70. By Jack

The water cascades down Steve’s face as he sinks his hands into the sinks for a second time, and splashes the cold water on his face. He shakes his hands, the water flying about before reaching over, and turning off the faucet. He slips the hand towel from it’s ring on the wall and looks into the mirror as he dries his face.

He sees the open bathroom door of his suite, and notices how Lisa can easily see right in as he tries to ‘calm’ himself down. He keeps his act going, and the somber tortured expression remains – on the outside – as he hangs the towel back up, trying carefully to get it just right. On the inside he smirks with the man in the mirror. You, he thinks, are the Master.

Steve sees Lisa’s reflection glance his way, and he pulls in a deep, ‘calming’ breath so he can blow it out slowly. He wants to chuckle a little. How could this woman ever have fooled him? Her face is an open book! It spells out EVERYTHING, and he loves the idea that he has gotten her so concerned for him. She is so pliable, and the bonus of turning her against Jack? Yes, he stares into the mirror, you are the Master.

He feels the excitement coursing through his body, utterly taking him over for a moment, and his body reacts as it always does when he has a girl cornered, and with no idea of what he has in store for them. Steve feels himself so hard, straining against his boxers, his hands tingle as he feels the thrill of capturing and toying with his prey rushing through him.

Now that he has her right where he wants her…. He gives himself a moment to calm down – for real this time – before Steve walks from the bathroom, his shoes clacking on the hard tile, and then muffled on the carpet. He heads directly towards the couch, his plan set and eyes locked on the seat next to her.

Steve sits slowly down on the edge of the couch, as if that is all he could muster with his last bit of strength, and leans forward, elbows resting on his knees and head hanging. 

“You think…” He starts off under his breath, and smiles as Lisa leans in to hear him. Time to finish this. “You think… You think you know someone… You spend time with them… You think you find someone who understands you… Who accepts you… Who you can feel comfortable sharing your hopes, and fears with… You think you find a relationship that you don’t have to worry about, that you don’t always have to be guarded in, that you can even show a little weakness in, and it’s okay, because they understand you and they won’t betray you… And then they fucking fuck the bellhop…” Steve’s voice is tortured and full torment, he closes his eyes willing tears to form and, as always, they start flowing on que. He feels Lisa shift her weight on the couch as she leans over and starts rubbing his shoulders, her head leaning down next to his as she matches his quiet cadence.

“I’m just-just so sorry. I wish I could say something. Something to make this hurt go away,” She pauses, her mind deciding in rapid fire what to say next. “I know how you feel… Just recently I-”

There is a knock at the door. They both look up, then glance at one another. The knock is completely unexpected, and breaks both of their trains of thought.

“Let me check that.” Lisa says and starts to lean up. Steve quickly places a hand on her knee.

“No, that’s alright.”

“Are you sure? Really, it would be no problem.” She offers with a bright smile.

Steve nods. “I’m sure.”

He slowly gets up and walks over, leaning forward to peer through the hole… And there is Jack. He feels his whole body tense suddenly, and his mind stutters to spit out a thought. This came as a complete surprise to him. This is, very simply, the last person he expected to see. His mind quickly got back on track, and it opened up a world of possibilities. Steve grins, and then doubles over, clutching his stomach, resting his hand against the wall, pretending to barely hold himself up. 

“Oh God…” He says almost as if his insides are about to explode.

Lisa springs to her feet and rushes over despite her heels and the thick carpet. 

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” She places her hand on his shoulder, leaning down to look into his face completely perplexed. “Is it your stomach?” Lisa asks, her brain working over drive trying to figure out what is wrong. Steve groans, doing his best to hyperventilate, faking a panic attack.

Lisa takes a hold of Steve’s upper arm, and gently guides him back towards the sofa. He stubbles along, causing Lisa to wrap her arm around his waist to help support him. “Come on, just sit down…” She says warmly and quietly, as Steve plops down on the couch, and leans forward, hiding his face in his hands, his fake panic attack still on going.

Lisa glances to the bathroom, and then the door. Her feet take her right to the bathroom, fills a glass with water, and she returns to Steve placing it on the coffee table in front of him.

“Here… Drink this…” She says softly.

Another knock at the door – this time louder. Both sets of eyes go to the door. Lisa listens to the breathing behind her, and she takes a few steps towards the door. Her heart thumps in her chest, becoming almost as loud in her ears as Steve’s breathing.

Every step closer to that door, and her heart booms louder, and louder.

Please don’t be… Please don’t be… She thinks as she steps right to the door, hesitates, and then looks through the peep hole. Lisa slowly closes her eyes and leans her forehead against the door. Seeing Jack now, she feels… betrayed in some way, and she isn’t even sure why that was the first emotion to cycle through but it hit her – hard. She almost feels like having a panic attack herself.

KNOCK KNOCK!

The door almost shakes against her forehead as Jack’s pounding gets louder, and more violent, causing Lisa to jump back, and clutch at her chest, as if her heart would fly out of her chest if she doesn’t hold it in.

Jack isn’t gong away… Lisa looks back at Steve, and decides on her course of action. She is… still on duty. Technically. She thought. Lisa reaches out, and unlock the door, swinging it open and trying her best to meet his eyes. It was easier than she thought it would be.

Jack is completely taken by surprise – that much is obvious by the expression on his face – he didn’t expect her to be here. He probably expected a different girl entirely.

“Leave.” Lisa says firmly, one hand on the back of the door and the other on her hip. She hopes Jack couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart because that’s all she could hear at this point – thumping and throbbing in her ears. She imagines, for a moment, she is stuck in The Tell-Tale Heart, with the beating of her own heart threatening to drive her as mad as the narrator.

“Are-are you okay?” Jack asks with wide eyes, glancing back into the room and seeing Steve on the couch.

Lisa stares up at Jack, breathing deeply to remain calm, and in control of her emotions. “Jack,” She says, again, firmly and louder this time. “Leave.”

Jack takes a quick step in, closing the small gap between the two, and leans down to Lisa, whispering as his eyes glance back for a second at Steve. “Listen, Lisa, you don’t understand what’s going on. Whatever,” Jack his voice fills up with contempt as he jabs a finger back at Steve. “He told you is a lie.”

Lisa stares at Jack, then slowly turns her head and looks over her shoulder back at Steve. Who can she believe? Jack has been weird all night long. SOMETHING is going on, something HE doesn’t want to bring up, and something HAD happened up here… Chilton had been called in on it… Steve… He has no reason to lie… Why would a stranger lie about this? Lisa turns her gaze back to focus on Jack’s face. There is concern there… But why? What would a stranger have to gain from faking being hurt about something like this, and to her of all people? Why? But then, why, Jack? Why….

Staring at Jack now, Lisa doesn’t know what to think. A wide range of emotions runs through her. She feels hurt, played somehow, and…. betrayed, again.

“Jack,” She finally speaks in a soft pleading tone. “Just please leave. You can’t help here.”

Lisa watches as Jack brings his hands up and places them on her upper arms, holding her in place as he stares right into her light blue eyes. Whatever he is about to say, he obviously wants to make her understand his point. Instead, she only feels even more uncomfortable.. “Lisa, listen – “

“Excuse me…” Jack looks up at Steve who has, somehow, sneak up on the both of them.. Lisa turns, shaking Jack’s hands from her shoulders. Steve makes eye contact with Lisa, pretends almost as if Jack isn’t there, and smiles weakly. “Thank you for everything, but I-I think this is something I have to deal with myself…”

Lisa looks between the two men flanking her, and she feels lost. “Are you sure, sir?”

Steve nods gently. “I am,” He glances at Jack, who scowls back at him. “Thanks for everything.”

Lisa struggles between her desire to just get out and leave the room, and with her job with the hotel. It feels wrong to just leave the guest, Steve, with Jack, after everything he has told her… Yet, standing her with Jack, this man she thought she knew… Lisa doesn’t know how or what to feel. She just knows she doesn’t want to be here any more.

Lisa swallows, and somehow speaks as if nothing is wrong. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”

She glares at Jack, and then pushes past him to get to the door.

“Lisa,” Jack calls after her, causing her to stop in the door way, teetering on her heels, not really wanting to hear what he has to say. “Just please, wait for me.”

Lisa steps outside, turns around, and without making eye contact with either of them she grabs the doorknob and slams the door shut.

71. By Jack

Jennifer smiles at Mike. He considers it for a moment in the noise of the bar. She does tend to keep her mouth shut, and she appears to be completely off base, as well. Sure, Alyssa IS involved, but the target is Julie.

“And what about Alyssa?” He asks.

She shrugs. “I honestly don’t know, but she NEVER acted like that in college. She never stormed out or ever got that angry,” Jennifer smirks. “Even when you boys were making fun of her. Plus the way you and Steve have been acting…”

It’s Mike’s turn to shrug and smile at her. “You really want in on this?”

Jennifer leans across the table and stares directly into his eyes. “Yes.” She says sharply.

Mike brings his beer up and slowly finishes it, before half smiling at her. “Alright, then let’s go.”

The two of them get up, moving through the crowd and head towards the exit. Just at the door, Jennifer glances back – finds him – and smiles.

—

Steve chuckles, and slides past Jack, locking the door again. He turns around and crosses his arms. “I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say you and I have a thing or two to discuss.”

“You could say that.” Jack says, not holding back his contempt.

Steve again chuckles. “Care to begin?”

Jack pauses, pondering the exact way to put it, then stares down Steve.

“What is it going to take for you to fuck off and leave?”

Slowly a smile creeps onto Steve’s face. “I see we both have the same question in mind.”

“And the answer to that question is?”

“Do you even know what’s going on here? Or are you just bumbling about with your dick in your hand trying to get it wet?” Steve asks with a smirk and smugness in his voice.

“I know better than you realize what is going on, Steve.”

“Oh? Do tell, do tell.” Steve rolls his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jack’s voice dips, and then raises back to it’s normal tone. “I just want you away from my hotel.”

“Then I ask AGAIN, Jack,” His hands slip into his trouser pockets. “Do you even know what’s going on here?”

“Mike filled me in.” He responses coldly.

“Oh, did he now? Then you should know exactly what I want.”

“You want to blackmail Julie for some real estate deal.”

“Then you know exactly what I want.”

Another pause from Jack. “I’m not going to blackmail Julie for you.”

“Then I’m not going anywhere.” Steve quickly responses, as if he anticipated his position.

“Why do you even want the money? Isn’t your family loaded?”

“My reasons are of no concern to you.”

The room is deadly silent as Steve and Jack watch one another.

“Just… leave the hotel before things get ugly.”

“Ha! Are you threatening ME? Now I know you’re nuts.” Steve grins, shaking his head in disbelief.

“No, Steve, it’s a warning – for both of us.”

Steve rolls his eyes again. “You can keep your omens.”

Jack lets out a small sigh, and shakes his head. “Is there nothing else I can offer you?”

“No.”

“Then I think this conversation is over.”

Jack heads to the door, unlocking it and gripping the cold doorknob.

“You’re going to lose, Jack.” Steve calls out behind him, somehow his voice evilly echoing out in the small front foyer of the suite.

Jack slowly glances over his shoulder back at Steve. “At least I know what I’m fighting for.”

Steve slowly smiles, and tilts his head in a mocking way, and it sends a chill down Jack’s spine.

“Is that what you’ll tell your conscience tonight so you can sleep after all that you’ve done?”

Jack’s face contorts in confusion. “What?”

“You heard me. Do you realize how easy you made my work tonight? Jack, you don’t have to do anything more tonight. Your flirting with Julie – ingenious. I was wondering how I was going to get her to drop her guard, and you gave me my opening. Oh God,” Steve chuckles like a mad man. “Then when you stripped her naked for me at the pool? Just wonderful. Mike did tell you about the photos we took, right? Jack, don’t you SEE? After all you’ve done tonight, you’re an accomplice. You may as well BE in on the plan, you’ve been so helpful. I should thank you.”

Jack’s hand tightly grips the doorknob in anger, and he feels the sweat forming as his rage raises.

“And I should beat the shit out of you.” He says through clenched teeth, trying to keep his hate from boiling over and taking control.

“Do it, Jack, do it,” Steve’s dares him, his voice full of enthusiasm as he takes a step closer. “I can’t WAIT to see the cops dragging you from this hotel in hand cuffs while your little harem watches. So do it, Jack. Go ahead,” He taps his chin. “Fucking sock me one.”

“Before this night is over, I will.”

“I look forward to it.”

Jack smiles. “Finally, something we can agree on.”

72. By Jack

Mike and Jennifer head down the quiet halls of the hotel, and closer and closer to Steve’s suite. He reaches into his pocket, finds his cellphone, and cycles through the menus. He has done this plenty of times before, and he has everything memorized. Two clicks down to get to send a message. Nine clicks down to get to Steve. One more click, and time to give him a warning message.

I-n-c-o-m-i-n-g j-e-n w-a-n-t-s i-n

His fingers pause as Jack comes around the corner. The three of them continue to walk towards one another. Jack’s face is slightly red, and it looks like he is just waiting for a reason to snarl and hurl insults. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where he has just come from.

Mike smiles as the gap closes to ten feet. “Well, hello there.”

“Fuck you.” Jack responses as he stops a few feet from Mike, his voice full of emotion, and yes, there comes the slight snarl. They both stare across the gap, teetering on it’s edge.

“No thanks.” Mike says with a calm smile. Wow, Steve did a job on Jack. Then again, Steve did a job on most everyone.

“You’re both heading for a fall. If I were you, I’d get Steve to fucking back off.”

Mike laughs right at Jack. “Hardly. Go home Jack, and get a bottle.”

Nothing like beating a man when he’s down.

Jack’s face scrunches, his lips raising, his brow pulling in. Mike slowly brings his hand out of his pocket in anticipation of a fight – again. The stare down intensifies, the other one waiting for the first move. A stand off, and neither wanting to commit to closing that last five feet. Then, Jack’s whole demeanor suddenly changes. The tension seems flows out from his body, and he breaths easier, not the hate filled deep breaths of before.

Then, scarily, Jack smiles.

Mike looks at him, confused at the sudden change in tone. Jack has gone from anger and contempt in his voice, to suddenly a cold, confident tone. An evil tone. “Did you know I’m a magician, Mike?”

“What are you even talking about?”

Jack just smiles, the right side of his mouth turned up slightly more than the left side, giving him more of a sly, sinister, smirk – one that seems very unfitting for the guy Mike knew.

“I’m a magician, Mike. I can read minds.”

Mike laughs quietly. “Read my mind.”

Jack grins and wags his finger at Mike. “Not nice. But wait… There’s…” He leans closer to Mike, making him slightly uncomfortable. “More…”

Mike crosses his arms, and rolls his eyes. So, Jack is smoking his own stuff. He’s gone off the deep end. This is, quite simply, pathetic.

“Go ahead, Jack,” He nods his head towards Jennifer. “Do tell us this ‘more’, and let’s see if you can impress ANOTHER bridesmaid. I think we all know your wonderful track record with bridesmaids – how are things with Julie and Alyssa, huh?” Mike pauses, and realizes he might have just said too much in Jennifer’s presence. He has to give her credit. As soon as things started to get interesting, she had faded into the back round and almost disappeared from the hallway. Yet there she is, standing just off to the side, her eyes darting back and forth between the two combatants.

Clever girl. Mike would have to watch himself more closely.

Jack glances at Jennifer, studies her for a moment, and then looks back to Mike locking eyes with him.

“Say, Mike…” Jack just smiles, hesitates a moment for seemingly dramatic effect before finishing. “How come Cindy doesn’t come to any get togethers that involve Steve?”

Mike stares at Jack, his face unchanging. “Cindy has come to events that Steve has attended.” He says without emotion.

Jack raises an eye brow. “Oh?” His voice taking on a higher pitch and taunting tone. “You’re sure of that?”

Mike’s face hardens. “Yes, I am.”

“Are you sure she doesn’t get sick? Or make a lot of excuses when get togethers are planned where Steve is invited?”

Mike stares at Jack.

“Shut up.”

Jack smirks, as if he knows the exact nerve he was aiming for, and got the exact response he wanted. “I told you I could read your mind.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Mike says, his anger making his face burn. There is no trying to hide it now.

Jack continues to smirk, and looks over at Jennifer. “I wonder why that is… Don’t you?” He says as he walks past the both of them and heads down the hallway. Mike feels his palms scream in pain, and glancing down, he realizes at some point he had dropped his hands to his sides and he is clenching them so tightly that his nails are starting to dig into his skin..

Jennifer turns slightly to watch as Jack continues up the passageway and then disappears down the right corridor.

Mike looks over at Jennifer, and sees a confused look on her face, her mouth hanging open slightly. “Come.” He says firmly, and starts trotting down the hallway after Jack.

Jennifer quickly falls into step besides him. “What–what are you doing?” Her eyes dart ahead, wide in confusion, digging into the path Jack has just walked. “Are you going to beat him up?”

Mike glares at Jennifer, and she keeps her eyes ahead, watching him in her peripheral vision.

“No. We’re going to find something.”

“Something?”

Mike smiles, just like Jack had a few moments ago. It sends a slight shiver down her spine.

“You’ll see.”

When they reach the same t section, she half expected Mike to take down the passageway after Jack but instead he turns the opposite way and heads directly to the elevator banks once again – at least this time Jennifer doesn’t have to sneak after him… And dammit, why does she feel like Mike is playing on her curiosity? She holds in a sigh. Probably because he is… Well, she doesn’t have to let him know she knows.

Jennifer sneaks a slight smile onto her face, and glances at Mike, makes sure he sees her interest at his words, and then looks back ahead. She, again, holds in a sigh.

Boys – so easy to toy with.

*  *  *

Lisa heads straight from that room – that cursed room – and takes a right at the nearest corridor. She hangs her head, gaze planted firmly on the carpet, and at each choice of a passage right or left, she randomly chooses one and walks down it only to come to another choice, and another random selection again.

On the fifth, or maybe it is the sixth, random choice Lisa pauses and glances around at the texture less white walls of the hotel. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, or even what she wants to do. Her only desires, she realizes now, was to get away from that room – to get away from them.

Now that she has – now that everything is changed – Lisa has no idea what she wants to do. If Lisa had just went home, and not have gone up to that room…. God, she would have showered, a nice warm shower, and would be in bed by now – maybe curled up with a good book… An Agatha Cristy novel perhaps. Instead of reading the solving of a mystery novel, she finds answers to a mystery she now wishes had remained as one…

If she had just gone home, everything would be alright… God, why? She feels the chain of her necklace cold against her skin. Her eyes dart away from those bare, soulless walls, and right to the door.

Lisa almost trots to the entrance to the stairs, pushes it open and slips inside, pressing her back against the door as if to make sure no one could follow her in. Slowly she slides down to the floor, and holds her knees to her chest. Lisa’s body shakes as if a cold chill suddenly descended in the stairwell. Yet her body is warm, and she can feel a layer of sweat on her skin.

Her heart still pounds against her chest, and her thoughts are full of confusion. Lisa had been completely blindsided by the revelations in that room, and her insides are twisted in grief.

Lisa realizes that with how hard this has hit her… Maybe the reason isn’t just because she thought she knew Jack. Maybe it’s because she thought she knew what her feelings are for Jack… Slowly she brings her hands up and buries her face in them. 

If anyone is in the stairwell, on the next floor down or up, they would be close enough to hear the muffled sobs echoing off the walls.

73. By Jack

Jennifer and Mike reach the banks of elevators. She watches as he walks over to press the call button for each. Every. Single. Elevator. She raises an eye brow at this when his back is to her. What’s the rush, Mike? How much did Jack hit home with back there? Obviously a lot. Ding. The elevator behind Jennifer slides open as Mike walks past and again commands her to follow him. She compiles, and steps into the metal box before turning around. Mike stares at her from outside the elevator. She holds his gaze, curious about why he hasn’t stepped inside yet. “Go down stairs to the lobby,” He starts, his voice unemotional. “and call Steve. Tell him you need to see him in person, and he’ll explain things to you.” Jennifer wonders what kind of person Mike thinks she is. Here he is, once again, playing on her curiosity. He’s hoping to delay her, and that because he knows her ‘flaw’, he thinks she’ll just go along with it because she burned to know what was going on… And not just because she is trying to get a good spanking tonight. Mike is right though. She will go along with things because of that burning. She nods at him and presses the lobby button. Oh, she’ll go along with things – just so long as they suit her goals.

74. By Jack

This is not Tim.

His face looks different. His eyes are sunken in, just a little, but it’s enough that Dave notices it. Twice in the past three minutes his upper lip on the left side has twitched, almost as if he is about to do an impression of Elvis Presley. There! There it is again! His lip jumps in almost a convulsion, revealing his canine tooth.

This is not Tim. Dave thinks as Tim stalks through the hallways, a scary gleam in his eyes as his feet stamp, and with each step somehow conjuring up a sound despite the dampening properties of the carpet.

Dave stuffs his hands in his pocket, and feels them shaking. He doesn’t want Tim to see that and concealing his hands does the trick, but he can do nothing to stop the nervous sweat. With his hands securely tucked away, he could just feel the wetness in the pit of his arms, sopping and running down his upper arms causing his shirt to cling to them.. It makes Dave feel dirty.

The hall way seems darker now, the white walls so dull, devoid of life, and the colors of the red carpet muted by the gloomy mood in the air.

“Where are we going?” Dave asks carefully, keeping his stare forward and blank.

“I told you,” Tim says, marching forward on a mission. “We’re gonna find that fucking cock tease, and do whatever we want.”

Dave wants to look at Tim, and tell him he’s nuts. He’s crazy. He’s bonkers. He’s coo coo. He’s off the deep end. He’s gone bananas.

But he can’t tell him that. Because Tim is nuts. He is crazy. He is bonkers. He is coo coo. He is off the deep end. He has gone bananas. He scares Dave now.

“Wha-what if we’re wrong?” He asks quietly, trying not to draw the wraith of Tim down upon him.

Tim jerks to a stop in the seemingly dim hallway and turns towards him. His lip hops again, two quick jumps. He practically jumps towards Dave himself, who backs up almost against the wall.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He jabs a finger hard into Dave’s chest. “That slut got fucked by Jack, she got fucked by that prick, and she’s gonna get fucked by us.”

Dave shrugs. He doesn’t know how to respond to that. She WAS with Jack, and she DID leave with Steve… And she filmed that video with Steve… God, and she was willing to strip for them… Dave finds this all so confusing. In that room he desired Julie, he wanted her more than any girl before, and yet… Dave looks at Tim who is still waiting for a response it seems. He shrugs again, unable to both summon the courage to look into that now dark face of Tim, and the ability to reason out the situation.

Tim chuckles and smirks, and again the nervous tick returns to give his face a sinister, no, demented look.

“Dave,” He says calmly, and for a second he thinks his friend is back. “Tell me something…” Dave thinks it is rhetorical statement and for a moment he doesn’t respond, but Tim raises an eye brow trying to incite a response.

“Uh, what do you want to know?” He asks trying to keep his nerves under control.

“What do you call a girl who fucks a guy at the pool?

Dave shrugs.

“That’s alright. What do you call a girl who fucks a guy at the pool, and then fucks a different guy in his hotel room?”

Dave realizes exactly what he wants from him.. “A slut.”

Tim grins. “Are you seeing the pattern here? What does a girl who’s fucked two guys already do when she’s stripping for two other guys?”

Dave is confused.. On one hand, Julie DID have sex with those two guys, and she DID strip for them, and-and maybe more. His memory is still so foggy, he isn’t sure of anything anymore. “She… fucks them…?”

“Right, she gets fucked. Do you know why?”

Dave shrugs his shoulders slightly, and looks away.

“Because, Dave,” Tim leans in slightly. “Sluts get fucked. That’s what they love. They pretend to be innocent and then they fuck the waiter. They pretend to be innocent, then they run around in a towel and get their pussy filmed on camera. They pretend to be innocent, then they fuck their filmer. They pretend to be innocent, and then they strip for security. She’s a slut, Dave, that’s all they’re good for. That’s what they want, Dave. Sluts get fucked.”

Dave remains quiet.

“Dave,” He chuckles as if speaking to a child who didn’t understand what basic principle. “Julie fucked Jack – a stranger. What is she? Say it.”

“A… slut.” Dave answers, and realizes he can’t keep his nervousness in any longer.

“She posed on camera for some dick and showed her shit off. What is she?”

“A slut.” Dave answers louder, and he considers it: Is Tim actually right? Nothing he said is a lie or untrue. Not at all. In fact, everything he said is true. Julie did have sex with Jack. Julie did let Steve film her. She did it all. Even though Dave still feels an uneasiness about this all – this whole night – and yet he finds his resolve cracking just a little with Tim’s onslaught of words.

“Julie wanted to suck our cocks before Jack drugged us. What is Julie?”

“A slut.” His memory isn’t completely clear on what happened, but that… That memory is there. He thinks.

“And what do sluts get?”

Dave remains quiet, unwilling to say it.

“Now say it, Dave. Say it, and remember when she was on her fucking knees ready to blow us. How innocent was she then, huh? What kind of girl wants to be double teamed? Now say it. What do sluts get?”

Dave sheepishly glances up at Tim.

“Sluts get fucked?”

Tim puts his hand on Dave’s shoulder and gives him a reassuring squeeze.

“Sluts get fucked.”

75. By Jack

Alyssa’s face is twisted in thought outside her room. She’s right. You have no plan. Just a goal. A desired end result. Get that camera, and prevent the humiliating and embarrassment that Steve obviously has lined up for you. You smile and can’t believe what you’re about to ask. A twinge of guilt hits you at that thought. Alyssa doesn’t deserve that – not after all she has done. “Any ideas?” You ask. A slow smile grows on Alyssa’s face. Then she shrugs. “Not really.” You let out a long, slow sigh. First Jack had stripped you of panties. Then he had absconded with your dress. Then Steve had taken your belongings. The two security guards sought to take you. Now, the camera floated around, and you know what Steve has in mind. He wants to take – figuratively – your life. Steve wants to hold your life in his hands, and to use that power to dictate what else he’ll take from you… Which would be everything. He’d take, and take until there is nothing left. What then? Would Steve stop when he has squeezed everything from you? Is Steve the kind of man to leave an ember of life still alive? He would – if it suited his purpose. You know him, which just makes the situation you’ve fallen into all the more poignant. All the more poignant, because you should have seen this all coming… Because you did see this coming. Maybe not exactly what Steve had planned, but you knew he had something diabolical in mind. You look up into Alyssa’s blue eyes, and you’re reminded of the pool. Steve had come out with his hunch men, and tried to get himself a strip tease. There was Jack, though, dripping wet from the waters to distract Steve from his desires. The only problem was that when Steve exited stage left, he not only left the outdoor pool – but he left your radar. Steve hadn’t been the only one who was left distracted. You had dodged Steve, parried him at every turn, because you knew how he thought, and you knew he was a competitor seeking to beat you. You knew what he wanted, or so you thought, and all week you and Steve had danced a dangerous waltz. Then a simple bet – will Mark smash that stupid cake into Michele’s face – changed everything. What if Jack hadn’t won that bet? What if he hadn’t made you give your panties away to Grandpa? You had seen the look in Steve’s eyes all week. You had that feeling in the pit of your stomach telling you to get out. You had the thought to just go up to your room, lock it, and wait for the sun to raise to banish these creatures back to their abyss. But you stopped thinking with your head, and started thinking with something else. Now, you’re in danger of it again. Alyssa is right. You need a plan. You feel yourself going down the same path. You’re becoming clouded by apprehension this time – even if it’s well founded – but in that haze you’re forgetting to plan, to plot, to play. These two are NOT Steve. You smile at Alyssa, and think back to your conversation just moments ago. Maybe Alyssa is far smarter than you give her credit for.

76. By Jack

The doors closes between them, and for the time being, they’re cut off from one another. The elevator smoothly rides down and then stops three floors below where Jennifer had gotten on. She steps out. Jennifer doubts Mike stuck around to watch where the elevator stopped – he seems much too emotional about something to do with Cindy and Steve. Wow. Now THAT makes her interested. She picks up her cellphone and quickly calls Steve. “Well, hello.” He answers with his normal confidence. “This will be an interesting conversation.” “Aww, are you being sarcastic? That’s so unlike you, Steve.” “So, what can I do for you, Jennifer? I’m getting ready for bed soon.” “Liar. I need to see you downstairs.” Jennifer trots along and heads to the stair well, pushing it open and starting up the stairs slowly back towards the suite floor. “And why can’t we do this over the phone?” “Because.” “Because? Are you five?” “Because Mike said you’d meet us down there, and explain – everything.. Not to mention he has something to tell you.” Silence again on the other end. Not a lot, but enough that Jennifer picks up on it. “Did he now?” Steve says, obviously probing. “Sure did.”  “And what does Mike want to talk about – with you included?” “He wouldn’t tell me. But he said you’d be interested in what he has to say.” Another pause. “I’ll be right down.” Jennifer closes the cellphone with her hand and grins. Boys – so easy to toy with.  *  *  *  Alyssa tilts her head at you. “What?” “You’re brilliant.” You repeat. “I-I am?” She replies with a quiet shock in her voice, and then smiles at the compliment. “Yes.” The two of you head down the hallway from Alyssa’s hotel room, side by side and you imagine the contrast between you, in Alyssa’s spare black nightie, and her still all decked out in her bridesmaid’s gown – jeez, good thing no one seems to be out trolling around at this hour. “So, where are we going?” Alyssa asks, glancing casually over to you as you make your way down two hallways and finally find the elevators. “To bait the trap.” You reply with surprising confidence as you both walk past the banks of elevators and down the passage. Alyssa raises an eye brow as you pick up the house phone  “Hi,” You say to the woman answering on the other end. “I’ve lost my key card, and I was wondering if security could help me in… Thanks.” Alyssa tilts her head at you, her expression begging to know if you’ve really lost your mind. You smile at her reassuringly as you hang up the phone. It’s just a question of whether you’re getting what you want or whether someone is taking advantage of you.

77. By Jack

Chilton was careful. Although he tended to remain in his office, and use the cameras to monitor the situation and hotel there were still people who would recognize him. Then he’d have to explain why he was in uniform.. So Chilton was careful. He made his way through the long way, and avoided the front lobby. He circled through the hotel as if he was on a drug bust trying not to be seen by the perpetrators, and not giving away the whole raid. Finally he made it to his destination. Over the years he has heard a lot of different music pounding out of boom boxes and ghetto blasters on the streets or apartments. Latin beats, hip hop, reggae, ska, and in one case, a lovely old turntable with Edith Piaf. It was all the beat of the street, and the city. This, however, is different. These dance mixes say nothing to Chilton, and they shouldn’t say anything to this man either. “Hello, sir.” William Gibson looks up and as he brings his eyes to meet Chilton’s, he obviously gives his uniform a scan. Yeah, Gibson, it’s the real deal. “And what is an officer like you doing in a place like this? Chilton gives a half smile, and realizes even with all his sneaking past his own staff, there were plenty of people here who were pretending to not look his way. Better not make even more of a scene. Watch yourself, Chilton… “Would you like to come with me, sir?” Gibson crosses his legs and rests his hand on his knee, as if to say he isn’t going anywhere. “Am I under arrest, officer? Have I done something wrong?” Chilton shakes his head and thinks back to the tapes. “No, not at all.” Gibson picks up his whiskey and takes a sip before placing it down on the coaster. “Then why should I come with you, officer?” Time to reverse this fuckfest. “Because I think you’ll want to hear Steve’s message.” Gibson’s face is unchanging. It’s that same fuckin’ poker face from years back. Nothing is given away, not even to the trained eye. He picks up his whiskey again, and finishes it. “Shall we?” He says getting up.  *  *  *  Dave and Tim march towards the security room. If they are going to find Julie, and where she has gone, they’d find it on the tapes there. They covered almost every inch of this hotel – the eyes in the sky saw all. Dave still feels extremely uneasy. Half of him wants to just leave, and quit. Just get out. The other half…. The other half is silent. Hidden. It… doesn’t want to be here. Dave realizes. “Come on.” Tim says quietly, almost to himself, as he slips the key from belt and unlocking the door. They both enter the security room, or as they call it, the command center. Banks full of monitors scan the little world that exists inside their bubble. A lot of money was spent to install the highest tech – and then they wouldn’t actually hire someone to watch it 24 hours a day. Well, technically one of them is supposed to watch it but that is so dull – so Tim and Dave tended to both just wonder around together either in the hotel or goof off in the command center. Tim leans down and starts rewinding tapes. “Where are you…” He starts muttering under his breath. “…Where are you, you fucking tease… Show yourself…” Dave’s pants start vibrating and for a moment he’s confused. He pulls out his cell and stares at the number – the front desk… Emily… He looks up at Tim, and then back at the phone.

78. By Jack

Chilton and Grandpa walk side by side from the bar and duck off down an empty corridor for some quiet.

“So, how do you know Steve?” William Gibson asks.

“That isn’t important.”

“Alright.” 

Chilton is surprised that he gave up so easily. He eyes this Gibson and summons all the subtle intimidation of a beat cop into his voice, hoping the uniform will reinforce it. “Steve wants it back.”

“Wants what back?”

Chilton didn’t expect it to work this easily. It was worth a shot though.

“You know.”

Gibson shifts and turns his head slightly.

“Enlighten me, officer.”

“The camera.”

Chilton was hoping to get a reaction. To make Gibson seem like he ISN’T actually with Steve – and then surprise him with knowledge that just proved it. Yet again, that fuckin’ stone wall face.

“I’ll give you the camera, If you tell me what you’re doing with my nephew.” He says with a slight nod of his head, his voice pleasant and welcoming. It almost came off as if Gibson is doing Chilton a favor!

But it is an interesting proposal…

“Camera first, and then I’ll tell you..”

“Tell me first,” He pulls out the camera. “And then you get this.”

Chilton eyes him.. “Steve and I are attempting to blackmail a girl out of some cash.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Doesn’t matter. I answered your question already.”

 

Gibson shakes his head and slaps the camera into his hand.

 

“You aren’t working with Steve,” He says with what seems to be disappointment in his voice, and starts walking back towards the entrance to the bar. “If you were, you’d already know the camera is blank and he has the pictures of Julie still.”

 

Chilton starts to open his mouth when Gibson smirks slightly over his shoulder. “You aren’t working with Steve, officer. You’ve been played. He’s working you.”

 

Fuckin’ Gibsons…

79. By Jack

His eyes trace over your body from behind. There you are in Alyssa’s little black nightie. Once again, you’re out scantily dressed. Alyssa stands by, arms crossed and looking worried. He walks closer to you, and sees the both of you talking quietly. Out of the corner of your eye you catch him. Your mouth drops wide open and Alyssa takes a step back. This is the last person either of you expected. “We need to talk.” He says and holds out your braidmaids dress draped over his arm and your pocketbook. You and Alyssa glance at each other.