orangetoughguy | log post II

Mm. [That's a pleasant sound for a kiss. Bent as fucking ever for him. Then he watches Larry disappear curiously--oh.]

.....What do we do with'em?

[Freddy asks, brow quirked like he might actually be serious about not knowing what. Just kidding. He plucks a bloom and tucks it into his lapel. The kid's been to prom and weddings and stuff.]

[Good. The feeling is mutual. People may not know that they're together but they're gonna wish that kid was with them.]

If you don't like it we can trade.

[....Seriously Freddy has to know. It's a standard for being a well dressed man. Larry puts his carnation into place.]

One more thing: bring cash.

[Being a well dressed man is not a standard for Freddy Newendyke but with Lawrence Dimick around he can wing it pretty damn well. Cash? Okay he's got some of that too.]

You're really going all in on this.

[He remarks with a slight smirk. The irony of his choice of words is unknown to the kid for now.] Can we go? Are we ready?

[He wants to knoooooow.]

I'll look pretty stupid if I'm wrong.

[Should he spill the beans? Sure is tempting.]

I'm ready. Are you?

[Even if he doesn't know what for.]

We won't walk.

We'll both look pretty stupid. [And that's okay with Orange, evident in the way he shrugs his shoulders like it ain't a big deal. Because it ain't.] I'm ready.

[Then another tilt of his head.] Ours? Company car?

[Not to knock their own trusty vehicle but it's not the epitome of class either.]

Let's take the company car. [The one he's got about now is nice, not too nice. Let's just say it's a considerable step up from the ride they have.]

Do you feel lucky, kid?

[Because if both of them are up to it...]

I got a white rabbit's foot on me.

[He shrugs again then winks. The company car it is. It's washed and waxed too unlike another vehicle that needs it.

Down a bit of ways what used to be a fairly typical city street has turned into a fucking metropolis. One wonders how the entire power grid hasn't gone out from all the juiced up lights. Oh right, it's the City, not Vegas. Freddy has to keep reminding himself of that as he leans out the window for a shot of cool air and a closer look at the sights and sounds.]

Jesus Christ this is fucking amazing.

[An amazing curse. Is there such a creature? "Hey baby, roll on up my way." Even the streetwalkers seem authentic.]

Then it's settled. We can't lose.

[Decent traffic for this hour. Larry is more than happy to roll with the punches. "Blue Velvet" is on the radio. Elvis will be there any moment.]

I'm right.

[The way the streetwalkers are, the brightness of all of the lights. No questions.]

It's Vegas, baby.

That's such a fucking weird thing to do.

[Does he mean the curse or the streetwalking? Hm. The whole French crap was weird too but it also seemed 'plausible' in its fantasy roots. This however? This is fucking American. Who comes up with this shit. Freddy wonders if that Hammer guy punched some creativity into the management after all.]

It looks like the real fucking thing. But bigger. Louder.

People gotta do what they gotta do.

[No, his mind doesn't always go straight to prostitutes. It does seem like an amusement subject to continue on to.]

I wouldn't have it any other way.

[They haven't left the car but Larry feels right at home.]

C'mon. We're gonna go to one of my favorite old places. [It's got to be around here somewhere. And they'll get there eventually.] Then well pound the pavement so you better keep your eyes peeled for the places you wanna go.

[A paw rests on the kid's knee at the stoplight. This might be as close as their going to get to that whirl wind Vegas trip.]

I don't know I haven't been to Vegas in a little while and I mean it's not like it's the real thing.

[But it's a piece of home and Freddy feels almost sheepish for seeing it that way. The paw on his knee infinitely increases his confidence. There's no harm in exploring, real or unreal, as long as there aren't any fucking undead zombie fucking surprises.]

You pick the place. [You know what you're doing. The truth of it is Freddy Newendyke's never taken a trip to the strip with someone as close to him as Lawrence Dimick is. That one time when he dropped out almost did, but back then the kid didn't have a grasp on himself. He wants to see this place from Larry's side, as Larry's world.]

Real enough for me. I coulda put money down and won.

[He laughs and shakes his head.]

Oh ho. There she is.

[She being a place. Cool it, kid.]

We're parking valet.

Haha real funny. I don't got money to pay you anyway.

[Wait didn't the kid listen to him and bring cash? Come on don't hit him up for the green, after all Freddy's got all kinds of other things to award. These eyes turn to look straight ahead then around.]

Who is? [Better be a what is, and from the looks of it it is.] One of your classic haunts?

[It looks like a Lawrence Dimick kind of place.]

I know you got somethin'.

[Boy does he. That paw on his knee squeezes. They're rolling toward Sahara.]

Guilty as charged. You know why this is a great place, don't you?

[Though he is more than ready to tell Freddy all of the reasons why. Slowly rolling up to the valet he removes his hand from the kid. Something tells him that there will be more of that.]

[Freddy would like more of that if it can be done without anyone outright staring. He'd be lying if he said he didn't get a little bit of a thrill from Larry touching him in public while everyone is too self-absorbed to noticed or they're just that subtle and smooth. Rolling up, they got people opening doors for them already.]

Why?

[He asks. You're not supposed to make eye contact with the staff if you're a highroller right? Oops, Freddy's already given the man on his side a look.]

[Good. They're on the same wavelength. Larry's already certain that he's going to show the kid the very best there is to offer of this town in every way. Preoccupation is one of those large perks.

The doorman gives Freddy a smile and a pat on the arm believing him to be a lucky nephew or protege. Or a man who is back for his second big strike new to the big winning game.]

They filmed Ocean's Eleven here. Everybody knows the shape and lights. Marlene Dietrich stayed here, Abbot and Costello... It's Vegas royalty in its own way.

[The old man hands his keys to the valet and gets his card.]

And you were just visiting? [Freddy grins.] That movie's older than I am.

[Freddy mentions just because he can. It makes him look like a young buck dressed to the nines, ready to eclipse the old guard with his brash ambitious supercool ways. Look it's just a rock and roll fantasy. Larry knows he's got nothing against the old man's age right? It's charming.]

What're we gonna do first?

Sure. But don't you know all about the classics?

[That could have stung from any other so and so. Larry is charmed. This motherfucker. God, does he love him.]

What do you say we book a room to come back to then hit the town. They got gambling, of course. [The doorman nods but the automatic doors are what lets the gentlemen into Sahara.] Shows too. Plenty of those.

I got an idea. They're all in black and white right?

[Kidding kidding. Come on Freddy knows Ocean's 11 was in color and besides, Larry had to be 10 or something. Fff. As for booking a room though, he quirks a brow because they don't live very far and Sam can't let himself out of his cage but he does have food and water in there...and they don't live very far so Freddy could take a quick visit back just to make sure.]

You sure you wanna? Real or not the bill's gonna be pretty authentic.

[He's not being serious. He knows they (he) can afford it. Already Freddy can hear the sounds of games and laughter--BAM! A woman in a strapless number slaps another man in the face before storming out wearing all the new jewelry he just purchased for her. Yep, Vegas.]

And it was hard to see at the drive in because of all the dinosaurs with the babies on their head.

[Have a hard pat on the back Freddy. It never gets old.]

I don't care. Do you? C'mon. It'll be a good time. We can always head back.

[Even though the old man really does not want to. It's like the big guy's Disneyland.]

....if you're worried about the bird we could probably get him on here too.

[He hopes that he says it in a way that doesn't make him out to be as desperate as the poor lug who is trying to head after that bitch and her gems.]

[Oof. That firm paw is comforting.]

Naw I don't think he'd like it.

[No actually the bird probably would but Freddy doesn't want to spend the time chasing after Sam going after every piece of fruit and splash of color and light in the place. He'd rather spend his time with Lawrence Dimick. Hopefully Larry gets that idea without Freddy having to say it, right?]

[He'll even rub at the guys neck just a few times before dropping it to fix his jacket.]

The offer's open in case you change your mind.

[Because the kid loves his bird and is a damn good bird owner. Let there be no doubt of that at all. The old man's not gonna keep the two apart. Besides, that's a bonafide gesture of goodwill to that toucan.]

I'll get the room. You stick there and look good, maybe think about what you wanna do.

[Unless Freddy's feeling brave enough to head to the counter. This ain't no anonymous hotel.]

[If he were a dog his tail would be wagging and his foot wheeling for that neck rub.]

Thanks man.

[Looking good is easy for a supercool guy. Now Freddy just has to pretend he's Baretta all over again. He gives Larry an upnod and follows him only halfway to the counter. Instead of openly taking pause to stand aside he turns as if someone's caught his attention. A girl dressed in theme for the casino, complete with jeweled veil. The Gulf War this ain't. Freddy takes his time to get some information out of her disguised as casual conversation. Some details about this 'Vegas' are a little different from the one they know. Example: it's simply called The Strip and it's always been in this City. Little do they all know, on an off-curse day this woman's actually a sharp accountant.]

[Meanwhile the old man is asking for the best room available. Splurge? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. He wants to have the room with the jacuzzi, a balcony, a living room, a bathroom that could double as a pool... All of those decadent details that are in film alone. To say that it's just to impress and surprise Freddy would be a lie, this is a treat for them both!

The man at the counter is more than eager to take his money, asking to set up a tab and making suggestions on room service. Larry's rolling with it. Getting his change now and two room keys.]

Thank you very much, Mr. Harmon. Enjoy your stay at Sahara.

[Woah ho ho. He slows his steps seeing the working girl desert flower. Watching Freddy's body language he knows that the kid is passing time. Larry still likes seeing him talk to pretty girls.]

See you around.

[Freddy bids her farewell just in time to see Larry moving towards him. Slowly. Surely. Observantly. Okay now. The kid arches a brow.]

What?

[Yeah he was talking to a desert rose. What of it? Just the way White looks at him makes this kid feel super fucking cool. Then he loses that cool when he glances at the room key.] What do we got?

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