TheDungeon Read Online Free Page B

space that still had exposed beams, unfinished walls, hanging wires
and bare floors.
    “Sorry, Mr. Richards, but the shipment of marble for the
floor hasn’t come in from Italy yet,” the contractor explained.
    “Listen, Greg, I’m really trying to be patient with you, but
it’s been one thing after the other. First it took you three weeks longer than
you estimated to build the bar, and then you ordered the wrong cabinets for the
kitchen, and now this. Are you sure you can meet the deadline?”
    “Mr. Richards, I promise you this room will be done on time
and on budget.”
    “Okay, I’m going to hold you to that. Look, Greg, I gotta
go. Keep me in the loop in case there’s another unforeseen delay.”
    “You got it.”
    Magnus was the co-owner of ACES, a boutique casino in
Atlantic City. He had a meeting with the other partners to discuss leasing out
the new room. They had kicked around several ideas for the new space at the
last meeting, but hadn’t made a final decision. Magnus was the managing partner
of the casino and wanted to add a four-star restaurant, but he had to run every
major decision past his two partners. He took the escalator to the second floor
and walked into the conference room.
    “Good morning, Mr. Richards,” his assistant Jan said once he
stepped into the room. “Here’s your coffee.” She was on point and knew her boss
had to have his “black eye”—black coffee with a double shot of espresso—every
morning.
    “Thanks, Jan.” Magnus glanced around the empty conference
room. “Where are Tony and Kevin?” he asked, referring to the other partners.
    “I spoke to their assistants and they’re both running late.”
    Magnus was a stickler for being on time and hated tardiness.
His mother had instilled in him years ago that being on time meant being early
and being late was unprofessional and unacceptable. “Call them directly and
tell them that I’m not going to wait all morning. My calendar is full and I
plan to keep on schedule.”
    “Yes sir.” Jan picked up the phone sitting on the conference
table and made the calls.
    As Magnus was waiting, his cell phone rang. “Hello.”
    “Hey there, it’s Amber. How are you?”
    “I’m good, hope you’re feeling better.”
    “Yes I was, but I’m a hundred percent better and ready for
our next date.”
    “About that, I wanted to talk to you in person but now I’m
tied up with the renovations for my new restaurant, and I won’t have time to
take you out. I really hate having this type of conversation over the
telephone, but the truth of the matter is we’re not that compatible. I think
it’s best if we stop dating and just be friends. I—“
    “What? Why would you say something like that? Are you seeing
someone else?”
    “No I’m not.”
    “Then why do you want to be friends instead of lovers?”
    Magnus wanted to say, Because we’re not sexually
compatible , but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “Amber, we had fun
together, but it’s not going anywhere, and I don’t want to waste either of our
time.”
    “Wow, you really shoot from the hip.”
    “Amber, I hope I didn’t offend you. That’s just how I feel.”
    “Well, it wasn’t the conversation I expected, but I can
appreciate your honesty. Take care,” she said and hung up.
    “I’m glad that’s over.”
    Fifteen minutes later Tony and Kevin walked in.
    “Where have you guys been?” Magnus looked at his watch.
“It’s almost nine twenty.”
    “Cool your jets, man, we’re only a few minutes late,” Kevin
said, going over to the credenza and pouring himself a cup of coffee.
    “I am cool. I don’t like waiting. You guys should know that
by now.”
    The partners were once little boys growing up in the same
tough Atlantic City neighborhood. Kevin Johnson was the only black kid on the
block and would often get picked on by the other tough Italian kids. Tony
DeAngelo and Magnus had known each other since kindergarten and were thick as
thieves.