Chapter 5

Just as Frank was finishing his bourbon and about to order his second, Thomas,now dressed as a Waiter arrives at the Senator's banquet. Presenting himself to security guards who directed him to the kitchen to await further instructions.Standing among other waiters. All dressed alike. Pots and pans clattered as steam erupted from beneath rattling lids. Odors of seasoned proportions ' nostrils. And for a moment he had forgotten the mission. And his name.

"Max Pecks?!" A loud voice calls out his name.

"Yes Sir! Here!" Thomas responds, soon remembering his name."Over here!" The voice barks the order.A Head Waiter, short and stout stood before him. His monkey suit straining at the buttons.

"You'll be serving tables ten to fifteen. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir." Thomas responds sharply and confidently.

"I like your attitude son... You'll do well here if you do as you're told."

"Thank you Sir!" Barks back Thomas.

"Get your butt out to the tables and start serving drinks... You've been assigned Senator Luxon's table... Don't fuck it up! Understood?"

The Head Waiter glared at Thomas."No Sir... Yes Sir!" Unsure of which.

"Get out of my sight!" The Head Waiter barks.

Thomas hurries through the folding doors and onto the banquet floor. A disparity to the chaos and clatter of the kitchen. Taken back by the orderly setting and inaudible voices engaged in conversation. Thomas goes in search of his assigned tables.

Ten to fifteen he says to himself. A trolley of bottles is suddenly thrust in front of him and he is instructed to seek out parched dignitaries in need of rehydration. Silence fell over the room of muffled voices as elaborate speeches of fine words would be caked upon those present. Soon to be followed by fine cuisine. Luxon was attending the dinner alone.

His wife choosing not to make a public appearance, in light of the growing scandal. The Senator on the other hand had no choice.Giving a stirring speech on a proposed Privacy Bill. Empowering the Government with greater surveillance abilities. Weeding out terrorists and the undesirables that threatened the Nation's security. More so the undesirables.Terrorists on the other hand were good for business and an essential cog in the nation's war economy.

A terrorist would never bring down a Government. But an undesirable could. Any indictment of his illicit affair with a woman old enough to be his daughter were expunged by the rousing ovation.Up until then Thomas had only ever seen the Senator in the papers. Now Thomas was able to observe him in the flesh, he was more three dimensional.Loud, overweight, and abhorrent. Spouting political rhetoric to please those that feathered his nest. A worst, he was a narcissist. At best, a buffoon. Having charmed and bullied his way up the political ranks to the upmost level of incompetency.

Short of being President. And that position was already taken.Thomas could find no likeable quality to the man. Setting aside his personal appraisal, Thomas went about clearing tables of dishes. Then headed back to the kitchen with a full trolley load of plates and cutlery."Well done Max." The Head Waiter commends Thomas.

"Take a break before your next shift."

"Thank you Sir." Heading to the alley way outside, he lit a cigarette.He had been meaning to quit, but working for Smith had it was almost impossible. Security staff stood about in dark suits, white shirts and dark glasses looking bored. Ear pieces giving their identities away. Periodically talking into their sleeves. Ensuring no one got in that should not. But it was all a little too late. Smith had created a crack for Thomas to creep through. Taking in the last draw of his cigarette Thomas stubs the butt out on the frozen ground and walks back inside.

It was time.10:00PM Thomas pushes a trolley down a long hallway. Stolid security men guard the elevator doors. Inspecting security passes and people alike. Thomas is stopped and searched. Waving a metal detector wand over him they find nothing other than his car keys and loose change. They allow him through. A trolley wheel squeaks periodically as it rocks side to side, rattling a silver coffee pot and white ceramic cups. Thomas eyes the room numbers trying to find 1021."1023... 1022... 1021... Gotcha." Thomas halts the trolley and adjusts his jacket.

And confirms the room number. Knocking three short taps on the door.And waits.Moments later the door opens and the Senator appears standing in a white bath robe. Transformed from the black tuxedo. Bare white feet in place of polished black shoes.

"Come in... Come in man... Don't just stand there!" Luxon bellows abruptly looking up and down the hall way.Thomas hears a voice coming from the bathroom. His wife perhaps. But the woman sounds somewhat too young. Then a giggling scantily dressed woman appears. Too young to be anything but call-girl.

"Put some clothes on!" Luxon quickly suggests.

"We have a visitor... Put it over there young man." Luxon directs Thomas with the trolley.

"Yes sir." Thomas replies quietly pushing the trolley with the squeaky wheel towards the center of the room. Luxon follows the young lady into the bedroom.More giggles could be heard followed by what sounded like a distorted neigh. With the stallion pre occupied with the filly, it was the opportunity Thomas was looking for. Pouring a cup of black coffee, discreetly drops the two tablets into it. Watching them dissolve.Thomas stood quietly beside the trolley and waited for the Senator to return.The giggling stopped and Luxon reappeared, his robe more ruffled and open than before.

"Ah_ thank you young man."

"It is my pleasure. Was there anything else you required?"

"No. That will be all for now." Saids Luxon as he takes a hearty sip of the black elixir of death.Feeling it seep into his veins. Rejuvenating life into him. And reclined himself allowing large soft couch it to engulf him.

"Thank you Sir." Thomas calmly walks from the room taking the squeaky trolley with him.The door closes behind him. His task was complete. It was time to leave. No doubt it would be when the young filly has mounted by the aging stallion.Pushing the trolley with its squeaky wheel Thomas returned to the kitchen and walked calmly out the back door without looking back. The guards paid him no attention. Waving down a cab departed the scene and headed downtown to an Irish bar he had come across during the day, O'Malley's. Where he could plan his escape.The young filly trots seductively from the bed room, opening her robe as if totease the Senator further. As the Senator watched on eagerly. Anticipatinggetting his hands on the youthful creature teasing him.

Her robe falls away and she knells between the Senator's legs. Pulling them apart. Stirring his man hoodand quickening his pulse. Feeling the warmth and wetness of her mouth massaging him. The Senator groans deeply and the filly momentarily looks up.Then resumes the resuscitation between the Senator's loins.Hearing more groans and rapid breathing by the Senator. His hands reach down to grip the woman's head. Forcing it up and down. Or away. The woman is consumed with lust.

The Senator is consumed with death. Clutching his chest he moans painfully. Eyes rolling in his head. The woman looks up and is pleased with her performance. Leaving him naked and limp to enjoy the apparent orgasm before taking herself to the shower."See you soon big boy." Said the filly wiping her mouth.It had not taken long for the news channels to pick up on the emergency unfolding at the Senator's hotel. Overhead television screens showed an ambulance taking a body bag through a hotel foyer. And a distraught young lady in a white bath robe being consoled by detectives trying to question her.

It was being reported as an apparent heart attack put down to stress. His wife was not available for comment. Smith would be pleased, thought Thomas. Another one chalked up to the good guys. The crowd watching the breaking news soon dispersed once the game came back on.Thomas sipped on the Pina-Colada savoring its fruity flavor. Sucking on themaraschino cherry as though it were a lollie-pop.

He thought he would celebrate the anniversary of his recruitment with a night on the town. Making the most of his time in town before heading back to Flint. A place that few people visited and even fewer stayed.Thomas had sold his soul to the Devil. Or in this case Smith. The first kill was the hardest. They always were. Nonetheless, he pulled the trigger on the unknown stranger. A spy Smith had told him. Selling secrets to the communists.Smith had arranged it all. The place, the time and weapon. All Thomas had to do was show up at the prescribed time, point and shoot. Then walk calmly away.The thought that he was acting in the nation's interest, made the killing a little easier. Smith's private number ensured it was always one way. Just as Black always called Smith. Always down the chain of command. And never up."Another thanks," Thomas catches the barman's attention.Sliding a twenty for his troubles. Thomas sat back and scanned the bar.Attractive young ladies for the picking he thought. He had money to burn, so why not enjoy it. Catching the eye of an attractive brunette walking pass."Well_ hello_... Can I buy you a drink?... Champagne perhaps?" Throwing out an opening lines.