One Last Con

by Rael Wissdorf

  Clearing his throat, more to get her attention than anything else, Abel made an exaggerated show of looking up and down at her figure.

  "I see that you’re dressed in that alarmingly sexy way again,” he said frowning, while wagging his finger back and forth. “Don’t tell me that you’re once again off to bullshit another poor chap?"

  Laurina looked down at herself and smiled in spite of where she knew this conversation was headed. She had to agree that the black fish-net stockings under her black leather miniskirt were designed specifically to make a man’s head spin. Her shapely legs enhanced the effect even more.

  "Abel, I’m wearing my working clothes as you can see,” she said smiling tentatively. “And yes, I do have plans for later, if you must know."

  “You know how that bothers me,” he replied with irritation. “You had so much promise.”

  Laurina sighed heavily, shaking her head.

  Here we go again.

  It was true from the beginning that Laurina Hawks had shown much promise as a ballet dancer. Dame Adelaide Thome, the 75 year old former Principle dancer of the Royal Ballet, and current director of the Dorchester School of Dance once told her that she had to potential to be the “next big thing” if she worked hard at the craft.

  “You have skill and talent my dear,” she had said. “That much is evident. But talent is not enough. Motivation and the will to be the best are what’s necessary for a dancer to truly succeed. Dig deep and cultivate these qualities within yourself, and will realize your dreams.”

  Following that advice, Laurina found her dedication, and practiced faithfully. In time, she passed her Solo Seal examination through the Royal Academy of Dance with distinction. Soon after finishing her exam, she was thrilled to receive an offer for the lead in a local production of Cinderella, in which she performed admirably. The following year was even better when she was awarded the role of principal dancer in the Dorchester Dance Troupe’s production of Swan Lake. She had even received a favourable write up in the local paper, which thrilled Abel and Galicia to no end.

  Laurina thought sure that her star would continue to rise, and that success as a part of a major ballet company would be just around the corner. Unfortunately that success never came.

  A sharp decline in Britain’s economy led to problems with providing funding for the Arts. As a result, a large number of mid sized ballet companies, including the Dorchester Dance Troupe became casualties of the economic downturn and closed their doors. This led to a large influx of talented dancers vying for the small number of major appointments that remained. The competition was fierce and each audition Laurina attended seemed only to end in disappointment when she received news that another dancer had claimed the coveted spot.

  Several times Laurina auditioned herself into becoming one of two remaining candidates for a major appointment; once with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the other with the English National Ballet. Each time, she left the audition hall in bitter disappointment after her rival was chosen instead of her. Missing the final cut after auditioning for the London Ballet was particularly heartbreaking. Each experience made her question whether she had the heart to remain in the profession. One day Laurina awoke to find that she had become disillusioned after so many failures. It was the lowest point in her life.

  “Abel, I know you want me to continue to try to make one of the major ballet companies, but working in the small dance troupes while waiting for another chance to audition, doesn’t pay the bills,” she sighed.

  Neither did working as an exotic dancer.

  Back when her brother suffered his accident, times were tough on the Hawks family. Through a legal technicality, the lorry driver and his company were not held liable for his injuries, citing that Abel, “knowingly and willingly” ran in front of the vehicle. The five thousand pounds that they finally offered was termed a “good will gesture” that his lawyer advised him to accept. The thirty-five hundred pounds that remained after the barrister’s fee, was immediately eaten up by Abel’s mounting medical bills. His short term disability was running out, and he hadn’t been at his new job long enough to qualify for long term disability. Meanwhile, their younger sister Galicia needed money to continue her nursing classes, and she was having difficulty managing the demands of her entry level secretarial position at Roth’s Medical and the rigors of school. This left Laurina with the bulk of caring for their brother through his hospitalisation and rehab. With little time to devote to working on her craft, she found herself calling in favours from a few acquaintances just to make her bills. One of them suggested that she might try dancing at clubs for a temporary living until Abel got better.

  Compared to the meager earnings she received from the occasional small productions she danced in, there was much more money to be had working the “night profession.” Between the checks from management and the tips from the customers, not only was she able to save her flat, but she was able to make a dent in her family’s mounting bills as well. However, that line of work carried more risk as well. Laurina’s talent for dancing easily made her a favourite among the patrons that frequented these seedy establishments, who loved her fluid movements in the skimpy costumes she was compelled to wear.

  Unfortunately, after noting her popularity, most club owners wanted her to dole out “special favours” for their more valued and free spending clientele. Of course, the redhead would have none of that, politely refusing each request. In time, each rebuff would inevitably lead to an ultimatum from the owner, and finally, the abrupt departure of Laurina from that club. It was a perpetual cycle that she would eventually repeat over and over at each new venue.

  Then there were the problems with the customers who wanted to “take her home” once her shift was over. The well-meaning ones, and those that just had a little too much to drink were easy enough to deal with. A few kind words of assurance, a compliment about their gallantry, and a sweet smile were enough to cause most of them to relent and leave her be. The more insistent and aggressive ones proved to be more of a dilemma however. Several rough scrapes forced her into taking self defence courses at the local YWCA, which served her well on more than one occasion, including the time when one bloke actually attempted to rape her.

  Fortunately by using her newfound skills, Laurina escaped unscathed, leaving her assailant lying in a pool of blood on the sidewalk with a bruised groin and a broken nose and jaw. However, the experience had scared her to death. She promptly moved out of her flat in the morning, and then notified her boss that she would not be returning to work. Later that day she found another flat on the opposite side of London.

  She would never again work as an exotic dancer. That was five years ago.

  Of course Abel knew nothing about this, and if she could help it, Laurina would make damn sure that he never would.

  Yes, simple con work was safer. Much safer.

  “Look, we’ve had this argument time and time again Abel. This is who I am and what I do.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know,” her brother replied, holding up a hand in surrender.

  “I also know you’re just trying to protect me, as you’ve always done. And I appreciate it love, I do. But I’m a big girl now, and quite capable of taking care of myself.”

  “I know,” he sighed. “I gave up on trying to talk you out of your ‘career’ a long time ago. I just worry about you Laur, that’s all. Life is hard enough without having to worry about whether I’ll have to pay your bail to the barristers, or identify your body at the morgue; all because you insist on playing Robin fucking Hood!”

  “I’ll have you know that my work helped support us all when you were…”

  “How many times are you gonna beat me about the head with it Laur?” the big man sighed.

  “And how many times are you gonna tell me in so many words that I’m a disappointment to you?” she replied.

  His jaw worked a few times as he sought to respond, but realizing the truth in his sister’s words, Abel paused, then clos
ed his mouth altogether.

  They lapsed into an awkward silence. It happened every time Laurina visited Abel’s flat; the same worn out argument, the same protestations, the same reassurances, followed by silence at the end of the dance. It was an emotional ballet that resulted in guilt for her and empty helplessness for him. Granted it hurt less, now that the anger that fuelled their earlier shouting matches had faded over the years. Nevertheless, it still stung.

  As if trying to make amends in some small way, Abel made a bit of a show of blowing on his tea, and she watched as swathes of vapour rose from the delicate bone-china cup. Then he lifted the cup and saluted her with a large grin and a nod before taking a sip. She smiled in spite of herself.

  He hasn’t changed since we were kids. Even when the bloke is being boorishly silly, he comes off as so bloody charming.

  “Change of subject,” Abel smiled as he fingered the handle of his tea cup. “What’s so urgent that you had to splash through the puddles to see me?”

  “I have news from Galicia."

  A shadow passed over the big man’s face. “And how is our prodigal baby sister anyway?” he asked sarcastically.

  Laurina looked at him slightly hurt. “Now Abel, you know she hasn’t done a thing to slight you personally. She’s a world away in the States, busy with her nursing project.”

  Abel returned her look a bit annoyed. “I know. I know. But the old girl didn't even have the good manners to say cheerio before she left. Nor has she bothered to call me, or even send me a bloody text message for god’s sake!”

  “Abel….”

  “At least you get a little news from her when she bothers to remember that she has family.”

  “Please,” Laurina raised her hands in a pleading gesture. “Forget that for a moment. I need your help.”

  The big man was about to fire off another retort, when he noticed the look of desperation that appeared on her face. His face immediately softened, and his annoyance disappeared.

  “What‘s wrong?”

  Laurina set down her tea cup and sighed. “I received a letter from her yesterday that seemed quite strange in its tone,” she said.

  “What does it say?"

  “That’s the thing; her writing sounds different somehow, and I can't make heads or tails out of it,” Laurina replied.

  Abel straightened in his rickety chair. “Alright, first thing’s first. Perhaps you should start by telling me what exactly our sister has been up to lately. I'm afraid I'm not quite up to speed on that.”

  “Well, you do remember that she always wanted to become a doctor.”

  “Quite,” Abel nodded, “but the orphanage didn't find it in their coffers to pay for that kind of education. So she became a nurse instead.”

  “Even so, Galicia never gave up on her dream and she continued to enroll in a variety of advanced medical courses…”

  “Which you paid for with your little con jobs,” Abel interjected with a laugh.

  “Oh stop it you bugger!” Laurina snapped. “It’s not that funny.”

  “You must admit that there is a perverse sort of humour to be found in your extra curricular activities Laur,” Abel continued. “I’ll never forget how you sold a cement-mixer to a parish priest for building his church annex.” The big man replayed the story in his mind and exploded into hearty guffaws. “I’ll bet he's probably still waiting for it.”

  Laurina frowned as he slapped his knee and nearly sloshed his tea in the process. “Abel, I’ll have you know that paid for half a year of Galicia’s courses!”

  “Yes yes, I know. Sorry,” he chuckled while wiping tears from his eyes. “I’m just amazed at your talents, old girl. I may not approve of your ‘activities,’ but that doesn’t mean you’re not good at it. ”

  “Well don’t go treating it like a joke,” the redhead said pointedly. “It helped see her through the rough times, plus I was able to help out the little ones at the Home.”

  “Paddington’s anonymous donor,” he replied with a flourish. “At least they appreciate it.” Abel sobered and shook his head sadly. “That’s more than I can say for our baby sister. You constantly go out on a limb for her Laurina, always doing the noble big sister thing, only to have her disappear on us with nary a word. The thought of it still makes me bloody well pissed at her.”

  “You have no idea about what happened, Abel. Galicia was given a terrific opportunity.”

  “Oh? What kind of opportunity?”

  “To become a doctor.”

  Abel’s jaw dropped.

  “Are you serious?”

  Seeing his sister nod, he slowly shook his head in wonder. “Well, that’s certainly a shocker. Tell me, who offered her this opportunity?”

  Laurina sighed and shrugged. “That’s the part I’m a bit sketchy about. During her nursing project in Washington D.C. she happened to take a special battery of medical evaluations. When the results came back, this Colonel from the United States Army appeared.”

  “A Colonel, hmmm?”

  “Quite so.”

  “Indeed,” Abel murmured, raising his shaggy eyebrows. After digesting this bit of information for several moments, he leaned back and put down his teacup. “Why in God’s name would a high ranking officer of the U.S. Army be interested in Galicia?”

  “I don’t really know,” Laurina admitted.

  “Does this Colonel have a name?”

  “I think she said his last name was Kern or something like that.”

  Abel looked Laurina in the eye before slowly shaking his head. “I don't like it. I don't know why, but I don’t like it one bit.

  “I was also sceptical, but I couldn't get Galicia off of it. It was a chance to finally realize her dream. So she signed an agreement which made her an official contractor for the U.S. Army. A few days later, she was supposed to leave for a military base somewhere in the south-western United States, but even she didn't know exactly where it was located.”

  “They must have at least given her a destination airport.”

  “Yes: Phoenix, Arizona.”

  “Well at least that's something. So what exactly is the problem?”

  Laurina walked over to the entrance of the flat and pulled an envelope out of an inside pocket of her damp coat and returned to the table. Leaning forward after reclaiming her seat, she waved it back and forth in front of him. “That was six months ago. I'll read you the letter I got from her yesterday, then you'll know.”

  Abel sat back in his chair and sighed. “Laur, don’t be so melodramatic about it. Just read the bloody thing,” he said impatiently. Pointedly ignoring his tone, Laurina deliberately lit a cigarette and took a drag. After exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, the redhead unfurled the letter and began to read out loud.

  Laur, my “dear” sister,

  I only wanted to tell you that I am quite well here. Although the courses are a little boring, because they are more about neurology than anatomy and you know how much I hate neurology. At least the food we get in the mess hall is rather good. There is fresh fish available almost every day and the servers have wonderful brown eyes.

  After the first quarter they want to send us to Acapulco for a small vacation, and I'm looking forward to that very much. You remember, don't you, that for us it has always been our little paradise. I’m going to have myself a lobster there first thing and I'm going to open it up with my bare teeth!

  So don't worry about your little sister. I have even met somebody here already, a young doctor with green eyes. I must come to an end now. Hugs to you.

  Your loving sister,

  Galicia

  Laurina let the letter sink to her lap. “Well, what do you think?”

  While his sister was reading the letter, Abel had allowed his eyes to wander around the apartment. For some unknown reason, they rested on the refuse can under the sink.

  “Garbage,” he muttered almost to himself. A moment later, he turned his head and looked her in the eye.

  “Are you sure this
letter is from Gal? Let me see it.” He snatched the rumpled paper from Laurina's hands and looked at it thoroughly. “Well, it's quite obviously her handwriting,” he mumbled.

  “Quite. I’d recognize her messy style anywhere."

  Abel nodded. “It’s also true that neurology was her best subject. She loved everything about it.”

  “Glad you noticed,” Laurina offered.

  Where is he going with this?

  “And we also know she didn't like guys with brown eyes.” He rolled his eyes. “God knows why.”

  Laurina snapped her fingers. “There’s more to this than meets the eye.”

  “Yes, a right bit more. I still remember how the three of us used to make fun of the type of sand swept fantasy vacation she mentions here. In Gal’s way of thinking, Acapulco means Hell.”

  “Exactly!” she exclaimed. She paused a moment to think, when something pressed against her awareness.

  What did Abel say earlier? Ah yes, ‘Garbage.’ There was something about garbage…

  Sudden recognition shone on her face. “Abel, look at that passage about the Lobster.”

  The big man read and reread the line before shaking his head. “Sorry but I’m stumped on that one.”

  Laurina took the letter back from him and pointed to the sentence in question. “The lobster is a symbol. It’s a hidden message! Remember how we always kept tabs on nurse Garbage at the nursing home?”

  Abel pointed a finger at Laurina, recalling the past. “Her name was Harbedge.”

  “Yes, we called her Garbage. Gal used to go spying in the east wing, and I did it in the west wing. Any time we discovered something; we’d write a note and deposit our secret message into that tacky porcelain lobster in the main hall.”