Chapter 2: Task Number 1(1)
Shane Kingsley was the first to step off the plane. He strolled down the hallway, entering the lobby area and looked around. The concourse was filled with people, some waiting for loved ones, some waiting to board other planes. He had no other luggage so he didn't follow the line of passengers heading for the baggage retrieval area. Instead, he headed for the airport exit, searching the drop-off area. On the other side of the entrance plaza was a long, black limousine, a uniformed driver standing at its side.
"Uh, hi, I'm... "
"Mr. Kingsley. Welcome." The driver opened the door and stood silently.
Shane gave him a look of confusion and bent to enter the vehicle. "Wow." He'd never been inside a limo before and he felt like he'd died and gone to heaven. Two long seats were on each side of the vehicle, a bar at each end. Cut glass decanters with various amber liquids, a cut glass ice bucket and heavy cut glass tumblers rested on top of each bar, protected by double bands of metal.
"May I have your bag, Mr. Kingsley?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Thank you, sir. Feel free to make yourself a drink. If you prefer beer, there are a few in the refrigerator."
"Thanks."
Shane reached into the tiny bar fridge, pulled out a Corona and sat back. Just a minute later, an attractive couple got in, both smiling at him.
"Hi, I'm Kelly Jo Marcus and this is my brother, Kevin."
"I'm Shane Kingsley." The three shook hands. "Want a drink or a beer?"
"Are you the designated bartender?"
Shane laughed. "I guess. I've done enough of it in college."
"That's where I know you from! You're Marshall's QB." Shane just smiled at Kevin. "We have a star in our midst, Kel."
"Shane, just ignore him. He's a football groupie." Her smile was soft. "I'll take a whiskey and coke."
"Comin' right up."
"I'll take a beer."
While the threesome drank and made small talk, James Weathers and Beverly Johansson arrived. The salt-and-pepper haired anchor graciously allowed Beverly to enter first, wondering what the weight limit for the axle was as he watched her huge ass squeeze in. The black woman settled next to the young blond kid and James sat next to the other young man.
"Welcome." Shane said, with a smile and a toast. "Name your poison."
"Got any vodka?"
"Yes, sir."
"Great. I'll take a vodka and tonic."
"Cool. And for you, ma'am?"
"Uh, any diet soda?"
"Yeah, but you should have a drink."
"Uh, I don't really drink."
"Then let me make something for you. Trust me?"
Beverly glanced around and felt the blood rush to her face when she noticed that all eyes were on her. "Uh, okay."
Shane opened the fridge and pulled out a small bottle of champagne, filled a glass a third of the way with orange juice and topped it off with the champagne. Beverly accepted it with shaking hands and took a sip.
"Wow, that's good."
"Glad you like it. It's called a mimosa."
"Mimosa." Beverly repeated it, almost in a trance and took another sip, watching as Shane made a vodka and tonic for the older gentleman.
"So, does anyone know who's hosting this shindig?" Five heads nodded negatively at Shane. "Anyone see who delivered your invite?" Again, five negative nods. "Wow, this is really strange."
"I'll say." Kevin sat back, putting his arm around his sister. "They put our invite on Kelly Jo's clipboard, right under her nose!"
"Mine was on the passenger seat in my locked car." James volunteered.
"In your locked car? Any signs of tampering?" Shane asked.
"None."
"Mine was on my pillow in my locked dorm room and the fucked up thing about it is that I have two beds, the regular dorm bed and a futon. I sleep on the futon. The invitation was on my futon. Now how did this person know that I only sleep on the futon?"
"Now, that's creepy!" Kelly Jo said and everyone agreed. "What about you?"
Beverly took another sip before speaking. "Left it on the cash register at my business."
"And you didn't see anyone?" James asked.
"Nope. I was eating lunch in the back room. I heard the bell, we have a bell on the door to let us know that someone in the store, and when I came out, there was no one there. Just the envelope."
"You didn't hear them going out?"
"Nope and no one was in the store before I went in the back."
"Now, that's really creepy!" Kelly Jo said and again, everyone agreed.
"Why are we still here?" Shane muttered and Kevin glanced out of the window.
"We must be waiting for someone else."
"I've never been on a scavenger hunt before." Beverly nearly whispered. "What's it like?"
"It's pretty fun." Kelly Jo said. "Someone gives you a list of things you have to find and you get points for each item."
"List of things? Like what?"
"Like a hamburger from Burger King. And it has to be a hamburger and it has to be from Burger King or you don't get the points."
"Oh, I see."
A young woman stepped in, looked at everyone and nearly toppled backward out of the limo's open door. James grabbed for her and was astonished when she violently reacted to his touch.
"Don't touch me!"
Kevin helped him back onto the seat and they all watched as Ashley stepped in, cowering in the far corner, next to Beverly. Seeing the girl so afraid, she gave her a gentle smile. "Welcome. I'm Beverly, but you can call me Bev."
It was several moments before the woman spoke, her voice trembling. "I'm Ashley." Each person went around and introduced themselves, with James being the last. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, sir. I just... don't want to be touched."
"It's okay, Ashley, but we're all in this strange situation together so don't feel like you're alone."
"Thanks." She murmured.
"Want a drink?"
"Scotch. Double. Little ice." Her staccato answer brought everyone's eyes to her again. Ashley looked around and offered a shy smile. "Please?"
Shane laughed. "At your service, ma'am."
The smoked glass partition that separated the driver from the passengers slowly slid downward and the driver turned to see them. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know that you have questions... "
"You bet we do!" Kevin said and Kelly Jo touched his arm, giving him a stern motherly look.
"We are heading to the hotel now and you'll receive instructions once we get there."
"Who sent the invitations?"
"How'd they get in my car?"
"What's the prize?"
The driver looked from Shane to James to Kelly Jo, wearing the same look of indifference for each. "I can give the same answer for all three questions. I don't know. I was hired by phone to meet you all here and to take you to the hotel."
"Then how'd you know our names?"
"I was briefed, of course." The driver said, addressing Kevin. "Now, if you are all ready, I'll take you to the hotel."
"We don't have any choice, do we?" Shane muttered.
"Oh, you always have a choice. You can leave now, if you wish, but you will forfeit the money you received and you will have to pay for your return home."
"Or?" Beverly asked.
"Or we continue on to the hotel."
"And what happens at the hotel?" Ashley said.
"You are shown to your assigned rooms and enjoy an evening at the hotel."
"That's it?" Said Kelly Jo.
"You'll receive your instructions at dinner."
The group looked at each other, a few shrugging shoulders, a few touching lightly. "Well, we're all in this together... " James let his gaze fall upon each of their faces. "Are we all in agreement?" The other five members nodded together and James turned to the driver. "We will go to the hotel."
The driver touched his fingers to his cap in respect. "Yes, sir."
Since they had never seen Atlantic City, the driver, whom introduced himself as Nathan, gave them a riding tour and they had more drinks, talking amongst themselves. James couldn't help but gaze at Beverly, wondering how someone with such a breathtaking face could end up so large. Kelly Jo sat close to her brother, enjoying the feel of his arm draped protectively around her shoulder and Kevin sat proudly, listening to his super-intelligent sister talking about their business. Shane, with his movie star looks, smiled widely at her and had them all laughing with some of his college stories. Only Ashley remained silent, nursing her drink.
Beverly lightly touched her hand and was pleased to find that Ashley accepted her contact. "Here."
"What's this?"
"Shane says it's called a mimosa." She grinned, happy that she hadn't stumbled over the pronunciation. "Try it."
"No thanks."
"Oh, come on! Try it!"
Ashley looked over at the black woman and saw happiness in her face. "Oh, all right." She took the glass and took a long sip. The sweet flavor of oranges burst over her tongue, delicately countered by the tingle of slightly tart bubbles. She loved it. "This is very good."
"See? I told you that you'd like it!" Beverly turned to Shane, holding out her empty glass. "Another, please."
The hotel was fabulous. The Tropicana Casino and Resort was a dream. Nathan took care of their room arrangements and presented everyone with their own card key. Kelly Jo looked a little uncomfortable. "Uh, Nathan?"
"Yes, Miss Marcus?"
"I thought I was going to be sharing a room with my brother."
"No, ma'am. Everyone is to have his or her own room."
"Oh."
"But you and your brother do have adjoining rooms."
"Okay. I guess that'll have to do."
"All right. You are scheduled for dinner at eight in the main conference room. Evening wear has been provided and is in each of your rooms. Have a good evening."
"You're not staying with us?"
"No, Miss Johansson. I have other clients to chauffeur." He gave a gentle smile. "I will see you all later."
"Hey, Nathan!" Shane caught the driver before he had reached the doors. "Thanks for the trip."
"No problem, Mr. Kingsley. Enjoy your evening."
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