Tales of the Lightning Strike Federation (Just 4 Fun) LST2022 (non writer)

Another year may have passed, but time appears to have stood still inside the Casino. Everyone wearing the same uniforms, same water downed drinks and same old stench of cigarette smoke from a still smouldering butt in the ashtray. Somehow this place is still staffed by 96% of the ones that I remember from 10 years ago. It always reminded me of the old rock tune by the Eagles called Hotel California... "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

While taking the elevator up to the room, my brain started calculating the whole scenario, as I'm sure someone had to grease somebody's hands to have the finale games held here. Heck with this fiasco being televised to every worldwide gambling outlet, this stink-hole was due to rack up quite a tidy profit. And since four years ago when they lowered the law for gambling and drinking to 18 years of age, well, let's just say that these events have never been the same. It's like Spring Break on steroids.

And of course I'm booked near the top floor which is notorious when the winds kick up, you'd swear the whole floor slides several inches. Walking in the room was equally as exciting as the Casino downstairs, the smell of old cigarette smoke lingering on the walls and an overpowering smell of bleach coming from the bathroom. Tried to crack open the window but they have a metal-bar welded to the base so it can only open up to about two inches. I began unpacking my suitcases and hung up my costume to air out.

Looking for loose singed threads or patches was always a necessary chore, as the public always has a preconceived idea of who we are and how we look. And the Lightning Strike Federation takes matter's of any type of publicity of their clients very seriously. They always tell us "it's for your own good" and "don't you want to set a good example?" Which of course is the biggest pile of wall sticking fecal matter because it's really about their profit-line, investors, the 'branding' and merchandising of 'us'. Yet were the ones that are risking our lives so 'Joe Blow' can legally bet on whether or not some contestant may or may not lose their life playing these high-voltage games.

There's a knock at the door. "Yeau, what do you want?"

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but I was told to inform you that your scheduled to compete in 30 minutes."

"Ok thanks, I'll be down soon."

It always took about 3 or 4 minutes to climb into the suit, "but you know what" as he thinks out loud, "It not only still fit's like a glove but I have to admit, I still look pretty dang good in this old thing. The only thing I still hate is that swish-swish sound my pants make when I walk. But life is full of disappointments and this one's been on the list for years."

Closing the door he makes his way to the Elevator, but because the hall-way is empty, all he can hear is himself and that ever incessant sound... 'swish-swish - - swish-swish'. He knew once he got to the casino that the ambient noise would drown it out.

The doors of the elevator are beginning to close and he has to start running if he's going to make it and being his room was on the 44th floor, he certainly didn't want to wait for another elevator as it was the only one for his floor.

Swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish - - swish-swish. And he just makes it putting his hand in between the closing doors to reopen them again. He steps inside, presses the 'lobby' button, turns around just in time to see a Seagull soaring by.

Leaning towards one of the glass windows gave a pretty good view of the mountains and surrounding areas. There was a bit of a jolt as the Elevator started down the shaft to the 'lobby' level.

A large explosive snap and the cabin was now free-falling without any brakes being engaged. He was experiencing weightlessness which was amazing to him. He knew that he was going to be nothing more than an added promotion immortalizing his death that happened in an elevator rather than in front of an audience. Even in death they were going to make money off of him.

T H U D ..!

Lights suddenly come on and my wife looks at me oddly and asks, "Honey, are you alright? You were thrashing all about then fell off the bed. If nothing's broken, then climb back into bed, I'm cold"


THE END

Johnny you really are a good story teller

a reply to: JohnnyAnonymous

An exciting read. Someone thought they left the U.S. for international destinations where the legal drinking age is 18. ha