answered Jeremy.
Junior grabbed Jeremy’s arm and escorted him toward a bank of private elevators, guarded by a couple of beefy goons, their bulging suits revealing strange shapes near their left armpits. Jeremy felt a little uncomfortable knowing that Guido could very well be some type of underworld gangster. However, the strong bond they had developed convinced him he should not say or do anything right now.
The elevator quickly rose to the top of the building. It silently opened to a large corridor, also guarded by more beefy goons. There was a series of large doors facing the northern and southern exposures. Junior nodded to a couple of the guards and they opened a large glass door. It led into a huge, magnificent penthouse which overlooked the fabulous Vegas Strip. Jeremy walked over to the immense windows and slowly gazed across the incredible Vegas skyline.
“Wow!” He exclaimed. “This is a magnificent view, no wonder you like to live way up here. Is it always this gorgeous?” Jeremy asked.
“Yep, you got it. We have more lights on the strip than most major American cities have in their entire infrastructure. We are really blessed to have the Hoover Dam, and its unlimited power source. Sit down and get comfortable. What will you have to drink?” Guido asked.
“Well, how about Chivas on the rocks, and perhaps some cold Miller beer for chasers?”
“Sounds good to me. Hey Frankie, take care of it. Also call the restaurant and send up Tony Pascuali. I want to order something really special for my friends. Oh, by the way, ask Rosemary to come up as well,” Guido ordered.
Frankie smiled at the mention of Rosemary. She was a grand lady, but of indeterminate age and full of vigor, probably in her early fifties, possibly in her sixties. She was tall, buxom and a splendid redhead. In many ways, she resembled the legendary forties movie star Maureen O’Hara, but was slightly plumper and taller. Frankie sometimes fantasized about what she was like in her prime. Rosemary was the hotel’s personal Madame. She watched, controlled, monitored and inspected all the showgirls who also worked the field. The hotel did not allow any overt prostitution, but instead had a covey of willing girls who were available for services for special guests. It was all very well controlled and managed by Rosemary. She could spot a street whore a mile away, and would immediately dash over like an angry mother hen and protect her chicks.
Someone knocked on the door, and Dougie was escorted in by one of the goons. Jeremy got up and walked over to Dougie.
“Hey cousin, how in the hell have you been?”
Dougie was a little shaken by Jeremy’s appearance. He had not seen his cousin in almost three years and was shocked by his rather gaunt appearance, and especially his streak of snow-white hair. Dougie walked over and embraced his cousin. Both men stood there silently for a while and slowly parted.
“Hey you, what in the hell have you been doing to yourself? Trying to emulate Twiggy? I really think you should tell your hairdresser to put less peroxide in your hair gel next time.” Dougie said, in an attempt to break the awkward silence.
“These things just happen when you are under great stress. The doctors say there isn’t much I can do about it. Anyway, I’ve been told that it makes me look distinguished, and the women seem to like it,” answered Jeremy.
Jeremy was happy to see his cousin, but he noticed that Dougie had also changed. He was slightly paunchier, thinning on top and wore a full set of facial hair. Jeremy admitted that the overall impression was favorable. Dougie had that distinguished and fashionable academic look. Jeremy was convinced that the years had been good to his older cousin.
Just then, someone knocked at the door. Mr. Pascuali walked in. He was a rather small, balding Maitre Di, a Don Knotts-looking individual, but with an Italian flair.
“Mr. Fontana, what can I do for you?” he asked with an exaggerated Italian accent.
“I have some very special friends, and I want you to tell the chefs to prepare a very special meal for us. We are celebrating tonight. What can you recommend?” Guido asked.
“Well, I received a large shipment of Maine lobsters, and the Filet Mignon is very good. Perhaps a Caesar salad to start with, followed by a zuppa a la pomodore? Does that sound good?” The little man inquired, his right eyebrow raising in an anticipatory gesture.
“What do you think, guys?” Junior inquired.
Both Jeremy and Dougie replied simultaneously.
“Great!”
“Can I offer you a drink, Dougie?” Junior inquired.
“Sure, Guido, I’ll drink whatever you guys are having, and plenty of it. I told my secretary to clear my calendar for tomorrow; I’m taking the day off!” Dougie exclaimed, with great panache.
Just then, the gorgeous Rosemary entered the room with six of the most beautiful women Jeremy had ever seen. They all were very tall, radiant and leggy. They ranged in color from a chocolate-colored Jamaican beauty, to a spectacular six-foot-tall Nordic goddess, a veritable Smorgasbord of delicious female specimens, a rainbow of feminine creations.
“Sit down, and be quiet,” Rosemary ordered, her voice sounding more intimidating than the meanest First Sergeant Jeremy had ever encountered.
All of the women sat down near the window and waited to be introduced. Jeremy, Dougie and even Guido were speechless at the sight of this incredible display of female magnificence. Rosemary walked over to Guido and whispered in his ear.
“I hope you are pleased, Mr. Fontana?” Her head turning slightly to the right in expectation of a positive answer.
“Wow, you once again have overwhelmed me, Rosemary! Where have you been keeping these beauties? I haven’t seen them around the casino,” Guido answered, his eyes slowly admiring the multitude of beautiful women.
“Well, you might say they are virgins. I mean as far as the casino is concerned,” she quickly corrected herself. “I’ve been saving them for a special occasion, and have not allowed them to be used by anyone else,” Rosemary proudly answered, her already large bosom swelling to magnificent proportions.
“You done good, hasn’t she, boys?” Guido answered.
A chorus of, “Amen, Hallelujah,” greeted him. Jeremy felt the most uncomfortable of the lot. Being recently separated from his lover, he was not yet prepared for this compromising situation.
“Guido, I, I, uh, can you please come over here, I need to talk to you. I don’t think I can do anything just yet. Loretta has only been gone for a month or so, and I don’t know if I will ever see her again,” Jeremy whispered in his ear.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. These girls work for me, and they will or won’t do anything you want, or don’t want. Just think of them as your personal assistants, and they will take good care of you,” Guido smiled.
Dougie was out of his seat, and was now standing next to the girls, every one of them towering at least five inches over him.
“Hey you, you have been holding out on me. Had I known that you had so many beautiful women up here, I would have given you a discount on my services. Which one can I have, or better yet, how many can I have?” Dougie asked, his eyes bright with excitement.
“You can have as many as you can handle, but don’t let your eyes
