141|This Love You Speak Of

The Gopals were scheduled to arrive at 8:00 PM, but Austin was at Royal Lights at six, just to make sure the venue was in tip-top condition for what could very well be his final Battle Royale with The Corporation.

Austin trusted his assistant to do her job well, but for anything involving The Corporation, he liked to be a little hands-on. So as soon as he'd settled down in his office and responded to a few burning emails, he headed to the Cigar Room at the heart of the casino's dining hub in the south wing.

He found Elizabeth hard at work, coordinating with the lounge's staff.

"Mr Hawthorne, you're here!" she said, briefly looking up from the clipboard in her hands.

"In the flesh," Austin replied, rocking on the balls of his feet as he shoved his hands in his pockets, a pleased smile on his face. "How's it going over here?"

"As well as can be expected, I suppose, for something so at short notice."

Austin narrowed his eyes at her snippy tone. He didn't like being here more than she did