He couldn’t believe it! People were standing all around, laughing and talking! No one seemed to think it was strange that a woman was strapped to the big wheel. He made a motion to the dealer, but he was ignored. He tried to get behind the table, but a pit boss was there and wouldn’t let him. He raised up his fist to deck the guy, but two uniformed men pulled him away and restrained him. Pushing through the crowd, Ivan Kipling came strutting toward Clint and the big wheel.
“Kipling, get her down from there!” Clint was appalled at the lack concern over his wife’s safety and dignity. No one seemed to think it odd that Viki was hanging there, helpless and mortified.
Ivan, in a booming voice, announced, “May I introduce Mr. Clint Buchanan and his lovely wife, Victoria! Buchanans, this is the 13th Floor! Where all the hideous and unscrupulous come to play! We’re not normal here, in fact, we strive with every fiber of our being to be abnormal. Let the games begin!”
The partying and laughter, drinking and dancing resumed and everyone seemed to be oblivious with Ivan’s description of their play land. Costumed bodies danced and drank, betting wildly and losing with great abandon. They cavorted and became a wall between Clint and Viki. He couldn’t get to her, couldn’t help her. He was desperate now, searching for any shred of decency that still might inhabit the souls of these fools. He found none, but he did find a microphone.
Jumping up onto a poker table and grabbing the microphone from the cabaret singer, he challenged Ivan, “Kipling, I won’t rest until you tell us what you want and let Viki go. I swear to God that you will pay for this game of humiliation. You will pay for the mockery you have made of the Buchanans.”
“Clint, I didn’t expect you to handle the situation so well. Lesser men would have fallen apart. Very well, I will accept the challenge. But the games must begin. Meet me at the big wheel,” he said from across the room.
“You must place a bet on every number that you expect the wheel to land. If the square is covered, Viki will be spared. If not, she will die!”
“Kipling, you’re out of your mind! You can’t kill Viki! Don’t spin her around like a doll, get her off that board!”
“Oh, and I forgot, anyone else can bet the squares you don’t. And if they win, they win Viki. To be fair, if the winner doesn’t want her, then the challenge will be between you and them. Winner take all.”
“This is madness. Viki, are you alright? I’m going to get you down!”
“Mrs. Buchanan has been given a sedative. Do you think I’m actually that cruel?” With this statement the crowd roared with laughter. Their cackling rang in his ears and he thought he would go mad. There was nowhere to turn. Where was Larry? If only someone would help him. He was struggling, but he couldn’t fight a whole room.
“Each bet is $500. Everyone place your bets!” cried Ivan.
Clint raced closer to the table and pulled out his wallet. He had $1500 in it. Usually he didn’t carry that kind of money, but he had intended to gamble. He had no idea that he would be gambling on the life of his most precious friend. He was desolate and heartbroken.
“There must be over 20 squares on this table, Kipling. I don’t have a chance. Not with the money in my pocket.”
“Then I suppose you will have to write a check. Banker!”
The teller came from behind the window and brought trays and trays of chips.
“Is Mr. Buchanan’s check good here, Banker?”
“If you say so, Dr. Kipling. I have $50,000 here at your disposal.”
“Good, I’m sure Mr. Buchanan will need it.”
Writing a check, Clint grabbed the trays and started putting the $100 chips in stack of 5 on the squares that weren’t taken. Even so, he was pitifully behind. There were many stacks that didn’t belong to him.
The wheel was spun by the croupier and Viki went round and round. It was merciless and cruel. Clint ached in agony as she spun. Thankfully, the wheel stopped while she was somewhat in an upright position.
“The number is 50!” cried the croupier.
Someone in the crowd screamed and came bounding forward, expecting to claim his “prize”.
Kipling got in the young man’s face, “You want to challenge Mr. Buchanan to a one-on-one, isn’t that correct?”
“Of, course, Ivan, don’t think I would spoil the fun, do you?”
“Place your bets, Mssrs.”
Clint and the young man stood toe to toe, waiting for the spin, having placed their chips on the table. If Clint didn’t win this one, it was over!
“The number is 35!” This time, 35 was one of Clint’s numbers.
“Get her down, I’ve won, she comes down!”
“Not until we’ve bet one last time!” shrieked Ivan. He clearly didn’t like that Clint had won.
“Clint, Clint, where are you anyway?”
“Huh? Oh, I guess I must have been asleep. No I was in the middle of a nightmare! Why didn’t you wake me up, Viki?”
“Slow down, darling, take a breath. What are you so upset about?”
Clint was loosening his tie and rubbing the back of his neck. The sweat was pouring off his brow and he was getting physically sick to his stomach. Running into the bathroom, he stood there, trying to slow his breathing.
“My goodness, you don’t look good, Clint.” Startled, Viki wet a washcloth and ran it over his face and neck.
Taking her hands, he put them around him and slipped his own arms around her waist. He held onto her for a long time, before he spoke.
“I just had the most terrible, horrifying dream. I can’t even begin to describe it. In fact, I don’t want to talk about it. Not yet, it’s too real.”
“Oh, Darling, it’s fine now. You’re okay. You do feel warm, though. I hope you’re not getting sick.”
“I’m going to be okay. I was so scared, Viki.”
“But it was just a dream so why don’t you come back into the bedroom and lie down. We don’t have to go out. You’re too upset to be around strangers.”
“Sounds great. I agree.”
“Wow, if you agree to give up Cajun, it could be serious.”
“I’m serious about you.”
Walking with Clint over to the bed, she took off his jacket. First, she unbuttoned his shirt.
Then she took off his shoes and socks. She pushed him slightly onto the bed. Rubbing his feet with gentle touches, she heard him moan. He was tired, but he wanted her, wanted to love her. Stroking his forehead soothingly, she was hoping to relieve the tension there.
She crawled on top of him and covered his face and neck with small kisses, sweet and tender.
“Oh, Viki, you are just the medicine I need. I…..thought I had lost you.”
“Silly boy, you couldn’t lose me,” declared Viki, as she continued to kiss him. She loved the spot right behind his ear and nibbled there.
“I hope not. I sure tried hard not to. But I’m exhausted, Sweetheart. I feel like I’ve marched a million miles.”
“No problem, I can handle this job. You can blame it on the suspenders.”
As he relaxed even more, she massaged his chest and lied down by his side. The shirt was still on but she got the front suspenders off. As the zipper of his pants yielded easily, Viki got more and more excited with the prospect of things to come. Breathless and eager, she took him over and over again to an undeniable high. Their love exploded in the room like a pressurized rocket that amazed them. A rocket that took them to the sun, the moon and the stars. And the pleasure they both felt was sensual and unrestrained.
Larry was wondering what had happened to Clint and Viki. But they hadn’t made any real plans, so he assumed they were taking care of themselves. He ordered dinner in because he really couldn’t face a night in the casino alone. Alone. That was the biggest word Larry had to face. He didn’t like it, but after all these years, he was comfortable with it. Especially, if the alternative was to be in a great mix of people. Sometimes he could take it, for hospital functions and such, but normally, he shied away from things like that.
Drinking for the first time by himself, he fell into a nostalgic mood. Nothing extraordinary under the circumstances, but hurtful, none the less.
All at once, I finally took a moment and I’m realizing that
You’re not coming back, and it finally hit me all at once.
Karen, where are you and why did you have to leave?
All at once, I started counting teardrops and at least a million fell
My eyes began to swell and all my dreams were shattered all at once.
I had such hopes for us, Karen, why couldn’t you share my dreams?
Ever since I met you, you’re the only love I’ve known
And I can’t forget you, so I must face it all alone.
You left me all alone, and I can’t get over you!
All at once, I’m drifting on a lonely sea, wishing you’d come back to me
And that’s all that matters now.
I’m here, far from home, trying to find you and wanting you so badly.
All at once, I’m drifting on a lonely sea, holding on to memories,
And it hurts me more than you know, so much more than it shows.
I’ve lived my life, since you left, holding on to our memories, Karen.
All at once, I looked around and found that you were with another love
In someone else’s arms and all my dreams were shattered all at once.
Karen, you ran off with Steve, but I still love you and want you in my life!
All at once, the smile that you used to greet me, brightens someone else’s day
He took your smile away and left me with just memories, all at once.
I forgive you for leaving me for another man. Come back to me!
The bittersweet smile on his face betrayed all his feelings. The longer he stayed in Monaco, the more he wanted Karen. He wanted her back in his life and living in Llanview. Was that too much to ask? He would try to be more attentive and forgiving. He was a rich doctor now, he could make her happy. And he didn’t even care if she hadn’t changed. He had matured, he knew what to expect and he would handle it better this time. Life wasn’t easy
for a doctor, but he knew he had opportunities to slow down, he just hadn’t taken them. He would for Karen. They would spend time together, learn about each other.
Mark knocked on the door and Larry let him in.
“Any news about Karen?”
“You sure are hung up on that woman, aren’t you?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I am concerned about her. She has been captive for God knows how long. And probably drugged out of her mind. We don’t know if she’s been hurt or psychologically damaged.”
“You’re right, Larry, I didn’t mean to make light of it. She should be our prime focus now. Since you’ve done such a great job recruiting, we may see the end of this soon. ”
“Personally, I can’t wait until it’s finished. And then I’m going to knock Kipling half-way to the moon.”
“And I’ll knock him the rest of the way. The man is a real jerk. He’s not winning any friends here.”
“Mark, you don’t have any clue to where they’re hiding her?”
“Well, I thought I had narrowed down the location, but then the next day, they had moved. If I had only had a little more time, I could have gotten to her.”
Larry didn’t offer any ideas on the subject, because he didn’t want Mark to know about the incident in 673. Monique had still not contacted him, so he assumed that she was gone for good. And also their chances for finding Karen.
The evening and night passed and Viki and Clint awoke to a glorious sunshiny day. Ordering their usual terrace breakfast, they relaxed and drank coffee.
“Thanks for last night, Viki.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure,” she said grinning. “You really seemed to perk up after awhile. Guess you got your stamina back, huh?”
Laughing, Clint said,” Yeah, it was hard work, but somebody had to do it. Anyway, it was a glorious night, that I hope we repeat again and again.”
“I promise. You’ll always have my undying love and devotion, Sweetheart.”
“Don’t talk about dying! I’m still not over that crazy dream. But I’m still starving.”
“No wonder. We missed dinner last night and we put out the energy, too. Should I call room service again?”
“Nah, I’ll just nibble on your ears, if it gets unbearable. That will take my mind of being hungry anyway.”
They were looking only at each other. Her beautiful eyes and delightful smile were just the beginning of the reasons why he was first attracted to her. She was strong-willed and smart and definitely not willing to put up with crap from anybody. He liked that, he wanted her independent in spirit. He also liked to be right beside her, helping her when and if she needed him. He felt their relationship was a two-way street and he hoped she felt that way, too.
Larry knocked on the door and Clint let him in.
“Good morning, Larry.”
“Clint, I’ve got a question for you. How soon can you get the transportation ready? I’ve got 18 doctors, plus their assistants. I’m going to ask Ivan, no demand, that we go through with the plan, as is. If he agrees, I want those guys here PDQ!”
“If you can get him to agree, I can furnish whatever we need. I’ve been making plans and alternate plans. If we have 36 people and we add Ivan, Viki, you, me, Mark and Karen, we can still use a SAAB Turbo-prop. The 64 passenger one. That will give us extra room for other equipment. Maybe we can fly the equipment down separately. We can get one of those easier than a big plane. And we can get it quick.”
“Won’t that plane take an awful long time to make the trip to Brazil?”
“Yes, Viki, it will. That is a consideration. They fly at around 300 miles per hour. Maybe we should go for something bigger. I’ll check into it.”
“So you think you are ready with the preparations?”
After being briefed by the two men, Ivan agreed. “Larry, Clint, you have done a good job. I concur, we are as ready as we can be. I wanted more surgeons, but these will have to do. When can you get everyone in Macao?”
“I figure in 3 days’ time. We will all fly to Philadelphia and pick up another plane. Then we’ll meet the doctors and their partners/nurses, whatever and fly to Macao.”
“Who are you planning on taking to Philadelphia?” asked Ivan.
“Well, you, Viki, me, Larry, Jean-Claude and Karen. That’s 6.” replied Clint.
“You’ll have to arrange for three more: My two bodyguards and my wife!” insisted Ivan.
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