Panic Button Read Online Free Page A
Author: Frazer Lee
chairs swivelled so the passengers could face each other over polished drinks tables. Each screen displayed the name of one of the four winners in sleek blue all2gethr.com branding. The cockpit entrance was curtained off at the front of the plane. An illuminated sign indicated the bathroom to the rear. A bar area, also at the rear, was stocked with yet more champagne on ice and numerous spirits, next to a wall mounted LCD screen. Unlike the others, this particular screen was off.
“This is incredible,” Gwen said, looking at her name displayed in big blue characters on the touch screen computer monitor.
“So this is how the other half live, eh?” Dave grinned from ear to ear. “They have a bar, oh yes .”
“I could get used to this,” Max said, flopping down in front of his touch screen, “No expense spared I see.”
The letters of his name moved into an animated swirl, forming the all2gethr.com logo. Once again, the Alligator uncurled itself from the globe and stared out from the screens. Jaw waggling in vaguely lip-synched animation, its voice boomed over the speakers as the music faded out.
“As guests of all2gethr.com, you are cordially invited to be pilots in an all-new, exclusive social networking game. There are fantastic prizes to be won, including diamonds from Tiffany’s, VIP tickets for a Broadway show and, best of all, a brand new 4x4 Jeep!”
Jo and the others cheered and applauded.
“Stand by for further instructions. Please make yourselves at home.”
The grinning Alligator faded from their screens and the saccharine orchestral melody returned.
Curiosity, and the need to be away from Dave’s ‘unique’ sense of humour for just a little while, led Gwen to the bathroom. Bright ceiling-mounted lighting flickered into life as she opened the door.
Wow. Just... Wow, thought Gwen. She’d never seen luxury like this. The bathroom even had a shower cubicle as well as the requisite sink and toilet. A big LCD TV screen was mounted on the wall opposite the loo , little standby light glowing. She crossed to the sink and sniffed at the expensive soaps and moisturisers , stroking the soft cotton towels and flannels hanging there. There were even bathrobes, embroidered with the Deppart Airlines logo in heavy gold thread. Lush, she thought, Emily will never believe me when I tell her about this.
Gwen chuckled under her breath, imagining the look on her sister’s face. Always the rebel, Emily would probably have stolen a bathrobe by now and been kicked off the plane, God love her. Gwen checked herself in the circular mirror. The movie star lighting surrounding the mirror was flattering, and she dabbed a little of the complimentary cologne behind each ear. She smiled at herself, playing the part of the private jet set princess for an imaginary prince on the other side of the looking glass. What will my prince look like when he comes? More like Max than Dave I hope , she chuckled to herself. The sudden whine of the engines startled her from her reverie. Remembering what she was about to do she clutched at the sink instinctively, expecting the plane to lurch forward at any moment. The fingers of her right hand fumbled beneath her silk scarf, finding the warm metal of the crucifix pendant, hanging from its delicate silver chain. She stroked the familiar shape, drawing comfort from it.
Her mind raced as she asked herself what she was doing here, alone on this plane, flying to New York with a group of strangers. But that was her father’s voice. She could hear his authoritative tones sermonising in her head, dismissing her hopes, her dreams of working in the fashion industry. Focussing on her reflection in the mirror, she recounted all the reasons why she had to do this trip, why she needed it so badly. New York could open so many doors for her - opportunities that simply didn’t exist at home. One such opportunity had arisen when a
“This is incredible,” Gwen said, looking at her name displayed in big blue characters on the touch screen computer monitor.
“So this is how the other half live, eh?” Dave grinned from ear to ear. “They have a bar, oh yes .”
“I could get used to this,” Max said, flopping down in front of his touch screen, “No expense spared I see.”
The letters of his name moved into an animated swirl, forming the all2gethr.com logo. Once again, the Alligator uncurled itself from the globe and stared out from the screens. Jaw waggling in vaguely lip-synched animation, its voice boomed over the speakers as the music faded out.
“As guests of all2gethr.com, you are cordially invited to be pilots in an all-new, exclusive social networking game. There are fantastic prizes to be won, including diamonds from Tiffany’s, VIP tickets for a Broadway show and, best of all, a brand new 4x4 Jeep!”
Jo and the others cheered and applauded.
“Stand by for further instructions. Please make yourselves at home.”
The grinning Alligator faded from their screens and the saccharine orchestral melody returned.
Curiosity, and the need to be away from Dave’s ‘unique’ sense of humour for just a little while, led Gwen to the bathroom. Bright ceiling-mounted lighting flickered into life as she opened the door.
Wow. Just... Wow, thought Gwen. She’d never seen luxury like this. The bathroom even had a shower cubicle as well as the requisite sink and toilet. A big LCD TV screen was mounted on the wall opposite the loo , little standby light glowing. She crossed to the sink and sniffed at the expensive soaps and moisturisers , stroking the soft cotton towels and flannels hanging there. There were even bathrobes, embroidered with the Deppart Airlines logo in heavy gold thread. Lush, she thought, Emily will never believe me when I tell her about this.
Gwen chuckled under her breath, imagining the look on her sister’s face. Always the rebel, Emily would probably have stolen a bathrobe by now and been kicked off the plane, God love her. Gwen checked herself in the circular mirror. The movie star lighting surrounding the mirror was flattering, and she dabbed a little of the complimentary cologne behind each ear. She smiled at herself, playing the part of the private jet set princess for an imaginary prince on the other side of the looking glass. What will my prince look like when he comes? More like Max than Dave I hope , she chuckled to herself. The sudden whine of the engines startled her from her reverie. Remembering what she was about to do she clutched at the sink instinctively, expecting the plane to lurch forward at any moment. The fingers of her right hand fumbled beneath her silk scarf, finding the warm metal of the crucifix pendant, hanging from its delicate silver chain. She stroked the familiar shape, drawing comfort from it.
Her mind raced as she asked herself what she was doing here, alone on this plane, flying to New York with a group of strangers. But that was her father’s voice. She could hear his authoritative tones sermonising in her head, dismissing her hopes, her dreams of working in the fashion industry. Focussing on her reflection in the mirror, she recounted all the reasons why she had to do this trip, why she needed it so badly. New York could open so many doors for her - opportunities that simply didn’t exist at home. One such opportunity had arisen when a
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