Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Masquerade

     Right before the disaster which occurred at the dig site, Justin Church felt like he was on to something involving Stan Winston. He didn't know why, but there was a strong feeling in his gut which told him something was very strange, especially with the way Stan had reacted to hearing about that young man's death on the news. He was also distraught with the idea that everyone seemed to believe the man's camera had been damaged in the fall when it was clear enough such a fall could not inflict that amount of damage.

     Determined to find out for himself, he stopped by the coroner's office and asked if he could take the camera. He explained his reasoning and also mentioned that he would try to take it apart to retrieve the film inside if he could. Adhering to his request, the coroner granted him permission to take the camera, but asked that he share his findings after he was finished.

     "You don't think his death was an accident do you? the coroner asked Justin.
Justin shook his head. "No I don't", he replied. -"That makes two of us", the coroner said.
"Wait, what?" Justin said in an alert voice. "When I examined the body, I noticed something strange", the coroner began to explain. "There was bruising all around the neck area, as if he were grabbed by the throat". -"I see", Justin said. "But you know the strange part? he continued. "No traces of finger or hand prints, and no record of DNA at all". "Wow", Justin exclaimed in shock. "That certainly is bizarre".
suddenly the coroner's eyes shifted down to the body covered in the lying on the examining table. "Would you like to see for yourself?" he asked.

     Justin looked down at the body and shook his head. "No, it's alright", he said. "I really must be going", he said as he started leaving.

     As William left Brian's apartment building, he met Stan at the end of the stairs. He had been waiting for him patiently and even cracked a smile as he saw him approaching. "You look happy", William mentioned. "What's the occasion?" -"Just glad to see a familiar face", Stan replied. "You on the other hand don't look so hot". William shrugged. "I was just the bearer of bad news", he said.
"I feel bad for having to threaten Brian like that, but I had no other choice". Stan rolled his eyes at the very sound of Brian's name. "He needs to grow up", Stan said sternly. "Joining the army would do him some good". William gave him an odd look. "You used to tell me it was his choice", he said. "Why the sudden change?" Stan looked back at him with a bit of a smirk. "I don't like the kid", he admitted.
"And I find your feeling sorry for him a tad bothersome." -"Sorry you feel that way", William sighed.
"You've also changed", Stan added. "You used to be strong and independent, but ever since you met that kid you've become weak". "Weak?" William exclaimed in frustration. "Stan, what are you implying?"

     Stan didn't answer him. "If you mean weak as in caring, then I guess I have become weak, but you know what? You really have no room to talk". -"And why is that?" Stan asked him.
"You're becoming more of an ass hole every day", William snapped. "I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but you never used to be this hostile". -"Perhaps it is because I am not blind to the obvious", Stan answered. "I see the kid for what he really is, an attention seeker and you've fallen for it. Face it, you're just a shoulder to cry on to him". William let out a deep sigh of anger and started walking off, without bothering to look back. Stan smirked, and out the corner of his eye, he noticed Brian peering down at him from his apartment window. He looked back up at him with a glare full of hatred, his green eyes glowing bright, as they lit up his face.

     Seeing this caused Brian to freak out, so he pulled the blinds down quickly and turned away.
"What the hell?" he thought. Deep inside he had a feeling something was not right with Stan, and for that brief moment, he thought he saw it for himself. What seemed to bother Brian the most was the look Stan had given him, it was almost as if he were mocking him and trying to show Brian what he really was. Well he gathered up enough courage to look out his window once more, but this time Stan was no longer there. "He's gone", Brian said to himself. "But now I have a feeling that face is going to haunt me forever, and to make things worse, tomorrow I have an even bigger fear to face".

--The Big Apple Hotel Ballroom--

     Every year the charity ball is held at the Big Apple Hotel, and all of the snobs and celebrities of Atlantis City come together and make donations for various causes and brag about their lives.
In the previous years of her stardom, Victoria Thompson was also a part of this event, but this year she felt as if she didn't belong here, in fact she rather felt out of place. She sat on one of the benches in the far back of the room, smoking and watching the others around her. Watching them reminded her of the old days of being a stuck up braggart, where having more money than someone else meant you were a god or goddess in the eyes of the lower class citizens. She also noticed Maxwell who seemed to be sucking up to the others, as if begging to be noticed; just being his own pathetic self.

     He noticed her just sitting there with a bored look on her face, and tried to coax her into mingling with everyone else. "Isn't this just swell?" He boasted. She rolled her eyes at him and continued playing with her cigarette holder. "A real humdinger", she remarked in a sarcastic tone. I'll be glad when it's over". -"Now, now my dear, this only happens once a year, so try to make the most of it", he replied. "The only fun I'm having is showing off my new dress", she said as she stood up and began admiring herself in her new red velvet attire. "It's a very lovely dress", Maxwell commented. "So why not show it off to the world?" She looked at him again. "These people don't make up the world", she remarked. "I wish you'd stop seeing it that way".

     "Well the important people, anyway", Maxwell corrected her. "No one cares about the lower class lollygaggers or the AMF". She made a disgusted face at him and looked away. "Maybe I do, alright? she said.
"You're thinking about him again, aren't you? Maxwell asked her. "You really have fallen for him, I don't believe it, how could you be this foolish?" She remained quiet and continued to ignore his words.
"What will the others say though?" he continued. "There will be much gossip if the others see you with that soldier, and you know it!". She let out a low disgruntled sigh and continued thinking to herself.
"Your reputation would be tarnished", he continued. -"I don't care", she finally snapped. "They can say whatever they want, my career has been over for a long time, so none of that even matters anymore". "It was over before it even started", Maxwell mumbled as he walked off. She heard him, but decided it just wasn't worth getting into, so she just continued sitting there all by herself.

     Meanwhile, William had been standing right outside the hotel building, but he was hesitant to walk through the doors. He had finally gathered up enough courage to come and tell Victoria how he felt, but only because he knew he'd be seeing a lot of less of her now that he had taken on a bigger responsibility. So this would be his only chance to say something, and probably the last time he'd even see her face for a while. He knew well enough she was in that ballroom with a bunch of snobs who would look down on him, as soon as he made an entrance, or better yet Maxwell would probably have him thrown out.

     He paced back and forth, mumbling to himself and then finally came to a halt as he reached for the door handle. "Just go in there", he said to himself. "It's now or never, don't let that ass hole or the other snobs stand in your way". Following his own advice he opened the door and walked in. There was a long hall he had to take in order to get to the ballroom, so he wasn't victorious just yet.

     As he pushed the doors open and walked in, most of the people didn't notice he was there, which gave him a bit of relief, until he recognized Maxwell standing beside one of the auction tables with Vicky. She didn't appear to be happy to be there in the first place, and just kinda stood there in a slump. William had hoped that she would notice him, but instead she seemed too busy looking the other way. Maxwell on the other hand, did indeed notice him but continued to act as if he weren't there. "Miss Thompson", William called out to her. At first she didn't hear him, and Maxwell took the opportunity to make a taunting face at him. "Why you son of a bitch", William said under his breath, and then without wasting anymore time, he walked right over there and tapped her on the shoulder.

     "I need to talk to you now", he said. Maxwell rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "What are you doing here? she exclaimed. "And what is it you need to tell me?" -"Not here", William replied. "Not in front of him", he looked right at Maxwell. "Oh, don't flatter yourself fly boy", Maxwell scoffed. "I believe I already know". "Horsefeathers", Vicky snapped. "Let him be the one to tell me, you just stay out of it". William started walking outside where he took a seat on one of the benches, waiting for her to come out after him. Just as she started heading that way, she caught sight of one of the items on the table. It was one of the many donations she was giving away, an antique brooch which used to hold a portrait of her mother, now replaced with one of herself from a few years back.

     She grabbed it quickly and headed out the doors, closing them behind her to give them some privacy. William looked up as she walked towards him, and took a seat on the bench. She was uncertain as what to say to him, and he was quiet as well, but with an expression of sorrow on his face.

"I'm glad we're finally alone", he spoke. "Didn't feel too comfortable with all those people looking at me". She looked at him and nodded slowly. "You know? Sometimes I feel like beating myself up over not doing this sooner", he continued.
She had a sympathetic look in her eyes as she gazed at him and listened to his words. "Miss Thompson", he said as he looked away. "Those roses were from me, I was your secret admirer". She felt her heart racing in her chest, somehow she always knew it was him, but didn't know if admitting would be the right thing to do. "I hid behind that title, because I was too afraid to tell you how I felt", he explained. "Afraid of you thinking I was just an obsessed fan, and nothing more, but when I watched your films and saw you in public, I couldn't help but notice you weren't like the others".

     She continued listening as he talked, both scared and bewildered at what he was telling her.
He suddenly looked over and saw the look in her eyes. "I know", he shook his head. "I shouldn't of said anything". -"No", she spoke up. "I'm glad you were brave enough to admit such a thing", she said. "Myself on the other hand, well I just wouldn't have the guts to". He continued looking at her with a caring expression. "I really do love you, Miss Thompson", he said. "Sure I've looked at other women, but never in the same way I look at you". Victoria couldn't help but feel as if he had won her over with these words, but for some reason she held herself back. Deep inside she wanted to wrap her arms around him, but she just felt too scared. Never in her life had she felt this way, even in her movies she portrayed a woman who would fall in love for the first time, but that was only make believe. This was real, and for the first time in her life, she was actually afraid.

     "Why are you being so silent?" he suddenly asked her. "I didn't offend you, did I?"
-"Oh no", she replied quickly. "I'm just, thinking". He reached out and placed his hand over hers. "How do you feel about me?" he asked. She looked into his eyes, fearful that any moment Maxwell would come looking for her and ruin the moment. "I don't know how I feel", she answered. "I've never really been in love before". -"Then you don't feel the same?" he frowned. She suddenly felt even worse seeing that she had upset him, and could no longer keep her true feelings bottled up inside. "I do feel the same", she blurted out. "I'm just scared, that's all".
-"Someone once told me", he started to say. "There's no in between...... it's either love or fear. Now you need to ask yourself this, what is it going to be, Miss Thompson? Love or fear?".

     "Love", she answered. "I don't want to live in fear, and I don't want to let you slip away".
-"Well you won't be seeing much of me for a while", he told her. "I've been put in charge of training our new recruits, and so I'll have less time to myself which means less time to see you". She looked down at the brooch in her hands, and then back at him. "Maybe not", she told him as she reached over and placed it in his. "Now you can see me whenever you want", she smiled. He looked down at the brooch and admired the portrait of her. "Thank you", he said. "I'll wear it around my neck for luck, and always keep it close to my heart". -"You really know how to win a girl's heart don't you?" she joked.
"So which Casanova films have you been taking lessons from?" He chuckled a bit too. "None if you can believe that, I guess being a romantic just runs in my family". -"You're just too adorable for words", she smiled as she leaned forward to kiss him.

     Right at that moment, Maxwell popped his head out the doors and saw them. "Miss Thompson", he shouted in an outraged voice. Both she and William sighed in disgust and looked back at him. "They are starting the auctions", Maxwell continued. "You'd better get in here and take your seat". She let out another sigh and looked over at William. He seemed disappointed as well, but he was used to it by now. "I'm sorry, sweetie", she apologized. "But I've got some business to take care of, I hope you don't mind?" William stood up and brushed himself off. "Not at all", he said as he glared at Maxwell. "I understand perfectly". -"I'll come see you later, if you'd like", she offered.

     "No, it's fine", William replied. "Besides, I'm sure Mr. Stuffed Shirt here wouldn't allow that".
"Forget him", she exclaimed as she stood up. "I'll meet you at the airbase gates after the auction has ended, alright?" William just kind of shrugged in response. "I guess", he said. "It should only last an hour", she told him. "After that, I'll grab my coat and head that way. But first, I need to know..... will you be there?" He nodded, though he was unsure if she would keep her word or not. "Well, I came and said what I needed to", he told her. "Now, I've got to report back to base, I've got a lot of work ahead of me". Maxwell scoffed at him. "That, I'm sure of", he remarked. William suddenly paused for a moment and looked at him. "You know", William began. "Is it just me, or do you always seem to have a stick up your ass?"

     
     Victoria's eyes grew wide and she couldn't help but laugh. Maxwell sneered at them both. "Say what you will, fly boy", he said. "But I won't be the one facing these aliens in battle, if ,and when that day shall come. Just think ,while you're facing defeat and begging for mercy, I'll be safe and sound in the city with all the other important people". William gritted his teeth and clenched his fist tightly as he stepped forward. Maxwell seemed amused by this and continued to egg him on. "Well look at this now, it seems as though you're prepared to hit me?. Go on, go right ahead, I'll just have you reported for assault and battery". Victoria sighed and decided to step in. "He's not worth it, William", she said. "He would only use it against you, just let it go, sweetie". William took a deep breath and then lunged forward, and grabbed Maxwell by the shirt collar. Victoria shrieked and moved away. "This isn't over", William growled as he threw Maxwell back against the door, and then took off.

     Maxwell got up and brushed himself off, and then gave Victoria a cold stern look. "He touched me", he exclaimed in outrage. "That bloody bastard touched me". -"He didn't hit you", she said.
"Still bloody touched me". Maxwell continued to ramble. "And I'm not about to let it slide either".
Victoria gasped. "You wouldn't", she exclaimed in panic. Maxwell smirked. "I would, and I am", he said. "Your lover boy is going to pay for this, I'll make sure of that". Angered she shook her fist at him. "It will be your word against mine", she informed him. "Don't count on that, my dear", he grinned, and then suddenly realized the auction had started. "Well shit", he yelled. "It's started without us, we'd better get back inside".

     -"Go by yourself", Victoria snapped. "I'm going to see William". Maxwell couldn't believe his ears. "You're going to tarnish what reputation you've got left, for this young man?"
-"Screw my reputation", she said. "I'm tired of living a life of make believe, I'm going to start doing what I want from now on".

     --AMF Lab Center--

     Justin had walked through the lab doors, carrying a strange object in his hands, and Lynne Williams quickly took notice of it. She had been sitting at one of the computers, inputting data from her memory of the dig site findings, but was more interested in what the young corporal was up to. "What in the world is that?" she asked, while eyeing the object. "This used to be a camera, if you can believe that", he replied. "A Camera?" she exclaimed in shock. "Looks like someone took a bat to the poor thing".
"Or something crushed it", he added. "It belonged to that one photographer that fell to his death".
-"Interesting", Lynne nodded as she got up from her desk to come have a better look. "So now why do you have it?"

     "I want to see if the film can be retrieved some how", he explained. "I can't really explain it, but I just have a feeling in my gut that there's something on here that someone was trying to hide".
Justin began fiddling with the camera, trying to find the opening on the back. "I just believe if I can find the proof, then I'll know for sure wether the kid's death was an accident or not". -"Well good luck trying to take that thing apart", Lynne chuckled. "It looks like it's spent some time in the compacter".

-"Yeah, it's not going to be easy, but I at least want to give it a try", he said. "Well I salute you", she said. "Just promise me this experiment isn't going to cause an explosion like your last one. You did a pretty good number on that wall", she commented while looking at the back of the room where a huge hole used to be. Justin laughed and shook his head. "Not this time, officer", he said. "No mixing of dangerous chemicals involved this time!" -"Well that's a relief", she said as she headed back over to the desk. Justin had noticed she seemed to be under a lot of stress, but trying to cover it up by burying herself in her work. He didn't make any mention of it, in fear of setting her off so he just decided to keep to himself for now.

     Needless to say that didn't last very long. "Are we starting the recruiting tomorrow?" he asked. He looked over and saw her nod in response. "Yes, we are".
-"Oh", he said. "Well in that case, is there anything I could do?" She stopped typing and looked over at him. "You could help corporal Sterling and I", she said. "We're going to be in charge of the recruiting and training, so if you like, you could help with the test management".
Justin thought for a moment while scratching his chin. "Which tests would that be?" he asked. "The written or simulation?" -"Both", she answered. Justin shrugged his shoulders. "I think I could manage", he said.
He was suddenly frustrated with the camera and slammed it down hard. "What a piece of shit", he exclaimed in outrage. Lynne looked up from her desk , and gave him a stern look. "Pardon my language", he apologized. "But it just now dawned on me, that I'm going to have my hands full trying to figure this out".

     He groaned as he set it down on the table, and right as he did part of the back popped off and slid across the surface. "Now we're getting somewhere", he said to himself as he picked up the piece and examined it.
It was hard to make out at first, but within the next few seconds he recognized it as being the back cover. "Well, I found the back", he joked. Lynne didn't pay any attention, just kind of nodded. "Hmm", she uttered. He turned the camera over and noticed the roll of film inside, only it was damaged as well.
"Just my luck". he rolled his eyes.