It was getting dark now. People had reached there homes hours ago. Families had eaten dinner, passing words of what the day had brought. Children had laughed and were now tucked up in bed. Parents sitting downstairs watching television while the snuggled up on the sofa. Students were still awake in their dorms. Some enjoying long evenings playing cards while others crammed for lessons. Some of them scribbling away at that essay due for the morning. There were some people who just had a night in. Checking e-mails and watching TV. In amongst all these ordinary things, there was something else going on. This town was better known for it's night life. There were a lot of pubs and countless clubs, but there was one building that really made this town stand out. The Edelweiss Casino stood out among the dark shadows of the night. It's sign lighting up the sky, the amazing flashing lights demanding attention from any passer by. Some said if you flew over in a plane you would be able to spot the casino. Some of the residents were not please when it opened, said it would bring all sorts of people to their town. Some said it ruined the town at night. The majority of people just accepted it. There were already loads of dodgy clubs and buildings around, what was one more going to do? The owners were renown for being an over night success, rags to riches and all that. No one really knew much apart from the stories. Many people wanted to know... what was their secret?
"I think we have done rather well Roderich." Vash smiled as he spun his chair round. His shaggy blond hair coming to a rest after the movement. Roderich flicked away a stray strand of brown hair and nodded in reply. The pair sat at two ends of a very extravagant office. Mahogany desks, leather chairs, the whole room was filled with splendid furniture and the walls were decorated with the most expensive paintings money could buy. In between there works of art hung framed newspaper headlines, all of them about the two men in the room. The pair were dressed in very smart and very expensive suits. Both of them pleased in the money they had made.
"I think we have done very well." Roderich smiled. "Wine?" He offered his friend.
"I think I will have a glass." Vash smiled getting up. "We will get a nice bonus tomorrow." He chuckled darkly. Roderich nodded going to get a bottle of wine from the rack.
"Yes, it's lovely when partnerships work out like this." Roderich said as he retrieved two wine glasses. At that moment there was a quiet knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Vash called out. The door was pushed open a fraction as a young girl peeked through, her short blond hair and green eyes looking to Vash. "Oh Lily, come in." He smiled warmly going over to the girl and hugging her. Lily blushed as she hugged back. She was dressed in a rather modest dark red dress.
"You're in a good mood brother." She said softly. "What's happened?"
"We'll hopefully get another big win tomorrow." He said smiling. "We were going to open a bottle of wine to celebrate."
"Correction Vash, we have opened a bottle of wine." Roderich smiled as he poured two glasses. "Lily would you like a glass?"
"No thank you." She replied softly. "Why are you celebrating before you have something to celebrate?" She asked. Vash tried to think up an answer quickly. Luckily Roderich came to the rescue.
"We just have a very good hunch." Roderich explained. Lily nodded and looked back to her brother.
"Why do we celebrate making other people poor?" Lily asked again. Vash was ready for this one.
"It is not our fault they become poor." He said softly. "They choose to accept the risk of loosing. Luck favours one person one day and another the next. We are just giving them the chance of playing, it's their choice to play."
"Okay." She said quietly. Vash knew she wasn't happy with their job. She didn't like gambling at all. She would never do it in her life, but she also knew this was the job that had saved her and her brother from starving. Vash hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"Don't forget Lily, we do help some people get richer. It's not all bad." He smiled softly.
"Okay." She nodded, looking up to him. "I'm going back to my room now. Don't drink to much." She said.
"Good night Lily." Vash said as the young girl turned and left the room. As the door shut he sighed to Roderich. "I wish she would stop worrying about people... but I know she can't. She still has love in her heart and compassion for others."
"Are you saying I am heartless?" Roderich joked carrying the glasses over.
"No, nothing like that." Vash said taking his drink. "Our hearts have been hardened to the world. We have faced years fighting just to survive. She was so young she didn't understand. I wish I could be kind and compassionate again, but in the day and age. It pays very well to be heartless." He said with a small smile. Roderich nodded to the statement.
"Cheers to that." He clinked his glass against Vash's. "And to tomorrow. When we will certainly have a big win."
"Cheers." Vash smiled clinking his glass and taking a sip. He hated having to lie to Lily... but this was for her own good. She would feel worse if she knew how they had a 'hunch' and how certain it was. The reason on how they knew they would be successful was their little secret. Their little secret however, was not in a good mood.
Lovina hated her life. She hated her job. She hated the people she was forced to talk to. She hated the clothes that she had to wear. But there was one thing more that Lovina hated more than anything else in her life. She hated her luck. Lovina had the worst record in the book with luck. Nothing had ever seemed to go right for her. She stood in her long emerald dress that clung to her figure. She growled in annoyance as she tried to pull up the front as she was showing an uncomfortable amount of cleavage. Her long brown hair went just past her shoulders with a green headband keeping it under control. Her high heel shoes were already killing her feet, but she couldn't change her outfit. Her bosses wouldn't let her. She needed to look attractive and appealing at all times, but also keep some modesty. She was glad the idea of a crop top and hot pants were out of the question. Her bosses had nick named her 'Lady Luck'. She hated the irony of that stupid name. She was never lucky, she never had been and maybe never will be. That wasn't the annoying part though. The thing that annoyed her the most was that when ever she was around anyone or touched someone, even something as small as a brush against while walking, they would be lucky. It was guaranteed! Everyone else who she had ever had contact with became stupidly lucky while she was around. While they won the lottery she still could never guess heads or tails correctly. That silly little trait was what had landed her here. Working for two rich bastards, making them richer while she remained completely dependent on them for everything. They paid her in bed and board. She was well fed and had a room to herself. On the odd occasion when there was a big win, she could have some money to go to the cinema or buy some new clothes. A budget of £100 was alright. Many people would love to have that to go shopping with. But she never knew when the next £100 would come. If she worked hard it was the next week, but sometimes it could be months away. She couldn't run away either, she had a contact. Though the main reason was that she had nowhere to go. If she saved up and got a train ticket and went off... what would she do at the other end? Beg for money? She was trapped here, no way out and no holiday in sight. This was her life. To be used to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Her body and looks were being used to deceive and seduce men into wasting their money away. The only thing that wasn't being used in this vicious cycle was her soul. It remained hopeful of freedom. That one day, a nice guy would turn up. Treat her like a lady and not a trophy. He would say kind things to her, holding her tenderly. Most of all she dreamed he would take her away from this place. Away from the lies, the debts and the sin. Take her to a house in the countryside, where there were trees and flowers. Clean air and a blue sky. At night it would be silent, no shouting, no big building with flashing light. Just the sound or crickets and a stream.
"Hey Lovina!" A loud voice broke her daydream. She looked to the voice to see her 'boyfriend' walking towards her. His long green trench coat was the iconic thing about him, that and the fez. "You spaced out on me. Are you feeling okay babe?" He asked invading her personal space.
"I'm fine." She snapped back at him, moving away. He chuckled pulling her close to his chest, smiling as she beat her fists against him.
"Aww come on." He whispered. "I'm sorry I was late, but you know how the wife is." Lovina bit down on his shoulder causing him to release her. "What was that for?" He shouted. Lovina would of loved to shout out all the faults about this guy. She wanted to scream at him for leaving his wife to flirt with her. The fact he never seemed to keep his hands away from her. The fact he just wanted to have his way and leave. Instead of doing all of that, Lovina took a deep breath, looked up at him and started her best act.
"I'm sorry." She pouted. "I've just been so stressed out." She continued in her sickly innocent act. His expression softened at her actions.
"Nah, I should be sorry." He said. "Come on, let me cheer you up. You feeling lucky tonight?" He grinned.
"I always feel lucky with you." She smiled. The man smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her roughly towards him. He beamed walking into the casino to find some games. Lovina at this point... just wanted to vomit.