Who's Sorry Now?
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Ike Masterlist
Series Masterlist
Warning: Angst, swearing.
Summary: Pt. 9 of Would you hold it against me. Another hurdle gets thrown in Ike's path as he struggles with all that he learnt so far. Inspired by - Connie Francis' - Who's Sorry Now.
With a stressful day of having to deal with the pageant organizers and the disappearance of Mike Strauss, Ike thought his evening would be a relaxing one as he settled into bed. Boy, was he wrong. Not long after, there was a knock at the front-door; Bel had arrived to inform Ike that Ben wanted to see him asap on his yacht.
After having enquired from Bel about what Ben wanted to see him for and not having gotten an answer, Ike was shitting bricks during the short boat ride to Ben's yacht. Could he have found out about Ike and your connection?!
Who's sorry now? Who's sorry now? Whose heart is achin' for breakin' each vow? Who's sad and blue? Who's cryin' too? Just like I cried over you
*
Having arrived at the yacht, Ike was greeted by a group of clearly drunk and possibly high people, firing shots at a bunch of sharks nearby. Entering below, he finds an even more intoxicated Ben sitting at a small coffee table; pouring himself a drink that was clearly overflowing. "You know how much that bearded freak cost me down in Cuba...?", Ben remarks whilst continuing to over pour his drink.
"I don't know Ben... millions?", Ike nonchalantly responds with his hands buried inside his pants pockets in an attempt to downplay his anxiety.
"Every week...", Ben drawls, finally placing the bottle down, picking a lighter up then. "Millions", he flicks the lighter on and sets fire to the alcohol covered table, setting back in his seat with a heavy sigh. "Up in smoke..."
Relieved that this meeting was about business, Ike relaxes his guard and takes a seat. "Gone", Ben continues to stare at the flame as he continues to talk. "But he'll be out soon... or dead. Dictators change like the weather down there, and I'll be back... but this- this has taught me something Ike." He tilts his head to the side, deep in thought, "options... choices."
Knowing exactly in the direction he was heading; Ike finally speaks up. "Gambling on the beach."
"Your joint is prewired for slots, tables and wheels, right?", Ben remarks.
"You pull up the carpet and the marble, the condo is just sitting there", Ike responds carefully.
"You built the Miramar for gambling, you genius!", an excited Ben jumps up from his seat with his hands raised the in air victoriously.
Ike silently eyeballs up, yet has to restrain his displeasure, "the second it's legal, Ben", is his only response.
"Ike the magician... Ike the rain maker", an ecstatic Ben moves to the window. "Now how did you get city council to rezone fifty residentials acers...?", he remarks rubbing his thumb and index finger together suggestively.
"Those 'holy rollers' in Tallahassee, never gonna vote for-", Ike attempts to reason, but Ben cuts him off.
"Ike... where are you?", he nonchalantly comments.
"What?", Ike sighs out.
"Simple question", Ben remarks, his tone turning serious. "Where-are-you-now?"
Ike smirks at his instant change, "I'm on your boat Ben."
"Yes. Good", Ben stares at his surroundings weirdly, then back down at Ike. "You're on my boat, in the Gulf stream, in the middle of a shark feeding frenzy..."
"Ike leans back in his seat, staring Ben down whilst absentmindedly twirling his wedding ring. "You threatening me, Ben?"
"Abso-fucking-lutely, I'm threatening you...", Ben responds. "Carrot, Bull shark... whatever works." Ike merely stares at him as he continues his rant. "Focus... Isaac. We have a moment...", Ben takes his hand, guiding him up from his seat. "One door closes...", he leads Ike toward the window as they stare at the Miramar from across the water. "You built a palace... now it's time to be king."
Right to the end Just like a friend I tried to warn you somehow You had your way Now you must pay I'm glad that you're sorry now
*
Ike remains silent as he helplessly stares at his hotel. "You and I can wear this town like a diamond necklace", Ben remarks, leading him to the nearby counter. "Here... a hundred grand. Work that 'Evans charm' on those shit-kickers...", Ben flashes him a creepy grin and steps aside.
Ike stares at the briefcase for a moment, finally speaking up. "Where's Mike Strauss?"
Ben pauses mid-step, "Um, you mean that union guy, you asked me to talk to...?", he shrugs in remark, "well, I don't know... Your guess is as good as mine."
Knowing exactly what he meant, Ike takes a moment to compose himself and makes his move to leave but Ben stops him, "Ike..." Pausing at the foot of the steps, he turns around and Ben points toward the briefcase, "happy fishing...", he grins.
Silently sighing, Ike goes to take it and leaves. Now he had even more problems besides getting you and his daughter away from Ben to worry about.
Right to the end Just like a friend I tried to warn you somehow You had your way Now you must pay I'm glad that you're sorry now
