Alynwa's Mind: It's Crazy in There

“Why do you insist on feeding these little beasts, Illya?”

“I like cats, Napoleon.  They remind me of me.”

“Oh, this I have to hear.  How do they remind you of you?”

“Cats are independent, yet capable of being around others.  They are solitary, yet will respond affectionately to the right person.  They can survive on their own, yet will accept care and companionship if it is offered in the right way.  When I first arrived in America, I was very wary of everyone I came in contact with, until you.  I learned to trust you.”

“Of course you did.”

Illya sat looking through the brochures left on the table in their hotel room.  “Napoleon, you have been in Las Vegas before.   Have you gone to see Lake Mead?”

“No.”

“Hoover Dam?”

“No.”

“The M&M Museum?”

“What?  No.”

“You have not gone to the most popular tourist attractions so, what do you do when you are here?”

“Play baccarat.  And, Musical Beds.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“I am a hedonist; there’s a difference.”

The Russian shrugged his shoulders.  “Now I understand why Mr. Waverly insisted we spend this vacation together as soon as he heard your destination.”

“We’re loose in Vegas!”

“Hello, Napoleon.  Mr. Waverly asked me to bring this…Are you expecting company?”

“No, just you, Partner.”

“Linen napkins, china, gold plated cutlery, crystal glasses; what is for dinner?”

“Steak, lobster, baked potatoes, salad, wine and Boston cream pie for dessert.”

“Boszhe moi, if you had come to my house for dinner, we would be eating Chinese off paper plates with plastic forks.”

“Napoleon Solo’s kitchen is a paper and plastic free zone, my friend.”

“And, why is that?” the Russian asked.

“I deserve the best because I’m worth it.  And, you’re here because you are, too.”

“Papa, Daddy!  I made breakfast!”

Illya came into the kitchen.  “You did? You are three years old!  Where is it?”

“On the table.  See?”

Illya looked and saw three plates; two contained a banana, an apple and some grapes while the third held two bananas, two apples and three times as many grapes.

Napoleon entered and Leona grabbed his hand and led him to his seat.  “Leona, why does that plate have more food?”

“Because you said Papa eats more than we do and that is where he sits.”

“Partner Mine, even our daughter knows your appetite is legendary.”