A/N: Okay, so first, please know this is my first attempt at fiction. I was actually a newspaper reporter for four years, but never wrote fiction. So please be gentle. I had an idea for a S/V'ish story in Vegas, and have an idea for a couple more along the same vein. Let me know if you like it and I'll keep 'em coming, but for now, here's the first chapter.
Rating: Currently PG-13 for mildly bad language.
Disc.: I own nothing, not even my car, the bank owns it. I only borrow these characters, these lyrics if applicable, and these locations. Though I'd LOVE to own the Bellagio in Vegas.
The Great Escape
“Okay, see this hat? There are ten pieces of paper in it, pick one out.”
“Weiss, what in the world are you doing?”
“Just pick one Syd. Do it before I have to take counter measures.”
“Okay, we all know you’re a spy, you don’t have to prove it just by using all the fancy words… Okay,” As I pick a piece of paper out of the base ball cap that’s in Weiss’ outstretched hand I still have no idea what this is all about.
“Unfold it, what’s it say?”
“Las Vegas. Okay, what does this mean.”
“Whoooo Hooooo, that’s the one I was hoping you’d pick. No place better the toss all your cares away than Sin City. Pack your bags Bristow, the flight leaves at 9:30, which mean you have 45 minutes to be ready to leave.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” I’m trying to make it look like I’m pissed, but the more I let this sink in, the better it sounds. Because it sounds kinda like a whole weekend away, no work, no missions, no briefings, no debriefings.
“We are going to have a great time, just go along with it. Come on, we both need a break, you and I both. We’ve been working too hard lately, and we never travel for fun. Come on….. Please!” Now Weiss is whining. I hate whining, so I finally give in and let him know that I’m all for it.
“Okay, go back to your apartment, pack and pick me up in 45 minutes. I’ll be ready.” I’m actually really excited. I can’t believe I’ve never gotten a chance to simply enjoy Vegas. This is the best idea Weiss has had in ages.
“You mean you’re not going to fight me on this anymore?”
“No, because if I fight you on this anymore I won’t have time to pack. How long will we be gone?”
“I got your father to get you out of work on Monday, we come back Tuesday on the earliest flight in.”
“Okay, see you in 45 minutes.” I say as I push him out the door.
<Now, what in the world am I going to pack?>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forty three minutes later Weiss is knocking at my door. He’s never on time, but if it’s to go on vacation, he’s early. Gotta love it.
“I’m coming!” I holler from behind the closed door.
As I open the door I can’t help but laugh, Weiss has a gym bag packed, and his cargo short and a Hawaiian shirt on. Such a tourist.
“Okay, lets roll.” Weiss hollers, as he grabs my bag from my hands.
As we drive to the airport, I asked him about the hat, and picking the piece of paper…. I wonder what the other options were.
“Well, I picked a handful of cities that were all within a couple hours flight or drive, put them all in the hat, and figured we’d just go to the one that you picked out. It’s more fun that way. I have to admit though that I really wanted you to pick Vegas… Vegas Baby!!!!!”
“Thank you Weiss, that was a great idea. I’m so glad we’re going and having some fun, and not just sitting on my couch all weekend watching movies. So, what do you like, table games or slots?”
“Oh, definitely table games, that’s where you get to flirt more. But then I lose my money because I’m not paying attention to the game, so you know, then I hit the slots.”
As I laugh at his perfectly male rationale, I realize that I’ve never really had much time to gamble. I mean, I know the basics of the simpler games, but I think I might really enjoy this…. What a way to blow some of my hard earned spying dollars…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you all to Las Vegas, and just remember that no one loves your money like we here at Southwest Airlines love your money. Except for maybe the casino you’re about to head off to. Have a great stay.”
“Gotta love Southwest Airlines. They’ve brought the humor back to the airline industry.” Weiss cracked.
“Okay, so where are we staying?”
“Well, it’s up to you. There are two places that have vacancy where we can head to, but you have to pick, on the strip, or off the strip?”
“Which hotels?”
“Nope, on the strip or off the strip?”
“Okay, I’ll play, on the strip.”
“Good choice m’lady” Weiss says has he grabs my elbow and leads me off the plane.
“So, can I know where we’re staying now?”
“Nope, you don’t get to know until we get into the cab and I tell him where we’re headed.”
“Fine. But you’re mean. I hate surprises.”
“It’s Vegas, baby, it’s all about the surprises, so you better get used to it,” he says with a cackle.
“Driver, the Bellagio please.”
“Ooh! The Bellagio! I love that place! I can’t wait to watch the water show out front, oh, and go to the art exhibit!”
“Syd, are you kidding me? You’re in Sin City and you’re going to an art exhibit? I don’t think so. Not if the Weiss-man has anything to say about it.”
“Okay, so in your dream world scenario what would we do?”
“Well, we start by the pool where we get nice and liquored up. Then we head off to the Blackjack tables. Then we go have a buffet lunch. Then –“
“Okay, so what part of this trip don’t you have planned then?”
“Well, it’s all flexible, but I can definitely tell you that a trip to the art exhibit was no where in my plans,” Weiss said.
“Okay, Eric, I’ll put myself in your capable hands, oh swammy of Vegas,” I can’t believe it, but I finally just decided to give in. That’s a first.
Right then we pull up in front of the hotel, and it’s as beautiful as I remember from the last time I drove by it on my way home from a mission. There’s something enchanting about Vegas where you can do whatever you want, and it doesn’t matter because that’s what everyone else is doing too. I need a weekend of whatever I want more than I ever realized. Thank heavens Eric realized it for me.
I thank the cab driver as I exit the car, grab my suitcase from Eric and we head into the hotel. And that’s where the surprises continued.
As I stepped into the lobby I immediately felt the need to look up and there was the most amazing glass installation. It was thousands of colored pieces of blown glass by a world famous artist, Dale Chihuly. I could have stood there staring at it for hours, but we hadn’t even checked in yet.
“Welcome to the Bellagio, do you have a reservation?” the desk agent said.
“Yes, it’s under Eric Weiss. I believe we have a two-room suite reserved.”
“Oh, yes, Mr. And Mrs. Weiss, that’s a beautiful suite, one of our finest. Shall we just keep your credit card on file for your charges during your stay?”
“Yes, that’s fine, but she’s not the missus…. I’m not quite that lucky,” Weiss said with a wink in my direction.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Well, here are your two room keys. You are in Suite 1132. Enjoy your stay here at the Bellagio.”
“Weiss…. A suite?? We only need two separate beds… not two separate rooms. I can’t even imagine what a suite runs in this place – “
“Syd, don’t worry about it, it’s your first vacation in what…. Six years? We can splurge, besides, it’s on my government credit card – shhh don’t tell Uncle Sammy.”
I break into peals of laughter as we head off to the nearest bank of elevators, but already Weiss is drooling over the cocktail waitresses. In that instant I realize that two rooms is probably a good thing….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We settled into the room, and decided that because it was already so late we would go downstairs for a quiet meal then see what kind of luck the casino brought us. Dinner was perfect until dessert. I forgot to turn off my cell phone…
“Bristow.” I answered.
“Syd – where are you we need you in a meeting in twenty minutes.” Huh… Vaughn had no idea about this little trip, obviously because he expected me at the JTF in twenty minutes.
“Um… Vaughn, I’m sitting at dinner with Weiss, can’t it wait?”
“Weiss? I thought he went on a weekend trip?”
“Yea, with me. We’re in Vegas.” Wonder how he’ll take that news….
Suddenly Weiss leans into the phone…”VEGAS BABY!!!! YEAH!!!!”
I can’t even attempt to stifle the giggle I feel at that moment. Finally, I know something that Vaughn doesn’t, and finally I have the upper hand. I’m hundreds of miles away, and there’s nothing he can do about it. And maybe he’ll even be a little jealous of the fact that I’m in Sin City with one of his best friends.
After a few seconds to let the info settle in Vaughn finally responds.
“Are you kidding? You just up and went to Vegas?”
“Well, Vaughn, once upon a time I was going to just up and go to Santa Barbara, wasn’t I? I needed a break, and Weiss picked up on that, so we’re taking a break. I’m sure the world won’t melt away without me for a couple days. I’ll talk to you on Tuesday.”
“What.. Um…. But – “ Vaughn obviously didn’t know what to say.
“Good bye Vaughn, oh, and my cell phone will be off in the next hour or so, we’re going gambling and you’re not allowed to have any phones active on the gaming floor.”
Right before I hit the end button Weiss leans over again…
“We’ll put 20 bucks on black for you!” he shouts.
And the call is over. Man that felt good.
A/N: Don't worry it'll be S/V soon enough....
Rating: Currently PG-13 for mildly bad language.
Disc.: I own nothing, not even my car, the bank owns it. I only borrow these characters, these lyrics if applicable, and these locations. Though I'd LOVE to own the Bellagio in Vegas.
The Great Escape
“Okay, see this hat? There are ten pieces of paper in it, pick one out.”
“Weiss, what in the world are you doing?”
“Just pick one Syd. Do it before I have to take counter measures.”
“Okay, we all know you’re a spy, you don’t have to prove it just by using all the fancy words… Okay,” As I pick a piece of paper out of the base ball cap that’s in Weiss’ outstretched hand I still have no idea what this is all about.
“Unfold it, what’s it say?”
“Las Vegas. Okay, what does this mean.”
“Whoooo Hooooo, that’s the one I was hoping you’d pick. No place better the toss all your cares away than Sin City. Pack your bags Bristow, the flight leaves at 9:30, which mean you have 45 minutes to be ready to leave.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” I’m trying to make it look like I’m pissed, but the more I let this sink in, the better it sounds. Because it sounds kinda like a whole weekend away, no work, no missions, no briefings, no debriefings.
“We are going to have a great time, just go along with it. Come on, we both need a break, you and I both. We’ve been working too hard lately, and we never travel for fun. Come on….. Please!” Now Weiss is whining. I hate whining, so I finally give in and let him know that I’m all for it.
“Okay, go back to your apartment, pack and pick me up in 45 minutes. I’ll be ready.” I’m actually really excited. I can’t believe I’ve never gotten a chance to simply enjoy Vegas. This is the best idea Weiss has had in ages.
“You mean you’re not going to fight me on this anymore?”
“No, because if I fight you on this anymore I won’t have time to pack. How long will we be gone?”
“I got your father to get you out of work on Monday, we come back Tuesday on the earliest flight in.”
“Okay, see you in 45 minutes.” I say as I push him out the door.
<Now, what in the world am I going to pack?>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forty three minutes later Weiss is knocking at my door. He’s never on time, but if it’s to go on vacation, he’s early. Gotta love it.
“I’m coming!” I holler from behind the closed door.
As I open the door I can’t help but laugh, Weiss has a gym bag packed, and his cargo short and a Hawaiian shirt on. Such a tourist.
“Okay, lets roll.” Weiss hollers, as he grabs my bag from my hands.
As we drive to the airport, I asked him about the hat, and picking the piece of paper…. I wonder what the other options were.
“Well, I picked a handful of cities that were all within a couple hours flight or drive, put them all in the hat, and figured we’d just go to the one that you picked out. It’s more fun that way. I have to admit though that I really wanted you to pick Vegas… Vegas Baby!!!!!”
“Thank you Weiss, that was a great idea. I’m so glad we’re going and having some fun, and not just sitting on my couch all weekend watching movies. So, what do you like, table games or slots?”
“Oh, definitely table games, that’s where you get to flirt more. But then I lose my money because I’m not paying attention to the game, so you know, then I hit the slots.”
As I laugh at his perfectly male rationale, I realize that I’ve never really had much time to gamble. I mean, I know the basics of the simpler games, but I think I might really enjoy this…. What a way to blow some of my hard earned spying dollars…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you all to Las Vegas, and just remember that no one loves your money like we here at Southwest Airlines love your money. Except for maybe the casino you’re about to head off to. Have a great stay.”
“Gotta love Southwest Airlines. They’ve brought the humor back to the airline industry.” Weiss cracked.
“Okay, so where are we staying?”
“Well, it’s up to you. There are two places that have vacancy where we can head to, but you have to pick, on the strip, or off the strip?”
“Which hotels?”
“Nope, on the strip or off the strip?”
“Okay, I’ll play, on the strip.”
“Good choice m’lady” Weiss says has he grabs my elbow and leads me off the plane.
“So, can I know where we’re staying now?”
“Nope, you don’t get to know until we get into the cab and I tell him where we’re headed.”
“Fine. But you’re mean. I hate surprises.”
“It’s Vegas, baby, it’s all about the surprises, so you better get used to it,” he says with a cackle.
“Driver, the Bellagio please.”
“Ooh! The Bellagio! I love that place! I can’t wait to watch the water show out front, oh, and go to the art exhibit!”
“Syd, are you kidding me? You’re in Sin City and you’re going to an art exhibit? I don’t think so. Not if the Weiss-man has anything to say about it.”
“Okay, so in your dream world scenario what would we do?”
“Well, we start by the pool where we get nice and liquored up. Then we head off to the Blackjack tables. Then we go have a buffet lunch. Then –“
“Okay, so what part of this trip don’t you have planned then?”
“Well, it’s all flexible, but I can definitely tell you that a trip to the art exhibit was no where in my plans,” Weiss said.
“Okay, Eric, I’ll put myself in your capable hands, oh swammy of Vegas,” I can’t believe it, but I finally just decided to give in. That’s a first.
Right then we pull up in front of the hotel, and it’s as beautiful as I remember from the last time I drove by it on my way home from a mission. There’s something enchanting about Vegas where you can do whatever you want, and it doesn’t matter because that’s what everyone else is doing too. I need a weekend of whatever I want more than I ever realized. Thank heavens Eric realized it for me.
I thank the cab driver as I exit the car, grab my suitcase from Eric and we head into the hotel. And that’s where the surprises continued.
As I stepped into the lobby I immediately felt the need to look up and there was the most amazing glass installation. It was thousands of colored pieces of blown glass by a world famous artist, Dale Chihuly. I could have stood there staring at it for hours, but we hadn’t even checked in yet.
“Welcome to the Bellagio, do you have a reservation?” the desk agent said.
“Yes, it’s under Eric Weiss. I believe we have a two-room suite reserved.”
“Oh, yes, Mr. And Mrs. Weiss, that’s a beautiful suite, one of our finest. Shall we just keep your credit card on file for your charges during your stay?”
“Yes, that’s fine, but she’s not the missus…. I’m not quite that lucky,” Weiss said with a wink in my direction.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Well, here are your two room keys. You are in Suite 1132. Enjoy your stay here at the Bellagio.”
“Weiss…. A suite?? We only need two separate beds… not two separate rooms. I can’t even imagine what a suite runs in this place – “
“Syd, don’t worry about it, it’s your first vacation in what…. Six years? We can splurge, besides, it’s on my government credit card – shhh don’t tell Uncle Sammy.”
I break into peals of laughter as we head off to the nearest bank of elevators, but already Weiss is drooling over the cocktail waitresses. In that instant I realize that two rooms is probably a good thing….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We settled into the room, and decided that because it was already so late we would go downstairs for a quiet meal then see what kind of luck the casino brought us. Dinner was perfect until dessert. I forgot to turn off my cell phone…
“Bristow.” I answered.
“Syd – where are you we need you in a meeting in twenty minutes.” Huh… Vaughn had no idea about this little trip, obviously because he expected me at the JTF in twenty minutes.
“Um… Vaughn, I’m sitting at dinner with Weiss, can’t it wait?”
“Weiss? I thought he went on a weekend trip?”
“Yea, with me. We’re in Vegas.” Wonder how he’ll take that news….
Suddenly Weiss leans into the phone…”VEGAS BABY!!!! YEAH!!!!”
I can’t even attempt to stifle the giggle I feel at that moment. Finally, I know something that Vaughn doesn’t, and finally I have the upper hand. I’m hundreds of miles away, and there’s nothing he can do about it. And maybe he’ll even be a little jealous of the fact that I’m in Sin City with one of his best friends.
After a few seconds to let the info settle in Vaughn finally responds.
“Are you kidding? You just up and went to Vegas?”
“Well, Vaughn, once upon a time I was going to just up and go to Santa Barbara, wasn’t I? I needed a break, and Weiss picked up on that, so we’re taking a break. I’m sure the world won’t melt away without me for a couple days. I’ll talk to you on Tuesday.”
“What.. Um…. But – “ Vaughn obviously didn’t know what to say.
“Good bye Vaughn, oh, and my cell phone will be off in the next hour or so, we’re going gambling and you’re not allowed to have any phones active on the gaming floor.”
Right before I hit the end button Weiss leans over again…
“We’ll put 20 bucks on black for you!” he shouts.
And the call is over. Man that felt good.
A/N: Don't worry it'll be S/V soon enough....