This was written in answer to a challenge for Bathtub Party Day on Lancer Writers site.

Scott settled back into the steaming water. He positioned his drink and his book on the shelf beside him, folded a towel and put it behind his neck and breathed in a deep satisfied breath as he surveyed his surroundings. It was magnificent. He had to congratulate himself. It had taken him months to convince Murdoch that installing a modern indoor bathing room was a good idea. He thought he’d probably won the battle when he’d pointed out how much better Murdoch’s back would feel if he could soak it frequently in hot water. And it would be even better without the stress and strain of hauling buckets in, and then away again. He wondered if his father had yet considered that to get the benefit of those longed for soaks, he’d have to beat his sons to the tub. Scott grinned.

In any case, once he’d gotten the go-ahead, he’d spared no effort. The tub was an oversized, claw footed, cast iron masterpiece imported from Philadelphia and finished with pristine white enamel. The floor was terra cotta tile with a Spanish pattern around the outside and soft throw rugs scattered over its surface. The pipes that brought in hot water from a boiler outside formed a three-rung towel rack that kept the fluffy bath towels warm. To finish it off, the burnished metal on the faucets and knobs gleamed in the light from twin copper lamps hanging overhead. All together, Scott thought, as fine a room as he had seen anywhere in his travels. However, he couldn’t seem to rid himself of the feeling that he had forgotten something, though he couldn’t for the life of him think what it could be.

They’d just put the finishing touches on the place a few minutes ago and Scott had made certain that he was the first to try it out. He settled back, the hot water relaxing  his muscles and washing away his unease. His eyes drifted shut and with a soft smile he floated on the edge of sleep.

Till the door banged open. Johnny half backed into the room, pulling someone in from out in the hall and letting in a shot of cool air that raised goose bumps on Scott’s arms and shoulders.

Scott watched in disbelief as Johnny hauled Val Crawford into the room.

“This is what I was tellin’ you about, Val, you ain’t going to believe it.”

Val looked around curiously and tipped his hat toward the tub. “Howdy, Scott.”

Johnny appeared to notice Scott for the first time. “Hey, brother, how’s it working?” Johnny reached in and swirled his hand around in the water. “See what I was tellin’ you, Val, the water’s steamin’ hot but we never had to tote one bucket. Here, stick your hand in and feel….”

Johnny grabbed for Val’s hand and Scott came out of his shock. He started to reach out to strangle his brother but reconsidered and slid back down in the water. “Get out of here,” he hissed, “both of you. What do you think you’re do……”

His rant was cut short by the sound of smaller feet and female voices coming in through the open door. Scott’s eyes got wide and he snatched at a towel lying on the shelf next to the tub. He got it positioned just in time as Teresa and Maria came around the corner into the room. Teresa was looking back over her shoulder toward Maria. “You have to see it, Maria, it’s wonderful and it’s going to be so nice to…”

“Madre de Dios! Senor Scott!” Maria stopped dead and her hand went to her open mouth.

Teresa looked around, taking in the scene at a glance. “Oh, don’t worry,” she told the housekeeper, “he’s covered up. Now just look at this porcelain enamel, and the carved feet.”

“Es Magnifico!” the housekeeper breathed.

Val bent over Johnny who was down on one knee inspecting the plumbing connections. “Is she talking about the tub,” Val whispered, “or Scott?”

Johnny looked up in shock. “Oh, the tub.” He paused a moment. “I think.” He glanced up at Maria whose eyes had glazed over as she ran the tip of one finger over the enamel finish. “Yeah,” said Johnny with a firm nod, “the tub. Anyway, Val, come here and take a look at this….”

Just then a large figure filled the doorway and a bellow set up shock waves in the bathwater. Scott, who had been sinking lower and lower in the water, disappeared entirely under the waves his knees poking up under the towel.

“What is going on here?” Murdoch shouted. “Teresa, and Maria? Get out of here you two! Are you all out of your minds?” He strode into the room and reached down to drag Scott’s head out of the water. Val took the opportunity to slide out through the door and disappear down the hall.

Johnny tried his most innocent smile and backed into the farthest corner of the room. Scott just sputtered, trying to get his breath.

“Hey, Murdoch,” Johnny ventured, “we were just standing here talking, well, Val and I were standing, and the ladies came in on their own. You can’t blame us for……” Johnny trailed off when he noticed a strange look on his father’s face. 

Murdoch was opening and closing the hand that had pulled Scott from the steaming water. He reached down and trailed his fingertips in the bath then looked up and gave Scott the kind of a smile that a hungry wolf might give a frightened rabbit. “Planning on being long, are you?” he asked softly.

Scott looked at Johnny, who merely shrugged and tried to remain inconspicuous. “Well, I, um, I meant to…..” Suddenly Scott stopped. His brow furrowed and he frowned. “Now wait a minute,” he said. “I was minding my own business when everyone in the county came barging in here. This is my bath. I plotted to make it happen, I worked to make it happen and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let any of you drive me out of it before I’ve finished.”

“Now, Scott,” started Murdoch, “it’s not re….”

“No!” shouted Scott. He came halfway up out of the tub before he realized where he was. “I want you two to get out. Now!”

Murdoch looked at Johnny. “Grouchy, isn’t he?”

Johnny just raised an eyebrow and lifted his hands.

Murdoch smiled at Scott. “Don’t be too long, son. I still outrank you.” With that he put his hand on his son’s head, shoved him back under the water and walked out the door.

When Scott stopped sputtering and managed to clear his eyes he saw Johnny slumped against the wall, his arms wrapped around his stomach and tears of laughter running down his cheeks.

Pinned by his brother’s ferocious glare, Johnny managed to pull himself together enough to stagger to the door. “I’m sorry, Scott,” he muttered, not daring to look at his brother. “Can I get you anything?”

“Just remove yourself, that’s all you can do for me. But you did manage to remind me of the one thing that I had forgotten.

Johnny looked back over his shoulder. “And that’s…?”

“ A lock, little brother. A lock for the God damned bathroom door!”

12/6/2008