Moonlighting:Imbalance ( Well we can't say " vertigo" but you know we had to have a "Vertigo" episode.)
Part I…
Buenos Aires. 1988.
The casino of former accountant turned embezzler turned casino multimillionaire Ron Sawyer.
The customers and casino staff for the most part disregard the tall, quite attractive woman striding in through the main door, perhaps owing to her rather plain dress, coat, and sensible shoes bespeaking a lack of the sort of money that would arouse this group's interest. Though a few security guards did take notice, recognizing after a moment's hesitation the face and figure of one they had long been alerted to watch for
…And watching on tv monitor from his palatial office, the owner himself, likewise taking somewhat amused notice.
"Maddie, Maddie." Sigh from the man behind the desk, namely former accountant Ron Sawyer. " What are you up to this time?"
"And tell me I'm not the cause of you being dressed like that."
Oh…Wait. Smile.
Of course. He settled back in his chair. Ah, strike my heart and be sad, the reports are true. Leroy, Leroy, Leroy…How could you be so stupid?
Buzzer. He pressed intercom, while clicking video system to show the woman standing before his office door, a tall security guard blocking her way.
"Yes?"
"Boss, it's that Miss Hayes you've told us to watch for. She's out here and wants…"
"No, it's not but tell her I'll see her in a moment and get her anything she'd like. Then please come in here. I need a moment with you." He pressed buzzer. "Jesse, Henry, in my office. We have a security problem named Leroy." He pulled gun from a desk drawer as the two guards entered.
"Boss?" Jesse, a tall dark fellow of excellent build, in the dapper suit of an elegant mogul's right hand man.
"Boys, Leroy's been a fool. Woman-wise. Lets see if we can bring him back to the right path."
Both men pulling pistols. "Only if he makes trouble,boys." Sawyer noted. "I prefer to save souls. And there's nothing more soul-destroying than Abby Sinclair."
Leroy, tall blonde, apprehensive already and more so on seeing Jesse and the equally tall, red-haired Henry, eyeing him coolly.
"Leroy." Sawyer pleasantly. "I know who she is and why she's here. I also know you've been lying to me about not locating her. Care to confess now and do penance or…" he expansively moved hands. Jesse and Henry offering intensive stares.
"Boss? I…"
"She's very persuasive. I understand. And you know while I'm firm, I like to be a forgiving person. And so far, you've betrayed my trust and let a serpent into my garden but not done anything that can't be forgiven. If it matters to you, I'll even be lenient with her. But clemency must be earned, Leroy. Well?" eyeing the nervous guard.
"Gotta tell you, kid…Unless you have a really neat plan and a lot of back-up, I'd decide very quickly." Smile.
…
"You won't, you know…Boss?" a shaken but now hopeful Leroy eyeing Sawyer.
"If you've told me everything, certainly not. I'm no casual killer, Leroy, especially of women and I do owe her some gratitude. You have told us everything?" Sawyer, stern look.
"Yeah. Everything. She said…"
"I can guess." Sawyer waved a hand. "But lets not keep her in suspense. Go get her and show her in, Leroy. Boys, stand by, please. And keep a close eye on her." He eyed his aides carefully.
"Yes, Jesse?" pleasantly to Jesee's look as Leroy went out, rather eager to redeem himself.
"She's really 'Jane Greer' level?" Jesse asked. Henry curious as well.
"Believe me, as an 'Out of the Past' fan, yes. So watch her carefully. I've no problem seeing why Leroy fell to her charms. Lets hope he's learned a lesson today. But demotion to parking attendant is a lot better than a shallow grave in an Argentina landfill." Shrug. "I hate to waste talent if I can avoid it. Especially talent like Abby's."
…
"Well, here we are again." Ron eyed the woman now standing before him. "I must say I was not expecting to see you again."
"I'd bet." The woman nodded. "Having robbed me blind…"
"Wait, whoa, my dear…" Chuckling wave of hand. "You don't actually intend to carry on this charade with the man who taught you everything you know?" Rob smiled. "Abby, Maddie Hayes already tried to confront me over a year ago and gave it up. There's no point in trying to play our game on me."
She eyed him a long minute, eyed the two guards at his sides, eyed Leroy who winced and shrugged…Finally sighing. "Fine, it's me." She nodded. "But you owe me f-ing big time, you little f-ing louse!"
"Abby? You were paid when we finished our business. And I worked so hard on improving your language, poise, fashion sense. It hurts me to see you regress." Sawyer shook head.
"A lousy 50,000 grand, Ron. You walked away with millions."
"May I point out thst I did most of the work and took most of the risks." Ron noted with distinct smile
"If we'd been caught…" she began.
"Fortunately, smiles people. We did not."
"Fine, enough with the f-ing clever banter.." she noted. "I want my fair share!"
Sigh by Ron… Faint smile.
"May I ask what exactly you plan to do if I say no?"
She eyed his look, beyond the wry smile, a hardness which she expected but also a touch of sympathy she did not.
And equally important, the looks of his three quite fit-looking guards. Who eyed her calmly. Leroy? She eyed him.
Damn…Is there no truth in seduction? Not an hour ago he was, like, devoted to my cause…
"Leroy's seen the light and taken absolution." Sawyer smiled at her. "I think you best not count on support from that quarter."
"Well, fine… let's cut to the chase." He waved a hand. "I've had a good year and I can guess you haven't, so for ole times sake let's say I give you another 25,000, a dinner on me, and a plane ticket wherever you like."
She frowned, even if it was more than she'd expected him to offer freely.
"Abby, that is the limit of my generosity." Cool state. " I suggest you make the most of it and we part friends."
"I want what's owed me." She eyed him. "Maddie Hayes' life. Everything. I want that. And my fair share of what you have here."
"Or…Not mocking you, dear, really…May I ask, what?"
Well, may as well throw the dice…She eyed the disturbingly impassive Leroy. After all, I still have two more cards…
"Leroy blows your head off." She replied. "While Jesse and Henry…" she eyed the two. "Watch."
"Wow." Sawyer nodded, offering impressed look. "You bribed all three of them? Or were they just won over by the justice of your cause?"
"Well, she slept with me…" Leroy noted, eyeing her.
Why is that not sounding so "sold" to me now the way it did a week ago…Abby thought.
"Sorry, kiddo." Sawyer opened hands expansively. "Leroy realized he had a good thing here and that I would match anything you could pay…Excepting of course…" nod to her reddening face. "And Jesse and Henry warned me about Leroy not fulfilling my expectations in keeping a tab on you and Maddie. Though you did honestly fool Leroy into believing you were both dead, and the real Maddie Hayes. Commendations on a fine performance, even if he only met her briefly last year."
"S—t! Damn you! And you, you bunch of gutless wimps!" she eyed the three guards eyeing her coldly. "He's got millions. We could be rich!"
"A quick score that my partners would recover quickly, being rather attached to their shares in my enterprises, Abby." Ron eyed her. "The boys realize what their fates would then be and much prefer to advance through the ranks honestly. Even if you'd actually give them what you promised. Your track record on that is not all that great."
"Shut the f- up!" she cried. "Leroy, if you love me…"
"Oh, that way's gonna lead to heartbreak city…" Ron sighed. "Abby, he cares for you just as much as you do for him. Meaning he really had a nice time with you and hopes I won't have to have your lovely face beaten in or you blown apart."
"You bastard!" Abby fumed at Leroy who shrugged.
"Leroy prefers to rise the old-fashioned way, even if his career must suffer a setback." Ron noted. "Alive, with me and my business associates happy to advance him on his way in good time, if he continues to redeem himself. Without the bitterness, muss, and fuss of your way. C'mon, girl." Winning smile. "I want to be generous, not murderous, and 25 grand's a nice score. Plus, you cut your cards right, we part friends and if you find yourself in difficulties again…And you will…You can call on me for work. I just want to know what you're up to. Cause, Abby…" smile.
"With you, forewarned is forearmed."
…
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