The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Chapter 3







Thomas finished donning his tuxedo and looked in the mirror. Brushing a stray hair from his shoulder he frowned at the gray at his temples. Some women had told him it made him look “distinguished”, he just thought it made him look old. Staring at his reflection, he opened his coat and looked at the black vest he usually wore to black tie affairs and began to unbutton it.

Walking to the closet, Thomas removed his coat and vest. Inside the closet he opened up a garment bag and selected a maroon cumber bun. Looking at the strip of silk he reconsidered and chose a dark green one. This had been worn only one other time, a St. Patrick’s Day benefit that helped fund the opening of the Children’s Hospital Pediatric AIDS wing.

After he examined it, Thomas placed it around his waist and threw his coat back on. Grabbing his keys off the kitchen counter, he thought better of it and called down to the doorman and asked for a cab. Tonight he just may have a few drinks and hopefully he would be fairly drunk by the time he could sneak out. Buttoning his jacket he locked the door behind himself and pressed the button for the elevator. Ten minutes later he was in a cab on the way to Battle Hall.

Battle Hall was on the southern end of Ohio State’s campus. Named for Roger Battle, a local philanthropist and former Mayor, it was a glass and steel convention hall that boasted a spacious, open design. There were no other buildings for a block in any direction and it stood out like a beacon in the night. A light fog had crept in which just added to the glowing appearance of the hall. A double lane drive circled in front and it was clogged with limousines and cabs dropping of VIP’s. Cops working special duty hurriedly tried to keep the traffic going but were losing the fight.

The AIDS benefit night had become a huge high-society success. Millions of dollars had been raised over the years and the ball and silent auctions were the highlight. Men in their tuxedoes were contrasted by women who, without the fashion confines of their male counterparts, wore everything from the newest $2000 evening attire they had seen on Sex and the City, to old-fashioned Southern Belle hoop dresses.

Festivities filled the Hall with partitions painted to look like marble walls separating them. The partitions’ many seams were hidden by palm trees that were to be auctioned off. A jazz band played one end while the silent auction, which this year included rare art, including a couple Picassos, and a Ferrari to countless other much less expensive items such as dinner reservations and movie passes, acted as a buffer for the Grand Ball. Dinner was served at the far end and at $200 a plate it attracted people of many diverse backgrounds.

Many people came just to have a chance to rub elbows with the rich and famous. Pro athletes from Ohio’s sports franchises, politicians and even some of Hollywood’s A list stars had begun making the trip. The organizers did their best to keep tables as “segregated” as possible, but there were many chances still for Joe Public to sit within feet of LeBron James or Susan Sarandon. The thought had come up many times that the event should raise its price tenfold in order to weed out the riff raff, but the founders had always held to their belief that helping one’s fellow man had no economic bounds, provided that they could pay $200 for a chicken and vegetable dinner.

Thomas paid the cabbie his fare and a generous tip. He highly doubted that he could escape the traffic snarl any time soon and would be lagging in the gratuity department come the end of his shift.

Standing at the east entrance, Thomas checked his watch, 6:47 pm. Rocking back and forth on his heels to try and hold off the damp chill, Thomas looked left and right for David and Mandy. His vigil was cut short by the vibration of his cell phone in his jacket pocket. Looking at the number on caller ID, he swore to himself and answered.

“This better be good David!”

“Hey Thomas, ummm I hate to do this to you but our babysitter was in an accident on the way here and we are not going to make it.”

“Oh gee, she okay?”

“I think she is just shook up. Her Mom is with her at the ER and says she just has some minor cuts and bruises. Got lucky, some drunk broadsided her then went down the embankment. From what her mom said, looks like he might not make it.”

“Ugh. Well I guess I can catch a cab out of here.”

“Oh nice try buddy, but one of us has to be there.”

Thomas stared at the sky and swore again under his breath. “Exactly why does it have to be me again?”

“Because I am too sexy to have my photo taken. It will only be for a minute, you hold the big check, you smile, you shake hands and that is that.”

“I hate you.”

“I love you too darling. I have to go now.”

“What could possibly be so pressing? You got out of this evening!”

“Barney marathon.”

“The purple dinosaur? I thought he went extinct.” Thomas’ face brightened.

“Not in my house. My mother-in-law bought 20 VHS tapes at a garage sale a month ago and I have been in purple Hell ever since.”

“I am so sorry David, the horror!”

“Up yours asshole!” The phone call ceased abruptly.

Thomas chuckled and counted himself as the more fortunate. Turning towards the door he turned off his phone and pulled out his invitation. People were filing in at a steady pace. Past year’s mistakes of not having enough security to check people in had been rectified by hiring off-duty deputies and even a fire department or two had signed up to help.

Thomas entered the Hall and looked at the auction items. He had a brief vision of him tooling around in the Ferrari. The Picassos had very little appeal to him. Among the other many items for auction was a nice home theater system (Thomas liked the wireless speakers and bid $500 to get it started), golf clubs, camera equipment (a nice Canon digital SLR, three lens outfit) and loads of other nice stuff. Thomas went back over to the digital Canon outfit and put a bid of $1800 on it, a good bargain even at that price.

Seeing that he had a few minutes before dinner, and his inevitable public appearance, Thomas checked out the jazz band that seemed to have acquired quite a crowd. Being a rocker, Thomas didn’t know much jazz, but could appreciate the complex orchestration that this group was deftly playing. Thomas made a mental not e to try and listen to a local jazz show. Thomas then decided he would never do that and quickly dropped the idea. Turning back the way he came, Thomas left the jazz band to its admirers and headed to the dining area.

Checking on his bids, Thomas wrote a new entry on the Canon, $2100 would now be the bid to beat. He hoped it didn’t get any more action, he wouldn’t have time to re-bid during dinner or the following ceremony.

Finding his table was much easier this year. He was right at the front and his seat was the only one open when he got there. Surveying the table, he found he was seated between two couples. One was obviously a very well-to-do pair in their 50’s, the other was one of the many who may have saved for weeks to get the tickets. All eyes were on him as he seated himself.

The younger couple quickly introduced themselves as Danny and Alyssa from Indianapolis. Danny has a close cropped haircut and a hint of a tattoo on his neck peeked over his tuxedo shirt collar. Alyssa wore what could have been her prom dress from her senior year in high school. They both appeared to young to enjoy the champagne they had in front of them. Even as they spoke to Thomas they were peering around the room as if they were hoping to see a specific person.

Danny shrugged, “Sorry man, we are hoping to get a chance to have LeBron James sign my cumber bun. See? I had it specially made!”

Thomas chuckled at Danny as he rose so he could see the Cleveland Cavaliers logo. “I figured you would be a Pacers fan.”

“Oh I still cheer for my Pacers, but my main man is LeBron.”

A scoffing snort from the older woman cut short the conversation. When all eyes turned to her she simply looked at her husband and shook her head. “I told you this event has gone downhill Vernon!”

Thomas took the bait, “And why would you say that ma’am? It provides much needed money for AIDS research.”

“Do you thnk I really care to help those retches and legitimize their sinful existence?” Thomas now realized that she had probably been drinking since she got here and was fairly drunk but kept quiet, although he now was red with rage. “AIDS is God’s plague to take care of the fags and whores. The only good coming from this evening is a tax shelter in the form of my charitable contributions.” The last word came out “contrrubooshunz”.

Vernon finally broke his silence. “Margaret you will shut your goddamned mouth right now and apologize. No one cares what you think, especially me!”

Vernon wringed his hands and looked at Thomas, “I am so sorry. We lost our youngest son to AIDS. Margaret has blamed his death of everything and everyone, including God. They were quite close and she never got over it.”

Thomas broke his silence. “Vernon, I suggest you take her out of here. Drunk or not, this is no place for that.”

Vernon nodded silently and rose. He walked over to his wife who had turned so she was not looking at anyone at the table and pulled her up by the arm. “It’s time we go dear.” Looking back he nodded to Thomas and led his wife, who was beginning to sob, out of the hall.

Thomas sat and stared at the table cloth for a minute. He could feel the rage inside of him materialize in his hands in the form of shakes. He picked up his cloth napkin and used it to wipe his brow clean.

“You okay sir?” Alyssa leaned towards Thomas and touched his arm.

Thomas started at the unexpected touch and then smiled sadly, “Yes I am fine. I just can’t believe the close-mindedness of some people.”

“Well, dinner is here. Maybe that will put us all in a better mood.”

For Thomas it didn’t work. He idly played with his chicken and potatoes while he half-listened to the young couple talk about their lives, her job at the pharmacy and his at a local body shop. They had been high school sweethearts and were getting married in the spring. Alyssa was going to school to be a pharmacist and Danny intended to get a second job in the evening so she could concentrate on her studies.

“The way I see it, if she gets her education and a good paying job, then I can find a way to do what I really want.” Danny smiled then took Alyssa’s hand in his.

“What is that?” Thomas finally felt the tension leaving him.

“Ever see that show, American Chopper?”

“The one with that dad and sons? They are always fighting?”

“That’s it. I want to open my own chopper shop. I have made a couple and they have turned out nice. Didn’t charge what I should have, but it will get my name out there.”

“We all start somewhere.”

“What do you do?” asked Alyssa.

“I am a psychiatrist. I work with people with AIDS among many other ailments of the body and mind.”

“Wow Doc that must be rewarding as hell!” Danny leaned forward and smiled like he had just met LeBron.

“It has its moments, unfortunately many of my cases aren’t successes.” Thomas sat back and stared at the flowers on the table. Danny and Alyssa further impressed him by realizing now was the time to let the conversation die.

Thinking of Jan, Thomas was shaken back to reality by hearing his name called over the loudspeaker. Rising quickly and smiling as video camera lights hit him he went to the stage where an older couple was holding a giant check. They had been two of the founders of tonight’s benefit and smiled as he approached. Both in their late 50’s or early 60’s, they were dressed like they lived at black tie affairs and had the air of a couple that simply oozed hundred dollar bills. As he neared them he saw the figure on the check, $250,000. That would go quite a way at the clinic.

Thomas had his best public relations smile on and waited until all the photographers got the shot they needed. He turned to the couple and shook their hands once more and started to walk away when the man held firm to his hand.

“Dr. Redding we heard through the grapevine about your loss. You have our prayers with you.” The man, whose name Thomas couldn’t remember even after speaking with him a dozen times gave him a curt nod and pulled Thomas toward his side of the stage. With his hand on Thomas’ back, he lead him offstage.

“If you need anything to help you in your work, please let us know. This money will help and we have other resources other than just money.”

“Thank you sir.” Was all Thomas could say, he had not been prepared for the words of sympathy or the promise of help, even though that was the whole reason for being here.

Thomas walked down a few steps from the stage and passed quickly through the “meet and greet” room. He just wanted to go home. He didn’t want his picture taken with anyone, he just wanted to be alone.

As he went back through the center hall he decided to take one last minute and watch people dance and try to get his head back in order. The symphony, to call them a band was an injustice, had just finished a song and couples were walking off the floor as it appeared there may be a short lull until the next number.

“Thomas?” a woman’s voice called from behind him. Standing there was a tall blonde, Dr. Hilary Gasmyer. She worked at Children’s Hospital and had always had a crush on Thomas. She was a fine looking woman, about 32 and could have been quite a catch except Thomas couldn’t get past “the laugh”. He had described it once as a snorting elephant seal meets a Muppet.

“Hello Hilary! How are you?”

“Surviving, you?”

“The same. Say, cold I get you to dance with –“

“Oh there you are Dahling!” From behind Thomas came a voice with a light Eastern European accent. Hilary looked at him and appeared a bit dismayed. Thomas just shrugged and turned around and felt his jaw drop.

Anna stood before him in a dress that could have come straight from “Gone with the Wind”. It was a deep green that Thomas immediately realized match his cumber bun. In her hair was a lace and green ribbon that held her hair off her neck. She was simply stunning.

“Anna, I wasn’t sure where you had gone. Hilary, this is Anna.” Anna closed her eyes briefly and nodded to Hilary. Hilary just stared, mouth open.

“It’s nice to meet you too Hilary. Thomas I do believe the conductor said the next dance is the waltz we requested.” Anna turned toward the dance floor and held her arm out. Thomas took her arm and walked out to the center of the floor.

Okay, what the hell am I doing? Thomas thought. I can’t dance and now I am in the center of the hall where everyone one can see me.

He felt sweat start to trickle down his back and his heart felt like it would burst. He began to feel the room spin when Anna stepped in front of him and took his right hand in hers and pulled him close. Suddenly the room righted itself and Thomas felt at peace as his heart and breathing slowed. In the distance he heard the conductor tap on his stand.

“Steady Sir Knight.” Anna had a gleam in her eyes.

“This knight can not dance M’Lady.”

“Yes you can, just let me guide you. It won’t look like I am leading good Sir. I will just be a blushing maiden.”

Thomas didn’t get the chance to protest. With a strength that belied her size Anna guided Thomas into the waltz as the symphony began to play. Around and around they went. Thomas found the dance to be second nature to him even though he had never danced like this before. He felt himself unable to leave Anna’s gaze. Thomas could feel Anna’s heartbeat against his chest and then gasped. His own pulse matched Anna’s exactly. Cadets at Annapolis could never hope to be as in synch in their marching as Thomas and Anna’s hearts were as they danced.

Anna could sense he felt it and smiled. Her eyes never left his.

Thomas blinked and felt the room lurch around him. To his astonishment the walls of the hall fell away, the fellow dancers shimmered and disintegrated around him. He found Anna and himself dancing outside on a spring day by a huge manor, it may have come from the set of “Three Musketeers” with Errol Flynn.

They danced on a marble patio which was lined by a low marble fence. Apple trees in the nearby orchard were backlit by the sun, their springtime blooms were shedding petals like snow. At the far end was an old weeping willow tree, its new leaves a bright green. Sunlight shone through the branches like golden fingers. The tulips lining the area just beyond the fence, providing a brilliant red and yellow blur as they turned and turned. All of it seemed appropriate though when he returned his attention to Anna who still had the soft smile as she watched him.

Through all of it the sound of their hearts had risen to a low roar in his ears. It didn’t quite overpower the music, instead it became a tune of its own.

Just as quickly as the music had brought him to this place, he heard it come to its conclusion. As their dance ended, Thomas looked around and found them back in the hall. People around them had begun to applaud and Anna spun from his arms and while holding Thomas’ hand, curtsied. Thomas felt himself bow at the waist and as he rose he could see Hilary in the same spot with the same dumbstruck look on her face.

Anna walked off the floor with Thomas in tow. In the deafening silence that followed their dance she lead him to where she met him and pulled his face to hers and kissed him gently. Thomas closed his eyes and drank in the taste of her lips. All too quickly it ended and the sounds of the room flooded his ears. Thomas gasped in shock as his heart rate and breathing jumped back to their old pace. The pounding in his ears sounded like a man running through a frost covered lawn. Looking around him, he found himself once again alone among a crowd.

In the distance, he heard a familiar haunting laugh.