A/N: I know, i know, i finally updated! My stupid computer was freaking out I hope to update regularly. Here;s the second chapter, enjoy! (Oh, and btw, Izzy and Joe and characters like that aren't the main ones, but they'll appear in later chapters)
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"Is everyone ready?" T.K. asked.
"Everyone except Mimi," Sora said. "It's two in the morning – I'd hate to be the one responsible for waking her."
"Then allow me," Matt said. He strolled into Mimi's room and the four outside in the living room heard a muffled yell from Matt, followed by one from Mimi. Matt then walked out, brushing off his hands. "Mission accomplished – she's up and pissed."
"Mimi, please say you're packed," Kari said.
"Don't sweat it," she replied, getting over her wakeup call and bringing out her luggage.
"Five suitcases?" questioned Tai.
"Yeah, I thought it wasn't enough, either," mused Mimi. "I don't think they'll allow a single person six bags. But two are carryon bags."
"Oh, well, that's okay, then," Kari said.
"C'mon, you guys," T.K. said. "We don't wanna be late."
"For what?" asked Matt. "The two hour waiting line at customs?"
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The six of them piled into Sora's red mini-van and made their way to the airport. "All right, time for Park 'n' Fly!" shouted Tai.
"You like driving around mindlessly for half an hour?" Matt asked.
"Better than carrying these bags around," Mimi said.
In thirty minutes, they reached the airport and prepared for the long wait until they even saw a plane. "Are you sure this will be a relaxing trip, Mims?" Kari asked.
"Oh, yeah," she replied.
"She'll be gambling in the Vegas airport," Tai whispered.
Just then, there was an announcement over the speaker: "Would two porters kindly come down to immigration, please?"
"Oh my God, oh my God," Mimi said, stopping in her tracks. "That was a German accent. He was German. Oh my God. Don't you just melt when you hear that accent?"
"Melt, quiver in fear," Tai said.
"Two minutes in an airport, she's already chasing voices," Sora noted. "I think she'll be fine."
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Once the six of them were sitting, T.K. offered to get them all something to eat for all of them. "I have the distinct feeling we're going to be here longer than expected," he said.
T.K. soon returned with McDonald's fries for Sora, Arby's fries for Matt, a Burger King meal for Tai, a muffin for Mimi, a salad for Kari, and a fruit punch drink for himself.
"Hey, damn, what hotel are we staying in?" Matt asked.
"It doesn't matter, really," Kari said. "It's not a busy time of year, so we could get in anywhere."
"I know!" Tai announced. "Let's write down a whole bunch of hotel names, put them in a…hat of some sort, then have each of us draw a name and that's where we'll stay."
The others blinked. "What are you, twelve?" Mimi asked.
"Do you have a better idea?" Tai questioned. "Didn't think so. We do the hat draw."
The others shrugged and listed off different names for Sora to write down on a spare napkin. "Okay, I wrote down two of each," she said, dropping the pieces into a duffel bag. "That way, there's a chance that some of us can be together. Tai, since it was your idea, you draw first."
He reached in and picked out a piece. "New York New York," he said.
"Why the hell would you stay there, when you live in the real New York?" exclaimed Matt.
"Well, why the hell would someone write that down?" Tai said.
"Just pick again," Kari said.
Tai did so, and this time read, "MGM Grand."
"Okay, my turn!" Mimi said, putting her hand in the bag. "Oh, God, please no. It's…Circus Circus."
"What's wrong with that?" T.K. asked. "I heard it's a great place. Good buffet."
"I'm deathly afraid of clowns," Mimi said.
"Hey, I'll take that one," Sora said. "I love the circus."
"Thanks, Sora," Mimi said, choosing again. "All right, Treasure Island! I love pirates!"
"You do not," Tai said.
"Do too," she said. "They're a hell of a lot better than clowns."
T.K. then chose his. "Excalibur," he said.
"En garde!" shouted Tai, and the two jumped up and started jousting with rolled up magazines.
"And I've got…ooh, the Luxor," Kari said. "That'll make some great shots."
"That leaves me," Matt said. "I've got…Treasure Island."
"What are the odds?" Mimi said, eyeing him.
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"Attention, passengers on the 751 flight," said the same German voice.
"Hey, everyone, shut up!" Mimi shouted.
"Yeah, if you don't do what the Germans say, they'll get ya!" Tai joked.
Mimi shot him a death glare and continued looking around for the voice.
"There is a slight delay in your flight," he continued. "The plane will not be departing until noon tomorrow. Staying at a nearby motel is highly recommended. Thank you for your patience."
"Patience?" Tai exploded. "Patience? I've been more than patient! I've been waiting here for two friggin' hour – "
"There he is!" Mimi shouted, interrupting Tai and jumping up on the seat. She was pointing to a nearby stand.
"Well, I'm gonna go call some motels," Sora said. "And you can go flirt with the German guy."
"Will do," replied Mimi, already walking over.
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Both Sora and Mimi returned to where the group was sprawled out about fifteen minutes later. "All motels and hotels are booked," Sora said. "Looks like we're camping out here."
"Fun," Kari said, surprisingly not sarcastic.
"And I'm going out with that German guy," Mimi said. "His name is Hans."
"How original," Tai said.
"You can't leave this building without us," Sora said.
"I'm not," continued Mimi. "There's a Hard Rock Café around here somewhere. Catch you all later."
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Mimi returned and the others were still awake. "Cards, Mimi?" Tai asked.
"I suppose I should brush up on my gambling skills," she said. "What're we playing?"
"Solitaire," he replied.
Mimi didn't say anything.
"Joking, Mims. The game's Blackjack. Anyone else here wanna play?"
They recruited a couple of people, who first played cards, and then tag. "An airport is actually quite fun," Mimi said later. "Once past all the technical stuff."
Sora nodded.
Mimi then turned around on the uncomfortable chairs. "Well, 'night. Wake me up before the plane leaves."
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The next morning, the group was awoken by Hans' voice, and Mimi found it to be a better awakening than Matt's way. "Attention, passengers on flight 751," he said. "Your plane will be departing shortly. Kindly make your way to gate A3."
Before grabbing her two carryon bags, Mimi skipped up to Hans and kissed him on the cheek. She then followed her friends onto the plane.
They were fortunate enough to get seats near each other. Tai was beside Matt, Sora was beside Mimi, and T.K. was beside Kari.
"I can't wait for the city of sin," Mimi said. "I'd like a rum and coke, please. And I just don't know why I let you have the window seat," Sora said.
"I'll tell you what," Sora began. "When we fly over Las Vegas, I'll let you lean over me."
As Mimi got hit in the elbow by the beverage cart, the two shouted, "The Wedding Singer!" and started laughing.
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"I can't believe they showed Being Julia," Mimi said, as everyone got off the plane. "I absolutely adore that movie."
"Yes, we all know about your obsession with Jeremy Irons," Sora said.
"He's charming!" she protested.
The six collected their luggage, then rented a van. "Wait," Tai said. "Where the hell is the MGM Grand? No, I'll look it up in the phonebook. How the hell do you spell MGM?"
"Tai, calm down," Sora said. "I have a map of all the places. Excalibur's first."
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After deciding to just crash in their own hotels and meet at Treasure Island the next morning, the friends separated.
"Isn't it great that we're sharing a room?" Matt asked Mimi.
"'Great' isn't quite the word I'd use…" Mimi said.
"C'mon, it'll be fun. I promise."
"Ooh, I call this bed!" Mimi exclaimed, running and jumping on the one closest the balcony.
"Hey, no fair," Matt said. "Well, I'm nearest the TV."
Mimi jumped up and shifted the TV a little. "Not anymore."
"Shall we call room service, then?"
"Well, you're closest the phone." Mimi grinned.
So Matt and Mimi sat on their beds, ate dinner, and watched a pay movie on the television. "I know we're just supposed to relax tonight," Mimi began. "But I was wondering if you'd like to see the Sirens of TI show tonight. I hear it's really great."
"Is that when a bunch of chicks jump around and sing on a pirate ship?" Matt asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes." Mimi looked at him tentatively.
"Sounds great."
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Early the next morning, Matt and Mimi heard various knocks on their door. Since no maid entered, Matt stumbled out of his bed and opened it.
"Hey, this room is huge!" Tai exclaimed, jumping on the bed that still had Mimi in it.
"Hey…don't fall on me!" Mimi cried.
"Oh, sorry, Mims," Tai said, jumping over to the other bed. "So where're we going today?"
"I'm thinking we should check out the dam," Sora said, sitting on Mimi's bed and looking at a brochure. "It borders Nevada and Arizona."
"Sweet, then I can go 'I'm in Las Vegas, I'm in Arizona!'" Tai exclaimed, jumping between the beds.
The others just stared at him. "Anyway…" Sora continued. "There's apparently a Sirens of TI show tonight at this hotel, if we want to check that out…"
"We already did," Matt said. "So while you guys do that tonight, Mimi and I can see some other sights."
"You up for that, Mimi?" Kari asked. "To explore Vegas with Matt?"
"Sure, why not?" she shrugged.
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After visiting the dam, having listened to Tai make fun of the name and jump between Nevada and Arizona, the group separated again. "Let's go gambling," Mimi suggested.
"Really?" asked Matt.
"Really, really," Mimi said. "Our hotel has wicked machines."
Matt raised his eyebrows. "You've already checked?"
"Hell, I've already played."
Matt, still bewildered, followed Mimi back into the hotel.
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About two hours later, Matt found Mimi on a poker machine. "Hey, there you are, Mims," he said.
"Yeah," she replied, not taking her eyes off the screen.
"I was wondering where you had gotten to," Matt continued.
"Yeah."
Matt stared at her strangely. "Wanna take your clothes off and dance around on that pool table over there?"
"Yeah."
Matt rolled his eyes, then shook Mimi. "Mimi – welcome to reality. No charge."
"Whoa, sorry, Matt," she said. "I just kept putting one quarter in after another and suddenly, I lost fifty bucks."
"Aw, did you really?"
"Yeah, but I'll win it back tomorrow."
"Oh, I don't think you're coming back to these slots tomorrow."
"Fine, then I'll go to Excalibur. Or the Luxor."
"Not Circus Circus?"
"You know how I feel about clowns." Mimi put her hands on her hips. "Now, could you get me a drink and meet me back in the room?"
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That night, when Matt was asleep and snoring, Mimi snuck out of the room and back downstairs to the slot machines. She saw that a fair amount of people were down there already
Okay, I'm just gonna put in eight quarters, Mimi thought to herself. That's it. Then I'll go back upstairs.
Mimi put in her eighth quarter and by that time, she had already lost twenty-five dollars. She reached into her purse and found some more quarters. She looked around, as if someone was watching.
Shrugging and thinking, What harm could it do?, Mimi put in another. Then another. Until she had to get change from the front desk.
It was two o'clock when Mimi eventually returned to her room. It was dark, but when Mimi closed the door, a light went on and she saw Matt sitting on his bed, wide awake.
"And where were you?" he asked, like a worried mother.
"Out," Mimi said.
"Oh, out, I didn't check there," Matt said, rolling his eyes.
"All right, I was g-getting a drink," Mimi stammered.
"There's a mini-bar in here," Matt confirmed.
"Ice for the drink. I was getting ice."
"And that took you two hours to do?"
Mimi blinked.
"I heard you leave, Mimi."
"You were waiting up for all that time, Matt?"
"'Course not, I was watching TV."
"I'm sorry. I think I have a gambling problem."
"The first step is admitting it. But I think you may also have a drinking problem."
Mimi eyed him over her drink. "One step at a time, Matt."
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Six hours later, Matt and Mimi got to greet their next day in Las Vegas. "Today, I think we should just tour the different hotels," Sora said. "And yes, Tai, we can check out New York New York."
So the group made trips to various hotels and got different souvenirs from each. "Hey, did you play the slots last night?" T.K. asked.
Mimi jumped, wondering how he knew. "Uh, yeah…I won seventy dollars."
"Oh, that's great," Sora said.
"Then I lost a hundred-and-twenty."
"Oh…not as great."
"So what're we doing tonight, Miss Planner?" Kari asked Sora.
"We should see this really cool magician, Lance Burton," she replied, ignoring Kari's nickname for her. "There're only good reviews about him."
"I wanna see the white tigers!" Tai said.
"You mean of the queers, Sigfried and Roy?" Matt questioned. "They got mauled by one of their tigers, remember? I don't think they're in any rush to put on a show."
"Serves them right," Kari said, with a frown on her face. "Locking up tigers – what monsters."
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That night, they did see the magician and were left amazed but confused. "How does he do all that?" Tai questioned aloud. "Hell, the only trick I can do is – "
"Pretend you're intelligent?" Sora asked sweetly.
Tai shot her a look, and Kari said, "So what're we each gonna do now? It's obvious we can't trust Mimi near any slot machines…"
"Hey!" Mimi cried. "I resent that!"
"I don't know about you guys, but I wanna check out a strip joint," Matt said.
"Why?" Mimi, Sora, and Kari exclaimed at the same time.
"Because Vegas is famous for its hookers," Matt said, as if it was an obvious answer. "Duh."
"Fine, well, you three can do that, and we're gonna shop on the Sunset Strip," Sora said.
"I went on a date with someone by that name," Tai concluded.
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A couple of hours later, Tai, Matt, and T.K. were driving all over Las Vegas to find the girls. "Mimi, Mimi!" Tai shouted, running down the Sunset Strip.
"What, what?" she said, as the others caught their breath.
"Victoria," Matt panted. "Working…at…strip…joint."
"What?" Mimi exploded.
"Who's Victoria?" Kari asked.
"My friend," explained Mimi. "Well, she used to be. I can't believe she would sink this low! That's disgusting. Take me to her, guys."
"Girls aren't allowed in strip joints," T.K. said.
"No," Tai said, stopping him. "This'll be hot."
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Mimi angrily marched into Pink Lace, her friends trailing close behind her. She walked up on a stage and turned around a scantily clad woman.
She spun her around. "Mimi?" the woman asked.
"Victoria," Mimi acknowledged. Then she slapped her. Cheering rang out around the joint.
"What was that for?" Victoria asked.
"For everything!" Mimi exclaimed. "You were a good girl, Vicky. What happened?"
"I need money," said Victoria. "I've been on my own ever since my parents died. I couldn't find a job anywhere else."
"I'll give you the money, Vic," Mimi said. She gave her a hug and more cheers erupted from the crowd of horny men. "I just wish you wouldn't resort to this."
"Hey, get back to the bitch fighting!" shouted one guy.
"Do you mind?" Mimi exploded, whirling around to face the guy. "I'm trying to talk to my friend here! Your raging hormones can wait!"
"I'll stop this, Mims," Victoria said. "God, I'm such an idiot."
"C'mon," Mimi said, leading Victoria out the door. "Let's get you something to eat…and to wear."
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"Well, that was an adventure," Matt said, collapsing back onto his bed that night. "Don't ya think?"
He turned over but Mimi was already asleep on top of the covers. Matt smiled and got up. He took a spare blanket and draped it over her. Matt returned to his bed and within minutes, he was also sound asleep.
The next night, everyone just decided to crash at the Excalibur and take turns watching Mimi in T.K.'s room. "This sucks," she said, folding her arms. "I feel like a little kid."
"Would a little kid get…alcohol?" T.K. asked, smiling and opening the mini-fridge.
Mimi finally cracked a smile. "I guess not. Toss it over."
"What do you want?"
"All of it."
"This, uh…isn't free, you know."
"I know. I've just decided that if you guys are gonna keep me here, I'm gonna make your lives…a living hell."
T.K. gulped.
"Oh, lighten up!" Mimi laughed. "We'll split the bill." Then when T.K. had his back turned, she added in a lower voice, "Yeah, ninety-ten."
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On Matt's rotation, the two had gotten completely hammered. Mimi laughed and rolled over on T.K.'s bed, grabbing the phone.
"You know this room is a lot cleaner then ours," she mused. "Ha, yeah, hullo, Vegas? I'm thinking we're gonna need some more alkeehol, and, and…some more beers. Five minutes isn't quick enough! No, I appreciate that. Thank you, you're welcome."
She hung up the phone, and she and Matt burst out laughing. "Y-you know something," Matt started uneasily, pointing at Mimi. "This shift is turning out to be pretty fun."
"What – you didn't think hanging out with me would be fun?" Mimi asked indignantly.
"Yes, I did," Matt admitted. "I'm sorry – stupid statement."
Suddenly, Sora knocked on the door and came in. "All right," she said, relieving Matt of his duty. "It's my turn to watch the little drunkie."
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That night, back at Treasure Island, Matt was handcuffing Mimi to her bed. "Is this a little sex game of yours, Yamato?" Mimi asked, grinning.
"In your dreams," Matt said. "This wasn't my idea, anyway. It's so you don't gamble."
"My God, you really don't trust me, huh?" Mimi questioned, a little bit hurt.
"Not really, no."
Mimi stuck out her tongue. "If I see you leaning over top of me in the night, I'll scream bloody murder."
Matt stuffed his face into his pillow and though his voice was slightly muffled, said, "You scream bloody murder when you see a spider."
"Or when I break a nail," Mimi added. "Wait…that doesn't make me sound too good, does it?"
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Soon, their vacation was over, and it seemed that Mimi was completely cured of her heartbreak. "So have you forgotten about that Jake Atkins guy?" Kari asked, as they were clearing customs.
"Definitely," Mimi said. "And it's Jake Akids."
The others stared at her.
"What, I'm interested in his movies!" she exclaimed. "Respect the director, people!"
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They sat in the waiting area for Gate B, and Mimi kept fidgeting. "Listen, I have one quarter left," Mimi said. "Can I please, please put it in one of the slot machines over there?"
The others exchanged uneasy looks. "Matt, you've lived with her for this week," Sora said. "You know what she's like. It's your call."
Mimi's eyes gave a pleading look to Matt, who sighed and said, "All right, knock yourself out."
Mimi smiled, then jumped up and made her way to the slots. "See, this is no biggie," she said, putting the quarter in and pulling down the handle.
Suddenly, an alarm went off, and immediately, Mimi thought that she had done something wrong. But when hundreds of coins started overflowing from the machine, she jumped up and down.
The others ran over and she hugged Matt. "Thanks, Mattie!" she exclaimed.
"What?" he said. "I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did – you let me put in this quarter. So here." Mimi bent down and scooped up a handful of coins. "This is for you and your wise, wise decision."
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People in the airport and on the airplane congratulated Mimi again and she thanked them happily. Even the metal detector workers were laughing when her purse went off because of the money.
Mimi sat in the window seat this time, beside Tai, and just leaned her head against the window. It was dark and when the plane was taking off, Mimi saw the lights of Las Vegas.
Being Julia was playing again, but the last line Mimi heard was Jeremy Irons' line: "Julia, this is Mr…uh…", for then she laughed lightly and fell asleep on Tai's shoulder.