GH2016.9 Mice at Play

The club: in the background "Ana" is being instructed by Mike in the layout
of the place as well as job duties.

Lu: So how much does Nik know?
Lucky: He knows that she is getting a lesson in camouflage but not the
setting. I talked to her bodyguards; they will actually be seated early so
this is a safe practice run. If it works out then her security will be halved.
Lu: Are you going to teach her about weapons?
Lucky: Generally, but she hates guns because of what happened before. Nik
has been teaching you Tai Chi for years. I know that she can handle the
untrained problem. The pro's are the concern. She needs to be able to
recognize potential threats.
Staci: Welcome to Lucky's. Mr Spencer has picked a table for you. (Staci
seats her bodyguards at a table that views all the exits) If I can get
anything for you please let me know. Your server will be with you shortly.
(She smiles at then politely then retreats to Lucky's side) I didn't know
that they would be here?!
Lucky: This is a test, Staci and they are the judges. Get back to work
grades come at the end of the shift for both you and Lu. I'll be in the
back. (Lucky grabs his coffee and moves toward the back)
Lu: Okay here is the night: dinners til 10, Brooke and dancing til 2, and
then (in an undertone) we party til dawn after the place gets cleaned up.
You go off the floor after dinner is over. (Staci goes back to the front of
the restaurant)
Mike:(to lucky in the office) You ever play cards with your niece?
Lucky: No, Why?
Mike: I'd have to play a few hands with her but I think she has a
photographic memory. It was something about the way she scanned the menu
and the room.
Lucky: Really? That is interesting, but lets see how she does on faces over
the course of the evening. We should have time for a few hands after dinner
is over.

10pm Dinner is over and the band is warming up.

Mike: Ana, help the girls get the dishes cleared and then you are off the
clock. Lucky wants to see you after you are done.
Staci: Alright, Mike. I did okay then?
Mike: I'd hire you and I don't think I would have said that 4 hours ago..now
get busy.
Staci: (snapping off a crisp salute) Yes , sir ...ohhhh trouble.
Mike: What ?
Staci: That is Anthony Roberts and he knows me.
Mike: (looks at the door) Well I guess this is the extra credit on your
grade...take care of it and remember who you are tonight.
Staci: (straightens and takes a deep breath) Right. (walks over to the front)
Anthony: I'm too late for dinner aren't I?
Staci: I am afraid so. The bar menu is still available and Brooke Ashton is
about to start her set. Can I get you a table?
Anthony: Sure...Do I know you?
Staci: I don't think so...I just started here; if you will follow me? (Staci
seats him at a nearby table and then beats a quick retreat. She finishes
clearing tables. Staci and Mike go in the back room)
Lucky: (walks over to the bodyguards) Anyone interested in Poker? We're
going to be dealing a few hands in back. (Kris nods to his partner who
follows Lucky to the back)
Mike: I filled her in on the rules...straight poker no wild cards.
(lucky,Mike and John join Staci at the table.) Friendly game just a little
something to keep it interesting. (Staci shuffles and offers the deck to
Mike to cut before smoothly dealing the cards) So John when was the last
time you got to play poker on the job?
John: Not since I left my last assignment but it's like riding a bike.
(they play a few hands, Mike and Lucky observing Staci's attempts)
Lucky: Ana, you are telegraphing what you are doing...
Staci: What do you mean?
Lucky: I can tell that you are counting cards. Counting is fine, but it is
not good for your opponents to know you are doing it. Anybody playing
against you should think you are a dumb kid or a hot looking woman not a
card sharp in the making.
Staci: (sits back in her chair, her shoulders relaxing as the next hand is
dealt) Okay. Just a friendly game, right! (She smiles at her uncle. the game
progresses with Staci holding her own and Lucky's pile of chips growing)
John: You guys are cleaning me out...I'll relieve Kris. You can work on
him for awhile. (John excuses himself and goes to the front of the club.
Kris returns shortly.)
Kris: John told me to keep an eye on my wallet.
Lucky: (laughing) Nik pays you too much money anyway; got to keep the money
in the family. How did the house look?
Kris: Jumping. Ms Ashton is not giving them time to breathe but I'm sure
you are selling a lot of drinks. (seating himself in the empty chair the
game continues)

One AM rolls around

Lucky: I need to get out front.
Kris: You have cleaned me out anyway. (he studies Staci as if for the first
time. All stand and move to the front where Brooke is slowing things down)
Brooke:
~put your head on my shoulder
~sink me in a river of tears
~this could be the best place yet
~but you must overcome your fears
Kris: Ana, I think you owe me a dance after taking all my money. (he offers
her his hand)
~in time it could have been so much more
~the time is precious I know
~in time it could have been so much more
~the time has nothing to show
~because time won't give me time
~and time makes lovers feel
~like they've got something real
~They've got nothing but time
~and time won't give me time
~won't give me time.....
Staci: Thanks for the dance. (She and Kris move off the floor. Just as Staci
is sitting back down, Anthony arrives at the table)
Anthony: May I have the next one? (Staci looks over at Lucky who gives her a
barely perceptible nod)
Staci: Sure. (Brooke starts a slow song that has Staci mentally cursing)
Brooke:
~you must understand
~that the touch of your hand
~makes my pulse react
~that it is only the thrill of boy meeting girl
~opposites attract
~its physical, only logical you must try to ignore that is means more
than that
~ohhhh What's love got to do with it.
~ What's love but a second hand emotion.
~What's love got to do with it
~who needs a heart when a heart can be broken
Anthony: My name is Anthony
Staci: Ana
Anthony: So you just started working here?
Staci: Tonight was my first night.
Anthony: I guess I'll have to start coming in more often.
Lucky: Mind if I cut in? (Anthony looks annoyed but relinquishes the floor
and moves off)
Staci: That was close. Uncle, he knows me.
Lucky: And would never expect to see you here. ANA people see what they
expect to see. You have to do more than that. You have to see what is
there and what is hidden underneath. (As the song ends looks up at the door
and sees a familiar face) I see someone who owes me a dance. Be Good.
(Lucky escorts Staci to the table before going to the front of the club.)
You are out late.
Emily: Lots of things to get done before the next trip. Don't suppose you
would open the kitchen for me?
Lucky: I might for a dance.
Emily: I think I can afford that... Brooke's first night?
Lucky: (nods) And it will be a profitable partnership. (he holds out his
hand taking Emily's coat and purse leaving them at Mike's table as the intro
of the next song begins)
Brooke:
~For awhile to love was
~all we could do. we were young
~and knew our eyes were alive
~deep inside we knew our love was true
Emily: (comfortable in Lucky's embrace) It's been a long time.
Lucky: Too long.
~For awhile we paid no attention to the past
~We knew love would last
~every night something right--would invite
~us to begin the dance.
(Lucky draws her closer and their movements slow)
~But something happened along the way
~what used to be happy is sad
~something happened along the way
~yesterday was all we had
Emily: (pulling back) I really should get home; its late. Don't worry about
dinner. I can heat something up. Bye Lucky. ( She turns and leaves the
floor. leaving lucky standing on the edge of the dance floor watching her
walk away, again)
~oh--After the love is gone
~how could you lead me on
~and not let me stay around
~ohh after the love is gone
~what used to be right is wrong
~can love that is lost, be found....


Songs originally done by culture club, Tina Turner and EW and F