Randle's Princess (10 page)

Watching closely as the other passengers boarded and found their seats she kept glancing at her watch then steadily back to the door of the plane. 

Finally the stewardess reached over and slammed the door closed and securely latched it.  She let out a great sigh of relief.  It’s a done deal.  I’m going to Vegas.  She closed her eyes and tried to relax as she now felt the plane taxiing its way out onto the runway.

Lia had never felt more relieved in all her life than when the plane finally began it’s descent in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She again was awed by the beauty of the city from above as she stared out her window.  It was the wee hours of the morning as they prepared to land and the city was still lit up showing off all its glory.  Lia could see beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout, rows and rows of buildings all differently designed to stand out with a personality of their own.  She could hardly wait to scavenge the streets and see all there was to see of this magnificent oasis in the desert.

Finally the plane smoothly landed and made its way to the terminal.  She knew she would need more cash then she had on her.  As she made her way now through the crowded airport she stopped at a couple of ATM’s and withdrew as much cash as each machine would allow her.  Now all she had to do was find a place to stay and start planning to find a job she thought as she made her way outside and hailed a cab.

They now made their way down Las Vegas Boulevard, known as the strip the cab driver now explained to her as he tried to give her a brief tour of the city.  Lia watched and listened intently as she tried to decide which one to pick as her final destination. 

“Any place in particular?” the driver finally asked as they continued to drive.

“I’m not sure yet,” she responded still looking out at all the spectacular landmarks never before realizing how beautiful the world outside of Randle’s grasp could be.  She was astonished at its glamour.  “But I’ll know it when I see it,” she then stated.

Finally she scooted to the other side of the seat to check out the opposite side of the road.  She watched intently for a few minutes more then suddenly she pointed and announced, “That’s it!  That’s where I’m gonna stay.”

“Nice choice,” the cabby responded.  “That place is practically new and one of the best in town.  Just built like two years ago.”

 He turned into the circular drive outside the front door.  Slowly he waited their turn in line until the car was under the covered canopy and men dressed in golden valet uniforms were waiting to open the car doors for all the arriving guests.

Finally the door opened for her.  She handed the driver a fifty dollar bill.  “Thank you so much.  You were of great help,” she told him then grabbed her bag and exited the vehicle. 

“Welcome to the Malia,” she then heard from her greeter. 

“Thank you very much,” she stuttered out as she walked down the sidewalk out from under the cover and bent her neck back with her face upward so she could admire the beauty of this magnificently landscaped building.  The sun was just starting to peep out over the horizon giving her a better glimpse of its magnificent architecture.

With its massive concrete columns and arched doorways it was surely a roman duplicate that captured the true beauty of the culture.  Waterfalls shot up in the air almost all the way around the building and she admired how there were even lights beneath the water making it sparkle that much more.

 Finally she made her way back over to the front doors that automatically opened and welcomed her inside.  She stopped and looked around and could now hear the clanging of bells and thunderous chatter from what seemed like hundreds of people inside.  The casino was nearby she knew.

Then she saw the front desk of the hotel over to the left side of the foyer, a pair of elevators just next to it with matching gold shiny doors.  And the foyer was so large with its tall gold rounded ceiling sparkling of chandeliers and painted with ancient Roman art.  The floor glimmered under her feet as if it were still wet as she started to make her way over.

“May we help you ma’am?” the young lady behind the counter asked. 

“Yes please.  I need a room,” she shyly replied.

“For how long and how many?”

“Just me.  And indefinitely.  I’m not sure how long I will be staying.”

The young lady looked at her oddly and then she saw an elderly gentleman peer out from his office door just behind the desk.

“How will you be paying?” she then asked but was being nice about the situation.

“Credit card,” she answered securely.  “I’m new in town and will be trying to find employment.  That’s why I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying,” she went on trying to explain.

The elderly gentlemen then appeared again but this time he came to the desk.  “I’ll get this Nancy, thank you.”

Lia wasn’t sure why he had taken over like this but he looked very pleasant, an elderly gentleman probably in his sixties and she actually felt more comfortable with him for some reason.

He stretched his hand as if amazed by her sudden appearance.  “I’m Arthur Whitman.  It’s very nice to make your acquaintance,” he then greeted.

Lia took his hand and they shook.  “I’m Lia Harton and it’s very nice to meet you too Mr. Whitman.”

“Well let me see what we have available.”  He began to scan the computer looking for room availability to accommodate her.  Then he went on.  “Here we go.  I have a nice room on the second floor that should be perfect for you.”

“Thank you that will be fine.  I don’t need anything fancy.  I am hoping to only be here till I find a job then if all is going well I might look for an apartment.”  She was thinking now if Randle hasn’t killed her by then maybe she would be staying on a bit longer.

Mr. Whitman finished up her paperwork then offered to personally show her to her room.  They took the neighboring elevators to the second floor. Lia slowly walked as she looked around her new quarters.  It was a quaint one room suite with just a bathroom, a bed with dresser and mirror and table and chairs to sit just in front of the window.  She was also glad to see a small refrigerator in the corner with a microwave sitting on top.  Not quite the fancy quarters she was used too but just fine with her all the same.

  “What type of work are you looking for?” he then asked just before leaving her alone in her room.

“Anything really.  I’ve never had a job before so I really can’t be particular.”

“Well you’re in luck.  I happen to be the hotel manager here and I will be more than happy to fix you up.  How would you like to be my newest blackjack dealer?”

Lia smiled brightly now.  “That would be awesome but I know very little about blackjack.”

“Not too worry little one.  I have one of the best teacher’s in the world running my tables.  She’ll be happy to show you the ropes.”

“I would like that very much.  Thank you again,” Lia replied feeling a little overwhelmed now.  Everything was going just too smoothly.  Her cell phone hadn’t begun to ring yet and no one has showed up to drag her away.

“Well get some sleep for now then come down to my office later so we can discuss it,” he then added.  “And by the way, if you need anything my room is just in front of the elevators.  I thought it would be safer to put you on the same floor as me.”

She looked a little bewildered at him now.  He seemed almost worried about her.  “Well that was very sweet of you.”

“I just think a beautiful young lady such as yourself shouldn’t be traveling alone.  But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you are safe,” he then assured her.

He was finally gone and Lia realized now just how tired she really was.  Today was sure to be an eventful day when Randle finally realizes she is gone.  When he finally realizes that she has escaped his captivity.  She quickly changed into a comfortable nighty and crawled into the bed.

Later that morning Lia showered and put on a pair of black dress slacks neatly starched and pressed to perfection.  She slipped on a white lacey blouse semi low cut not to show off too much cleavage.  She didn’t want Mr. Whitman getting the wrong idea about her.  In her matching heels she made her way down the elevator and to the front desk.

“I’m here to speak with Mr. Whitman please,” she told the gentleman that was now working the desk.  He quickly scanned her from head to toe then replied, “Yes ma’am.  Who may I say is asking for him?”

“Lia Harton.  He is expecting me.”

Mr. Whitman appeared from his office after hearing her voice.  “Come on in Lia, I’ve been waiting for you.”

She entered his office and took the seat ahead of his desk.  He had her fill out all the necessary employment papers then copied her ID for the employee file.  Then he supplied her with hotel uniforms and waited in his office for her to return dressed and ready to begin. 

Finally in her khaki slacks and black vest lined with golden trim, they now made their way through the crowded casino to the blackjack tables.

  “Lia I would like you to meet Mary.  She’s been the pit boss here for several years now.  She has agreed to teach you all you need to know,” Mr. Whitman then introduced.

Mary was a middle aged woman with short black hair neatly groomed.  She stretched out a welcoming hand.  “Nice to meet you Lia, Mr. Whitman speaks very highly of you.”

“Thank you,” she replied a little nervous about all of this. 

She was actually fixing to start a job and it felt kind of good.  And she had already made two new friends.  I knew this would be awesome she thought as she listened intently as Mary now exposed a deck a cards and began to explain the rules of the game.

“You’re a fast learner,” Mary finally expressed after a couple hours of training.  “You’re gonna be a good blackjack dealer.”

“Well thank you,” Lia replied proudly.  And she found herself very much enjoying it all. 

But she couldn’t help but feel a bit edgy about all the security.  They almost made her feel as if she were back in Texas with Randle.  They walked around dressed in their suit and ties with the same obvious bulge of their weapons beneath their jackets.  Their eyes were constantly scanning everyone in the room and they always had such a serious look about them.

“Are there always so many security guards here?” she finally asked after a while.

“Well,” Mary started as she too now scanned around them, “Not
quite
so much but then again millions of dollars go through this place everyday.  Never hurts to be safe I guess.”

Then she turned to meet Lia’s gaze.  “Are you ready to watch at the tables?” she then asked her.

“Oh absolutely,” she replied with more excitement now.  She was finally gonna get to see the game live.

Mary walked her over to one of the tables and as soon as the young woman finished dealing the game she introduced them.

“Jennie this is Lia.  She’s gonna be observing you for awhile until I feel she’s got the hang of it.”

“Nice to meet you Lia, Welcome to Vegas,” the young woman then greeted.  She went about her way and dealt the next cards to the four gentlemen that were anxiously awaiting them.

Lia watched enviously soaking in all she could.  She so much wanted this to all work out, to be out on her own and meet new people and make new friends.  To show Randle she was perfectly capable of being out in the world without him and having no problem doing it.  Free from all the blood and deceit she had grown up around.

Finally her first eight hour shift had ended and she couldn’t believe how tired she actually was and how much her feet were aching.  She made her way to the back office and punched the time clock.  She gathered her purse from her employee locker then she re-entered the casino area and stopped to take a look around.