This is my first real effort. Any constructive feedback would be enjoyed. I have plans and have started part 2 but could be open to direction...
I hope this is enjoyed as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Part 1
She
could not believe her luck. It was some kind of alignment in the stars or beautiful moment where all factors coincided to create a kind of perfect storm in her world.
On an otherwise ordinary day, different only for one of her more reliable staff member being away sick, Helena sat in the booth. She had other things she would rather be doing but needs be and she had to cover for sick staff as and when required. The day seemed to slow in this role typically and servicing the needs of the venues predominantly lower socio economic males, wasn't 'flopping her mop' on this occasion.
Clients were coming and going and there was a bit of excitement in the room with the day's horse racing, dogs and the big game that night. Helena remained calm throughout others various highs and lows and basically indifferent having sampled the situation numerous times before. She quietly read her book between customer's requirements and had long ago learnt to ignore any advances from hopeful suitors trying to ride their luck.
She was certainly attractive enough to get attention from anyone new to the venue but most of the locals, if not respected her space, then feared her sharp tongue and avoided her wit through engaging only politely for services required. New men, or fresh meat, as the locals would call them were sometimes the object of ridicule having wandered innocently into the venue, spied an unexpected "beauty " on the staff and made a move. On more than a dozen occasions she had sent them from the building with their tails between their legs with ears ringing to the chorus of the other men laughing at their misfortune. Yes locally Helena was known as KT (knife tongue) ... and she liked the name.
She always dressed smartly and with a moderate amount of jewellery. She preferred gold as it complemented her long red hair. She was blessed with incredible auburn curls which cascaded in waves around her face and over her shoulders, the longest tips contouring to the middle of her back. To accompany this, she had pale blue eyes, a lean looking face which curved high at the cheek to be somewhat intriguing and appealing. If she could wiggle her nose she could perform magic such was that features likeness to the 'Bewitched' tv star.
Among other common approaches from men she was used to hearing "can you prove you are a natural red head'? To which she would initially reply with something like "yes but only rarely bother with the non ugly... so you're out of luck my friend". Then she would launch into a tirade about what an ignorant and lazy approach from someone so obviously lacking in all social or physical endowments and how dare they waste her time with such insulting conversation.
He
Was petrified! In seconds, his life had been turned upside down and the consequences of a seemingly innocuous incident which was about to send his controlled and very enjoyable existence into an unknown and possibly not very enjoyable, positively miserable time. The folder he had been handed , only moments ago he had taken with a smile. He had recognised the giver from an earlier encounter and certainly did not detect any threat whatsoever. Upon opening the envelope and interpreting the contents however his head quickly began to spin and this was like nothing he had felt before. He saw a whole happy life, respect of peers, family, finances and career all in tatters .
Trying to gather himself and likening the experience to a recent concussion, he turned on the perpetrator of his ill fortune to be faced directly by the striking red head .....and be handed another note.
Stunned at her forthrightness in the state of his obvious distress he snatched the note, glaring down at her. "Whats this?" he demanded.
"Read it" she calmly and matter of factly replied.
Breathing deeply, and trying to regain some control of the turmoil his mind was going through, he considered his options. With so few available he slowly unfolded the note and commenced to read.
"You Have Been Caught"
The note started in a bold aggressive and sadly for David, obviously accurate way. The note continued...
"There will be consequences. Before we move in any direction I need you to know that I have copies made of this evidence. This is located in three safe places and should anything untoward happen to me then all evidence before you ,will be turned over to the police... via the media along with video and audio that these snaps were extracted from" .
David had quickly gone from horror to revulsion at the realisation he was being blackmailed. He looked up from the page at the perpetrator who he was shaken to see, held his gaze for a second... and then winked at him.
Disbelieving the situation, He looked down and continued to read.
"Through this situation as mentioned, there are alternatives to anyone else knowing of your crime other than me. It will be entirely up to you as to what course of action you take... Your destiny and future life all depend on the decision you make in the next five minutes."
As he read the sentence he heard a beep and saw his antagonist reach down from a small electronic timer on the shelf. "Hey" he said, without knowing what else to back it up with....