The Cast from Sunset Valley

Nick
Thornton
Holly
VJ
Bella
Anne
Mortimer
Malcolm


"Holly, your Mother and I want to speak to you."

From the tone of her Father's voice Holly Alto knew it was 'time' for the 'talk'.

She had been dreading it for quite some time now.

Nick Alto's face was stern as he looked formidably at his beautiful daughter.

Who would have thought that the gawky young woman would have blossomed out to be such a beautiful creature. With her parents' wealth and power and her own good looks, she could have had any man. It was that she just chose not to.

Well, he was Nick Alto and he would soon see to it.

"Holly, your mother and I want to see you married."

Holly had not quite expected that beginning.

"Mother, Father, I'm just not ready for marriage."

"Because you are in love with a girl?" Nick Alto boomed.

Holly did not flinch. "Yes, Bebe and I have been going steady for many years now." She said looking her father directly in his eyes.

"Well its wise you understand that marriage is out of the question with that girl."

Holly swallowed.

"Despite your knack of finding totally inappropriate partners, Nick and I have decided not to press you on the issue." Vita said silkily,

Holly's hands tightened. She very much doubted whether they were up to any good.

"However we both agree that you cannot waste your life away. Being our only daughter, we have decided to send you over to Anne Arbour to start a branch of the family business."

"WHAT?" Holly went deadly white, clenching the arms of the chair. "I know nothing of business!"

"Don't worry. Thornton Wolff will be there to help you. He is a promising young man. And after that case of the unfortunate divorce, he is more than willing to take a small break and help you get started."


--------------- ---

Nick looked out of the windows of his new office. Born and bred in Bridgeport, the bustle of Anne Arbour seemed more homely than the suburban charms of Sunset Valley that had been his home for many years.



"Do you mean" Gluck bristled. "That these bloody blood suckers handle Anne Arbour's whole criminal racket?"

Rake nodded, not missing a beat. "75% percent that is."

"And how the hell," Gluck yelled. "Am I supposed to handle this?"

"By turning to the remaining 25%."


"Rake, man, we are not talking of corporate scandal here. We all know they are thieves." He protested in a mock whishper as Rake led him up the elevator of Landgraab and Alto.

"I am talking of crime as in robbery, bribery and"

"We don't deal with murder." The punk kid blurted out indignantly.

Rake grinned as Gluck choked.