Thanks for the reviews guys! Sorry this chapter's a bit short. I've been so busy lately. I'm currently writing another fic (Love & Infuriation –Pirates of the Caribbean fic), looking for a job (which I found!) and going on film auditions. Anyways I'm rambling, here's the next chapter!
Fran burst into the lobby of the gorgeous Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The ceilings were huge and cavernous. She looked up quickly admiring the view as she ran up to the front desk.
"Um excuse me?" She asked the well-dressed man behind the counter. He was currently on the phone speaking in hushed tones to a customer.
"Yes of course Mr. Bergen. We can take care of your wife's dry-cleaning needs. You say she jumped into the fountain out front? Oh, oh, I see she slipped," he nodded knowingly with a smile.
Fran looked around frantically. Spotting a gold-plated bell she slammed her hand on it several times causing it to ding loudly.
"Excuse me??" She said with a frustrated voice. There was a clang as the bell bottomed out. Oh crap, she had broken it.
The young man hung up the phone and turned towards Fran.
She quickly slid the bell down the counter where it slid off with a crash.
"Yes ma'am? How can I help you?"
Fran whirled to face the clerk. "Uh, I need to know if Niles has checked in," she said hurriedly hoping he hadn't seen the bell go flying.
He seemed oblivious as he turned towards his computer and started clicking away, "All right then. And what is his last name?"
Fran stared at him blankly.
"Um…" she finally said, "It's Niles. Just Niles." She never did find out his last name in all the years she'd been working at the Sheffields'. She highly doubted he even had one.
Luckily the young man looked up and said, "Ah! Here we are, Niles."
He looked her in the eyes, "Um you know we really shouldn't be giving out any information."
Fran stared back at him with pleading watery eyes, "Please…it's really important."
His face softened, "All right." He turned towards the screen again, "Yes ma'am. He checked in a few hours ago."
Fran nodded, "Thank you. Um one other thing, could you possibly ring him? I need to speak to him right away."
"Of course." He dialed and held the phone up to his ear. After a few moments he placed the phone back in the cradle.
"I'm sorry. There was no answer. You might try one of our restaurants or the casino," he suggested.
Fran smiled weakly, "All right. Thanks for your help."
"You're welcome. And good luck."
Fran nodded. And I'll certainly need it.
She'd try the casino first.