orangetoughguy | log post II

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?

Don't let me interrupt anything. [He says with an upnod to the lady walking away when they're close enough to speak.] Not bad on the eyes.

[Except those green eyes are for someone else. It inflates the ego to what could be super fucking cool.]

We got a sultan grade suit. Is that all you wanna see right now?

Better on my dick. [It comes out almost nonplussed because he knows Larry knows these eyes are well aware those brown ones appreciate her curves much more.]

For how much? [Hands up. White flag.] Nevermind, don't tell me. I don't need to know.

[Another look around and the kid's thinking. What does he want to see? A show? The food? Just the grounds? He's not sure, it's kind of overwhelming.] I wanna see what you love about this place.

Wouldn't look too bad there I reckon. Not as good as what's on mine though.

[Automatically his paw pats on the kid's shoulders. Damn, Dimick. You're gonna have to lay off or else someone's gonna start thinking you're European or something. Hands to yourself.

What does he love about this place? It would be easier and faster to show what he doesn't. Then again, there's so much to see. May as well start on what's close by.]

Oh yeah? Well, let's get cracking. There's this pawn shop not too far. It's got the most amazing shit in there. Kinda like a mall and a museum in one place. I've been meaning to get some cuff links.

You're gonna have to remind me about that one.

[The kid kids under that paw. Goddamn he loves being touched by Lawrence Dimick in a public place where the gesture could mean nothing or everything. It's their little secret. Er, about the pawn shop though. What's so special about a Vegas pawn shop?]

I have to see it to believe it.

[There. Challenge officially issued. He dares Larry Dimick, Mr. White, to blow him away.]

Sure.

[Shrug. And he will. Maybe when it's them in that big, big room. He'll be stealing those touches every chance he gets. Vegas is like an extension of his home. We all know what happens in his home.]

Get ready to believe. [Out on the street again, there are people bending over to get every penny. Some people that shouldn't at all. Some fat fuck is gonna lose the penny or his balance. Larry snickers.]

Live entertainment everywhere you go. That's one good thing.

[They have to see at least one show. Larry's not sure if it should be magic or burlesque...and if it is burlesque a drag show. Decisions.]

You can get a damn fine drink for a buck and drink it anywhere you damn please.

[A reminder in that big big room either in the big big bed or the big big bath would be nice but seeing as how Freddy's never been in a Sahara suite before he can't quite imagine it. Imagining simply getting fucked by Lawrence Dimick is just easier.]

I'm seein'.

[The fat fuck and some douchebag leaning over to watch a lady pick up some kind of ticket. He shakes his head but Freddy can't help but smile. Fucking Vegas.] Hey don't get carried away, all I said was I ain't ever seen it the way you have. It ain't like I haven't been here before.

[Oh he's got it coming. The way this kid is strutting through the streets dressed to the nines seals the deal. Lawrence was thinking of taking him on out to the balcony like they had talked about only like a rock and roll fantasy. That's where they'd have the best view of the lights.]

Seein' but not liking. What happened, huh? Was it the company?

[Maybe he didn't want to go in the first place. That could be why. Larry acts as though no one could truly hate Las Vegas. What's there to hate so much as to not get a little light hearted and carefree?]

Here we go.

[This little pawnshop has a bouncer. Yeah. It's about to get intense. In the window is a full Indian headdress. The price tag says $500 dollars. Just one of the many treasures afoot.]

A little. I mean us guys just kinda road tripping around ain't exactly blending in you know? Never got the feeling I fit in. Never had the right kinda guy to show me around.

[And that's the honest truth. He doesn't hate the place, especially not now. Just look at Larry walking along like it's the most natural thing in the world. Freddy believes for him, Wisconsin transplant or not, it really is second nature. He wonders what kind of experiences the old man's had in Sin City, some better than others. In he goes into the pawnshop, keeping his gaze averted from the bouncer to play off the idea he knows what he's doing. At least one of them does, whew.]

Was this place always here?

[He has to ask because the city layout doesn't seem different, but then there's this pawn shop straight out of Nevada. Will it be gone when the curse is over or return to 'normal'--holy shit.]

...Comics.

Until you find somebody better, I'll do my best.

[Joking, joking. It would be wrong to say that there isn't the tiniest shred of truth in it. Who would be more better matched? Larry is starting to believe that there is no one else. A fucking year down, it's too soon to say normally, adversity and sheer insanity has driven them closer together. It can't all be sheer survival.

Brown eyes steal side glances at the kid and the way the neon catches on his face and suit now and then. Luck ain't a lady tonight.]

Sure it was. Except I remember it being farther away. Oh well.

[There's half a dinosaur--something like that one movie they saw. Something Park near the door.]

Uh? Oh yeah. They got those here too.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject