Hey Beautiful Lady

Vadgy strode into the White Swallow Cocktail Bar. Every eye followed her as she made her way to the bar. “I’ll have a Brandy Alexander, extra nutmeg thanks” she purred to the barman. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror behind the bar and smiled confidently. The long brunette wig was working for her. She had worn heavier eye make up than usual and it was striking. The blue eye shadow and the heavy kajal eyeliner gave her a slightly trampy look. She was sure a creep like Oliver would go for it.

She was only half way through her first drink when he walked in. She recognized him immediately from Emma’s description. He wore a beige leisure suit with flared trousers and snake skin boots. He had ‘sleaze’ written all over him. Of course, Vadgy was adept at spotting losers like this. She was way too street smart and savvy to fall for a guy like Oliver. Vadgy ate guys like this for breakfast.

But a naïve girl from the mid west like Titsy would fall hook line and sinker for a slime ball like Oliver. Titsy had learnt the hard way.

Oliver sat at the bar and cast his lizard-like eyes around the room, looking for his next victim. When he spotted Vadgy he could barely believe his eyes. Granted, she was more glamorous than his usual target but his ego told him he could pull a bird like this.

He swaggered over. “Hey, beautiful lady. Can I buy you a drink?” Vadgy struggled not to roll her eyes at his lame approach. “Oh, why thank you” she responded in a breathy, sexy voice.

“So, tell me, what’s gorgeous woman like you doing alone in a place like this?” he asked. Vadgy couldn’t believe that this sort of thing actually worked with women but clearly it did. Giggling shyly, Vadgy said “Oh I was supposed to be meeting a friend here but she obviously isn’t going to make it so I thought I would have one drink and then go home”. “Oh no, a beautiful lady like you shouldn’t be alone. You must stay and have a drink with me. Please.”

Vadgy knew she had him on the hook. She smiled to herself and thought “well of course I have him on the hook, I mean, hell, look at me!”

“So, my name is Cain. What’s yours?” he asked. “I’m Stephanie” Vadgy answered. “Well Stephanie, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“Another Brandy Alexander?” said Cain. “Thank you.” Said Vadgy. As the barman placed the creamy cocktail in front of her, Vadgy smiled. She knew she could handle it but she also knew she wanted to be on her game completely tonight. She would only sip this second cocktail.

They began to chat. Vadgy was amazed that a man of such limited intellect had been able to seduce and victimize so many women. She knew his type. He knew all the standard lines. The lines that men thought women wanted to hear about wanting a relationship but never being able to find the “right girl”. About enjoying long walks on the beach and candlelit dinner with a bottle of red. About lazy Sundays and weekends away. She had heard it all before but never as blatantly as tonight. “He’s a piece of work” thought Vadgy. She thought about poor Titsy and how guileless she was. Titsy would have taken Oliver on face value. She would have eaten this crap up with a spoon and then asked for more. When Oliver excused himself to go to the bathroom, no doubt to check his comb-over hadn’t shifted, Vadgy tipped her drink into the small bar sink in front of her.

“Finished already?” Oliver noted with obvious pleasure when he walked back to the bar. “Your fly is undone” said Vadgy. “Oh, sorry about that babe” Oliver said as he fumbled for the zip. Vadgy had caught a glimpse of Oliver and had to stifle a laugh. “If that was a preview of coming attractions then I think I’ll pass” she thought to herself.

“Another drink Stephanie?” Oliver asked hopefully. “Oh yes thanks, they are delicious, I just can’t seem to stop tonight” answered Vadgy in her best Marilyn Monroe voice. Oliver smirked as he ordered up another Brandy Alexander. “I’ve got this one in the bag” he thought.

Vadgy giggled innocently and excused herself. “Sorry, I need to powder my nose I think. I’m feeling a little drunk” she said as got up from the stool unsteadily. Oliver watched her as she walked to the ladies room. “This is going to be fun” he thought as he watched her sway, her gold jumpsuit shimmering in the dim light of the bar. He could hardly believe his luck. This was by far his best pull ever.

As she approached the ladies room door she stopped and took a sharp turn. She found a dark spot in the corridor where she could see Oliver as he waited for her to return. As she watched him she saw him reach into the back pocket of his leisure suit and pull out a small vial. He shook the vial and then slowly unscrewed the lid. Vadgy’s face darkened as she saw him pour the contents into what remained of her Brandy Alexander. “Oh my God, that’s how he does it. Rohypnol.”

She waited a few moments and then returned to the bar. “Sorry I took so long. I am really feeling a bit dizzy. I should go.” She told Oliver. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly let you go on your own” he said. “Let me help you get a cab. Finish your drink and then we can go”. “Oh really, you’re too kind! Perhaps you could tell the maître d we need a cab while I finish my cocktail and then we can go?” “Great idea, beautiful lady” said Oliver.

Vadgy handed the tainted cocktail to the barman. “See this drink? I want you to put it aside. Don’t tip it out. Keep it. My colleagues will be back later this evening” and she flashed her San Francisco Police Department badge.

She caught up with Oliver at the front door. “Finish your drink Stephanie?” “Yes, thank you Cain, it was delicious. I probably shouldn’t have but I just couldn’t say no” she said breathlessly.

“Here is our taxi” said Oliver as he took Vadgy hand and led her out into the night. He knew the Rohypnol would take 20 minutes to kick in. His apartment was five minutes from the White Swallow.

Vadgy staggered to the cab. Oliver opened the door and helped her into the back seat. “Are you feeling ok?” He asked, hoping she would be feeling unwell by now. “Oh I’m suddenly just so tired. I should just go straight home.” “I can’t leave you feeling unwell Stephanie, I wouldn’t hear of it” Oliver said feigning chivalry. “Ok” Vadgy said. She was going to go along with this whole sick trip and see where it led.

Oliver gave the cab driver his address. Vadgy made a mental note. As the cab pulled up in front of the apartment block Oliver quickly jumped out, paid the driver and helped Vadgy out onto the footpath. He didn’t want her collapsing her in the street. He needed to get her inside as quickly as he could. Vadgy played along. Stumbling and staggering into the lobby.

Oliver could barely get the key in the door he was so excited about this next victim. She was by far the most beautiful woman he had had ever managed to ensnare. “Stephanie, you don’t need to worry, I’m going to take good care of you” he said as he put his arm around her waist and helped her through his front door. Vadgy looked around the living room, making note of everything. It was the cliché bachelor pad. It smelled stale. It reeked of desperation.

“It’s me Ross” called Oliver as he closed the door behind him. “Who is Ross?” asked Vadgy. “Just a friend” said Oliver. “Ignore him, I try to.” Ross appeared from around the corner. Vadgy remembered Emma’s description of him. He was exactly as she had said. Short, ordinary, weak and deeply strange. “Hi” Ross said slobbering. Vadgy could see him looking her up and down. “Get lost now Ross” said Oliver. “Hehehe. Ok Cain” he said.

Ross knew that his turn would come later. It suited him for Cain to bring the women in. Ross had never been able to pull women. He had no conversational skills and was emotionally retarded. Once they found about his obsession with Hitler and the Nazi Party women would leave skid marks in efforts to get away from him. He knew he would spend his life alone but at least Oliver’s cast offs would give him some physical relief. He knew enough about Oliver’s lifestyle and pattern with women to have Oliver put away for a long time. Oliver could keep Ross quiet if he let him have his way with the women he was finished with.

Vadgy knew it was time. She staggered over to the dirty chocolate brown couch and collapsed. Oliver smirked. “She’s out. It’s time baby” he thought to himself. Vadgy closed her eyes and waited for him. Her Oroton purse was tucked snugly into the cushion.

Oliver leaned over her. His stale breath covered her as he bent down to kiss her on the mouth. One hand slithered through the lame onto her breast. He began to unbuckle his pants. He kicked off the snake skin boots to reveal the mismatched socks. She was beautiful. He knew tonight was going to be special. Suddenly Vadgy came to life. “Get your filthy paws off me you bastard. You’re under arrest.” Her Browning pistol glistened in the light of the lava lamp. Put your hands on your head you piece of shit”. Oliver did what she said, a look of pathetic fear on his face.

“Is it my turn yet Cain?” said a small, weak voice from the shadows. Vadgy turned to see Ross, naked and dismal standing in the doorway. “Get your hands up too you stupid little man” said Vadgy.