CAN'T BUY ME LOVE
by Vanessa Delvalle, 1995
delvalle@sju.edu
***Spoilers to: The Defeat, Tears from the Past, 
      Born to Darkness: My Personal Diary, and an upcoming spec****


"I don't care too much for money,
 Money can't buy me love..."

	The Beatles---Can't buy me love.


---Daniel---

	JoAnne left our house to follow Lestat soon after Scarlet's depart.
It had been a terrible blow to Armand to loose his precious Dark Angel, and
to Lestat! It just had to be Lestat.
	I went through some months of Hell, trying to cope with his continuous
bad moods and depressions. I even thought about leaving a few times, but my
deep love for him made me remain by his side, like a faithful dog, always at
his master's feet. Such a funny thought...
	Louis stayed with us for a few weeks. While he was with us, Armand 
seemed happy and serene. I don't think he really missed JoAnne's presence,
not to mention Scarlet's. Louis and him would talk for hours, walk the streets
of Seattle arm in arm, consoling each other from the pain that Lestat had
caused them.
	When I think of it, it still makes me laugh! Lestat and Armand fighting
over JoAnne. Of course I knew from the beginning that Lestat would have her.
They were meant for each other from day one. What I never imagined, is that 
Lestat would leave Louis with Armand so easily, only concerned with the 
fact that JoAnne was *his*.
	And then, Louis left. He decided to go back to New Orleans. Yes, he
knew that Lestat wasn't home, that he was traveling with JoAnne. Still, he
wanted to return to New Orleans and wait for his beloved to come home.
	Armand begged him to stay, the same way he'd uselessly begged JoAnne
not to leave him. Useless. Louis argued that he needed to be alone, and 
although Armand offered to purchase a house for him somewhere in Seattle,---
anything to keep him around,--- Louis refused.

 	My calvary began soon after his depart. Armand became obsessed with 
tracking JoAnne and Lestat wherever they went, and more than once, I stopped
him from breaking into Lestat's hotel room and literally *ruining* his little
vacation with JoAnne.
	I finally convinced him that his Angel would return when she was 
ready. JoAnne is very stubborn, and just as 'bratty' as Lestat. The best 
thing to do in such a case was to ignore her, and let her come back when she
chose to do so. FORCE doesn't work with her.
	Armand found another past-time. He found canceling Scarlet's credit
cards and closing her back accounts truly 'amusing.' Scarlet is not an avid
thief, and since she mostly feeds on beggars and paupers, it isn't easy for 
her to obtain money on her own. Everything she had---including the black 
Maxima she drove---was a courtesy of Armand.
	I tried to stop him from doing this, but he would not. 
	I went to see Scarlet a few times, and asked her to come back, but
she refused. Even after I told her that JoAnne was not longer living with us,
that she was somewhere in Europe with Lestat, she would not acquiesce.
It's impossible to reason with her or Armand. Pigheaded vampires, I call them.
Scarlet insisted that she would only come home when Armand himself asked her
to do it, and only then...
	Knowing Armand, it's easy to imagine that he wouldn't go and ask her
to come back. He just kept playing little games with her. When she was finally
penniless, she ran to the Night Island,---the only place she could go---and
she remained there for about two months. I went to visit her there as well,
trying to convince her to come back. It was a waste of my precious eternal
time.



---Scarlet---

	Living without Armand and Daniel was harder than I thought it would
be. It was even more painful than leaving my mother and my mortal life 
behind to join them in the Savage Garden.
	I was fine for the first few weeks, staying in different hotels each
night, feeding on any living creature that crossed my path. My new life was
not exactly pleasant, because I missed Daniel and Armand to death, but I 
must admit that it was bearable. 
	Great was my surprise when I discovered that my credit cards had been
canceled, and my bank accounts closed. I even had to spend one night   
underground, not being able to afford even a cheap room. It was that night
I saw Gabrielle, in Meza, Arizona. I was very surprised to see her,
standing in front of me, with a dazzling smile on her lips. So much like 
Lestat's...
	I had never met her before, and needless to say, I was amazed by her
beauty. She was far from the middle-aged woman I had imagined. She had a young
face and lively eyes. I was face to face with the Brat Prince's mortal mother,
for crying out loud! 
	She led me to her 'lair'---a little deserted and arid area outside the 
city. It was she who showed me how to bury myself underground, and without her,
I would have never made it.
	Just the thought of it was terrifying: going underground! For God's
sake, so dark and quiet in there, and filled with little 'earth creatures,'
as my brother Stefano used to call all those earth-worms and insects that 
found shelter in the ground. The touch of the ground, the sand next to my
skin, was more than horrid. At least to me, it was!
	Gabrielle helped me to fight that fear, arguing that nature was the 
mother of all beings upon the face of the Earth, including us, vampires.
	"Don't be afraid of Nature, for it can't be bad," she said. "How can
you be afraid of your original mother? Nature is beautiful, sweet, and caring.
She cares for all her children, including the most insignificant of them.
She provides for all. We all have a reason to be, either to serve as food,
or to clean the planet from waste.
	"Even the ugly toads are beautiful in their own special way, but 
more than anything, they too, have a purpose. You see, without them, and the
frogs, the Earth would be filled with insects and spiders, for these little
creatures reproduce quickly and in great numbers. The toads and frogs do 
away with them. And this is only a simple example, cherie. Nature is full of
mysteries and secrets. I've discovered many of them traveling through the 
jungles. 
	"Vampires have a purpose as well, believe it or not! We are the 
cleaners of the human carcass. By killing the evil doer, we prevent society
from being spoiled as a whole."
	"But we can't do away with all the bad people of the world," I said.
	"No, we can't. But then again, who can?"
	"And sometimes we don't just kill the evil doer, but also innocent
people---"
	"Nothing is perfect!"

	After this little conversation with Gabrielle, I was not longer
afraid of going underground. And I must admit that it pleased me so, to be
down there, so close to the Earth, peaceful, and quiet. 
	I thought about my dad and Stefano...Did they feel the peace of being
underground the way I did? Did they smell the earth, the mud, and even the
sand the way I did? Or maybe they just lay there, knowing nothing, feeling 
nothing, forever lost in the land of oblivion, the land of the dead.
	
	When I came up from the ground, Gabrielle was not longer there. She
was gone, and I never knew where she went...I was alone again.
	I meandered around for days, hoping to see her again. I should've 
known better. After all, she was Gabrielle, the loner.

	I traveled through the US, cursing Armand for taking all my money 
away. But it was *his* money, wasn't it? He had the right to take it away
at will.
	Daniel kept coming to see me, begging me to come back, but I would not.
	I found shelter in the abandoned property of the Night Island, and
that's where I began to dream of Santino, fearing he would come and see me.
I felt his presence several nights, but it took a week for the son of a bitch
to show his face. The flames of the love I felt for him in my mortal years
were burning again, this time, with more intensity. Much to my chagrin, I 
forgave him for all he'd done to me. I'm glad I did it. The hatred and the 
pain that poisoned my heart were taken away, and for the first time in almost
ten years, I was happy...almost. 
	I felt the need to go back to Armand. He was all I was lacking to be
happy. I wanted to have a reconciliation with him, without apologies, of 
course. I didn't want to humiliate myself and risk a rejection. 
	I called Daniel, knowing that he would soon come for me.



---Daniel---
	
	I heard Scarlet's call, and I was more than happy to know that she 
wanted to come home. I thought about going to the Night Island and bringing
her back, but then, I changed my mind. It would be a good distraction for
Armand to travel to the Night Island himself.
	"She wants to come home, Armand. I can hear her calling!"
	Armand's face brightened with joy. "JoAnne? My Angel wants to come
home?"
	I sighed. "No, Armand. It's Scarlet." I expected some kind of reaction
from him...there was nothing. He didn't say a word.
	"Armand, did you hear me? She wants to come home!"
	"So?" Armand shrugged. "Let her come. About time that little imp made
a smart decision."
	"Santino was with her a few nights ago," I said.
	This time, Armand reacted the way I expected.
	"Is she okay? Did he hurt her?"
	"No, Armand. You know well that Santino would never hurt her; it's
she he should beware of!"
	Armand smiled. "Yes, one must really watch out for her," he said 
chuckling. "Okay, I'll got to the Night Island tomorrow. Tell her to wait
there, that you shall come tomorrow. But don't tell her I'll come. I want it
to be a surprise!"
	I was happy to hear this, Scarlet has always been special to me.
She is my sister, my lover, my confident...my friend. We understand each
other to perfection, and although I do not approve of her little temper 
tantrums, I can sympathize.



---Scarlet---

	As expected. I called Daniel and he quickly replied, assuring me that
he would soon come for me.
	The day was longer than usual and my sleep was far from restful.
I couldn't wait to see Daniel again, and to tell him all about Santino, and
that other vampire, Sherri. Santino had said that she was Mekare's child,
and surely Daniel would enjoy hearing about this. Daniel is like a little
baby. He gets excited over everything, and he's also very curious. He would
surely find this amusing, and knowing him, we would be paying a visit to
Santino to find out more about this other vampire. I wondered if Armand
knew about her... 
	I also dreamt of my reunion with Armand. I would soon be with him
again, and JoAnne would not be there. My plan had worked after all. Lestat
had taken her away. It's a real shame that her depart came to pass after my
separation from Armand.
	Things would've been so different if she'd gone with Lestat from the
beginning. And I wonder what would've happened had I not left Armand's mansion?
I guess I will never know.
	However, I can't say that I regret my actions. This little adventure--
-as my dear Lestat would call it--- taught me a few lessons.
	I learned to love nature, to have a better understanding of the
meaning of life, and to view the universe from a different perspective. All of 
these, Gabrielle taught me in one night.
	I also learned to forgive. My encounter with Santino helped to heal
my wounds. The past is the past and shall never come back.
	Now, I think I'm ready to return to Armand. I've grown. I can now
say that the child that lived inside me is dead and shall never be again.



---Daniel---

	The jet was ready for Armand's flight to South Beach. I was going to
drive him to the airport when JoAnne showed up.
	I was amazed. I had not seen her for over five months, and now she
was back. Without even announcing her arrival, she entered the house and made
herself comfortable in the living room.
	She looked stunning, and I know I gasped at the sight of her. Her dark
brown hair was now graced with red highlights, auburn coloured, very similar
to Armand's. Her emerald eyes glimmered with the same intensity and malice as
the night I've met her, and her skin, oh God! She had a sun-tan! Just like 
Lestat's. I could still picture her porcelain face, her ivory white skin,
only a few months ago. Her skin was now richly golden, she had bathe in the 
precious metal.
	And she was beautiful, of course. That will never change.
	"What are you doing here?" I know I sounded discourteous, but it was 
due to my surprise.
	"I'm back," she said, giving me a little smile. 
	I couldn't even reply, mesmerized by her charm and beauty, and still
in shock. The dramatic change in her appearance couldn't go unnoticed. 
I couldn't hide my curiosity. What had that monster done to her?
	"Monster?" she laughed. 
	I felt her scanning my mind, and tried to build my shield, but 
it was too late. She had already read my thoughts.
	"Oh, the tan?" she asked. "It was my idea! Why, don't you like it?"
	I stood there motionless, and not knowing what to say.
	"Why do you refer to Lestat as 'that monster', huh? I thought you
liked him!" she paused. "He's really sweet, actually..." She rose from the 
couch and walked towards me. 
	I immediately stepped back and looked away.
	"What's wrong, Daniel? Don't tell me you are afraid of me now!"
	"It's not that. I'm just really surprised to see you here. Whatever
happened to Lestat?"
	"He went back to Louis," she shrugged. "You see, we had a wonderful
time together, Lestat and I, but we are too much alike. Living with each 
other was *Mission: Impossible*!" She giggled.
	"I see..."
	"I would think you are not happy to see me," she said.
	"I am! Please, forgive me. It was the shock, that's all." I embraced
her and kissed her. After all, I've always liked her. No problems between us.
I just wished Scarlet and her could get along.
	"Is *she* not back yet?" JoAnne asked.
	"No. Armand is going to get her tonight."
	"Oh, so I came back right on time for our family reunion, didn't I?"
She said with a jesting smile. "Why, I'm so very glad!"
	I was going to reply, tell her to be gentle to Scarlet when she came
back, that they shouldn't argue anymore...
	I wasn't able to say anything. Armand walked in. He was ready to leave,
but as soon as he saw JoAnne, I knew that he'd changed his mind.
	"You're back!" He ran to her and kissed her several times. It didn't
take long for him to realize what had happened; his dark eyes narrowed and
the fear was reflected. "What has *he* done to you?!" He held her back to 
observe her face, and his expression changed, from happiness to pain. "You are 
not mine anymore! He's taken you. He's done it again! That bastard takes
everything from me! The son of a bitch destroyed my coven, my beliefs, my 
illusions. He took away Louis, and then Scarlet, and now you! You are *all*
his!"
	Armand was frantic, weeping incessantly. I could see the pain and the
hatred painted all over his youthful face.
	"Armand, calm down!" JoAnne said nonchalantly. "Nothing has happened!
Everything is all right, trust me. Lestat did nothing to me. I went under the
sun because I wanted to find out if I would be strong enough to survive, and
I did. You have nothing to worry about. You *are* my maker, and I've come back
to you. I'm here to stay...for a while, anyway."
	"Do you really mean it?" Armand asked.
	"Of course I mean it!" She said, brushing his cheek with a kiss.
	Armand was full of joy now. He glanced back at me, giving me a wide
smile. I had not seen him so happy for a very long time, and thus, I was happy
as well.
	He immediately began asking her questions. And where was Lestat?
Where had they been all this time? Would she leave him again?
	JoAnne gave short answers to all his questions, and finally, she
stated the main reason of her return:
	"The editorial contacted me while I was in Spain. I still have a 
contract with them for two more books," she explained, "and they must be 
finished as soon as possible. I want to leave my mortal life behind, and 
anything that links me to it must be discarded."
	"I see," Armand said. "Well, I think a cruise would be good for you.
The sea is always a good fountain of inspiration. Don't you think?" 
	"I don't know. I've done so much traveling in the last few months---"
	"It doesn't matter!" Armand interrupted. "A long cruise would be 
perfect. Just you, Daniel, and I!"
	I realized with horror that Armand had already forgotten about Scarlet.
"Armand, you said you would fly to the Night Island tonight."
	"Oh, yes, I did! Didn't I?"
	I nodded. Armand had no intentions of having Scarlet back, and I could
tell.
	"Go on!" JoAnne said. "She could come with us as well!"
	"You think so?" Armand asked, and his voice denoted surprise.
	"That would be a good idea," I added, interceding for Scarlet, as 
always.
	"All right," said Armand, "so it will be the four of us, then. Daniel,
call my travel agent and arrange for our departure sometime next week."
	"Wouldn't it be better to just take your boat?" I asked.
	"No," Armand declined. "I want mortals around! I want to see them 
dance, and drink, and have fun! I want the scent of their blood and their
sweat in my nostrils. I want to feel the warm vibrations of their bodies.
I want to live!"
	"If we take your boat, we would still have the crew," JoAnne said.
	"I said we are taking a cruise," by the tone in his voice, I knew that
this was final. "I'll be back in a few days. I'm planning to spend the weekend
in the Night Island."
	Armand didn't let me, or JoAnne accompany him to the airport.
He had our chauffeur drive him, saying that JoAnne was probably tired from the
trip, and that I should remain with her to keep her company.



---Scarlet---

	I was more than surprised when Armand arrived. I had come back from
the kill and was quietly looking out the balcony, waiting for Daniel to show
up any minute. When I saw him standing next to me, my heart leaped. I couldn't
believe my eyes, it was like an illusion, all my dreams coming true.
	"Armand?" I gasped.
	"Si, cara. Sono Armand," he spoke softly in Italian. 
	I felt my eyes moistening with the blood tears, and I let my hands and
my lips find their way, hugging him and kissing him.
	"Don't cry! I thought you would be happy to see me!" He said smiling.
	"I am," I murmured, "so very happy to see you,...Father."
	We held each other for a short lapse, saying nothing, just feeling, 
and listening to the sounds of the night. I had my ear against his chest, and
the rhythm of his heartbeat gave me a certain feeling of confidence and well
being.
	"Come on, get yourself ready! I'm planning to spend a wonderful 
weekend with you! How about Casino weekend?"
	"Casinos?"
	"Yes. You like them, don't you?"
	"Oh, yes, I do! But, I mean, here?"
	"No. Not here, you silly! We are going out tonight, and tomorrow
we'll fly to---"
	"Las Vegas?" I asked.
	"No. I feel like visiting the East Coast this time. We are going to 
Atlantic City, New Jersey."
	"Atlantic City..."
	"Yes, we'll be there tomorrow. I have a surprise for you there!"
	"What is it? Tell me!" 
	"Oh, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise anymore!" he smiled
with mischief.
	"But come on, get yourself ready!" He turned around and reached for
a few packages he had laid on the bed. "Here, put on whatever you want, but
save the red dress for tomorrow!" 
	I was happy. Armand always showered me with gifts. This time, he had
picked three gorgeous night dresses. All three were strapless, one red, one
black, and one navy blue. The design was very similar---skin tight material
in all of them, long, and elegant. They all had matching high heels, and 
delicate jewelry to go with them. 
	He also bought a leather outfit, pants and jacket: "We might feel like
taking some motorcycles out in the beach!" He said.
	I picked the navy blue dress for that night, put my hair up in a French
roll, and applied a little make up, to attenuate my pallor. When I looked in
the mirror, I was pleased with my reflection. I could easily pass for a 24 
year old mortal woman---which would be my age now.--- I didn't look eighteen,
and I was happy.
	When Armand saw me, I could see that he was surprised. "Oh, dear!
You look so beautiful!"
	And he was beautiful as well. Always beautiful, the red-haired one.
All dressed in white, with a nicely fitted linen suit. White is the color
of Angels, and it matched comely with his cherubic face.
	"Well, let's go, then! The city awaits, and we still have a few 
hours before dawn," he said.


---Daniel---

	JoAnne and I talked almost all night long, and would've kept talking
if the deep stupor of our death sleep had not arrived at dawn. 
	I had so many questions; I wanted to know everything about her trip,
her relationship with Lestat, and more than anything, her new powers.
	"Can you fly now?" That was my first question. Of all the wonders of
immortality, flying intrigues me the most.
	JoAnne laughed. "Yes, my curious Daniel. I can fly now."
	I was very excited about this. If there were a devil, I would sell
my soul to him to obtain this gift of 'flying'.
	"No you wouldn't! You don't know what you're asking for," said JoAnne.
"Flying is far from a pleasant experience. Once you are up there, the fantasy 
is not more. It becomes a reality.
	"The first time I ascended, I was horrified. It was the confirmation
of my death. I understood that I was dead, that I was not human! A super-
natural creature. A monster!"
	"I don't see it that way," I said. "I think of flying as the ultimate
expression of our power. If I could fly, I would be very satisfied. I would
ascend as high as possible, exit the orbit of the planet, touch the stars. 
And from the highest point, I would scream: 'Yes, it's me! The Vampire Daniel!
I'm invincible!"
	JoAnne burst into laughter. She rolled down the floor in spasms. "My
God, Daniel! You *are* a child. 'The Vampire Daniel'! Get a hobby, will you?"
	I gave her a half smile. Okay, so maybe I had exaggerated a little
bit, but it wasn't *that* funny...
	But she was laughing uncontrollably, and I like to see her laugh. 
There's something really special and eerie about this one's laughter. When
she laughs, she becomes a mystery. Her child-like face adopts and evil aura,
but her youth and beauty conceal the demon that lives within. 
	Without any doubt, Lestat and Armand have good taste.
	"Come, Daniel, sit here with me," she gestured for me to sit on the 
couch.
	I couldn't resist. JoAnne is adorable, mystique, fascinating. No words
are enough to describe what I feel when she's around me. Her tan made her 
look even more desirable. It was the sign of the forbidden, of the occult,
of the power. So young, only a few months old and she had already defied
the yellow star. And she was alive.
	I approached her and sat by her side. She smiled, letting me see the
tip of her sharp white fangs.
	"Do you want me to tell you more about my little vacation with The
Brat Prince? She asked, knowing how to tempt my curiosity.
	"Yes!" I said anxiously. "Please?"
	"So what exactly do you want to know? Do you prefer the little details
of our conversations or would you like to know of the marvelous places we
visited?"
	"Whatever you want to tell me," I said softly. I lied. I didn't want
her to tell me 'whatever she wanted to'; I wanted her to tell me *everything*
	"So I'll tell you *everything* then, you greedy Daniel!" She teased.
	It was hard for me to get used to the fact that she could read me 
effortlessly; that no matter what shield I would build, she could still get
inside my mind.
	"I won't pry!" She raised her right hand, 'promising' to respect my
privacy. And then she began speaking. She told me of her adventures with
Lestat, of how they had gone to the exotic lands of South America, and then
to the Mediterranean countries of Europe.
	"My god, Daniel! Spain, the vampire country! Let me tell you,
those Spaniards sure know how to party. Their life begins when the sun goes
down, and their music penetrates your soul! The guitars and the castanets
make your heart beat to their rhythm. 
	"And then, there's Italy, the city of love," she kept talking, sending
me images of the places she had seen with Lestat. Then she broke out laughing,
"but do you know what impressed me the most, Daniel? The Vatican city!"
	"The Vatican city?" I was utterly surprised by this. I had been to
Rome before, and yes, I had seen the Vatican, but what could be so 
interesting about this 'church city'?  I began to think that she had perhaps
seen the Pope and that the fear of God had awakened within her; or maybe
the Sistine Chapel. Yes, that was a magnificent building, graced with the 
frescoes of Michelangelo. I had been impressed by its structure and beauty as
well...
	"Yes, the Chapel was quite impressive," she said, "but that's not
exactly what caught my eye."
	"So what was it, then? Oh, I know! St. Peter's Basilica, right?"
	"The gold, Daniel! There's so much gold in that city. I think that
the riches of the entire world are concentrated there."
	"Oh, yeah. Lots of gold and precious objects. I know."
	"I loved it Daniel! I love money, gold, gems! I love the golden 
brilliance of the precious metal!"
	"Money isn't everything, JoAnne." I said.
	"I never said it was. I have special reasons to like them. The gold
reminds me of Lestat's hair, of his complexion. Gems, specially sapphires,
remind me of his eyes. And money, well, we all love money, don't we?"


---Scarlet---

	Armand and I spent a wonderful evening downtown. We 'dined' at a 
luxurious restaurant. Ever since he read JoAnne's stories, it has become
his habit to go to restaurants and order food. He even tries to consume
it---not being successful, of course. He ordered lobster and wine, and though
he denies it, I could swear that he was trying to eat and drink.
	Such an obsession. Both, him and Lestat are more than obsessed with
this 'human behavior' . I must say that I miss the taste of food in my mouth,
seafood especially, but I would never trade the pleasure that drinking blood
brings to me.
	After dinner we returned to the Night Island, and went right to bed.
We went to the room that had been his bedroom in the days of the 'Night Island
Coven' and after closing the windows and pulling down the drapes, we crawled
into each other, and went to sleep.
	I felt such joy being so close to him, the smell of the soft musk,
and the touch of his silky hair next to my face, so comforting. I entwined
my fingers in his auburn mane, and lost myself in the pure pleasure of being
next to him.
	

	The following evening we flew to Atlantic City. And he did indeed 
have a surprise for me there. Yanni on concert, at the Trump!
	"Armand! Oh, my! I can't believe you," I kissed him. "I'm so happy.
Thank you."
	"Anytime, carina! I know how much you like him and this was a good
opportunity."
	We took our seats,---very close to the stage---and waited a few 
minutes for the concert to begin. I was happy. No just because of the concert,
and Armand's gifts. Of course I liked them, but his company was all I needed
to be happy, and he was with me! He was not speaking, and I respected his
silence. No words were needed, our intimacy was established. 
	His eyes were fixed on a pair of old ladies, sitting not too far away
from us.
	"So lovely, the old aged," he whispered, finally breaking the silence. 
	I felt a slight tone of bitterness in his words.
	"Their gray hair, and wrinkled skin. Ah, they look so sweet, each 
line on their face represents wisdom, experience, joy, grief...It's all 
there."
	"They are close to the end," I said.
	"The end? You think death is the end of it all?"
	"Is there anything else, Armand? You've been around for centuries, and
you *know* there's not God! And there's not Heaven; there's not Hell!" 
	"Ah, but there might be. I'm not omniscient. I don't claim to be God,
nor have I ever seen him. And the Devil? I have never seen him either! 
	"I've been asked this question before, but there's *no* answer... As
far as I know, anyway."
	"I prefer to be what I am, what *we* are. We'll never grow old, and
shall never die," I said, taking my eyes away from the old ladies. They had
felt us staring at them, and were growing nervous, uncomfortable. 
	"Aging scares you, doesn't it?"
	"Yes," I nodded. "If there's anything I fear, aging would be it. The
dried skin, wrinkled face, bent fingers, curved back, opaque eyes..." I paused.
Yes, I was afraid of time, afraid of getting old. Fortunately, that would never
occur. My youth was trapped in my body forever!
	"But there's more to being old than just a wrinkled face and bent 
fingers! There's the joy of living, and loving, and being loved. And of course
they probably have children, and grand-children. A family." He sighed.
	I was going to reply, but the lights dimmed, and that was the sign 
that the concert was about to begin. 

	
	The concert was fabulous. Yanni closed with my favorite tune, "Swept
away."  I was overtaken with joy; the music had transported me to a magic 
dimension. Armand led me by the hand, out to the neon illuminated city. 
His dark expressive eyes were calm, and they gave me the serenity that I so
longed for. We walked in silence, a companionable silence, breathing the sea
breeze, and loving the night.
	I had never seen this city with my vampire eyes. I remember traveling
to Atlantic City once, but then, many of the casinos were still under 
construction and mortal eyes could never capture the lights and colours
that our immortal eyes can.
	The lights seemed to be alive, dancing around, forming figures. Their
brilliance seemed to challenge the stars,---and the poor little stars are at 
a clear disadvantage, since they can only shine in one shade, while the 
artificial illumination is multicolor. 
	False light.
	We walked outside the Taj Mahal and admired its majestic beauty.
	"Such a perfect replica, don't you think?" Armand observed.
	I nodded. I could see that he was enjoying himself as much, or maybe
even more than I was. This added to my own happiness.
	"So what now?" I asked.
	"Well, we have to feed. Aren't you thirsty?"
	"Ah, well...I'd forgotten about it!" 
	He laughed. "How can you forget about these things?" 
	"I'm just so happy, Armand! I can't think!"
	"And you'll be even happier tomorrow," he said. "I have quite a few
surprises waiting for you in the Night Island."
	"So there's more?" 
	"There's always more, carina, always more." He gave me one of his 
enigmatic smiles, and I was frightened.
	I stared at him, not being able to hide my fear. He came closer to me
and I flinched a little, quickly stepping away from him.
	"Che cosa c'e?" he asked.
	"What are you hiding, Armand?"
	"Niente!" He shrugged. "What could I be hiding from you? Why are you 
always so paranoid, huh? I have a few gifts for you, that's all."
	I didn't believe him, but I wanted to. My will was so strong, that I
forgot about it all, dismissed my fears. I wanted to trust him.
	Trust the Devil.
	After the hunt, we went to the suite in the Taj Mahal, reserved in the 
name of "Augusto and Scarlet Bianchi"
	"This is nice, Armand," I said, looking around the tasteful 
accommodations.
	"It'd better be! This suit costs a fortune," he replied.
	"But money is nothing to you."
	"True," he said quietly. "Will you excuse me for a few minutes? I have
to make an important phone call."
	I assented. Who could he be calling? Well, it probably didn't matter
to me. 
	I sat in front of the dresser and watched my reflection in the 
mirror,---a bad habit acquired during my mortal years. No mirror could escape
me! Pure vanity, I suppose.---I loosened my hair, letting it fall in full and 
smooth dark layers. I began to brush it, and then, I overheard Armand's voice
coming from the adjacent room. I walked to the door and peered.
	"Thank you, Louis. I really appreciate it." He paused. "Yes, I'll
be back soon." He pushed down the antenna of the cellular phone. 
His conversation was over. 
	I ran back to the dressing table, and continued brushing my hair.
I acted as if I had been there all the while.
	Armand was now standing behind me, running his fingers through my
hair. "Red is definitely your color," he said.
	I was wearing the red dress he'd given me,---by his request, of course.
	"Leave your hair down, Scarlet. It looks good that way." He placed his
hands on my bare shoulders. 
	Once again, I was befuddled by his beauty,---his candid, innocent
face. I turned around to face him, and was bewitched by his ancient eyes.
The sight of him eclipsed my preoccupation with this little telephone 
conversation of his. I couldn't help to smile.
	I wanted to inquire about this phone call, about Louis...I dismissed
the idea. Why ruin the night? Such a perfect occasion could not be spoiled
with questions I knew he wouldn't answer. I pushed it from my mind, and 
surrendered to his charm.
	"Now it's time to gamble, bella!" He exclaimed.
	"Gamble? Us?" I was more than shocked. Did he really think that we
could get into a casino looking the way we did?
	"Yes, 'us'! Why not?" He frowned.
	"Well,  you and me...well, we don't exactly look the right age to 
enter...," I paused. I wanted to find the right words to explain myself.
"Look, Armand, I could probably get in with the right make-up, but there's 
NO way you'll get in!"
	He started laughing. "Ah, Scarlet, you're so simple-minded! Do you
really think that my eternal youth would stop me from a entering a casino?"
He laughed even harder. He reached inside the right pocket of his jacket
and handed me a little laminated card. 
	"What is this?" I asked.
	"Can't you see?"
	I looked at the little card. It had a picture of me---one I had had 
taken for a passport before. I narrowed my eyes when I read the name:

			SCARLET REVLON

	"What is this? A joke?" I yelled.
	"No, it's not a joke! It's an identification card, which you will use
to get in. I have one too, see?" He said, showing me his own ID. card.
	"But I mean the name!" I yelled once again. "Why this, Armand? 
'Scarlet Revlon'? It sounds like a lipstick. Couldn't you at least pick 
Scarlett? Another last name maybe, but Revlon..." I realized how diverted he
was by my reaction, so I tried to calm down. I would not have him laughing at
me.
	"Come on," he said. "It's getting really late. We don't have much 
time left."
	I followed him in silence. Why even argue? We had gone over this
before. I hated the name 'Scarlet' more than anything, but he liked it. It
didn't matter what I had to say. After all, parents name their children
without asking for their opinion, and I was his fledgling, wasn't I?
	Armand was having a great time gambling, but dawn caught up with us
very soon. Time was flying, and we had to return to our suit to seek safety
and darkness, running away from the sun.


	
	The following night we flew back to the Island, and I was able to get
my 'surprises.'
	There was a brand new Ferrari parked in the garage. He placed the 
keys in my hand. "I hope you like it," he said. "I left instructions for the
car to be brought over while we were away. This is your surprise number one!"
	I was speechless. "Armand, thank you...I don't know what to say. I 
really didn't need a new car, mine was just fine."
	"Let's go upstairs," he said.
	When we entered the house, I noticed the changes right away. The house
had been thoroughly cleaned,---for the first time in God knows how long.
	"It needed to be cleaned," Armand said. "How were you able to live
like that? It was so dirty, dusty," he grimaced.
	"I didn't really care," I said quietly. "I was depressed."
	He smiled. "I hope you won't be depressed anymore. Depression isn't
good for such a young fledgling; it's not time for you yet." He came near me
and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. "Anyway, I've hired a few maids, so that
you don't have to worry about the housekeeping for as long as you stay here.
It's taken care off."
	I didn't understand what he was trying to tell me. Wasn't he taking
me back home with him?
	"Here are your new credit cards, under the name Scarlet Revlon, of 
course---"
	"I don't understand!" I cut him off.
	"Then let me explain," he said. "I must do it quickly, because I'm 
flying back to Seattle tonight."
	"So you are not staying with me...and you're not taking me with you
either?" I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks, and I quickly turned around
to wipe them away.
	"I'm taking a cruise with Daniel and JoAnne," he said.
	"So *she* is back!"
	He nodded.
	"And how is she doing? Did she have a good time with Lestat?" I asked
sarcastically.
	"I don't think you are interested."
	"But I *am*! You can't imagine how interested I really am," I muttered.
	"Don't start with that again!" He warned. "That's exactly why I'm not
taking you with us. She and Daniel suggested it, but knowing you as well as
I know you, taking you with us would be like going on vacation to Hell! 
	"JoAnne is going to be writing a book and you'd only disturb her."
	I didn't answer.
	"I opened a new account on your name. I deposited 12 million dollars.
Will that be enough for you until I come back? I should only be gone a couple
months."
	I tried to smile. "That should last me for a decade, Armand. I'm not
as extravagant as you and Lestat, you know. It's not like I have to buy food
either..." I said, attempting to find some humor in the situation.
	"That's' good. If you get lonely, don't hesitate and got to Louis.
He's back in New Orleans and I already asked him to watch over you."	
	"I really don't need a baby-sitter," I hissed. "Besides, why are
you so concerned about my loneliness? I'm lonely whether you're around or 
not..."
	Silence.
	"Is there anything else you want from me?" He asked.
	"Love?"
	He glared at me for a moment and without saying anymore, turned on 
his heels and vanished.
	"Money can't buy me love," I whispered.

	
	I was alone again. With tons of money, yes, but alone.
	I walked to the balcony of my room and raised my eyes to the 
skies. I contemplated the glistening stars and wondered if they felt alone?
Each one of them, so far away from the other. Did they feel lonely at times?
	The air felt warm on my face. I thought of Armand. He was out of my
reach once again.  But this is our little game, you see. He will be back.
	And I will be waiting.


			THE END