For a while, Sly simply gazed at Tech, observing all the finer details. The only noise was the steady beating of the helicopter blades and occasional chatter over the pilot's headset. Then Sly decided to ask a question.
"So...I never had time to get your story before. But now that we're alone...we've got plenty of time. How did you end up on our ship, anyway?"
Tech was looking outside the helicopter and watching as the two of them left the boat. She had no idea that Sly was looking her over.
She heard a question being asked of her and she looked Sly's way. She smiled as she listened to what it was.
When she realized what the question was for, she felt surprised that he was curious about what made her fall onto the ship in the first place. She decided to tell him, because she didn't think it would cause any harm... even though it might cause her harm trying to tell it.
She began very slowly. "I was doing a ... movie ...on the boat I was on. I was in the ... dressing room getting this ... uncomfortable, yet beautiful dress on... since that was what the director of the film wanted ... me to do. I fell off the side of the boat... because I was so tired... and I floated to your boat. Yeah... floated over to your boat just before ... I was about to do a romance scene.
"I was afeared you were going to be Sly when you picked me up from the bench, but I'm glad you turned out to be the coast guard."
Sly burst out laughing at the last comment. He laughed long and hard for about thirty seconds. So hard tears actually started coming out of his eyes. "Oh my god...I just laughed so much it actually hurt... Little lady...do you still think I'm coast guard? I AM Sly. Why did you think I was threatening the hostages? For the fun of it?"
Tech was shocked. "Well, since you're not a coast guard, then what did you mean when you said I was a consolation prize? Am I some sort of object to you?"
"Yeah...something like that..." Sly said, grinning. "What are you going to do about it? So far as I can tell I hold all the cards here."
Tech returned to looking outside at the scenery.
"Well, if you're just going to shut up like that, I suppose I could be nicer," Sly said, moving to sit next to her.
"This won't be fun if this is only going to be a one-way conversation. In all honesty, I don't have plans to be too rough with you, despite you being my captive. There'd be no point. I'll probably let you go after a while too. No point keeping you my captive forever either."
He pressed a button, and a wall sprung up, separating the cockpit from the passenger compartment and closing the windows.
"No...I'm not planning to do what you think I am...at least not yet. I just want to ensure that you don't learn the route to our base. Can't have you telling anybody that after I let you go, can I?"
Tech turned toward him and listened to him speak. It was frightening that he was sitting next to her, but she could tell that Sly wasn't going to hurt her, so she didn't move.
When he was done and she noticed it was completely dark inside the helicopter, she suggested. "Well, you know, if you wanted to distract me, you could've said I was beautiful and then you could've kissed me. I would've been glad to help out, since, for the time being, I'm yours anyway. Maybe just make a couple advances while I'm still yours.
"I'll just let you know, my confidence in myself is very small."
"Why'd you become an actress if you don't have much confidence?" Sly asked, placing an arm across her back. "I mean...if you don't have confidence, the people watching your movie will know it, and you will get bad press..."
Tech smiled. "Not if the role requires a unconfident person. The movie was called 'Those Blue Eyes' and it required an actress with blue eyes and also someone with low self-esteem. So I'm safe.
"I don't think the director of the film is happy about me ditching the film. I didn't ditch the film, but I probably have been replaced by now. If not, then I'll try to find the director again. So, do you think you'll be keeping me for a long time?"
Tech's eyes pleaded for someone to care.