Carlo glanced around the table. Jay's herbal medicinal supplements were
legendary the world over. All of Carlo's friends nodded affirmatively at
Carlo, who then spoke, "Maybe a little later Jay...go throw some darts,
and get the little Pisces a drink...and go easy on her, or I know some
thugs who would love to drag you on a magic carriage ride...follow
me?"
"Huh...yeah man, no sweat," and with that, Jay smirked at
Count Carlo's crew, who smirked back, and then the three made for the
bar.
"Hiya Carlo..." a gum-chewing siren
chirped.
"T.C.! Boys, say hello to my dearest
friend from college...she owns this fine establishment. You look great,
T.C.! Ain't she a swell looker, fellas! A Scorpio, you know."
"Yo Chiquita...I'll take you on a platter! If I follow you home, will you keep me?" Casanueva jibed, in deeper than his usual tone.
"Imagine. In your dreams, Aztec. There isn't enough beer in the world...I'm sorry...I'm really sorry."
The others laughed out loud, and Casanueva rolled his eyes and quickly turned his head toward a trio of Goth girls who had just come in the side door. The others gave their drink orders to T.C., who personally waited on Carlo whenever he would come by to see her, usually once a year.
"Cherchez la femme," the Mayan said, and with that, he rose, and was soon followed by Vindu, as the two went on to investigate the new Vampy arrivals.
"What'll it be?" Carlo
queried Nostradaigle. "They'll strike out...you watch. Hit-and-run doesn't work over here, like back in the States. Carlo, I think we should discuss Millenium prophecies. This will probably be the only chance the three of us will get before the Beltaine gathering. Reflecting Testicle is on first, an hour from now. They suck bigtime, so maybe then we can go out back with Jay. Finn MacCool is second, and they rock. When they come on, we'll see what's up at the bar. By then, the joint should be jumpin'."
Edgar joined Nostradaigle in agreement of this plan.
"As long as we catch Carly & Tori, I'm cool," Carlo replied goodnaturedly.
"Oh sure, they're here. I can see them over at the sound booth." Nostradaigle said, pointing.
"Groovy, baby! And there's Charlie Sheen and John Malkovich. Who are they talking to?" Carlo asked as he shifted in his chair, hoping to answer his own question before the others might.
"Not sure," Edgar continued. "So many people in here look the same."
"It looks like Xaviera Hollander and Lydia Lunch. They still hook in these parts, you know..."
"Wow," Carlo cringed, turning away to view some younger creatures that were entering by the side door.
"No way...is that Drew? By Venus, she is still a doll...a Pisces, you know...think she'll come by?" Carlo wondered aloud.
"Once she sees you, Boss, of course she will. How long has it been since you've seen her, man?" Nostradaigle asked his friend.
"Two years, seven months, fifteen days, roughly," Carlo answered, apparently serious. "About two years, seven months, and fourteen days too long!"
Nostradaigle and Edgar laughed, and the latter said, "Looks like the happy hookers have moved on. Carly Simon and Tori Amos are making time with Charlie and John now. Gods, Carly is such a fox. Tori's not bad either. Looks like Xaviera is now onto the Diceman."
Nostradaigle looked at his friend in astonishment and replied, "Eddie, are you kidding? I'd do just about anything to be Tori's groupie. You're right though, Carly is still so beautiful. I think she's a Pisces, like Drew, right Carlo?"
Carlo nodded affirmatively to his inquisitive friend. Nostradaigle, although more concerned with the benefits of psychic and predictive techniques, had studied astrology at the Astrology, Wow! gathering that Count Carlo had organized for several years. He preferred to sit in on his friend Carlo's workshops, finding that this was where he would meet the cutest girls. He would then spend his evenings regaling his young captives with his predictions, until they would inevitably leave his tent to go locate the merry Count, who was usually holding court at a fire circle nearby. Nostradaigle was a noted seer in his own right, yet seemed to be uncomfortable with his own bloodline. Count Carlo had once commented how his friend's manner of crossing out his last name when signing things indicated, graphologically speaking, a discontent with one's own surname. Nostradaigle knew that the Ravin were true adepts of that bygone 16th century era. He delighted in counting Count Carlo among his friends, and was happy that the Count took no umbrage or chagrin in their friendship. The two men agreed long ago that sometimes water is indeed thicker than blood.
"Hey...how did Doug and Steve Butabi get past the bouncers? They must have come in with Grieco. Here comes Caz and Vindu, and look...the Goth girls are with them. Guess I should revise my prediction!" Nostradaigle noticed as he swilled his mug of Guinness.
