Damn Tourists
Posted on December 3rd, 2007 by Kathryn Harper

Kathryn Harper didn’t particularly want to go to Earth, but after the ordeal aboard an overcrowded 200 year old relic of a ship commanded by a lunatic, she was ready for a vacation. Iit could be on Qo’noS for all she cared, just as long as she got onto a planet and off those pressurized tin cans they call ships. She had been reading travel brochures and they had suggested visiting New York. She hadn’t gotten the chance while at the Academy, not being particularly interested in sightseeing back in those days, and figured now was as good a time as any to find out what the big deal was. “Energize,” she said as she stood on the Atlantis’s transporter pad, holding two neatly packed bags. Materializing in the lobby of the Hotel Edison on 47th St, Kate walked up to the front desk and checked in, electing to have her bags sent ahead to her room. She wanted to get right out there and find out what New York City was all about, so out the door she went.

The New York winter was already in full effect, and the wind slammed her face, quickly turning her fair skin red. She was still wearing her uniform and nothing extra, having neglected to check the weather before leaving. Swearing elaborately in Risan, she ran back into the hotel and up to her room. Twenty minutes later, Kate emerged onto the street once more, wearing a jacket that was too light for the season. Gritting her teeth and jamming her hands into the jacket’s pockets, she set off for Broadway, determined to do something here, the cold be damned.

Phantom of the Opera had been playing nonstop for four hundred years on Broadway. Kate sat in an orchestra seat staring at the stage, trying to figure out what this show was so popular for. Perhaps it was made for human tastes, but she just didn’t get it. Still, the man playing the Phantom seemed to be handsome under that mask, so there was at least something to see. When the Phantom was unmasked, the grotesque make-up didn’t really even bother her. The curtain fell after the cast took their bows and she made her way into the lobby, not really relating to what she had just seen, but feeling entertained nonetheless.

Kate took a few minutes in the theater’s lobby to pick up the requisite cast recording, and then left in search of food. She went out to Broadway, and a few blocks up, found the marquee of the famous Roxy Delicatessen. Taking her seat, she ordered a bacon cheeseburger and a bowl of matzo ball soup, and completely missed the waiter’s annoyed stare at her accidental combination of kosher and non. A half an hour later, as she was finishing her cheeseburger with the soup long gone, she noticed a familiar face sit down alone at a nearby table. When he turned his face, it was clear to her; it was the actor who had played the Phantom, lack of mask and makeup notwithstanding.

Swallowing the last bite of the burger, she wiped her mouth and stood. Kate put on a smile as she approached the table and said, “Excuse me, but if I am not mistaken, I just saw you on stage, yes?”

The dark-haired human nodded and smiled back at her, “Yes miss, you did, if you saw Phantom.” came the English-accented reply.

“You were very good. But you probably hear that a lot,” she laughed. Extending a hand, she added, “I am Kathryn Harper.”

The man took her hand and lightly shook it, standing. “A pleasure. Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Harper, by the looks of it,” he said, noticing the pips on her collar, the too-light jacket not hiding her uniform well. “I’m William Smythe, pleased to meet you, and call me Will.”

“May I join you for a bit, Will?” she quickly asked as he sat down again. She cast a quick glance at his left hand and didn’t see a ring.

“Certainly, Commander. First time in New York?” Will asked, pinching the light fabric of her jacket’s sleeve. “In December, at least.”

“You can call me Kate, and yes, it is. I did not feel like going back to my ship for my heavy coat.”

“Kathryn has a nicer ring to it, if you don’t mind.” He smiled and she caught herself taking in a quick breath.

A couple of hours later, they exited the Roxy, Kate wearing Will’s long overcoat.

A few hours after that, they left a bar, staggering a bit and laughing heartily at the slightest of provocation.

The next morning, Kate woke up in Will’s bed to the smell of bacon frying in the next room. Finally, she felt utterly relaxed, stress a distant memory.