Vice Prices

Slothfulness

Zoe, at 27, decided her adulting score required a "restart". Crossing her chocolate-dipped legs, she tugs down the denim over her widen hips. Maybe not the best attire for travel wear, Zoe thought to herself. She gave away southern smiles sitting at the GBI Airport, acknowledging the few glances that landed before the planes.

At 5'10, her figure spoke of an ancient language; her skin told a Hebrew tale. No mercy, her larger-than-life eyes shine, even behind the cloud-gray contacts. Looking down at her bare ring finger, Zoe traces the imprint, trying not to focus on anything.

As the taxiway lights glare, Zoe’s throat tightens as she checks the time. Who can slow down my story? Time for the next chapter, with fire in her eyes, she swallows her thoughts.

"Ms. Lady, why the long face?” there she goes, Mila, in a cheerful tone. Her friend stood 5’8 and wise beyond her 24-years. Her playful almond eyes gave a smize that could melt all thoughts. Mila pulls back her jacket’s sleeve, revealing her copper glow, "8-minutes until nights full of lights, fun, and secrets!" she expresses and taps her watch.

Secrets? I don't know if I’m ready for that, Zoe wonders while launching into a full hug. Mila's long lock sway in waves across Zoe’s face during the embrace.

Pride

As the friends reach their hotel destination, they notice on arrival a lady in the middle of the lobby’s floor. Mila leans into Zoe and says, “So are we the only ones who see this?”

Many people move around the entrance, but no one seems to notice the person on the floor. As they move up in the line, they couldn't tell if she was crying or laughing.

Zoe shifts her glance, uncomfortable she shares, “If no one seems to be bothered, I guess this may be a norm--”

“Welcome to Sweet Haven! Home of all things unique and wonderful! Can I get the identification cards for the individuals in the room?”, interrupts the desk clerk.

*****

The friends begin to walk in the direction of the elevators. “Let’s stop and get a drink; maybe the key to this whole experience is alcohol!” beams Mila as they approach a bar, oddly located in the middle of the walkway.

The bartender’s descent unknown, but his smile appears welcoming. His hair seemly white from afar shines a pale pink in person.

“I like your hair.” Zoe sits down.

With a smile, the bartender says, “Welcome to the beginning of your experience. This is the Pitstop! Home of 20-flavors of frozen adult beverages,” with a name tag: Sky.

Mila sits down, her glossy legs peek-a-boo outside the long split in her yellow velvet skirt. “Hello Sky, do you have a menu?” Mila directs the comment while looking around. Sky unbothered turns around. Mila sneers to Zoe, “You can’t be so friendly out here.”

Sky handovers neon menus and shares, "Your friend is right; Here, I recommend aliases for each night; for a lady's safety."

Zoe smiles uneasily and claims, “Anything with lemon in it?"

Sky recommends the Full Moon, but Mila shares, “No, we want our turn at the Lady Luck”. With a smile, Sky looks at Zoe for confirmation and spins around, gathering the ingredients.

Envy

Mila and Zoe were alone inside the elevator, feeling heavy by either the liquor or their thoughts; Zoe drops her bags on the stone surface. Mila begins going through her phone. Zoe takes the distraction, leans back, and replays the experience in her head:

“I think we need to make it to the room,” shares Zoe as she reaches the end of her second drink. Mila replies,” Geez--okay, but let me ask Sky a question.” Sky leans into Mila. “What’s up with the lady crying in the entryway?”

Sky laughs, “Entryway, wow! They must of reach ‘it’ right before leaving--. “Reach what?” interrupts Zoe. Sky looks hard at the pair before saying, “Realization, you don’t come here and don’t experience the cost of something.”

Mila’s voice breaks through, “Who should we be tonight?”

Zoe opens her eyes then shares, “I think the clothes should set the tone? Seems like a place to start.”

Mila replies, “You are the philosophical one, good idea!”

Zoe shakes the feeling rising in her body. “I have this asymmetrical blouse; it looks like something a DJ would wear.”

“I love it, and I will be the designer!" Mila shares while thinking: Tonight, you set the scene, but I will set the levels!

Wrath

On their last full day, the friends missed breakfast and indulged in spa time. After an afternoon of intensive browsing, shopping, and sampling. The last night was here. Mila looks over at Zoe, pulling out jeans, and says, "I think tonight we should try our luck in Old City."

They follow what Sky advises:

"If you want to win it big, take a taxi in and out of the Old City. It will be different on the eyes, but the winnings are there.”

Stepping out of the taxi, Mila hands Zoe twenty dollars. "This setup won't allow me to carry anything extra, and since tonight you wanted to bring a bag, can you hold on to the taxi fare for me?"

Zoe plucks the bill out of her hand and places it inside her purse in demonstration mode. "All safe," Zoe replies with a forced smile.

*****

She is starting to make me feel crazy, Zoe thought to herself as soon as Mila was out of sight. They had yet again another spat. Mila wanted to wait in line for free rock band tickets. Magically, the casino was hosting the event tonight. I just wanted dinner, ladies only; Zoe sighs and searches in her bag to discover no cash, no card. She left her wallet in her first outfit choice for the night.

Remembering Mila's words:

"It's our last night. Can we try to dress up, Lady Luck?"

I can't tell her I forgot the money; Zoe unzips and plucks out the twenty, entering it into the slot machine. The options to “Bet All” or “Bet Min” shines with an amber glow. " I am feeling lucky!" Zoe thought to herself as she pushes the button.

Lust

“I don’t know, Paul. It’s the last night,” shares Akemi. Tugging at his crisp white cotton sleeves, Akemi checks the time on his latest Italian wrist wear; It’s approaching 11 o’clock.

“All I am saying is tomorrow we fly back to operation rooms, on-call hours, and limited fun. I want to have fun tonight,” expresses Paul.

At 37, Paul felt it only proper to spend their dwindling time in the company of female guests; they were wealthy bachelors after all. Akemi, though younger, lacks his energy.

Scanning the room, Paul’s ocean blue eyes stops on brunette twins with legs exceptionally long, in matching peach dresses. Paul nudges Akemi, “They may be fun--”

“But can they pass the drink test?” Akemi mentions after he sips from his brandy.

Paul motioning to the bartender, “Kind Sir, have the ‘Peach Dress Twins’ establish their poison for tonight?”

“Vodka cranberries," responds the bartender.

Akemi cuts in, “What about them?”

Following Akemi’s stare, the bartender and Paul’s eyes spot the two friends.

*****

Whiskey drinkers, Zoe sips from her Irish and ginger. On the rocks, like the direction of Zoe’s life. Looking at Mila, Zoe asks, "Who are we tonight?"

Mila takes a sip from her Manhattan with two Greek olives. Mila’s drink represents sophistication; only a few get it, she thought. Still pissed at Zoe for betting the fare, she breaks the silence, “We are nursing students tonight; I spot doctors.”

Gluttony

Akemi thought to himself, Easily the most beautiful ladies the whole trip. Zoe eyes the room. Everything in the condo was white, shiny, marble--hallways with florist arrangements and golden candles of timber and jasmine.

“This is easily the most beautiful hotel room ever,” shares Zoe.

By voice command, Akemi sets the music station. Looking over at Zoe, he says, "I only like the best!"

Paul cuts through the atmosphere, “If you think this room is ‘glam’, you should come with me upstairs!”

On cue, Mila squeezes tight Paul’s arm. “Can we go back downstairs first? I still want to play--”, while batting her chestnut eyes.

Zoe interrupts, “Can I see you for a minute in the lady’s room first?”

“Are you crazy? Do not leave me here,” whispers Zoe as she enters the white and gold bathroom.

“Do you have a plan to get back to the hotel?” shares Mila as she moves over a little black book on the countertop. “I play with his money; get us a win for the trip! I’ll be back soon,” she shares between mirror checks.

Zoe cuts her eye at the little black book and voices, “Well, come back soon.”

*****

Akemi offers his hand and leads Zoe to the accent chairs by the fireplace. In view. a king-size bed adjacent to the sitting area. Zoe looks around and shares, “How about a night snack?”

Akemi says gently, "Yes, name any snack; the chef will have it in your possession!” Akemi pours into Zoe's glass some ice water to accompany her Vanilla bean ice-cream with sliced plums. Zoe notices the book tucked under his arm.

“Now, if you want to sleep”, Akemi says while gesturing to the bed, “first you must listen to a story.” The velocity of the pages reveals glimpses of Western and Japanese text. There also appear to be a few drawings adding pops of colors. Akemi’s hand finally stops at the seam with the ribbon. After a sip from his wine glass, he begins: “Once there was a guy name Ode, who went on a personal quest of vices and virtues. Ode experiences it all!”

With sleep in her eyes, Zoe sips the last of the ice water and pulls back the sheets to get into bed. Akemi pulls the duvet up over her shoulders. As he leaves the room, Zoe asks him, "But what does it all mean…for all the parts? What’s the price of the journey?” Like magic, the blinds open, revealing the skyline of neon lights and late-night flights.

Greed

Shimmers of the sun woke Zoe up. Repeatedly blinking, Zoe tries to focus her contacts. She pulls the covers back: Dress appears untouched, no pains. Running her hands in the sheets, Zoe finds the little black book next to her things. Reaching into her purse, she grabs her phone. 8:40 AM appears on the screen.

Zoe looks around the room and yells out, “Hello,” silence. Suddenly her phone vibrates. She reads messages from Mila revealing an all-nighter and breakfast plans at nine. Followed by a slush of emojis.

Zoe looks at the book again in the bed; something was sticking out near the ribbon. Two stacks revealing $20,000. Removing the money from the page, Zoe starts to read the handwritten message.

Quit nursing school! Take up Psychology! My night ended in an excellent state of ponder. The story needed a message. Prepared to blow this money last night; you made me think about the price? Answer it and keep the cash:

Slothfulness = Death to Potential

Pride = Deficiency in Appreciation

Envy = Failure to Honor Differences

Wrath = Distraction to Forgiveness

Lust= Substitution for Passion

Gluttony = Loss of Control

Greed = ?

Zoe scouts the room for a pen; finding it on the nightstand, she picks up the phone and texts Mila: Skip breakfast & meet @ Losing Slot area. Shake the strangers. Zoe picks up the pen and thought: Greed. What is the cost of Greed?

Thinking about her time in Vice City, Zoe writes:

Greed = Imbalance in Need/Wants

Zoe places the shiny ribbon between the pages and chucks the cash in her purse. Looking at her phone, she thought, 8-minutes until the start of a new chapter!