Page 81 of The Hardest Hit
So much for looking cool.
She ran to the glass, a sight to watch in her low-cut dress, and peered into the interior of the glass and Evan realized that it was an enormous aquarium and the lights were bioluminescent fish.
Evan went to join her and looked at the collection of vampire squid. They were about a foot in length and velvety black. One drifted away from him, showing an interior lined with hundreds of spiky barbs. “That’s a lot more teeth than I was expecting,” he said.
“Look at him, flashing his photophores,” cooed Olivia, as the spots on the squid lit up. Then she paused and seemed to realize that she was not behaving like her cool person alter ego. She grimaced at him and it was all Evan could do to stop himself from laughing.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, standing up and turning to Eizo. “Olivia West,” she shook his hand. “Please forgive my rudeness. I don’t often get to see living vampire squid, and I was very excited.”
Eizo looked surprised, but in the best of the Japanese tradition of manners, covered it up.
“You like fish? Then you will love this casino. It is essentially a very large aquarium.”
There were others waiting for them inside. Evan guessed that most of their girlfriends were paid for in some way, but he wasn’t sure if Olivia noticed. The girls flocked and did what they were told, and Olivia allowed herself to be bossed around as well, which he could tell she was finding slightly hilarious, but also annoying.
“Why don’t we let the girls go gamble?” suggested Eizo, which was essentially code for getting down to business. Eizo always wanted to hammer out negotiation terms over drinks.
Evan glanced at Olivia, who looked around. “I don’t have any chips,” she said, eyeing the girl-pets who were getting handfuls of chips from their owners. Evan grabbed a stack out of the carousel he’d collected when they’d entered and handed it to her. He knew it was probably about twenty-thousand. He could tell that Eizo knew that’s how much it was. What he couldn’t tell was whether or not Olivia knew. He’d told her not to look like she was panicking, but there was something blissfully unaware in her smile as she accepted the chips.
“Thanks,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.
“What do you think she’ll do with that?” asked Eizo. Eizo had appeared to add up the boobs and Southern accent and come up with stupid. It was annoying, but trying to tell him otherwise would only backfire.
“No clue,” said Evan.
“Hello, good evening,” said a casino host, coming into their room. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
On the other hand, perhaps proof could be offered without sounding like bragging?
Evan waved the host over. “You have someone managing the aquarium?” he asked, and the host nodded. “My girlfriend would like a behind-the-scenes tour.”
The host beautifully showed no shock or dismay. “Of course, sir. I will inquire.”
The host disappeared and Evan settled down to the work of arguing with Eizo. Thirty minutes later the host returned with a gray-haired man and a younger employee.
“Dr. Onishi would be happy to show your friend around, sir,” said the host.
“Great,” said Evan. “She’s the redhead on the floor. Can you get someone to find her?”
“Of course, sir.”
Five minutes later, Olivia appeared, following the host.
“Did you want me?” she asked smiling up at him.
Evan beckoned to Dr. Onishi. “Dr. Onishi is in charge of the aquarium and has volunteered to give you a behind-the-scenes tour.”
She looked surprised and pleased.
Evan switched to Japanese and turned to Dr. Onisihi. “This is Dr. Olivia West. She is—”
Dr. Onishi’s face immediately lit up in recognition. “Phosphorescence in the Vampyroteuthis infernalis!”His next words were a tumble of Japanese and English that Evan had to struggle to wade through.
Olivia looked at Evan and he did his best to translate.
“He read your most recent article inScientific American. He’s very excited to meet you and would like to show you his fish.”
“Oh, that’s so lovely,” said Olivia, blushing slightly, and looking demure. “I’m very pleased to meet you as well. Thank you for taking the time to show me around.” The attendant casino host rapidly translated. Dr. Onishi beamed and gestured toward the door, but Olivia paused and looked around. “Evan, I had chips. Someone said they were bringing them?” She flapped her hands as if expecting them to appear.
