//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: The Casino 
// by Paradigm Lost 
//------------------------------//

															Chapter 2

I walked silently through the casino behind the taller than average security stallion. I wanted to wait to see why I was getting pulled off of the table before I said anything. Otherwise I would be at risk for blowing my disguise. I didn't even bother looking for an escape route for the same reason. There was no sense in becoming a high profile pony over what could amount to nothing. Or I could be totally boned, either way it was better to face what came next with dignity. I would rather whatever happens next than…other things.

If I said I wasn't a little worried when we walked through a couple of side doors and started to make our way to a bank of elevators I would definitely be lying. I mean sure I had no IDEA where we were going or what was going on, but this didn't seem like the average way to conduct a shakedown. The elevator gave out a muted ding as the golden doors slid silently open. Neither of us said a word as we stepped inside and my thoughts were confirmed as the security pony pressed a button for the top floor before swiping a card into the reader. It did not help that this was one of those fancy elevators that used the infinite mirror trick on the walls, because all I could see was an infinite number of a VERY screwed filly. 

With another muted ding the doors opened out into a MASSIVE penthouse suite. Both of us stepped out of the elevator and the security pony stated “Wait here” before moving a few paces away to talk into an ear piece. So I sat and looked directly at him, determined not to gawp at my extremely lavish surroundings like I was sure he was hoping I would. A moment later he moved back over to me, a very stern look on his face. 

“May I see your ID?”

That would mean that he suspected or outright knew I was underage, but I was nothing if not committed so I hoofed my first fake ID over. After A brief moment of looking at the ID the security pony stated.

“Look I am going to cut to the chase here ‘Mr. Scratch’ I don’t know what you think you are trying to pull but it is clearly evident that you are underage, I have footage from the casino floor as proof, and you just finished digging your own grave by handing me an ID that specifically states that you are 15 years old.” 

I let out a sigh to keep up appearances before taking off my hat and levitating out my second ID, the other fake. “Look, is it such a bad thing to hide who I am?”

The stallion glanced at the other ID that stated I was 24 and looked at me again a vein in his throat slightly throbbing “Okay what is this horse shit?”

“I can explain, you see I have a genetic defect that stunted my growth, and I am ashamed to admit this but I don’t like people to know that I often enjoy pretending to be underage. I often cast an illusion spell on my cutie mark to make myself appear to be a blank flanked colt and carry around a fake ID to show that I am underage. I simply forgot to uncast the illusion before I came into your casino and am terribly sorry to have caused you such trouble.”

The stallion was silent for a moment before he stated in a flat, unbelieving voice “You can’t honestly expect for me to believe that you go around pretending to be underage and purposely make yourself look like a blankflanked colt. I would have to be seven kinds of stupid to believe that load of crap.”

I levitated off the jacket and glasses I was wearing, placing them on a nearby counter-top, exposing my white hide and notably blank flanks. “Would you like to see my cutie mark then? I am ashamed to admit, I am not terribly fond of it, another reason I typically have a spell that hides it.”

The stallion hesitated, a clear sign of his uncertainty of the currently developing situation. I made sure to keep my face carefully neutral. The hook was in place and the line was cast.

“I…you…alright I’ll bite. Show me this cutie mark of yours.”

And Sinker. Taking my IDs back and putting them in the pouch around my neck before I cast a simple illusion spell making the word Mu appear on my flank. “You see, I am not very happy with my cutie mark as a lot of ponies make fun of me for having a word on my flank versus a symbol that indicated what my skill is.”

“Alright, you know what? I have seen enough. I will let the boss figure out how to handle this one. You stay here, don’t even THINK of leaving until he gives the all clear or so help me Celestia I will personally see to it you serve time. Are we clear?”

“Crystal”

With that the stallion stepped past me and called the elevator. Turning around he stated simply “The Boss says he will be with you shortly and to feel free to enjoy the scenery while you wait.” Then the elevator doors slid closed, taking him to wherever it was he was going next.
I stood around for several tense moments, waiting to ensure that the stallion was well and truly gone before I dropped the illusion spell on my flank, causing the fake cutie mark to fade away. Then I moved over to the massive panoramic windows and rested my forehead on them and let out the huge sigh of relief I had been holding in. “That was too close Vinyl, way too close” I said to myself, feeling my body shaking slightly from the lack of adrenaline in my veins. 

“I’ll say.” Came a voice from almost directly behind me causing me to jump out of my skin and yelp in surprise.

Spinning around I saw a stallion in his early twenties wearing a grey service coat and holding a small round folding table. The scary thing was that I had no idea how long he had been there.

“Sorry to scare you like that miss, I’m just setting up for when Mr. Bell arrives.” The stallion said in a demure, slightly feminine voice. 

“Oh I understa…wait…how do you know I’m female?” I asked him puzzled at his very accurate deduction. 

With a slight smile he replied “The same way I could tell you were underage, well at least once you took your jacket off that is, it was all there for those who knew how to look for it. Although I must say that was a rather impressive bit of deception there, to fool the head of Security is no small task.”

I didn't know why but right then I decided that I really liked this pony; he instantly came across as really smart and easily likable and someone who could keep a secret, a trait I needed right now. Looking around the room quickly I leaned towards him before whispering “I think I might be in way over my head here.” 

Sitting down and placing the table the stallion started for the kitchenette and began preparing some dishes. “Well would you like a few pieces of friendly advice from one unexpected acquaintance of circumstances to another?” 

“Sure I’ll take whatever I can get”

Sitting down the platter of cups and drinks the stallion met me with gentle brown eyes and stated “When you meet Mr. Bell just be honest, I can tell you honestly from working with and for him that he is a pony who respects honesty. He may not agree with the circumstances, but in this business who ever really does? I like you so please, just be upfront with the situation and you will be fine, He should be just a minute now.”

The pony had made it to the far door and was about to head out when I asked “Wait what’s your name?” 

Turning around with a smile he stated simply “My name is Leo, and the pleasure was mine Mrs. Scratch.”

With that the door shut with a gentle click and the suite was silent for what seemed like barely a moment before the door opened again and another stallion stepped in. Looks like it was time to meet the big boss.