CASINO SHUFFLE

by Fields Jr. , J.

  The concern with friendship was certainly out of the ordinary. As Antonio checked the exact number of Diet Cokes – both caffeinated and decaffeinated, Snickers bars, Hershey’s Hugs with Almonds, Doritos, Spicy Fritos and other various snacks that Max and Trixie enjoyed, the realization came to him quite obviously.

  For the first time in years, Max Allen had a special request to make of him. It explained the need for reassurance to bolster his courage.

  Though amused, Antonio was also pleased to finally be given the opportunity to utilize his expansive resources for one of his favorite guests.

  The doors to the master bedroom opened.

  “Who invented the bow tie?” Max strangled the offensive silk in his fist. “And what do you have against clip-ons? It would be our little secret.”

  Antonio stepped forward and fitted the tie around Max’s collar. “In the late 1800s Pierre Lorillard the Fifth invented the tuxedo as an alternative to tailcoats. Though I don’t know if anyone is credited for inventing the bow tie, which evolved from the 17th century lace cravats, Monsieur Lorillard made the black tie fashionable.” Antonio stepped back to inspect his work. He straightened Max’s tie, and then his own. “I for one am grateful to him.”

  “I’m grateful to the guy who invented sweatpants.”

  Antonio gave him a dismissive frown. “Wearing a tuxedo marks a moment in a man’s life, very often a moment of truth.”

  “Some people think it makes them look like a penguin.”

  “Penguins have a noble bearing.”

  Max rolled his eyes. “You win.”

  “Of course I do.”

  He shot back his jacket cuffs. “I think I got the cufflinks in the right way, though.”

  “Well done, Max.” Antonio reached into the tuxedo pocket and withdrew a white silk faux handkerchief square. “This is for your breast pocket. Like so.” He pulled a small chamois from his trouser pocket. “If you would be so kind as to put your foot up onto the barstool I’ll buff the shine back into your shoes.”

  “Antonio?”

  “Yes, Max.”

  “I have a request. Sort of a favor.”

  Antonio ran the chamois over the toe of the shoe. “Of course, Max. Anything that you require, you only have to ask.”

  “Really? Thanks Antonio.”

  “Your other shoe, please.”

  “I’m not sure you can even do it.”

  “I would prefer to do both shoes.”

  “The favor, I mean.”

  “Ah.”

  “Should I still ask?”

  “That would be advisable, so that I might assess the difficulty.”

  “Okay.”

  “But first the other shoe.”

  “Right.”

  “And now the question.”

  “Right. I was wondering,” Max ran a hand through his hair. “Wondering if you – well – remember when I was in the limo and the limo was on the back of that tow truck?”

  “Vividly.”

  “Trixie called me and I told her about Shannon Moon being here at the casino.”

  Antonio finished the shoe and straightened up.

  “And she thought it was cool, you know. Being here at the same time as her favorite actress. She has all her movies on Blu-Ray.”

  “I can see how she would be excited at the idea.”

  “So I thought it would be neat if you could get her autograph. Shannon Moon’s autograph.”

  Antonio hesitated.

  “To give to Trixie.”

  “You know that I think the world of Trixie…” Antonio arched an eyebrow.

  “She likes you too.”

  “…but unfortunately such a thing is forbidden. My staff and I are here to fulfill requests, not to make them.”

  “Ok, it’s fine. I didn’t think you would be able to do it.”

  “I cannot.”

  “Okay.”

  “But.”

  “But?” Max stared at him for a moment. “But?”

  Antonio raised a finger in the air. “But there has been precedence for arranging a meeting between our VIP guests, one guest to another. Especially when both guests are priorities for the casino.”

  “Can you do that for Trixie? She would be thrilled.”

  “I wasn’t speaking of Trixie.”

  “Oh.”

  “But it may be possible to introduce Shannon Moon to you.”

  “Me?”

  “You.”

  “No.”

  “I believe I can, yes.”

  “No. I’m not good at that stuff.” Max reached under his cowboy hat and scratched his head. “I don’t think I’m going to.”

  Antonio waited.

  Max looked at him. “What?”

  Antonio was motionless.

  “Oh come on,” whined Max. “Trixie won’t even care about it once I show her the Brandon tickets. I’ll just explain that it wasn’t possible and she’ll understand.” He glanced at Antonio again. “I know it was possible, technically. But not really. It’s not possible for me to do it. I’ve seen her movies and she’s pretty. Not even normal pretty like you see on the street and you think ‘Gee, that girl is pretty.’ She’s movie pretty. Abnormally pretty. She is right? I already know it so just admit it. Go on.”

  Antonio blinked.

  “I knew it. Great. So now I have to go and meet Shannon Moon and she’s going to be gorgeous and I’m going to get sick to my stomach and say something stupid. I can’t believe I’m doing this. I mean I’m not going to do it. I’m not.”

  Antonio shifted his weight ever so slightly.

  “Fine, Antonio. Okay. Let’s go so you can introduce me and I can get her autograph and then vomit. Okay? Let’s just go. Wait. How do I look?”

  Antonio inspected him quickly. “Tip top.”

  “How does she look?”

  “She’s stunning.”

  Max bumped into the closed door.

  Antonio turned the handle and escorted him out of the room. “I just want to call her suite first to make sure she’s out of…” He cut himself short and withdrew his BlackBerry as he walked away down the hall.

  Max caught up to him. “Were you going to say out of the shower?”

  “No.”

  “The bath. She’s just getting out of the bath isn’t she?”

  “Max, you have to breathe. Your face is turning red.”

  “Just tell me…”

  “She was not taking a bath.”

  “Okay.” Max took a breath. “I couldn’t handle anything like that. You know that.”

  “I know. However, Trixie is very beautiful as well.”

  “That’s different. I’ve known her for eleven years.”

  Antonio dialed the Sachem Suite. “Good evening, Miss Moon. This is Antonio. If it’s convenient, I would like to introduce you to another gentleman who’s here this weekend.”

  “What’s she saying?”

  “Thank you, Miss Moon. We’re just down the hall.” Antonio fitted the BlackBerry back into its holster. “She accepted. Stop fussing with your bowtie.”

  Antonio stopped at the double doors of the Sachem Suite; nodded greetings to the security officer posted discreetly nearby, and pressed the bell. He turned and made the necessary adjustments to Max’s bowtie as the double doors to the suite clicked open and began to swing inward. The entryway to the suite was empty, the marble tile reflecting the mirror image of the hall chandelier. Antonio ushered Max into the room. Once they had entered the door began to swing closed.

  First they saw a bare foot that seemed to barely rest upon the marble.

  As the door moved, a bare leg was revealed.

  The leg extended from beneath a towel.

  The towel was wrapped around the body of Shannon Moon, whose shoulders glistened as vibrantly as the Cristal she swirled in her crystal flute.

  She smiled at them. “Hey fellas.”

  Max turned to Antonio, flabbergasted.

  Antonio explained, simply, “Jac
uzzi.”

  Chapter Six

  “Hey, I know who you are,” said the young actress, staring intently at Max.

  Antonio was taken aback. “You know each other?”

  Max’s cheeks were ablaze. “What?”

  Shannon was smiling at him. “Everybody knows you…” She finally snapped her fingers. The sudden motion caused her towel to slip. She wrapped her arm around her breasts, pinning the towel in place. “The Lone Ranger!”

  Antonio looked at Max.

  Max’s head jerked backward. “Ah. Oh.”

  Antonio casually outstretched his hand.

  Max lifted the white Stetson off his head and shoved it towards Antonio. “The hat,” he said, smoothing down his hair with both hands, “for the tournament. They make us wear hats.” He sneered at the Stetson. “Big hats.”

  “I’m Shannon.”

  Antonio reached out and accepted her flute of champagne.

  As she extended her hand to Max, the muscle of her bare shoulder moved.

  “Shannon,” said Antonio. “This is Max Allen.”

  “I’m Max.” It took his hand a long time to reach hers. Once there, it seemed unsure what to do.

  She leaned forward. The tops of her breasts glowed in the overhead light. “I’m wet. Sorry.”

  Max stared at her.

  Antonio asked, “How was the champagne, Miss Moon?”

  She raised Max’s hand overhead and ducked beneath it, doing a twirl. “It made me feel woozy! But it was yummy. Can we get a bottle to go with our dinner?”

  “Of course, we’re well stocked.” Antonio’s BlackBerry buzzed on his hip. “Pardon me a moment.” He walked a discreet distance and checked the screen. The text was from Mark Ford:

  Ang Wang trashed room. Prick is loose. Call asap.

  Antonio turned to his guests. “I apologize, but I have to make a rather urgent call.”

  Shannon tilted her head at him. “Bad news. I can tell. Is it about Ang Wang?”

  “Who?” Max asked.

  “Ang Wang is a paparazzo who has been giving Miss Moon a rather hard time of it, I’m afraid. Not to worry. We have the situation in hand.”

  Shannon nodded. “Good enough. I trust you, Antonio.”

  He bowed slightly. “And I vow never to lose that trust. I’ll just be over here if you need me.” He dialed the number and turned his back.

  Shannon padded over to the leather sectional and sat down, smoothing the towel over her thighs. She slipped a yellow jellybean between her lips. “Want one?”

  “No thanks.”

  “So.” She tapped a cigarette from a pack and hung it off her lips. “How long have you been at the casino?”

  Max looked for a place to sit down that wasn’t so close to her bare legs. “Oh, I just got here about an hour ago.” He leaned against one of the chairs.

  Shannon laughed, removing the cigarette from her lips. “I mean altogether. How long have you been here with Antonio?”

  “Oh! Four or five years, I think. We’re friends.” He pointed to Antonio and then to himself. “Me and him.”

  Shannon touched the cigarette to her lips again. Raised her eyebrows.

  “Got a light, Max?”

  “No, I don’t smoke.”

  She laughed again. “Okay. Can you get me a light?”

  “Right – I was just going to,” he said, pushing away from the chair, the chair sliding across the parquet floor. Max lost his balance. Stumble-stepped. “Matches?”

  “You okay?”

  “Yup. Be right back.” Max waved at her and spun around, hurrying towards Antonio.

  Antonio said into his BlackBerry. “Hold a moment, Mark.” He retrieved a box of matches from a nearby drawer.

  “Thanks.”

  “The ashtray is on the end table,” Antonio said to Max, and turned back to his conversation.

  “Thanks.” Max pivoted and hurried to the sitting room. “Here you go, Miss Moon.” He pushed open the box, pinched out a match and struck it sharply against the side of the box. Several matches jumped free and skittered across the floor. Max looked at them. “I’ll get those.” He bent down to pick them up. The lit match in his hand began to burn his thumb. “Ow.” He shook it out. Picked up the matches. Put them into the matchbox. Selected one. Shut the box. Struck it against the side. “Okay.”

  Shannon Moon leaned forward and lit her cigarette. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He dropped the dead match into the crystal ashtray and slipped the box into his pocket. He glanced at Antonio. Back to the actress. “So.”

  “So.”

  “I have a big fan of yours.”

  Shannon exhaled smoke. “Huh?”

  “It’s her birthday this weekend. Sunday, really.” He blinked, somewhat confused himself. “Sunday is her birthday. She’s your biggest fan.”

  “Oh – what’s her name?”

  “Trixie. She has all your movies.”

  “Which one is her favorite?”

  “The one where you’re a princess. You fall in love with that knight – the mean one.”

  “Most women who watched that movie fell in the love with the knight.” She shrugged her bare shoulders. “Bad boy syndrome.”

  “Did I say it was her birthday?”

  “Sunday.”

  “Right. I was hoping you could do it for her, but I don’t want to get anybody into trouble. Antonio and me, we’re friends. So if you don’t want to do it just say so. I won’t mind.”

  She smoked, exhaled. “Okay, I give. What do you want me to do?”

  “An autograph. To Trixie…something like that. Whatever you want to write.”

  “Oh, that’s all?” She adjusted her towel, tugged it up. “I don’t mind. You and Antonio are nice guys.” She held out her hand.

  Max reached out and touched her cool skin again. He held his hand there, waiting.

  Shannon grinned. “I was thinking you would give me a pen and paper.”

  Max snatched back his hand. “I thought you wanted to get up. Sorry.”

  “It was nice. Just no holding hands when my boyfriend shows up. Wow, I didn’t think men could blush anymore.”

  “Me neither. I’ll get the paper and pen.”

  “It’s cute.”

  “Be right back.” He turned and ran towards Antonio.

  Antonio held out a silver pen and a piece of paper. “Make sure they take pictures, Mark. I want to know exactly what was broken. No, it doesn’t make sense to me either,” he said into the BlackBerry while looking at Max.

  “I’m sweating,” said Max, taking the paper and pen. “Do you have a beach towel in that jacket?”

  Antonio handed him a handkerchief.

  Max swabbed his forehead and handed it back to the butler. “I’m going back in, cover me.”

  Antonio patted him on the shoulder.

  Max strode over to the leather sectional. “Found some.”

  Shannon balanced the paper on her thigh as she wrote. She handed it back to Max. “For Trixie. Tell her I said hi.”

  Max slipped the paper into his pocket. “I will, thanks. She’ll love it.”

  Antonio rejoined them. “I must apologize, but there is a matter that requires my attention.” He turned to Shannon. “I’ll return to arrange everything for your dinner, Miss Moon. I phoned to have the Roederrer Cristal you left upstairs iced and brought down to you with a clean glass and fresh strawberries.”

  She stood up. “You guys are the best.”

  Antonio bowed. “Thank you for seeing us. Max, shall we?”

  Shannon asked, “Max has to go too?”

  Antonio and Max stared at one another.

  Antonio cleared his throat. “Well, he does have a tournament to attend.”

  Max agreed weakly. “That’s true.”

  Shannon killed her cigarette in the ashtray. “I only need him for five minutes.” She stood up and walked over to the end table where Antonio had placed the white Stetson and her flute of champagne. “I’ll
hold this hostage.” She plopped the hat onto her head. It sank down over her eyes and bumped against her nose. She saluted them with the champagne. “New sheriff in town.”

  Her smile was dazzling.

  Max gulped audibly.

  Antonio sent him a question with his eyes. Max goggled back. Antonio arched an eyebrow in rephrase. Max blinked several times. Antonio gave up.

  The BlackBerry buzzed on Antonio’s hip.

  Shannon had the big hat cocked back onto her head. “Five minutes. I promise.” She came up beside Max and slipped her arm through his. “You said you would give me a butler, Antonio. I just need some cigarettes. Oh! And I have another request.”

  Antonio, who had been reading the message on his BlackBerry’s screen, suddenly looked up. “Pardon me?”

  Shannon patted Max’s arm. “You said you’d introduce me to a butler tonight and now here you are trying to take him away.”

  Max gaped at Antonio. “What?”

  Antonio’s heart quickened. The sequence of coincidental circumstances played out in his head, and he found himself at that moment the end result of unpredicted chance. “Miss Moon…”

  Max tried to extricate his arm from the young actress. “Sorry but…”

  “Oops.” The crystal flute fumbled from her hand. A fan of champagne rained down the front of Max’s trousers as the flute shattered across the parquet floor.

  “Oh my.” Antonio slipped off his jacket and spread it quickly over the crystal shards. “Miss Moon, you’re barefoot.”

  “Your pants…” She handed Max the towel.

  “Thanks, its okay,” said Max, taking the towel and wiping off the front of his pant legs. “It was refreshing, really.”