Continued from Three...the Doctor says, read that first!

Robert looked at Sonya. "Are you going to go sit with those boring people or come with me?" he asked, trailing his thin white fingers down her arm.

Russo went to a corner of the bar and sat pouting. He took out some tobacco and started to hand roll a cigarette. The process was more tedious than it was worth but the act of it calmed him somewhat.

Two of the Brujah ghouls sauntered over to him, a red-haired woman and a muscular dark-haired man. If Russo was paying the slightest bit of attention, he could see that these two apparently were the ghouls higher up in the Brujah pecking order...they were giving out orders to other ghouls and getting their own strictly from the three or four other Brujah wandering around the casino.

"I'm Drake, this is Mae," said the man, smiling at Russo. He was handsome in an overblown steroid-happy sort of way.

The woman was also beautiful, her cleavage looking like it was about to spill out of her blouse. She winked at Russo. "Welcome to the Gold Rush Casino. Can we get you anything? A drink?"

"We were wondering..." said the man, "If you were part of the Family." It was pretty clear that they were asking if he was Brujah, although there were certainly other implications to the word as well.

Russo looked up from his cigarette and smiled disarmingly.

"Hello...a drink would be lovely--how bout a Bloody Mary less the Mary."

"Mae, go get him a drink."

"No, Drake, why don't YOU go get him a drink so I can stay here and--"

"Mae, I think YOU are the bartender in this little joint, so why don't you TROT on over and get our nice Mister... what's your name?"

The arguing ghouls both looked at Russo expectantly.

Russo sighed and thought: sometimes it doesn't pay to be this good looking...

He flashed his eyes at both of them entrapping them with his gaze and said:

"Why don't you both go get me a drink, darlings, and no bickering. There's enough of me to go around." His eyes then flashed off and both ghouls were left with an overwhelming urge to get Russo a drink.

Mae and Drake both dashed off. Russo watched them battle over a bottle.

Sonya smiled politely at Robert, then glanced to Cameron and Melody. "I really should stick with them, for now...but," she smiled, "maybe I could talk to you again later?"

Robert kissed her hand. "You can talk to me...any time."

He let go of her, and as she walked over to Cameron and Melody he saw Russo talking to the ghouls and the flash of his eyes. He strutted over to Russo and pressed against him. "Did you miss me?"

"Forever..." Russo drawled and took a drag of his cigarette blowing smoke into Robert's face by accident.

"Mmmm," said Robert, drawing in a deep lungful of smoke. "Yeeeah. I liiike that." He seemed to have no idea that Russo had been upset with him.

The two ghouls ran over, each with a fancy drink for Russo. Mae carried hers on a silver tray, with a little umbrella sticking out of it. Drake's had a stalk of celery that seemed to have a design carved into it and a little silver pinwheel attached to a straw. Robert plucked the drinks away from each of them and said in no uncertain terms "GET LOST."

Muttering and shoving each other, they went away. Robert sighed and passed Russo the drink Drake had poured, knowing that Mae was an expert bartender while Drake had never been behind the bar before in his unlife.

"Ghouls," he sighed. "Thank all the stars in the blessed heavens my Jezebel isn't such an idiot. I do hope she'll be here tonight, to let me know if the Prince accepted my dinner invitation. Even you would like her...she's a wonderful cook, if you can stomach food. I'm going to have her prepare dinner for my soiree tomorrow night. Perhaps later you'll help me pick the entree, if you enjoy that sort of planning. Now--ah HERE's the lady of the hour."

Lucy Noelle appeared in the doorway of the Casino. She was dressed in a wine colored velvet dress. The neckline dipped low and the skirt flared out at the waist. The hem fell to mid-calf, and on her feet were stiletto heels. Her glossy black hair hung wild and loose around her too-white shoulders.

There was no denying she was beautiful, or that the ghouls and other Brujah in the casino with perhaps the exception of those who had just sat down at a table, had utter fear of and respect for her.

Russo took his drink and sipped. It was bland but not bad and he enjoyed the celery carving.

When Robert said Lucy had arrived, Russo turned to look at her.

She was indeed beautiful, if you like women thought Russo. Well she had power and even he could find himself getting a woody at the thought of power.

Russo smiled and sipped his drink waiting for Robert to introduce him

"Hey Luuuuuucyyyyyy," Robert yelled. Russo saw Lucy turn towards them with a cringe. She scowled, then started in their direction. Before she got halfway across the room...

"Watch out for that guy. Both of you." Cameron said to Melody and Sonya, a wave of his hand indicating Dr Robert. "-that's- the friend of Lucy's I was talking about, the one who Embraced Clare Metzger..."

Sonya nodded, not sure who Clare Metzger was...

Melody took a big gulp of her drink. Under her breath she said "Yeah, watch out for the 'good Doctor..he's Nathan Roulan's eyes and ears."

Cameron shook his head. "Here we go. Putting on a big show, as usual, that's Lucy for you."

Sonya watched the woman make her entrance.

Sideways she glanced at Sonya. "Well..here goes..sorry kid," she muttered in Sonya's direction. Then she abruptly threw her drink at Sonya, just missing her face (on purpose) as she stood up quickly which knocked her chair over with a loud crash.

As the wine dripped down Sonya's dress (most of it had missed her however and hit the wall) Melody bellowed loudly "Well you can take your misbegotten demonspawn and stay the hell away from me and mine!

You're no better than that son-of-a-she devil Nathan Roulan and his sleazy companions!"

Sonya's already pale features went even whiter, she nodded silently at Melody and in an equally loud voice snapped back, "You think I -wanted- Joshuan's get?? I'd have killed it myself if Lord Gregory hadn't been able to do anything!"

Cameron stood up and tried to get between them. "Melody what's gotten into you?" he shouted. "You're forgetting who's Primogen here--and I've already taken her into the clan--you said yourself we don't choose our Sires, I heard you myself."

At the commotion Russo looked up and over to Sonya and Melody.

Ahh at last the entertainment.....

Beside him, he heard Robert let out a decadent sigh of delight.

Lucy immediately switched directions and strutted over to Cameron, Melody and Sonya.

"I don't know what this nonsense is all about, but I'll thank you to refrain from splashing drinks all over the walls when we've got to open for business in fifteen minutes. And no matter what your personal opinion of Nathan Roulan is, he's going to do a lot for the Brujah in this town, so let's all just play nice with him."

It rather amused her that Melody was fighting with Cameron. Lucy desperately wanted Melody "on her side" but she wasn't going to let the woman insult her lover, Roulan, whom Lucy was counting on to help her make her power play...even if Melody did know a lot more about Roulan.

Russo leaned over to Dr Robert and in a conspiratorial whisper he asked:

"When does the floor show repeat? I must catch it from the beginning...quite entertaining." he smirked and sipped his drink

"With Brujah, there's always high quality entertainment," Dr. Robert said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If there's a fight, my money's on Melody...the scrappy little one with the loud mouth. Although Lucy's rather likely to get the entire staff in here to back her, so if they're smart enough to attack Melly Mel instead of each other, Lucy might have the wench at her mercy. Sonya's a wild card but Cameron's about as dangerous as a stuffed duck. Let's just hope they don't wreck the place. I do want you to see my show tonight."

"Indeed...well my money's on Sonya." Russo said taking out his wallet. He rummaged and pulled out a twenty. With a flourish he placed it on the seat between himself and Robert.

"Are you game?" he asked Robert

"I'm always game for a game...but the question is who will end up fighting whom..." Robert drawled.

"My dear Dr Robert kindly put your money where your mouth is before the show concludes itself...who cares who fights whom, I just bet Sonya's on top."

"Melody, then," Robert said, matching the bet. "Although I wouldn't mind seeing Sonya on top."

It wasn't clear if Robert were talking about the fight or not.

Russo smiled.

"Yeah I bet with a swimsuit in a tub of mud..."

Melody gave Lucy a look..not an evil one but a pitying one.

"You would do well to stay away from that slimy snake, Lucy. I've seen how he uses women..especially Brujah women. Ask him about Martine sometime." Then she turned back to Cameron and Sonya. "As for the two of you....my Sire was Sabbat. YOU know that." she said directly to Cameron Her Sire is not the problem. I just don't like associating with scum." With that she stalked off out the door and disappeared into the night.

*I WILL ask him about Martine sometime,* Lucy thought determinedly, but she kept her expression carefully bland. She looked at Cameron and smiled. "What did you do to her?"

Cameron shook his head. "I did NOT do anything, my dear Lucy." he snapped. "It's just about time that you realized not all the Brujah are as in love with that Toreador as you are. Though I do think she went too far--Sonya are you sure you're all right?"

Sonya nodded, brushing the few drops of drink from her dress. "I think so--luckily she didn't hit *me* with that. She's just been so unreasonable since the baby--" she shook her head.

Robert looked at Russo. "Damn, no fight a-tall. How boring. At least there should be some kine here soon."

As Melody left, Jake was preparing to open the doors.

Russo withdrew his twenty.

"Yes very disappointing. Maybe later we might have a little action."

Robert shrugged. "This still might be vaguely interesting, darling..."

He was trying to listen to what Lucy and the others were saying.

Cameron looked after her for a moment and shook his head, then turned back to Sonya and Lucy. "Damn her. Now what--I thought she could get you into something at the Princes'"

"I--I don't know. I've got to do something, there's the baby to take care of. It -is- human after all." Sonya sighed. "If only Dena hadn't gotten herself--killed--like that. I was supposed to meet her at the dock office the night after the party--but then she..." she shook her head again.

"You want a job on the docks?" Lucy asked. It wouldn't hurt to have Sonya owe her a favor and maybe get her out of Cameron's grip and into her own. Of course, she would have to be closely watched since she had so recently been 'rescued' from the Sabbat. "I'm certain Clare could set something up for you. Or perhaps you'd prefer to work here in the casino? We always need waitresses, people to run the tables, security guards...or if you can sing, I'd be glad to give Dr. Robert a night off."

On the other side of the room, Robert gasped in indignation.

Sonya looked at Lucy, then back to Cameron, then to Lucy again. "You'd do that?" she asked.

Cameron stood back, not saying anything. It'd blow the whole thing if he came across as too intent on getting Sonya into Lucy's orbit, Lucy would likely balk at accepting her just for that.

Lucy continued, "Then again, if you merely want a loan, that can be arranged as well. Perhaps you would like to stay home with your child. Such a rare thing, for a Kindred to have a baby."

She didn't make a comment about it. She had heard the child was human now, and despite its suspicious origins, Lucy had no interest in human babies. Demon babies should be killed, but human ones should be encouraged to grow up and perpetuate the species. And chances were, Sonya's baby would be embraced when they came of age. To cultivate the mother was to cultivate the offspring, and Lucy wanted to have all of the clan backing her...and Nathan, when they made their power play.

"How sad I might not be able to hear you sing...' Russo's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"What is this talk about a baby? What does that mean? Dr. Robert, tell me. I'm dying to know..." indeed Russo did want to know...a human baby under kindred protection -- that was interesting indeed

"Well," said Robert, "This is just too delicious. You see, apparently Sonya here was fucked in more ways than one by her Sire, some badass Sabbat Brujah Antitribu named Joshuan. Don't ask me how it happened, the conception, I mean, because I couldn't tell you, though with any luck I'll have a closer chance to check out the plumbing involved. Now, despite the fact that she squeezed out a demon pup and that the sire killed off half of the original Brujah clan, Cameron welcomed her with open arms to his clan. They got some Tremere bigwig to do some mumbo jumbo to make the baby human. I can't help but wonder what such a kine would taste like."

He licked his thin red lips with his thin red tongue.

Sonya shook her head. "I've a nurse doing that. If I just sit in that big house--" she broke off. She didn't want to be cooped up indoors all night as well as all day too. That'd drive her into permanent frenzy for sure...or worse, remembering the snatches of memory from her time at the remains of the camp...no, she wasn't going to think about that again. "I don't know about singing, never tried--I'm no Toreador, after all. But anything else I could help with would be fine." she smiled at Lucy.

Lucy smiled back. "Welcome to the Gold Rush, then. What do you fancy doing? Security? Waitressing? Assisting Susan in the control room? Coordinating performers for our stage? Working in the bank? Running a table? I can find you a spot anywhere, really."

"That would be worth the effort, but is the brat ripe? I hear now a days it takes maybe 10 12 years for some kine's offspring to be ripe enough to sample."

And if she loves that human boychild than that's something we might use against her...Russo thought

"Don't be ridiculous, darling, they come ready to eat straight from the vine," Robert said. "If you haven't tasted younger vintages, then you must come home with me. You absolutely must. I thought a man with taste as fine as your own must certainly be a connoisseur..."

"I shall consider your offer then. Let's see how the night progresses"

"Very well."

Sonya looked around. "This is all rather new to me, what do you think would be easiest to, well, learn the ropes?"

Lucy smiled. Sonya was apparently a lost soul in need of guidance, and Lucy liked guiding people. This fact managed to quell the irritation Lucy felt rising at the girl's being seemingly incapable of making a decision.

"I have--" she began, but then she stopped and flashed that same smile at Cameron, "That is, WE have lots of people to help you learn whatever trade appeals to you."

Susan, an attractive blonde Brujah that Sonya remembered meeting at the clan meeting, was hurrying by, and Lucy stopped her.

"This is Susan. Susan, this is Sonya. She's going to be working for us here at the casino. Help her figure out what she's good at and what she'll enjoy doing. Make sure she gets some on the job training. And get Cameron a drink, he looks thirsty." Lucy looked at Sonya. "I leave you in capable hands. Unfortunately, I have certain other things to attend to, tonight, but I'll be back here before we close to see how you're doing. Susan, I'll be in my office making some phone calls if anyone needs me before I leave."

Lucy turned and hurried off towards the back. A guard stepped aside so she could get into the back rooms, then resumed his position blocking off the passage.

Susan smiled widely at Sonya. She was perky and friendly and not at all intimidating in the way that Lucy was. "What are you interested in doing?" she asked politely. "You can work at the door with Jake, helping him decide who comes in and who doesn't. If you can do that Auspex thing you'd be perfect for that! That's security. Or if you don't want to stand in the hallway all night, you can work in the monitor room with Drake, making sure nothing funny shows up on the video cameras. Or, if you can mix drinks I'll put you behind the bar with Mae...or you can waitress. That's easy. Or you can do the outside patrol with Peter...making sure everything's quiet, that nobody parks their limos in front of the door, that sort of thing. Or then there's the entertainment aspect. You can book bands...we need new bands...make sure the performers have whatever they need in their dressing room. Scout new acts. If you do that, then you won't be stuck inside every night. You can travel around the city. Pick one...or...do you want me to decide for you? Or maybe you have some specific questions about any of the positions? Or, you can design your own job if something that needs to be done leaps out at you." She looked at Cameron. "Oh! What can I get you to drink, sir?"

Meanwhile, the casino opened for business. Susan ushered them into a booth so they could figure out the best job for Sonya while rich kine streamed in to lose their money into the Brujah coffers.

Robert watched Lucy disappear into the back. He nudged Russo. "Come on, you want to go meet the boss lady? It seems like Santa Lucita is available to hear our prayers now."

"And I've been a bad bad boy, bless me father for I have killed quite I few men...yeah lets go meet Miss Lucy." Russo let Robert lead as if he had any choice in the matter

The guard let them into the backstage/private rooms area. Russo saw they were in a long hallway with several closed doors. He couldn't see into the other rooms as they passed. The door at the far end of the hall was open, and they could hear Lucy talking rather loudly on the phone as they approached.

"Well, if Tyler and Erik want to come to the casino, bring them to the casino. Erik doesn't have a tuxedo? Well, can't he wear one of Tyler's? Jesse, just take him to go buy one, then. Grandma must surely know someone who can get you into a place at this hour. If not, just stick him in a suit jacket. I don't care. No, Grandma doesn't have to wear an evening gown. Jesse, you sound like a bloody Toreador, for Hell's sake. It doesn't matter what the boys are wearing. Tell Tyler I don't know if I'll be here or not...but I'll be back before dawn, you can count on that. We'll stay here. Grandma and Erik can use the room at the hotel. Now what about Lillie Langtry? Did you talk to her?"

As she said the last words, Robert knocked on the edge of the door. Lucy turned around, looking annoyed. "Hold on, Jesse. What do you want, Robert?"

Russo notice that Robert didn't correct her and tell her to call him "Doctor" although he'd done it to everyone else they'd met that night.

"Lucy, darling, I've someone with me you simply MUST meet."

Lucy let out a frustrated sigh. "Jesse, I'll call you back."

She hung up the phone and stood up, looking Russo up and down appraisingly. Robert smiled and put an arm around Russo.

"I'd like you to meet Russo Soliere. He's newly arrived in town and I thought he might enjoy taking a turn in your lovely establishment. Russo, this is Lucy Noelle, Brujah Extraordinaire, proprietress of the Gold Rush Casino and a long, intimate acquaintance of mine. Lucy's quite the thing, you see. The Princes of Toronto and Los Angeles have both been quite charmed by her...though she hasn't had quite the same effect in San Francisco."

"Enough," Lucy said to Robert in a warning tone. She looked at Russo. "Besides," she added. "That's not entirely true. I did have the Prince of San Francisco at my feet--"

"Well, his head landed at her feet...when it was removed..." Robert whispered slyly into Russo's ear.

"Unfortunately, he died," Lucy finished. "But that is the past. What brings you to San Francisco, Mr. Soliere, and into Robert's acquaintance?"

She looked at him suspiciously.

Russo shrugged out of Robert's embrace and stepped forward taking Lucy's hand in his own. With great respect he kissed it lightly and then stepped back.

Lucy wiped the back of her hand on her dress, and just barely stopped herself from making a face.

"I'm in your lovely city at the moment on vacation. I've read quite alot about the "city by the bay" and finally I've torn myself away form my business and --well here I am.

I ran into Dr. Robert at the Haven. We had a matter to discuss and he suggested I come to the casino and play a little baccarat. I do love games." Russo's tone suggested he loved games but the type weren't always by Parker Brothers.

"You're more than welcome to enjoy our tables. Robert will make sure you aren't cheated. Sometimes our new recruits are a bit zealous about skewing the odds in favor of the house, I'm afraid." She smiled. It was a stunning smile, but a dangerous one as well. "A matter to discuss? What sort of matter?" she asked curiously.

Lucy was trying to decide what clan he was. Businesses? Well, Robert wouldn't dare bring a Ventrue into her place. Toreador? Maybe. She wasn't up on fashion and the hand kissing thing fit in with that. Malkavian? Good possibility, he was so much like Robert. They were a matched set...which meant he would bear watching. She wished Tyler were here...his little gift would come in handy about now.

"I have an idea for a game. Between kindred. Poker. Stakes would be high and not monetary. A little blood here a ghoul there a minor boon a major boon and life boon. All stakes paid to the winner. It would have to be a back room kind of thing and I'd advise you to put surveillance cameras in. It's a wonderful way to achieve a high degree of information especially if the house offers vouchers...." Russo closed his mouth and waited for Lucy's reply.

"We have surveillance cameras everywhere. What a twisted idea," Lucy said. "I like it. However, the risk for the house is too high. What we might do instead is charge a fee of sorts to participate in the game and provide a moderator..." She thought about it for a minute. "I do have some empty rooms downstairs that might be suitable...however, it will take some time before they can be renovated. There is also the problem, Mr. Soliere, that none of the other clans frequent this establishment, so you wouldn't get much of a game going. The Malkavian Primogen was seen here once, and of course, the Prince of Toronto and his people...but as it stands I don't get along well with the Prince of the City and he hasn't seen fit to patronize my establishment. You'd think the Primogen would be offended, but Cameron is as mild as milk."

Lucy stopped. She was saying too much to this virtual stranger.

"Perhaps I should pass on your excellent suggestion for the present. The purpose of the casino is to redistribute wealth from kine who have far too much of it to Clan Brujah to aid our revolutionary efforts. But...I'd be interested to hear what other ideas do you have, Mr. Soliere."

Russo listened intently to what Lucy was saying, sighing inwardly when he realized his plans wouldn't see fruition. Still...

"It seems to me dear lady that you need to have a party. An official/unofficial party to rival the Toreadors. Invite all the clans even.. the.. ahem Nosferatu and introduce them to your establishment.

Getting the "Warms" coin is indeed a noble and prestigious endeavor but how much better would it be to establish a power base in your own community? The Brujah should take their rightful place of power in the city and a party is always a good way to lure the lambs to the slaughter...besides everybody loves a party, eh, Dr Robert?"

Lucy scowled. "We HAD a gala opening on the first night. I invited everybody, right down to the damned Prince. The only one who came was the Malk Primogen. It shows you how much respect people have for Brujah in this bloody city. But all that is going to change, mark my words. A party. Well, if you two think you can put something together, have at it. We can make it Kindred only, perhaps?"

"I, of course, have no problem organizing a party. As a Toreador, I'm damned good at it, too, darling," said Dr. Robert. He looked at Russo. "What do you say, old bean? Care to help me put together a bash for Miss Lucy?"

"I love a good shin dig. It should be kindred only though. We want to invite everyone hand written invitations the works...have them RSVP and we should think of a suitable attraction--is anyone scheduled to be executed? No no wont go with the decor...."

Russo prattled a bit and then subsided.

"What do you both think of some live entertainment? Besides you of course, Dr Robert"

"It goes without saying that I shall perform my greatest hits," Robert said icily.

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Lucy said dismissively. She was already starting to think this was a bad idea. "What sort of entertainment?" she asked Russo suspiciously.

Russo was quiet. Russo was deep in thought-- all the entertainment acts he knew of were very intense and he got the feeling from Lucy that she was NOT as conservative as a Ventrue but she was careful. Some Brujah were like that--the ones that lived to be elders. And from Lucy's bearing and demeanor she was definitely that.

Russo admired her for a moment and then pulled himself back to the issue at hand.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to get back to you on this. To do you and your lovely establishment justice I must do some research. The act must be perfect for a perfect lady." Russo smiled a genuine smile that would remind someone of a snake before it strikes.

"Don't feed me that garbage. Flattery will get you nowhere. You two make whatever plans you want. If I approve them, I'll let you know and we'll have the party. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm awfully busy." Lucy picked up the phone and dialed.

Robert steered Russo out of the room. "Brujah. So damned rude all the time," he sighed. "Shall we go get a drink...or would you like to sit in my dressing room and talk privately?"

He stopped in front of a door with a star on it.

Russo smiled.

“Love to see your dressing room let me just call my chauffeur and let him know to meet me at the door at 5 am.”

Russo took out a small cellular phone and dialed.

"Brian? BRIAN!! What took you so long? Never mind that be out front at 5am. And Brian get that tongue outta your ear!"

"Good help is so hard to find," Robert said when Russo hung up. He was leaning against the closed door, looking laviciously at Russo. "So, what do you think? Shall we throw a party for the bitch? Or...shall we talk about it...later... Do you have somewhere to spend the day? I should very much like to take you home for breakfast. Then we can go straight round to dinner with the Prince..."

Speaking of breakfast, Robert wondered where his ghoul, Jezebel was. "Excuse me for a moment." Robert picked up the phone and called Jake at the door. "If Jezebel shows up, send her back to my dressing room."

He hung up and smiled at Russo.

Russo smiled back.

"I think a party would be lovely. Actually I just thought of a group that would be perfect--Lost Souls. They're a smallish band out of New Orleans but they have a good sound. I'll call Steve, the lead singer, tomorrow evening to see if they're available."

Russo paused and thought a moment. Then...

"I have not contracted I place to stay the day and spending it with you would be most..pleasurable. Thank you."

"I've heard that band...I thought the singer's name was Ghost," Robert said distastefully, rolling his eyes. "Yes, Lucy would probably like them, knowing her. I'm glad you have decided to take me up on my offer. I'm staying in a lovely home--it belongs to the Prince of Toronto, a very, very dear friend of mine. You can help me decide on the menu for tomorrow night's dinner. I'll want to oversee Jezebel in the preparation. Now...we have some free time..."

Robert reached for Russo's lips...

Russo kissed Robert back with as much passion as he could fake. The night was growing short and he always got bitchy towards dawn.

Oh well, he thought as he gave his body over to carnal pleasures.

Jezebel and Thom were directed back to Robert's dressing room, so they knocked when they got there. It was just about five in the morning.

"Sorry," Thom said when they got inside the room, "but there was some trouble up at the place tonight and it took them forever to get back to us. He says yes he will have dinner with you and here is the list of people he has incited to come whit him. Jezzy says it will take her most of the day to get the meal ready, so she wants to go on ahead to the Hotel and get the stuff set up in the penthouses kitchen, if that's alright with you."

"I can speak for myself Thom," Jezebel said as she flashed Robert a promising smile.'

Robert looked at Jezebel delightedly, giving her a quick kiss. "You do excellent work, my dear. Yes, by all means, spend as much time as possible on the meal. I want everything to be perfect. Before you go on to the hotel, however, I would like you to come back to the house with Mr. Soliere, here," Robert indicated Russo, "And myself, so we may together select the right food from the larder to serve. I don't even remember how many we have left in there. I suspect I'll have to call Nathan for supplies soon. Also, you may want to butcher and prepare it in our own kitchen rather than at a hotel where the Masquerade might accidentally be violated by unwarranted noise or a kine wandering around where they shouldn't be. I promise you, it won't take long, not at all..."

Jezebel gave Robert a look like he had just announced the Pope was pregnant. "My lord," she said very carefully (No way did she want him to get mad at her and fly off the handle) I do not think it would be wise to serve that kind of meal to the Prince of THIS city. My former Master was very explicit about the need to be discreet in such matters. I will, instead, order the finest cuts of grain-fed cattle and prepare a nice steak tartar..along with a few other delicacies. As for the larder, only two are left of the three that were there."

Robert looked hurt. "You don't think he would like it? I thought it would be an honor, offering Monsieur Toussaint," he pronounced it with an overblown French accent, "Our table's finest...prepared by the most genius chef I have ever had the pleasure to know." Robert stroked her face. "Hm, the Prince of the City has insulted me. Fine, serve him whatever you think is best! I shall see you at dinner-time, then. Wear something nice--you're joining us. Come, Russo, let's go back to my place...I'm in need of a bed."

"I as well. Just let me inform my driver that he may go find a hotel for the day." Russo took out his cellular phone and punched the number for the limo.

It rang several times and irritation showed on Russo's face as he waited for Brian to pick up.

Brian in the limo stirred groggily at the sound of the phone and fumbled around for it with desperation.

"Oh shit oh shit..." he said and then finally located it underneath the passenger seat.

He pushed the on button.

"Brian...?" Russo's voice was quiet but angry nonetheless.

"Yes sir. Sorry sir I feel-"

"Don't interrupt me Brian -ever. Now it seems I will no longer need your services this evening you may go and find a hotel to sleep in. I hear there's a Days Inn about two miles from here. Go and I will call you tomorrow night if I need you."

Click

"Yes sir." Before Brian got the words out a dial tone was buzzing in his ear.

"There." Russo said pocketing the cellular. "Shall we go....?"

"I'll go bring the car around," Thom said. Jezebel joined him. Soon they were waiting outside the club for Robert and Russo.

"Abso-bloody-lutely," said Robert. He steered Russo out of the dressing rooms into the main body of the casino, which had just closed.

Tyler was sitting at the bar talking to Mae. He didn't see the pair, but Robert nudged Russo and pointed out the beautiful blond thirteen year old boy, whispering that this was the fabled Tyler as they went outside to Robert's limo.

Robert opened the door and encouraged Russo to join Jezebel in the back seat. He got in beside them and looked at Jez with a pout. "You really think the Prince will be offended if we serve him....veal? Yoo-hoo, Tommy! Take us home..."