What happens in Vegas ...

[darrenfate]

Closed for a certain sea goddess ...

DEREK

Vegas.

The city that literally never sleeps, New York just dreams being the hedonistic capital of the planet in the way that Vegas is. Derek laughed to himself. Having the company’s sales conference there was perfect. Nights and days filled with wine women and song. Derek had a feeling that this would be a very special trip. He didn’t realize how right he was.

The plane banked left and headed towards McCarron airport. Situated as it was in the middle of the desert, the weather was never bad. Now in early January, it was in the mid 60s. He made his way to the Zero level, and caught the shuttle to the strip. The Hilton was where they would all stay, all 240 of them.

Derek was looking forward to the announcement of the final worldwide sales numbers for 2005. He knew he had an outside shot at number one this year, and the 10K check that went with it. Lacking this win, his self imposed limit for the trip was $ 5,000 to spend at the tables.

You only live once, Derek muttered.

The registration lines were short, and he settled in behind a thin, very attractive woman dressed in white linen pants and a robin’s egg blue silk blouse. Definitely a southern woman, he thought, no one back in Chicago dressed like that in January … make that ever. Just as she went to check in, he saw his companies logo on her laptop bag. Nice. He’d be sure to get a seat looking at her during the meetings.

Derek ended up getting upgraded to a suite, platinum status counts even in Vegas. He checked in and showered. He couldn’t stop thinking of that woman in front of him earlier. Despite his hard on, he didn’t stop to take care of himself. He was already late to the opening reception.

The Hilton Pavilion was segmented off for them, a jazz band had been hired to play. The award announcement was due in ten minutes. Just enough time to get a Stoly and cranberry then listen to the brass speak. Predictably, the CEO was long winded, waxing on and on about “company values” and how they had carried them through the tough times, and despite the tough conditions in 2005 they had increased from the previous year. Yadda, yadda, yadda. The CEO was a real prude, high on “moral integrity”. Not the kind of guy Derek was going to be buying a drink for.

The VP of Sales finally got up, and started going through the top 10 salespeople of the year. Because it was percentage of quota overachieved, literally anyone could win, not just the people in the biggest territories in LA or New York. Derek nervously waited as the first seven people won their awards. Number 4 was 126 % of quota. His 131% was looking better and better.

… number three was Isaac DeLine of Boston Mass! At an amazing 128% of his number! Congratulations Isaac!

Number two …. Derek Stouffer, Columbus Ohio. At 131% Derek just missed number one. Great job Derek.

Derek deflated.

And the winner is Alexa Sherman, from Tampa Florida! Come on up Alexa! She finished an amazing year at 131 and a half percent. This is the closest finish in a sales contest ever. Let’s all stand and cheer for Alexa!

It was her! Now clad in a short black cocktail dress, she looked even more stunning than ever.

The crowd stood as one and gave her a standing ovation.

The CEO then went on.

Let’s have the top three salespeople come up here and sit at the head table in the order you finished - Isaac, Derek, and Alexa. Dinner is now served! Congratulations all!

Well at least this has a silver lining, Derek was going to get his wish to sit close to the beautiful mystery woman and he knew her name …

 

[chanaud]

Alexa Sherman

Alexa was immediately seated next the VP of Sales and the #2 guy. It was a huge disappointment. The VP, Bradley Anderson was a non-essential in the corporation, he was the CEO’s son in law, who was on his way out the door and the family. The marriage was on the rocks. Rumor has it he’s banging his secretary. It was a matter of time till Daddy buys him out.

The purpose of this conference wasn’t to collect her accolades or her bonus. No, she was the top dog because she knew how to play the game. She wanted the VP position. She deserved it, dammit! She was dedicated 24/7 and had built her territory out of nothing. Also, she affirmative action on her side. Corporate was full of Ken barbie dolls with the same stiff hair and plastic smiles. They’re in dire need of a minority. Who else would be better than Alexa Sherman, who was proven. She just needed to spend some time with the CEO to work her magic.

Before the first entrée was served, Bradley was already leering at her. Ugh! Alexa turned to her right and found another smiling face. He looks innocent enough. Now what was his name? And why did he look so familiar?

“”A half percent,” he said.

“Pardon me?” Alex replied. Where has she seen him before?

“You just beat me by just a mere half percent.”

“If you think it was just a mere half percent, no wonder you lost.” Alexa retorted back, and then smiled beautifully at the young waiter setting her salad plate before her. The young waiter blushed furiously and almost spilled his tray.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means – that it was more than just a mere half percent. My bonus check is double yours. My profile will be used as the face of this company, and my name will be thrown around for the next year. That means more clients for me. So if you think that equates a mere half percent, you will never be number 1.”

“That’s my gal !” The VP interjected loudly with a mouthful of fresh greens. “That’s why I hired you.”

Immediately, Alexa felt bad. She didn’t mean to be so harsh, and he definitely didn’t need the interjection by the VP. He was an innocent bystander. A handsome one at that.

His hair shone in silvery waves under the bright lights. He had a youthful face and an easy smile. And under the dark suit, he possessed an athletic built.

With a gentle touch to his hand, Alexa’s tone grew softer. “Hey, let’s not discuss business. We’re here to have fun. Tell me… why do you look so familiar to me?”

Then it dawned on her.

He was the guy who was breathing down on her ass earlier while she was checking in.

 

[darrenfate]

DEREK

Derek could tell that she was sizing him up, and from the look on her face it was clear that she was racking her brain trying to remember where they had met before. Then, he could see she got it. Leaning over, Derek said in a low sotto voice -

"I see that you remember where we first met. Let me say in my defense that it wasn't exactly a leer, more like sincere appreciation for a shapely and beautiful woman. We don't see many, well make that ANY women up there in Columbus Ohio dressed in perfect white linen pants so please forgive my stares in the lobby.

You look terrific, and since I'm a single guy I'm allowed to look, aren't I?"

"Look yes .... but you were downright rude ..."

"Oh, come on! I'm at least honest about it." dropping his voice very low, Deerek continued ..."Not like our VP next to you. His eyes are on your chest right now!"

Alexa looked around suddenly, and caught the VP doing exactly what Derek was saying. The VP quickly turned away, Derek gave her a quick wink.

"More wine, please!" Alexa said as the waiter passed, who dutifully filled her glass.

Once again, Derek leaned in, speaking again in a low voice.

"Word has it that the CEO is a teetotaler who can't stand drinking. That's your second. I'd back off if I were you."

"ALL the men in this company are paying way too much attention to me. What kind of sexist pigs are you all anyway?"

Derek just shrugged. "If you want people around you to always be politically correct, you are in the wrong place. This is a sales conference after all. The AICPA conference is next week, maybe they act better than we do, maybe not. Besides, you can handle it. You don't get to be the best sales person in this business without being able to handle it.

You can't tell me youi haven't had to handle this before. Wait, you are single aren't you?"

Alexa smiled. "Would it make a difference?"

Before Derek could respond, she went on

"Yes I'm single. Damn right I can handle myself. I appreciate the inside tip on the CEO. Maybe you aren't so bad after all. Or maybe you are just the best frog in this little pond. Still a frog though. "

Now it was Derek's turn to grin - "I deserved that.

Dinner was winding down, soon they would be breaking up. Derek decided to take a chance.

"Alexa, I need a rematch. You beat me in sales. I think a drink off is in order. What do you call Florida natives, something odd - crazies, no - cooties -no - crackers! That's it. Crackers. Tell me Alexa, are you a cracker that can't keep up with this Yankee? You pick the drink. I've heard that Floridians can't hold their liquor. Maybe I can beat you at something, outselling you certainly didn't work!

Besides, I want to know your sales secrets. I'm sure you can tell me some great war stories. The night is young and we don't start until 10am Vegas time tomorrow. I'll buy just to make up for my bad manners before.

What do you say?"

 

[chanaud]

“I have other plans,” Alexa answered. She did. Her goal was to get close to the CEO. Besides, she doesn’t fraternize with co-workers. Especially with the #2 guy, who had burned holes in her ass earlier in the day.

“Other plans? Do you have a hot date?” He asked while signaling the waiter for a refill.

Laughing, she responded, “No, it’s not a hot date.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Just the idea of having a hot date at my age sounds funny. Don’t ya think?” She asked, while sipping her Chardonnay. Her cool brown eyes slipped down to his hand to check for a wedding band. No band, no white line. The wine was getting to her; she had barely touched her prime rib. The inner voice reminded her to slow down, but #2 guy was insistent in monopolizing her time. It’s been a long time since a handsome man paid that much attention to her.

“How old are you?”

“Wha???”

“I know it’s ungentlemanly of me to ask a lady, but I figure we’re friends now.”

“I beg to differ.”

Derek’s eyes brown eyes turned dark green and narrowed, his voice dropped to a low growl. “Just because you beat me, and you’re sitting at the top seat at the moment, you can step off your high horse and remember that we have the same title on our business cards. We are equals, just workhorses for this company. We can be heroes to zeroes real quick. And they can dispose of us when they tire of us, and replace us with younger versions of ourselves.”

He was right, and she knew it. But she wasn’t going to allow him to beat him. Now or ever.

“38.”

“A thirty eight woman can still have a hot date or two or three,” winked Derek.

“Not this woman. I’m dedicated to my job.”

“Yes, you are, honey,” quipped the VP of sales. His hand fell below the table and landed between her thighs. She squeezed hard making his gasp out a piece of meat. Finally hours of Pilates finally paid off!

“Try it again, buddy and I will yell rape right here,” Alexa told him through gritted teeth and a wide smile.

Then she leaned into Derek, “Can you stay with me after dinner?”

Behind her long, dark lashes there was a troublesome look. Derek glanced over at the VP. His face was bright red. It looked like he was choking on something.

 

[darrenfate]

DEREK

Derek liked winning, and all the trappings of success that went with it. Early on, he had learned that he couldn’t out work his peers, instead perhaps conceitedly, he tried to outthink them.

One of the ways he did this was by being the best listener possible, trying to figure out what motivated the other. Unlike other sales people who honed and rehearsed their FAB “pitch” over and over until they had memorized every word he had none of that. Sure he knew his product, it was just that the whole FAB “Features, Advantages, Benefits” thing only worked part of the time. His way – answering the prospects WIIFM “What’s In It For Me” questions, worked every time.

Tonight had started with Derek letting his guard down, just wanting to get to know Alexa because she had a great body and wanting to know is she had the mind to go along with it. Now, that had all changed with that request -

“Can you stay with me after dinner?” and that simple pleading look in her eyes combined with the VP turning beet red.

Derek answered instinctively, “Of course. I’ve got your back.”

Alexa smiled, but then her attention immediately focused elsewhere.

Every attentive bone in his body was suddenly awoken. Derek’s mind raced, as he considered the possibilities. It wasn’t that she really wanted or needed him, her ego was far too big for that, the earlier conversations were mute testimony to that. The VP was definitely involved. He had seen her lean over just before his face turned tomato. Probably hit on her, Derek surmised. So all those company office rumors about his lechery were true.

But why did she need him? Maybe just as a male shield, to keep the veep at bay lest he try again. That’s part of it, but there’s more to this scenario than meets the eye. The dinner was over now, and people were starting to get up and mingle, while more than several slipped out of the hall to hit the casino. Why wouldn’t she just leave?

He looked down the table, Herbert Penfield the CEO was talking quietly to the director of HR, a Ms. Vicki Lane who in turn was whispering back, and surreptitiously looking up at the sales VP as she did so. The VP was pounding drinks now, it was clear that he just didn’t care anymore. Alexa was watching the CEO too, biding her time until he was free.

Suddenly, everything snapped into place. The VP was finally going to get fired and he knew it. Alexa was waiting her turn to get in front of the old man to make a pitch for that job before it was even common knowledge. There is no career path in sales, there is only sell or manage the sales force. Derek wanted that job. He didn’t think, he just acted. Getting up, he walked over to Penfield and HR Director Lane, and started speaking after they acknowledged him.

“Mr. Penfield, Ms. Lane. It was a great dinner, and thanks for the recognition, the entire sale staff appreciates your interest in us.”

He felt rather than saw Alexa Sherman sidle up next to him. The CEO replied.

“Without sales Stouffer we can’t survive as a company. It is my pleasure to have two of my best and brightest here to talk to.”

“I wanted to add Mr. Penfield that we all do our part. Speaking of that, if there ever was a position on the executive staff, I’d love to get the opportunity to interview for it. I have an MBA from Ohio State, and I have a lot that I could contribute. I’m sure Ms. Lane would agree with me that an open process gets the best results when filling key positions. In fact, I bet that Ms. Sherman here has executive career aspirations as well, don’t you Alexa?”

Alexa leaped right in – “Yes, I feel that my double MBAs in both Business and Marketing from the University of Florida can be used to the company's great advantage if I’m given the chance. I've proved I am the best, I'm sure you will find that I will be your best choice again."

The Penfield looked amused. Then he spoke.

“I love the way sales people banter, don’t you Vicki? Its refreshing. We need that kind of can do spirit around here."

Alexa looked triumphant. Penfield continued,

Well, contrary to what you may have heard, there are no current openings on the executive staff. I assure you though, that if there comes a time when there is, you will both be considered. From what I can tell, you two will be at the top of that candidate list. Does that satisfy?”

“Yes” they said simultaneously.

“Now this is a party. Have some wine. Relax. You had great years, act like it.”

Mr. Penfield smiled broadly and turned away. Alexa angrily whispered to Derek–

“How dare you interfere!”

“Interfere? How so? Did we discuss something that I missed? No. In fact, you should be thanking me. I pulled you into MY conversation. Now go have that drink. I’m going to go talk to Patrick over there, he’s the Chicago rep. I’ll make sure to hang around you like I promised. Go, do, be, Alexa. You can go talk to Penfield again. This time one on one if you like. I’ve said my piece, and I’m happy. “

Derek turned away, smugly whistling the Ohio State fight song.

 

[chanaud]

Alexa was furious! She hadn’t wanted to be so forward with Mr. Penfield, but that Derek guy forced her to. Not only was he rash and infuriating, but he was also trying to steal her thunder. He seemed to have the same goal that she does! Well, she's not going to allow him to. Not this weekend, not ever.

Calm down… breathe

Derek had forgotten about her. He was at the bar buying rounds for his rep. Wait… who is that? Is that????

“Lance!”

Lance turned to her direction and smiled broadly, “Oh my gawd… Alexa????!”

They ran to each like two long lost lovers and embraced tightly.

“What are you doing here?” The tall, lanky blonde asked.

“I work for Pendleton Group now,” she answer4ed proudly.

“No, kidding? Come… have a drink.. Do you know Derek?”

“Derek?” She asked. She tilted her head inquistively and surveyed his long stance as he leaned against the bar casually. When he saw her give him the one over, he held his drink up and smiled broadly.

“Oh.. yes, I know Derek. We met today at registration. Did you enjoy your dinner, Derek?”

“Very much. I had a fine choice cut of prime rib and sat next to a beautiful woman who insisted on entertaining me throughout the whole dinner. It turned out she was feeling up the guest sitting next to her. Or was he feeling her up? I really couldn't tell.”

Alexa flushed. For some reason hearing those words infuriated her and warmed her at the same time.

“Can I get you a drink, dear?” Lance asked before she had time to respond.

“A vodka tonic, thank you,” she answered, grateful for Lance's timely interruption.

“Dear? Is it fair for me to assume that you two know each other intimately?” Derek asked.

“I think it’s fair,” Alexa sipped from her glass and looked at Lance coyly, then winked. The two broke into laughter. Lance slipped his arm around Alexa and hugged her closely.

“Alexa and I dated about five… six years ago?”

“Let's not bore Derek by recounting our passionate love affair, darling. Do you know what I’m dying for?” Her hip thrust out suggestively.

Both men salivated at her suggestion. She had them exactly where she wanted them.

“I want to try my hand at the tables. Would you two handsome gentlemen like to escort me and teach me how to throw some dices?”

 

[darrenfate]

DEREK

The appearance of Lance surprised Derek on a night where he didn't feel like he could be surprised any more. All he knew for sure was that he wanted to get the hell out of this party. A stiff drink sounded good. Really, really REALLY good, but he didn't dare do that in front of Penfield. Damn that teetotaling CEO. Damn the lecherous VP too while he was in the habit of damning things.

Still, he wasn't about to leave Alexa. His competitive nature rose up, and he stubbornly convinced himself that if only one of them was going to fuck Alexa that night, it would be him. Besides, he had promised her to stay.
The tables called. Alexa took them both by the arm and out they strode into the large casino.

"Lets walk over to the Bellagio" Derek said. "We can be free of prying eyes that way. Besides, it is the hang out of the beautiful people. And I'd say that Alexa here certainly qualifies."

"Ooooo thank you dahling. I think that we all qualify! Great idea on the Bellagio. Lets go!" Alexa purred.

The Bellagio was a medium walk down the strip, and at this time of year the desert air had a distinctive chill when the sun went down. Almost immediately, Alexa's nipples hardened in the cool. Against the silk of her blouse, her small but perfect breasts were devestatingly attractive. They walked briskly, seeing the wide variety of couples, singles, the attractive and the appalling that made Vegas the city that it is. They paused at the magnificent fountains outside Bellagio seeing the complicated and amazing patterns of colors and computer driven water sequences. Lance slipped his jacket off, and Alexa took it around her shoulders gratefully. Derek cursed himself for not thinking of doing that first.

They made their way inside, to the grandest casino in Vegas. The all marble floors and columns were almost ignored because the vaulted ceilings were covered with huge magnificent oil paintings and immense sculptures that literally assaulted the senses.

Alexa sasheyed her way to the craps tables, that were aligned in another stunning room, and seemed to go on forever. She stopped in front of one with no players, craps tables are built for as many as twenty.

"Rules boys, I have never played before."

Lance said - "You got me. Any ideas Derek?"

Finally! Something going my way Derek thought. "Yes" he said.

"A player must handle the dice with one hand only when throwing and the dice must hit the walls on the opposite end of the table. If one or both dice are thrown off the table, that guy over there jumps in. He's called the stickman, and he's also the inspector.

The first roll of the dice in a betting round is called the Come Out roll, a new game in Craps begins with the Come Out roll. A Come Out roll can be made only when the previous shooter fails to make a winning roll, that is, fails to make the Point or seven out. This is probably a good time to talk about scoring. At least the basics.

For now, lets only play that you bet either with the roller, called a shooter, or against. There Pass bets win when the come out roll is 7 or 11, while pass bets lose when the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Don't bets lose when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and don't bets win when the come out roll is 2 or 3. Lets try, shall we?"

Alexa stepped up and said

"Lance you first."

Lance grabbed the dice, and leaned over to Alexa.

"Blow babe ... for luck."

Alexa kissed him on the cheek, then gently blew on the dice.

"That's all you get .... for now." she said slyly.

Lance grinned and rolled. The game was on!