“Hi. Is Tiffany around?” Zoe asked the sleepy looking man leaning back in a chair with his eyes closed behind the front desk at the marina office.

“No. My lazy good for nothing sister and her assistant called in sick. My assistant has class this morning which leaves me pulling a double shift alone,” he complained without looking her way. The others laughed and the man opened his eyes and looked at them.

“Tiffany didn’t seem lazy when I met her before,” Zoe muttered.

“She is when she leaves me hanging like she did,” the man said. “I’m Tim Wells by the way. Do all of you have deliveries? I wasn’t expecting anything.”

“Ah no. I’m Zoe Blanco and I’m here to pay the deposit on a small two-story houseboat Tiffany showed me before and I wanted to show it to my friends before it gets remodeled,” Zoe replied.

“So, you’re the courier Tiff mentioned. You know you’re lucky. I’ve had about 50 different people ask about that boathouse the last couple nights and there’s no telling how many she had asking about it during the day. The others have all been rented out,” Tim said.

“Really?” Terr asked. “That many people want to live on the river?”

“You’d be surprised. The marina is on the upper west side without technically being the upper west side and the rent is generally a lot cheaper too,” Tim explained. “We never advertised these houseboats. That was just people asking from word-of-mouth advertising.”

“But the storms and winters,” Newt said.

“They aren’t that bad if you can get used to it,” Tim replied. “Plus, saving a couple thousand credits in rent each month makes people put up with a lot.”

“I can see that,” Vee said.

“So, are we going to be able to see this houseboat?” TK asked.

“Yeah. Let me get Ms. Blanco her paperwork to read and sign. Then she can transfer the deposit and I’ll take you guys over to it,” Tim answered.

“You don’t have to do that,” Zoe said. “I think I remember the way.”

“Eh, it’ll do me some good. I’ve already taken a couple naps today, so I shouldn’t take another,” Tim replied.

“Is Tiffany going to run the office tonight?” Zoe asked.

“Nope. I’m just going to close the office at 5PM and go home,” Tim replied sending Zoe a rental agreement. “It’s more important to have a day manager since that is the traditional office hours. The office being open at night is more a courtesy than anything else. Read over that contract and authorize it please.”

“Alright,” Zoe said. She started reading the contract.

“We’re going to step outside and look around,” Vee said.

“Ok,” Zoe absently replied. “This shouldn’t take too long.”

*

“It’s tiny,” Terr said as they entered the boathouse living room.

“And dirty,” Vee added.

“I think I can see the potential,” Newt said.

“The roof deck would be good for just hanging out and drinking,” TK said.

“Barbecuing too,” Tim added as they checked out the rest of the main level. “Zoe, were you the one that wanted the jet bathtub?”

“Yes…”

“Ah. I was wondering because that isn’t the sort of thing Tiffany usually puts in rentals,” Tim said.

“I enjoy a good soak,” Zoe said defensively.

“So do I,” Newt and Vee said at the same time.

“I just lick myself clean,” TK chimed in making the rest of them laugh.

“Come on, let’s look at the rest,” Zoe said.

*

“Tiff said something about you wanting to ride your motorcycle down the dock and park on the boathouse’s larger deck,” Tim said as they walked back to the office.

“Yeah…” Zoe said hesitantly.

“I don’t mind as long as it isn’t late at night or you don’t go speeding down the dock,” Tim said.

“I promise to be careful and slow,” Zoe replied. “Not sure about the late nights though.”

“That works for me. The boathouse should be ready in four to six weeks. Hopefully less, but you never know with construction crews and city inspectors,” Tim said. “Well, this is where I leave you. I’m going to walk a little bit more before heading back to the office.”

“Nice meeting you,” Zoe said. “I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, you will,” Tim replied before walking away.

“Now we can start planning a housewarming party!” Vee said. Zoe’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh, don’t look that way. We’ll keep the party small. Maybe 100 people or so since we wouldn’t want to trash your new place so soon.”

“Vee!” Zoe exclaimed. The others laughed. “I don’t even know 100 people.”

“Don’t worry. We got you covered,” TK said throwing an arm around Zoe’s shoulders.

“Yeah. You’ll have to start hanging out with us at nights some,” Newt added putting an arm around Zoe’s waist.

“We’ll see,” Zoe replied. “I got a call coming in.” A second later she replied to the caller. “Hey Claire. Yeah, I suppose I could do a run for you this afternoon if Henri doesn’t have anything else for me. I’ll call you back in a bit and let you know.”

“That Doc Brown?” Terr asked.

“Yeah. Looks like it’s time to start repaying her for the favor she did for me,” Zoe replied.