Can't Help Myself [Roxie Bell]

[Scott McCall]

There was still a cloud of guilt hanging over Scott for that day in the park. Scott should have taken more care when Albert kidnapped Sophie to spend the afternoon with him. He was a public figure and a part of him wished he'd been upfront about being the mayor before photographers started snapping pictures of them. It had been rather unfair to their new friend to be so publicly with him.

Not to mention the press were having a field day with it. It hadn't even been a year since Elle's death and they were speculating on the mysterious blond who'd been seen out with Scott and his son. Brad was doing his best to quell the attention, though with little success. It seemed to be a hot topic, the now single Mayor's love life (or lack thereof). As with anything Scott did, it was met with both an outcry of support or derision. Some were trying to figure out who the girl was, how long they'd been seeing each other, and just how she felt taking on a family being so much younger than the Mayor.

How could she compare to Elle? How could this girl replace the mayor's wife who'd been a beacon of intelligence, femininity, motherhood, and charity in Las Vegas all through Scott's service to the city until her untimely death?

Scott felt horrible. He had no way to apologize to Sophie for such unwanted speculation. The only solace was the fact was that she was referred to 'Mystery Woman' in every article.

Thankfully, even Albert was willing to keep Sophie's name private. He kept asking when they'd see her again and Scott wasn't sure what to say other than 'maybe tomorrow'.

Tonight though, Scott was going out for a public appearance, among other top names in the city. They were gambling at Jewel of the Orient, trying to draw some interest at various casinos along the Strip in attempt to promote tourism within the city. It'd been a week of events at different casinos and he was glad for a little reprieve and some fun.

He'd moseyed to the craps table and the dealer slid the dice to him. Scott picked them up and, before shaking them, turned to a beautiful woman at his side.

"Mind blowing on the dice for me, Miss?" Scott asked, his grin warm and friendly. "I've been feeling rather unlucky as of late and can use all the help I can get."

He hoped that woman, Sophie, was feeling luckier than him after he caused this mess.

- - - - - - - - -

[Roxie Bell Hope this works!]

[Roxie Bell]

party with my pretty baby

harv was annoying her tonight. he was be so...clingy. he wanted her to stay in and lie in bed with him instead of going out to the casinos. she shuddered. they weren't dead yet, why should they behave like they were? she left him to his own devices and suggested he cuddle instead with dale or carlos. she laughed to herself at the image. she was certain dale would do anything she asked of him and carlos, well, carlos just might do it for the opportunity to blow more smoke up harv's ass.

mmm. harv's ass. she shook her head, trying to physically dispel the thoughts from her head. she didn't need to be thinking about harv right now--although she knew one way or another she would. she slipped another quarter into the slot and pulled the bar down. she watched the numbers and images roll by. she frowned, deeply upset she didn't win anything. she'd file a complaint somewhere and get them casino to change them before the casino opened officially. she didn't know a damn thing about soft or hard openings, but as long as she could win money a casino got her attention. jewel of the orient was going to have to rethink itself if it wanted to keep roxie bell around.

she happened to look past her slot machine at the exact moment the casino's biggest star was walking through the floor. she perked up at the sight of the mayor, but for a reason other than the average gold digger. she had a personal bone to pick with this particular mayor--the dumb eyed blonde kind of bone. yeah, she'd seen the photos of the two of them in the park. what the hell was sophie thinking? oh that's right, the little girl didn't think--ever. she wouldn't think about the consequences of the mayor floating around the wolf pack's business.

that's when it clicked with her. it didn't have to be a consequence. if she was driving the wheel behind this affair, it could be a reward. a good relationship with the mayor was better than no relationship at all. she slid off her stool in front of the slot machine and maneuvered her way toward him. she flashed a couple of smiles and her low neckline and managed to get close to scott mccall. she shoved the bitch right beside the man to the back and took her place.

"Mind blowing on the dice for me, Miss? I've been feeling rather unlucky as of late and can use all the help I can get." she brushed her hair behind her ear, stuck her breasts out and leaned forward in an exaggerated fashion. she parted her lips and blew, looking up at him from under her lashes. she watched and cheered, bouncing up and down as he got a win. "it appears i'm your lucky charm." she smiled and glanced around before leaning in toward him slightly, "can i ask a silly question? are you famous? all these people here and everything..." she supposed if he liked sophie he liked stupid, so might as well play that card and see if she'd get the house to pay.

outfit: in photo notes: THANKS FOR STARTING! TAGGED: Scott McCall

[Scott McCall]

Scott knew he'd picked a winner. He could always tell. He had a sixth sense about luck sometimes and this pretty young woman seemed to be the ticket. Of course he was finding it hard to put his eyes anywhere that weren't her 'girls', as many of the other men at the table seemed to have some similar issues. He barely even remembered throwing the dice, but when he turned back to her, she was hopping up and down. Scott was wondering if someone had turned up the heat at the table.

A little flushed from the excitement as well, Scott returned her smile with a warm one of his own. Of course when she leaned in, he obliged. He was there to meet and greet the public and, by all accounts, the woman was part of that.

"That's not a silly question at all," Scott assured her, gentle in tone. It seemed not a lot of people were recognizing him these days. First Sophie, now this woman. If anything, Scott was the silly one. He'd been so out of the public eye after Elle's death, it was only understandable people had forgotten. He forgot a lot of things when he didn't think about them for awhile.

"Between you and me," he told her, his tone half serious as he didn't want the town to completely forget him, "I'm the mayor. Scott McCall." It was better to be straightforward. Not coming clean had made Sophie upset and he definitely didn't want to go through that again, not when Albert wasn't here to save him.

"If you'd like to join me, I'd be happy to have some company tonight. I hear they've got some really exotic games here. Ever hear of Mahjong? It's like the one housewives play, except, you know, for money and against other people." He wanted to be sure she still understood that it was gambling. They were in a casino after all, and what were those without gambling. "It wouldn't hurt to have Lady Luck on my side, Miss...?"

He extended her arm for her. Whether or not they ended up playing mahjong or Baccarat or did something else entirely, like grab some champagne, was beside the point. Scott was still getting used to not having Elle at these events with him. It would be nice to have someone to keep him company, even if it was just a nice woman he'd just met.

- - - - - - - - -

[Roxie Bell So sorry for the wait!]

[Roxie Bell]

party with my pretty baby

"That's not a silly question at all." genuine words--roxie wasn't sure if he was overly kind or if he was just as stupid as sophie. either way she could work with it, even though she'd be holding back some vomit the whole time. well, at least it helped that he wasn't entirely unfortunate looking. "Between you and me. I'm the mayor. Scott McCall." she gasped and brought her hand to her mouth in feigned--albeit completely realistic--surprise. "no!" she wished she could force a blush onto her cheeks. unfortunately, she didn't care enough for that.

"If you'd like to join me, I'd be happy to have some company tonight. I hear they've got some really exotic games here." What could she lose? She was looking for some fun and she was sure she could get Mr. Mayor to bleed money for her tonight. She was already beginning to form Plan A and B for the Mayor and how a relationship with him could be helpful to her and Harv. Might as well see it through to the end. "Ever hear of Mahjong? It's like the one housewives play, except, you know, for money and against other people." Sounded boring. "Sounds exciting!" She squealed, which sounded a bit sarcastic, a fact which would most likely fly over Scott's head.

"It wouldn't hurt to have Lady Luck on my side, Miss...?" She reached out and hooked her arm through his, "Call me Lady Luck. I like to remain a mystery." She leaned in toward him with a glimmer in her eye, "It's more fun." She was still deciding whether or not she wanted to give him her real name--she was evaluating her options. As they walked to the next game she decided to fill it with some small talk to set the tone, "Do you live with this every day? All these people? I just couldn't imagine it."

She grabbed onto one of the waitresses passing them by, "Could we get some champagne? Thanks." She said, pushing the girl away even before she said her thanks. The mayor was picking up the tab, after all.

outfit: in photo notes: sorry for taking so ridiculously long! TAGGED: Scott McCall