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.”
This sounds really interesting and I enjoyed reading. You have written really well. I look forward to reading more. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLauren - bournemouthgirl
Thank you so much for your kinds word and for stopping by. 😊
DeleteThe best relationships are made up of people who don't take each other too seriously, because that's where the fun can be kept alive
ReplyDeleteSo true! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI’m enjoying reading these snippets! I love going to Vegas and love when books are set there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! Vegas rocks. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteSo loving the opening lines! The scene comes vividly to life and continues to play into the character interactions and atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! 💜
Delete