Authors Notes:
Disclaimer: Celebrity appearances in this series are in no any way to be considered realistic. They are included for the entertainment of open-minded adults only. Their thoughts, words, and deeds are in no way indicative of the real celebrity. They exist here only to build a story around.
Over the next couple of weeks, things came together very well. The Orlando facility was ready to open. Las Vegas was nearly there as well. Half of the people had moved to Las Vegas and they were working feverishly getting it ready.
They were working all day and partying Las Vegas style at night. Lori was inundated with performers wanting representation. The talent scouts had found fantastic groups and acts that she was able to sign. Things were, on the Banner front, far exceeding Mark's wildest expectations.
One evening, Lori decided to take them out for an evening on the town. They certainly deserved a break. She took them to a show, and around midnight, they wound up in the casino at the Palms. Holly was busy in Orlando and Jim was heading up the Las Vegas finalization.
Ashley and Dave were walking through the pit area and they saw Linda at the blackjack table. They watched her for a few minutes and when she won, they congratulated her. She looked at them, smiled and went back to the game.
When she won again, Dave said, "Way to go Linda."
She gave them a look and turned back to the game. A few minutes later, she won again.
It was Ashley who congratulated her this time. "You're on a roll Linda, keep it up," she smiled.
"You've got me confused with someone else hon," the woman said and turned back to the table.
Ashley turned to Dave and pulled him aside, "Ohmigod, do you know who that is?"
Dave stood there with his jaw askew, "Holy fuck Ash, is that who I think it is?"
"Yes, I think so," Ashley said as she hit the speed dial on her phone. Lori answered and she told her to grab Linda and bring her to the blackjack area immediately.
They arrived in just a minute, Ashley took Linda's hand, and they stood just behind the woman at the table. When she won again, Ashley said, "Linda, this is simply amazing."
The woman turned around and said, "I told you, I'm not Linda." She looked at the woman standing next to Ashley and her heart almost stopped. "Ohmigod, this is unbelievable. Who are you?" Then she saw Lori standing next to her. A broad smile creased her lovely face. "I know who you are. Everyone knows you Lori."
She turned and cashed out her chips. She walked over to them and Lori did the introductions. Linda was speechless.
"What's the matter girlfriend, cat got your tongue?" Beyoncé giggled.
"I'm sorry; I've spent the last ten years telling everyone I'm not Beyoncé. I never thought I would be standing here talking to her," Linda blushed.
"Can we buy you a drink?" Lori asked her.
"You sure can, I want to get to know myself," she said as she walked arm in arm into the lounge with Linda.
They spent over an hour getting to know Beyoncé. They told her everything and she was simply enthralled with what was going on. They offered to show her the club and she definitely wanted to see it.
"I have to tell you, D'Orgasmic Lingerie and fashions are a big part of my wardrobe. I love their clothes. I just wish I could have them make the outfits I wear on stage," she said.
Lori held up one finger, hit speed dial and sat back. Gary answered the phone immediately. "Gary, grab Mark, Cherry, Holly, Shannon and the girls and get out here immediately. I don't want any argument either. Get your ass on that jet right now. Wait? Hold on one second." She turned to Beyoncé, "With your legs hon, how many pairs of boots do you have?"
"A girl can never have too many boots Lori."
"Call Ainsley and tell her you're picking her up too. I need you here first thing tomorrow. Love you, bye." She hung up and told Beyoncé that she now had their number one fashion designer on her way.
"You know, I've heard how you people from the Banner Agency get things done but this is wilder than anything I've ever seen before. No wonder so many people are talking about you. Who did you call?"
Ashley laughed, "She just called the head of D'Orgasmic, my boss and Mark Banner in Orlando. I don't know whether you read in the trades but D'Orgasmic recently bought Norris Boots of Dallas, Texas. Ainsley Norris heads the operation in Dallas. They are all on their way to meet you. They don't know it yet but boy, are they in for a surprise."
Jim found them in the lounge. He slid next to Beyoncé, grabbed her, and kissed her. "Linda, you look adorable tonight. Hell girl, you look good enough to eat," he grinned.
"Oh shit," Lori said as she put her head in her hands.
Jim looked at her, "What did I do wrong Lori?" he said as he looked at her and Linda who was sitting beside her. He looked at Linda and then back to Lori who had begun to stare at him.
"He's cute, hell, he's even adorable, but he's thick as two short planks," Ashley laughed.
"He is thick, that's for sure," Linda giggled.
"What? Wait," he said as his head snapped to the woman he had just kissed.
She met his gaze with glee in her eyes.
"Jim, I'd like to introduce you to my twin," Linda grinned. "Beyoncé, this is Jim, he's Holly's right arm so to speak."
"Ohmigod, I mean, Ohmigod, I am so sorry, I would never have been that rude, Oh damn, I'm sorry. It is a pleasure to meet you," he stammered.
She reached over and kissed him, "The pleasure, Jim, is all mine. By the way, thick is a good thing."
"It is too bad that everyone is in Orlando, they would simply freak," he said.
Beyoncé laughed, "Well, apparently, they are on their way. Lori is all business, isn't she?"
"Oh yes she is," Jim smiled. He couldn't believe that he was sitting in the lounge at the Palms with Beyoncé.
They spent a long time telling her everything. They spoke about the meeting they had with Loretta Lynn, and how gracious she was to them. Beyoncé loved the idea of finding young talent all over the country. She loved the fact that the new talent would have the Banner Agency representing them.
"I know many professional athletes that Mark represents. He has the best reputation in the business. I've met many of his clients and a lot of his friends too," she grinned.
There was a dead silence at the table. "It's okay folks, we're all adults here. Mark's parties are legendary in Las Vegas. The trick is getting an invitation to one of them."
She turned to Linda and laughed, "Girl, meeting you may just prove to be the most liberating thing that has ever happened to me. Now I can deny many things I never could before. I can always blame it on my evil twin."
They sat and talked well into the morning hours. Beyoncé was as charming, as she was talented. Lori's cell went off and when she answered, she heard Mark's voice. "I wanted to let you know we are thirty minutes out. I don't know what the hell is going on but I know it has to be serious or you wouldn't have us take the red eye on our own jet. Are you going to pick us up? Where are you now?"
"I'm at the Palms; I'll grab a limo and meet you at the hangar. Damn, how long were you on the ground in Dallas?" she laughed.
"We never even slowed down, she was riding a horse, and she just jumped into the jet," he laughed. "Seriously, we were on the ground for less than ten minutes. We'll see you in a few minutes."
"They will be on the ground in a half hour. Do you want to come out to the airport with us?" Lori asked Beyoncé.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world. This should be fun. We should hide Linda and see if anyone can tell the difference." Beyoncé chuckled.
Jim went and found everyone else and said they would meet them back at Mark's place.
Jeff and Alan taxied to the hangar. Ground crew took over and everyone disembarked. The limo was waiting and Lori and Beyoncé were waiting to greet them. Lori told her quickly who everyone was and she played it to the hilt. Everyone kissed Lori and Linda and they headed into the limo. Rose, Wendy, and Debbie were half-asleep when they got in the vehicle. Cherry, Mark, Gary, Lori, and Beyoncé followed Holly, Shannon, Dave, and Ainsley.
"Would you please tell me what was so important to have us fly all the way across the country at full throttle in the middle of the night?" Mark asked.
"Well, darling, it isn't very often one of our people hits the jackpot in Las Vegas. This is so big that you had to be here to celebrate with us. I mean seriously, this is huge," Lori replied.
"Hitting the jackpot is always good. It has to be something ginormouliscilicious. Who hit Megabucks?" Cherry laughed.
"It's bigger than that," Lori smirked. "To answer your question, Linda hit the Jackpot."
Mark turned to her and smiled warmly. "That is wonderful baby, how big was your win," he said as he leaned in and kissed her warmly. "I love that outfit. Damn, you look hot tonight."
From the front of the limo, a familiar voice giggled.
"Uh, Mark, uh Gary, can someone explain this to me?" Cherry exclaimed.
"What my love?" Mark inquired as he looked over at Cherry. She pointed to Linda sitting at the front of the limo.
Mark and Gary looked from Linda to Linda and then they looked at Lori who was laughing openly.
"What the ...?" Gary said.
"Ohmigod," Shannon exclaimed. "Ohmigod, Mark, you just kissed Beyoncé."
Lori introduced Beyoncé to everyone. Mark and Gary were speechless. Linda was giggling and laughing and Holly was beside herself.
"This is definitely an honor to meet you," Mark told her. "How did all this come to be?"
Beyoncé told him about what happened at the Palms. She then went on to tell him how Ashley and Dave reacted. She was laughing when she told them how cool they were once they realized who she was. She pointed to Linda and told them her reaction. Everyone was laughing when they arrived at the Towers.
"Oh, this is great. I finally get to see the ultimate bachelor pad in Las Vegas. Too late though," she moaned.
