I don't like hotels anymore. It's hardly surprising. I couldn't understand why this little shindig wasn't being held in some government office or another, then Sam explained it. He was convinced that even Billy didn't have enough chutzpah to crash a Federal Building. The hotel room was his attempt to bait the Boy.
Deb: Beth?
Beth: Deb?
Deb: You already know Sam.
Sam: Yes, she does. It's been too long, young lady, far too long.
Sam moved in, eyes melting, body english non-threatening. He was
smiling gently. Something about it reminded me of a shark and I wanted to
warn Beth to be on her guard, but I wasn't feeling particularly lucky.
Beth, who put Billy in his place with absurd ease, was putty in Sam's
hands.
Deb: Yo, Sam! Can I take off?
Sam: Siddown.
Deb: I'm gonna make like a shepherd and get the flock outa here, whaddaya
say?
Sam turned away from Beth and stood in that fluidly graceful way he
had. He laid his hands gently on my shoulders, then launched me into an
overstuffed side chair.
Sam: There's your answer. Button up. Now, Beth...
Mr Nineties Sensitive Guy was back. Beth was unsteady.
Deb: Hey, Beth...ever get your curtains back?
Sam: Dry up, I'm talking to her.
Deb: No, you're not.
Sam: What would you call it?
Deb: Seduction. With an ulterior motive. I wonder what Judge Judy would
think...
Sam whipped around, impaling me with steely eyes. I cringed, but was
still more nervous for Beth than I was for myself.
Sam: Done?
Deb: Maybe.
Sam: Now, Darlin', where were we...about your friend, Strannix?
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided the only thing
left that could possibly distract Beth, who was now caught like a fly in
amber, was to sing. In the most cracked voice I could manage, no less.
Deb: When you walk through a storm
Keep your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark...
Sam: I'll show you a storm, girl.
It was working. Beth's eyes were marginally less glazed.
Deb: At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark...
Sam: I'm really getting torqued off, here.
Beth: I don't think he's kidding.
Deb: Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown...
Sam was simmering. Beth was squelching a grin unsuccessfully and
covering her ears.
Sam: I can think of something else that could be tossed.
Beth: Shut 'er down, Clyde, she's pumpin' mud.
Deb: Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone...
Biggs came in, carrying KFC boxes.
Biggs: Who's dyin' in here?
Sam: You done? You better be.
Beth: I'm better now. Really.
She wouldn't be when Sam went to work on her with the charm and the low
voice and the body again. Sam had turned up the nice-o-meter to about a
zillion watts. There was no defense against that.
Sam: Now, before we were so rudely interrupted...
Deb: You want rude?
Sam: I want no comments from the peanut gallery, that's what.
Beth: I think he's serious.
Sam: Good guess. Beth, girl, how much can you tell me about Bill
Strannix?
Beth: How...how much...do...you want...to know?
Sam: Everything, Darlin'.
It was brutal. Beth was liquifying before my eyes, while Sam had the
smug look of a cat sitting underneath an empty birdcage with feathers
drifting from its chops. His voice was soothing, low and gentle. She
needed help.
Sam: Start anywhere you want, Darlin'.
Beth: I...I...
Deb: My bologna has a first name
It's O-S-C-A-R
My bologna has a second name
It's M-A-Y-E-R
I was amazed at how quickly Beth could snap back. Meantime Sam was
absolutely seething. He rose from his place beside Beth, presumably to
hunt me down and destroy me.
Deb: Sam...Sam...
You know where I am...
Sam: And wait'll I get my hands on you.
Deb: I could be happy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone...
Sam: Somebody's lights are gonna be gone. Bobby, grab hold of this
little...
Beth's face was screwed into lines of pain. Her entire body was
shaking and her hands covered her mouth.
Deb: Here's the story of a lovely lady
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls
All of them had hair of gold like their mother
The youngest one in curls...
Without warning the door flew open and rebounded off the wall, nearly
catching Billy in the face. Sam, with exquisite reflexes, had his weapon
drawn and was in position to fire even before Billy had finished dodging
the door. I yelped and hit the dirt.
Billy: Sounds like I got here just in time. Shut the hell up, woman,
y'hurtin' my ears.
As he passed me. Billy yanked me to my feet and whacked my behind. Not
patted, but whacked. He also pinched. He flung himself down on the couch
beside Beth, effectively sandwiching her between himself and Sam. Did I
envy her, or pity her.
Billy: Hey, Babalooey, put that thing away before y'hurt yourself.
Sam: Bobby...
Biggs moved in closer to Billy.
Billy: Not a good idea, son. Whatchoo want with my girls, Babalooey?
Sam: Something I'd like to show Beth.
Billy leaned forward, grabbed my arm and yanked me down beisde him on
the arm of the couch. He was grinning evilly at Sam, who was grinning
evilly back.
Beth: You can cut the good-will in here with a knife. I don't know why
you're not insane.
Billy: Language, girl.
Deb: Who says I'm not?
Sam stands away and reaches into a jacket pocket.
Sam: Beth, do you recognize thi...where the hell is it?
Deb: Where the hell's what?
Billy: My key?
Beth: I don't have the slightest idea.
Sam: It's gone. I had it in my pocket when I left Dallas the last time I
...
Watching Sam put two and two together was truly scary.
Sam: You took it. When I covered you up with this jacket, you took it.
Beth: He covered you up? With that? I'm jealous.
Billy: Cool it, girl. How many times have you worn MY jacket?
Beth: Twice. And I had to see a chiropractor both times.
Sam: Where's that key, dammit?
Billy: Makes no difference to you, does it, Dawg? You got nothin' on me.
Deb: It's well and truly hidden, Sam. My loyalties are what they are.
What can I say?
Sam: You can tell me what you did with it.
Deb: If I do, you'll have Mr Creosote, there call Cosmo.
Sam: Two words. Obstructing justice.
Billy: Two more words. My ass.
Sam: Strannix...
Billy: Save it, Dudley Do-right. Now if you're through with my girls...
Sam: For now. Beth, I'll see you again sometime.
Beth: I'm looking forward to it...OUCH, dammit, Bill!
Sam: As for you...
Deb: I await your pleasure.
Sam: Strannix.
Billy: Bite me.
END OF PART 2
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