This is a tale from the San Francisco Kindred files. As it is rather lengthy, I have split it into two documents. It presents a nice portrait of the Doctor in action. It does owe a debt to several other authors (kisses to Ellen & Lyrica in particular) and Dr. Robert wants you to know that if you spot any typos, they're probably not his fault. (Sly wink!) Again, if you don't know the Masquerade jargon, just ignore it, or send an e-mail to Dr. R with specific questions. Ta!

November 14th, about 9 p.m.

Dr. Robert left Clare at the Union Office, buttoning up his shirt as he stepped out into the darkness. His childe seemed to be doing nicely without much effort on his part... Brujah were always so independent, anyway, he thought, vaguely wishing he might have made a Toreador childe, someone a little more thrilling than stubby little Clare. However, Robert knew her significance and her importance...not every creation could be for selfish pleasure alone, like Annie White had been. He smiled at the thought of her and wondered if she missed him now that she was back home in Toronto.

Robert wondered vaguely if Jezebel had managed to get his message to the Prince. Having dinner with Sonny Toussaint would probably prove to be exquisitely dull, if the Prince even bothered to accept the invitation (Robert half-hoped he wouldn't) but the Ventrue who Nathan had left him had insisted on a proper introduction. Robert himself would have to think of something to make the party more interesting. He'd get Jezebel to do the cooking. At least the meal would be good, then.

Robert wondered vaguely, as he walked, if the Prince would listen to him sing.

He thought about the pink limousine he had seen earlier, the one with the hungry owner who dared hunt in Brujah territory. It would be some time before anything interesting went on at the casino, so perhaps in the meantime he would go ferret out who the owner was.

Calling for Tom to come get him would take entirely too long, especially if Tom was waiting on Jezebel at the Prince's house, so Robert commandeered a taxi. He had the driver circle all the interesting parts of town until he spotted the limo near the Haven. Robert hopped out of the cab and strutted into the Haven. He had never been here before but he knew it instantly for a Kindred hang out. Not bad at all. He'd have to get acquainted with the owner and offer his vocal talents.

Dr. Robert looked around the room. There were many folks here who might be possessed of a pink limo. He decided to try the bartender. Bartenders often knew things.

Robert slid onto a barstool and dropped his leather doctor's bag onto the bar with a clomp. He motioned Matt over with a crook of his finger as soon as he could get the man's attention, then bent towards him conspiratorially. "Tell me, my good man," he said in his overblown English accent, "Do you know who owns the lovely pink stretch car that's just out front? I have some information for that lucky soul which might concern his or her health...you see, darling, I'm a Doctor."

"I don't usually watch people coming in, but..." he pointed out where Russo and Martin were standing, further down the bar. "I think it might be one of those two. The first one looks like he might be your man, doesn't he?"

"You're very, very kind," said Robert, his dark blue eyes roving over Matt. "Now, if you'll excuse me...but, oh, if the owner of the establishment is in search of quality entertainment, do pass on my name--Dr. Robert. I sing, you know. Made some pop records in England in the 1980's. You've heard of me, I'm sure."

He opened his bag, took out a business card, and slid it across the bar to Matt. It was embossed only with a phone number. Without further ado and without awaiting a reply, Robert strutted down the bar towards the blond and the cowboy.

"So I said to him that we had discovered that sheep's livers could foretell earth quakes..." Russo looked up as a shadow fell across the bar.

"All right, darlings, which one of you owns the lovely pink automobile out front?" Robert asked in sugared tones, looking from one to the other of them.

Russo smiled disarmingly and looked at the man standing before him. He stopped himself from licking his lips but barely.

"That would be me, sir. Is there a problem?" Russo's voice was velvet smooth and held a hint of flirt in it.

"Permit me to introduce myself," drawled Robert, immediately turning to Russo so he was practically ignoring the cowboy. "Dr. Robert, lately of Toronto, very good friend of mine lives there, you see, quite an influential fellow, as people go. At the moment I'm residing in San Francisco, might be here for a time, yes, and in the circles I travel there are, shall we say, some quite possessive folks, very possessive about certain areas of the city. I was in a position to admire your automobile earlier in one of those areas, and I noticed that you were...littering, shall we say? Around here, littering can be bad for your health, and I should know, I'm a doctor. Perhaps you'd like to discuss the matter more privately. And I should so like a better view of your vehicle. The color is absolutely exquisite. Mine's a rather boring black, I'm afraid."

The whole time Robert spoke his tone was friendly if a bit overblown, and his voice with its English accent was throaty and pleasant, almost seductive.

Russo smiled all the time that Robert was talking. He enjoyed listening to him almost as much as he enjoyed listening to himself.

"I'm so dreadfully sorry! I will pay the fine, if there is one that is. I meant no offense, Dr. Robert. But as you noticed I am new here. I'm most recently from London where things are much different as you may know."

Russo listened as Robert praised his vehicle and admired his physique again. Here was an obviously powerful and well-educated man, Russo thought. Almost as well groomed as myself....

"Well why don't we go for a spin, then?" Russo offered. "Get more acquainted and maybe you could show me these areas that are...reserved shall we say?"

"London!" Robert fairly shrieked, "I haven't been in London in simply ages. You MUST tell me all the gossip. As for the, ahem, fine...well, that wouldn't be quite up to me, and there may very well be ways for you to avoid such a thing. I might be willing to help you out, you know, as you're new to the city and all. Really, you don't want to make Miss Lucy and her little dock gang angry. Simply no fun at all and possibly bad for one's health. But of course, now that you've found yourself a doctor, I can help you maintain your current...robust...state." Robert slipped an arm through Russo's. "Yes, darling, let's slip out to your vehicle. And your name, you'll want to tell me your name...and oh, one more thing, this rather rustic looking cowboy fellow, will he be accompanying us, because if he is, introductions are necessary. A fine looking fellow like you, must have manners, you know." Robert nodded in agreement with himself.

Perhaps, Robert thought blithely, it was dangerous to run off with someone you'd just met, but he had every confidence in his ability to handle this pretty fellow if things went awry. After all, over three hundred years in Nathan's company had taught Robert a few interesting tricks. The same party rarely attacked Robert...and never twice.

"Actually I'm not sure if Martin's coming or not." Russo said indicating his companion who seemed engrossed in his drink... "I'm so glad to meet you my name is Russo Soliere. Originally from France...lovely in the spring, hell in the winter. After my crossover I made it a point to leave. And London, oh it is beautiful but to busy."

Russo paused and stood still holding Robert's arm.

"Lucy...she's the one who owns the casino-yes? Well I had plans to visit her this eve. I had an idea about starting a game, private in the back room. The stakes shall we say would be high. I'd love to talk to you about it in private...." Russo started to lead Robert out the door and to his car.

"Russo," Dr. Robert sighed the name, trilling the "R" for a ridiculous amount of time. "A beautiful name for a beautiful person. Lovely, lovely, quite." He stroked Russo's arm and steered him out of the Haven into the crisp night air, leaving Martin the Cowboy to follow or stay behind as he pleased.

"Yes, Lucy Noelle," Dr. Robert answered Russo in very low tones, making certain that no one hanging around outside could hear them. "She's rather the Brujah Queen Bee. B standing for Bitch, of course. A high stakes game, hmm...a GRAND idea. You're a visionary! But Miss Lucy doesn't like suggestions on how to run her businesses, I'm afraid. I'll work on her for you. I do have the advantage in that I've known her for several centuries and she trusts me."

Robert laughed as if he had some secret. Keeping his voice low, he went on. "As I'm sure you've not difficulty telling, I'm one of the more fashionable members of Clan Toreador. I'm also the representative of the Prince of Toronto, Monsieur Nathan Roulan. You've heard of him? I'm his Ambassador to San Francisco, as well as his personal physician."

It was clear that Robert was sure that all this would impress Russo.

"Now, be so good as to tell me. You're a fellow Toreador, aren't you, my lovely? Don't make me guess, it's not polite. Oh, here it is. This gorgeous automobile!" Robert stopped in front of the pink limo. "It's too delicious!"

"My dear Robert...I am of course an admirer of you prestigious clan but alas I can claim no allegiance to it." Russo paused and opened the door for Robert with a flourish as his ghoul driver got in the front seat.

"That's DOCTOR Robert, darling, don't worry, no offense taken," Robert said, climbing into the limo and settling himself into the seat. He stroked the seat appreciatively, admiring the interior of the car. "Almost as lovely as my beautiful Annie's vehicle," he sighed.

Once they were inside and the door securely closed Russo turned and said:

"I am from a far older clan than that, my boy. One that is shrouded in mysteries and legend."

Robert rolled his eyes. If Russo wasn't going to tell him, fine... He had other methods of discovering such things. He hoped Tyler was back at the casino. The boy could tell him with a glance what clan Russo was.

"Of course you are, darling," he said aloud.

Russo touched a secret button along the wall to reveal a hidden cabinet. It was a wet bar stocked with all the accoutrements. Russo ignored all the liquor and removed an old ancient looking bottle. The cork was sealed with wax and had a very decorative seal embossed on it.

"I was saving this for a special occasion. Its the blood of a certain French queen. I'm afraid she met her death at the end of a rather sharp blade and lost her head." Russo tittered. "Would you care for some?"

Russo smiled and felt the car pull away from the curb. The driver had instructions to drive to the park again and cruse.

Robert looked at Russo sharply. "You'll forgive me if I decline the honor. You see, I have already dined... And, I'm afraid, I have never had a taste for beheaded monarchs."

When Robert had been alive, quite possibly the only person who had ever been nice to him had been Anne Boleyn. Her death had certainly aided his descent into madness, the madness that had attracted his sire, the Lady Ramona, to him. Although the circumstances of Anne's death had been quite different from that of Marie Antoinette, what little humanity and remnants of human emotion Robert still possessed forced him to turn away from the bottle.

"Besides," he said, moving across the limo so that he sat beside Russo now rather than across from him, "What if I'd rather taste your lips?"

Russo realized he had made a grievous error.

"I'm terribly sorry I meant no offense. Please accept my apologies immediately." Russo put the bottle back in its secret compartment.

Russo smiled devilishly and placed his hand on Robert's thigh.

"You have but to ask, mon ami, and I shall comply."

"I knew we were going to get along," Robert purred, moving even closer to Russo. A large emerald ring winked on Robert's long, white fingers as he moved to caress the other vampire. He did not, in fact, kiss Russo. "But, darling, you really must tell me more about yourself. What are you doing in San Francisco? Do you plan to stay long? Have you met the Prince? And you must tell me what on earth you were doing leaving a drained body in the middle of the dock. After all, there is the Masquerade to consider...say, you're not a Sabbat, are you? I'd hate to have to kill you after we've clicked like this."

What can you do for me? After all, Robert thought, you owe me one for not telling the Brujah you were hunting in their turf and for getting rid of that drained corpse. A minor favor, perhaps, but something none the less. Robert didn't speak these thoughts aloud.

Russo could hardly contain himself at the other vampire's touch. It was silky smooth and the promises it spoke of were things Russo had not indulged in, in many centuries.

"Well because of your tact and show of friendship I shall explain myself." Russo paused to get his thoughts together.

"I'm in San Francisco to vacation. Recently I was involved in some sticky business in Chicago and I'm on holiday to relax and regroup shall we say. I have not met the prince but I plan on doing so to offer my assistance in any area he might see fit as to apply me."

Russo smiled and continued "I'm not Sabbat. I've never been Sabbat. But I do enjoy stirring things up a bit--keeps everyone on their toes. I shall apologize to the appropriate people about my dinner when I meet them."

Here he paused and looked thoughtful.

"I will tell you one more thing but I would ask you keep this a secret as it sometimes is misconstrued." Russo had been looking down at the limo's plush carpet but when he raised his eyes to Robert's they had changed.

The once ice blue had turned gold. The whole eye had changed to gold with little highlights of yellow running through it.

It was so mesmerizing that Robert could feel himself being drawn into it like an embrace.

Before he could lose himself completely Russo broke contact.

"Setites have a much misunderstood reputation."

Dr. Robert shook his head when Russo released him from the spell of his eyes. "Oh my, that was simply enchanting," he murmured. He would not make the mistake of looking directly into Russo's gaze again, much the same as he rarely looked Nathan directly in the eye. "Settite. How completely interesting. I don't think I've ever encountered one before. I shall have to make a close study of you, for the sake of research." Robert's hands were already starting to research Russo's body. Buttons were coming unfastened here and there. "You'll have to meet Nathan...hmm, darling, you'll NOT want to mention to the Brujah that you were hunting on their docks. Lucy's the sort who would hold it over your head til kingdom come, apology or no. As for meeting the Prince of this city, I've invited him to dinner tomorrow night. If he joins me, perhaps you would like to as well. I haven't heard back yet on the invitation, but I think it would be a rather great insult to the Prince of Toronto if he refused to join his Ambassador for dinner, don't you?"

"Yes, that would be a dreadful faux pas." Although he didn't show it Russo was greatly relieved that Robert hadn't taken his demonstration the wrong way.

As for "studying" him--well they'd see who studied whom and when and where.

Right now Russo was quite content to have this slight diversion before a little game of baccarat at the casino and he had a dinner invitation to boot.

After a time of fondling Russo said:

"Thank you so much for the invitation to dinner id love to attend. I shall dress formal of course...now if you'd be so kind as to shift a bit I'd like to get a little closer to that marvelous chest of yours..."

Robert was happy to oblige.

After a time, they both found themselves rebuttoning their highly fashionable clothing and exchanging satisfied looks.

"I do hope you'll be my guest at the casino this eve'," Robert said. "I know you'll want to hear me sing. We can go there now...it should be open shortly, and if it's not, we can avail ourselves of the bar in the meanwhile. I shall have to show you my dressing room. Shall we go?"

"By all means, lets." Russo picked up a phone and instructed the driver to head over to the casino.

While they drove Russo asked, "Please tell me about this Lucy. I haven't met her yet and I'd like to know a little more about her before I suggest the enacting of a kindred game of poker. Just imagine it...no money involved just your wits and whatever other collateral you can offer.... A car, a ghoul, a drop of blood.... information. It's grand. Please tell me you'll support such a venture...."

"It IS grand...simply genius...oh, I knew you would be as smart as you were well-endowed. Twice blessed, my pretty creature. However, my sugar-spun treat, Lucy Noelle will never go for it. Of course, we'll do our best to convince her, but as I pointed out earlier...she doesn't like advice on how to run her businesses. Tell you about her? Well, she's as bitchy as any Brujah, but she does have a certain....je ne sais quoi...a class about her that comes from ancient breeding. She was aristocracy, you know, but they scorned her for a quite unfortunate incident which was not the poor gel's fault in the least. Happily, or unhappily depending on your point of view, that attracted her to the attention of Christophe, a boorish brute of a Brujah who eventually became her sire. Christophe and I...were very close at one time," Robert said mysteriously, waving the hand which supported the immense emerald ring. "I've known Miss Noelle for near four centuries now, since she was, as they say, a mere mortal. She has a weakness for a certain young mortal called Tyler who is seldom out of her company...delicious little thing...if you care to keep your head on your shoulders, I suggest letting him alone. The Prince of Toronto wants him as well, and even were you able to snatch him from Lucy, Nathan would get him back and I'm sure you'd find his manner in that respect...unpleasant. The best way to deal with Lucy, like any Brujah, is to avoid making her angry. However, that's not always an easy task. Be warned that she's not a big fan of the Ventrue...hm, well, is there anything specific that you want to know? Don't get me wrong, I simply adore Miss Lucy. She's exquisitely beautiful...and utterly fascinating to talk about..."

Clearly Robert liked to gossip...like any good Toreador...

"That is fascinating! Oh dear Dr. Robert tell me more...does she have any ties to the mortal world?"

Yes tell me her weaknesses dear pompous one...Russo thought. The ride was a nice diversion but he made no illusions that Robert could be trusted. But a good ally indeed.

"Just the lad she keeps..." said Robert. "You'll meet him. You won't be able to avoid it."

He wondered vaguely if the Prince had gotten his note and hoped that Sonny would accept his dinner invitation. If he didn't get it over with, Tom and Violet would be forever annoying him with their cold Ventrue propriety.

"He's young and fresh...delicious looking, you might say," Robert said, going on about Tyler, "Yet more lurks behind the surface of innocence than even she knows, I fear. He's sweet with psychic power...and annoyingly impervious to the machinations of Our Kind. That is to say, your golden eyed trick won't work on him."

Robert smiled at Russo, wondering if he would believe that...but Tyler was indeed the purest neutral he had ever encountered. Whatever the Tremere, Dorian, had done to Tyler's mind had strengthened it and made him unable to be manipulated by any form of mental power or magic.

"Interesting, isn't it?"

"Indeed. How ever did she find him?" Russo adjusted his brocaded vest. He reached inside and pulled out the silver snuffbox first offering it to Robert.

" I had a mortal once...." Russo smiled, lost in the memory. "Too bad they're so damn fragile..."

"Ooooh," Robert squealed over the snuffbox. He took a pinch, savouring it with an almost obscene amount of pleasure. Then he looked coyly at Russo. "Hm, I dunno," he said. "She's got quite a knack for acquiring young boys. Most of them don't last so long. Myself, I've only one use for kine. Ah, here we are."

The driver opened the limo door for them and when Dr. Robert and Russo got out, they saw Jake, Jerry and Peter all goggling at the pink limo.

"I toldja it was him. You owe me five bucks," Jerry said triumphantly to Peter.

"Is Madame in residence?" Robert inquired of Jake.

"Huh?"

"Is...Lucy...here," Robert said, spelling it out for him with obvious impatience. He turned to Russo and shrugged. "Brujah," he said.

"Oh, no, she ain't back yet," said Jake. "Cameron's here...Melody...and that hot little Sonya chick...but no Lucy."

"Thank you, my good man." Robert turned to Russo. "Shall we go in?"

Russo gave the driver instructions to drive around the block and wait until needed.

"Yes lets go in I'm itching to play a little baccarat and view this lovely establishment." Russo offered Robert his arm and together they went into the casino

"I do excel at baccarat," said Robert, but the tables won't be running until midnight. In the meantime, I'll show you around the place."

They went inside, arms still linked, and Russo could see an assortment of ghouls and Brujah scurrying around getting ready to open the casino at midnight. They still had a couple of hours to go.

Robert suddenly turned sharply, dragging Russo around with him. "Look, see that gentleman over there? That's the Brujah Primogen and a couple of his clansbitches," he said softly into Russo's ear. "Let me introduce you."

"By all means..." Russo struck a pose worthy of the greatest vogue Madonna (who he is a great admirer of) had ever done and turned up the Presence a tad. Never can make to good a first impression he thought.

Robert called loudly across the casino, "Ohh yoooo hooo, Cameron, darling! Do come over here, there's someone I'd like you to meet!"

He must act this way on purpose. Russo internally winced. My god, Louis the 14th must have loved him...

Cameron put the phone down and turned towards the man who'd been calling out to him. "Can't you see I was on the--" he broke off as he recognized him. This was the Kindred who'd Embraced Clare Metzger. "What do -you- want?" was all he said out loud, though.

Dr. Robert turned to Russo. "Brujah are always so charming, aren't they? Monsieur le Devereaux, I should very much like to introduce you to my new ami, Russo Soliere."

He looked at Sonya, raking his eyes up and down her appreciatively. "And you, beautiful girl, I don't believe we've met but judging from the company you keep you must be one of the Brujah, ne c'est pas? A new friend of strong, handsome Cameron, here? I'm Dr. Robert. Of course, you've heard of me--the famous singer and dear, dear friend of Lucy Noelle, whom we all love, dear Saint Lucita."

Sonya nodded, though she wasn't quite sure what to say to this.

Cameron rolled his eyes at the man. This Kindred--whatever clan he was, and from the way he was talking right now Cameron half suspected Toreador, certainly did know how to lay it on thick.

Cameron choked back a laugh at this. "'Saint' Lucita??" He shook his head. "We -can't- be talking about the same person."

Finally Robert looked at Melody and grinned wickedly, then burst into song in a pleasant enough voice...

"How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Mariiiiiaaaaa?
A flibbitigibbit? A will-o-the-wisp? A clooooown?"

Melody's eyes narrowed as she looked coldly at the Malkavian. She never had like the sleazy Toreador-wannabe. He was even oilier than his erstwhile friend, Prince Jackass of Toronto.

She knew Robert was trying to get her goat. The problem was, it was working. He knew she hated having her real name bandied about…but two could play at THIS game!

"Why Doctor," she said, sweet as sugar, voice dripping venom, I had no idea you Malkavians could sing like that...or are you Brujah again today?" She locked her eyes to his, Presence full on.

Russo watched the exchange with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes.

Oh this is good, he thought. If I could sell tickets to this I'd make a fortune!

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, beautiful Melody," Robert sighed, momentarily entranced by her. He shook his head to clear it, then turned to Russo. "Brujahs! Always insulting people. Can't tell a Toreador from a Matador." He looked at the three Brujah standing there. "No offense, ladies, Cameron, darling. I'm sorry you don't like my singing, Melly, but not all of us can be blessed with taste," he said in a consolatory tone. "It's why I stay around you brutes, you know, to see that there is culture spread amongst your people. Rather like a missionary. So, how's everything in the seedy underbelly of society?"

"I rather like seedy underbellies." Russo said still smiling

"Got any fun plans for tonight? After Russo hears me sing, maybe we'll grace you with our presence."

"I have heard you sing, love, and you were simply lovely. Show tunes are my favorite" Russo took out his silver box and sniffed a modicum of snuff up his delicate long nose.

"And Melody darling, if you don't mind...stop trying to grace me with your own Presence. I find you charming and beautiful enough as it is. By the way, is Lady Lucy here? Russo, you simply must meet her."

"She's not here yet." Cameron snapped, waving a hand around the room. "As you can see. And perhaps, Mr. Russo, you can tell me something about yourself while you're waiting. Just to pass the time you understand." (and maybe get a handle on just what you're -doing- here), he thought, though he didn't say -that- aloud. "And that goes for you also, "Dr" Robert. Let's just say I've heard some--rather interesting things--about you lately and leave it at that."

Sonya looked from one to the other, not at all sure what the odd way Cameron spoke to the two new arrivals meant.

"I look forward to meeting the lovely Lucy. I want to tell her of my proposition." Russo beamed at the others and sat a little closer to Dr. Robert.

"You naughty thing, you interrupt so much," Robert said flirtatiously to Russo. He pinched Russo's behind as they waited for a reply from Melody, Cameron or Sonya.

Russo let Robert pinch him and all he produced on the outside was a small titter. Inside however he was starting to get a little ticked.

Obviously Dr Robert had not told him the truth concerning his clan, Russo didn't care what he was but truth was a thing he did value.

No matter. He thought while he sat and listened and watched like the good snake he was.

"You want to talk about ME?" Robert shrieked delightedly to Cameron. "Why, my dear boy, I'll tell you anything, absolutely anything you want to know. Ooh, and I'd love to know what you've heard about me, you little gossip." He looked at Russo. "We can speak freely until midnight, when they open this sordid little fun palace to the public. Did you know Cameron did all the decorating here himself? Yes, it was his idea to put the disco ball over the stage. Now, back to me...I was the darling of King Henry's court, the fat old bastard..."

Robert sounded like he was about to embark on a very long discourse.

Indeed he did sound like the biography of his life was to be previewed here tonight and would take up most of the evenings activities.

Russo smiled and flashed his golden eyes at Cameron, just for a second but it was enough time for him to be distracted from Robert's discourse.

"Like I said a lot of things." (like why I've got a new clanmember and she thinks you're Martin Cade) though he didn't say that part aloud. "Lucy-- oh, *excuuuse me*--Saint Lucita..." he slurred the 'excuuse me' so broadly that anyone who really knew Cam would know it was pure sarcasm.

He managed to get the "Saint Lucita" out but couldn't entirely keep from laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of that concept associating with Lucy..."how long have you known her anyway?"

Robert halted immediate, distracted from whatever he had been going to say about Henry the Eighth. He winked at Russo. "Brujah would always rather talk about their own," he sighed dramatically, "Though I must admit Lady Noelle IS a scintillating topic. Since you ask, I've known her for centuries...since she was a mere kine who caught the eye of the Brujah Primogen of London. I knew her father before that...now HE was never one of US, but John Noelle certainly knew how to wield a whip...taught me quite a bit, I'd say, the blackhearted thug. He would made a better one of you Brujah than Her Ladyship... originally... although perhaps she's merely proved she's her father's daughter after all. Or so it seems. Alas, my happy reunion with luscious Lucy has just only occurred a few days past. Meanwhile, I've not seen her since 1670 or thereabouts. It's been scads of fun catching up, really. Melody, perhaps we'll do the same." Robert winked at her. He seemed in the mood to talk, if Cameron wanted to ask more questions. Truly, Robert was blessed with the gift of the gab.

Sonya couldn't entirely repress a laugh. This man was certainly doing his best to be charming, and she found she liked that. There didn't seem to be that--that *twisted*-ness--in him the way there'd been in Joshuan. She shot a look at Cameron and Melody, uncertain of what to do, but perhaps it would pass the time until Lucy arrived.

Cameron sat back in his chair. "Do, please, tell us -more-," he said sarcastically. Perhaps this man would let slip something they could use against Lucy later. Besides it was a chance to find out more about him, too.

Russo kept quiet and at Robert's knee waiting for the conversation to take a turn for the more contemporary subjects he fancied. Dwelling in the past was not Russo's thing so he listened politely and smiled at Cameron's sarcasm and played the part of the adoring stranger--until the such time as he could extract himself and get in a few games of baccarat.

It appeared that it would be awhile before Russo would be able to play baccarat since the casino was not yet open. It was ten p.m. and they would have to wait. The staff milled around, getting things ready.

Robert manipulated his way over to Sonya when she laughed. He took her hand in his and kissed it, then kept holding her hand as he prattled on. He spent the next ten minutes praising Lucy's beauty and great kindness, without managing to say anything specific. It was clear he might go on this way for some time if no one interrupted.

Russo glared at Sonya like the jealous woman he was and said a little annoyed: "Robert, care for a game of poker?"

Robert turned away from Sonya for about one second just to say to Russo, "That's DOCTOR Robert, darling. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Lucy's almost as beautiful as you are, Sonya, my little flower. Well, perhaps more beautiful, in a Venus Flytrap sort of way."

Melody sat silently. She knew if she said ONE word she'd lose her temper. *Godammn sleazy fucking Malkavian trash* she fumed silently as she watched Robert and Russo simpering at each other.

Finally she managed a "Sonya, Cameron, would you like to move to a table?"

Cameron looked at Robert and Russo again, then back to Melody and nodded. "I think I've had enough of this for one night," he said in a low voice. "That sounds like a -very good- idea..."

Sonya hadn't minded when Robert started trying to charm her, but then when he turned his attention to Russo...she shook her head. "OK with me." she replied. "What about--over there?" she pointed at an empty table.

It wasn't hard to find an empty table, since all of the tables in the casino were empty.

"But Sonya," Robert purred, "Wouldn't you like to come see my dressing room? I was about to take Russo on the tour? Care to join us?"

THAT-WAS-IT. Russo was not accustomed to being on a leash, at least not in public with a simpering womanizing thinking he's so great flamer as Dr. Robert.

Russo harrumphed and got off his stool and stretched. Time to go exploring. Get some fresh air or whatever...maybe a drink.

"Excuse me..." Russo muttered and left in the direction of anywhere that Robert was not.

Robert glanced over his shoulder, waiting for Sonya's reply. What was Russo's problem? Robert had no idea. Oh well, he couldn't go far. If he tried to leave the main room of the casino, the guards would stop him. He could leave by the front, if he was bored, or he could play the slot machines or harass the staff, but those were about the extent of his options.

Melody got up and wandered over to the table Cameron had picked. A nice one with a good view of the doors in the room.

"So, now what?" she asked.

Dr. Robert encourages you to read the second part of this tale in Part Four...