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Centurion · (05-07-2019)

Walter: Be natural and blend in.

(Those were the words last given by Walter Crowe before he and Centurion went their separate ways prior to the party they would be attending.

The party was a Game of Thrones costume party hosted by Charles Wimberg, the chair of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. It was designed as a way for repressed nerds to dress up while still paying homage to the capitalism that has driven the once thriving city into the ground. The parallels between Westeros and Atlantic City are striking, with many looking to kiss the rings of the men in power while silently plotting their demise.

For Centurion and Walter, their attendance is more of a scouting mission. Since Centurion left Atlantic City, his business had been taken over by three former members of the Board of Directors. Centurion and Walter have a specific mission – find out who is in charge, as well as who has been funneling money into the business to keep it afloat.

We open up at night outside the Ocean Casino and Resort, one of the newest and definitely the most upscale casino in Atlantic City. Standing outside the doors is Walter, dressed up as Ned Stark, nervously tapping his foot and looking at his watch. Other members of the public – some dressed in costume, and some not – are standing outside smoking, while others still enter and leave the front doors. Walter finally breaths a sigh of relief as a Lyft driver pulls up to the front doors. As the back doors open, however, Walter lets out a look of complete shock and horror as Centurion steps out…

Dressed as Daenerys Targaryen, complete with long, white wig and purple costume dress.

[Image: Emilia-Clarke-as-Daenerys-season-7-952139.jpg]

[Image: Emilia-Clarke-as-Daenerys-season-7-952139.jpg]

Centurion walks up to Walter while adjusting his wig. Walter’s shocked expression does not change.)

Centurion: Are you ready?

Walter: …THIS is your definition of being natural and blending in?! You stick out like a sore thumb!

Centurion: What are you talking about? I look amazing.

Walter: You look like an expensive drag queen! This isn’t one of your nerd conventions – this is a gathering of the most important people in the city, and YOU’RE supposed to be discreet!

Centurion: I AM discreet. There’s no way anyone will be able to recognize me in this. If anything, people will just assume I’m your tall, gender neutral girlfriend. This is a progressive city.

Walter: Not that progressive. Besides, you’re not really my type. I go for pretty ladies.

Centurion: (gasps) How dare you!

(Walter turns to walk into the building, but before he does, Centurion grabs him by the shoulder and turns him back around.)

Centurion: Quick, before we go in there…give me a crash course on Game of Thrones. I’ve never watched it.

(Walter arches his eyebrow.)

Walter: Are you kidding me? You’re the ONE PERSON on this planet who has never watched the show?

Centurion: Oh, I’m sorry for trying to SURVIVE. I never had time!

Walter: If anyone asks you any questions, just…say some fantasy shit. Your bound to say something from the show.

(Centurion nods as Walter turns and the two walk into the casino. They walk past several patrons and down a hallway, where EDM music can already be heard from the other end of the hallway. They walk up to a door, where two men in suits stand in front, arms crossed. Walter looks at the two of them before saying: )

Walter: There is only one thing we say to death: Not today.

(One of the men nods before opening the doors. On the other side is the HQ2 Nightclub of the Ocean, pumping with EDM music. The room is filled with people in costume, as well as many Game of Thrones themes props. Off to the side of the room sits a table with a buffet of many different foods, and a large ice sculpture of the Iron Throne sitting right in the middle of it. As Walter and Centurion walk into the room, a waitress, dressed as a commoner, approached the two.)

Waitress: Welcome to Westeros, my friends. Some wine to get you started?

(The waitress lowers a tray with goblets of wine on them, as Centurion and Walter both grab one. Much to Walter’s surprise, Centurion was right – guests walk up and past the two, and none of them seem to give Centurion and his Mother Of Dragons costume a second look. Walter scans the room before turning back to Centurion.)

Walter: Ok, spread out. I’ll go to the buffet table. You go to the bar. See if you can pick up anything or spot anyone familiar. And try not to seduce anyone.

Centurion: No promises.

(Walter splits off towards the food as Centurion takes a sip of his wine before walking towards the dancefloor. Centurion, First Of His Name, Deliverer Of Suplexes moves his way through the dancing patrons, sipping his wine and pumping his fist along the way. He reaches the bar and leans up against it, scanning the crowd of dancers. He looks over to the side of dancefloor, where a VIP section is set up with a table. Unknown young ladies in skimpy outfits dance in the VIP section, and sitting at the table are three men – Charles Wilberg, the host of the party and previously mentioned Chair of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, as well as bookmaker and casino operator William Hill. The third man is film producer, attorney, and former Newt Gingrich advisor Patrick N. Millsaps.)

Centurion (to himself): There’s the financer.

(Centurion continues to scan the room, looking for any former associates of his, when he feels a tap on his shoulder.)

Voice: Hey there, Khaleesi. Your Jon Snow is here for you.

(Centurion turns his head to see a drunk man, dressed as Jon Snow, leaning up against the bar. Centurion blinks in disgust as he sips his wine and just goes back to scanning the room. The man, however, continues on his bullshit with slurred speech.)

Man: I have an ambassador suite booked. Want to know why?

(Centurion sighs and turns back to the man, but before he can say anything, the man responds.)

Man: Because I AM an abmasador! I bet you don’t know which country though.

Centurion: Get the fuck out of here.

(The man, who suddenly realizes he was talking to a dude the entire time, wretches before sprinting away from the bar. Centurion just shakes his head as he takes another sip of his wine. The King of House Cortinovis once again scans the room looking for familiar faces, but many of the power brokers within the city have changed in the time since Centurion was around. Centurion doesn’t spot anyone when he feels another tap on his shoulder. This time, though, instead of a drunk public official looking to score, it’s just the bartender.)

Bartender: Excuse me. Drink for you. Courtesy of the man at the end of the bar.

(Great, Centurion thought, more drunk nerds infatuated with the costume. Centurion looks down at the drink that was just served for him, which is a vodka martini. Centurion looks confused. He used to drink several vodka martinis back in the day, but stopped drinking them after he realized he could no longer handle them. He looks towards the end of the bar, where the bartender pointed, and he doesn’t see the thirsty nerd he expected to see.)

Centurion: Son of a bitch.

(Instead, he spots George Latimore, a former employee, manager, and board of directors member of Centurion Enterprises. Latimore isn’t in costume – he is just in a suit, and he is staring directly at Centurion. He lifts up his drink from the bar and winks at Centurion before turning and walking away. Centurion, paralyzed with a combination of fear and anger, watching every movement of Latimore until he blends in with the crowd. Centurion quickly reaches for his phone and sends a text message to Walter.

Quote:Me: It’s Latimore.

Centurion looks across the dance floor to the buffet table at Walter, who is chatting up someone. He is laughing and having a good time when the message goes through. Walter grabs his phone and his expression immediately goes sour. He looks around to see what Centurion sees, before glancing at Centurion and texting back to him.)

Quote:The Crowe: You sure?

Quote:Me: He looked right at me. Right in the eyes. He knows I’m here and doesn’t care.

(As Walter gets the last text, he lowers his phone and leans against the table. He grabs his wine goblet and takes a pretty large swig before looking around at the room again. He picks his phone back up and responds to Centurion)

Quote:The Crowe: We’re in trouble.

Quote:Me: Should we leave?

(Walter goes to respond, but before he does, the person he was chatting with nudges him with their elbow. He laughs and nods, nervously, before going back to his phone to respond.)

Quote:The Crowe: No. We don’t want to cause a scene. Nothing we can do about it now. Relax and enjoy the party. See if you can get any information out of people. We’ll meet up tomorrow.

(Centurion sighs and sets his phone on the bar before reaching down and grabbing the vodka martini that was graciously supplied to him. He takes a long swig of his martini before wiping his mouth and setting it back down on the bar. It’s going to be a long night.)

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