Shaw looked back at Jones, who continued his address. “I would like to apologize for the outburst. We do understand that the show is controversial. The Serengeti Casino will not take sides. As a business with shareholder interest, it is our stance that we are only out to fill consumer demand.”
Jones looked at Shaw, who gave him a positive nod. “If I may continue, the show floor is divided into three areas. The first is the predators section in the northeast corner, which will keep the carnivores penned in behind a thicket comprised of brush and thorns. The thicket wall has a gate that show producers can lower to give the predators access to the main floor space. The second is the prey area, which is a large section in the southwest corner. It allows for ample grazing by herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle. The animals inside this encampment will be protected by the rapidly moving waters of a roaring river that no predator will dare to cross. Show producers will lower the river, and through the use of Australian sheep dogs, force the herds onto the main plains, where the live hunts will take place.
The third section comprises the entire center section of the floor where most of the action will take place. This area is designed to be the place where predator and prey will meet, otherwise known as the killing zone.”
It was a direct flight from South America to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Shark, Wolf, Cahira, and Frenchie made their way through customs with real passports that Old Jack had enclosed with their tickets. Nothing surprised Shark about Old Jack. He knew that he was well connected.
The only clothes they had were on their backs so they bypassed the baggage claim and headed for the taxi stand. As they walked through the airport, Shark thought about Dog Z Boy and their first trip to Florida. How excited he was when they walked through the airport in Fort Lauderdale. Shark looked over at Frenchie and her swollen belly. Dog Z Boy would have made such a great dad, he thought.
As they approached the taxi line a giant black stretch limo stopped in front of them. A driver stepped out and walked around to the back door of the car. He opened the door and motioned for the four of them to step inside.
The limo left the airport through a small tunnel and traveled parallel to the Las Vegas Strip. The vantage point gave Shark an incredible view of the enormous structure.
“Is that the Serengeti Casino?” Shark asked the limo driver.
“Yes, it is,” the driver answered.
Shark was amazed by its immense façade, how it totally dominated the entire lower half of the Las Vegas stip. The outside walls of the amphitheater were wrapped with large, colorful scenes of Africa. There were lions, herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest, all set against tall green grasses, all grazing under a perfect African sunset. The entire scene painted a portrait that made the complex seem family-friendly and serene.
They exited the limo and walked through the large glass doors of the casino. Shark felt the heat of the Vegas midday sun give way to a burst of cool air from the casino’s massive air conditioning. As they walked, Shark could not help but notice the lights and sounds coming from the thousands of slot machines. They combined to create a stimulating mix of excitement and trepidation.
He approached the front desk and was greeted by a pretty young woman dressed in an African sarong. She looked at Shark as if she knew him. “Hi, welcome to the Serengeti, Mr. Shark. We have been anticipating your arrival. You and your entourage are booked in our high-rollers presidential suite on the top floor. It has four bedrooms and a private concierge. You should be very comfortable.” The woman handed Shark electronic keys to the suite and pointed toward a special bank of elevators. “It’s the third elevator on the left. It takes you straight to the penthouse. Enjoy your stay.”
The elevator door opened directly inside the penthouse suite. It was sprawling and well appointed with fancy furnishings, a full bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a great northern view of the Las Vegas strip.
A grey-haired older man dressed in a sharp suit greeted them. “Welcome to the Serengeti. My name is Sam, and I am here to serve you.” He reached out and shook Shark’s hand. “Right this way, everything has been provided for.”
Sam led them to the bedrooms and showed them closets full of clothes that matched their sizes. There were tuxedos for the men and evening gowns for the ladies.
Shark was quickly thrown back into reality as the creature’s name he hated most in the world was uttered by the concierge. “Old Jack will be expecting you at eight o’clock p.m. You have a reservation at the Sky Tower Restaurant next to the Paris Casino.”
Sam handed Shark the invitation to dinner. Shark’s eyes grew wide as he noticed it was signed by Vixen.
Shark looked at Sam with disgust. “How’d a nice guy like you ever get hooked up with a crooked coward like Old Jack?”
“I assure you, Mr. Shark, I do not get involved in my clients’ affairs. I’m simply here to serve the guests. If you have a disagreement with Old Jack, then I prefer to think that should be handled in a gentlemanly way between the two of you.”
Shark looked at Sam skeptically, then realized he was just doing his job. “Fair enough. Can you make a martini there, Sam?”
“Only the best in all of Las Vegas, Mr. Shark.”
“Great, then make it four. I think we could all use the edge taken off before the meeting with Old Jack.”
Sam left the room and Shark made his way to his closet, reached for a tuxedo, and laid it out on the bed. He took a moment to look out the window and up the strip, spotting the Sky Tower Restaurant. “I don’t know what your plan is, Old Jack,” he whispered to himself. “But mine is to make you pay.”
CHAPTER 20
Blackbeard’s Bounty Bar & Grill
Shark showered and was ready well before the others in his party. He stood before a large wall mirror and thought he looked super sharp in his tuxedo. He stepped out onto the penthouse balcony on the top floor of the Serengeti Casino. The balcony faced north and provided a full view of the Las Vegas strip. Shark backed up and lifted his right leg, using the bottom of his foot for balance, as his back fell flush against the side wall. He looked up the strip, taking in the beauty of the Vegas skyline and the millions of bright, flickering lights. Dog Z Boy would have loved this place, he thought. He closed his eyes and again let his mind drift off to memories of Vixen and of his best friend, Dog Z Boy.
The Florida morning felt perfect to Shark, cool and clear. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean were calm as its gentle waves lapped the shoreline. He looked out across the sea at the array of bright colors lighting the horizon as the sun began to rise. He went back to holding her, holding Vixen in a tight embrace, under a blanket on the beach in Key Largo. Yes, perfect, he thought.
“Last night was incredible,” Vixen whispered as she snuggled her head into the crook of his neck.
“Yes it was,” Shark responded as he gently ran his fingers across her face, taking time to slowly circle the small star tattoo on her left temple. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
Vixen lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. “You guys are heading to Key West tonight, right?”
Shark nodded yes.
“My dad has a place near there called Gill’s. I’ll be going down for a visit today. Maybe I could meet up with you guys down on Duval Street tonight?”
“That would be great,” Shark answered excitedly. “Anyplace you would recommend?”
“The nightly sunset festival down on the piers is always fun. But I won’t be able to make it until late, so maybe we could meet at a bar called Blackbeard’s Bounty at about eight-thirty.”
“I read about that place. Hemingway used to drink there. It’s on my list of places to hit.”
“I think you’ll really like it. just try not to get into too much trouble before I get there.”
“That, I can’t promise. Dog Z Boy and I have been known to get kind of crazy.”
“I know, I was with you two last night, remember? I don’t think the Duck h
as ever seen two crazier party guys than the two of you. I think they’re going to have to place a special order to replenish all the booze you two drank.”
“We have been known to put the drinks down.”
Vixen stood. “I’ve got to go.”
“See you tonight then,” Shark said as he looked up at her.
Vixen bent and gave him one last kiss. “Eight-thirty p.m. sharp at Blackbeard’s.”
Shark watched as she walked away, until the vision of her beautiful body disappeared into the early morning summer haze.
Shark stood and made his way back to bungalow eight at Bill’s Resort and Spa. As he entered the room, he could hear Dog Z Boy snoring. He decided to let him sleep as he grabbed a quick shower.
Shark dried off and could smell the scent of fresh-brewed coffee coming from the bedroom. He knew Dog Z Boy was awake. As he stepped out of the bathroom, Dog Z Boy handed him a cup of the steaming, mind-awakening beverage.
“You guys hook up last night?” Dog Z Boy asked with a smile.
“Let’s just say we spent the night on the beach talking.” Shark tried to dodge the question.
“Talking? You expect me to believe that? She couldn’t keep her hands off you last night.”
“Listen, I really like her. And I respect her. I don’t want to get into anything.”
“All right, all right. You don’t have to get all weird about it. I get it. Big Shark’s in love.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. It’s all over your face. Love, love, love!” Dog Z Boy teased.
“Get over here,” Shark demanded as he put his coffee down, grabbed Dog Z Boy, and dragged him to the floor. The two wrestled. Shark put Dog Z Boy in a friendly headlock. “You know what happens when you like to annoy me, don’t you?”
Dog Z Boy laughed and kept annoying Shark. “Love, love, love!”
Shark stuck his finger in his mouth and wet the end. Dog Z Boy laughed louder and began to squirm. “No, not the wet willy!”
“Are you going to stop?”
“Stop what, mentioning that you are in love, love, love?” Dog Z Boy continued to laugh and tried again to squirm out of Shark’s powerful grip.
“That’s it.” Shark moved the tip of his wet finger and rubbed it inside Dog Z Boy’s ear.
Dog Z Boy squirmed and laughed. “That’s disgusting.”
Shark stood and smiled at his friend. Dog Z Boy wiped his ear dry and smiled back. Shark knew they both liked teasing each other. It was always in good fun.
“You ready to ride?” Shark asked.
“All I need is a quick shower and I’ll be ready to roll,” Dog Z Boy answered.
It was late afternoon when Shark made a right turn off the overseas highway on to North Roosevelt Boulevard and into the city of Key West. He checked his rearview mirror; Dog Z Boy was right behind him. He followed the road south as it turned into Truman Avenue, remembering from the guidebook that the street was named after President Harry Truman, who once called the famous southern city home.
After a few miles of riding past colorful homes that dotted the streets, Truman Avenue brought him to a corner and the main action of famous Duval Street, which ran east to west, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, at the tip of Key West.
Shark had read that Duval Street was the main artery for shops, restaurants, and some of the most famous tourist attractions in the Keys— the bars of Duval Street. The Duval crawl was a beer-drinking tradition where patrons would start at one end of the street, have one drink in each bar they passed and see how many bars they could actually hit. Very few tourists, or locals for that matter, were ever able to claim victory on a full crawl. And for some, one, two, or maybe three bars in an afternoon or early evening were enough—places to sit, relax, drink, and enjoy the incredible live acoustic music played by talented, barefoot musicians.
Shark guided his bike and Dog Z Boy to an old rundown guesthouse that was located two blocks from the action. He showered quickly and was ready for the night just before 6:00 p.m. He and Dog Z Boy stepped down off the old squeaky floorboards of the guesthouse porch and walked south on Front Street toward the party action on the piers. Shark felt anticipation and excitement fill his body as they made a right on the corner of Front and Duval and headed for the many waterfront bars that called the old wharf area home.
“We’re almost there, Dog Z Boy,” Shark said. “We’ll spend two hours celebrating sunset at the bars on the water, and then, after day gives way to night, we’ll move inland three blocks to the famous Blackbeard’s Bounty Bar.
Dog Z Boy looked up at him with a large smile, which made Shark give him a large one back.
Shark took in the incredible view from the deck of the Mast and Sail Restaurant and Bar. Just to the north was a marina that moored sailboats, motorboats, and large, beautiful schooner ships that offered tourists an authentic feel of the Old World during nightly dinner and party cruises. Directly west was Key West harbor. He could see hundreds of small boats anchored for their own private sunset parties. As his eyes moved from the harbor toward the setting sun, they were immediately drawn to the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico that stretched all the way to the horizon.
Shark and Dog Z boy had perfect seats at the outside concrete bar. The crowd, which was a mix of tourists and locals, was electric. A live band played steel drum, tropical island music as the exotic mix of revelers drank and danced. Vacationers are always in a good mood, Shark thought, and since one could say that living in Key West was like being on vacation, the locals would always be happy as well.
A tourist with a solid buzz elbowed up to the bar next to Shark. “Hey there,” he said with a strong slur. “You guys want to do a shot of tequila?”
Shark looked at Dog Z Boy, whose mouth and tongue began to pant in pure willingness.
Shark looked back at the tourist. “That would be great. But you don’t need to buy—let us get our own.”
“No way! I offered, so I’ll buy.”
Shark gave the guy a positive nod. If he insisted on paying, then who was he to argue?
The bartender placed three shots down on the bar. Shark took a shaker from Dog Z Boy and lined his thumb with salt. The three partiers each picked up a glass, raised it into the air, licked the salt from their thumbs, and quickly downed the agave-based beverage. Shark shook his head for a brief second as the initial jolt of alcohol hit his brain. He picked up a slice of lime from the bar and sucked it, his face puckering from the tartness of the famous Florida Keys fruit.
“Wow!” Dog Z Boy yelled. “That was great. Nothing like a good shot of tequila to get the party started.”
Shark enjoyed the shot. “Yes it was, Dog Z Boy, yes it was.” Shark raised his knuckles in the air and banged them against Dog Z Boy’s and the tourist’s.
Dog Z Boy was smiling ear to ear as the rounds of drinks kept coming. “You know, Shark, I really do enjoy your company,” he said sincerely. “This is the best vacation of my life. I think I might be able to live here. As long, of course, you do, too.”
Shark felt a wave of unexpected happy emotion run through his body. “Thanks, Dog Z Boy, I feel the same way.”
As the sun started its final descent, the bar patrons lined the railings of the deck. They were all facing west, their faces all aglow with the orange-red reflection of nature’s mesmerizing fiery orb.
Shark watched the silhouettes of the masts of tall sailing ships, out on their nightly tourist cruises, cut picture-perfect postcard outlines in the center of the setting sun. Shark looked around and took everything in. He was amazed by the total coolness of the scene, and thought to himself, This lifestyle would be very easy to get used to. As the sun made its final descent, he thought of Vixen, and the plans they had made. He checked his watch and smiled, knowing that he would see her again in only a half-hour’s time. The sun set and bar patrons cheered and hugged as the celebration of another day of life came to an end.
Shark and Dog Z
Boy left the Mast and Sail Restaurant and headed up Duval Street toward Blackbeard’s Bounty. They passed another bar called The Wayward Maiden and stopped for a second to listen to the sounds of cool reggae music that filled the air from an open patio just behind a large wooden fence.
“Sounds pretty cool,” Dog Z Boy said.
“There is definitely something special about reggae music that just makes you want to party,” Shark chimed back.
Shark strolled another block with a slight hop to his step and crossed Green Street. He looked up and stared at the giant neon Blackbeard’s Bounty sign that hung above their destination bar.
The live band was in full swing as they passed through the crowd and stood elbow to elbow at the old saloon’s bar. The place felt crowded and hot; the twenty or so ceiling fans were doing their best to keep the air flowing. Shark did not care; he was on vacation and the party was in full swing. Shark held up two fingers, and a bartender quickly appeared with two beers.
Shark’s attention was quickly drawn to a large bull elephant that was seated in the corner of the room. He was boisterous and loud. His long, white, curved ivory tusks created a whooshing sound as they sliced through the air each time he turned his massive head. A sign at his feet read:
The Out-Drink-An-Elephant Challenge. Are You Man Enough? You Provide The Beer. I Provide The Competition!
“Any takers out there, any real partiers in the room?” the elephant bellowed.
Shark watched the crowd, waiting to see if there were any takers.
“I could take him,” Dog Z Boy said confidently.
Shark looked over at Dog Z Boy, a little surprised. “Yeah, he outweighs you by about ten thousand pounds,” Shark joked. “I’m sure he would shiver at the sight of you.”
Shark & The Wolf: Predators and Prey Page 15