As Tony stepped out the shower he could hear his cell ring then stop, only to ring again, stop, and ring again….
"OK, OK," Tony shouted at the phone as he strode across, a towel wrapped round his midriff, only for it to stop.
He picked up and saw 3 missed calls, Abby, Sarah and Abby, as the phone rang again, "What?" he roared, "Tim, I was in the shower…yes I am naked, well except for a towel….no you can't…I have a mouth like a monkey's armpit and a head that feels like it is going to burst, and you want me to go and get fitted for a tux?...Ok but only if you are buying," as he heard Tim say he would buy lunch at a swanky restaurant.
-oOo-
As Washington DC has no casinos at all, not even tribal casinos. The thing that could come close would be a charity 'casino night', which is a fundraising event. Charities can also run bingo games, raffles and Texas Hold'em, a variation of the standard card game of poker, and other tournaments to collect money for their good causes.
Sarah had organized with her old college the room or hall; it was away from the main campus cafeteria and it was a ticket only affair. She had got the tickets printed for free by the paper and was duly dishing out 10 per person. The room was only big enough for 100 persons once the tables had been inserted and there were the fire regulations, so 15 persons to sell, she was going to give 20 to her brother and 10 to Delilah, the other tickets would be shared out between the paper and the teaching staff.
-oOo-
Tony arrived at the restaurant and immediately felt out of place, he was smart but casual, but this was a shirt and tie joint with trousers not jeans.
"Dress code Tony," Tim said, looking a dapper as Ducky would have commented in a suit.
"It's my weekend off, and if I wanted to slouch I am jolly well going to," came the reply.
"Still a bit grouchy are we?" Delilah asked.
"Just get me a beer please," Tony requested as he saw Abby arrive with the Maître d' who coughed slightly at Tony.
"I can vouch for him," Tim replied, "He just has had a spot of bad luck, his apartment was torched last week while he was on vacation and all he has with him now is this ensemble."
"Very good, Mr. Gemcity, and may I say what a pleasure it is to have your presence today, now if Sir," as he looked at Tony, "Wishes to order?"
"I'll have a beer, in the bottle, please," Tony answered.
"Very good Sir, and Mr. Gemcity your usual and for the ladies?"
"Champagne cocktails," Delilah replied, as Sarah approached from the washroom.
"Mmm great, now Mr Gemcity," as Sarah sat and produced a reporter's note pad from her purse, "I believe you are going to help sponsor one of the gaming tables for the Casino Night at Waverley?"
"I am indeed, Ms. McGee, and I am going to personally sign both my books for the winner of the silent auction, and will include his or her name in the next book of the Deep Six series. And Ms. Sutton is going to man one of the poker tables."
The Maître d' came back with the drinks and placed the cocktails in front of the girls and a white wine for Tim, he then placed the beer down in front of Tony, "Just indicate Mr. Gemcity, when you are ready to eat."
As Tony took a slug of the beer he turned to Tim, "How long are you keeping this up for, and I did no lose my clothes in a fire."
"Tony, we are trying to get into the mood here, and if you don't mind, you said you would be James Bond, so I think you need to ditch the beer and start on the vodka martinis." Tim retorted, as he indicated to the waiter they were ready to eat.