“You mean your hand,” his friend corrects him and they all laugh.
The streets of downtown Redemption are thronged. Everyone has come for the grand opening of Strive. Dressed in suits and gowns, the children in their church clothes. It’s almost 60 degrees out and what with the arctic freeze we had, it feels almost like summer. The air is buzzing with excitement. I shoulder my way through the crowd with Regi trailing behind me clutching my hand. As I draw near the front I have to push a few people but I don’t mind. I want to get as close to him as I possibly can. And here he is. The mayor.
He’s standing about fifteen steps above everyone, clapping shoulders and hamming it up with a few friends who look just as important as him. The lot of them don brand new suits and phony smiles. Police guards have formed a barrier at the bottom of the stairs for their protection.
After a while someone hands him a microphone and he taps it. The pounding echoes through the crowd followed by the sound of him clearing his throat.
The crowd settles down.
“Hello,” he says robustly into the din. His voice is larger than God’s and the people quiet down even more to listen. “I can not tell you how ecstatic and appreciative I am that all of you fine citizens of Redemption have come out to honor the opening of Casino Strive.”
The crowd erupts in cheers. Everyone is clapping proudly. Men send out sharp whistles with fingers in their mouths.
The mayor beams and whispers something to one of his friends.
“What a creep,” I say out loud, since no one can hear me. “I know the real you.”
If only he would just look at me. Just look my way and I’ll trap you just the way I trapped that monster; I’ll get the information I need and then send you running as far away from Redemption as you can.
“Thank you, thank you,” he says and waits another half minute for the cheering to die down. “No really, thank you. There was tremendous red tape involved in getting this project implemented. And tremendous sacrifice on you citizens as you had to deal with the budget cuts and construction. But we knew, my advisors and I, that the opening of Strive was going to be a day to go down in the history books of Redemption. Not only have we created thousands of jobs, but we have erected this fine tower to make a statement. To anyone who is visiting Redemption. It says, we are not a city of the past, no, not anymore. We are a city of the future. Looking up and looking ahead. We are destined for great things because for great things we Strive!”
A pair of shiny scissors comes out and the red tape is cut. The cheering swells. The police have to hold some people back from bum rushing the stairs as Mayor Vaughn and his men disappear into the building.
Then finally the police step aside and all hell breaks loose. I have to pick Regi up in my arms and carry her all the way up the stairs, lest the frenzied crowd tramples her alive.
It’s nothing less than a palace inside. Grander than anything I have ever seen. Regi is jumping up and down in excitement as I keep a tight grasp on her hand. God forbid if I lose her and one of those Hounds snatches her up. I’m scanning the room for the mayor but I don’t see him.
But I am in just as much awe as Regi and can’t help but pause to marvel over this place. Marble fountains, live palm trees swaying under a soft synthetic wind. Acrobats are suspended in the air twenty or so feet above our heads. They’re in diamond studded leotards and they glisten as they spin and swirl, climbing up and down their ropes.
Show girls line the largest fountain that shoots out fuscia water. They wear sequence underwear and peacock hats almost as tall as they are.
Golden dollies manned by bellhops are escorting some of the wealthier guests who brought luggage and intend to stay the night in the hotel. I recognize one of them as Priscilla Van Patten. She doesn’t see me as she places a Loui Vuitton suitcase on a dolly. The man standing with her is tall and tan and handsome.
Regi has hooked up with some of her friends already. They’re squealing and dragging her by her free arm away from me and pointing. “Hold on,” I tell them. “Where you going?”
“Tigers!” her friend shouts. “Tigers are back there!”
“No!” I tell them. “Stay here. We have to do something first.”
But they’re already dragging her away and there’s not a chance in hell I’m leaving my sister by herself in this madhouse.
I try to catch up to them, but they’re faster for their small bodies are better for crouching under armpits and boring through narrow slits. I trail behind, following them through a maze of restaurants and clothing stores into another foyer. In the center is a glass case as big as a house. Inside are three orange tigers. Two adults and a baby. They’re pacing back and forth obviously agitated by the crowd.
People are snapping photos on their cell phones, some come right up to the glass and tap. Children are banging and shouting and the parents are letting them. I’m disgusted and want to scream out, Stop it people. Stop it! You are scaring these tigers. These tigers are afraid!
With the crescendo of pandemonium no one will hear me. I wish with all my might for the glass to break right open and the tigers to come out and maul these laughing baboons to death. I hope the powers I have will make it happen but they’re no help.
Regina is pressed up against the glass with her friends. I haven’t seen her this happy in a very long time and I can’t help but feel good about it. I have to let her enjoy this moment. I come up behind her and pull her frazzled hair away from her face and lift it from her neck so she can get some fresh air. “Oh, Stori. Look! That tiger there is looking at you!” I take a quick look. I don’t really want to, trying to contain my anger. And I know what Caroline said about being angry. I have to let it go. It’s just so hard to. Especially when there are so many things in the world to be angry about. The Night’s Council, evil mayors, this mass hysteria over a dumb casino and a room with robots somewhere in it. As I’m going down the list of why I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let go of my anger I spot something.
There on the floor, by a palm tree near the ceramic cave. I blink several times. I narrow my vision. I blink again.
It’s still there. Hallucination or not. I can see it plain and clear. My mother’s lemon cookie.
My father asked her to make a batch the night before he disappeared. He brought them to work with him, saying he had a friend that was just dying for one. Oh Shit! Soldier Sonny! What was it that he told me? I was only half listening. Oh yes! Cookies. He wanted to bring some cookies to one of the tigers! And there it is. My father must have gone in there like a dummy.
My God. Did the tigers eat him?
My heart pounds in my chest as I contemplate the worst. But the tiger is looking at me with such intensity that I have to look back. He’s staring deep into my eyes with a look on his face like he’s reading my thoughts. Yes. He is reading me, the way I read the monster the night I saved the little girl. I let him look and wait for what comes next. It’s a grin and a shaking of his head. No. He’s shaking his head no. My father’s not dead. My father’s still alive.
I have to get into that cage and find out what happened to my father. How will I do it? I need time. To figure it out.
We stay another hour. I let Regina venture back into the petting zoo and the kiddy casino where slot machines give out sugared candies. In the meantime I search all the rooms I’m allowed in, but the mayor is nowhere to be found. But then I think I spot him in a gaming room. It’s adults only and I’m not allowed in there. He’s by a slot machine with his hand on the shoulder of a young woman who’s about to pull on the lever. They’re both facing a photographer and smiling. I’m up on my tippy toes trying to figure out how to get in there. Then I see my uncle. He’s next to the security guard. He nods to me. “Valley. Keep your eye on that one.”
The guard looks me over, chewing on a wad of gum. He smacks his black baton in his palm and makes a lurching movement like he’s after me. I jump back and lose myself in the crowd. I can’t take the chance of getting ca
ught with a gun. Okay. So it’s not gonna happen tonight—getting to the mayor. Getting inside the tiger’s cage. I have to go home, gather my thoughts, regroup.
On our way out I spot Miss Van Patten again. She looks stunning in a red dress that in my opinion shows not enough leg and too much cleavage. She’s walking hand in hand with her boyfriend and as she passes I can’t help but let my anger get the best of me. “Wannabe.” I shoot it at her like a spitball and it hits her hard.
Her nostrils flare. But she refuses to look at me. She stares straight ahead and keeps on walking.
On our way out I grab a brochure. The hotel stays open all night, but the main casino, where the tigers are, shuts down from 4 to 11am. I’ve got to get back in here somehow afterhours. I have to get back to that tiger.
When we get home, Rose, the Other Mother, is making her way out of the house. “Is everything alright?” I ask her.
Rose clutches herself like she needs consoling. “Your sweet Mama is sleeping. Tell her everything you want to tell her girls. Tell her before you won’t be able to.”
20: Priscilla
Our big weekend has finally arrived. It’s the grand opening of Strive and Nate planned a night of gambling and mingling, followed by an overnight in a penthouse suite. I’ve been getting ready since this morning; you’d think it was my wedding day or something. But I want to look my absolute best.
My bags are packed. Nate is on the phone in the kitchen arranging for the concierge of our apartment building to fetch his car. I’m standing in front of a full-length mirror in the master bedroom. The dress I chose is sexy but sophisticated—a red midi with a plunging neckline and flowy satin sleeves. I try on a pair of black strappy stilettos. I swivel my hips to inspect all angles and come to the conclusion that I look great.
Now all I need are pearl earrings and an understated clutch. I rummage for my finishing touches and return to the mirror one last time. A deep breath. Nate is mine, I assure myself.
We had a fight again.
Not about what happened at his birthday dinner. I apologized profusely and Nate only took a night to forgive me. (He’s very good that way.)
This time I’m mad at him, and I’m notorious for holding grudges.
You see, he had another late night with Jerry. Nate said it was strictly business and I was fine staying home. I’ve been highly emotional lately and I didn’t want to run the risk of making a fool of myself again.
But turns out it wasn’t strictly business; she was there. And he kept it from me. Who did I find out from? None other than the little cunt herself. I bumped into her at Bloomies in the women’s shoe department. “Hey Pris.”
“Oh. Hi Trish.”
“Ferragamos?”
“Yeah. Not sure if they have my size.”
“Too bad you didn’t make it out last night.”
“Last night?”
“The dinner at the yacht club.”
“You were there?”
“Nate didn’t tell you?” She was totally eating it up. “That big record producer’s in town for the grand opening. He met up with Nate and Jerry to talk business. But he also wanted to meet me. I might get a record deal!”
I tried to play it off. “Wow. Congrats. That’s great, Trish. I’m sure you’ll do well.”
But I was fuming.
Does he even know how bad he made me look? Now she has the upper hand!
I just can’t forgive him. Even as he comes up behind me and places his strong yet manicured hands on my shoulders, I act like he’s not even there. But then he leans his weight into me and we lock eyes through the mirror. “Damn,” he breathes. “You look beautiful. I wish we could just freeze this moment. Stay here like this all night.”
He runs a finger down my satin sleeve.
“I’m really excited about tonight,” I tell him despite myself.
He sweeps my hair over one shoulder. He plants a warm kiss on the arch of my neck. Shivers run down my spine.
“You’re going to be even more excited,” he tells me softly.
“Why is that?”
“I think you have something behind your ear. What could it be?”
He pulls it out, twirling it between his fingers.
I turn to face him. “What is it?”
He holds it up between us. A casino chip. “The black chip,” he says like it’s a dirty little secret. “With this chip we have VIP access to the Heaven Lounge and will be one of its official members.”
I gasp. “How did you get this?”
He tucks the chip into my dress over my heart. “Remember those powerful people I told you about? The ones running Redemption? I’m almost in with them, Pris. I’m almost in the club. Wait till you meet some of the members tonight. Record producers, politicians and Sheiks. I’m not just gonna show you the finer things in life, Priscilla. I’m gonna show you the finest.”
He pulls me closer and kisses me softly.
I want to know the finest. I really really do.
Before we head out I open my jewelry box and slide my finger down the side. I pull out a small photograph. It was taken when Grace was four and I was nine. We’re both in our underwear and each of us have on one roller skate. Grace and I used to share everything. I look at myself. Big smile. Sparkling eyes. Happy as ever in that dirty kitchen with that one skate and no clothes. “I’ll never let you go,” I whisper to the girl. And then I slip her and her sister under my dress, where the chip is hiding; now they are all over my heart.
Strive is quite possibly the most extravagant casino I’ve ever seen. The acrobats dangling in the air above our heads, the domed ceilings of fretted ivory, inlaid with what looks like real gemstones, the chandeliers bigger than baby grand pianos. The halls leading out in all different directions. Which path to take? There are so many options and all of them look just as enticing as the next. The main hall is so grand the shouts of the guests echo off the walls. “Holy crap!” I yell into Nate’s ear. “This is amazing.”
We check our bags at the hotel lobby just beyond the foyer. The attendant hands Nate and I our key cards with an ear-to-ear grin. “Enjoy your stay here at Strive.”
Nate is happy to be free of the luggage. He tugs on his jacket and smiles up into the ceiling. “Oh yeah, baby. Tonight is going to be a good night.” Then he takes me by the hand and leads me through the mayhem.
We travel through a maze of slot rooms, bars and gaming rooms. In the dead center of the casino we come upon a tiger’s den encased in glass. There are three tigers inside. People are pressed up against the glass in wonder. Mostly everyone is taking pictures with their iPhones. We don’t stay too long for Nate says something about pleasure for peasants but as we continue I spot a familiar face in the crowd. It’s Stori. She’s coming toward me, leading her little sister by the hand. As she passes I pretend I don’t see her, but she knows better. “Wannabe.” She says.
What a wretch. I’m done. I’m totally done sticking my neck out for her. I went way beyond the call of duty there, snooping around in those missing files and getting all caught up at Rita’s bar. And for what? So this little girl can call me a wannabe? Can tell me I don’t have any real friends? I know I promised Regina I would get their dad back, but I have to face facts and stop acting on emotion. The Putzarella case is DONE.
Stori’s just jealous because I’m here with someone important. She’s trying to make me feel bad because I got out and she didn’t. Even though I’m trying to help her. Trying to make her see that living at home will only ruin any chances of getting a shot at the ladder like I did.
Somehow being mad at her makes it better between me and Nate. I’m back to teasing and pinching his ass as he leans over the railing of yet another massive fountain to throw a penny in. I point out handsome men in tuxedos and tell him “You would look a thousand times better in that.” Nate preens under my affection. He always has. He’s just a big baby, is all. He just needs a whole lot of love. And he wants that love from me, not her. So she can just get over it
.
We visit a few more gaming rooms, and peruse the menus of some of the restaurants. We stop and take a few selfies in front of a lifesize statue of David. Then he offers to take me shopping but I tell him no. I’m too excited to see the rest of this palace to be bothered with mediocre handbags and costume jewelry. “Okay, then,” he says. “Are you ready for VIP Heaven?”
“Come on. I was born for VIP Heaven.”
He leads me to a set of elevators guarded by a doorman. I’m almost convinced that he’s strapped under his tuxedo, but there’s no time to investigate for Nate flashes his black chip and says “Heaven.”
The doorman presses a button and the elevator doors open. Nate squeezes my hand and we step inside. I can feel my heart beginning to race. I’m so nervous. I’m so excited. Does my dress look okay? Is my pressed powder still holding up fine?
In the VIP Heaven Lounge, located on the 111th floor of Strive Casino, bubbly cocktails swim above four hundred heads on trays held up by robots. Yes robots! It’s the sickest shit I’ve ever seen.
They’re so human-like it’s hard to believe they’re machines. One is coming right toward me and I almost scream. I clutch Nate in fear and he laughs and kisses my head. “Don’t be scared silly.”
The robot is so quick and effortless I’m sure she’s going to knock me over. But then she stops right in front of me and says, “Excuse me my lady. Would you like anything to drink?” Her shoulder length hair swishes around her face as she adjusts her facial position.
I’m speechless.
“Olive Martini,” Nate tells her like it’s nothing.
“Coming right up,” she answers, and retreats to the bar. The back of her head is an open gash revealing a complicated mess of wires, chips and metal.
Nate knows like every other person who walks by. I know a majority of them too and I kiss hello and hand out hollow compliments as we navigate the crowd toward the VIP section. (Yes, there is a VIP in the VIP.)
Great. Nate’s mom and dad are here and his two little sisters. Over by a roulette table. Deb and Jerry too. I was hoping none of them would be here. I haven’t seen them since dinner the other night. Luckily everyone is caught up with Mayor Vaughn.
The Book, the Key and the Crown (Secrets of the Emerald Tablet Book 1) Page 20