orangetoughguy | log post II

[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.

[Hey it's a raptor. The half-a-dinosaur does catch his attention but not for long. A pile of stuff in one corner has all kinds of stacks of obscure and 'old' comic books. For some of these the price says to consult the register, others are the equivalent of loose change. One comic, a framed first edition of Astro Boy's original strip, is tagged in the quadruple digits. Damn.]

Look at all these man.

[They have old fashioned DC and Marvel toys from years gone by too, like a soft figure of Sinestro. Oh hey, Larry's still here. Right, he hasn't forgotten the old man or anything, honest.]

What do you pick up around here?

[Freddy asks because he's interested in that too, though his hand stays right on top a pile of issues that aren't even in sleeves.]

[He pulls his eyes away from the ten gallon hat that belonged to The Duke.]

What did you find?

[The old man's leaning over to take a gander. Sure enough, it looks like a bunch of super hero regalia.]

Damn. [Now he's looking at those price tags.] Not your ordinary comics. [....Right? Otherwise they look like they belong in Freddy's room.]

Rings. Watches. Cuff links. [Like the ones in the box behind glass right there.]

At least somebody wants to keep that stuff.

[He gives a nod to the cuff link fiend. Nevermind how Freddy has first hand experience in knowing no everything turned into a pawn shop was unwanted but he doesn't think about those circumstances right now. Especially not with so much under his big nose.]

These are ordinary comics, they were back in the 70s.

[The kid explains. Does he need to go into comic book grading and all too? How some people call their comic book collections their 'investment portfolio'? To Freddy Newendyke most of those people aren't real fans and he has a sneaking suspicion whoever runs this shop won't part with some of these for loose change either/]

If they are, why're they that much?

[It's an idle question.

A pair of links look like they're supposed to be bird talons. Huh. Nope, those aren't for the old man. It's a glimmering rock, not too big. Can't be garnet, it must be amber.]

What do you think of those?

[Green eyes look left then right before he leans in closer to whisper to Larry just why they're that much.]

Collector's market. They're pretty much antiques, some of these.

[He doesn't want anyone behind the counters to know he knows what he's talking about so he's on to them. The prospect of getting one of these for under the marked up value seems dismal unless a certain Mr. White can work his magic.

Oh yeah, Larry's looking at stuff too ain't he?]

Those are--[Wait. Another pair catches his eye. Freddy points to a pair of ivory links capped with gold filigree and small diamonds.] What about those?

[Note; he didn't pick those out of some sense of actual taste. Freddy just thought to himself, what would Bruce Wayne wear?]

[Even though he's whispering about comics the hush tone of voice strikes a chord in the old man. It's private VIP information from the kid.]

Mmmhmm.

[He pretends that this is because of the riches before them. What now? Larry leans in to take a look at Freddy's pick.]

Say. Those are sharp. Think they'd look good?

[Sure are pretty fine to the eye, likely heavy in price. That's fine...what makes him want them more is that the kid chose them.]

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