The Secret Life of Em De Mone (Part 2: Characters and Setting)

A new short story: The Secret Life of Em de Mone

Em is a character in another series, but here's a snippet of her early years in Vegas.

Be sure to check out Part 1: The Intro

Happy Reading. ~Aspen 

Part 2: Characters and Setting

Fog wafted all around her. Music boomed. Here, a techno DJ. There, a rock band. And more elsewhere. Em took in the crowds of people: Tall, short, skinny, fat, scary, wholesome, sexy, funny, sweet. This place had every walk of life and an unlimited stretch to the imagination. Blacklights and disco balls pulled it all together, setting the perfect ambiance.

Em stopped at the first bar with the shortest line. Just a quick shot of tequila, straight up. Apparently, her love for the agave came from her dad’s side of the family. She raised her glass, took her shot, paid her tab, and tipped well. Always.

Skirting in and around people, she found her way to the large center bar. A quick scan and she spotted them. Maria was dressed as a 40s housewife with sensible make-up, curls and cinched skirt.

Em tapped her on the shoulder. Squealing with delight, Maria handed her a shot. Em gave a nod hello to Maria’s entourage of fictional killers from the big screen: Jason Voorhies, Freddy Kruger and Michael Myers, and threw back whatever sugary concoction was in the glass. Jason, Maria’s husband, lifted his mask, and kissed his wife on the cheek, “Poker,” he shouted, but it came out in a whisper over the commotion around them.

Maria scolded him with a look.

“What? I’ll win big.” He gave her a wink and put his mask back on. With a pinch to her butt, he and his friends were off. Maria flew him the bird, then blew him a kiss. They really were a great couple, never taking life too seriously and always out for a good time. He was a mechanic and Maria a cocktail server. They had a couple of darling kids and were a few of Em’s favorite people.

She smiled and nodded to the bartender for two more shots. With drinks in hand, she looked to Maria, “Okay, first question…” Maria nodded… and Em continued… “Why are you a housewife?”

“I’m Jason Voorhies’ adoring mother,” She batted her eyelashes and took her shot.

“Brilliant,” Em said following suit.

Maria set her cup down, “Second question?”

“Have you seen Renee yet?”

Maria shook her head no, but then there was a ruckus at the entrance. She raised an eyebrow and laughed, “Right on cue.”

A spotlight shone on a tall, beautiful amazon black woman, decked out in a shiny silver ball gown and jewels to the hilt, as she entered. Two people were with her, each tethered on their own leashes. One was a stunning man dressed as a French maid and the other was a beautiful woman suited as a butler. This was a Fetish Ball, Em mused, and Renee did love to make an entrance. The sea of people applauded and then parted to let the trio through.

Renee sashayed over to them, “DAHLINGS!” she exclaimed, giving them air kisses. She was taller than Em, and at 5’11”, Em rarely met a woman as tall as her, let alone taller. As the center of the women’s basketball team at UNLV, Renee was a mover and a shaker, always turning heads.

“Oh my! You are exquisite,” Maria giggled with delight. “But I have no idea who you are.”

“Why I am an uber famous wealthy heiress with an eccentric love for different things, and here I thought it was obvious,” Renee flashed a devilish grin and laughed, then she turned to her leashed friends. “Meet, Frenchie…don’t his legs look fantastic in heels? And this is just Butler. She is quiet but fascinating,” Renee said. With a simple wave of her hands, she had a round of shots in front of them. “Here’s to a delightfully spooky and fantasy-filled evening.”

They all cheered and drank in unison.

“Alright, loves, we’re off to find the fortune tellers. I am just dying to know what tonight holds for me and my friends,” Renee eyed her leashed companions, then blew her gals kisses and sauntered off. The clusters of people stepped out of their way as they passed.

Em watched in awe, even as a little something tugged at her gut. She’d thought, hoped really, it was going to be the three of them tonight. Just the gals.

“She is amazing!” Maria gushed.

“She is,” Em agreed, and it was true. Then a half joke, half jealous spite came out of her mouth, “Frenchie and Butler are willing participants, right?”

The two looked at each other and cracked up. Of course, they were, and Em let go of whatever was eating at her. Renee had that way with people; they adored her. Em included. And one day, she would change the world.

“Alright we’ll, it looks like it’s just you and me.” Em said, ordering a bottle of water. “I could use a bite and a tarot reading.”

“Me too,” said Maria.

The 40s housewife and the biker Vampire moved skillfully amongst the masses of fetish-ness and fantasy. Em found herself fascinated by all of it. The fairies, more than one Spiderman, a shark, a ghost here and there, and more than one vampire, but none as cool as her. She tickled Maria’s fingertips, then clasped her hand as the crowds thickened near the dance floor. The music bumped and grinded in places and soothed and stimulated in others. The strobe lights were almost too much, and Em had to stop and blink several times when she entered the main Reading Room.

Fortune Tellers. Tarot Readers. Psychics. Mediums. All waiting for a sucker to sit, but Em knew better. She knew about all of it. In fact, that was why she moved to Vegas in the first place. But Maria didn’t really believe any of it, one reader was as good as another, so she plopped down, skirt and all, at the first reader who smile at her.

Even a cynical Em, found joy in her friend’s giddiness. Maria ceased the first opportunity. Every time.

Em did not. She walked the room, ignoring everyone who attempted eye contact. In the far dark corner, she found exactly what she was looking for. A book worm. With her head down and a tiny reading light, a little waif of a thing poured over a volume of something.

Clearing her throat, Em took a seat and crossed her legs.

“Well, have a seat, sugar,” Fortune Teller stuck her finger in her book and looked up, annoyed at being interrupted, “Name’s Violet. What can I do for you?”

“Hello, Violet,” Em flashed her dazzling smile, set a twenty on the table and eyed the crystal ball. Authentic. “My fortune please.”

The Secret Life of Em de Mone (Part 1: The Intro)

Ruby Hood is back from the beta reader and needs some reworking. In the meantime, I'll be sharing a new short story: The Secret Life of Em de Mone

Em is a character in another series, but here's a snippet of her early years in Vegas.

Happy Reading. ~Aspen

Part 1: The Intro

Chills ran up her fishnets as she strode through the sliding doors of the ever-elusive Luxor casino. Every time she entered this casino that haunted vibe rushed through her. Every time. But she brushed it off and let it go. She had no time for that. Not tonight.

It was last Saturday of October and Em de Mone had places, well a place, a very specific place, to be. Weaving in and out of maze after maze of touristy folks lingering, clearly not in a hurry, she followed the signs: Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball 2002.

She was almost late. Almost. She’d swapped her usual night shift serving drinks and sophistication to the high rollers at the Foundation Room, next door at the Mandalay Bay. It paid the rent and bought luxuries, lots of them. Plus she enjoyed her job. People watching amused her to no end, especially at the top of Vegas.

People let their crazy fly high when they came here. It was some sort of weird rite of passage, people felt the need to fulfill. Sometimes, it was fun to watch. Sometimes, it was sad. But it's always interesting. Like right now, Em thought, stopping briefly as some poor schmuck got harassed by plain clothes security. The guy’s demon costume was great, complete with glowing green eyes, and they very were real looking. Em cringed as he screamed obscenities and made a scene, but security didn’t care. Not at all.  Stoic and straight-faced, the big guys from upstairs, dragged the monster out.

The hustle and bustle disappeared into the crowd and Em continued her journey, thinking again about those glowing eyes. A pang of envy stabbed at her. Not only had they looked authentic, but some red ones would’ve gone fantastic with her costume. For a quick second, she’d wondered what that monster-man had done to get thrown out of a Fetish Ball, known for its ‘anything goes’ attitude. And so early in the evening. With a shake of her head, she dismissed him and all things public people. It was time to indulge her own fantasies, starting with finding her friends. The train of masqueraded people and the thumping bass led her right to the entrance.

As she stood in line, Em gave herself a quick once over in the large ornate mirror on the wall next to her. She’d been working on her costume for months…a Vampire Biker. Her long slender legs rocked the tiny black leather shorts, fishnets and Dr. Martens. Her too-tight t-shirt was both sweet and hilarious: I ♥ Grandma (front) Even though I ate her (back). With the help of lots of powder, Em had made her fair skin almost translucent and unnaturally pale. Expertly she’d darkened her eye make-up and added artful blood droplets on the corners of her mouth, bringing out the red heart on her shirt. She wore her short hair spiked with blonde tips. Perfect for this costume. A quick glance at her watch told her she had 10 minutes to meet Renee and Maria at the center bar. She was right on time. Things had a funny way of working out.

“Your costume…” the hot young thing said with googlie eyes as he wrapped the wristband around Em’s wrist. “…looks amazing.”

“Thanks, sweets. Just for that…maybe I won’t eat ya later,” She flashed her killer vampire teeth. He gulped. She laughed and blew him a kiss as she entered the Ball. 

Time

With Ruby Hood currently in the beta reading stage (fingers crossed it goes well 🤞), I've been working on short stories. For this one, I was given the prompt (in bold), a word count of 865 and 24 hours (see the result below). Happy Reading! ~Aspen Hite

TIME 

Twinkle lights kicked against the windows, threatening to break in the freezing wind. She was warm inside, too warm, unlike the people rushing by the small coffee shop. Her blunt fingernail repeatedly tapped the steaming cup, her second one, while her other hand clutched the badge hidden beneath her coat and caressed it gently. This was the end of the line. For her anyway.

Rina looked around the quaint coffee shop. She’d been coming here since the beginning, some 45 years. Several lifetimes of husbands, and children, and loss, and death. She’d buried three husbands and a child. 

The bell over the door chimed and Rina looked up, as a tall woman with long side swept hair sauntered in. Her pencil skirt hugged every inch of her, and her stiletto’s added three inches. Rina beamed. The voluptuous woman gave her a half smile and plopped into the other side of the booth. “Been a long time, doll.”

“Morty, it’s literally been three weeks,” said Rina. 

“I know, but a lot has happened since then. Feels like an eternity,” Morty said, as her coffee cup filled itself. That was the way it was here. 

Sadness snuffed out Rina’s smile as she tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear. 

Morty narrowed her eyes, giving Rina the once over, then steepled her hands,  “How are you holding up?”

Rina pushed her cheeks wide in a terrible ‘I-am-fine-please-don’t-ask’ face and reached for her coffee. Anything to get out of answering the question. She wasn't holding up well, and she didn’t want to talk about it. She didn’t even want to think about it. This was the way it was, “I’m finding gratitude everyday.”

“Horseshit,” Morty said, adding 3 packets of sugar to her coffee cup. She stirred vigorously and took a scalding sip. 

“What can I say, Mort? I took an assignment and stayed too long. When I got back, it was too late. I don’t have a lot of choices at this point,” Rina said, taking another sip. “I’ve seen the grandkids a lot, and Simon and Taylor have been wonderful. I am blessed to call them children. 

“Rina…you’re the best I know. There has to be something…” Morty said. 

“There isn’t. I’ve tried. Everything I can think of,” A somber tear trickled down her cheek as she glanced at the clock. It didn’t matter what time it was, which was ironic considering her profession. But it was true, there was no time to change anything, not her path, or her circumstances, or her mind. Time was up. She’d looked at this from every angle, and called in favors, but nothing changed. In the end, her options were terrible and limited. After careful consideration, she wanted it this way. 

“Very well, it’s your wish, and I shall abide by it,” Morty said, “but I don’t have to like it.”

“No, you don’t,” Rina dropped her gaze. It was time.

Clutching Morty’s hand across the table, Rina laughed “You know, I’m just so happy our paths crossed, Mort. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without you after your father passed. I might not have continued traveling.”

“Awww, Rin… you gave me a chance when no one else would,” Morty laughed as tears fell, “You should’ve asked for someone with more experience, but you took a gamble on me.” 

“You know, so little of this life we live is in our control, and I have been blessed to have you looking after me, Mort,” Rina held onto her friend.

“It’s been such an honor to be by your side all these years,” Morty wiped her tears.

“The honor has been mine, you’re an amazing handler,” said Rina, then held up the badge. Suddenly, it was heavy and sharp, “But it’s time.” 

Morty eyed it, “And you're sure this is what you want?”

“Yes,” Rina said, “Please go with me back to the time before. That’s where I’d like to take my Walk Down Memory Lane.”

“You know you can’t interact,” Morty held out her hand but did not touch the badge.

“I do,” A wistful look crossed Rina’s face. “I was happiest then. Carefree. And the view, well it’s always been a favorite.”

The moment Morty touched the badge, the two were transported in time back to 1976. It was a quiet evening. On the beach. Rina watched a family in the distance as they laughed and played in the ocean, the sun setting behind them. That family was hers…her younger self, with her first husband and their beautiful daughter, before it all; decades ago, when her loves were still alive. 

Rina wept with joy and sat on a bench. 

“You’re the oldest Time Traveler I know, Rina. What does it all mean?” Morty said as the sun began to dip behind the clouds reflecting a rainbow of colors off the ocean.

“I have absolutely no idea, but for me, it was always about peace. Thank you for bringing me here,” Rina closed her eyes. The squeals of joy and the clean ocean air brought a smile to her face, and she took her last breath. Peace.