‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the night
Each patron was celebrating, with boundless excite;
The diamonds were dancing on the dancefloor with stylish flare,
In hopes that the Satos soon would be there;
Sunday, December 24rd 2023
The Oracle. Calling this hotel a “historical landmark” wouldn’t give it enough justice. Word on the street is this is the hotel that Bella Goth was caught having an affair with Johnny Zest by Nancy Landgraab, Johnny’s estranged mother. This is also the hotel that was the backdrop of Venessa Jeong’s leaked “casting couch” videos.
Tsk tsk.
But besides the salacious rumors, this hotel is home to a plethora of rich San Myshuno history. Including the inauguration of Mayor Landers. That’s probably why she has taken a liken to The Oracle and continues to host her yearly holiday parties here.
“We won’t be here all night.” Kenneth promised. And it was a promise Marlene intended to hold against him. It was freezing and the hours long car ride in the morning was something she was not looking forward.
Marlene promised she wouldn’t miss a Winterfest away from her children. Even though her children had long outgrown the pampers they wore when she originally made that promised, she still intended to hold on to it. Especially since The Satos had an incoming member. Marlene knew the importance of showing Natalia how a good Sato behaved. And that included always keeping their promises.
As Kenneth and Marlene headed in, Marlene felt her unwarranted frost gloves, slowly melt off her hands. Although is was the heat keeping her warm, she was sure that it was spirits warming the bodies of the patrons. Before she could even find a seat, a familiar voice greeted them.
“Marley!”
There was an unspoken admiration that Sabrina had for her elder sister, Marlene. Even miles apart, Sabrina knew what Marlene was thinking/feeling/seeing/doing. She called it her psychic ability.
“Beautiful, as always.” Sabrina greeted her sister. It was no surprised to see her sister dripping in diamonds, face perfectly painted in smoky pigments, and hair perfectly styles and frozen in place. Even if glitz and glamour wasn’t Sabrina’s preferred style, she knew it sister killed every. single. time.
“Not as beautiful as you.” Marlene graciously complimented her sister back.
“Bethany said she has something for Ken. She’s here, somewhere.” Sabrina said. Soon after, Bethany appeared from the darkness as if the mere mention of her name summoned her.
“Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Sato. This has been long overdue.” Bethany said. This was only a half truth. Bethany heard a lot of Kenneth Sato and his business practices. And from what she heard, it was better to have him as a friend than a foe.
Ken nodded at the pleasantry. “You have a fix to a problem that I have.” Ken said. Bethany returned the nod.
Straight to business. Of course, Mayor Landers had heard of what type of person he was, she was still little taken aback from his straight forwardness. Not even a hello for the woman about to help him? Fine.
“Follow me.” Bethany led the pair away from the crowd.
“The wedding is going to be here soon and I haven’t even found a dress yet. We should definitely go shopping together. We can make it a weekend, just the two of us!” Marlen beamed at the thought of the two on a catered plan, drinking champagne and laughing about The Real Simwives.
“My next couple of weeks are filled.” Sabrina said. Her head was swelling with all of the items on her to do list.
“Make some time! We promised to spend more time together now that we finally live close to each other.” Marlene reasoned.
“I can’t. I’m really just can’t right now. I have two cases going to trial soon and Kion won’t stop texting me about baby proofing the living room. I haven’t had to babyproof a home in 20 plus years! I thought those days were over with!”
Marlene had forgotten that her sister, who somehow became a grandmother before her, was knees deep in preparations to be a live in nanny. Kion, Sabrina’s ambitious and creative son had finally realized his music career wasn’t taking off in the way he always imagined it. So he was throwing in the towel and finding a new path… back in his childhood bedroom… with not one but two plus ones.
“And he has the nerve to ask me to fill the nursery with diapers, baby wipes and all of that nonsense…on my dime! My lord! What else does he want me to pay for? His girlfriend’s pedicure? I’m sure he’ll probably ask me to just paint her toes for her!” Sabrina groaned.
“How about I get us a drink? Something strong.” Marlene offered, nearly escaping Sabrina’s eruption that could only be initiated by the thoughts of her only child, Kion Fox.
Kenneth had follow Mayor Landers into what felt like the dungeons of The Oracle. At least, may be it was a dungeon 50+ years ago. Now it was a renovated bar with an older and more established crowd that the one upstairs. Mayor Landers lead Kenneth through the crowd, only stopping to shake hands with her most illustrious supporters. Shortly, they approached the double doors that was guarded by just a mere VIP sign.
Mayor Landers pushed right on through.
“Hello old friend. Thank you creating time in your schedule to meet us. This is Kenneth Sato. Owner of Sato Technologies and a great friend of mine.”
“This is the man you wanted me to meet? Mr. iRobot?” Mauricio scoffed at the sight of Ken, “What a joke.”
“I am more than my company.” Kenneth reasoned.
“I know who you are. Mr. ‘billionaire dollar business owner’, Mr. ‘King of AI’, Mr. ”I shouldn’t pay taxes, I feed all of you’.” Mauricio rambled through the headlines he read about Mr. Sato and his shoddy business practices. And these were only the recent ones! How can a man claim to be more than his business when the only thing he opens his mouth about revolves around his business?
“Mauricio. This is a business opportunity. For all parties involved. Please.” Mayor Landers pleaded.
“No thank you.” Mauricio said. It was the clear answer. The morally correct answer. Why work for a man that showed how self centered he was?
“He’s going to pay you heavenly, Mauricio. You know that. Enough for you to buy that villa in Selvadorada.” Mayor Landers said plainly. “You know, the one that your wife loves.”
“Enough to buy ten of them.” Kenneth interjected.
No response.
Kenneth rejoiced at the sound of silence. The man who immediately barked at the sight of Ken was now muted by the thought of the cascade of zeros on the check that Ken was offering to write.
Typical.
Money wins every time.
To Eliana, this party was not different than any other party. It was a chance to gossip with the girls, show off her rocking body for which she spent too much time in the gym, and to dance the night away with (but usually without) her husband.
But of course, Mauricio was preoccupied with business dealings to spend time with her. And there was someone here, that was the main topic of discussion tonight, Marlene Sato. Through the sea of party goers, Marlene shined. The other girls watched her like a diamond in a display case.
“Don’t you claim to know her?” Astrid questioned. Astrid always knew Eliana to claim to know all the celebs. Now was the perfect time to call her bluff.
“I do know her.” Eliana asserted.
Okay.
Maybe saying she knows Marlene was a bit of a stretch. Eliana knew Marlene.
Regardless, she didn’t need Astrid challenging her right now. Not in front of all the girls. So just like that, Eliana got up and approached her dear old friend.
“Oh, Marlene! What a coincidence running into you.” Eliana exclaimed with all of the faux excitement she could muster.
“Oh wow! There’s a face I haven’t seen in awhile. Eli, what a pleasure to see you after all these years.” Marlene exclaimed back. The sound of hear her name out of Marlene’s mouth made warmed her soul. She hoped her girls heard it at their table.
“It’s been like 30 years… maybe longer. You look amazing. You haven’t aged one bit.” Eliana complimented. It was an honest compliment too. To Eliana, Marlene looked like she didn’t even know what the word “stress” meant.
“Thank you, I definitely feel like I’ve aged. I can’t believe it’s been that long.”
“I know… I can’t believe I’m running into you at The Mayor’s holiday party! I’ve been going to this thing for years and never spotted you here.”
“Yeah well… she’s a new friend of mine.”
“Oh, splendid.” Eliana nodded furiously unsure of what else to say. The women silently observed each other. Marlene could spot costume jewelry a mile away. It was clear, to her, which woman married better.
“I always wondered how you were doing, Eli. I’m glad after everything, you’re okay.” Marlene smiled reflecting the time they spent together as young women. Eliana smiled too…genuinely. Because after everything, she was okay.
“I’m glad you’re okay too. It looks like better than ok.” Eliana chuckled a bit at the obvious. Let’s face it, Marlene was fabulous. She was dripping in diamonds, draped in designer digs and bathed in the most luxurious perfume. Marlene was granted the life that the two women both desired all those years ago. While Eliana was married to an ex-cop who still took a few side gigs for extra cash since his retirement fund didn’t cover enough.
After a few minutes of more small talk, Marlene left to go find her husband and Eliana reconnected with her girls with an invisible crown propped on her head.
“So you do know Marlene Sato… interesting.”
miss moodring musings 
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