Lya taps her phone against her lips as she ponders her next move. "Mika!" she calls out to the next room. "Can you get me the number for Mrs. Pelletier? And how are we on those tickets for the country club event?"
"Might as well try and meet on the bridge before I decide to burn it," Lya mutters to herself. "I just hope she's willing to listen to my board suggestions..."
A text flashes on Lya's smartphone. It's a share of an electronic business card, or several of them - for the remaining members of the Board and Karen Ryder.
"That should do for essential contacts," Mika says, returning to the board room. "I have acquired the necessary tickets for you and the Furies. The Club will be open at 10AM, with the President's speech at 11:30, followed by lunch."
You call Amelie Pelletier's number.
"Hello, Lya," she says. "I'm down in the Medical Center with Gregory, who is awake and remembers what happened, but doesn't know why he did what he did. However, our former associate Selene Chase, if those photos are genuine, appears to have a knack for ... compromising men. I'm rather surprised she didn't try to get her hooks into James or Hitoshi."
"Gotta love a man of discipline," Lya replies and sighs. "I'm willing to concede that Gregory couldn't help himself because of Selene, and I will keep his name out if it if he's willing to take an extended vacation."
She spins around and gazes out the window over Las Vegas. "I want to make this hotel even greater than it was, Amelie. I've already asked Karen Ryder to step up to fill one of the board spots, and my cousin Arky is an extraordinary artist who will be our new art director. My band will perform regularly, and I can swing more of the latest acts! All it takes is a little faith."
"Yes, well ..." Amelie says. "I am amenable to changing things. There is always a danger of becoming just another casino on the Strip. Hold on a moment."
You can tell she's walking out of Gregory Mason's hearing.
"I have no objections to nominating Karen Ryder to the Board. I'll reserve an opinion on your cousin until I've met the young man."
"Well you're in luck then, because he's coming to meet all of us Monday around 4:30 for our meeting before the press conference," Lya replies happily. "You won't regret it, Amelie... I swear. This city needs a reminder of the good this life can bring, and I believe we can give it to them if we work together."
She hops out of her chair and grabs her staff as she motions to Phoebe and Orithia and walks out the door of her office. "I believe Gregory and I should stay away from each other until we're sure whatever affected him is out of his system... but if you see anything odd about his behavior in the meantime, I hope you'll share it with me, Amelie. I look forward to our next meeting!"
She covers the phone briefly as she leans over to Mika. "Do you know a good place to get clothes for a swanky charity function? If I go in wearing my leathers they're going to grab me quicker than you can say "democratic protester."
"The Concourse has several boutique stores that should have something suitable," Mika says. "I can accompany you and approve purchases on behalf of the Westview."
Lya sighs in relief. "That would be fantastic. I'm used to dressing for concert performances, not political functions." She gestures at Phoebe and Orithia. "I'll need to get outfits for them too, so they can look like the professionals they are. And hey... has there been any new word about Selene and Douglas? As much as I'd like to lock them in a room and forget about them, I think that job will belong to the authorities."
She leans down and in a mock whisper says "Might want to let our local FBI branch know so they can take them for questioning, what with those scandalous photos of them and Senator Malcolm going around."
She goes to leave but then suddenly remembers one more thing as she turns and taps on Mika's desk. "Oh yeah... make sure they know not to let her talk to anybody face to face. If they question her, they need to do it over closed circuit TV or something."
"The Japanese culture is very big on dressing for success," Mika smiles. "We'll make sure you present the right image. Business, but just a little nod to the real you."
"I will see to it that the FBI is made aware of the particulars," she adds, after hearing your warning about Selene. "But I cannot promise they will be smart enough to listen."
"More fool them if they don't," Lya mutters under her breath. "Next time I won't be so kind."
"Anyway, sounds good, Mika. I know the general sizes for Toxic and Klepto, so we'll have to make due as I don't want Selene and Douglas left alone until the FBI comes to get them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Monday Afternoon)
Although Arky looks good in slacks, polo shirt, and blazer, it's clear 'dressing up' is not one of his favorite activities. Still, he's got his father's charismatic glow - the robust, classically handsome mien of a Greek god, and you catch several female reporters giving him more than a casual glance.
"Quite the turnout, Lya," he smiles. "Must be a slow news day."
He hands you an envelope.
"My resume, for reference. In short, I've got a Bachelor's in Architecture from Loyola. I didn't like the corporate environment, though. Too stifling, and you start making decisions based on what makes money for the firm, not your art," he says. "Tawny has a portfolio with some examples of my work, and some sketches I did the other night - not anything definite, just some ideas for kicking around."
The rest of the board is waiting for you, listening as you make introductions. They recognize Karen Ryder, of course, and do not seem put off by Arky.
"We have a quorum," Amelie Pelletier says. "I see no reason why we shouldn't proceed with a vote. All in favor of Karen Ryder joining the Board of Directors?"
There was a simple show of hands.
"And Russell Keller?"
Another affirmation.
"We'll leave the question of Gregory Mason's continued participation on the table for the moment, unless Lya would like to settle the matter?" Amelie says.
"First off I want to thank the board for meeting with me on short notice and voting in favor of Mrs. Ryder and Mr. Keller," Lya replies with a sincere smile. "As to the matter at hand, Gregory Mason has been a valued contributor to the Grandview in the past. Due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding Selene Chase and Douglas Maxwell and any mental repercussions Gregory might yet be suffering from because of them, I recommend that he take this time to be with his family and have a well-deserved extended vacation. After a trial period of 2 months and regular counseling, if he is medically cleared and up to it he will be welcome to return in my eyes."
"What, exactly, did Selene do to him? Do we know?" asks one board member. "I mean, she's always been a 'Hello, kiss-kiss' kind of person, but I've seen that in the workplace before."
"If Lya approves, I will speak to Gregory again," Amelie says. "He claims not to remember what happened. It all sounds a bit like Hollywood hypnosis to me. Gregory may be many things, but he is the former CEO, and I would hate to lose a man with his business acumen. At the same time, I do not want this to about personal sentiment, as he was instrumental in bringing several of us onto the board, myself included."
"I am amenable to leaving this as an executive decision by Ms. Bach, and not an issue settled by vote."
"Hypnosis is one way to put it," Lya replies. "She's dangerous, and has the ability to manipulate and twist people in ways to make the Devil jealous. She probably manipulated her way onto the board in order to try and influence the rest of you."
She looks around at the other board members. "If there are no objections, then, we can have the company draw up an agreement for Gregory's attorney to sign summarizing our proposal for his extended leave complete with an NDA so we can keep his unwilling participation in this mess within the company." There are murmurs and nods around the table, but no one speaks up.
"Very well then," Lya continues with a smile as she gestures to Arky. "As to the next matter of business, I would like to know the boards feelings as to the redesign of the hotel that we have in mind. I can't help but feel that with the cold and impersonal technological age we're in, this city needs a welcoming place that stands out from the crowd."
She puts both hands on the table and leans forward as she gazes at the board members. "That's why I want to change the name to The Acropolis. In ancient times it was a place where people could stay and worship the many different gods of the age while surrounded by music, art and culture... and the people need something like that again." She shrugs. "Maybe not to worship Gods... but at least to come together and remember why we're constantly working our asses off to earn a paycheck."
"What are we looking at, as far as construction?" asks one board member. "We'll be hitting Spring Break in a couple of months, and then dive right into the Summer Vacation push. We can't afford to lose ground by being closed."
"We won't be closed at all," Arky smiles. "All of the facades can be done with minimal impact on our ... what do you call it, operational status. Some minor cosmetic changes at several venues. The President's Club would remain as it is, for example, as would any named franchise. But I'll advocate designs that are friendly to our intent as well as our bottom line."
Tawny handed out a presentation folder of conceptual sketches. For all that Arky said he'd put them together the night before, they aren't just scribbles, but fully visualized reworkings of the property, and you realize Arky's gifts include his father's artistic vision. The lobby becomes a brighter, seemingly larger space, even more opulent than the oak-paneled richness of the current decor - all without making it feel aloof or pretentious.
"This is ... amazing," another board member said, looking through the designs. "Your mural of the entire pantheon - did you use models? I mean, I feel like the images are ready to step off the page."
"I spent a summer in Greece a few years back, visiting some distant relatives," he smiles. "The pantheon is based on some studies I did."
You, of course, know all of the portrayals are true-to-life, because that's certainly Dionysus. And Artemis has that same feeling of wildness that the Furies do.
"Amazing. You could put up a show at the gallery."
"I've thought about it," Arky smiled.
"What kind of fees are you asking, Russell?" Amelie Pelletier asked.
"My salary as a member of the board and materials," Arky said. "Which won't be a lot, as far as the murals go. Everything else budgets as you would a regular remodeling project."
"You're kidding."
"No, I'm not. This is my passion. It's a creative outlet, not work," Arky said. "I mean, if the board feels obligated to pay above and beyond, I'd prefer support for a vocational training charity I've worked with in the past."
Lya beams at Arky and catches the smiles and nods of approval of the Furies behind her out of the corner of her eye. "These look fabulous, Arky. Glad to see my ideas are contagious!"
There's a sound of a faint groan behind her as she looks over her shoulder at Toxic. "Too soon," she mouths.
Lya chuckles and turns back to the board members with a clap of her hands. "If we're all in general agreement of how we're going to handle Selene, Douglas and Gregory as well as the future plans for this hotel, then I think we're ready to put on the good front together and deal with the press conference. Touch up your make-up, ladies and gentlemen... it's time to get the show started."