Did you catch Monday's blog where we featured Jack Scribe's story, It Stays in Vegas? You can also download an image there for your signature if you want to share your enjoyment of the story and promote it to fellow readers! If you haven't read it yet, maybe this excerpt will help you decide to put it on your list! And, if you do read and enjoy it, make sure you leave some comments and reviews. The author might be gone, but let's make sure his great stories aren't forgotten! 

Cia says:

I chose this excerpt because it's the beginning of a very good... relationship. You get to see a lot of Drew's personality, which is important to share of the main character in the first chapter. The hook must come from either the setting, action, or character. I feel like Jack really fleshes out Drew well in this chapter. I also like the way Jack Scribe can set a scene, and the whole hotel and club area come to life in just a few sentences in this excerpt! 

“I’m aware of why Trish and you are here. Shall I go ahead and increase your dinner reservations to three guests at Terrazza?” Drew said in a low voice. Terrazza was the hotel’s five star Tuscan Italian restaurant.

“That’ll be great. But tomorrow, he’s on his own,” Al replied with a wink.

“I also took the liberty of booking a VIP booth for you at tonight’s Reba McEntire show. It’ll fit two to four guests,” he said as a follow-up.

“Drew, you think of everything,” he replied with a broad grin. “Hey, how about joining us? It’s an 11:00 p.m. curtain, right?”

Drew considered his schedule as he answered, “I haven’t seen the show yet, but are you sure I won’t be in the way?” The idea of spending some social time with Bob was creating a stirring sensation in his crotch. ‘Thank god,’ he thought, ‘I’m standing behind a counter.’

“Absolutely not. I think we’d all like to get to know you better…as a friend and fraternity brother. We all hit it off right away and it’ll make Bob feel less like he’s a third wheel,” Al said with a sincere smile.

“Okay, then. I’ll take you up on the offer. If not before, I’ll meet you in the showroom a little after eleven,” Drew replied with a grin. Al waved goodbye and joined the Harrington sister and brother.

*****

Drew changed out of the uniform white shirt and tie in his small back office in favor of an open neck silk shirt and made it to the Circus Maximus showroom just as the lights were dimming. Antonio, the Maitre d’, pointed down to the first tier of horseshoe booths in the front of the 2,000-seat room where he saw the backs of his new friends’ heads.

“Hi, guys,” he said quietly, easing into the booth to sit next to Bob. Everyone greeted Drew with smiles, whispers and handshaking. He hadn’t mentioned that the booth was tight but doable to seat four adults. A little bolt of lightning shot up his body as Drew’s leg came into contact with Bob. Neither man made an effort to move.

“I’m glad you could join us, Drew,” Bob said into his ear, just as the Amazing Jonathan began his very funny comedic warm-up act before Reba. Knowing the pace of the bookings and production, he wasn’t surprised when the comedian took his final bows 22 minutes later. The houselights darkened and a rich, baritone voice came over the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, Nero’s is proud to present…Reba.”

Percussion and guitar could be heard as the curtain was brought up. With the aid of subtle backlighting for illumination, the sold-out audience was aware that the shadowy cluster of musicians on ‘stage left’ was her backup western band. ‘Stage right’ contained a large, vaguely recognizable string section, also shrouded in semi-darkness. First, Reba’s band started the initial bars of a familiar, signature song. Then, the strings joined the Western ensemble to produce a rich overture. The front stage lighting was slowly brought up.

And in the center, surrounded by billowing smoke that was highlighted by unseen up-lighting, slowly being raised to maximum, brilliance was a grand staircase. The diminutive silhouette of the star was on the top, standing in repose. Reba began singing

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