Fifty Cents

Fifty cents:
By
Chappyone

"Can I bring you another drink, honey?'
Turning his head, he looked at the waitress and said, "No. I'm almost done, but thank you."
Taking his last fifty cents, he dropped the two credits in the slot machine and hit the button. As he got up to go, he wondered how he was going to get home. Down on his luck and without much in the bank, the prospects were limited. Suddenly, he heard a noise and with fevered excitement, turned his head back towards the machine. As the red light lit up like a christmas tree, a set of triple 7's spun up across the screen and he just stood there. Unable to believe his eyes, he watched the machine spit out coins with abandoment and suddenly, he was amazed at his fortune. Stepping back from the machine, he looked at his potential payout. His mouth dropped as the credits kept climbing and then he his jaw hit the floor.
Looking at the legend, seven white, seven blue and seven red paid out 4,000 credits. Quickly dividing by four, he couldn't beleive his luck and jumped up and down, screaming, "I won! I won!" Curious onlookers peered around the corner and one large man with a cigarette half lit smiled. Screaming, "I'm rich! I'm rich!" he grabbed the money with both hands and let them pour down as he let go of the coins. Soon a crowd form and everyone was congradulating him on his luck.
After twenty mintues, the crowd of onlookers had dispersed and what lay left was a man in pure exctasy, holding buckets of coins and sporting a shit eating grin that would have made Kelly Clarkson blush.
Soon, a small philipino lady appeared and shut off the machine, giving him a two thousand dollar cashier's check. Chalie beemed with excitement and thought of how he could now pay his rent, buy a new suit and live a life out on the town. It was unbelievable.
"What are you going to do with the money?" asked the Philipino he had come to know as Fernanda. "Spend it!" he said. Going to the bar, he pulled out the check and announced drinks for everyone." Everyone cheered and Charlie was suddenly the man of the hour. As he panned out on the scenery, a bueatiful blonde sat at the end of the bar. She was dressed in a silver ridden dress and sported darkened eye liner around emerald green eyes. Her check bones were sharp and her hair was long. As he looked at her long flowing blonde hair, he smiled and much to his surprise, she smiled back.
After the bartender poured the last drink, he excused himself to cash the check and came back with a boatload of cash lying thick in his pockets. Pulling out a fifty, he smiled at the bartender and said "Don't spend it all in one place." The bartender laughed and said he would do his best not too, but it didn't matter, Charlie was rich.
Sitting there, he wondered where he would go, what he would do. "It was so much." he thought. Tempted to save it, he threw caution to the wind and began to head for the craps table when he heard a soft, sexy voice mutter something unaudioable. Turning his head, he saw her. "I couldn't help, but notice your luck. Would you like some company?" Shell shocked by her beauty, he smiled and said, "Definately!" As the blonde took his arm, he guided her to the craps table and the fun began.
As her scent fell on him, he sucked it in and began to imagine what she would look like naked. It became a pretty picture. Gliding across the floor, the two headed to the craps table a short distance away. Not knowing shit from shinola, Charlie wondered how to play craps. He had never tried it. "Only one way to learn." he thought and approached the dealer. Smiling down at her, he said, "I need some reeducation. Excuse me." Turning his head to the dealer, he said "I don't know how to play, but got some money to burn. Would you teach me?" Clyde smiled and said, "Sure. Take a seat."
Following his que, Charlie and the beautiful blonde sat down and watched. Within fifteen minutes, he had absorbed enough information to place a bet on the line and follow the man with hot hands on his left. Watching the man betting double on every combination, Charlie soon found himself immerged in the excitement. Watching him throw another round, Charlie cheered him on as Charlie road the line. Two more throws and he had doubled his money and his chances. For a while he forgot about all the problems of the world and his miserable life. Caught up in the excitement of the moment, he cheered and raised up his hands. As the man continued to go on a winning streak, Charlie doubled up and bet two hundred on the winner. Another two and he was in the money. Sensing his luck would run out, he grabbed his chips and cashed out.
As his young companion looked at him adorningly, she asked him, "Would you like to go some place quiet?" Smiling widely, he announced, "Yes, yes i would." "It's going to cost you, you know." "I figured." he said and the two approached the desk clerk.
"Hello. Can I help you?" asked the lady in satin.
"Yes, I need a hotel for the night."
"Would you like a standard room or our deluxe?"
"How much?"
Looking down at the screen, the desk clerk announced "It will be a hundred and fifty a night. Does that suite you?"
Not even thinking about it, he answered yes. After a few momements, a key appeared and he grabbed it with relish. As the two walked to the elevator, he looked back on her and smiled. She was ravaging. Meeting his glance, she said, "Are you feeling lucky tonight?" "Yup!" he exclaimed and she laughed.
Locating an elevator a short distance away, he looked on her with a loving smile. Even though it wasn't free, he was still in awe of her beauty and had an idea of what to do. "Why don't we go outside. It's beautiful tonight." "All right." she said. Hiding in the moonlight, the two exchanged glances and said nothing, then melted lips and were soon interwinded in a slew of romance. As hands traveled from one body part to the other, Charlie began to get excited and found himself wanting her more. Kisses turned into feverish petting and the two locked arms and locked bodies, rubbing and feeling eachother until Charlie couldn't contain himself anymore. "Let us adjorn to our room." Smiling, she said "You've got it baby."
As they approached the elevator, he turned to look at her and fell in love with her face. It held the look of innoncence, yet held the look of defiance. Simple and ture, it told him that she was willing and able; and now, he was here. Taking his cue, she smiled and looked at him with a playfullness that he handn't seen in a woman in years. As the two locked arms, they waited patiently for the elevator. Finally, after several moments, the elvator door dinged and the doors opened.
Stepping inside, both found themselves alone and what happened next rocked Charlie's world.
Taking his hand, she put it on her breasts and helped him to massage them, then ran her fingers down his chest and approached his groin. He moaned and leaned towards her. She rode him hard and pressed him harder. Hard, he couldn't wait to get her to the penthouse suite he had reserved only moments before. As the two became entertwinged, Charlie kissed her hard and pushed her against the elevator wall. They made out like animals and once the elevator opened, both crawled all over eachother, side stepping back towards his room. Exploding with passion, the two continued to rub eachother down and finally reached reached room number 127.
Fumbling for the electric key card, the two broke apart and Charlie found it in the back of his pocket. Cursing under his breath, he said, "One moment please and pushed the electronic key into the door. Immediately, the door light turned green and he pushed back the door with his backside AS Angelica pushed him back, going towards the bed. Going at it madley, his hand found her dress and he kissed her with fever he had never known. Animalistic inclinations turned savage and the two were soon ripping the clothes of one another, diving on the bed and drowning profusely with passion. As the two lay naked, Charlie mounted her and drove into her, sweating profusely and breathing hard. As the moments turned, they escalated and both rode eachother hard. He felt every movement, every inclinition and then he pushed into her even harder, spawning a wave of pasion unbridled with no other, making love until well into the night.
Eventually, the fire subsided and the two lay naked. As the two lay in silence, naked bodies gleamed in the silver glow of the moonlite hovering outside and all was right with the world. Completely exhuasted and spent, Charlie got up and offerred Angelica a glass of water to which she said thank you and kissed him on the check. As Charlie stood there, he thought this is one for the record books.
"Have you ever had an experience like this one?" she asked. "No." he said, "I've only dreamed of it." Laughing, she put her hands around his neck and brought him near. As the two locked arms, passion soon resurfaced and the two made thier way back to the bed. Exploding once again, Charlie climbed all over her and massaged her breasts, loving every salivating moment until he entered her from behind and made mad passionate love once again, exploding with a momumental wave of ejaculation.
Rolling off her, he cleared his throat and tried to clear his head, but it was swimming. Never before had he felt like this. As he thought about his experience, he was baffled at it's simplicity. It was animalistic, genuine and pure. He had never felt like this before and he never wanted it to go away.
Not wanting the night to end, Charlie asked her if she was hungary and she mumbled "yes. Yes, I am." Ordering room service, Charlie discarded his concern for the price and asked what she would like to eat. "Lobster!" she said.
"Sounds good. I'm going for the same."
After speaking with desk clerk, a plate of lobster and crab were sent up to his room and they gorged themselves on the product of the seas, stopping only to wipe their hands from the buttery sauce that slide off the lobster and rode down their fingers.
Getting up, Charlie went to the sink to wash his hands and she was back on top of him again. As she slide her hands down his chest, his heart began to race and the sweat began to pour. Tempted to ride the wave again, he decided he'd best wait till he could build up speed once again. Stopping her hand at the threshold, he told her to enjoy the night and wait. He would be ready in the mourning. Tonight, he wanted to savior this moment.
Heading out to the balcony, the two stood idily bye and watched the midnight sky come alive with vibranceand light. The moon was full and hung in the air as if on a hook. Suspended in time and place, Charlie tried to think of something cagy to say, but decided he didn't neet to. He was becoming a paying customer and laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked. "No one. Just myself." She bought it and the two became entangled, holding nothing back and sharing everything, then retired to the bed where he kept her locked in his arms for the rest of the night. At three oclock, both fell asleep and drifted off to a far, a far away place.
The Next Day:
As he rose, he looked down at the blonde hair cascading across the pillow and found himself wanting her more. Tempted to wake her up, he decided to let her sleep and went over to the phone. Picking it up, he dailed the number for room service and ordered coffee and toast.
"Will there be antying else?"
"No. That will do for now. Thank you."
Hanging up the phone, he wondered if this could be for real. He had never made love like this before. He had had flings, but never the passion that went with this one. He finally decided that it was only the heat of the moment, the excitement of the night and subsequent trip to the bar that proved to be memorable.
Turning on her side, Angelica looked up at him and smiled. "Did you order breakfeast?"
"No. Not really."
"I'm fucking starving." she said. Statled by her use of profanity, he thought of correcting her, then realized where he was and what he had done. He had no right to preach to her. She was a call girl and he assumed that that came with the territory. She hesitated for a moment, then leaned up and kissed him. "Not sure?" he asked. "No," she said. "I'm not ready to be kissy kissy. I haven't brushed my teeth. As he grabbed her hair, he began to get hard again and wondered if he should do it for a fourth time.
"How much?" he asked. Smiling, she said, "The standard rate:150."
Thinking to himself, he knew he could afford it so for the next twenty minutes it was hot and heavy again; and once again, he came with abandonment. As he pushed into her, he exploded and lay drenched in sweat.
"She was phenominal!" he thought and wished it wouild never end. Feeling his eagerness, she leaned over and kissed him. "Do you want to spend some more time with me?" she asked. "Of course." he said.
"I have an idea."
"What is it?" he asked.
"I know a place. It's off the beaten path, but well worth the wait."
"I'm game."
"Okay, then lets make some plans."
The Strip
As they showered, he rubbed her down and she did the same for him. To sore for sex, they both laughed at one another and finished within fifteen minutes. Eventually room service appeared and the two sipped their coffee and ate thier toast, soaking up the joy of the moment.
"Where do you want to go first?" she asked. "I don't know. What's available?" he said.
"Let's look on the computer." As he went to the computer, he wondered how much it was going to cost him, but decided it was worth the risk. After all, he had a over fifteen hundred dollars left to play with. As he scrolled down the window screen, one thing came up: The Best Shows in Las Vegas. It emulated across the screen and promised every kind of show under the sun.
Touching his shoulder, she looked down and saw a famous comedian playing at The Improve. "There!" she exclaimed. "This one?" he asked.
"Yes. I sounds fun."
As he booked the tickets, he asked her "What seat?"
"The closest one, baby."
Hitting the best seats option, he found two for two hundred a peice and began to second guess himself, but thought, "I'm going to live for today, screw the future." As he was about to put in the credit card information, he forgot that hadn't been able to put the cash in his bank account here, but decided he could buy the tickets at the show. He just hoped it wasn't sold out.
"We'll get them when we get there, okay?"
"Yeah, that sounds good." she said.
As the two dressed, nothing was said and he wondered if he was doing the right thing.
He liked her, but he was paying for her company so it didn't seem right to lavish her with gifts and spend the money, but something called in him and he flew caution out the window and just focused on the day. He had money to burn and now, now he was with a bueatiful woman, having the time of his life and going for broke. As he finished buttoning his shirt, he approached her and ran his fingers down her back, tempted to restart the lovemaking they had had the night before, but decided against it. They were off to breakfast and the day beckoned to them.
As he peered out the angled window of the luxor, he looked at the strip with vigor. Finished getting dressed, he wondered what they would do for breakfast, so he asked.
"What sounds good? Mexican? Italian? Greek? What?"
"The Luxor has a buffet. Do you want to do that?"
"No. I want something exotic and spicy. How about Mexican food? Do they have a good joint here in town?"
Smiling, she smiled her biggest smile and said "Yes. Down the road. It's off the beaten path, but has the best Chili this side of the Mexican border. Do you want to go down there?"
Smiling his biggest smile, he said, "Yes. Yes, I do. What is it called?"
"MIguels."
"Figures," he thought. "They're here in droves. Why not make it the best mexican restaurant in the state."
Finishing up her make up, she put away her cosmetics and said, "Okay. Let's go. Are you ready?"
"Yup." Kissing her on the check, he looked at her one last time and forgot that she was a hooker playing a little hanky on the side. She was his for the day and he planned to make the best of it.
"How much is this going to cost me?" he asked.
A little hurt, the blonde bombshell said, "I"ll let you know, but right now we're just going on a "date." Is this all right with you?" Without even thinking, he said, "Yup!" and the two headed out the door.
Opening the door for her, they ventured out into the hallway. As the two strolled down the Luxor, he smiled at his luck. This had been one of the best trips of his life and he planned to never forget it. He was paying for it, but today was a "date." "Cool," he thought. He only wished it would never end. .
As he followed her down the hallway, he looked at the large atrium and marveled at it's design. "How did they build that?" he thought. He thought that the force on the butresses must have been massive, but decided that he had never made it that far in college so it would be a mystery to him. "That's okay." he concluded. "Somethings, I will never know."
Finally reaching the elevator, they stood idily bye after he pushed the down button. For a few moments, no one said anything, but he was curious. HOw could someone so beautiful do something so dirty. Then like a clock struck on the hour, he remembered the show he had seen on lifetime. "A day in the life of a vegas hooker." As he recalled the show, he remembered that a lot fo them had been forced into this way of life by circumstances. He wondered what her's was. Wondering if he should ask, he decided to keep his mouth quiet untill they got to know one another better. It was still to early and what was once a one night love affair, turned into a day of freedom.
"We have to go down the strip and see all the sights. Do you feel like gambling?" she asked.
Tempted to say, "I am. I'm gambling with my heart," he merely smiled and said "Absolutely." "Well, we should hit the strip first and head down to Ocea's. It's a dump, but has some of the best crap tables out there. You interested."
"Absolutely."
The elevator opened and the two entered. Feeling like she shouldn't have to hide, she turned her head and asked him, "What do you do for a living anyways?"
"Right now, I'm between jobs, but was an engineering major in college. It didn't work out so I joined the navy and ended up making it a career. I've been in for sixteen years now and only have four more to go."
"Bingo!" she thought. "He has a future."
Tempted to ask how she got started in the business, he wondered if he should ask this too, but soon realized he was being over cautious. "She was a call girl for christ sake. Why not ask?" Preping himself for the question, he took a deep breath and said, "How did you get into this racket anyways. You seem like a smart, intelligent girl. Why would you do this for living when you could probably do something so much better."
"What? You're complaining about the services?"
"No. Not at all. I'm merely interested in your story. Where did you start out at?"
"Well for a few years, I was a regional secretary, but as time wore on, I felt like I wasn't making the kind of money that I was interested in, then a girlfriend of mine went to Amersterdam. She told me about the money they were making over there, how much they would pay and I thought "Why not?" So I boarded a plane for Amersterdam and never looked back."
Interested, he asked her, "So how did you get to the states and do this?"
Looking up at him, she said "I spent four years in Amsterdam, making good money, god i made alot, but the call of the states called me home and here I am. I've been doing this racket for five years now and am almost ready to retire. It is a good profession. Most men who want my services are decent and respectable and I enjoy their company. Now, I am almost at the end of my fifteenth year in the business. I started when I was twenty five, but am ready to get out. The money's not what it used to be and I've made enough to retire on so it will be a good retirment," she said with a laugh.
The elevator slowed to a crawl and an older couple stepped in and smiled at them. "You look like a good couple." she said, "Where did you find him?"
Looking at the old lady, she almost had to laugh but caught herself. "He just showed up." Charlie let out a chuckle and said nothing. Inside he was dying.
The older woman laughed and the older man smiled. After a few more breif stops, they were on the ground floor. As the Atrium opened up, he took in all the sights. The large staircase up to the second level; the grand expanse of slot machines and the people playing them, the brilliant lights. It was just to much and he said, "God, I love Vegas." She smiled and said "So do I."
Finally, the first floor appeared and as they got off the elevator, he asked her if she wanted a drink. "Not yet. I never drink on the clock." He let out a nervous laugh.
He became concerend and wondered if what he felt for her was guine. "She was a call girl for Christ sake. It didn't matter what she felt so why was he acting on his best behavior? He was going to get more if he paid." He decided to let it go and just enjoy the moment. As they walked down the marble floor, Charlie looked for the exit to the main lobby and unbeknownst to him, ventured towards the front entrance. This place always confused him. It was a myrid of restuarants and bars and by the time he was about to ask a question, they were almost out of the building. "Where in the hell are we?" he asked.
Looking up, she said, "Don't worry, I know where I'm going."
Not saying anything, he only hopped so. Vegas was a mess.
Soon, the front entrance appeared and he drew a breath of relief. As Angelica opened up the door, a warm gust of blew her hair up in the air and he watched the gold fly. Covering her face, she forced herself to look forward. For some reason, it was windy as hell today and now she was taking a trick on vacation. She wondered if she was doing the right thing too; but after last night, she had never felt so much passion, so much desire. It scared her.
Looking behind her, she caught him in her line of sight and just marveled at his dark brown hair, sandy brown colored eyes and strong, robust frame. It made her excited to think about him. "That's what it must be." she thought. "I like the way he looks. I'm going to take him all over town and enjoy the day. Tonight, I go back to work."
After figuring out which way to go, they hailed a taxi cab and told the driver "To Miguels."
An Eithiopian man smiled and said, "Sure. Anywhere you want to go."
As the two held hands, it brought memories back of the last trick. The last one had really hurt her and she had vowed to never become emotionally involved with a trick again. It got to messy. Deciding to keep it professional. She pulled her hand back and looked out at the dusty air. As the buildings and hotels flew by, she wondered where she would be if she was in Amsterdam again. "Probably The Rikata again." she thought to herself.
It was a beautiful place. In spring time, the roses bloomed full and decorated the streetside, the fiolage turned green and lush and the old town square teemed with life. It was something that she missed, but home was home and she was tired of the endless affairs with men she could hardly understand. At least here, she could engage in some polite converstaion, go to shows she could understand and have fun on the strip. The night lights always allured her to a sporting night club or gave her the inpsiration to try a new deck of cards. It was her place. It was her time.
"Where do we turn?" asked the cabby. Pointing to her left, she said "There." The cabby pulled up to a dingy restaurant with a sign hanging on stilts and a set of windows that needed cleaning. Asking with hesitation, Charlie asked her "Is this the place?"
"Yes. Don't let the bad paint job and shabby sign fool you. This place is the bomb."
Taking out a twenty, Charlie paid the fare and escorted her out the car. Thinking to himself, "Escort. There's a funny name," he thought and laughed to himself. Following her up the walk, he opened the door and a bell rang.
As the door opened Magarite came running. "Senorita Angelica! How are you?"
"Bien. Bien. Como estas?" asking her in her friend's native language.
"I am good. I am good. Thank you for asking Senorita Angelica. Where do you want to sit today?"
Looking around the dump, Charlie thought "Does it matter?"
"We want a corner booth..en la esquina."
"Oh, si. Si. Come with me."
As the two went to a corner booth, they looked out on the desert sky. It was magical. A soft rose colored sky emulated from the sun above.
Taking thier seats, the waitress asked them if they wanted anything to drink. "A Bloddy Mary," Charlie said. "You?"
"I'll take a magarita, Magarite."
Laughing at the idiosyncrasy, Margarite smiled and said "Bueno! Bueno. I'll get your drinks as soon as you order." Handing out the menus, Magarite emphasised that everything on the menu was "excellente" and recommended the Chili Reyeno. "Would you like to try it Senor?" Looking at Angelica, Charlia said "what do you think?"
"It's great! Try it."
"Will do. That will be what I"m having, Magarite."
"Okay, Senor. And for you, Mrs. Angelica?"
"I'll have the same."
"Bueno. Bueno."
Margarite quickly dissappeared and went to go get the drinks, leaving the two alone once again.
As Charlie looked at the desert, he fell in love with the stark plainess of it all. Scrub brush and beautifully decorated sequaia cactuses went on for miles. As he looked on the expanse, he saw a tumble weed drift on by, blowing in the breeze. It skipped her e and there and his mind told him it was him that was blowing in the breeze. He wondered where it would lead, but was interrupted by Angelica's question.
"Reminising?" she asked.
"No. Just enjoy the sun rise. It's beautiful here."
"Strange." she said.
"Why is it strange?" he asked. "There are places that are much beautifuller, much greener than this, but the openess of the desert plain draws me to it. I have been a number of places in my life, but never have i seen a place as beautiful as this."
She merely smiled and said, "I see." As she decided to go on further, she asked him where he was from.
"Colorado. I was born in New Mexico, but after a brief stint in the Army, my Dad got out and married my mother. They were together for fifteen years, then we moved to Colorado where I spent the remainder of my youth."
"That would explain it." she thought.
"So what did you do in Colorado?"
Smiling, he said "Alot of things, but mainly I chased women and learned how to drink beer." She laughed and said, "I see you are still learning."
He laughed and said, "Yeah. Somethings you never master." They both let out a nervous laugh. As the two talked about thier childhood and subsequent problems growing up in suburbia, it turned out they had a lot more in common than she had originally thought.
He was a computer geek who never succomb to starttum and she was a young teenager who never fit in. It seemed to work.
As the drinks continued to come, their meal arrived shortly afterwards and the chili reyeno was fabulous. With a loaded mouth, Charlie let out a loud "Um. Delicious!"
"Yup. I told you. The best mexican place in town."
Devouring his food, he hadn't realized how hungary he actually was. "Slow down, honey. We've got all the time we need."
"Yeah, but it's so good." he said.
As the food went quickly, the effects of the booze matched and soon they were lost in the heat of the moment.
"What I could do with you." she said.
"You've allready done it." he said with a chuckle. Laughing, she said, "You haven't seen anything yet." Shocked, he wondered what she meant. They had done the nasty, but now she was going to do something better. He was really beginning to think this was the one for him.
"What are you going to do with me?"
"If you're a good boy, we'll see."

Smiling, he thought, "I can't wait." Excited, he said "I can't wait for the show. It ought to be awesome!"

"Yup. It's one for the record books."
"What can we do in the meantime?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know. It's your town?"
"Do you want to see another show, look at naked woman, gamble?
Thinking to himself, he said, "Gambling. I want to gamble. Where can we go?"
"Everywhere. It's the strip for Christ sake."
"Well, I'm looking for.." Cutting himself short, he stopped at woman and told her he wanted to see more shows. "They're supposed to be specatular. What do you recommend?"
Looking up at the ceiling, she thought for a moment, then it hit her like a lighting bug. "Planet Hollywood! It's down on the stirp and it has every kind of act you can imagine. Do you want to see a magician, another comedian, a superstar? What do you want to do?"
"Everything!" he said.
The excitement in his eyes told her that he was the one. The one she had waited for. Now she could show him her side of town and be real.
"Okay. There is a show that is cheap and it's got everything. A magician, aquobats, a comedian, several actually and a vantriliquist. What do you think?"
"No. I'm not much interested in the vantriliquist."
"Awe, but he's funny!" she protested.
Thinking about it for a minute, he thought "She has a pretty good sense of humor so she should be right about this."
"Okay!" he said and the two were off to the races. Devouring the rest of thier meal, they motioned for the check and Margarite appeared instantly.
"How was everything, Senorita?"
"Fabulous, Magarite. Give us the check and put on a ten percent tip for you."
Smiling broadly, Magarite said "Thank you," and turned her attention to the handsome guest that Angelica had brought in this mourning. "And how about you, Senor. Did you like?"
"Very much, Magarite. Thank you so much for the "excellente" service."
"You're very welcome, Senor. I will be right back with your check."
"Certainly," he said and they waited.
Within a few minutes, Magarite brought back the check and the two were out the door.
After they hailed a taxi from the side street, the two got in and headed towards the strip.

The Strip:
After fifteen mintues, they were once back on Las Vegas Boulevard, cruising down the strip and looking for Planet Hollywood. As Charlie took in all the lights, the billboards were gigantic and looking further down the strip, he could see lights flashing on both sides. A building appeared with a swiss cheese like covering that housed a large screen billboard where half naked women danced and captions read, "Feel the heat!" His heart jumped as he saw a bodacious blonde echoiing sex across the screen and a promise of every fantacy fullfilled. It made him hard again and he had only look at Angelica to get even more exicted.
As the thoughts ran through his mind, he had to restrain himself and kissed her on the check. "What are you thinking?" she asked.
"You don't want to know." Laughing, she said, I can only imagine. As he began to touch her thigh, she pushed back his hand and said there will be time later for that. "Concentrate on the moment right now." she told him. As he let the thoughts of her silken breasts slip through his mind, he became excited with the whole town.
People lined the streets, lights flashed in every direction and the billboards ran rampid with promises of everything you could imagine. As he looked further down the strip, he could see a large p with an h standing beside it. "Is that it?" he asked. "Yes. that's it." she said and pointed to the hugh sign appearing in front: "LIve Shows All Day Long. We're here!"
As the cab driver pulled over to the side of the road, he motioned for payment of the fair and Charlie pulled out a twenty, then laid it in his hand and said "Thank you." The short Mexican waived him off and politely waited for him and his new found love to exit the car. After getting out, Angelica looked even more desireable than before and those green eyes sparked with delight. "This gig is turning out to be even more fun than I expected." she thought.
"Follow me," she said and opened the large glass door to a circle of lights decorating the casino floor. Star like impressions lined the carpet floor and women dressed in skimpy burlesque outfits lined the tables. Soft power lights hung above the skimply dressed dealers, accessing even more skin. Gamblers lined the tables and shouts of joy could be heard in the north direction. "Craps," he thought.
A constant barrage of slots rang as wheels turned in hopes of satisfying someone's craving to win, to hit it big! As he walked by the burlesquely decorated girls, Charlie's mind went south again and he couldn't wait to get back to the hotel.
"Keep your mind on the prize." she said and told him where to go.
As they traversed across the large gambling floor, they could see cafes, restaurants and exhibits in every direction and Vegas was gleaming. Finally ,they hit the mall entrance and as they went this way and that, Angelica pointed out the good restaurants from the bad, talked about subsequent shops she had visited and which one's offerred the best deals. It was a shoppers paradise. Finally, they entered a large open area with a painted blue ceiling, deocrated with clouds and a blue sky that sent him realing. "It looked so real!" he thought. As he looked further down the mall, he could see The V Theater in bold face print. Red and alluring, it promised the best in Vegas Entertainment.
Approaching the call window, Charlie asked for the tickets that Angelica had promised and after ruffling for money, was sitting in the front row of the show room. "It couldn't get any better than this." he thought. Time would only prove him wrong. It was bound to get better. He just didnt' know it yet. Neither did she.
As the waitress appeared, Charlie thought that he would have to economize now. Four hundred bucks, six nights at the Luxor and five hundred dollars in the whole, he would have to wait to get paid before he could spend anymore money. "What to do? What to do?" he thought. As the subsequent dilema approached him, he wondered how he could phrase it so that he didn't sound like a cheap skate. He was perplexed.
Trying to figure a way out of it, he decided he didn't have any choice, he was going to have to take out a cash loan from his bank. He said, "Excuse me. I have to make a call." and left the waitress holding the bag. Scrambling to the back of the show room. he dialed the number for the bank and waited.
"Hello. My name is Mina. I will be your personal banker today. How can I help you?" Taking a moment to catch his breath, he said, "Hello. I'm a paying customer and need to get a loan. Is the loan department open right now?"
Fortunately, it was earlier enough in the day that he was able to get the loan department and secured a cash line of credit for a 1000. Breathing a sigh of relief, he thanked the attendent and hit the atm machine. A thouosand dollars later, he was back at the seat with Angelica.
Angelica appeared upset and feeling he needed to stay in her good graces, asked her "Are you pissed?" Feeling the need to explain, he didn't wait and said he was sorry but had to make an important call.
"Well, you could have told me." she protested.
Thinking to himself, he decided he didn't have too.
"I don't have to explain myself to you. Your on borrowed time. I leave tomorrow."
Angered by what he had just said, Elliwisa stammered, "I don't forget it. You know, I'm taking a chance here. I never get involved with my clients this way. You ought to be thankful."
Seeing how this was going, he apologized and said he would tell her next time. She thanked him and both sat there. Soon, the tension lessoned and they were both lost in the act of magician. As he saw her come on stage, he could barely contain himself. She was as beautiful as Angelica and he wondered where she lived. He love to go see her. A smirk appeared his face and he hoped Angelica hadn't seen him.
Caught up in the enthusians of moment, Angelica paid him no mind. Eventually, the beautiful magician placed a willing patcipant in a glass cage, lined with swords, where she placed a purple cape over the top of the entrapment and with the fling of wrist, made the participant dissapear. Dumbfounded, Charlie wondered how she did that, but didn't know how. All he knew was that it was truely magical.
More dancing followed suit and eventually, the blonde left the floor and headed to the back. As she dissappeared, beautiful brunette women danced to the enchanting music and Charlie was really digging this. Then a white blanket floated downa and all was quiet. With one flick of the hand, one of the brunettes wisked the blanket away and the blonde reappeared. Dumbfounded, Charlie how in the hell she did that. It was amazing and even though he didn't want to analyze it, couldn't help but wonder if it had truely been an act of magic or it was an act of God. He didn't know any other explanation. Continuing to be amazed, he leaned over and asked Angelica "How did they do that?" Wondering herself, she said, "I don't know, but I wish I could do that. It would save me a lot of ackward moments." He laughed and looked on. As the magician dissappered, the vantriliquist steped out onto the stage and sat on a chair.
Holding a small dummy, it strongly resembed President Clinton. As Charlie waited, he wondered what the vantriliquest was going to say, but was quickly remeid by the constant dialogue between the vantriliquest and the dummy.
"Say hi to everyone Bill."
"No. I"m not saying anything?"
Laughing, the crowd waited.
"Why not? You're not on trial. it's okay."
"Oh, thank god for that. I never thought i was going to get out of that one."
Laughing again, the vantriliquiest looked at the dummy and smiled.
"Well, Bill how was vacation?"
"Terrible," the wooden doll said.
"Why?"
"HIllary beat me up again."
Dropping his head to the floor, the wooden doll suddenly looked sorrowful.
"You let your wife beat up again, Bill?"
"No. She waited till i was asleep."
Laughing the crowd hung on every word.
"That sounds awful. How did you get out of that one?"
"I promised her a cabinet seat and she stopped."
Laughing again, the crowd enjoyed the political commentary.
"Well, you definately did that. She was a senator and now she's The Secretary of State. You ought to be proud."

"I was."
Then dropping the dolls head, the comedian looked at him and clicked his teeth. "You lost out on that one. How did she ever get that seat? You were out of office by then."
"Newt Gangritch visited on vacation."
Laugter again.
"Well, just think. You will be a wealthy man."
"I already am!" the wooden doll beemed with a smile.
"How do you figure that?"
"Ophrah!"
More laughter and silent pause.
"Oprah! Wow. Your'e the man of the hour. You must make a lot of money doing that show."
"I would."
"How "would you?" you already are."
"Hillary gets the checks."
The barrage of sexual inuendos continued and soon the two that had enjoyed eachothers company so much, laughed till thier guts split. For the next hour, the vantriliquist turned on every Clinton mistake.
By the end of the skit, Charlie and Angelica were bent over in agony. The hysterics were just to much.
As she wipped the tears from her eyes, Charlie looked at her with loving affection. They had made it.
As she leaned over, he kissed her gently on the lips and felt his hand slip over her face. She complimented him by placing her hand on his chin and running it down his grizzly face. "Tomorrow, I'm gonna shave." he said and she let out a chuckle. "You don't have to do that, but if you want too, it wouldn't hurt." He laughed it off and got up. He let her go bye and waited till she had passed infront of him, then followed her out the theater.
"I couldn't believe it!" he said. "I just couldn't beleive it. How did she do that?"
"Who?" asked Angelica.
"The magician. God she was phenomenal and-" then stopped himself short.
Following his sentence, she finished it, "Beautiful."
Feeling a little embarrassed, he said, "Yeah. Beautiful." Laughing, the nervesnous slowly passed and soon they were comparing stories. The time sliped through their fingers and they made thier way back to the pocker tables and slot machines.
Sitting next to a large, bugiy man, Angelica put her purse down and watched Charlie grab more money from his wallet. As he laid down the hundred dollar bills, she noticed that his wallet was heavier.
"Are you rich or something? Man, you have more money."
"No. Just in debt. But it's Vegas right?"
"Yeah, but you've spent so much money. Can you cover me?"
Reality hit him once again and decided to be straight with her. "Can you truely say that? We have had fun, made eachother laugh, do unbelieviable things if you know what i mean and had the time of our lives and you want to spoil it with business. I thought we were over that."
She dropped her head and turned away. "I know." she said. "I know, but where there's flame, there's fire. I have a feeling that you have someone back home. Do you?"
Shocked, he looked at her and said "No. Just me, myself and I."
Laughing, she turned back around and said "Really? I thought the way we made love back there was just a figment of my imagination, but i have never felt so alive, so real, so true than last night. It was one for the record books."
Laughing, he said, "My sentiments exactly."
As they looked at eachother, they knew that they were falling in love. Turning his attention back to the dealer, he said "I'll take two hundred in five dollar chips."
As the dealer peeled them out, Charlie gave half to Angelica and half to himself.
Smiling, Angelica found his generosity overwhelming and felt it was better to decline. After a few more words of haggling, she said, "All right, but you won't be sorry. I promise you. It will be the best night of your life."
Without saying a word, he thought, "It already was." and let the moment slide.
Turning off their prospective business interests, the two played the cards till their luck ran dry and decided to hit the slot machines with their last twenty bucks. As he put the money into the machine, Angelica did the same on the right and watched the screen light up and nothing materialize. Charlie had the same run of bad luck and both looked at eachother in dissappointment, then deciding to let it fly, dropped fifty cents into Angelica's machine and heard a noise. The light turned bright red and a siren went off. Looking quickly at the score, antoher set of tripple sevens appeared and he was jumping up and down. "Yeah!" he exclaimed as he gave her a high five. Two hundred dollars later, they were back at the craps table.
As the dice rolled, the two bet the pass line and followed the players with laser style accuracy, betting on the right number time and time again. Cheers erupted as the small lady from Iowa hit the double craps again and everyone won. By nine thirty, it was getting dangeroulsy close to loosing everything they had won so Charlie said, "I'm not feeling it. Let's go while we still got the clothes on our backs."
Looking at him sleepishly, she said "I haven't had this much fun since I was in Vegas five years ago. Man, did I have a wild time." Sighing, she said "You're probably right, but I want to hit it one more time."
"Okay." he said and she placed her fifty dollars worth of remaining chips on the table.
The little, old lady from Iowa looked up to heaven and said, "Let it ride!" throwing her dice in one final attempt at glory. As the dice came flying, Charlie held Angelica close and said, "Win, baby! Win!" Then the lady from Iowa, screamed, "I won! I won!" and so did Angelica.
Taking the money from the pass line, Angelica let out a loud scream and said, "Yeah, baby. YEAH!" Giving her the high five, Charlie smiled broadly and said, "Congradulations! You did it again! You did it again!"
"I want to go for more. Let's go for more."
Searching his eyes for answer, she didn't like what he said and said "Screw it. I'm going Vegas or Bust!"
"Don't." he said. "Don't."
Smiling she kissed him on the lips and said "Thank you."
He thought about thanking her back, but just let it slip by and focused on their next round of entertainment. "Do you feel like dancing?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah i do." she said.
"Well, where can we go?"
"What do you want to dance too?"
"Anything except wrap," he announced. He hated the stuff.
"Well, there's giagio's down the strip. It has eighties house music. Are you game?"
"Absolutely! Let's go."
Getting up off the barstool, both strolled down the main lane, hand in hand, looking at the scenery and enjoying it. Vegas never slept. If she was back in Amsterdam, she would be turning tricks in a small one bedroom brothel on Stasta's Avenue, making good money and heading out on the town after work. Amsterdam was a vibrant town, filled with old museums, old buildings dating back to the time of the 1600's and history that would google your mind if it let you. It was good to be home, but the night life of Amsterdam was something that was unriviviled in Europe. "You could go anywhere." she thought to herself. Suddenly, her attention was back on Charlie when a someone yelled a "I won! I won!" and she found herself back in the arms of the man she was coming to love.
As he looked back at her, her emerald green eyes entrapped him and he found himself having trouble concentrating. They were so beautiful, like diamonds. Clear and crystil, they peirced his soul and left him wanting for more.
"What do you want to do?"
"I think you already know." he said.
"Do you ever stop thinking of that? Can't we just enjoy the time together without thinking about the pyshical?"
"I"ve never been so attracted to someone in all my life!" he protested and went on further to say, "You have the eyes of a goddess. I love them." Almost tempted to say, "I love you." he remained quiet.
Smiling, she said, "Your sweet. It isn't anything more than that."
Feeling like someone had crushed him with sledge hammer, he yelped at her and said, "Is that all I am too you? A trick?"
Tempted to say yes, she couldn't hide her fear any longer. "No. No, your'e not, but i got hurt like this before and never will i get hurt like that again. It's a fantacy. That's all. You have to realize that."
"But i don't. I feel that we are making a real connection here. We enjoy the same things, laugh at the same times, talk about the same things. What else could you want?"
"Security." she said. "You will go back to Denver tomorrow and I will go back to Vegas." Throwing up her hands in protest. "It would never work. We are too different."
"How? We both like the same things, laugh at the same time...I mean it works, right? So why not go with it."
She couldn't deny the way that she felt, kissing him on the check, saying, "If you can live without me for a month, then it's nothing, but if you can't live with out me for a day, it's for real. Give me a call tomorrow and tell me how you feel."
As she walked away, he wanted to run after her,, to take her in his arms, to tell her he loved her,but did she love him or was it a fantasy gone arry. He didn't know. For a moment he searched his heart and found the answer in a song. "I can't leave you with a bad good bye, good bye, better said than done, goodbye." As he saw her silver figure march down that carpeted area, he went after her. "She was his." he thought.
As he ran too her, he yelled out her name. "Angelica! Angelica! Don't go. I can't live without you for a day, for an hour. I need you! I want you! I love you!"
Smiling, she said, "I wondered when you come. I couldn't wait...and now, now we're together!" Hugging him with a hug set of open arms, she took him in and kissed him feverishly, then pulled away and asked him, "Can you take me being with other men? I mean, that's my profession. Can you handle that?"
"Yes," he said. "I can handle anything you give me except a void in my heart that will be there if you don't see me again. I can handle anything as long as I have you in my arms once more." Melting into his arms, she kissed him feverishly once again and told him she was taking an early retirment. She didn't need the extra money any more. Her time as a hooker was over, now she wanted to be a lover, his lover.
Both walked the strip in utter peace and the rest was history.