Free Geek Mafia by Rick Dakan

said, coming over to stand in front of Paul and Bee. "Let's hear from the man of the hour himself.
    Come on Paul! Stand up and give us a toast!" Bee somehow managed to find enough room on the couch to squirm off Paul's lap and into the seat beside him so that now she pushed him from behind as Chloe pulled at his arms from the front. "Come on, big boy! It's your turn," chided Chloe.
    Paul was a little embarrassed and nervous. He still wanted to get out of there, but the pot had mellowed him out enough that he wasn't too worried about it. There was plenty of time. After all, the money was safe and he'd always enjoyed public speaking. The crowd clapped as he stepped into the center of the room. Chloe took his place on the couch, this time sitting on Bee's lap.
    "Ok, ok," he said. "First of all, I have to say thanks. Thanks to all of you for helping me out today." He paused to let them clap and cheer for a moment - although it was certainly nothing like the applause Chloe had gotten.
    "Yesterday was just about the worst day of my life. I saw everything I'd worked for taken from me.
    Everything was turning to shit. And then this girl," he pointed to Chloe. "This girl right here came out of nowhere and, well, said the craziest shit I'd ever heard. I mean, just the absolute craziest shit I ever head."
    Everyone laughed and Chloe buried her face in Bee's shoulder, laughing with embarrassment that might or might not have been real.
    "But anyway, I just have to say, that you guys have done more for me here than I can ever thank you for. It's really amazing. I mean, the risks you guys took for a complete stranger. It boggles the mind. Maybe it's just the really good drugs you guys have here, but wow. You guys...you guys really fucking rock! If there's anything I can ever do for you - anything at all, just ask."
    "Give us shares of the money!" shouted someone from the back of the room. Everyone laughed at this. Paul tried to smile. Was this the moment? Was it time to pay the price for what he'd done? What they'd done for him.
    "Well, I...uh," Paul was thinking fast. "I mean sure. You know." He was grateful to them. Well, part of him was anyway. He wouldn't have the money now if Chloe hadn't seduced him into this crazy scam. But at the same time, looking back on it, he was starting to think that maybe it had been a big mistake. Yeah, he'd cashed out. But if he'd held onto that stock it probably would be worth something someday, maybe even a lot more than what he'd extorted out of Greg. But he'd been rash - and that was their fault. In a way, they might have cost him money in the long run. Not that he was about to tell them that.
    Fortunately, Chloe saved him. "He's just fucking with you Paul. We all know this was a freebie." Everyone laughed, apparently agreeing with her. They'd enjoyed his moment of discomfort, but that was all. "You can, though, if you want, pay for the beer!" Chloe yelled.

    CHAPTER 7
    36
    "You got yourself a deal!" said Paul, genuinely smiling now that he'd found this out. "Beer for everyone!"
    They definitely cheered at that - the biggest response he'd gotten so far. He thought that would be it and so he took a step towards the kitchen, inching gingerly through the crowd. But he wasn't quite safe yet. Someone was yelling from the back of the room. Apparently they wanted one more thing from him before he could go.

    CHAPTER 8
    37
    CHAPTER 8
    "Plots and Plans!" shouted Raff from his perch at the back of the room. Paul looked back at him. What had he said? Pots and pans? "Let's let Paul do Plots and Plans!" People started clapping and whistling. They seemed to like the idea of Paul doing the dishes. What were they talking about?
    "What?" said Paul.
    Chloe stood up now, thankfully coming to Paul's aid. "C'mon Raff, you know he's not a Crewmember. He doesn't have to do Plots and Plans."
    "I'm not saying he has to," replied Raff. "I'm saying let him. It'll be fun."
    "What's he talking about?" asked Paul.
    "It's just a