Stolen...(Completed Version) (standard:drama, 3341 words)
Author: mykemyk	Added: Jun 24 2005	Views/Reads: 3392/2234	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Gavin Dane adjusts to being the notoriety of being a published novelist.

Gavin quietly stepped from the cab, paid the driver, and headed toward
the doorman standing at the entrance of the hotel. "Good evening Mr. 
Dane," the doorman offered. "Good evening Phil." Gavin responded. 
Inside, Gavin walked slowly, taking in his surroundings. He had just 
recently rented a suite at this Hotel. The Glade was the premier hotel 
on the west side of the city. Gavin hadn't always been a "hotel" kind 
of individual. Early on, he had stayed at cheap motels, living in a 
manner that would not attract attention. He had decided, only recently, 
to upgrade to a more lavish lifestyle...more in tune with the wealth he 
had accumulated. 

Although the penthouse was available, and well within his means, he had
taken a suite on the 18th floor of the popular hotel. As he stepped off 
the elevator, he took his card from his wallet and "swiped" it once to 
gain entry to his suite. Inside, he could not help but grin as he 
tossed his jacket onto the chair closest to the door. As he loosened 
his tie, he thought of the book signing he had just left. He had found 
himself at the center of attention...and why not? Everyone was wanting 
to get a peek at the author whose first novel had just made the best 
sellers list. "Stolen" was a hit...a "slam dunk". He had not entered 
the literary world, he had invaded it...taking no prisoners in the 
process. His eyes still burned from the lights and cameras. Laura Tate, 
his agent, had more than done her job. Journalists and other media 
types seemed to come out of the woodwork...all wanting a word or 
statement from the talented young author. Beyond Words, the upscale 
bookstore located just blocks from his hotel, was packed with people. 
Everyone wanted a copy of their book signed by Gavin. He was supposed 
to have read a couple of chapters of the novel to those who had come to 
see him. Instead, he had spent nearly two hours telling story after 
story of how he had painstakingly researched the book. By the time he 
was finished, there was no time for him to read...he simply began to 
sign copies and quickly answers questions posed to him by reporters and 
other journalists. Having never been to a booksigning, he had no idea 
how he had fared. At the end, Laura simply snatched him away, placed 
him into a cab, and told him to go back to his hotel. "You have done 
enough tonight, Gavin." She almost whispered."There are still press 
conferences and the talk show circuit. For the next few weeks, you are 
going to be a busy fellow." As she backed away from the cab, she said, 
"Given tonight's response, I have no doubt that "Stolen" will, in a few 
months, be in line for a movie deal." 

After a long, hot shower, Gavin ordered room service, plopped down on
the couch, and turned on the tv. As if guided by the gods of fate, he 
saw himself standing in the bookstore. He smiled broadly at seeing his 
image staring back at him. He listened, with interest, as he heard 
himself say, "Stolen is a novel about Jack Dancy, a pickpocket who 
amasses a fortune by simply stealing cash. Dancy decides, early on, 
that credit cards, jewelry, and other trinkets are simply "deathtraps" 
to a pick pocket. By choosing places where the "cash is 
flowing"...strip clubs, casinos, race tracks, and resorts, Dancy proves 
that his focus on cash brings "worry free wealth"! Dancy is smart 
enough to realize that, unlike credit cards and expensive trinkets, 
cash comes with no need for a "middle man"...there is nothing to be 
fenced or sold. The time wasted looking for a fence can be channeled 
back into what Dancy does best...stealing and pocketing cash!" 

The knock at the door pulls Gavin back to the present. Clicking off the
tv, he strides to the door to allow room service to serve him supper. 
For special guests, room service includes a waiter to serve the meal. 
Gavin, though only on the 18th floor, is such a guest. Notoriety is not 
without its priviledges. 

After supper, Gavin lies back on the couch to contemplate all that has
happened. He finds his eyes drawn to the laptop lying on the table near 
his bed. "Writing is tough work." Gavin says to himself. "Stealing is 
so much easier...and much more fun." Gavin could not help laughing at 
the hilarity of the whole idea of being an author. He had started out 
to simply "journal" his adventures. The hardest part was trying to 
think of a name to use. In the end, he chose Dancy because it rhymed 
with Clancy, one of his favorite authors. 

Gavin was still laughing when Laura, his agent, called to say goodnight.
"Do you call all your clients like this?" Gavin asked. "No", Laura 
replied, "Just the successful ones." "Tell me, Gavin", she asked 
warmly. "What is Jack Dancy going to do next?" Gavin turned the 


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