IT STAYS
IN VEGAS
JACK
SCRIBE
Part 8, CELEBRATIONS
An executive office secretary
called the apartment at 8:30 a.m. and asked if it was convenient for Drew to
come in early for an 11:00 a.m. meeting with Nero’s VP of operations. ‘Fuck,’
he thought, ‘convenient is the last thing you think of if the big guy calls you
at home.’
As he drove to the meeting, he
was pretty sure that there was change in the air; Bill, the hotel resident
manager, had been caught on the upstroke with some bimbo in a vacant suite. It
happened when the director of housekeeping walked in on them while on a routine
rooms inspection earlier in the week. ‘Well, no gold watch for Bill,’ Drew
thought cynically. He liked Bill but knew his sexual antics wouldn’t have gone
unnoticed forever. The resident manager’s office had been cleared out the day
before.
He pulled into the general staff
parking lot and walked briskly to the employee entrance. After scanning his
employee badge and nodding at the security guard, Drew proceeded up to the
hotel lobby and the private elevator that would take him up to the vortex of
Nero’s. Once in the cab, he pushed the only button available and waited for the
elevator to ascend to corporate Valhalla. The elevator doors parted and Drew
walked into a non-descript foyer void of everything except a security camera
and a card scanner by the unmarked door. He swiped his card and waited. A green
light alerted him to open the door.
“Good morning, Drew. Mr.
Maggiano is expecting you,” said the attractive receptionist from behind her
massive desk. Drew walked into the screening area set off by plush carpeting,
walnut paneling and original French and American abstract art. Leger and
Chagall hung comfortably with LeRoy Neiman’s casino series. She smiled and buzzed
open the thick, bulletproof glass door to the inner sanctum.
“Thanks.” Drew straightened his
tie and pulled open the heavy door. A wide, 15’ hallway displayed more art. He
walked past the first secretary, nodded and made his way to the next reception
area. The executive office housed the president of the casino, chief legal
counsel, VP of the casino and VP of operations. It was also the location of the
legendary conference room that was completely lined with lead to bar any
listening devices from picking up conversations. This feature had originally
been installed during Nero’s less-than-pristine past.
“Drew, go right in,” the
secretary said, standing up to open the door. “Would you like anything to
drink?”
“Water would be fine.” Drew
entered the large office and walked over to the desk where Nick Maggiano was
intently typing an email. Drew admired this man.
“Hi, Drew. Please sit. I’ll only
be a minute. The boss needs an immediate reply,” Nick said with his eyes glued
to the 19” flat screen above the keyboard. Silently, a bottle of Evian was
placed on a coaster in front of Drew.
“Yes, Sir.” Drew knew that the
‘boss’ only meant one man: the president of Nero’s. He uncapped the bottle and
took a sip of water. Drew admired the trim, handsome man in his mid-thirties.
He was aware that Mr. Maggiano came from a grape-growing family in Northern
California and had worked his way through the ranks at Nero’s while he attended
UNLV’s hotel school.
“Okay, let’s get right to the
point,” Nick said as he hit ‘send’. “As you’re aware, there has been, ah, a
sudden vacancy in my department.”
“I noticed the empty resident
manager’s office yesterday.” Drew decided not to editorialize or offer
opinions. He also thought it a little odd that the term ‘resident’ was still
used; a manager actually living in residence at the hotel was from a long-gone
past era.
Let’s just say that Bill is seeking other opportunities. So I’ve
got an immediate opening and need to find a hard charger who knows the rooms
department.” Nick smiled and sat back in his leather chair. “I want to give you
a chance to be our new resident manager. To take the ball and run with it, so
to speak.”
“I, um, jeez, I’d love the
opportunity, Mr. Maggiano.” Drew was clearly surprised. “Do you think I’m
ready?”
“First, it’s Nick. Second, I can
tell you that the senior staff you work with are very pleased at the way you
conduct yourself…as well as the line employees. I’m also aware that you always
make things happen when the casino VP needs a miracle. In our end of the hotel
business, making the casino division happy is rule number one and you come
through in spades.”
“Yes, um, Nick. Stan Lasky and I
work well together.” Drew had never considered that Lasky, VP of the casino,
would have an effect on his position. ‘Wow,’ he thought, ‘I just advanced my
career timeline by four years.’ At 26 years of age, he hadn’t thought a
promotion like this would be possible until he was 30.
“Stan and I had dinner last
night. He’d love to see you in that seat.” Nick smiled with a ‘why the hell are
you even hesitating?’ expression.
“I guess I’d be stupid not to jump at this chance. So the answer
is yes. I accept your offer although I guess I’m not so sharp at negotiations
on salary and perks,” Drew replied slyly.
“Maybe that works in your favor.
I actually have guidelines, Drew. But in your case, I’m prepared to give you
about a 10% bump over the recommended base 50k salary, plus laundry privileges,
gas card and a parking space underground…just for openers. There are some other
goodies that we can discuss, later.”
“Nick, not having to get into my
car outside in the middle of August is worth the price of admission alone,”
Drew replied with a chuckle.
“I hear you. When I started here
as a front desk clerk, I dreaded the late afternoon ‘bun roast’ when I would
get into the car during summer.” Nick through his head back and joined the
laughter.
“When would I start?”
“The promotion takes place
immediately and I’ll announce it in an email blast this afternoon. You need to
figure out who’ll be your replacement and work with H.R. Speaking of H.R. and
the ex-director, how are things going with you and Bob Harrington?”
“We’re keeping our eyes open.”
Drew was cautious in his answer. Although he was ‘out’ at the job, he didn’t
want to get into too much detail about his personal relationship with Bob.
“Thanks for approving the extra security on our apartment. It gives both of us
some peace of mind. I really won’t let my guard down until that, um…guy is
found.”
“If you were thinking ‘asshole’,
I agree,” Nick said with a smile. “Be assured that you guys’ safety is utmost
in my mind. What Bosco did was deplorable. Now let’s get down to the details of
your promotion.”
For the next 15 minutes, Nick
outlined the employment agreement that would be drafted and some rough thoughts
about goals he had in mind for Drew to develop into an action plan.
Drew could hardly contain his
excitement as he stood to leave the exalted atmosphere of his bosses’ office.
He vigorously pumped Nick’s hand and promised that he would give the new
position 110%.
“I have no doubt that you’ll
succeed, Drew. We’ve all been watching you. The boss looks at this position as
a grooming job for more responsibility down the road.” Nick held Drew’s hand
and placed his other hand over their shake for emphasis.
“Be assured that I won’t let you
down,” Drew said, withdrawing his hand. He smiled and turned to leave the
office. ‘I also need to re-establish my personal career goals,’ he thought,
exiting the plush surroundings of executive power and privilege.
He arrived at the reception area
and elevator with some immediate chores in mind: a call to Bob, an impromptu
early afternoon department meeting in the vacant resident manager’s office to
give his co-workers a ‘heads up’ on his new job and scheduling another
concierge to come in and cover the remaining hours of his last guest services
shift. Drew waved goodbye to the receptionist. The elevator doors opened and he
stepped into the brass and walnut cab to descend back to the real world.
*****
Sitting in a lobby chair against
the wall opposite the executive office elevator was a blond guy with mustache
reading the Daily Racing Form. The tennis visor, dark sunglasses, camera on a
strap, polo shirt and jeans was an image that blended into the continuous
movement of hotel guests and visitors. To the casual observer he was a tourist
not unlike the thousands that arrived in Las Vegas hourly.
Trent Bosco had spent the past
month creating a new identity in his quest to pay back the two men who had
wreaked havoc with his now defunct career. His mission was basic: alter the way
Drew Reichardt and Bob Harrington lived…forever.
Creating a new identity hadn’t been difficult. Through
contacts in the underbelly of Las Vegas, he had been able to obtain a social
security number and drivers license that provided him a new name. With a U-Haul
truck and rig to tow his car, Trent moved all of his possessions to California.
He drained his Nevada bank account with a lump cash withdrawal and proceeded to
establish a permanent, altered life when he arrived in West Hollywood.
He found a cheap apartment and blended into the gay
landscape. A visit to Mickey’s bar on Santa Monica Boulevard allowed him to
cruise the guys until he found someone who had passable, blond, professionally
colored hair. Buying the twink a beer and some friendly conversation gave Trent
the name of a colorist and an aggressive tumble in the sack with the young guy.
Two days later, Trent was in a stylist’s chair in an
upscale salon on the fringes of Beverly Hills. Anton gave him a new look that
included lightened eyebrows and moustache. Satisfied that he could move around
Vegas unrecognized, he returned to Sin City and rented a room by the week.
Trent’s first effort to draw Bob Harrington into a trap
hadn’t worked. ‘That little shithead, Jerry,’ he fumed, peering from behind the
paper as he watched the executive office elevator doors. ‘I hope his girlfriend
enjoyed the pictures.’ He dismissed Jerry Franz as someone who had no further
value in his plans. ‘No, the boys will have a little surprise from me some
evening at their new apartment.’
His eyes widened when the elevator doors parted and a very
happy Drew Reichardt exited. Drew had a spring in his step walking across the
lobby to the front desk area. ‘You’ll get yours, asshole,’ Trent thought. ‘What
a worthless suck up.’
He visually followed Drew to the guest services desk where
Drew picked up the telephone. Within moments he observed Drew laughing and
speaking in a highly animated fashion. Trent could only imagine to whom his
nemesis was engaged in conversation. Just then, he noticed Charlie rounding the
corner with a luggage cart. Trent buried himself in the racing paper and made a
hasty exit when Charlie greeted the newly checked-in guest.
*****
With the employment agreement, Nick Maggiano had tucked in
the envelope a Neiman Marcus gift certificate for Drew to buy five Giorgio
Armani suits, two- dozen Burberry shirts and an assortment of Ferragamo ties. Drew smiled
when he realized two things: there was no dollar value to the certificate and
the specified brands were those that Nick usually wore.
So
as not to embarrass Bob, Drew drove over alone to Fashion Show mall one
afternoon to shop. Nick asked that he specifically ask for Rod Liddy at the
store. What Drew didn’t realize was that Mr. Liddy was the regional VP for
Neiman Marcus. He spent a delightful hour with the executive in his
mid-thirties and wasn’t surprised when Rod told him that the suits and
accessories would be delivered to his office in two days. Accessories included
a couple of belts, suspenders, socks and three pairs of Cole Hahn shoes.
However, Drew was a little taken back when Rod mentioned that the shoes were a
little ‘thank you’ gift for the business.
The next two weeks moved at warp speed. After a quiet,
celebratory dinner with Bob at Commander’s Palace, the two guys divided their
time between the demands of their jobs, pulling together the apartment and
arranging for their housewarming party.
The party was scheduled so that ‘the girls’, as Brenda and
Scarlett were now called, could attend. They asked if they could bring a couple
of co-worker showgirls who were lovers and the male dancers who lived in the
complex. Drew and Bob figured there would be eye candy for all and instantly
extended invitations.
Drew was nervously excited that his brother Jason could
take off a few days and visit Las Vegas to meet Bob and be part of the
festivities. Bob added to the family flavor by inviting sister Trish and Al
Bromley, Jr., for the weekend and party. In that Jason would be their
houseguest, Drew arranged for Trish and Al to stay at Nero’s.
The weekend before the party, Bob and Drew double-teamed
to work both sides of the family. Saturday lunch was with Trish and Al, while
the dinner was reserved for Jason. With lunch, the foursome got to know each
other better. However, dinner at the apartment was a male bonding experience
between Bob and the Reichardt brothers.
The younger Reichardt immediately welcomed a friendship
with Bob. Conversation flowed between the three guys as if they had known each
other forever while they demolished the grilled steaks and emptied a couple
bottles of cabernet sauvignon. Jason shared a few embarrassing details about
his childhood years with Drew and Bob topped the stories with a few secrets
from his past. By the time the guys stumbled into their respective bedrooms,
all agreed that Jason and Bob would be honorary brothers.
Drew decided that a replay of the Bellagio buffet brunch
was in order on Sunday. When he called his buddy, Rudy – Rudolpho the Maitre’ d
– to invite him and a guest to the party, Drew made reservations for the
expanded family group.
~~~ “Is this going to be a guys only party or should I
bring my girlfriend?” Rudy asked. Drew had always been ‘out’ to Rudy and being
‘one of the boys’ for a night on the town had never been a problem for Rudy.
More than once he had ended up with Drew at Good Times and danced with his good
friend for hours.
“Absolutely, bring a gal. Trish and Al are going to be at
the party. Is this a friend or something serious?”
~~~ “Serious enough to be shopping for rings. She said yes
a couple of weeks ago.”
“Congrats, buddy. That’s great. It’ll give me a chance to
introduce you to the special person in my life tomorrow morning.”
~~~ “No shit? I assume that you mean special guy. You
haven’t switched over, have you?” Rudy said with a chuckle.
“You mean to the ‘dark side’? Naw, Bob is definitely a
red-blooded, All-American, gay male. We’re officially partners and he’s my
roomie. The party Monday night is kind of a celebration on several levels.”
~~~ “Jeez, a new guy, new apartment and a new job. By the
way, I’m really happy for you and the promotion. The alumni newsletter will
play it up big.”
“Thanks. I’m a lucky guy.”
~~~ “Lucky? Well, maybe finding the right guy. But the job
you earned. Everyone on the Strip respects you, Drew. I’m really happy for
you.”
“Okay, okay…enough. I’ll see you tomorrow morning around
11:00 a.m. and then at the party Monday night. Try to be at the apartment
around six. We’ll have plenty of food but I’m going to pull the plug around
nine. It’s a workday for most of us.”
~~~ “Fair enough. See ya tomorrow.”
“Bye, bud.”
Predictably, Al, Trish, Bob, Jason and Drew had a great time
at brunch. Over smoked salmon – Drew hated to call the elegant Scottish smoked
salmon “lox” – and champagne, the ‘in-laws’ loosened up. Al and Trish invited
Jason and a date to join them at their Westwood condo for dinner in the future.
All in all, the weekend was a success. Just one more event: the party.
*****
“Well, Hon, if all the RSVP’s show up we should have
around 30 guests,” Drew said. He was mixing the German potato salad ingredients
by hand before returning it to the low-temp oven. Just before dinner, he would
stir the vinegar-based dressing into the potatoes and sprinkle extra bacon on
the top. The party was called for 6:00 p.m. with a casual buffet dinner
starting around seven.
“I hope the food doesn’t run out.” Bob had meticulously
threaded 100 skewers with cut chunks of dark chicken meat for the satays with
peanut sauce.
“Naw, we’re in good shape. And we’ve got enough white wine and beer to float a battleship.”
They decided to limit the beverages to white wine, beer and Pellegrino sparkling
water to avoid possible stains on the carpet. However, if the bosses showed up,
Drew and Bob could discretely offer a vodka martini or scotch. Drew had invited
Nick Maggiano; Bob asked Rich Vincent, his immediate supervisor from marketing.
“It’s too late to worry about it now. I just hope that
everyone appreciates that we’re serving chili without beans,” Bob said with a
laugh.
“Gasless dinners? Is this in the spirit of energy
conservation?”
“I’ll gas you tonight in your empty tank.” Bob went over
to the sink and kissed Drew on the neck from behind. “It’ll be a smashing time.
Kind of a warm up for a Christmas party.” They had decided to have a holiday
party for their co-workers.
The appointed hour arrived, and true to everyone wanting
to be fashionably late, the first guest arrived at 6:15 p.m. Over the next 15
minutes, almost everyone showed up with bottles of wine, houseplants and
kitchen tchatchkes. Drew smiled when he happily accepted the fourth wine bottle
opener.
Drew was very pleased when Charlie and Jerry arrived
together. They had both received separate invitations with a request to ‘bring
someone special’. Separately, Bob and Drew offered encouraging comments about
developing friendships to the couple. Jerry seemed to be at ease with the new
relationship and Charlie couldn’t stop grinning like the cat that got the
canary. In this case, it was the college man who captivated a hot, blond stud.
Shortly thereafter, Rich Vincent, Bob’s supervisor in
marketing, arrived with his statuesque wife. The formality of an arrival was
thrown into shambles when Rich’s wife recognized the tall showgirls in the
living room. Unknown to Bob, Betty Vincent was also in the Parisian review and
worked nightly with Brenda and Scarlett and two others who been invited by ‘the
girls’. The women looked ravishing and none was less than 5’ 10”.
The four ‘boy’ dancers who lived in the complex presented
a buff and athletic façade. Although Drew thought one guy was a tad bit nelly,
he more than compensated by presenting a sexy image with a light, ribbed tee
that showed off his chiseled, taut torso and low-rise designer jeans that
hugged his molded buns.
The final guests showed up at 6:45 p.m. Drew opened the
door and was happily surprised to see Nick Maggiano, in casual clothes,
standing next to a very handsome Rod Liddy. The Neiman Marcus executive looked
years younger without his pinstripes, Drew observed.
“Hi, Drew. Thanks for including me. I think you know my
friend, Rod?”
“Nick, I’m really happy you could make it. Rod, this is a
very pleasant surprise.” Drew couldn’t help but wonder what sort of friendship
this was.
“We’re full of surprises,” Nick said with a grin. “Oh,
here’s a little something for your wine collection.” He offered a bottle to
Drew as they walked into the apartment.
“Hey, I never turn down an Opus One. This will be opened
on a special occasion,” Drew said admiringly.
“This wine has personal significance. My dad worked on the
vineyard that grows the Opus grapes,” Nick replied.
“Then, I’m honored. However tonight we’re serving
‘Two-Buck Chuck’ or beer. I can scrounge up some Dewar’s if you’d prefer it.”
“Two beers will be fine. Right, babe?” Nick said as he
turned to Rod.
“Absolutely. Anything you have is fine…and no glass.” Rod
smiled and continued, “I see a few people I know. This is really a fun group
you’ve assembled.”
“Eclectic, to say the least. I’ll bring the beers over to
you.” Drew nodded and watched his boss and ‘friend’ as they walked over to a
couple of the dancers. ‘Babe?’ he thought, with a quiet chuckle. ‘I think that
Nick just sent me a subtle message about his relationship with Rod.’
People gravitated into three distinct areas that included
the kitchen, living room and patio. Drew and Bob made it a point that everyone
was introduced and mixed it up.
Over the next three hours, the eclectic background music
provided a beat that created energy for the party. To avoid any complaints,
Drew wisely invited his neighbors. He need not have worried; the neighbors on
either side of him and upstairs were professionals about the same age who
enjoyed a good time. And, of course, ‘the girls’ knew everyone. By the end of
the evening the food dishes were empty and a trash bag was filled with the
plastic dinnerware, popped beer cans and empty wine bottles.
The last to leave were Nick and Rod. They lingered at the
door with Drew and Bob before departing.
“You guys threw a helluva party. I don’t think that Rod
and I have had such fun in a long time.”
“We usually go to corporate or charity events in an
official capacity. Not often do we get a chance to let our hair down. Nick, we
should invite them over to dinner in a couple of weeks.” Rod placed his arm
around Nick’s waist and smiled.
“Absolutely. Drew, let’s coordinate a weeknight very soon.
It would be great to get to know you two better over a quiet dinner.”
“I’ll check things out tomorrow and give you a couple of
dates. We’d enjoy that.” Drew thought it was interesting nothing had been said
by anyone concerning the older and younger couples’ relationships. It was just
a given.
“I’m free most evenings. Whatever fits your and Drew’s
schedule is fine with me. I also look forward to developing a friendship,” Bob
replied, while placing his arm around Drew’s shoulders.
“Okay, ’til then.” Nick let Rod lead the way out as he
shook Drew’s hand and patted Bob on the back.”
“Bye.” Drew watched his boss and friend stroll away. Out
of the corner of his eye Drew momentarily glimpsed a guy with blond hair and a
mustache standing under a streetlight across the street. ‘Must be a neighbor
out for a breath of fresh air,’ he thought as he closed the door. The man
looked vaguely familiar.
“Well, that was revealing,” Bob said. I think that your
boss and Rod are a couple.”
“Yeah. I was kinda taken back. However, Nick said he was
full of surprises and I look forward to dinner at their place.”
“Me, too. They really had a good time and I think that the
party was a success,” Bob said. “You wanna clean this up or wait until
tomorrow?”
“Definitely tomorrow. You remember what you said earlier
about filling my empty tank? If you gotta hose to fit, I’d like to get filled.”
Drew pulled Bob into a tight embrace and brought their lips together. When they
were in synch, grinding their crotches into each other, Drew initiated a probe
with his tongue before they settled into mutual dueling and darting into each
other’s mouths.
“My hose definitely fits,” Bob said breathlessly in a
horse whisper.
“I can tell.” Drew reached down and started stroking Bob’s
hard cock that was restrained by two layers of clothing.
“Ya want regular or premium?”
“Premium, un-leaded only. Let’s set the alarm, turn off
the lights and get back to our room. I’m ready to be pumped.”
_________________________
TO BE CONTINUED