Viva Las Vegas (2/?)
By Carol M.
See first part for details
Note: This is gonna get fun. Enjoy!
"All right, kids. Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Golda is ready for immediate departure," said Bobby from the driver's seat of the van.
"Vegas, baby, Vegas!" shouted Darien with excitement from the back.
Claire rolled her eyes from her position next to Darien, but couldn't help the smile that slowly spread across her face, illustrating her own excitement.
Darien gave her a coy glance and then cleared his throat, causing Claire to glance in his direction. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an impressive looking gold band sprinkled with small diamonds. He waved the ring in front of Claire's face and smiled widely. "Ms. Claire Keeply, do you take me, Darien Fawkes to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I guess," said Claire in a bored tone as she stuck out her hand.
Darien slipped the ring on her finger and looked at her expectantly. "I think this is the part where we kiss," he said slyly.
They both heard a muttered curse coming from the front seat.
Claire crinkled her face in embarrassment. "I don't think so," she said firmly.
Darien shrugged and pulled another ring out of his pocket, slipping it on his own finger. "Hey, I had to try right?"
Claire gave him an awkward smile and then leaned back against the side of the van, closing her eyes.
Darien shuffled towards the front of the van and patted Bobby on the shoulder. "Um, Hobbes, I got a question for you," said Darien.
Bobby raised an eyebrow and turned Golda onto the freeway. "Yes, Fawkes?"
"Well, you know I'm just thinking…won't it look kind of strange if the three of us show up in this hunk of junk van when I'm supposed to be this big time drug dealer?" asked Darien.
"Way ahead of you, Fawkes. We got a car waiting in Vegas. You're gonna make your entrance in style," said Bobby.
Darien snorted. "Yeah, knowing the Official, it's probably the cheapest piece of crap on the lot," said Darien sarcastically.
"Actually, it's a Jaguar. Convertible, two seater, the lap of luxury," replied Bobby casually.
Darien's jaw dropped into his lap. "A Jag? We get a Jag?"
"That's affirmative, my friend. You get the Jag and I'm stuck with Golda here," said Bobby, patting the steering wheel for emphasis.
Darien gave Bobby a toothy grin. "Oh the sacrifices we make for the good of our country," said Darien as he scooted backwards in the van to get some sleep. "Wake me when we get there," said Darien as he positioned his body next to Claire and closed his eyes, trying to ward off the ache that was still pounding from his head.
Bobby sighed and continued on the long drive to Vegas in annoyed silence.
**
Darien whistled when he saw the sleek black Jaguar gleaming before him. He rolled his shoulders to get the kinks out from the long, uncomfortable drive and then a look of child-like glee spread across the features of his face. "Man, I guess I was in the wrong line of work back in my criminal days," he said as he hopped into the front seat of the car and began playing with all the gadgets. He looked up at the car dealer with a curious expression on his face. "Any super spy equipment on this car? You know, oil slicks, rocket launchers, stuff like that?"
Bobby rolled his eyes and set Darien and Claire's luggage in the back of the car. "You're not James Bond, Fawkes and our friend here hardly looks like Q," said Bobby as he glanced at the pimply faced car dealer.
"That's right, I'm Fawkes, Darien Fawkes and I like my Corona stirred, not shaken," said Darien sarcastically. His gaze drifted to Claire, who was watching both Darien and Bobby with amusement. He motioned his hand towards the passenger's seat. "Hop in, Keep, your chariot awaits," he said with a broad grin.
"Don't mind if I do," said Claire as she stepped to the side of the car and opened the door. She slid into the seat and shut the door behind her, admiring the luxuriousness of the car.
Darien looked in the back and saw that all their luggage had been transferred to the Jag. "Star Inn, right Hobbesy?" asked Darien.
"You got it, partner. Just take a right of this lot and go down the strip. The Star Inn should be at the very end according to the map from the Agency," said Bobby.
Darien stuck his thumb up in the air and made a clicking sound with his tongue. "Check," he said as he put the key in the ignition and started the car. The car roared to life as Darien pressed his foot on the gas pedal several times. "Wooo hooo, listen to that engine," he yelled with excitement. "Check you later, partner," said Darien as he peeled out of the parking lot, leaving Bobby and the car dealer staring nervously at the dust trail Darien had left behind him.
Bobby smirked. "Don't worry. If he breaks the car, I'll make sure the repairs come out of his paycheck," said Bobby as he headed towards Golda. He started the van, groaning at the lack of an impressive sound and then carefully pulled out onto the strip to catch up to Darien.
About two blocks ahead of him, Darien and Claire were getting their first glimpse of the strip. The roads were filled with gamblers and vacationers marching anxiously towards their next jackpot. The lights of the many casinos and hotels reflected against the shiny blackness of the car, turning it into a miniature sparkler of sorts.
Darien and Claire glanced at one another, both letting out a slight gasp of awe. "You know, sometimes I love my job," said Darien as he glanced at a casino with a plethora of gorgeous women standing outside.
The women whistled as Darien drove by, checking out not only the car, but its driver as well.
"Some nice ladies in this town," Darien commented innocently.
Claire rolled her eyes. "I think they were hookers," she replied.
"Hey, I will have you know, hookers are people too," said Darien.
They drove on, taking in the expensive cars lining the parking lots of some of the hotels. "Me Elvis, you Ann Margaret," said Darien teasingly to Claire.
"Well, you've certainly got the hairstyle right," said Claire as she glanced in amusement at Darien's hair and noted that it had seemed to grow even bigger in the five minutes they had been driving on the strip.
Darien was about to retort with a witty comment when he spotted the Star Inn. "Oh, oh, there it is," he said, pointing at an elegant looking black sign with the words Star Inn etched in gold letters across it.
Darien pulled into driveway and parked the car at the entrance to the hotel. A doorman dressed in a black uniform was instantly at their side. "How can I help you, sir?" he asked as he opened the passenger's side door for Claire. Claire stepped out of the car and looked at Darien with slight nervousness.
Darien got out of the car and stepped to the doorman, extending his hand. "Yeah, I'm uh, Roy Michaels and that little buttercup over there is my wife Shirley," responded Darien in a confident tone.
Claire forced a smile and stuck out her hand. The doorman took her hand and kissed it gently. Claire put on her most charming smile as he gently released her hand.
"Yes, Mr. Michaels, we've been expecting you," said the doorman as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope. He handed it to Darien, who eyed it curiously.
"I've been instructed to give you this, sir. It should answer any questions you may have," the doorman responded.
"Thanks man," said Darien as he reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a dollar, handing it to the man.
The man eyed the dollar in slight disgust and then put it in his own pocket. "Thank you, sir. Your check in has already been taken care of," said the doorman as he pulled out two keys. "Rooms 501 and 502. A luxury suite with an adjoining economy class suite, as instructed."
Darien took the keys and then glanced towards the street as he saw Bobby pull Golda into the driveway. "Oh yeah, that's my security dude," Darien pointed out as Bobby parked the van behind the Jaguar and quickly got out.
The doorman eyed the van in horror. "I see," he said.
Bobby walked towards the doorman and stuck out his hand. "James Burnett, head of security for Mr. Michaels," he said.
The doorman nodded as he shook Bobby's hand. "Lovely van you got there."
Bobby tilted his head. "What can I say, it gets great mileage."
"Right," said the doorman awkwardly. "We'll take care of your luggage and your cars. Why don't you go upstairs and check out your rooms."
"Sounds like a plan," said Darien as he stuck out his arm and raised an eyebrow towards Claire. "Muffin?"
Claire smiled awkwardly and then stepped forward, taking Darien's arm. Together, the pair walked through the shiny glass doors of the hotel with Bobby following close behind.
The trio made their way through the lobby and it immediately became clear to Darien that the Star Inn was no ordinary hotel. Everyone seemed to be dressed in either tuxedos or Paris's finest. Clearly, his tan jacket, white T-shirt and old jeans were a little out of place, while Bobby and Claire, both dressed in elegant looking business attire fit the bill to a tee.
They continued on, see that the ceiling was lined with sparkling chandeliers that seemed to reflect every color of the rainbow. The floors were covered in a lush forest green carpet that looked brand new and the walls were covered in expensive looking paintings and pictures of celebrities that had been guests at the hotel.
The trio passed by the casino, which was bustling with people, noise and color and then they passed a five-star restaurant with such advertised dishes as lobster and escargot.
"Pinch me, I'm dreaming," said Darien as the group stopped in front of a bank of shiny gold elevators.
Bobby smirked and pressed the up button. "Relax Fawkes. It's just a little glitz and glamour, all for show. Don't let it go to your head."
"Too late," said Darien as the elevator door opened and an old stocky man dressed in a Star Inn uniform greeted them.
"Going up?" he asked with a large grin.
"Yes," said Claire with an elegant smile as she let Darien lead her into the elevator. "Floor five."
"Very well, miss," said the elevator operator as he shut the doors and pushed the floor five button.
"Mrs.," said Darien. "That's a married woman you're talking to," he said..
Bobby rolled his eyes.
"Of course, sir," said the operator.
The group stood in silence as the elevator made its ascent to the fifth, listening in annoyance to the Muzak playing in the background.
When the doors opened on the fifth floor, Darien pulled a dollar out of his pocket and handed it to the elevator operator.
"Oh, thank you, sir," said the man.
"Nice tip, Fawkes," whispered Bobby as the trio stepped off the elevator.
"What?" asked Darien innocently.
Bobby shook his head. "Never mind."
"Oh, oh guys, there's our rooms," said Claire with excitement as she eyed rooms 501 and 502 down the hall.
The trio walked to the doorways with muted anticipation. Darien pulled out the keys and handed one to Bobby. "See you in a few, Fawkes," said Bobby as he successfully opened his door and disappeared inside his room.
Darien stepped into the doorway of his and Claire's room and slipped the keycard inside the slot. "Let's see what we've got here," said Darien as he pushed the door open. He gasped in surprise when he saw their suite.
The room was done in an elegant looking gold, the rich color sparkling on practically every piece of furniture. There was a huge queen-sized bed, a long gold couch, a big screen TV, a stereo and a kitchen complete with a bar. The bathroom contained a beautiful glass shower along with a marble Jacuzzi.
Darien walked through the room and opened the glass doors that led to the balcony. He stepped out and whistled at the view, which overlooked into a courtyard filled with flowers and a huge fountain. He stepped back in the room and nodded in appreciation. "Wow," he said.
"I'll say," said Claire as she spotted a huge gift basket sitting on the counter of the kitchen. She picked up the card and read it aloud. "To Mr. and Mrs. Michaels, enjoy your stay."
"Nice," said Darien as he reached into the basket pulled out a bottle of Kristal champagne. "Hello Las Vegas," said Darien as he opened the seal and popped the cork, causing champagne to bubble over the side. He found some glasses and poured each of them a glass.
"To our marriage, may it end as soon as possible in divorce," said Darien as he tapped glasses with Claire and took a generous swig.
"I'll drink to that," said Claire as she took a sip from her glass. "Oh that's good," she exclaimed.
"Well, there's plenty more where that came from," said Darien as he pulled two more bottles out of the basket.
"Nice digs, Mr. Michaels," said Bobby as he entered the room from the adjoining door. Darien and Claire turned to their side and saw Bobby giving the room the once over.
Darien held up the champagne. "Some bubbly, Mr. Burnett?" asked Darien.
"Don't mind if I do," said Bobby.
Darien poured him a glass and another for himself. They both quickly gulped down their glasses of the sparkling alcohol.
Darien set down his glass and reached into his pocket. "Okay, enough play, let's get down to business," he said as he pulled out the envelope the doorman had given him. He opened the envelope and pulled out a single piece of paper. "Mr. Michaels, please join us for a late black tie dinner on the terrace. All guests are welcome. Ten o'clock sharp," he read aloud.
Darien checked his watch, seeing it was nearly 8:30. "Well kids, I guess its time to start getting ready for this shindig."
Claire gave Darien and Bobby a devilish grin. "Let our vacation begin."
TBC