“And you're certain this will be enough rhinestones, Miss Rarity?” asked Gladmane, the portly owner of the Thoroughbets Hotel and Casino. He looked at himself in the full length mirror and slid his thumbs behind the rhinestone studded lapels of his jacket.
Behind him, Rarity gave a confident smile. “When it comes to rhinestones and sequins, Mr. Gladmane, I've found that less is more. Too many and the whole ensemble just looks tacky. Like one is a living disco ball.”
Gladmane chuckled. “I'm quite partial to disco balls, myself.” He straightened his jacket, smiling at the way the rhinestones caught the light of his office. “But, I must admit, you do seem to have a point.”
“Never underestimate my sense of couture,” Rarity replied with a smile. “A full rhinestone jacket would overwhelm your ensemble. But, keep them exclusively on the lapels, and voila! A perfect complement to that lovely tie clasp of yours.”
“Oh, this old thing?” Gladmane chuckled, idly rubbing the large sapphire that made up the bulk of his bolo tie. “Been in the family for years. It was my Mama's favorite brooch, but once she passed, I had it made into this. My way of keeping a little piece of her around, y'see?”
“Well, that's delightful,” Rarity cooed. “And I take it you're satisfied with the jacket?”
“Absolutely, ma'am.” Gladmane turned from the mirror so he could face Rarity directly. “Couldn't be happier with the result.”
“Wonderful!” Rarity pulled out her phone and began making notes. “Now, you said you wanted the same done for a few other jackets?”
“Yes, I have half a dozen I wear to the office and out and about the hotel. Can you do the same for them?”
“Easily. Would you like the stones to be all the same color, or...?”
“Well, if it wouldn't be too much trouble --”
The conversation was interrupted when the double office doors exploded open with a loud “bang!” A very angry man stormed into the office, with Gladmane's harried secretary hurrying after him.
“I'm so sorry, Mr. Gladmane!” she began. “He just rushed right past me!”
“You chisler!” the man yelled, storming up to Gladmane and leaning into his face. “Five hundred dollars a day for a room with no hot water, barely any housekeeping, and the less said about room service, the better! Where do you get off charging this much for such shoddy service?!”
Gladmane smiled broadly and turned to Rarty. “Please excuse me for just a moment, Ms. Rarity. I do so hate to see any of my friends upset.”
“'Friends?'” the man snorted. “You're no friend of mine! I'm one of your customers, dammit!”
“Oh, but you're wrong,” said Gladmane smoothly, putting an arm around the man's shoulders. “All the people who visit my resort are my friends. And it just pains me to know when one of my friends are unhappy.”
He turned the two of them away from Rarity and rubbed his thumb over the gem in his tie. It began glowing with a soft blue light. The man glanced down at the gem and immediately stared blankly at it. Gladmane's smile broadened and he leaned in close.
“But you're not unhappy anymore, are you, friend?” he asked.
“No,” said the man with a faraway expression.
“I'm so glad. Now, I'm gonna comp you for your stay so far, but after that, you won't have anything to say about your stay except what a wonderful time you had and how this is the best resort you've ever visited, won't you?”
“Yes.”
“And you'll give us a glowing review on Screech and tell all your friends that this is THE place to stay when visiting Las Pegasus, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good!” Gladmane pulled back from the man, who blinked and fell out of his trance. “I'm glad we could work it all out! Now, if you'll excuse me, I was in the middle of a meeting when you showed up. I hope everything is to your satisfaction now?”
The man blinked a few times then nodded. “Um... yes. Yeah, I think that's everything. Thank you?”
“You're quite welcome.” Gladmane took the man's hand and shook it warmly. “I'll even throw in a free meal in the restaurant tonight for you and your wife. Sound good...friend?”
“Wow. Thanks!” said the man, a smile crossing his face. “I'm gonna tell everybody they should stay here. Sorry to just barge in here like that.”
“Don't worry about it,” Gladmane said, guiding the man to the office doors. “We all go off the handle every now and then, especially when it seems our vacations aren't going right.”
“Yeah, I suppose so. Well, thanks again!” The man opened the door and stepped out.
“Anytime, friend!” Gladmane shut the door and turned back to Rarity. “I'm so sorry about that. Where were we?”
“Actually,” said Rarity, glancing down at her watch. “I just remembered I have a late lunch appointment. We were almost finished, so if you like, you can email me your thoughts on the color of the rhinestones for your jackets and I'll send you an final estimate. Would that be all right?”
“That would be fine. I'll have it to you by the end of the day. And may I say, it's been a delight doing business with you.” Gladmane took Rarity's hand an gently kissed the back of it.
“Oooh, likewise, Mr. Gladmane,” Rarity trilled. She picked up her jacket from the chair and slipped it on. “I'll also send you the bill for this jacket as well.”
She allowed the resort owner to escort her to the office door. He grinned at her again.
“Well, I hope to see you again soon. Are you staying in Las Pegasus long?”
Rarity gave him a flirtatious grin. “I was planning on staying through the end of the week, but the city's grown on me. I think I'll be extending my stay for a while.”
“Wonderful,” Gladmane's grin widened. “Would you allow me to treat you to dinner sometime? Say, tomorrow night?”
Rarity let out a delicate laugh. “You are a caution, Mr. Gladmane. But as it happens, my schedule is free. Shall we meet in the bar downstairs tomorrow night, say 7:30?”
“I'll be there with bells on.”
“Until then!” Rarity waved a hand and left the office. She made her goodbye to Gladmane's assistant and made her way to the elevators. Once she was inside and heading down, her expression hardened and she pulled out her phone to make a call.
“Sunset? It's Rarity. No, no, nothing like that. This is something important.”
Rarity took a deep breath as she remembered seeing the blue glow right before the upset hotel guest had abruptly changed his mind about the resort.
“I think I've found one.”
