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into a shattering
finale.
    Inspired,
André's heart lifted, awed by the sight and sounds before him. C'est fantastique
et vraiment beau.
    In
that stirring moment a startling idea struck him. Did the chance meeting with
Marcy have greater ramifications? Now that was something to think about.
    Perhaps
André had come to this place not to help her , but to help him?
    Mike
Thompson would be responsible for screening Marcy for her position in his
household. This would take time, time in which Mike would need to personally
get to know the woman.
    As
the performance reached its crescendo, André's heart swelled with joy and his
lips curled with satisfaction. Mike and Marcy. Marcy and Mike. Even the sound
of their names together had a pleasant alliterative ring.
    And
so, already this goes very well I think, he
mused.

6. Marcy Paget
    Marcy
sat staring at the phone.
    It
was 8:55am the next day. The day after meeting Mr. Chevalier. The day after he
sent his majordomo to see her. The day after she decided to accept his job.
    Marcy
remembered Gustave visiting her in her bar. He introduced himself with courtly
propriety and gave her an envelope. It was the contract of employment that Mr.
Chevalier spoke of.
    Mr.
Chevalier's majordomo looked closer to seventy than sixty. Dressed in a brown
suit with an olive sweater, he wore a dark red scarf around his neck. The scarf
and sweater Marcy could understand. It was early November,
where the daytime temperatures could be in the seventies and nights could cool
to fifty degrees. As an older man, he would more easily be disturbed by the cold.
    With
his light, almost white-grey hair, Gustave projected quiet dignity. The man could
have been a philosopher, an artist or a poet. Serenely regarding her, his blue-grey
eyes were calm and still as a windless pool of deep water. Gustave appeared as
if he had seen all manner of things in the world, and it hadn’t changed him. If
Marcy could use only one adjective to sum him up with, it would have been 'kind'
or perhaps 'gentle.'
    She
smiled. A close second would be loyal, for Gustave clearly cared for his
employer.
    Gustave
spoke of André Chevalier, assuring her that he was "most
trustworthy." He said that André never hired anyone to join the household.
His staff, all born in France, had been with him for years. Gustave wanted to
come and view for himself what manner of woman would make André offer her such
a position. The older gentleman had worked for André for more than twenty years
and thought of André as a son.
    With
a shrewd look, Gustave's brows knitted, no doubt sensing her misgivings. "He
wants you to work for him, but do not fear," he said. "You can trust
him, ma chèrie , I
swear it."
    There
were two letters in the envelope. One was a note from the Manager of the
Bellagio, telling her that he understood that she had been offered employment
with Mr. Chevalier. It confirmed in writing that should she choose to take up
the offer that her position at the Bellagio would be kept open for three
months. How in the world had Mr. Chevalier arranged that? It minimized any risk
for her to take the job.
    The
contract of service was more extensive. She filled out pages of personal
details and history. The work was only during school hours, and occasional late
evenings, full medical for herself and her daughter and an excellent wage. It was
too good to be true. Marcy could hardly believe it, but she wanted to. Why couldn't
it be her turn for a lucky break?
    Marcy
hardly slept all night, she was so keyed up. She wanted to chat to her
roommate, Amber, but Amber needed to get up for an early shift at the casino. Until
recently there were three single mothers and their kids sharing the condo.
Marcy and Amber had kicked out their housemate for drug use and sleazy
boyfriends.
    One
of their neighbors had texted her a photo of a tattooed guy with dreads using a
bong outside their condo at 2am one morning. The comment, "Do you know
what goes on here while you are