09H00. The chit-chat on the alarm clock wakes me up. They’re talking about the town apple-pie-making contest. Hmmm, apple pie. If I find Miss Stone, I suspect it’s going to be a long day. And I’m sure there won’t be apple pie. I only vaguely remember her. It feels like years ago but, it was actually only 6 months ago that I met her in Casino City. She had looked so beautiful in that gown. I remember she had been a high roller and yet she had come to my table. She had sat down and said, “I hear you play fair”. She sat the whole night, chatting and playing. She had a slight British tinge to her accent. I learnt that she lived near a town named Lakeside and that she adored her most precious heirloom, the Roadhouse with its small brewery– probably one of the most famous in the country. When she left, I was sure she had whispered that I could find her here. At least, I am sure… I crawl out of bed and get dressed into a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I headed out. I didn’t even know why I was looking for Miss Stone. Perhaps it was the gun I saw strapped to her ankle (that she somehow managed to get passed security). Perhaps it was that her hair pin was also a knife. Perhaps it was that I think that she showed me on purpose. Whatever the case may be, I will find her.
…
I first head to the Roadhouse for some breakfast. When I finish, I make my way up to the counter. “Sorry, ma’am, but might you know a woman that goes by the name of Stone? I met her a few months ago and she said that if I needed her, well, I could come here.”
“What’s it concernin’?”
“Well, I don’t know if I’m comforta-”
“In this version of hell, I am the gatekeeper. To get to Ms Stone, you have to go through me. Anyone who wants something from her has an ulterior motive. I wanted financial stability and I got this Roadhouse. Now I’m tied here with all kinds of documentation. Think carefully, if you were honest when you met her. You should be safe. But if you lied or manipulated her, she will trick you. She firmly believes in revenge.”
I smile. “I think she’ll be happy to see me.”
“Well, let me show you the way. Have you got everything?”
“Yes, thanks. Um…?” I prompt her for a name.
“Peta,” she says, “let’s go.”
I follow her through the kitchen to one of the stoves. She leans forward and turns the knobs, when finally I hear a clicking sound and the stove slides to the left. I am looking at a stairwell leading to a tunnel. Peta hands me a flashlight. “The walk should take just over 2 hours. Good luck. This may be your entry to Heaven or Hell.” And with that she gives me a slight push; I have to run down the stairs so that I don’t fall.
…
The walk seems to take forever, but I finally arrive at another staircase. This one is marble and white. I start walking. When I reach a large, wooden door, I knock. Immediately the door is opened by none other than Venus Stone, “Well, hello Miss Siti. I didn’t think you’d ever come. Come in.” She steps out of the way. She looks beautiful all dressed in silver, cigarette in hand.
Miss Stone
I follow her to what is probably one of five living rooms (if I counted correctly). “Sit. I assume you’re here for something. Yes?”
On the table between us is an array of what I assume is snacks – delicacies I’ve never seen before. I reach to grab the first one I see. I don’t care how much this crumb of food cost. I’m starving. I bite down. It’s PLASTIC! Venus Stone bursts out laughing. “I like your corn-fed vigour, Vera.”
“I’m from a city.” I huff.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been rude. Jiles,” she hollers into an intercom, “please bring some treats for us.” She looks at me, “there, now let’s talk. You’re not just here for a grilled cheese?”
“Do you know of Maxwell Sunriseinsurance?”
“Yes.”
“We had a deal. He broke it. We were to take revenge on the casinos. Now he’s improving them. No blood needs to be shed for those who suffered at the hands of the corrupt and the greedy. This is not about what is righteous; it is about what is right. I love Max. But if he cannot see right and wrong – I will show him.”
“Vera, you understand what the path you take means for you and your father?”
“Yes.”
“I will teach you. Come. You have much to learn.”
