Page 27 of One Night Gamble
“Yes. Someone like that. They don’t have to give away any of his secrets but maybe a class where kids could learn the basics would be good,” Talia said.
“Why are you focused on kids?” Darien asked.
She didn’t realize she was. “I guess I see them as the ones who need something to do while their parents are enjoying everything that Sin City has to offer.”
Casey put his arm around her. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Of course you do,” Darien said.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I’m being an ass,” Darien said.
“Yeah, but that’s not unusual,” Casey said. “What’s up with you tonight?”
Darien finished his drink and signaled the waiter for another one. “Nothing.”
Talia realized that Darien wasn’t going to say anything else while she was standing there. “I want to go and get some reaction from the other guests. I think I saw a couple of Hollywood A-listers. If I could get a quote from them, it would look great on the website and community pages. I’ll be right back.”
Casey leaned over and kissed her cheek, whispering, “Thanks.”
She walked away feeling…well, that they might have the makings of a good couple. Except, they weren’t a couple. Sure, they’d decided to try dating, but that wasn’t the same thing as being a couple.
She made a beeline for the Hollywood people she’d mentioned. One of them was a veteran actor who’d made his career in the nineties doing action films, and as she got closer, she realized he was accompanied by his son—a young actor who, according to speculation, had gotten his roles due to his last name.
“Hi, I hope you’re enjoying the evening. I’m Talia Spencer and I work for the Jokers Wild Casino. I wondered if you’d share your reaction to Nicholas’s illusion with me,” she said. Then groaned. She was so much better behind the scenes.
The man nodded. “Hello, Talia. I’m Liam Donnelly and this is my son Callum,” he said, holding his hand out to her.
She shook it. “Sorry I’m not better at small talk.”
Liam just laughed. “Usually people gush. It’s a nice change.”
Ugh. “Of course, I love your movies. And Callum, you were great in that series on Netflix.”
Liam just laughed. “I like you. So, what do you want from us again?”
“Well, I just wanted to know…did you like it?”
“Hell yes,” Callum said. “I’m dying to know how he did that. Dad and I couldn’t figure it out.”
“We thought the illusion was going to be something different,” Liam said. “It was a very good show. The lead-up to it was great.”
“Yay. I was hoping you’d say that. How do you feel about either giving me a quote I could use on our social media platforms, or maybe even doing a video talking about your reactions?” she asked. “I wouldn’t want you to give too much of the illusion away. But it might tempt people into visiting the Jokers Wild when the illusion act opens.”
“I don’t think we could endorse it,” Liam said. “But a video would be fine.”
“Perfect,” she said. She wanted to get people’s reactions to the illusion tonight, while the act was still fresh. She wished she’d known what Nicholas was doing. She could have had a video crew here. She looked around and realized that the bright lighting in the foyer would make a video shot on her smartphone look crisp and clear.
“Do you mind doing it over here?” she asked. Then she looked around at the other guests. It would be great to get as many video reactions as she could.
She led the way to the foyer and Liam and Callum followed her. She noticed that Liam was speaking quietly to Callum as she moved some stuff around on the table in the foyer of Nicholas’s house, right under the portrait of the grand illusionist himself, in an all-black suit with his arms crossed.
Liam was coaching Callum on how to stand and what to say. And Talia felt that bit of envy that she’d often had when she saw other fathers in action. Her dad had taught her not to bet on red and that a winning streak could be nursed. She knew she really shouldn’t be complaining, but she was keenly aware of what had been missing in her own life.
She got them staged and shot three versions of the video—all fantastic. She thanked them and took down their details so she could have a release form sent to them.
Then she looked around for Casey.
