazing stills and paintings.
The paint guy chuckled. “You could say that. We live in a beautiful place and think people should see it the same way that we do.”
Computer guy asked, “So, what are you in the village for? Dressed like that, I am doubting you are trying to get laid.”
She wrinkled her nose. “True. I am here to take footage for a friend’s vlog so that we have filler for a final movie-length video for tourism.”
The repair guy asked, “Are you doing any ocean shots?”
“I want to, but I have to find a charter and remember how to wrestle myself into a wetsuit. I’ve got the underwater camera.” She snorted. “Well, not on me.”
The computer guy looked up, smiling. “A charter, you say.”
The paint guy pointed to the wall behind her. She turned and then saw the sign with a phone number and email for a charter. With a wry smile, she fished her phone out of her bra and dialled.
Computer guy answered. “Good morning, Daring Charters.”
“Good morning, Daring. I am Thera, and I am looking to charter a boat to take me up the coast for the purpose of coastline shots and underwater filming. What are your day rates?”
He looked at her with the phone to his ear. “Show me your eyes again, and we will call it even.”
“Unacceptable.”
“Then we can’t do business. Sorry.”
She hung up and started typing.
The computer guy sighed. “What are you doing?”
“Looking for other charter companies. I find that when males start to request something personal, they are usually trying to pursue something. Avoiding the exchange keeps me from feeling that I owe them something.”
Paint guy blinked. “What about after you are in a relationship?”
“I will keep you posted. Hey, we can be penpals,” she muttered and stared at computer guy. “Really? You guys own all three boats?”
Computer guy shrugged. “Our artwork is popular, and it’s a small island. No need for more.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Fine. I need a charter for a day. Is one available?”
Computer guy looked at her and nodded. He wrote for a minute on a pad of paper before handing her the slip. “Yes. This is the day rate. I am assuming you don’t have scuba gear with you.”
She looked at the itemized bill. She looked up. “Done. When can we go?”
He smiled. “Get your camera, and we can hit the water. We are at dock six.”
“We?”