HOT AUGUST NIGHTS
Disclaimer notice: Here I am again with a sequel. Part 2 of my Reno Vamp series. Permission to archive at any known site. Again, they belong to Parriott and Co and not me, except those who do and you know who those are.
Note that the title comes from Reno's annual festival of hot cars and cool music. If you ever want to see something special, attend it.
CHAPTER 1
It had been about a quarter of a year that Nick Knight; former detective turned benefactor had been living in Reno, Nevada. Nanette's Place, the organization he founded, had turned into one of the guest charitable organizations in the state-larger and with more budget than the Salvation Army. Nanette's Place, located at a midway point between Reno and Sparks, was in the perfect spot to do the most help. Nick worked at night as a supervisor and also kept the books. He had a laugh at the fact he had to do paperwork.
In fact, Nick was very involved in all phases of the processes of the shelter. There were a lot of homeless or working poor in the city and quite a few of them were actually working full or part time for the casinos and restaurants in the area.
It was August now, a busy time in the area, for that annual citywide event Hot August Nights was in full swing. This was held in the first week of the month and was a festival of everything of the 50's and 60's. This year was to be the Beach Boys only concert appearance. Nanette's Place was exceptionally busy for the whole city was booked up. Hotels usually used for residential purposes were filled with out of town guests. Hot August Nights brought out the price gougers en masse. Hotels that normally went for $50 a night now went for double and triple. Nick had been amazed at it, but people willing paid.
Even Bloodlines, the semi-gothic nightclub he went to, was very busy and hard to get into without your name on the list. Bloodlines, the double entendre name referred to the equestrian décor of the front of the club and the darker atmosphere of the back had recently been portrayed in a major underground magazine. Tourists of course loved it, but every club was filled to capacity almost every night.
He still went out on Saturday nights for his friend Cary Shelley had made sure of that. Cary was always trying to lure Nick over to the dark side, but he did it more subtly than LaCroix. The blond vampire was still sort of upset with his new friend over the trip to Sangus, the blood bar, but eternity was too long for held anger.
Every now and then he thought of the people he had left behind and what they would think of all this. Nat and Tracy and Don. The Captain and even his loft. But that was the curse of vampirism. Eventually you had to leave people behind.
This particular night found Nick at the sock hop held at the Silver Legacy resort. He was dressed in the clichéd white sports coat with a pink carnation and was a popular dance partner. One of the things he most detested about his new way of life was dealing with city officials. Toni, the mortal who was instrumental in getting official approval for Nannette's Place and a sometime Cary paramour was a snob, but Nick had danced two dances with her. Politics.
He had been to all the events during the week so he was getting used to the attention. The Hot August Nights festival was world famous and the classic cars were fabulous and some places, such as in front of the A & W stand on Kietzke and Grove were grooving places where Nick learned such dances as the Chicken Dance. It still amazed him that he was able to be talked into doing it.
At the present he was dancing with a former prostitute turned radio DJ who was running for office in Virginia City. The band was playing The Twist and Nick could twist with the best of them. He did have to be careful not to work up a blood sweat though.
"NICK!" He heard the sound of a familiar voice.
No, it couldn't be. Not here, not now. He turned into the face of Myra Schanke, spouse of his ex partner thought dead but really alive.
"Myra?" Nick was so astonished he stopped dancing. He apologized to his partner, excused himself and walked with the newcomer to a refreshment stand. "What are you doing here?"
"Vacationing. We're staying at the Comstock."
"Your hubby's here as well?" This did not bode really well.
Myra nodded. She was a pretty woman wearing a pink prom dress that reminded Nick of Liz Taylor's dress in A Place in the Sun.
"I can't believe it's you, and all dressed up at an event like this!" Myra exclaimed. "Back home Donnie couldn't drag you out."
"Business, really," said Nick, hoping she would not want to know too much. "I am the director of a homeless organization and this is part of the territory."
"Partner?" A groan from Nick as he knew this voice, knew this voice from years of working with the man.
"Schank?" This was turning into a nightmare. Please, oh god, have Nat not be here. "Long time no see. Having fun?"
"I am. The hospital and burn unit drove me crazy." Schanke showed off a few grafted scars on his arms and legs, oblivious to the others. Pure Schanke, in a light blue seersucker suit, looking so perfect in this setting.
Nick had never realized how he had missed this man. He had driven him insane at times and his garlic obsession was a bit much but…
"So what are you doing here?" asked Myra, always the inquisitive one, even more so than her devoted husband. For though he looked, he didn't stray.
"I live here now."
The conversation went on, Nick commenting on the Captain's new home when disaster struck in the tall blonde form of Esme in a gown reminiscent of Rita Hayworth's Gilda. She looked sexy and elegant with diamonds dripping from ears and a necklace worth a full two year's police salary. Her hair was styled like Lizabeth Scott and in fact she looked a bit like some cool Hitchcock blonde. Schanke's eyes popped out of his head when this elegant woman gave Nick a long, passionate kiss.
"Mon cher," she cooed, stroking his cheek. "Dance?"
Myra cleared her throat at Nick, who seemed to be dazed by the new arrival.
"Someone you know?" she inquired, archly.
"I'm sorry," apologized Nick. "Esmeralda Ruto, Donald and Myra Schanke. Don was my ex-partner back in Toronto."
Esme held her hand out. Schank shook it while the vampress looked on in distain at the two mortals. The clothing on the man—hideous.
"Nick and I are…friends. Good friends, monsieur."
"I bet," said Schanke's wife a little sharply. She did not trust this woman. "Nick," she turned to the other vampire, "Nat says to say hello."
Nick was speechless, which was rare for him. He and Esme had been quite the couple for the few months he had been here. Nothing really serious as he and Janette but serious enough. Jill had really pushed them together, trying to include them in all of their outings, including the barbeque in Tahoe over the fourth of July—which had been very interesting.
"I spoke to Nat recently," Nick admitted. So alright, it was a few months ago, but he was a vampire, an immortal and he had to let go.
"So, Nick, did some uncle leave you like an inheritance or something? I mean board chairman, fancy girlfriend, and expensive tux. What'd you do, win big on a machine? Megabucks or something?" Schanke asked.
"No," admitted Nick, "it was family money. I was afraid to use it for fear that you would think I was on the take."
"So you had money all that time and you couldn't even spare a loony to play the lotto? Sheesh, think you know a guy."
Esme tapped on elegant foot.
"Nick, darling, it's a slow song, mignon. Let's dance and forget these mortals."
Both mortals looked up at that and then at each other, vague memories coming back to Schank.
"One moment, Esme. Have them play another and you will have the next dance," Nick promised. He had to get her to leave so she did not give the game away. What was she playing at anyway?
"I started Nanette's Place," said Nick after Esme had left. He told the couple all about it and the good work they had done.
"Well, Nick, that is just like you. You come into money and spend it on charity and giving back. God bless you," smiled Myra very innocently. After all, she did not know about him being what he was. It made him flinch a little.
"So Myra," inquired Nick, remembering something said by his former partner in passing, "have you been to the bowling center?"
"I have!" she enthused. "It's amazing. I managed to bowl a 200. Beautiful place, except for that long escalator." She laughed
"Did she ever love it," gripped Schanke. "We bowled what had to be a hundred games at least."
Myra lightly slapped her husband on his arm. "It was only 20 games and you know it Donald J. Schanke."
At this point the music stopped and the bandleader stepped up to the microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a request. We all know and appreciate the work Mr. Nicholas Knight has done for the community, especially the 4th street section. So when we have a request from a beautiful woman for such a man we play what they want. This goes out especially to Mr. Knight from Esme, with a message: 'J'taime Nicholas and merci beaucoup.'"
Nick blushed as hard as a vampire could possibly blush, which admittedly wasn't much. Don and Myra exchanged looks again. This was the brooding loner, the one in the austere loft, the Knightmare?
The song began with full orchestral operatic tilt. Then the singer started crooning the Al Martino hit:
"Here in my heart I'm alone, and so lonely,
Here in my heart I just yearn for you only,
Here in my arms I long to hold you,
Hold you so near, ever close to my heart,
So darling--------
Say that you care, take these arms I'll give gladly,
Surely you know I need your love so badly
Here is my heart, my life, and my all, dear
Please be mine and stay here in my heart."
The singer, a popular performer in Reno lounges, sang the song well and really let loose on the second verse. The two blonde's danced smoothly on the floor together. At first they danced alone, sort of a Sweetheart Dance, and then everyone joined in—including the Schanke's, who tried to keep close.
After the music died down, the band announced a break and Esme led Nick away. He looked back at his friends.
"Wait just a moment," he told her.
"Nick…" she gave in a warning voice.
"He was my partner and kind of best friend for years; I owe him a last goodbye."
"Fine," she agreed then stiffened. "You best make it quick. Mr. Ego just came in."