Eros Descending: Book 3 of Tales of the Velvet Comet Read Online Free PDF Page A

the reception foyer and began approaching them, walking rapidly on the narrow strip of exposed parquet flooring to bypass the crowded, slower-moving sidewalk. Gold and the Steel Butterfly also stepped onto the floor to greet him, and Gold spotted a number of Vainmill executives riding the slidewalk in his direction.
    “I apologize for being gone so long, but it was unavoidable,” said Plaga, more to the madam than to Gold. “I trust you've been enjoying yourself, Doctor Gold?”
    “ Enjoy is not exactly the word I would choose,” replied Gold. “Let us say that I've found it quite enlightening.”
    “The race is due to start in about twenty minutes,” said Plaga. “Why don't we take our seats now?”
    Gold nodded his agreement, and they rode the slidewalk to the grandstand, which was only five rows deep but almost one hundred yards long, and fit neatly into the area between the retaining wall and the slidewalk. A few moments later they were seated in a comfortable box overlooking the finish line, directly adjacent to the presentation platform, where an ornate golden cup topped by a platinum racehorse was on display.
    “I expected a larger crowd,” commented Gold, gesturing to the small groups of men and women who were slowly wending their way to the long, narrow, makeshift grandstand.
    “Oh, we'll draw about four thousand people,” answered the Steel Butterfly.
    “Where are they?”
    “ I would say they were enjoying the facilities. You would say they were sinning.”
    “ You would be wrong,” said Gold.
    “Is there anything you haven't seen yet that you'd like us to show you?” asked Plaga.
    “I think I've seen what I came to see.”
    “Oh?”
    “When I arrived here I wasn't quite sure of Vainmill's weakest link. Now, thanks to my little tour, I am.”
    “You think you've found it up here?” asked Plaga, trying to keep the curiosity from his voice.
    “No,” answered Gold. “I know I've found it up here.”
    “May I ask just what you think you've discovered?”
    “I'll tell you when I'm ready to,” said Gold.
    Plaga stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. “As a matter of fact, Vainmill has just made arrangements to get rid of its weakest link.”
    “And what do you think it is?”
    Plaga grinned. “To borrow a phrase that is probably being uttered all over the Resort as we sit here, I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours.”
    “You know, Mr. Plaga,” said Gold, “I think I liked you better when you were disgustingly servile.”
    “Servility's not my style,” said Plaga.
    “I would never have guessed,” replied Gold.
    He smiled confidently. “I don't know exactly what you think you accomplished at your meeting in the Ski Lodge”—Plaga shot the Steel Butterfly a furious look—“but it won't do you a bit of good.”
    Gold paused. “Do try to catch my broadcast next week. I think you might find it interesting.”
    “A lot might happen before then,” said Plaga with what he hoped was a mysterious smile.
    “Perhaps,” said Gold. “But I think I can guarantee that a lot will happen after my broadcast.”
    More people began moving toward the grandstand, and in another moment Gold was completely surrounded by Vainmill executives, each of whom spoke to him cordially. When the last of them was seated he turned to Plaga.
    “Have your holograph operators gotten enough yet?” he asked.
    “I beg your pardon?” said Plaga “I'm referring to the fact that the only people setting within thirty feet of me are Vainmill officers who seem determined to greet me like a long-lost brother, and a number of suggestively dressed prostitutes.”
    “As a matter of fact, more than half of our prostitutes are males,” replied Plaga, making no attempt to dispute his charge.
    “Ah—but they might look like customers if they got into the picture.”
    “Possibly the women will look like patrons,” suggested Plaga.
    “Unquestionably,” replied Gold ironically.
    “Instead of studiously