A/N: This one is a little shorter than the others... but I think it is a little more eventful. :D This story is so fun to write...
Sorry for the late update. I have been slacking, but I have TWO fanfictions, AND a fictionpress.
Do any of you know what fictionpress is? It is a website, from the creators of , that is for original stories. This site is for the fans, that one is for the ones that have their own, original characters and such. They are both equally creative, and I recommend that you go browse over there.
My account: Smiley1Face23
(My same name as on here)
Thanks for reading! Reviews would be nice... haven't had any of those for any of my stories in... three weeks? Somewhere along there. I may discontinue this story and 'Wildflower Casino' if I feel that no one is reading it... So... I don't know if you care or not.
:D
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"Carmella?"
I was shaken. Ugh... er... pht.
"Mademoiselle?"
My eyes cracked open, and I felt cloud nine still hover over me in a thick haze of fog.
"Carmella? Time to awaken..."
My breath was heavy as I sat up and stretched. My opened book fell from my face and landed in my lap, then onto the floor.
"Good evening, mademoiselle..." Mary was smiling as she picked up my book and gently set it down on the side table by my head.
"M-Mary..." I shut my eyes for a moment, then opened then wide, rolling them to wake them up.
She giggled. "Time to awaken, mademoiselle... if I am to prepare you for tonight's evening."
My eyes were wide now as I remembered the thank you dinner. I sprang up in my seat, now on my bottom instead of my back. "MARY! Oh, I'm sorry! I must've dozed off, you see-"
"Sh... I know. If you are too tired to go, that is alright. All you need is to say 'thank you', which you already did a thousand times, and we can save some money, eh?" she sat next to me.
There was no difference between the vision of sleep and my regular vision. It was usually all blackness... dark and lonely blackness.
"No. I am to take you and Benny to dinner. What time is it?" I stood now, Mary following.
"Five o'clock Carmella."
"Oh. Benny will be here at six fifteen!"
"Yes. You really don't have to take us. Your sum of money is at a stand still, no?"
"Oh please. I think I have enough saved to take my blessed ones out to dinner."
"As you wish, mademoiselle."
She was my assistant. She had no say to whether or not I could take anyone to dinner, including her. Unless she could not go for an emergency, she could not refuse. She just could not.
Benny, on the other hand, I guessed could always go for free food, a thank you or not. I had a little incident with him a while back. I had a spare string cheese stick in my bag when I was walking home from work. I passed by his stand, as I normally did. I stopped for a muffin, and when I reached for my money in my purse, when the cheese stick fell out. I handed him the money, but he seemed to take advantage of my blindness, for he slipped the cheese stick away from under me. I pretended not to notice, but I knew as I walked away that he would consume that cheese some time later.
That kind of thing happened frequently. I was used to people trying to take things from my bag and such. But they didn't know that my senses were more more keen than any of theirs. Since it was Benny, I let it slide. If he wanted cheese, then he could have it. It wouldn't kill me.
I didn't know his situation, though. He could not have a penny to his name. Or, he could just want food. He was a little chubby after all... oh well. I was not one to make judgments. I always think of how much I hate to be judged before I ever judge anything.
Oh, who was I kidding? My entire mind is based off of judgments that I hear from people. That one Carlotta woman could be a nice, modest, beautiful woman who wouldn't take advantage of anyone at all. Who knows? Judging helped me... make conclusions. Not the best conclusions... but conclusions.
"Are you ready Mary?" She guided me down the hall as I heard the sound of water rushing get closer.
"No, I am preparing you first. You take longer, because I want you to look much nicer than I. That is my job, no?" she opened the door to the washroom, "take another shower. I will be picking out your garments."
The door closed and I felt the humidity of the hot water glaze my skin. I could strip on my own, but I still needed Mary to help me in. She was behind me, I could feel it. She stepped in front of me.
"Do you need assistance undressing?" she was a few feet away from me.
"No. Just help me in..." I concentrated as I felt for the zipper on the back of the dress. I found it and gently pulled down.
It fell to the floor, my body now only in undergarments. The heat of the water now caressing more skin.
I unclipped the many clips and buckles on the undergarments and I peeled it off of my body.
Gosh, it was warm in here!
Mary gently gripped my wrist and helped me over the step into the shower. My body soon made contact with water. It was a little too warm for my liking, but I could always fix that with a flick of the wrist.
"Are you comfortable?" she asked as I closed the curtain.
"Yes. Thank you Mary... now go make yourself look beautiful..." I began to reach for the soap and my washcloth, recently washed.
The door closed and I resumed to clean myself. I changed the water to lukewarm.
Nope, too cold.
I changed it to in between hot and lukewarm.
Nope, still too cold.
I turned it to warm.
Eh... too hot.
I went back to in between lukewarm and hot.
Oh, it would have to do.
I washed my hair and face and such, still not satisfied with the stupid temperature. I was never happy with the temperature of any water. Whether it be the bath, shower, or swimming pool or lake. It was another one of my annoying habits... oh well.
I stepped out of the shower, being VERY careful, and wrapped myself with a towel. I dried then wrapped it around my head, drying my hair.
I stepped over my the sink and grabbed a tiny string. I swung it back and fourth for a few seconds. The bell's rings were like a chirping bird, warning someone of something coming.
Mary slowly opened the door. The bell that I rang signified that I was done with my washing and drying.
"Ready to go get ready, mademoiselle?" she approached me and guided me out of the room. The intoxicating smell of her over-used perfume filled my nose, making it burn and twist in the odd scent. Her hands were soft, for she probably just applied lotion to them. I also smelled nail polish and hair spray... and a hint of make up. You know, that creamy smell of concealer? That stagnant smell of mascara?
"Yes I am. And might I say, you smell delightful, Mary," I half lied, "what scent is that?"
"Marde de'la deganio. It is new... would you like to use some?" she opened the door to my preparatory room.
"No thank you... I have my favorite..." I smiled as I was sat down into the bench.
I really hated being dolled up, being out into a silk dress, and wearing high heeled shoes.
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The car pulled up and I sighed. I ended up 'trying' that new perfume. Mary wouldn't leave me alone about it. So, I just gave up and let her spray me with it.
Great, I would have to smell this hideous perfume all night. Perhaps it would wear off. Then again... my nose could smell a perfume washed away to the normal nose.
"Well, I know you can't see anything..." Benny's cheerful, low voice greeted me, "but you both look divine enough to make a man really happy to know you..."
We both giggled. "Thank you, Benny..." we thanked in unison.
I felt Benny approach, his heavy footsteps banging on the pavement. I was swooped up in a hug as Mary and I smiled at his hearty laugh.
Oh... he was chubby. I could tell he was donned in a tuxedo, for this place was fantastically fancy.
I waited as he hugged Mary, and then took my hand. "You both look completely stunning. Really..."
He had already stated this, but he was flattering us. I smiled, flashing my teeth just the slight and blushed slightly.
"Come, we are taking our carriage to the restaurant..." Mary was next to me as she guided me ahead of him, and I assumed he followed.
"And don't you argue" I objected as he made a little peep.
Mary helped me into the carriage, and soon the horses moved. We had paid a driver for tonight, just so that we could all be together. Usually when it was just me and Mary, Mary obviously guided the horses.
"Thank you for taking me to dinner tonight," Benny sat next to me and kissed my hand. "It's not every day that I get to have a beautiful woman by my side at a fancy-pants restaurant."
"Oh, you are very welcome. I will never be able to thank you enough for that job interview."
"I just took a piece of paper!"
"A piece of paper that could save my life!"
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far!"
All three of us play-bickered for a little while. It usually took us an hour to get to Biaggis because we were so far away. Then after that wore off, we chatted about what was going on in our lives.
I found out that Benny had no wife or girlfriend, but he did have a child. He was a widow, for his wife died in labor. He had another job as a night guard for the local bank at night. His child, who is named Gustavo, works as a butcher at the local butcher. I never knew anything about his wife, I didn't even know he had one. What a good friend I am, eh?
Benny was glad to hear that the job interview went swell. He didn't know anything about the woman either... she was certainly a mystery until we got there.
"So how was the opera house? Was anyone singing?" Benny asked while we were on the subject.
"No singing... but there was a party, a masquerade, going on. They were celebrating the riddance of the opera ghost" I rolled my eyes.
"The riddance? Is he finally gone? That phantom has caused so much terror and pain... good thing he is gone" Benny remarked.
"How can you rid of something that doesn't exist? He isn't real... it is just some criminal's excuse for killing all those people. When you have the chance to blame it on someone else, always take it..." I sighed as the vehicle paused at a police officer's request. The roads were designed to let some people go while others waited for them to go.
"Doesn't exist? Thy don't you think he is real?"
"That legend has existed for hundreds of years... is the man immortal? I think not..."
"He is a ghost. Ghosts haunt for as long as they please."
"Yes, but do you know how many priests have come and blessed that opera house? They have rid of evil spirits many times... so why does he remain?"
"I never thought about that... but then who kills those people? Who wears the mask when they noose the actors?"
"A murderer. A real person, with a real heartbeat... they only stick with the legend to get away with it. When the police think someone else is doing it, who do they go after? The ghost, not the real murderer. Another excuse that the idiots in society accept to believe."
"I guess... but do you know what would really defy all of those blessings and hunts?"
"What?"
"If he was a man. A real man... with blood running through his veins."
"Nonsense, Benny. They have searched the deep depths of the opera house so many times... he would have bound to be found. Plus, the legend is over three hundred years old. Can he live forever?"
"Maybe he can..."
"Don't be foolish..."
Mary had asked the same questions and got the same response long ago. She knew my beliefs, and would not interfere with Benny and I's discussion. I don't know if she believes in the ghost or not, but she has heard my ideas.
I would never believe that he was real, until he took me to his little lair below the opera house and had tea with me. It is just not logical. No one could live three hundred years. And if he does, than I would need more proof than just saying he kills people. Completely illogical and impossible...
The carriage soon stopped after the conversation and the driver opened the doors.
"We are here, madame" he had a thick accent.
"Mademoiselle..." I grabbed his hand as he offered it to help me out, "thank you."
"My bad." He apologized after my feet were firmly on the ground and I was balanced.
I soon heard Benny's heavy steps fall to the rocky path, then Mary's genteel ones.
"May I carry the beautiful women arm in arm into the establishment?" Benny offered Mary and I his elbow, and I gladly accepted.
"You don't have to be fancy and rich to come here, Benny..." he guided Mary and I in as the greeter shut the door behind us, saying 'have a good meal' and 'enjoy yourselves'.
"I'm in this monkey suit... I may as well go all the way..." I heard him chuckle.
The host showed us to our reserved table (Mary must have called while I slept) and we sat down. I was next to Mary, while Benny slid into the booth seat in front of us. The table was the only thing separating us.
The light was dim, I could feel it. I felt the tile that lined the table, then the wood that was the surface. The floor was tile beneath me... I heard my heels click as I slid in. The booths were leather, the napkins cotton, and the walls covered in wallpaper. I felt the warmth of the candles that lit the restaurant against my skin and the top of my head, for there was a hanging lighting fixture above that held candles. I wondered how much time it took to blow out, then light the candles the next morning. That must be a job that nobody wants... lighting candles. Then you would have to relight all of the ones that go out during the day. Hoe much wax dripped into the lighting fixture? How much dripped onto peoples' heads?
"What are you getting?" Benny questioned either me or Mary.
"Me?" I put my hand delicately over my heart.
"Yes."
"I'm getting whatever Mary gets."
"Then what are you getting, Mary?" there was a smile in his voice.
"I'm getting the spaghetti with meatballs" her soft, dainty, feminine voice was quiet compared to the bustle of the restaurant.
"Than that is what I am getting." I responded shortly. "What are you getting, Benny?"
"I'm ordering the cheese-stuffed ravioli."
"Oh, that's delicious! Excellent choice..." I never opened the menu, for what is the point? I can't read it... and this restaurant doesn't offer it in braille. Many restaurants don't.
The waiter soon came to let us order drinks. Benny ordered wine for all of us, but I got a glass of water on the side. I couldn't drink that much alcohol without something to back it up. My limit was two glasses... a reasonable amount.
We also ordered our main courses while he was there.
We chatted about the recent news and such, not bringing up the opera ghost again. It wasn't that I didn't like talking about it, I just didn't believe in him like everybody else. I knew the secrets of the human mind... and how easily they are tricked. How they seem to like believing in the false, yet ignore the truth.
Soon the food came and we began to eat. I knew how to use silverware. I wasn't an idiot... only blind.
Oh my God, these meatballs were divine!
All was quiet among our group, for the food was so delicious. I always liked this fancy restaurant... but only because it gave such large portions. I may not look like it, but I did eat a lot.
Eventually, with little blurbs of conversation, we did finish. I still had pasta remaining, but I had devoured those amazing meatballs. Benny had finished his ravioli off, while Mary had only eaten a quarter of her plate. She was a little smaller than me... but she weighed about the same. Oh well, some people have small stomach capacities.
The check came, and chaos among our group broke out.
"I'll pay, Carmella!"
"Nonsense! You are the guest! I shall pay!"
"I am the caretaker... I will pay!"
"No. I'm the man... I pay."
"Well, I'm the blind person... I shall pay."
"I just want to be polite..."
"I pay!"
"No! I pay!"
Eventually after our quiet bickering, I was victorious. I took out my purse and dug around for, Mary had stated, fifty francs. I put one hundred dollars down, since I didn't have a fifty, and I could get change.
The waiter came by and took the money and the little book that came with it, holding the money.
"Sir," I stopped him, and he paused, "I put down one hundred dollars. You need to give me change."
"Mademoiselle..." he chuckled under his breath, "there is only ninety eight dollars here. Your visual impairment must've tricked you..."
I stood up, and he began to walk away.
"No. That is a one hundred dollar bill. Do you see those dots?" I snatched the little book from him and took the bill out., then pointed to the cluster of dots.
"Yes."
"That is braille. I feel these little dots to read. Do you know what they say right now?"
"Fifty."
"Don't you lie to me! I'm not an idiot! What does it say? Tell me!"
"Mademoiselle, I can call security if you do not lower your voice."
"Fine" I whispered angrily, "tell. Me. What. It. Says."
"I do not read braille."
"I never said you could. Look at the number in the corner of the rectangular green paper in the book."
"I am."
"What does it read, monsieur?"
"Fifty."
My eyes now at half staff, I was angry at this man's ignorance. He thought he could take more money from me just because I was blind. Fool... I was much smarter that him.
"Sir," Benny intruded and stood, "I can see very clearly that that is a one hundred dollar bill. Please stop trying to scam this poor blind woman, who just lost her job into giving your sorry ass fifty dollars more."
Thank you Benny... he will take you much more seriously; for you are a man. Men are much more privileged than women. Benny didn't like it... but what could you do?
He seemed flabbergasted. He didn't know what to do.
"You lie." He defended.
"Waiter," now Mary stood up, "you are making a fool of yourself."
Mary snatched the bill from him. She shoved it into me and I took it.
"Here..." she shoved something into him, "is a fifty dollar bill. I was going to tip you ten dollars... but I guess you don't want anything less than fifty. So sir, leave."
He scurried away with Mary's money. We would bring this up to the manager...
"I hate people." I flopped into the seat and sighed.
"I'm so sorry that happened..." Mary put her hand on my back while Benny apologized.
"I'm used to it. I don't mind that I can't see, but I hate that people try to take advantage of it" I stood once more and brushed my hands over the now wrinkled dress.
We left, my hand in Benny's right hand, while Mary's was in his left hand. We filed a complaint with the manager, but he didn't seem to care much. Idiots... let me blindfold you and steal fifty dollars, that could save your life, from you.
We were soon in the carriage, and all was silent. We were all angry at the waiter.
It was touching that my friends seemed to care enough to get angry at that too.
"Friends..." I broke the silence after we went over a bump, "I don't like silence..."
"I'm just aggravated that such an idiot could think he could outsmart you." Benny remarked.
"I'm angry that he tried to use you because you were blind." Mary grumbled.
"Oh, please," I smiled, "this happens a lot. Don't you worry. This was such a wonderful evening... let's not ruin it with the remembrance of that waiter."
They sighed. I knew that, at least for me, that it was hard for the mind to focus on the positive, when the negative is so overpowering.
The carriage soon pulled up to our abode. The driver, once again, helped us out of the car.
"Are you staying with us a little longer, Benny?" I asked as he stood next to me.
"I would love to... but I told my son I would be home by ten. Thank you for this wonderful evening..." he kissed my hand gently once again.
"Thank you for the interview..." I scooped him up in a hug. My arms didn't wrap all the way around him, and the cologne that he wore still lingered.
He hugged me back. "You're a shoe-in for the job."
"We'll have to see when she contacts me back..." we broke apart and he headed off for his own carriage.
"Thank you for the money, Mary..." we headed inside as I waved to him one last time.
"Thank you for the evening..." she sounded tired, her voice muggy and her speech just the least bit slurred.
"We should head to bed. I'm quite drowsy myself" I closed the door behind me, and slipped off my shoes.
Oooohhh... that was the best feeling in the world; taking off shoes that hurt your feet.
"As am I... do you request a shower or a bath for tonight?" she also shuffled off her jacket and took mine off.
"No thank you. Have a nice rest," I sat down on the couch, "I am going to bed right after I read for a while..." I stroked a match, and lit a candle.
"Are you sure? The last time you said that, you fell asleep" she was standing in the doorway.
"You are right..." I picked up the candle from its holder, and held the book in the other hand.
She giggled as I walked next to her to my room.
I put the candle down and she unzipped my dress.
"Do you need any more assistance?" she acquired.
"No thank you... have sweet dreams..." I began to un-clip my undergarments when she closed the door after saying 'you too'.
I positioned the candle so it warmed my skin under my nightgown. I obviously didn't need the light... why did you think I lit the candle?
I read for a while... feeling the dots to do so. Jolene got her boyfriend back from the war... lovely. Now he can go and blow all of her money, because that was all he wanted her for. Oh well... stupid ending.
I gave up, deciding that finishing the book now would only make me more angry. The anger and aggravation from the restaurant still lingered, so the stupid book would only make it impossible to sleep.
I set it down and blew out the candle. I tugged the blankets over me, my head hitting the soft silk-covered pillow.
I soon fell to blissful sleep, wanting tomorrow to come. I wanted to receive that letter from my, hopefully, boss; to see if I got the job.
I sighed one last time... then... the ecstasy of sleep enveloped over me.
