Ginger Falls Airport

It was mid-morning when the flight from Maui landed on the island. Alex Montgomery, owner of Wild Falls Beach Resort was waiting to personally pick up his newest employee Pam Mitchell. He took one last drink from the paper coffee cup he had in hand before tossing it into a nearby waste paper basket. He hated waiting, but he felt it was his responsibility as owner to make his employees feel wanted.

“Flight 5 from Maui has just landed, passengers will be out in just a few minutes.” Was spoken over the loudspeaker.

Alex looked up at the sky and thanked the Lord.

When the doors opened several people were quick to get out of there including a young blond man who almost knocked Alex over. “Sorry!” he heard yelled to him as the man ran to the luggage claim. Alex rolled his eyes and went back to focusing on looking for Pam.

He then saw her walk out, she looked tired, but who wouldn’t have after taking three different flights to get to the small island. Her long brown hair was flat and she tugged on her bags to keep them with her. “Pam?” Alex called out and she looked for the source of the voice.

“Mr. Montgomery?” she asked as she walked over to him.

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you Pam, and please call me Alex. I hope your flights weren’t too rough on you.”

Pam smiled, “I’m just glad to be on land again.”

“I bet you are. We’ll go get your other bags and get you set up in your bungalow on the grounds of the resort.” He said as he took her bag from her.

“Thank you again very much for this job. It came at the perfect time.”

“Well I’m glad you applied, I was getting worried I would never find anyone for this position.” He told her as they got on the escalator and went down to baggage claim and got her other bags.

He kissed her cheek. “I know. We just don’t get to see each other enough anymore.”

“I’m not going to cry this time.” She took in a long, deep breath. “Bye Jeff and will you please tell Michael next time I see him I’m going to give him a swift kick in his butt for not saying goodbye to us at the airport.”

Lucas shook Jeff’s hand but Jeff pulled him in for an embrace. “Don’t you pull that ‘I’m too cool to hug my cousin now because I’m in high school’ crap with me Lucas.”

Lucas laughed, “I just did it to see your reaction.”

Monica and Lucas waved goodbye one last time before getting on the airplane taking them back home to Heaven Beach.

Carmen rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, panting as she pulled the sheet up over her body before looking at the much younger man in bed with her. She smiled and even giggled a little, “Eddie you always seem to surprise me. How do you manage that?” she asked.

He sat up a bit and leaned his body weight on one arm while the other went to the other side of Carmen’s body and he held on to her, “Well, it helps when I have such a gorgeous woman to make love to.” He said as he began to kiss her neck.

Carmen made a purring sound as his lips reached her collarbone.

“When are you going to leave your husband?” He asked as he moved up her neck again.

Reality hit as his words bounced back and fourth in her head and she glanced over at the clock. “Oh no, Eddie stop!” she demanded.

He stopped and looked into her eyes very confused, “Why, what’s wrong Carmen?” he asked as he pushed her blond hair away from her eyes.

“I have to go Eddie, I have to meet Alex for lunch.” She said as she pulled the sheet around her body and got out of bed.

Eddie sighed, “Carmen, are you going to tell him about us?”

She pulled up her skirt that stopped just above her knees and looked at the naked man in bed, “Its not time yet Eddie. I’ll tell him, I promise I will. I just can’t do it yet, our anniversary is coming up soon, and it wouldn’t be right at all.” She told him as she began to button her black blouse.

“Cast, quiet now. We need to get Act two finished. Today.” Carlotta called out to the cast sitting from the third row.

“I refuse to go on.” Kate spat back. “Where is my costume? I cannot go on without it.”

“Miss Harris I have already explained to you, several times in fact, that your costume will be ready in a few hours. Can you please find some way to go?”

Paula groaned. They would certainly not get through Act two today.

“Well Carlotta I refuse to go on as well, if Kate is not ready I see no need for me to be ready. I will be in my dressing room.” Legolas said as he began to walk off the stage.

“Legolas! Please... don’t go…” Carlotta rubbed her temple. “Cast, take five while I go check on Kate’s costume.”

Michael Ballantyne looked around the room looking for his best friend Karen. She was the only reason he would be there, it was his day off he didn’t have to worry about the cases coming into the courthouse. He could be saying good-bye to his brother and sister at the airport, or watching football. Instead he was here, waiting for Karen so they could take Salsa lessons.

He felt out of place as the youngest male in the room, and dressed in a pair of jeans and a navy blue t-shirt. He was trying to remember how the heck she had talked him into it.

“Hey, I’m sorry I’m late.” Said the familiar voice of Karen Montgomery, it was smooth and to Michael the most sensual thing he had ever heard.

He sighed, and turned around, smiling instantly when he saw her in his favorite dress, a white backdrop with pale pink flowers. It always looked amazing with her red hair, “Hi Karen, thank goodness you showed up. The woman over there in the blue sweat suit has been giving me the eye for the past ten minutes.”

She laughed and playfully punched his arm, “Yeah well you know it has been a while since you’ve dated, well anyone.”

He rolled his crisp blue eyes; this was the same conversation that she had been starting for months. It was starting to really irritate him that she couldn’t see what was right in front of her. “Karen, when I find the perfect girl, I’ll go for it. However until then you’ve got a salsa dancing partner.”

Alex pulled the golf cart up in front of a nice sized house, with the number five on it in cursive letters. He and Pam got out and she picked up several of her bags as Alex walked up the short cobblestone path and unlocked the door. “Well Pam, this is your new home. You’ve even got it all to yourself, no hassle of roommates.” He said as they entered the foyer area and into the very open space that was unexpected from the outside of the building. Pam gently dropped her bags on the hardwood floor as she looked around and stopped when she saw the iron spiral staircase leading upstairs.

“It’s all open space up there, the bed is up there and then there’s a bathroom in the back corner.” Alex explained as he went towards the kitchen area, where the hardwood floor ended and ceramic tile covered the floor. He opened the top door of the refrigerator and checked the contents before opening the bottom door to the freezer, “You’ve got the basic staples all set and if you need anything else, theres a market just down the street. You should have a golf cart in the garage for you to get around the island.” He explained as he checked the cabinet.

He opened a drawer next to the sink and took out a key ring, “We’ve got the house, garage, golf cart, you’re office, and filing cabinets.” He said as he placed them in her hand. “The island is small enough you don’t really need a car. Really the only cars are the cabs, and emergency vehicles.”

“Thank you so much, Alex. Um when will I be starting?” she asked as she placed her purse down on the counter.

“You’ll start on Monday, take a few days and get used to the island, get to know where stuff is and what’s going on. It’ll help you with your job in the long run.” He told her as he started for the door, “Oh and on the phone the first three number’s are already programmed. They’re labeled so no confusion.”

“Alright, that’ll help a lot.” She said as she watched him walked to the door, “I’ll see you Monday morning. Thank you again.”

“I hope you’ll be happy here, and have a great weekend.” Alex said before leaving the bungalow.

He started towards the kitchen when he heard someone coming down the spiral staircase. He turned and saw one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her long straight brown hair gently bouncing as she walked, and he could’ve sworn a goddess came down and was standing before him. But would a goddess really wear blue jeans and a black halter-top? “Hi, I’m Jeff I live across the street, well if you could call it a street.” He said suddenly nervous.

Pam smiled, “Its nice to meet you. I’m Pam Mitchell, the new social coordinator.” She then looked down at the floor and back at him, “Um how did you get in?”

“The door was open. It’s a tricky door sometimes it needs that extra push to stay closed.” He explained as he walked across the living room space and closed her door and then pushed the side of his body against the door, getting it closed.

“Thanks.” Pam said, not really sure what to say to this guy. He was attractive, something in that nerdy, but sexy way. A little bit like Clay Aiken. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Actually, I should leave you to your unpacking. Um if you need anything I’m just across in Bungalow Six.” He said before opening the door, “Bye Pam.”

“Bye Jeff.” She said as she watched him leave, before going into the kitchen and seeing what food she had.

Sam Adams looked around the common area of his dorm suite, taking it all in. This was so different from what he expected, it was nothing like the dorm rooms at Pinõn Hallow College, or anything he had seen when visiting friends at school.

“Can I help you?” asked a slightly squeaky voice from the door.

Sam turned around and saw a short, dark haired boy closing the door and tossing his keys into the bowl on top of the wooden table.

“Hi, I’m Sam Adams, you must be Ricky Kensington.” Sam said as he put his hand out.

Ricky pushed it away, “Whatever, listen newbie this is how things work in Windsor Hall. People come by all the time to see me, cause well I have what they need.”

“Like drugs?” Sam asked, wondering if he could get a room change.

“No, not drugs. I just know what’s going on, around campus. Which exams are when and the best way to find study aides for them.” He said as he sat down on the large green bean bag chair, which seemed to devour him. “So I thought I would warn you.”

“Thanks.” Sam said before looking out his window and seeing the ocean in the distance. He sighed sadly, wondering if he could get used to life without the Rocky Mountains.

“Carmen!” Eddie yelled as he pulled on his jeans and chased after her through the apartment.

She got to the door and was about to open it when she stopped and looked at him, “Eddie, I think this should be the last time we see each other like this. It’s too risky.” She told him as she began to turn the knob. “You’re Peter’s roommate for God sake, this had to end here and now.”

Eddie stared at her, unsure of what to say, “You told me you were going to end things with Alex and then you and I could start a life together.”

Carmen looked down at her wedding ring, “I’m sorry Eddie, but I’m Mrs. Alex Montgomery and I have been for a very long time. I’m not throwing that away.”

“Quite the diva fit out there.” Legolas said as he shut the door.

“Yours are worse dear.”

He walked over to her and pressed his body up against hers.

“Oh Legolas. I’m really not in the mood.”

“What do you mean?” He scuffed.

“I’m growing tired of our torrid affair.”

“Excuse me?”

“… I’m growing tired of you, you’re not well equipped. If you catch my drift.” She applied mascara to her eyelashes.

He slapped the mascara out of her hands.

“Oh you didn’t take me seriously did you?” She chuckled. “I guess I am as good of an actress as the papers make me out to be.” She touched his face. “Of course I’m not growing tired of you. How could any woman?”

“That’s more like it.” He picked her up and sat her on the dressing room table.

She unbuttoned his shirt slowly and began kissing his exposed chest.

The doors to the dance room opened and Michael and Karen walked out. He looked at her, “That was a nightmare, did you see what that woman did to me?” he asked as he rubbed his behind.

“Oh relax Ballantyne, just because some sixty year old woman pinched you its no reason to freak out.” Karen told him as she looked down at her watch, “You want to go get something to eat?”

Michael felt his heart skip a beat, “That’s a great idea. Where do you want to go?”

Karen thought for a moment as they walked down the stairs, she stopped on the landing and turned to him, “How about we go to Jacob’s.” She suggested.

“That’ll work.” He said as he led her down the rest of the stairs and out the door into the sunny Hawaiian day.

Kate and Legolas walked back on the stage, gleaming.

“Great we have to break so they can have sex with each other.” A chorus girl muttered to Paula.

“It’s ridiculous. This Opera house is ridiculous. These are the most unprofessional people I’ve ever worked with. In New York if you through a fit you were at the unemployment line the next day.”

“Carlotta should fire Kate… But it’s not going to happen. Kate brings in mega-money for this place.”

“Well if they would give someone else a chance…”

Carlotta walked in with a red flowing dress with rubies sewn around it in her arms. “Here’s your dress Kate. Can you please change into it so we can at least get through half of act two?”

“What is this?” She snatched the dress out of Carlotta’s hands and looked at it in disgust. “I specifically said I wanted it sewn with diamonds. Not rubies. No this will not do, this will not do. Get this trash out of my face!” She dramatically turned away from it. “What a horrid piece of costume. Who do they think I am?” She stormed off stage. Carlotta looked like she was close to the point of tears. She quickly chased after her leading lady.

Legolas whispered something in a chorus girl’s ear and they disappeared to the other side of the stage.

Paula started to head towards her private dressing room when she bumped into Devon, the stage manager. “Oh. Excuse me Devon.”

“Miss Winslow. I apologize.”

“Devon, it’s fine. You don’t have to kiss my ass. You have to do enough of that with Kate. Will you please come and get me when rehearsals start? If they ever start that is. I

I’ll be in my dressing room.”

“Of course.”

She closed the door to her dressing room and flopped down on a chair. “I swear that woman has given me another migraine.” She had been planning this for months. Today was the last straw. She walked over to a table and grabbed a pen and paper. Once done she walked out of the dressing room and slid the note under Kate’s door and then walked away, hoping her plan would work.

Alex sat at a table, alone drinking his water and waiting for Carmen. Where the hell could his wife be? This wasn’t the first time she was late and it was happening a lot lately and it was really starting to worry him.

As the waiter came to pour more water into his glass he saw Carmen, finally show up. She smiled as she walked over to the table, “I’m sorry, I got caught up on one of my projects.” She said as she sat down across from him.

“It’s alright, but it has been happening a lot Carmen, is everything alright?” he asked as he picked up his menu.

“Everything is fine, in fact I finished this project today so it won’t be distracting me anymore.” She explained as she began looking over the menu.

“Well that’s good to know.” Alex said, wondering what was really going on, and making a mental note to keep an eye on her more closely.

Kate picked up the note.

Meet me by the fly rail’s stairs. Your career depends on it.

She dropped the note and rushed to the fly rail. Her career was what was most important to her. Who could that note have been from? Maybe it was just Legolas. Sex on the stairs, they’ve never done that before. Leave it to him to do something cheesy like this.

Once by the fly rail stairs she began to tap her foot nervously. “Hello?” She called out to the emptiness. “God… It’s so disgusting and cold up here. Legolas this really isn’t funny.”

Devon, a level up, watched in horror as he saw Paula come out of a dark corner and push Kate down the long stairwell. Her body hit the floor with a loud thud that echoed through the backstage area.