Drip drip drop drip. The rain spilled from the gutter unto the stone paved streets of Venice. It had been raining for a week now. Endless thunderstorm after thunderstorm. Victor continued to gaze out his window. The whole city seemed to match his grey mood. A black cat scampered by, looking for shelter. A lonely beggar in tattered clothing walked across the street, looking for a dry place to sleep. Victor so desperately wished something exciting would happen ever since the carousel. Nothing happens in Venice except the usual robberies, and break-ins.
It was 7 o'clock, dark as night, and still raining. A single candle lit the office Victor now shared with Scipio. Thunder crashed, and lightning lit the place up. Then the darkness came back. For the thousandth time, Victor wondered where Scipio had gone. Right when the next lightning bolt struck, the door his office banged against the wall. Victor jumped. In the doorway stood Scipio and a soaked woman.
Arabella Carter was her name. She was a gorgeous young woman with long black hair, and sad grey eyes. She wore a long black cloak that had become soaked in the rain. She looked as though she was about to cry and the rain dripping from her makeup…ugh, needless to say she looked like a mess. Scipio was obviously moved with pity. He guided her to the leather couch in the office. Victor had gotten up to start to make the coffee or tea or whatever was left over in the cupboards.
Arabella was crying into her hands, sobbing loudly enough for Victor in the other room to hear. Scipio walked over to her and handed her a handkerchief. She took it gladly, and Scipio joined Victor in the kitchen. He had found some tea, and he had thrown a shot of brandy in it. Victor walked out back into the office part of his apartment and offered a teacup to Miss Carter. She accepted it gladly, and it calmed her down.
An hour later, Arabella was ready to talk. Victor sat in his usual leather chair behind his massive cherry wood desk. With pen and paper in hand, he began to ask questions.