THE SW CASINO
By Minimizer
Chapter 18
As I expected, Beth met me in the changing room, and she wasted no time getting right to the point. "Nice job recovering from the collision," she said with a friendly smile. "You reacted exactly as you should have. Very nicely done."
I nodded. "I knew that would happen sooner or later," I told her. "I just didn't expect the guy to help me up like that."
"It's human nature," she replied. "Especially for men. They have some kind of instinctive need to help a woman in distress. He probably didn't even think about what he was doing."
"I don't know what I liked less," I said. "The collision or being picked up like a rag doll afterward."
"Well," she pointed out, "you can expect something similar any time somebody runs into you."
I sighed. Of course, I should have expected as much. There was also a not-so-subtle hint underneath Beth's words. She might as well have added, "So get a grip on your fear, or you won't last long in this job."
This was one of those times I really wished I could turn off the ear implant, because I would have preferred to have continued the conversation without Mark overhearing. Unfortunately, there was no on/off switch. "Actually," I said after a protracted pause, "I've been thinking about what you said ever since. You're absolutely right. I want to practice in the break room with Mark."
In his hotel room, I suspected, my partner was probably falling out of his chair at that moment. I wished I could see his reaction.
"Good for you," Beth answered reassuringly. "We'll have to arrange a time just before or just after your shift."
"Well, first I have to figure out how to ask him for help without looking desperate," I said, practically begging for suggestions.
"Just come right out and ask," she told me. Of course, I'd effectively already done that, but she didn't know it. "If he's still your friend, and I think he is, then he'll be flattered that you asked him. If you get any other reaction, especially if he thinks it's funny, then drop the whole thing. Trust me, I've seen this lots of times."
"Okay, thanks," I told her. "Can I get some time in the room tomorrow about fifteen minutes before I start? I'll let you know if he can't make it then, but something tells me he'll be available." I glanced skyward as I said this, as if to let Mark know I expected him to agree.
"Sure," she replied. "There's nothing special I have to do on this end. Just lock the door while you're inside. I'll make sure the cameras are off."
"Okay," I agreed. Actually, I doubted very much that the cameras would be deactivated. There would be no better time to use them. Beth's earlier story that she would "check in every five minutes or so" was just a hedge so she could hurry in if my partner went too far, and explain it away later as just a checking-up visit.
"As for the quads, you did a bang-up job on those, too," Beth informed me. "You're really a natural at this. If you can conquer your fears, you'll be working the poker table in no time!"
By this point I was done changing and was ready to head out. Beth let me go after telling me she'd meet me here the next day just before I was to start making the rounds on the main floor. She SAID it was to make sure I knew the route and all, and to answer any more questions I might have, but I was sure it was to find out how things had gone with Mark.
I chuckled to myself. Of course she would want to know. Hadn't she been the one who pointed out how cute he was?
I went out into the casino, got a drink of water, and started to go to my car when the cell phone rang. Guess who? Yep, it was Mark. He'd at least waited until no one else was around before calling.
"Hello, Mark," I said flatly as stepped out the front doors and into the fresh Nevada air. "Hmm, I wonder why you could be calling?"
"I'll be there," he told me quickly, almost nervously. "Quarter till twelve tomorrow."
"Thanks," I replied after a moment. I really couldn't think of anything else useful to say.
"Look," he went on clumsily, "I know how hard this must be for you, and I, um, well, I just wanted to let you know, I'll do whatever it takes to--"
I was still feeling embarrassed and worried about this, and of course, thinking about having to go through it wasn't any better, so I just interrupted him right there. "Mark, just shut up," I said calmly. "Don't make this any harder than it is. I'll see you tomorrow. Make sure you behave yourself, because I think we'll be monitored. Got it?"
"All right," he replied hastily, and I hung up the phone.
Well, he sounded upset, and rightfully so. I probably shouldn't have been so quick to cut him off like that, but him falling all over himself was NOT helping. What was with him, anyway? It was almost like he was more nervous about this than I was.
To get my mind off the subject, I did what the typical American woman does in a similar situation--I went shopping. Of course, I'm not typical by any stretch of the imagination, so instead of the mall, I went to a couple of computer stores. Watching TV every night was too boring, so I was thinking about picking up a cheap machine so I could get on the 'net and maybe play some online games. I could have gone over to Mark's and used any of several computers for that, but things being what they were, I had little desire to do so.
I had a couple of hours to waste, so I shopped around for a bit and finally found what I wanted. It wasn't all that powerful, just a Pentium IX, without any expensive add-ons, and it only cost me $3K, which wasn't bad for a brand new computer in today's market. A PX with all the trimmings would have run at least double that, and I wasn't willing to drop a month's salary on something I just wanted to use to surf the 'net.
Anyway, I placed the order, which of course they'd have to assemble for me, and was told I could get it tomorrow evening. That was perfect, as it would give me something to do over the weekend.
Just before six I went back to work and met Lori and Heather at the Double R. That's a Western-style restaurant located inside the casino, in case I haven't already mentioned it. It's mostly a BBQ place, but they also have a lot of Mexican food. The waiters dress in south-of-the-border outfits, while the waitresses wear frilly cowgirl clothes. All the servers were normal sized--apparently the casino didn't shrink food servers, only cocktail girls.
Anyway, I was a few minutes late getting there. Lori and Heather already had drinks and were engrossed in conversation. From what I gathered as I was sitting down, Heather was telling Lori what to expect from working the main floor. "It's a lot busier," she was saying. "You've just gotta keep your mind on the route. That was that toughest part for me."
"Yeah, after the movie, I'll be out there pacing it," Lori agreed. "Fortunately, Ashley and I are going to be sharing the same area, right, Ashley?"
"Yep," I put in. "I figure we can help each other out, if we get lost or something."
Lori laughed. "Well, except for the route, I'm ready," she told us. "I did a dozen quads today, no problem."
"Me too," I said, not bothering to point out that I'd actually done four-drink deliveries for virtually my entire shift. I didn't want to sound too proud of myself. "I think I'm worried more about the traffic, actually. I got run over today."
"What?" Lori asked. "What happened?"
"Some guy knocked me over from behind," I replied, shrugging as if it were no big deal. "Then he picked me up and made nice about it."
"Ooh, he picked you up!" exclaimed Heather, suddenly intently interested. "Did he do anythin' else to you?"
"What is it with you, anyway?" I said with a laugh. "No, nothing happened, he just picked me up and set me on my feet!"
"Damn," Heather pouted. "Y'know, if some handsome giant guy doesn't feel me up soon, I'm gonna go nuts!"
I just rolled my eyes, but Lori had a completely different reaction that surprised all of us. "We have got to get you laid!" she blurted out.
Heather almost choked on her drink, and in moments the three of us were doubled over in laughter. For the first time in ages, I felt like I was part of a real circle of friends.