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Roberto escorts Trish into the Hellfire Club on his elbow. He's dressed up a bit more than usual, for once— a slightly more traditional tuxedo instead of his flamboyant suits. It's a fine night to be out, something of a charity event at play. Inasmuch as the Hellfire Club does charity— where raising $100,000 for a good cause is a drop in the bucket for the wealthy elite, but helps legitimize their activities.
"We've got a few places around the area— clubs here and there. The Hellfire Club is a social scene, more than any given /place/," he clarifies. "Can I buy you a drink, senorita?" he inquires, nodding at the bar to the woman on his arm.
*
Dressed a little more formally than she's accustomed to, as well, Trish has adorned herself in an elegant red dress. However, her heartshaped pendant, which normally hangs around her neck, remains there. On her wrist she wears a shiney bracelet, whether the jewels are real or not is another matter. Her heels, slightly higher than normal, match her dress.
Holding a small clutch, which her fingers lightly tap as theywalk, she smiles and nods at Roberto. "It seems like quite a wonderful club." She tells him as they approach the bar. "Oh, a drink would be lovely. I'll have a Pinot Gris, please."
*
"Dos vinos, por favor," Roberto tells the bartender, sidling up to the bar with Trish alongside him. "Uh… let's see. The pinot gris," he requests, as per Trish's desire. He grins back at Trish, teeth in contast to his swarthy complexion.
"If you're looking for a group of people who can keep your name in the limelight, this is it," he explains, resting his elbow on the bar and facing the leggy woman in red. "We've got… lessee… two music producers," he says, nodding at a pair talking in the corner. "I see the owner of the Apollo here, and— ah, that's Sid Sidele, the owner of Montenegro Films," he tells Trish. "And besides that, you've got businessmen, investors, backers… all kinds of people who would be willing to help stake a film starring you. I tell you, my amorita, the Club can help take your career to the next level."
*
"The Apollo can make or break a person's career, I hear. So scary!" A tiny smile crosses Trish's face. Her eyes are quick to widen in wonder, however, at the mention of Sid Sidele. "Sid Sidele? The Sid Sidele?" A little gasp emits from her, her mouth left slight agape, as she stares. "Do you know how well known Sid Sidele is in the film industry?" She whispers to Roberto. "Very well known."
She can hardly believe the type of people who belong to this club. "This place is absolutely amazing! I mean it. I've been to my share of events, but never have I been here. It's so much more grand than I could ever imagine."
*
"I've seen his name on the movie posters," Roberto assures Trish, grinning wide. "He did that one movie, que esta… oh! 'Return to Panama', I /loved/ it," he says, nodding. "I met him once, he did some films in Brasil and we leased him the space near my family copper mines. I'll make some introductions later, if you want," he grins. The drinks arrive and he offers one to Trish, then tilts his glass towards her in a toast.
"Salud. So, yes— I think this is right up your alley. Many shakers and movers from not just New York, but all over the world. Rockefellers, the Kennedys, even some of the Roosevelts have been members of the club." An exquisite, haughty blonde in white walks across the room. "Dio, I think that was Emma Frost," Roberto mutters.
"So? You think this is the sort of place you might like'a joining?"
*
"Really? You could introduce…no, we couldn't, could we? I mean, I wouldn't want to bother him." Though it's rather obvious that Trish wants to meet him. "Your family owns copper mines? How fascinating! I've never been to a mine. Flew over one once, I think. On my way to Los Angeles. But that was a few years back." She explains.
Lifting her glass, Trish smiles. "Cheers." She clinks her glass against Roberto's and takes a sip. She's definitely going to drink more slowly than she did the other night. "Rockefellers, Kennedys, and Roosevelts, oh my! All well to-do families about New York, and the United States in general!" She looks around in obvious wonderment.
"I…from what I've seen so far?" She turns back to Roberto. "I'd love to join!"
*
"Si si, the de Costas own most of the mines in Brazil," Roberto explains to Trish, touching her elbow to guide her from the bar to a high table with a pair of bar-height chairs drawn up to it. He pulls Trish's chair out, then seats himself close next to her.
"My great-grandfather, he was a farmer and got into prospecting. Found one of the first bauxite mines— right around when they developed the aluminum refinement process. So then he found copper and gold mines, and my father— he expanded into industry and construction. We went from merely mining the blood of industry, to /making/ industry. That's why I'm up north here in the States, looking for more shipping concerns and ways to expand our business."
*
"You have quite the family! Hard workers, the lot of you!" Trish gets comfortable in her chair, tilting her head slightly. "I've often wondered what it would be like to run a business. As an actress, I'm usually forced to go where the jobs take me, as opposed to being the one who creates the jobs in the first place." She takes a big sip of her wine and smiles. "You must be quite the businessman to be be able to open up new business opportunities here in New York!"
*
"Well, not much luck so far," Roberto admits. "America is industrial powerhouse of the world, you know— no one can possibly keep up with you. But, I come here, I make some friends, I learn some lessons— maybe poach a few engineers and so on. Met one guy who's gonna help expedite our shipping costs."
He sips more of his wine, looking at Trish speculatively. "So how'd you get into actressing, chica?" he inquires.
*
"I'm sure you'll get figure something out!" Trish says encouragingly. "They say America is the land of opportunity. Sometimes you've got to make that opportunity for yourself, but it will be there for you. And if you've got some help already with shipping costs, that's one less thing to worry about!"
Taking another sip of her wine, she takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I've got a rather tenacious mother who would not take no for an answer." But that's just the beginning of her answer. "My mother had an idea for a television show. A show that starred me, Patricia or, as I'd come to be known as, Patsy. The show was called It's Patsy and aired weekly. Before I knew it, I'd become a household name." Sipping her wine, she smiles widely. "Spend enough time with me, and you'll see people call out to me, 'It's Patsy! It's Patsy!' It's a rather common occurrence, actually." She can't help but chuckle at that. "However, when the show was done, I still felt the urge to continue acting. So, using the fame I'd acquired from the show, I got myself auditions for movies, I've taking roles in movies since…well, that and doing a bit of studying at NYU."
*
"I was a Harvard man myself," Roberto says, dimples appearing on the corner of his cheeks. "My padre wanted me to get a good education if nothing else, so he sent me to business school there. I wish I'd taken more theatre classes, but— you know, Harvard, it's law, business, or go home," he says, wryly. "Particularly with my father footing the bill."
"So… 'Patsy'. What's the best part of being a famous actress?" he asks, resting his elbows on the table. "Is it the fame, or the globetrotting, the hordes of endless admirers…?"
*
"Harvard. How rather expected." Trish teases with a little wink. "Theatre is the one thing I'm staying far from at college." She explains. "I'm just at school to learn about what fascinates me. As it happens, the I've taken to studying philosophy. I find the whole subject fascinating!" She really, really does! Her whole face seems to light up even just as she mentions philosophy.
"Please, please no 'Patsy'. It's just Trish now." She laughs brightly. "I'd have to say globetrotting and helping others are the best parts of being a famous actress. It may sound cliche, but I really do enjoy being able to help those less fortunate than I am."
*
"I didn't study much philosophy," Roberto confesses to Trish, shaking his head ruefully. "Only what was required for the general studies section. You know— Descartes, Freud, Voltaire. But that's all you know, Freshman level philosophy mumbo jumbo— nothing really serious. Are you thinking of a new degree?" he inquires of Trish, rolling his half-empty glass around on the lower edge of the stem's base. "Maybe going into teaching, or— just doing it completely for fun?"
*
"Of course. The basics. They're important to know, before you truly loose yourself in the entire subject! 'I think therefore I am' or 'Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar' and 'Common sense is not so common'." Trish shoots off a quote each of the three people that Roberto himself mentioned. "I may get a diploma in it, sure, but I'm not intending to have it for any other reason than just to have it. My main passion is always going to be acting, this is just something I enjoy!"
*
"Muy bueno," Roberto applauds as Trish expresses her expertise so adroitly. "That's muy admirable— I am not sure going back to school is for me. I am a man who prefers to stay on the pulse of society, with my friends and the people I meet," he tells Trish. "School was dreadful. Sitting in class for hours on end, homework, studying, parties with cheap booze and unsophisticated girls— I find I much prefer the reality of the women I meet in New York, or the creme de la creme of upper society."
*
There a little chuckle from Trish. "Cheap booze…I've had to learn to stomach that whether I want to or not. But I don't mind the studying and homework, as long as it doesn't interfere with working on a set." She sips the wine slowly, looking around the room some more.
"You'll definitely find the creme de la creme of upper society here." She still can hardly believe where she is. "And the women here are definitely sophisticated."
*
"Well, one of them currently has all my undivided attention," Roberto says, flashing that brilliant grin at Trish again. His face sobers a bit though. "Truth you are quite lovely, senorita, but I hope your friend Jessica did not make you too uncomfortable— I did not mean for my words to sound crass, merely appreciative of your presence. And… what you were doing for her was very kind. I see she is a tormented soul, and you are doing much to try and raise her spirits."
*
With a knowing glance and a soft smile, Trish shakes her head, seeming a little amused. "You're much too kind, but I who am I to turn down such a compliment?" The mention of Jessica changes her tone for a moment. Sighing she shakes her head. "She's been through a lot lately. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anybody's fault. Not hers, not mine. I hope you weren't hurt by her words at all." She flashes him a little smile again. "I have faith that she'll get better, and I'm going to be there for her as much as I can. She's stubborn, but she's about to learn how stubborn I can be." She grins even wider, taking a sip of her drink.
*
As Trish's expression downturns, Roberto puts his hands atop hers, squeezing her fingers reassuringly. At her smile's return, he grins encouragingly, and applauds her when she declares her intention to continue to help Jessica.
"Brava, brava," he declares, smiling wide. "She is truly lucky to have a friend as fantastic as yourself— one who genuinely takes care of her."
"I have to ask, however— you seemed quite a bit enamoured of that Amazonian girl Liv. Is this perhaps a situacion where, uh… the team you play for…?" he inquires, trailing off meaningfully with a lift of one brow.
"Is of course, fine, you know— Brasil, we are quite progressive country," he hastens to assure her.
*
"I'm the lucky one, really. She's been there for me, for so many years. It's my turn to take up the mantle, so to speak." Trish murmurs softly. When the talk turns to their meeting the other day, she immediately blushes.
"Oh…ummm…well." She clears her throat, taking a sip of her drink. "No. No. That kiss…on the lips…it was completely an accident! I swear!" She says quickly. "I was going to do one of those, you know, European kiss on the cheek things when I accidentally kissed her on the lips. It was quite by accident." She's bright red at this point, blushing deeply.
*
"Ah, I see," Roberto says, eyes dancing and clearly not buying a word of it. "Well, of course these things, you know— they happen to the best of us. You should have seen her face, though, she certainly seemed to appreciate it," he says, grin widening at Trisha's blushing discomfort.
"It's okay. Americans are not so practiced at kissing as their European or Latin cousins, I have found. You'll get the hang of it, I'm sure— and a few drinks into the bar tab is probably a good time to work on it." He waves down a waitress for a refill on their drinks, sliding his empty glass to the edge of the table.
*
"In all fairness, I'd also had a fair bit of whiskey at that point. I can't be held accountable for my actions once I've had a lot whiskey." Trish giggles softly. "I honestly don't usually drink that much either, you should know. Not that I don't drink…obviously." She finishes off her own drink and places the glass beside Roberto's. "I just…oh, I don't even know what I'm trying to say!" She grins and shakes her head. "So, how did you get involved with this place?" She asks, curious.
*
"Someone should write a song about whiskey and inhibitions," Roberto says, wtih an easy laugh. "Is good stuff for thinking upon."
"Well, let me see… my father joined the Club while he was travelling abroad. He made some strong business connections, associates, that sort of thing. It helped build the business up from almost nothing— bootstrapping an economic powerhouse up from nothing in a generation is muy dificil. He made the deals that sold our aluminum in exchange for industrial goods and knowhow. So— now he is in Brasil, and it is my turn to get out and push our name forward."
*
"Maybe we should call up Elvis Presley or Jerry Lee Lewis or someone and get them to make the song!" Trish laughs, nodding in agreement. "I'm sure it would be a great hit!"
Raising an eyebrow, Trish listens intently. "It's almost like a family tradition to join, huh? If it's good for connections, though, than all the more reason to join. It certainly helps to have connections to people that will help to make your job easier." Adjusting the clutch on her lap, she tilts her head. "Maybe having a pretty lady on your arm will help catch the attention of the people who can help you with what you need!" She adds with a giggle.
*
"Well, you seem to have penetrated my ruse," Roberto confesses, an unreptentantly guilty smile on his swarthy features. "My motives here were somewhat ulterior, I must tell you. Of course I wished to help a friend, but— well, I am making a name for myself in the club. Recruiting the famous 'Patsy'," he says, with a sly wink, "is a feather in my cap— and, if that should coalesce into a vision in scarlet and carmine perched on my arm, who can help make this humble miner's son look muy guapo… well, how they say here— 'win win', I think is the term?" he says, laughing easily.
*
"And a very clever ruse it is too, my dear man." Trish grins, giving him a little playful wink. "Though if you'd told me of your plan earlier, I could have come up with a plan of my own to really play you up." She sighs heavily and rolls her eyes for dramatic affect. "But I suppose I'll just have to rely on my acting skills to come up with something. Along with my usual charming personality, and I think this can definitely be a win-win for both of us."
Out of her clutch she pulls out a compact mirror and lipstick. While she applies fresh lipstick, making sure her lips are nice and bright, she lets her gaze gently flow across the room. "Aha!" She says as she pops her lips, making sure the lipstick covers her lips evenly. "If I'm not terribly mistaken," she begins, putting the compact and lipstick back in her clutch, "That man over there is, the one with the crab cakes, is a bigwig at the docks, is he not? I think I've seen him speak at a charity event or two."
*
"See, I knew you would find clever solution," Roberto grins at Trish. Clearly impressed by her poise, he watches her applying her lipstick and readying herself with war paint.
"Hmm? Oh yes, Senor Masterson. Owns Masterson Shipping— owns many of the warehouses around the docks. He is not, how you say…" He watches the man inhaling crabcakes. "The classiest of fellows, but he has some authority and wealth, so— likes to flaunt it. Sometimes even finds young lady who is willing to overlook his lack of charm in exchange for his wealth." He wrinkles his nose. "I prefer money /and/ charm, personally."
*
"Masterson. That's it! Crude man, but just the kind you'd need an in with, yes? In order to make your shipping needs just a little bit easier?" Trish looks him over, nodding. The wheels are already turning in her mind. "You're doing me a favour by getting me into the Hellfire Club as well. The least I could do is help give your business a little push.
Putting on an act, in a low voice, just for her and Roberto for now, she places a hand on her chest, and giggles sotly, "Oh Mister Masterson, you're sooo funny! But of course I would absolutely love to come see your collection of rare art deco paintings. Oh…oh no." She flutters her eyes. "But I, I can't leave my friend. He's so distraught, Mister Masterson. Nobody will listen to his proposal for shipping aluminum from Brazil to New York. It's atrocious! Oh, could you listen to him? Just for a moment? You know the saying, don't you Mister Masterson? A minute of work for an hour of play!"
Trish grins widely. "You think that would work on him?" Her voice rising to a normal speaking tone again. "I think I could really get him to pay attention to you."
*
"Dio mio, it's working on /me/," Roberto admits, laughing easily. He grins wide at Trish, fingers resting against the back of her hand. "That's eerie— positively spellbinding," he tells her, resting his elbow on the tabletop and propping his chin on his palm. "Please promise me you won't ever use that magic on me, senorita, I am sure I would be completely powerless against it— as it stands, your charms are already working quite effectively against me."
*
"What can I say, I've got a gift!" Trish smiles, taking a long sip of her drink. "Eerie? That's one way of putting it." She chuckles, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I don't know if I can make that promise." The hand that rests underneath his turns around and her fingers lightly trace his palm. "But I'll certainly try my best not to."
*
"Clearly," Roberto laughs, shaking his head. His fingertips dance playfully with Trish's, and he reaches for his wine for another sip. "Your discretion is, of course, mucho appreciated. I mean, how would I /know/ if I'm being seduced, si? How does the insane man know he is gone loco?" he inquires, twisting a finger near his temple.
"Still, I will have to trust your good faith that you have not thoroughly bamboozled me, as the men say in this country," he says. A waitress passes by and he flags her down, requesting some of the appetizers being distributed— shrimp cocktail, in this case.
"May I ask a personal question, Trish?" he inquires of the actress. "Your family— you are close to them? How do they feel about a famous actress as a daughter?"
*
"Oh, discretion. Yes. Discretion is very important! Very, very important." Trish sips her wine as she listens, furrowing her brow. "You do make a good point. I suppose you'd have to trust me that I wasn't using my talents against you. Honestly, I've no desire to!" She giggles at the use of 'bamboozled'. "I certainly wouldn't attempt to bamboozle you. Bamboozling is such a tiresome thing, anyway."
"My family…" She chews on her inner cheek for a moment before answering. "Well, it was my mother who got me into acting in the first place. She's always adored the fact that I became famous." She pauses for another sip of her drink. "My father was never really much in the picture. Which is neither here nor there at this point, really. I made peace with that long ago. And Jessica…well." She actually lets out a laugh. "And then there's Jessica. She's a whole story to herself. She's never really seen me as a famous actress. In a way, I appreciate her for it. She doesn't treat me different because I'm famous. We're sisters, and as sisters we're just normal people." Even if they're far from being normal.
*
"I wouldn't know, I am the only child," Roberto says, chuckling. "You two, you're so different, though. She's dark, and raw and— well, admittedly attractive, but in sort of a, ah, 'leave the tiger behind the cage' sort of way," he grins at her.
"But you're tawny and tall, and— you have this presence, it is so pervasive and effortless. Like sunshine next to a shady tree," he grins at the woman.
*
A chuckle emits from Trish. "We're different alright, there's no denying that." The thought actually makes her smile. "But that doesn't matter so much." Or it didn't. "Despite her dark, raw, 'leave the tiger behind the cage' presence, she is a good person. She just hides it, and hides it well. Usually behind plenty of sarcasm and bark that's just as bad as her bite. Still, I've seen the good gleam through."
She looks at Roberto for a long moment before talking again. "It's really too bad you never had a sibling. There's just something about that relationship, something special. You look out for each other, even when others can't." She shrugs and sips her wine. "I know there are other relationships like that but…when it comes to siblings, it's just," she shakes her head. "I can't quite explain it."
*
Roberto smiles, a little wistfully. "Ah… c'est la vie, like the French say," he shrugs at Trish, envying her connection with Jessica— one so strong it can even sustain Jessica's obvious ire that's provoked at the drop of a hat.
"You are a good sister, I think," he tells Trish. "I can see she must be difficult person to get along with. I am sure I was quite pushing my luck flirting with her," he grins, "but as you see, I am the sort who enjoys living a bit dangerously. It gives life a little spice, si?" he grins at her. "Being a single child is nice, however— mama and mi padre doted on me, I wanted for nothing, and had to share nothing with anyone. Was nice to hear horror stories from classmates about their terrible siblings, and know I did not have to go home to it."
*
"I'm no more the sister than she deserves." Trish tries to explain. "She's been there for me through thick and thin, only fair that I do the same. After all, what are sisters for?" She laughs. "I don't think you quite know how much you pushed your luck flirting with her. She's not someone you want to get on the bad side of." Unles your name happens to be Trish Walker, apparently.
"I suppose having your parents to yourself is an upside." She agrees with a nod. "And having loving parents all to yourself is nothing to complain about. You're certainly a lucky man!" She grins and raises her glass in a salute, as she then takes a small gulp of her wine.
*
"Well, worst case, they say he died doing what he loved," Roberto grins at Trish. He returns her toast. "Salud!" and clinks glass against hers, then throws a gulp back. His hand lands on Trish's once more, finding her fingertips again and playing with them. "Of the sisters, however, I must say I much prefer flirting with you!" he tells her. "Cold and dangerous is a fun challenge de vez in cuando, but sunny and charming is infinitely more fun over the long term. Living dangerously is not a wise long-term life goal ,you know, the odds eventually and always come up against you. Old saying in Brazil, if there's a one in a hundred chance of the bridge crossing, you're safe to take a shortcut home, but is not wise to cross it every day, si?"
*
"Well, I could tell from the start that Jessica really wasn't your type." Trish states, in no uncertain terms. "Believe me. Take her to a place like this? She sticks out like a sore thumb." It's the truth of the matter, really. Trish doesn't try to sugar coat it. "Being in the spotlight like I have, I've had to learn how to act in places like this, amongst the wealthy and the elite. I am one of the wealthy. Which feels strange to say, even if it's true. Regardless, I'm expected to show up at high society events, galas and balls, charity gatherings, and put on a bright and happy face. That was never expected of her. Who knows," She says with a shrug. "If I hadn't been an actress, I may have turned out more like her!"
*
"Ah, I doubt that. You have that certain something, you know?" he tells Trish, grinning at her. "It's effervescent. Energy, si? You put a part of yourself out there, but Jessica, she holds it in."
He glances around, realizing the Club's finally starting to peter out as people retire to the backrooms or head back to their high-end homes. "Ahh, seems closing time is upon us," he grins at Trish. "I suppose the gentlemanly thing to do would be to escort you to the cab and see you safely on your way home. However, I do hope you'll consider joining the Club in a more formal capacity? And I can see you, again, socially?"
*
"Oh, but I'm sure you'd be surprised to find that I wasn't so outgoing." Trish winks at Roberto, smiling coyly. Her eyes flit about the room, noticing the quieting down of the room as he mentions it. "Ah, yes I suppose it's time to call it a night." She agrees. "I'd certainly like to join. And…" She pauses to consider Roberto again. "I suppose we could see each other again. Perhaps. But for tonight, I've got a car service I can call that will take me home."
*