A Man Chooses; A Slave Obeys- Chapter Two

Chapter Two: A Crazy Dream

The artificial sunlight from a dozen lamps burned through Victoria's sleeping haze. She turned to see what time it was but instead, she was greeted by an unfamiliar face.

“Good morning beautiful.” A soft male voice whispered in her ear. Victoria shot upright and nearly fell off the bed. She squinted and blinked until the figure came into focus.

“Who the fuck are you?!” She stared daggers at the young man. He sat up and smiled at her.

“Well I could ask you the same question. All I seem to remember is having a drink with you and then winding up here. By the looks of things, I'm guessing we made love.” Victoria shuddered and visibly quieted her rage.

“Made love? What are you, fucking five years old? And last I checked I had ONE drink with some loser assehole who thought I 'looked pretty'. If that loser assehole was you then why the hell would I let you anywhere fucking near me?” The young man, clearly defeated, stood and collected his clothes.

“What, you're just going to leave without telling me who you are at least? You appear in my bedroom, in MY bed without even so much as a name?” Victoria stood up to him, she was slightly taller than he was and her naked body clearly embarrassed him.

“My name, is Alex. Which I told you several times last night.” He finished buttoning his shirt and collected the rest of his things. He started towards the door but stopped in his tracks.

“Umm... just where exactly am I?” Victoria sighed and put on a robe. She walked to the front door and opened it. Alex slowly followed and walked outside.

“So, which way is it to the-” The door slammed behind him. “Great. Looks like you're on your own again here Alex. Well, it can't be too difficult. After all, you know your way around a lot of Rapture now. So, if I'm in Apollo Square then I just need to take the left at the bottom of this stairwell and then.... a right?”

Victoria sat at her dresser and dropped her robe. She took out a cigarette and matches from her purse and struck a match. She her the flame in front of her face for a few seconds and watched it flicker. The light flashing in her eyes, her vision faded and she remembered something.

Victoria sat around a small table with a bottle of beer in her hand, slowly sipping it, just waiting for someone to come by that might give her a story. She noticed a young guy walking towards her. She'd seen him before at the bar looking depressed when she got her beer but decided to ignore him. She turned around to scan the crowd but heard a crash from behind her. Flicking her hair to the side she could see the young man had bumped into a young couple and knocked a glass on the ground. 'Oh this is not what I was expecting' Alex had hoped for someone sober and interesting but instead got this bumbling moron. After apologising profusely and nearly falling over again, he sat down on the chair opposite her and slowly placed his bottle of whiskey on the table. He missed and spilled Victoria's beer over her black dress.

“What's your fucking problem?” She knocked the table out of the way and stood in his face. The young man looked shocked but reacted slowly. 'This guy must be so drunk'.

“Oh man... I'm, so, soooo soorryy. P-p-please forgive m-me and let me g-get you another one.” He stumbled off towards the bar. The crowd was getting hectic down below as the alcohol and the drugs flowed. The show was spectacular but Victoria didn't care for the arts and wasn't interested in the show. She watched as the man awkwardly collapsed onto the bar and ordered a beer. He staggered around and fumbled his way back towards her.

“Well shit, you actually managed to get me a drink.” The young man collapsed on the seat in front of her and picked the table up.

“My name is Alex, and you are easily the prettiest girl here.” Victoria chuckled, 'Haven't been called pretty in a long while'.

“I'll tell you what Alex, how about you keep the beer flowing and we can sit and talk her 'til you fall asleep drunk. How does that sound?”

Alex took a second to compose himself. He sat upright, raised a finger and slurred loudly, “That sounds l-like an excellent plan.” He sat down and smiled to himself, obviously pleased at his 'wit'.

They talked for a while but Victoria kept looking out for Cohen or Andrew Ryan. They were nowhere to be found. After a while she gave up and assumed that they'd gone home so she decided to indulge Alex and keep him company for a while. After a few more beers she felt a bit daring. The two of them wandered over to the bar and ordered a 30 year old scotch and had a drinking contest. Halfway through the bottle, Alex passed out on the bar and Victoria proclaimed herself the winner. Hazily, she took another sip from the bottle, and everything faded to black...

… “Woah, what the fuck was that? I don't remember doing any of that shit! Where's my notepad? Where's my fucking notepad?!” Victoria began clawing through her purse, tearing it apart she found nothing. She toppled her wardrobe and turned her bed over, but her notepad was nowhere to be found. Her gold lined mirror lay shattered on the floor. Her bed, strewn across the hall and her clothes scattered everywhere. She took out a cigarette and a match.

“Hmph, last one.” She struck the match, and it broke. Clenching her jaw and pounding her fist on the floor she sighed.

“You've gotta be fucking kidding me.”

Alex made it to his luxury apartment several hours later after a detour through the farmers market. He arrived, exhausted, hungover but still somewhat happy after a successful night that started on a very sour note. He opened his door, locked it, unlocked it and locked it again. His knees felt weak and his body was sore. Crawling to the kitchen, he found some bread and made a sandwich. Alex passed out cold against the oven with his sandwich in hand. The cold hard floor rushed to greet him as a dream of last night burst into his mind.

Alex was sat at the bar sipping his whiskey with Paulie. The party was in full swing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Everyone except a lone young woman in the seated balcony by the stage.

“Hey pal, why don't ya' just go talk to her?” Paulie had finished his whiskey and noticed Alex staring off at the woman.

“Who? Her? No way, she's gorgeous. She'd never talk to a guy like me.” Alex slumped in his seat and took another swig. The burn had gone and he seemed to be enjoying his free bottle.

“Ah kid, you don't got no idea about women do you? She didn't come here looking for a guy or she'd be out on the floor trying to sink her claws into the nearest rich, slick guy she could get. She don't exactly look like she's having too much fun neither. I'm bettin' if you go up there an' jus' show a little enthusiasm, she'll soften up and let ya' in.” Alex turned around and muttered to himself, looking at the floor in deep thought.

“I don't know, she just looks too -” Paulie thrusts a vintage bottle of whiskey into Alex's hands.

“Shut up kid. Go and have yourself a good time and forget 'bout that other broad.” Alex looked up and smiled. Even though he'd only known Paulie for an hour, they'd already become good friends.

“Thanks. You've been good to me.” Alex mustered his courage and stood up. Stumbling her nearly dropped the bottle. His feet clashed into each other and his face started rushing to meet the hardwood floor. He shut his eyes and accepted his fate, but when he opened them Paulie had him by his arm.

“Might wanna look where you're goin'.” They both laughed and Alex got up on his feet. He composed himself and set off again. As he approached the seating area he noticed the young woman was nursing a bottle of beer. He'd seen her come to the bar a while before but tried not to look at her. She was stunning. A shimmering black dress fitted perfectly to her curvaceous body. Long red hair cascaded around her shoulders in a neat curl with a flick just coming beneath her chin. Her succulent red lipstick clashed with her silky white skin and a slight glisten across her breast made her a picture of seduction. Alex gulped and took a deep breath, she was looking right at him as he swooned towards the empty seat across from her. He took another swig of the whiskey and everything became hazy, a flashing light and blurred voices burst into life as the dream faded away.

“Alex? Alex! Alex wake up!” The soft voice was faint at first but soon became all too shrill for Alex to take. Flailing around her squinted and slapped his hand in his sandwich that had fallen on the floor.

“What? What do you want? Wait... Amelia? What are you doing here? And how the hell did you even get in?!” He stood abruptly, a decision he soon regretted. His head was pounding and his legs still weak from the previous night.

“I saw you leave last night with the strange woman and got worried. You looked a mess and she didn't look any better so I wanted to check on you this morning. Danny didn't want me to but, I still care about you.” Alex sneered and gently pushed Amelia aside.

“Well it sure as hell didn't look like it last night.” Amelia was visibly shocked and Alex a little too, 'Where did that come from?' Amelia seemed a little hurt and backed away.

“I'm sorry about that. I didn't think you'd come. You said you always hated places like that and you never went to any of the balls I wanted to before. I'm- I'm sorry okay!” Amelia rushed out and slammed the door.

Alex walked to the metal sink and poured himself a glass of water. He felt something in his jacket pocket. Something hard and square. He fumbled around and pulled out a notepad.

“Victoria Erhardt eh? Well Miss Victoria, I guess we'll be seeing each other again. But, what the hell happened last night?”

A gentle voice shimmers into Alistair's cloudy dream and the golden light of day washes over him and an angelic face appears before him.

“Have I did and gone to heaven?” The figure giggles and kisses him gently.

“No Alistair, but you have overslept and nearly missed your meeting with your father and the executives. I tried to wake you but you seemed nearly dead.” Alistair took a few seconds for the words to sink in.

“Wait...LATE?! Oh my word this is the most important meeting of my life if I'm late for this father will kill me and I'll never get another job or worse he'll make me his errand boy and then I'll never make him happy and you'll leave me and I'll die old and alone with my fifteen cats all called Julia and -” Julia pulled him to her as he sprang out of bed and kissed him playfully.

“Alistair, take your time and get dressed. You're no use to anyone when you're stressed.” The couple smiled at each other and Alistair relaxed. He kissed Julia on her forehead and gathered his thoughts as he got dressed.

Their room is decorated with ornate statues and paintings. An Art Deco mirror sits atop an antique dressing board with a golden trim. A red bed sheet is sprawled across a cream tiled floor. An elegant light hung from the ceiling with its gold plated trim glistening softly and highlighting the elegance and opulence of the décor.

“I've packed you a breakfast and a lunch. It's on the side by the door. Good luck today my handsome rabbit.” A thought flashes in his mind. He stops my step and has to put an arm on the counter to steady himself.

“Are you okay honey? You don't look too good. Maybe you should take it slow today and-” The words become distant and Alistair can't focus. His arm slips and he crashes to the ground. His vision fades black for a moment, then, figures begin to take their place.

“Oh Alistair you do make me laugh.” Julia was sitting on Alistair's lap in a plush chair on a balcony overlooking the stage. The seating area was almost empty except for a few older couples and a lone young woman in a black dress. Alistair scouted the room and felt lost for a second.

“I'm sorry darling, what was I saying?” Julia looked somewhat concerned but soon smiled.

“You were telling me the story of how you met my father for the first time.” Alistair smirked and chuckled lightly.

“Ah yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was on the same stable that I met you in fact. I was with my father and my younger sister. She had always wanted to learn how to ride but father had insisted that a young lady shouldn't ride a beast but should instead ride in a carriage. Over the years her incessant begging finally swayed him. Over the course of a month my sister had been overcome with joy at the thought of being taken for riding lessons. Her birthday came and went with no inclination of getting the lessons, but on the first sunny day in Spring, my father comes home early from work with a letter in his hand. He looked stern and fierce and called for my sister by her full name. I remember, he was stood at the bottom of the staircase and bellowed out, 'Elizabeth Rose Constance Fletching, I need to speak with you this instant!' Now of course, my sister was only eleven at the time so she was petrified, but she came steaming down the stairs none-the-less. She was on the verge of tears when my father bent down and handed her a letter and said,' This came for you at my office.' She stood bewildered for several minutes until she opened the letter. She took one look and let out a cry that could wake the dead and kill them again. She ran up to me and shrieked. My father had not only gotten her lessons, but he had gotten her the best private tutor money could buy.” Alistair took a sip from his bourbon and took a deep breath.

“Oh do go on Alistair, I would love to hear how you met my father.” Julia seemed enthralled by his story and stared fervently into Alistair's eyes.

“Okay, I'll make it shorter. It was one month after she got the letter that we came to the stable. I had heard that a prominent businessman was there with his beautiful daughter as well so naturally I was interested. After my sister went off to her lesson, my father and I entered the drawing room and had a few drinks. After a while talking to the owner these huge oak doors burst open. The sunlight was almost blinding but as my eyes adjusted there stood an imposing figure. This giant stood with the wind blowing his coat and a stern look on his face. The doors slammed shut behind him and he proclaimed as loud as he could, 'Who in God's name does a man have to bribe to get a damn bourbon around here!'” Julia burst into fits of laughter and nearly fell off of her seat.

“Oh daddy always could make an entrance.” Alistair kissed Julia and smiled.

“Much like yourself if I do recall.” He smiled wickedly and pulled Julia in close. She giggled and playfully slapped his chest.

“Oh Alistair, really? That again?” The couple tussled gently for a while as the party raged on around them. It was unusually boisterous and loud but the young couple took no notice.

“Julia, let's go and get another drink. I'm feeling parched.” Julia nodded and stood, Alistair set down his empty bourbon glass and took her hand. Julia picked up his glass and her bag. The couple began walking towards the crowded Atrium floor when a young man with a whiskey bottle in his hand knocked into the couple and Julia dropped the glass. It fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

“Julia! Are you alright my dear?” Alistair held on fiercely and backed away from the drunken man.

“I am s-so sorry guys! P-please, let me pick that up!” The young man slurred slightly and knelt down to get the glass.

“No no, that's quite alright. It was clumsy of me to drop the glass.” Julia knelt down and started picked up pieces. Alistair began helping. After they got all the pieces, they walked to the bar where two men were sitting. One large with an empty whiskey bottle in hand and the other, much smaller, with his face pressed against the bar.

“Excuse us sir, are these seats taken?” Alistair gestured to the two empty bar stools next to the large man.

“Not at all. In fact, what are you two havin'? It's an open bar an' I'm kinda acting as the barkeep.” Alistair and Julia took their seats.

“Well my good man, in that case I'll have a beer and, you my dear?”

“I'll have a small glass of bourbon.” Julia smiled at Alistair and tugged at his arm.

“Well well well, a bourbon girl eh? You sir are onto a winner with that one. Name's Paulie by the way.” Paulie held out his large rough hand as he passed over the beer bottle and a glass of bourbon. Alistair took his bottle and grasped Paulie's hand firmly as they both shook.

“It's a pleasure to meet you Paulie. My name's Alistair and this is my beautiful Fiancée, Julia” Julia gently shook Paulie's hand.

“It's a pleasure to meet you both.” Alistair took a sip of his beer and the room started to grow cloudy. A voice fluttered through the room, calling out to him. It grew louder as the room turned black and a sudden flash of light erupted as it reached a shrill scream.

“Alistair! Alistair oh please wake up!” Julia was sobbing and pounding on Alistair's shoulders as the light rushed up to meet him.

“J-Julia? What happened?” Julia wrapped her arms around Alistair and erupted into tears on his shoulder.

“You slipped and bashed your head against the counter. I thought you were dead! Oh I was so worried!” Alistair held onto her and kissed her forehead.

“It's alright, don't worry. I think I'm still just a bit hazy after last night is all. I had the craziest dream though.” Julia helped Alistair stand up and the couple held each other. They smiled and Alistair grabbed the box of food Julia had prepared for him.

“You can't go Alistair, not with what just happened!” She held onto his arm as he started for the door. He pulled down the hand and looked back to her.

“I have to. You know that. I promise I'll be fine. And besides, you're seeing your friends today to go shopping and pick up something for dinner. I'll be back before you know it.” He pulled her close and kissed her softly.

“I love you Julia.” She smiled and kissed him back.

“I love you too Alistair.” She let go of his arm and Alistair carefully shut the imposing brass door and Julia let out a soft sigh before going back to the bedroom to get ready for her day.

The door to Vinny's luxury apartment burst open with Paulie carrying Vinny on his shoulder. The door slammed shut and Paulie propped Vinny up against the wall.

“Hey buddy, time to wake up!” He gently slapped Vinny a few times and laughed as Vinny flailed and cursed.

“Alright alright! I'm up! Geez!” Vinny scanned the room and looked puzzled.

“How the fuck did we get back 'ere?” Paulie sat beside him and patted his shoulder.

“I had to carry your sorry ass from the party last night 'cuz you too drunk to get ya'self home. I told ya' to take it slow but ya' never listen. Still, we had a good time though right?” Vinny laughed and pulled out a cigarette.

“Yeah yeah, we did pal. Thanks for gettin' me back safe too. Talkin' a' safe, is this my new apartment then huh? Not too shabby. Fontaine said it was a gift as part a' the deal for my old man's business.” Vinny took a match to the cigarette and offered Paulie one. Paulie politely waved off.

“No thanks, tryin' to cut down. Either I'm really outta shape or you're getting' too fat for me to carry 'cuz I barely made up up 'ere with you on my shoulders.” They both laughed and Vinny coughed violently.

“One a' these days I'm gonna get killed by these things, but you know what? I couldn't think of a fuckin' betta way to go.” He took a long drag from the cigarette and stared at the end.

“So what exactly happened last night?”