GIDEON- NEW YORK CITY [A young man from Idaho hired Michael Gideon to find his missing girlfriend. That led him to the incredibly sexy Cindy Cornoe...a woman whose beautiful exterior may conceal the soul of a predator.] Gideon: "Michael is fine." he said as she entered the washroom. He felt as though he had done fifteen rounds with the Manassa Mauler. His joints felt sore and he was sure that his back would never be the same. But underlying it all was a feeling of ecstacy like he had never experienced before. He took a few deep breaths to get himself ready for the painful process of putting his pants on. Excruciating was the only word that came close. *This _woman_ has me swollen from the waist down.* he thought. Gideon thought he had an idea about how some of those other men died mysteriously. She seemed almost supernatural in her abilities. "Yeah right, Gideon. She's a vampire and wants to drink your blood." he said to himself. Then he stopped and gave his statement some serious thought. He willed himself over to his desk and started to scribble a few notes on his pad. >LIFE DRAIN, VAMPIRISM, MATHERS, TWO UNEXPLAINED DEATHS< Gideon realized that he was playing with a loaded gun, pointed at his head. He tore the sheet from the pad and stuffed it in his pocket. He needed information and he needed it fast. He waited for Cindy to come out of the washroom trying to look unconcerned and content. He wanted to assuage any suspicions that she might have. [OOC: Manassa Mauler aka Jack Dempsey. Didn't know if you knew. ] <><><><><> [GM] Cindy emerges from the bathroom after ten minutes, still looking contented and *extremely* sexy. You feel the stirrings of lust again, even as exhausted as you are. She kneels next to you and runs her fingertips over your chest. "So, now you know what I do to men." She winks at you. "If I could get close to Richard Navarone," she whispers, "I'll bet I could make him *much* better disposed towards me." <><><><><> Gideon: "Navarone is better protected than Fort Knox. Getting to see him is damned near impossible. However, being who and *what* you are, I think he might make an exception." Gideon adjusted his now painful sitting position. He had an idea about what she was going to try. It was dangerous, but if anyone could pull it off he felt that she could. "I might be able to get you in to see him. He is not really a violent man and I believe he would want a peaceful solution. Navarone isn't really our problem, its Ricca. He will be incensed that you won't have to pay for protection and that he won't have access to your escorts. Ricca might retaliate anyway. Not directly, of course. A few of your employees will turn up with facial bruises and or bruises about the legs. Ricca would rather see them not work than work for you." A troubled look moved across his face. Gideon reached out and stroked her golden hair. "I have to tell you that I'm jealous. I can't help the way I feel about you being with Navarone. I have pure unbridled lust for you and I'm unwilling to share you. Pretty childish, huh?" <><><><><> [GM] "Of course you're jealous....how could you not be?" Her statement seems to contain no vanity, merely a frank awareness of the effect she has on men. She leans over you and presses her lips against yours with soul-searing intensity. After long, passionate moments, she draws back a few inches, and asks softly "The only question is, can you, will you, still help me...knowing what I am, knowing that I can't ever be yours and yours alone....or will you become an obsessed fool like Richard?" <><><><><> Gideon: Her words echoed in his head. She was a dream come true. Everything a man could want...and more. She was also something quite different. Gideon didn't know what to call her. He only knew that she was unlike anyone else he had ever met. He could not love her. He knew that. He was pleased with his self- awareness of that fact. Michael Gideon knew himself to be a reasonable man. His reason had won out, once again. "We all do what we have to, to survive. We can't change what we are. All we can do is live to the best of our abilities. I may not condone your methods, but I can respect your resolve. If you want to run your business without any Mob ties, so be it. I'll do everything in my power to help you attain that goal. If you would like to keep this a formal business arrangement, I'll take a lifetime membership to your service, and an occasional dinner with the boss." <><><><><> [GM] Cindy laughs, with no trace of artifice. "It's so nice to meet an *honest* man," she says, giving you another kiss. "Don't worry...I don't forget my...friends." Leaning back and brushing her hair, she asks you, "Can you get me an audience with His Majesty the don? Or if you don't have the contacts, who can you introduce me to that does?" With that gleam of malevolence in her eye again, she says "Don't worry about Ricca. I can take care of him." <><><><><> Gideon: Gideon returns her kiss and sighs upon release. "My mother told me about women like you." he said smiling, "I'm glad I didn't listen to her." He kissed her once more, just to feel the fullness of her lips one last time. "I can get in touch with Peter Luciano. Once he knows what it concerns, he'll contact me and set up a time and place. I'll go with you if you want me to. I may not be in love with you but it would still hurt me to know that something happened that I might have prevented. If you feel secure enough, I'll simply bring you to the location and leave. You tell me what you want to do." <><><><><> [GM] "I'd like you to come with me," she smiles. "I can use the help...I may be confident in what I can do," her smile becomes deeper, more lascivious, "but I'm not fool enough to think I can do everything alone." <><><><><> Gideon: *Well, at least I won't feel totally useless.* he thought. He pulls out a pad and pencil, and hands it to Cindy. "I'll make the call. You relay whatever it is that you want me to say. No need to show our entire hand just yet. I'm counting on whatever it is you do, to get us out of this without cement galoshes attached to our feet. Yes, they still do that. The Coney Island Sound is full of recipients of that particular bit of Mob history." He reached for the phone and dialed the number from memory. There were certain numbers you just didn't forget. "Hello, May I speak with Mr. Luciano? Tell him it's Mickey Gideon and I'm calling for a mutual friend ours. They seem to be having trouble with their union dues." <><><><><> [GM] It takes only a few minutes before you hear Luciano's deep, heavily accented voice. "Gideon." He never speaks in question or exclamation marks, but always in a flat statements. "Don't tell me you're playing defender of the underdog again. You should just tell your friend to pay his dues. Simple, no trouble all around. You know that." "OK, tell me who this friend is. Maybe we'll work something out, if there is a genuine spirit of cooperation here..." <><><><><> Gideon: "You know me, Mr. Luciano. I believe that even the underdog deserves a chance. I instructed my client to make the required payment. Instead, in the interest of fostering amity, my client would like to meet with Don Navarone to discuss a new and more profitable arrangement for all parties concerned." *Where do I get this bull*hit from.* he thought. <><><><><> [GM] "You're kiddin' me, right." Despite the characteristic lack of rising intonation to denote a question, the incredulity in Luciano's tone is still clear. He knows BS when he hears it. "Who is this client of yours, Gideon. He's got some balls, wanting to go straight to the big man himself to 'negotiate' his dues. You're no dummy, you really think this guy has something to make it worth Don Navarone's time, you let me know what it is. I'd hate to see you embarrass yourself, Gideon. That wouldn't be good." <><><><><> Gideon: *Time for the secret weapon.* he thought. He clasped his hand over the receiver and address Cindy. "I'm going to put you on speaker phone. Whatever it is that you do, throw it with as much intensity as possible." He smiled before adding. "I'll try to control myself." Gideon touched the speaker button and put the receiver down. This was the crucial moment, they lived or died right here. <><><><><> [GM] "What?" Cindy exclaims, startled. "Umm...I hate to tell you this, but...I have a really sexy voice, but if you mean my ability to, um, affect men...I don't think it'll work so well over the phone." She looks worried. Taking the phone, she takes a deep breath, thrusting her breasts up and rekindling the fire in you despite the fact that you'd have sworn you're too worn out to even think about sex...well, how wrong you were! Then she smiles, and purrs into the receiver in her sexiest voice. You have to sit down to keep your knees from turning to water. "Mister Luciano," she murmurs. "I'm soooo sorry for all this trouble...but I'm new to the city, and I was hoping I could...discuss things with you. Mister Gideon was nice enough to help me out, but he says you're the really *important* man that I need to speak to. Oh, I don't want to cause any problems, Mister Luciano....I was just scared by that awful Mister Ricca...please," she wheedles, plaintively and (in your ears) heartrendingly, "couldn't you just meet me once...I *swear* I'll make it worth your while, believe me, I want to do everything I *possibly* can to make you happy...." A few moments later, her smile becomes distinctly catlike as she sets down the phone. "He said he'd meet us at Il Cantinori's on East 10th street tomorrow for lunch." She bats her lashes at you. "You will come with me, won't you....Michael?" <><><><><> Gideon: *HAVE FAITH* he scrawls on the notepad for her to read. He shifts uncomfortably as she turns up the 'volume' for Luciano. When she is done and confirms the meeting he breathes a sigh of relief. "I knew that you could do it. When I spoke to you over the phone, you did have some effect on me. I felt that if you intentionally turn it up, you could get the job done. I see that I wasn't wrong." His face became a bit predatory as he spoke his next words. "However, I'm all hot and bothered again, and the word NO seems to have fled my vocabulary. Of course I'll go with you tomorrow, if I survive round two with the Black Widow." <><><><><> [GM] Cindy laughs, slipping into your lap. "Black widow, huh?" She kisses you, her lips white-hot on yours, and you feel your body responding with fire, despite your exhaustion from your recent experience with her. "I'll go easy on you this time," she says softly as you both descend to the floor. "I wouldn't want my brave knight to be too burnt out tomorrow..." 'Easy' is a relative term; compared to your first explosive session with her, this one is milder, yet it still makes every other woman you've ever been with pale by comparison. Dimly, you wonder if you'll ever be satisfied by another; perhaps that's why poor Richard, and so many others, have lost themselves in her....you may be able to tell yourself you're a rational man, but Cindy Cornoe summons forth such primal urges, so raw and unrestrained, that it would be all too easy to forget about rationality, forget about reason, forget about morality...forget about everything except her soft, smooth white skin and her perfect body... Breathing deeply, you bask in the afterglow, as does Cindy. Again, it seems to be an almost literal afterglow with her, as her skin appears bright and luminous in the low light of your office. She rises smoothly to her feet, slipping her dress and her furs back on. "I'd best let you get a full night's sleep," she says with a wide smile. "And besides, I do have other business to attend to. Shall I meet you here, Michael, or would it be better if we arrive at Il Cantinori's separately?" <><><><><> Gideon: He just looks at her...glow. It was the only word that applied. It was the most amazing thing that he had ever seen. He dressed at the same time that she did. He was pulling on his boots when she started talking. "Believe me, Cindy. I have no choice but to get a good nights sleep. I'm absolutely worn out." he said laboring with his second boot. He thought about her question and made a quick decision. "You should meet me here. We need to present a united front and showing up seperately might be misinterperated as a schism between us. I'll make arrangements to have a Town Car drop us at the restaurant." Gideon stood up and took Cindy's hand in his. He kissed it tenderly and released. "You are an amazing woman, Cindy. The pleasure has been all mine." he said smiling. "I'm going to head to my parents place and eat them out of business. I'll see you tomorrow." <><><><><> [GM] You go to Gideon's, where your mother is happy to stuff your face, while asking about your current cases. Your parents always want to hear about what you're working on, especially when it's something interesting. Dad would have liked you to be a police officer, but Mom is just happy that you're doing something to help those in trouble, one way or the other. Right now, you're not so certain that your motives, or the 'help' you are giving, could withstand close scrutiny. Richard is still waiting in his hotel room, while you take his erstwhile fiancee to meet with one of the top Mafia lieutenants in the city. [Any other plans before meeting Cindy in the morning?] <><><><><> Gideon: After a good nights sleep, Gideon starts formulating a few contingency plans. He knows that this will be a very delicate operation and it could blowup in his face at any moment. He does a short workout, beginning with some basic stretching exercises, followed by forty-five minutes of shadow boxing. He chooses his navy blue wool double breasted suit from the closet and lays it out with a white shirt and paisley tie. After showering, he eats a bowl of cereal and sits down to his computer. He boots up and begins a new entry. CINDY CORNOE, ADDENDUM: I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO BE THE BEST PERSON THAT I CAN, EACH DAY. YESTERDAY, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS HUMAN AFTER ALL. GETTING INTO BED WITH THE DEVIL TOOK ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING. CINDY CORNOE IS THE MOST PURELY SEXUAL CREATURE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. NO WOMAN HAS EVER MADE ME FEEL THE RAW PLEASURE THAT SHE REVEALED TO ME. IT WAS ALL...SENSATION. THE SMELL OF HER, THE TASTE OF HER, BROUGHT FORTH PRIMAL URGES THAT MOST MEN WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE, THEY ARE BURIED SO DEEP. MISSING, WAS EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT. LOVE WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE ROOM. WHAT WAS PRESENT, WAS PURELY...ANIMAL, AND IT FELT GOOD. I WOULD BE LYING IF WROTE THAT I WAS UPSET BY THIS. THOUGH I AM NOT PROUD OF IT, I DON'T REGRET IT. SHE HAS A POWER OVER MEN THAT BROUGHT ONE ACROSS A COUNTRY, AND HAS ANOTHER TREADING ON THIN ICE. IF I SURVIVE THIS AFTERNOON, I'LL HAVE A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR TIGHTROPE WALKERS. He shuts down and decides to get dressed. He opens his safe and decides on what he should protect them with. He lifts the unloaded 9mm and checks it carefully to make sure it is indeed not loaded. Removing five full clips from the safe, Gideon places two in the waist carrier and two in the armpit pouches. He snaps the waist carrier onto his belt and shoulders on the armpit pouches. After loading the gun he toggles the safety and slips it into his waist holster. *Loaded for bear.* he thought to himself. Gideon checked his clock and saw that he should get a move on. He shrugs on the jacket and looks at himself in the mirror. "At least they won't have to dress me for my funeral." he says sardonically. He walks downstairs to his office and after checking the machine for messages, waits for Cindy to arrive. *Richard will have to wait, until this is over.* he thinks. <><><><><> [GM] Cindy arrives shortly. You were expecting her to dress up, of course, but even knowing what she is and that she would undoubtedly play up every advantage she's got, you're still barely prepared for her. She's wearing a white dress that starts at the curvature of her bustline, rising just high enough to be legal, and slides down her hourglass figure like a coat of paint, ending several inches above her knees. Her perfectly sculpted legs stretch forever before finally reaching the ground, and you notice that her eye level is over an inch closer to yours, as she's wearing gleaming stilletto heels on which she walks as if they were a natural part of her foot, her gently rounded calves taut with the added weight placed on them. Every time she breathes, her outfit seems to breathe with her, and you're sure that if she had the slightest blemish on her skin, it would be clearly visible through the tight fabric, but she doesn't, so matched with her ghostly white skin, nothing is reveal outright. Her hair is arranged in a toussle that seems so natural it couldn't be...on anyone but her. No matter what angle you look at her, light seems to glow around the periphery of her coiffure, once again giving the impression of a golden halo. Her blue eyes are as intense and enticing as ever, her lips red and luscious and irresistable. She's carrying a fashionable overcoat, which you *hope* she plans to wear on the way to the restaurant- New York traffic is bad enough without Cindy Cornoe causing accidents in her wake. But she obviously wanted to test the full impact on you. "So," she asks with a delicately lidded smile, as you try to start breathing again and mentally check to see if your heart is still beating, "do you think this will make the right impression on Peter Luciano?" <><><><><> Gideon: He staggered back a step or two and had to consciously will himself not to fall. He managed to squeak out, "You look gorgeous. Absolutely, one hundred percent, knock me down gorgeous. Peter Luciano is in your pocket book." He walked around her to get the full impact of her beauty. The heat given off by his body at that moment could have powered half the city. He needed to tell her some things before they left. He found his voice and began speaking. "I uh, wanted to go over a few things before we left. The first thing is that, you're my client and I have duty to protect you. That means that if anything goes wrong and we get into trouble, you have to follow my instructions to the letter. I'm always open to suggestions but this won't be a democracy. You handle the negotiations and I'll handle the pugilism, if necessary. Besides yourself, did you bring any weapons with you?" Once she answers the question, Gideon will help her on with her coat and await the Town Car. <><><><><> [GM] "Weapons? No, I think I'm weapon enough." The devilish smile with that predatory gleam in her eye again. "But if things get rough, of course I'll trust my gallant knight...." She stands on her toes to brand your cheek with a kiss, then walks with you to the waiting Town Car. Il Cantinori's is a classy Northern Italian restaurant in one of New York's nicer areas, with unassuming straw and wooden chairs that give it a charming atmosphere. So when you see Peter Luciano sitting at a table and munching on risotto nero, flanked by two laughing men in sports jackets, you could almost pretend this is a nice business lunch, rather than a very tense business lunch with someone who could make your life quite miserable...or quite short. "Gideon," he growls as you approach. "I hope you don't mind me starting on the appetizer already," in a tone that says he couldn't care less whether you mind. Then his eyes fall on Cindy, and that dispassionate mask melts. You almost feel sorry for him as his breath catches in his throat and he gasps something unintelligible, then stands to pull a chair out for your client. The other two men likewise sit up straight, and try with little success to keep from outright staring at Cindy. "Mister Luciano," Cindy says in that murmur that sends shudders up male spines, sitting down next to you, across from Luciano. The Mafia lieutenant swallows and sits down again. It takes several minutes of awkward small talk, and ordering, before anyone is able to approach the matter at hand. Luciano mentions that he understood the two of you had a proposal for him. Cindy smiles, lowers her long lashes, and says "Yes...I did." She reaches out a flawless, manicured hand and touches Luciano's wrist lightly. You know he's lost, and his two henchman stare at her arm, enraptured, as she says "I was really hoping I could speak to Richard Navarone...I thought maybe if I explain to him my *special* situation, maybe he would understand why I...didn't quite follow local customs." Luciano blinks, and a frown creases his brow. He seems to be having trouble mustering his thoughts, but you're suddenly tense. Cindy, rash and trusting completely in her power to wrap men around her little finger, and still in many ways a small-town girl who doesn't understand the big city, is moving too abruptly. An unknown intruder on shaky ground already simply doesn't immediately ask to speak to the Don. Cindy's inexperienced brashness may be overreaching even her considerable influence. <><><><><> Gideon: Gideon clears his throat to get Luciano's attention. "What my client means is, at some later date she wishes to speak with Don Navarone. Right now, she wants to make it absolutely clear that she meant no disrespect, and fully realizes the delicacy of her situation. She wants to spend time with you, Mr. Luciano, so that she might more familiarize herself tradition and the ways you do business. I think that you will agree that you could teach her a few things. Yes?" The words were killing him. On the outside, Gideon was the consummate professional. On the inside, he wanted to draw his gun and fill the fat bag of grease with the whole clip. He knew that his words were setting Cindy up for a 'date' with Luciano. The overwhelming jealousy and anger that he felt was almost too much to bear. He continued to talk because it gave him something to focus on besides his building rage. "What my client needs is an assurance that no retaliation will be forthcoming from certain members within your organization, specifically Mr. Ricca. If she can get those assurances, the two of you can begin to explore a new and more lucrative way to run this end of your business." *Shoot him now, Gideon!* his thoughts screamed. He gave a visible shudder and hoped that his words could erase the possible damage Cindy's head-on charge had done. <><><><><> [GM] Cindy looks at you, realizing that she made a mistake and you'e trying to correct it. She turns back to Luciano and smiles, giving him her best seductive look, turning her cheek against her shoulder. "I'm sorry Mister Luciano," she breathes innocently, "I certainly didn't mean to be discourteous...I'm just so new to this, and I rely completely on men whom I can *trust* to help me...if only there was some way I could earn your favor, I'd do *anything* to smooth things over and make sure I get along with you and the people you work with. But that man Ricco fightened me so much," she shudders deliciously, playing Luciano's machismo like a fiddle. He sits up straight, barely restraining himself from outright leering at her, and assumes a self-important tone and posture, the Big Man who'll make everything all right. "Don't worry none about Ricco, he ain't gonna do squat unless I tell him to." He reaches out and strokes one delicate white cheek, and you long to grab his hand and break every finger that touches her skin. "Maybe you and I could discuss this in more...depth, this evening. I'm sure we can work something out." Cindy smiles and gives him an ever-so-grateful look. Behind her wide innocent eyes, you see the look of a woman who knows she has a man squirming on a hook and enjoying it. But Luciano and his men have swallowed her act hook, line and sinker. And inside, you rage. <><><><><> Gideon: *A kick save and a beauty.* he thought. *Now, if I can just get out of here without killing these slobs.* Gideon waits for Cindy to complete her web, before requesting a short private meeting with his client. He moves her to a table a short distance away and begins speaking as calmly as possible. "I have to get out of here, Cindy. I'll sit here and wait for you to set your DATE with Luciano. Hurry, because I'm losing control and things could deteriorate fast." He says the word 'date' with more venom than he had intended. He couldn't help it. He wanted her for himself and no else. "Do what you have to and lets leave." he says urgently. <><><><><> [GM] Cindy looks at you sharply. "You knew what I'm about before you agreed to help me...you said you could handle it. Don't let me down, Michael. Don't be another fool like Richard." She leans closer, painfully close, but Luciano and his men are watching, so she stops just short of bringing her lips within kissing range of yours. "Show a little patience, my gallant knight; you can't have me all to yourself...but I did give you more than I'll ever give this wop greaseball." She rises again, eyes sparkling. "If things go well, Michael, I'll be able to repay you generously for your help...and not just in the manner that has you all hot and bothered right now." She goes back to Luciano, sits with him a while longer, while you clench and unclench your fists, and finally, after leaning forward in a cleavage-displaying pose to give the enforcer a good-bye kiss, she gets up, and walks away, with you following behind. Back in a towncar, she presses close against you. "I think that went well...now all I have to do is figure out how to move up the ladder, to Navarone." <><><><><> Gideon: At the mention of Richard, Gideon seems to calm down. He remembers the distraught youth and convinces himself that he won't end up like him. "I'll be fine, Cindy. I only thought it fair to appraise you of the situation. Go finish your business, I'll be here." He watches her sweet-talk Luciano, all the while envisioning the man's head on a spit. Once she is done, Gideon says his goodbyes and ushers her out of the restaurant. When the towncar pulls up, he holds the door open for her and then enters himself. "Head uptown. I don't care how you go, just drive." He looks at her after her comment about the meeting. "Things were a little touch and go early on. I think it did turn out as good as possible, under the circumstances. You be careful with him. If I felt the way I did about you being with him, you can be damned sure he'll feel the same about you and Navarone." He had a very unpleasant question to ask next. "I need to know what I'm supposed to do with Richard? He nearly passed out when I said that you were gone. He insists that I keep looking. Tell me what you would like me to do with him." <><><><><> [GM] "Oh hell, I don't care what you do with him!" Cindy says, snuggling against you. "Richard's an idiot. I never asked him to fall in love with me. Figure out a way to send him back to Idaho." <><><><><> Gideon: He was quite sure that he didn't like the way she was dismissing Richard. She was right, though. He had to give up on ever finding 'his Cindy'. That particular woman was long gone. "I'll think of something." he said nonchalantly. He sat up a bit and returned the safety catchs on his holsters to the lock position. "I was very close to emptying the guns into those guys. I undid the catchs while they were salivating over you. I think that this ends our partnership for right now. You have your meeting with Luciano and I have to get Richard out of this city." Gideon looks into that perfect face and wants very badly to lose himself in it. He sets his mind back to business. "You be careful. Luciano may think he has Ricca under control but I wouldn't bet on it. If you need me, you know where to find me." He smiled and shook his head, "With all that going on, we forgot to have lunch. I'm pretty hungry. How about you?" <><><><><> [GM] "Of course I'll be in touch," she says, stroking your face. "You've been enormously helpful, and I *always* remember my...friends." The interior of the cab suddenly feels like it's about 500 degrees celsius. She pulls away, slightly, and you catch your breath, sweating. "Oh dear, we probably should get something to eat, shouldn't we?" Over a nice lunch, she tells you "You're right, we both have things to attend to. But rest assured, I *will* call you again soon." She gives you an inviting smile that you know will haunt your dreams until she does call. Despite your obvious desire, she disappoints you by not getting out with you at your office. Instead, she kisses you on the cheek, and tells you farewell, for now. You stand on the curb and watch the car drive away, until it's out of sight. <><><><><> Gideon: With a heavy sigh, he turns towards the front steps. As he enters the building, he doesn't know whether to go to his apartment, or his office. He stops to get the mail and browses it while making his decision. *Junk, junk, junk, ah, check.* He goes through his personal mail on his way up the stairs. He decides to go to his office and check for messages. He still has to confront Richard with the truth behind Cindy Cornoe. He reaches for his keys as he approaches his office door. gideon will check for messages and then go up to his apartment. <><><><><> [GM] No mail or messages of interest. You go to your apartment and, even though it's still early in the day, you feel like taking a nap. You're still drained from the previous night, you realize. However, Richard will be waiting, anxiously. <><><><><> Gideon: *No time like the present.* he thinks. The short trip to Richard's hotel gives Gideon some time to prepare himself for Richard. As soon as he arrives, Richard wants an update on his search for Cindy. "You had better sit down, Richard. What I have to tell you won't be easy." Gideon takes a seat across from Richard, removing his jacket before seating himself. "I'm going to explain this as simply as I can. Cindy Cornoe...is not the woman you thought she was. I spoke with her and she explained to me that she had been planning this move for quite some time." *A little writer's embellishment but not too far away from the truth.* "She never had any intention of marrying you and she really doesn't want you to follow her. I asked her what I should tell you. Her response was 'Make him go home to Idaho.' She wants you to go home and continue with your life, Richard. She wants you to move forward, and you can't do that until you accept this. I told you when we first met that we had to honest with each other. Before I took you to the hospital, I wasn't totally honest with you. That was because I was trying to spare you the painful truth. It was a mistake not to tell you this earlier. I apologize for that. I understand what you said about her. She is a very beautiful woman. But beauty is only skin deep. Go home, Richard. Go home and start over." <><><><><> [GM] "WHAT?" Richard exclaims disbelievingly. "You saw her? WHERE?" He refuses to listen to your admonitions, and yells "Fine! Get out of here then! Send me a bill! If you won't help me any more, I'll find her myself!" <><><><><> Gideon: Michael is beyond upset right now. His pent-up anger from the morning's events and Richard's outburst don't seem to mix well. He grabs the smitten child by the collar and yanks him up, nose-to-nose. "Listen to me, Richard! I feel bad enough about my recent behavior without you getting all offensive! I don't care about the money!" Gideon regains some of his control and releases Richard's collar. "What I do care about, is you going home and not looking back. There is nothing here for you. Cindy does not want you. Don't make this harder than it has to be. Her exact words to me were, 'I don't care what you tell Richard. I didn't tell him to fall in love with me. Make him go back to Idaho.' Does that sound like a woman that wants to marry you? Does that sound like someone who loves you? She wants no part of you, but she doesn't have the courage...or maybe just the time, to tell you herself. You wanted the ugly truth, well there it is. Give her up. Give her up or she'll kill you. Just like the others on the trail that you here. I won't have that on my conscience. If you think that is selfish, you're damned right it is." He'll wait to listen to anything that Richard has say before leaving for home. <><><><><> [GM] Richard begins sputtering protests, then falls silent as you lay into him. He just stares at you, then stares at the ground. His shoulders slump, and defeat is etched on his face, along with a despair so great you couldn't possibly understand how one woman could generate that much anguish...if you hadn't already met Cindy yourself. He says "Idaho...yeah, right," then doesn't say anything more. <><><><><> Gideon: "If you need anything before you leave, don't hesitate call me." He gives Richard's shoulder a gentle squeeze and leaves the hotel. He has no idea what his destination is, and decides to just walk. He wishes that his relationships with women were better. He had an off and on thing with a friend from college named Alicia Ramirez. She was his best friend and sometimes more. They just couldn't commit to each because of professional differences. She was a lawyer and didn't like his particular brand of justice. Besides that, they had good times together. He decided that he would give her a call later. After a few hours of walking, he took mass transit back to his apartment. He bypassed the office and went up stairs to change his clothes. He switched on his television and turned to the daily news program. He was tired and wanted to sleep, but made the phonecall to Alicia and left a message. He remembered seeing some story about a big fire somewhere, before dozing off. <><><><><> [GM] You're woken up by the phone ringing. Sleepily, you answer it, and are a bit chagrined to realize you're already hoping it's Cindy. But it's Alicia who says "Hello, Mikey? What's up, you sounded kind of grim." <><><><><> Gideon: "Hi, Allie." He was already feeling guilty about talking to her about this, but she was his best friend and he needed that friendship badly. "I was hoping we could get together and talk, if aren't too busy." <><><><><> [GM] "Sure, Mikey," she says. She knows you're not really fond of being called 'Mikey'- she's one of the only ones who can get away with it. "I can come over this evening...or you can come over to my place. Whichever you prefer." Her voice is warm, and she seems very happy to hear from you. <><><><><> Gideon: He quickly decided that he didn't want to be anywhere near his office tonight. "I'll be over in about an hour. Don't eat anything." After hanging up the phone, he washes his face and brushes his teeth. A quick pass with the comb, after snapping on his holster and he's ready to go. He stops by the liquor store and buys two bottles of white wine, and one red. Alicia lived in Soho. She had a beautiful loft apartment that Gideon had helped her find and partially renovate. True to his word, he arrived an hour after their conversation. He was surprised to find that just seeing Alicia's building could make him feel a little better. He rang the bell "Who?" ,came Alicia's voice. "Gideon.", he replied and was buzzed in soon after. Taking the stairs by twos, Gideon was at her front door shortly. It was open a crack and he entered the apartment. <><><><><> [GM] Alicia greets you with a warm smile and a casual hug, but her eyes sparkle, hinting at the possibility of something more. "You're lookin' good, Mikey," she says, accepting the wine and putting it away for the moment. "So...what's up? Everything OK with your folks and all?" Physically, she doesn't hold a candle to Cindy- standing next to that incredible bombshell, Alicia would be like a crushed weed next to a rose. But right now, the genuine warmth and humanity of her is more appealing than anything Cindy and her incredible glamour can generate. <><><><><> Gideon: Michael returns the hug, holding on a little tighter as if needing the support. He smiles into her face and shuts the door behind him. "You're not looking too bad yourself, Allie." He puts his coat in the closet and walks with her into the living room. After seating himself, he just looks at Alicia for a few seconds. "The last couple of days have been...unusual to say the least." Michael goes on to tell her about Richard and Cindy. He leaves nothing out, even the part about sleeping with her and helping get her foot in the door with the mob. He winds up peering out of one of the large windows flanked by potted plants. "I have never done anything like that before. I lied to a client and for all intents and purposes, commited a criminal act. This woman could probably have gotten me to blow those guys away right there in the restaurant. I'll tell you Allie, I'm scared. I really fear what this woman is capable of. I know that she could have killed me at any time. I know it. But I didn't care. She has this inhuman ability to..twist mens minds? I don't know what you call it, all I know is that it is real." Michael banged his fist into the window frame. He really wasn't sure if he should seek out his friend until this moment. He knew for certain that this was where he needed be. "Am I crazy? Am I weak?" He cracked a cynical smile, "Am I making sense.?" <><><><><> [GM] "Umm," Alicia purses her lips, looking at you thoughtfully, reassuring you that she's listening, and considering your questions seriously. "Well, some of this doesn't really make sense...but you don't seem crazy, and I'd never call you weak. There are a lot of guys who will do crazy, stupid things for a chance to get laid with someone like this woman you're describing, but you've never been that sort, Mike. I mean," she smiles, "I never doubted you had an active libido, but you're not the type to let your 'nads take over your brain. It really sounds like this chick had some kind of...unnatural hold on you. All those other men she screwed with...uh, so to speak. Do you think...you think she has some kind of *power* or something?" <><><><><> Gideon: "Two days ago, I would have dismissed this whole thing. Then I'm sitting in my folks place and watching people fly around tossing planes like ice cubes. Quite frankly, the whole woman is unnatural. After we finished having s*x the first time, I would have sworn that she was...well, glowing. Now don't look at me like that. You glowed yourself a few times. But I'm serious, she looked like she had a glowing haze around her body. I thought maybe I was seeing things, until after the second time. I tell you Allie, this woman was glowing like...like she had taken something from me. I was completely wiped out afterward. I could barely make it up the stairs to my apartment. I jotted down a few things while she was freshening up. Just in case I forgot..or something happened to me." He hands Allie the paper on which he scrawled the words, 'Vampire' and other descriptive terms about Cindy. "I think she derives her abilities through intimate relations. She takes some portion of your life energy, or all of it in some cases. I could probably put my head on the chopping block that she killed Ned Mathers in the same way. My gut tells me that she is evil on totally different level above what I'm used to. My only advantage is that she is inexperienced. She almost blew the meeting with Luciano. I have to remember that for all her ability, she makes some fundamental mistakes." He stops talking and shakes his head. I'm sorry, Allie. I'm babbling on about my problems and you've been a real trouper for listening to it. How have you, hon." he says taking her hand. <><><><><> [GM] "Wow. That's just...weird." Alicia seems amazed and a little frightened by your story. "I've been fine," she says, snuggling into your arms, just like old times. "But I missed you." While you decide whether to try taking things further, or if you even want to, she murmurs, "So what are you going to do now? I mean, you could just walk away, let her get in with the mob or go down, on her own. Or can you?" <><><><><> Gideon: He is relieved that another woman could feel this good in his arms. He had not realized how frightened he was of not being able to *feel* anything for another woman. Alicia, for all their differences, was very much the other half of Michael Gideon. He looks directly into her eyes as he answers her questions. "I told her that I would help her if she got into trouble. How much of that was my hormones talking, I'll never know. I can't walk away from this thing. If she gets any part of the mob under her control, she'll be more dangerous than she was before, and I'll have put her there. If she goes down, well I'll let her go down. She can't seem to influence people as well over the phone as she does in person. If I can keep my contact down to that, I should be able to say no." He saw a little of the fear in her eyes, and hugged her closer. "Not worry, Allie. Mikey Gideon always lands on his feet. And I missed you too." he added, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Mind if I bunkout here tonight? I promise you I'll be a gentlemen and I'll make you breakfast in the morning." <><><><><> [GM] "Hmmm," she murmurs. "Yeah, I think I could handle that. Gentleman or not." She gives you a kiss. <><><><><> Gideon: "If I didn't know better, I'd think that you knew I was going to ask that question." He returns her kiss with more passion than he had intended, but it felt right. "Are we gonna try this rollercoaster ride again?" he asked, knowing the answer to the question before he asked it. He kissed her again, lifting her off the floor in a bear hug. <><><><><> [GM] Alicia can't perform the acrobatics that Cindy could, and you can't help feeling something is missing...in a very real way, Cindy spoiled other women for you, because no other human being could match her fierce energy, and the sensations she generated. Cindy gave unimaginable amounts of pleasure, though you're still trying to determine what she took in return, and how much. "Damn, that chick did something to you, Mikey!" Alicia gasps, as even the memory of Cindy and your incredible sessions with her fills you with renewed passion and vigor. You feel guilty that you're thinking of another woman even while you're with Alicia....but Alicia doesn't seem to mind the results. Even so, you can tell it's going to take a long time to get Cindy out of your head. She stripped you of inhibitions you didn't even know you had, but you feel anything but liberated. <><><><><> Gideon: When they finish their lovemaking, Gideon holds Alicia close. His thoughts flash through his head quickly. Guilt over thinking about Cindy, happiness about being with Alicia again, fear of hurting her physically. He knows that there were a few instances when raw, primal urges, had almost taken over. "I didn't...hurt you, did I?" he asks in a low voice. <><><><><> [GM] "Uh...no," Alicia moans. "Just...rougher than I remembered. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. But let's sleep awhile before we do that again..." Waking up with Alicia is a comforting feeling. Since you already napped earlier in the day, you wake up the next morning before she does, and are able to fulfill your promise of having breakfast ready for her. She comes down in a bathrobe, flashes you a sunny smile, and you sit down to eat together. She gives you some time to relax and settle into a cup of coffee, before asking, "So, umm, do you know what you're going to do about this vampire chick? Just wait and hope she doesn't contact you again, warn the cops, or what?" In fact, Cindy Cornoe was very much on your mind, as she has been almost constantly since you first met the woman. As Alicia's eyes focus on you, over her own cup of coffee, you wonder if she can sense that, if she suspects that truth, that it was Cindy you were imagining last night, while you made love to her. <><><><><> Gideon: Michael's voice remains even, through his growing discomfort. "I really don't think that there is anything I could tell the police. I mean, the story even sounds crazy to me. The only reason I believe it is because I lived it." He takes a sip of coffee and continues, "She'll contact me. That much I know for certain. She still has some use for me. I just have to keep this thing on a professional level." He knows that his last words have cornered him into making a promise he might not be able to keep. He reaches out and takes Alicia's hand. "I have never lied to you, Alicia. You are my best friend and much more. I want to be with you. I want to give us a try again. But last night, when I asked you if I had hurt you. It was because for a moment, while we made love..I thought you were her. The only thing that brought me back was the fact that I was making LOVE to you. I never did that with her. It was something...else. Something that animals do. What I'm asking you to do is have faith. Have faith in me, and the love that I feel for you. I know it is alot to ask of you, but I'll beg if I have to. You are the only real thing that I can count on in this life. She will not come between us. I'll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen." <><><><><> [GM] Alicia kisses you, then murmurs "Don't be silly, you got lots of things to count on; your folks, your friends, yourself. But you can ALWAYS count on me." She frowns. "Just...make sure you keep a *professional* distance from this chick, you know what I mean?" She sits back. "OK, so she's probably gonna call you again. What for, to have you do some other favor for her? What do you think her next move is? Try to get in good with the Don, become his mistress or something, and then become the power behind the throne? Seems to me that's kind of dangerous; I mean, she might be able to dazzle any man she's with, but surely all the other Mafiosa are gonna see what's going on and do something about it?" <><><><><> Gideon: "Understood." he says, giving her a little smile. "I don't think she can make people do something that is totally against their nature. She can bring things to the surface that should stay buried, but I don't think she can effect a person's basic nature. If someone is violent or ill-tempered by nature, she can probably get them to do those types of things. She used me to protect her from harm should anything go down. That is part of my basic nature. I've always been protective of people in general. Family, clients, even total strangers on occasion. My particular line of work has caused me to develop a defense oriented mentality. I have been called upon to use deadly force or at least punch my way out of a situation or two. I don't believe that she could get me to kill someone." "As for her plans, my guess is that she'll try to get in good with the Don and when the others see this, they'll attempt to remove her from the picture. Of course that won't sit well with Navarone. She could throw the entire Mob into chaos and then stick around to pick up the pieces. I don't want to be anywhere near her when that happens." He rubs his head and breathes out heavily. "I don't know, I don't really want to talk about her anymore. Tell me not to go to work today. Tell me that you don't have to work today. Tell me to have dinner with you tonight." <><><><><> [GM] "Don't go to work today, Mikey," she says obligingly, with a smile. "And have dinner with me tonight." You're only putting off the inevitable, but it's a pleasant form of postponement. <><><><><> Gideon: He smiles happily, for what seems like the first time in days. "I'll tell you what. I'll go back to my place and get some clothes and few other things. I'll cook you a wonderful dinner tonight. Which actually means that I'll stop by and place an order at mom and dads place. I'll see you back here at about seven o'clock." He gathers his things and gives Alicia a parting kiss. When he reaches his building he is sorely tempted to stop by his office. Cindy and Richard aren't his only clients and someone might have left a message. He decides to go straight to his apartment and call his machine from there to retrieve his messages. [Contributed by the Player] Alicia Ramirez Age: 31 Height: 5' 5" Weight: 115 lbs. Eye Color: Brown Hair Color: Black Alicia Ramirez was born and raised in the Bronx. Her parents, Santiago and Florencia, still live in the same house where she grew up. Santiago Ramirez was a New York Police officer for thirty years. Alicia gained her sense of justice through him. Her decision to be a lawyer was not an easy one. Her father never spoke highly of them, but supported her choice. She met Gideon while they were both attending John Jay. They became fast friends and eventually lovers. Differences in career paths caused enough friction to seperate them. The friendship never ended though, and on occasion they have wandered back into each others arms. Alicia works for the law firm of Norton, Jones, and Trumbull. She is one of thier best defense attorneys, specializing in criminal defense. She is a very attractive person with a vibrant personality. Her laughter can be contagious due to the clarity of her voice. She is quick-witted and has a great sense of humor. She is also stubborn and REALLY likes to get her way. ALICIA'S APARTMENT Layout by numbers. (Sorry, I can't help myself.) LEVEL 1 1-Door 2-Entertainment Center 3-Area Rug (I like those) 4-Sofas 5-Dining Table 6-Islands 7-Sink/Stove 8-Closet 9-Easy Chair 10- 1/2 Bathroom 11-Staircase, 1/2 flight to bedroom LEVEL 2 1-Bed 2-Area Rug (See, I told you I like those) 3-Television 4-Closets 5-Full Bathroom *Staggered line is the upper level guard rail. Upper level overlooks the living room.