The Summer Strikes Back, Part 22

Leia was feeling more than a little dizzy. The room they dragged her to couldn't have been frillier if it had been decorated by Strawberry Shortcake. Everything was snow-white and pale pink and trimmed with ruffles, lace, flowers, and frills. The crescent-shaped couches and overstuffed chairs were the softest velvet she'd ever felt; the frilly sheets on the bed and the canopy surrounding it were real silk. The chairs and vanity in the powder room and the head and front boards on the bed were all trimmed with gold leaf and dripping with flouncy ruffles. Five pink crystal chandeliers the size of hers and Luke's entire cottage sparkled on the ceilings. Six crystal vases overflowed with white and pink roses, pink gardenia, and sweet pea.

Three maids in red and gold uniforms were assigned to bathe her, dress her, and put her to bed. She would have preferred bathing herself, but she was too tired to argue. Besides, she suspected they were under Jasper's specific orders. They were to watch over her and pamper her, or they'd lose their jobs...or worse. One of them stayed by her side at all times.

The bathroom alone was massive, three times the size of Uncle Owen and Aunt Bertha's. The sunken tub was more like a small pool. Everything was gold-veined pink marble and white and pink Italian furniture. She finally managed to relax a bit, allowing the maid to sponge her body and scrub her long hair. Attempts to engage the maid in conversation proved futile. Evidently, Jasper didn't want his new toy to be interacting with the help.

The maid wrapped her in a thick, soft towel, then draped her in a filmy white lace robe and pale daffodil heeled mules trimmed with more feathers than on her showgirl costume. A yellow satin nightgown, awash in frills and bows and so low-cut as to barely cover her bosom, had been laid on the bed. The maid slipped it over her head and removed her mules as another rolled her wet locks into loose curlers.

Babe Fortuna appeared with two waiters, who pushed a silver tray on a brass rolling cart, just as they were tucking her into bed. “Compliments of my boss, Miss.” He placed the tray by her side. “Some chamomile tea and muffins from the coffee shop downstairs to help you sleep.”

“Well,” Leia began, “I am a little hungry.” She pulled the blanket over her body to cover the barely-decent pajamas.

“Try the tea.” Babe's smile reminded her entirely too much of a happy shark. “It was made specially for you by the head of the coffee shop. We all want you to be comfortable here.”

She gathered the dainty yellow and gold-patterned China cup in her hand and sipped it. “It...it's quite good,” she admitted. “I taste the chamomile, but...something else...something fruity...” She drank it faster. “Something metallic...”

“Have some more.” He refilled her cup. “You'll figure it out.”

“Yes.” The second cup of tea disappeared down her lips, but her eyes were drooping. She hadn't finished nibbling on half a muffin before she let out an enormous yawn. “I'm so sleepy,” she mumbled. “Wasn't this tired before...maybe it was the adrenaline...”

“Yes, that's it.” The maids gently lowered her back under the covers, pulling the silk duvet up to her chin. “Why don't you get a good night's sleep? You'll feel much better in the morning.”

“Sleep...that's it...” Her last words before she dropped into a dreamless slumber were “Oh Hank...”

Babe narrowed his eyes. “Damn it. She's got a thing for Solokowski. Boss isn't going to like that. He'll have his work cut out with this one.” He turned to the maids. “She's not to leave this suite unless accompanied by me, Mr. Hutt, or one of our men. Make sure she wants for nothing. Give her clothes, books, anything she asks for. Send breakfast up at 10 AM on the dot. Boss wants to show her off to the afternoon crowd at the Oasis Beach Bar and Grill tomorrow.”

He turned to the waiters. “Make sure that little drug concoction is in her tea at breakfast tomorrow morning. She's a smart one. I don't want her figuring out what the Boss has in mind for her. Not as heavy this time. Just enough to make her compliant.”

He stormed off without waiting for nods from the maids or waiters. “Wish the boss wouldn't drool over every bitch he sees,” Fortuna grumbled to himself as he waited for the elevator. “This one's smart, smarter n' Oona. She's gonna be trouble.”

~*~*~*~*~

Only a single shaft of moonlight greeted Hank as he was tossed into the small room. He felt around, trying to figure out where he was. Crates, boxes, a rack of costumes, a chair with one squeaky wheel, another missing a leg. Must have been a storage room.

His knee made contact with wood...an old gaming table? Ouch! The sharp sides nearly cut him open. He felt around his arms and legs. Nothing broken, and they'd at least given him his clothes back after they'd tossed him in the nearest shower and washed the powder off.

Memories of the last few days were hazy at best. He knew they'd hauled him out of the tank after Fett pulled into a back alley with the food delivers. Jasper's boys dragged him to one of the smaller rooms, where they'd proceeded to strip him naked in front of Fett, at least five or six goons, and the Hutt himself. Jasper laughed like a booming foghorn when he fed him those little pills, saying he'd finally found a way to keep him out of trouble...

And he recalled nothing else until he collapsed in the moonlight and Leia kissed him. Leia. What were they doing to her? His stomach lurched just thinking of Jasper's flabby fingers leaving marks all over her. He'd heard that “the Hutt's” sexual appetites ran anywhere from quickies to kinky. His girl was too good for that. She was smarter and tougher than Jasper's right pinky.

His girl... His stomach rebelled again, and his head swam. Long fingers clutched the back of the three-legged chair. It was still hard to believe that someone like her, so intelligent and elegant, could want a guy like him. He had to get back to her and tell her. Tell her something more than “I know.”

“Mate?” A tall furry visage nearly blotted out the one barred window. “Mate, is that you?”

“Charlie?” Hank managed to stumble over to the dark shape. “Charlie, my eyes are still blurry. Did you bring my spare glasses?”

“Sorry, mate. They're in the Wheel House at the Falcon. Didn't know you needed 'em.” Arms as heavy as bowling balls nearly crushed his chest. “I'm so happy you're all right! I've had bloody nightmares about what that blighter Jasper coulda done to ya!”

“I can't see real well, pal. My other glasses broke.” Charlie helped him onto a threadbare old velvet lounge seat. “What's goin' on? Where's the others?”

“Lance passed himself off as a gambler. Not too hard for that toff.” The big Brit grinned. “Arturro n' Chip are a waiter an' Jasper's new translator. They're gonna go get Luke tomorrow. He's got some big ideas for this rescue, he does.”

“Luke?” Hank snorted. “Luke's crazy! Kid can barely take care of himself, much less rescue anybody.”

Charlie shook his head. “He ain't a tyke, Hank. He's come along right proper in the world. Calls himself a real Jedi Knight now.”

“A Jedi Knight? The surfing group?” His friend rolled his eyes. “I'm out of it for a few days, an' people start getting delusions of grandeur!”

Charlie didn't like how ashen Hank's face was, even in the moonlight. “Are you all right, mate? You look like death warmed over, you do.”

“Yes...no...” Hank's groan was loud enough to stir every dust molecule in the entire room. “Charlie...I don't feel so good...” His friend sighed and held him as he unleashed the contents of his stomach, hopefully including those pills, onto the concrete floor.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Ugh.” Bright, hazy sunlight greeted Leia as she managed to crack open her throbbing eyelids. “Where am I?”

“The Royal Suite, Senorita.” This maid was small and squat, and she had a rather heavy Spanish accent. Probably Mexican, Leia decided. She'd flung open the sheer white curtains, revealing a panoramic view of the beachfront and boardwalk. “Mr. Hutt wants you prepared arrival. He's bringing breakfast and the day's schedule.”

Leia rubbed at her head. “I just want aspirin. There was something about that tea last night. I have the worst headache.”

“Well, you were brought here rather suddenly, Senorita.” The maid pulled the covers back. “We'll get you aspirin. There should be some in bathroom. Then, we'll attend to making you presentable.”

“Oh, no need.” She shook her head, which just made it hurt more. “I can get it myself.”

“For one thing, you don't know which cabinet it's in.” The woman had already started towards the bathroom. “For another, it is job to do this. Mr. Hutt wants your every need to be attended to.”

“So I'm not allowed to have any privacy?” Leia made a face as she came back with a small paper cup and two white pills.

“We'll be out of your way as soon as Mr. Hutt is here.” The maid gathered her mules in her hands. “For now,” she bent down to slip the shoes onto Leia's dainty feet, “let's get you into your underthings and do your hair and makeup. Mr. Hutt does like a lady to dress like a woman.”

No matter how much she protested that she could do it herself, the women who came in and out of her suites kept ignoring her. A lady in a pink off-the-shoulder blouse and tight white trousers claimed she'd been sent to do her hair and makeup, per Mr. Hutt's specifications. Leia's curls were set around her shoulders, framing her face, then held in place by more hairspray than she'd ever used in her life.

The dressing room and walk-in closet two of the maids lead her to seemed to go on forever. There were rows and rows of flowery high-heeled shoes, hangers laden with brief, lacy dresses and silky scarves, shelves and shelves of chunky sweaters, tight jeans, and ruffled blouses. She turned as red as ripe Jersey tomatoes when she saw the strapless lace teddy one of the women pulled out of the closet.

“I am not wearing that!” Leia pulled the sheer robe further around her body. “Are you crazy?”

“Mr. Hutt likes his ladies wear these.” The maid shrugged. “He says it turns him on.”

“I'd rather he be turned off. Besides, it's too long for me. I'd be swimming in fabric.” Leia dug into the closet, emerging with a peach bra and matching panties. They were both still lacier than she preferred, but it was better than the teddy. While the underwear was a bit loose, the bra fit well enough.

The maid had just finished closing the metal hooks in the back when she heard the door open. Babe Fortuna pushed Jasper Hutt into the dressing room, backed by three of his men, all in dark suits and glasses. Bobby Fett came in behind them, still wearing his green and red Members Only jacket. Jasper made a face. “I told you to get her into the one-piece!”

Leia grabbed the robe and yanked it over her arms. “Look, I don't want to be here. I don't know what you boys are thinking, but I just because I was dancing in the show downstairs doesn't mean I'm going to give you a free performance up here!”

Babe rolled his eyes. “I told you she was stubborn, Boss.”

“Of course you're not givin' free performances. You're only performing for me now.” Jasper rolled into the closet. Babe and one of the other men somehow helped him to his feet. “These rags will have to do for now. Tomorrow, we'll go to New York and buy you a whole new wardrobe. Nothing but the best for my cute little doll.”

Leia wished she could run somewhere, anywhere. “What are you talking about?”

Jasper and Babe were already thumbing through day dresses. “I like dressing my dolls. It amuses me, and they look the way I want them to.”

“Forget it!” She wished those damn mules weren't heels. Her feet tottered in them when she tried to flee. “I'm capable of dressing myself!”

“Yeah, I saw what you were wearing last night.” Jasper tossed her two tropical-print sundresses. “Here. Try these on where I can see you.”

It was the most embarrassing hour of Leia's entire life. Was this how Luke felt when she'd occasionally dressed him in her clothes when they were younger? Even she didn't let her friends watch! The men saw every move she made, ogling her shapely thighs and rear and her round bosom. It seemed to take hours for Jasper to choose a dress. Babe held her, making sure she turned slowly, so Jasper could pour over every inch of her. He put every dress on her himself, grasping and stroking her chest and rear and kissing her back and shoulders. His kisses were revolting, wet and sloppy. It was all she could to not retch at his touch.

“There!” He pulled back, leaning on Babe. “That one! That's perfect. Little long, little big in the chest, but it won't show so much when I pile the jewels on.”

Leia didn't like what she saw in the mirror. The bright pink dress with the yellow and purple rose print had a strapless sweetheart neckline that was cut to show off as much as her bosom as was possible. The full skirt and wide belt just brought out her baby roundness. The scratchy pink lace petticoat reminded her entirely too much of the ones she wore on Sunday mornings as a small child under her church dresses. The colors were too flashy and only made her look pale.

The dress had been made for someone far taller and bustier. She had to adjust the top to get it to sit right. The skirt, which should have fallen to her thighs, came to just above her knees. Jasper pulled the belt as hard as he could, lifting her breasts even more and making it a tad difficult to breathe. Her arms were laden with gold and diamond bangle bracelets.

“Jasper,” she gasped, “it's lovely, but...”

“No buts. It's perfect.” Babe shoved her onto a pink velvet lounge chair by the white vanity as Jasper brought out a pair of pink strap open-toed heels trimmed with bows. He took his time doing the straps, stopping to rub his fat fingers up and down her thighs and over her feet. “Oh yeah. Just perfect.”

“One more thing. Babe, bring me the box.” Babe handed him a velvet box with “Watto's Jewels” written in gold script on the top. “Had ol' Watto open early this morning just so I could get you this.” The fleshy fingers produced a gold and diamond choker. A diamond pendant the size of an egg hung down in the center like a dog tag. In fact, it looked more like a fancy dog collar than a necklace. “There. Now the world will know you're my property. I own that cute little hide of yours.”

“No!” Leia fumbled with the collar. “That's it. I don't want this. I'm not made out of plastic and vinyl. I'm a living, breathing human being!”

She gasped louder as Jasper dug his fingers into her wrist and yanked her arm around her back. “Don't play games, dolly. Remember, I still have Solokowski and Bachman in the basement.” He smirked as he tugged hard at her shellacked curls. “I suppose you heard what happened to my last mistress. We had a..misunderstanding...and she conveniently disappeared. I don't think you'll want that to happen to you or your friends.”

He pushed her at Babe, who dragged her over to the sitting room. A breakfast for three had been set out by a flurry of waiters. Leia recognized Arturro among them. He nodded at her, but she shook her head.

Jasper filled her plate with fruit, bacon, and scrambled eggs. “Eat hearty, dolly. We're going to go to the women's stores at the Pier One and buy you a dress and shoes for the party I'm giving tonight. I got some important folks visitin' from down south and I thought this would be the perfect way to introduce you to my people.”

“Jasper,” Leia started, “I told you, I'm not interested in you that way.”

“You will be.” He poured an opaque brown liquid into a crystal goblet. “Have some iced tea. We have a cook from North Carolina who knows how to slow-brew it the Southern way. It's amazing.”

“No tha...” She smiled a little. “I'll take that, thank you.” As she lifted it to her lips, she quickly handed it to Arturro, who dumped it into a near-by potted plant. Though the other men drank it, too, she wasn't taking any chances after last night. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I...left something in the bedroom.”

There had to be stationary in there somewhere! Searching the bedstand turned up nothing. Nor did the small desk by the window. She finally discovered a rose-print, scented writing pad and an expensive silver fountain pen at a little desk near the lounger. Her delicate fingers hastily scribbled a message, then tucked it into the pocket in her dress.

“Sorry about that.” She made her way back into the room, hoping her smile looked genuine. “I couldn't find what I was looking for.”

“Took forever, dolly.” Jasper sprayed eggs and bacon all over his gray pinstripe suit. “I was about ready to send my boys in after you.”

“That's all right. I know my own way.” She managed to nudge Arturro without the men seeing and pass him the note. He peeked at it and shoved it into his coat while the men were concentrating on their meals.

“We're done here, waiters.” Jasper waved them away, spewing bits of potato. “You can come back for it in about an hour, after we've gone to the mall.”

Leia watched helplessly as Arturro and the other waiter waiters wheeled the tray out. She wanted nothing more than to hide under the cart like in the movies and go with them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“What?!” Luke looked up from the note Arturro handed him. “They did what to Leia?” He'd been trying on his new clothes at their room in the Claridge and going over the plan when they burst in, babbling on at the same time in two different languages. It took Luke five minutes to calm them down.

Chip nodded as Arturro chattered. “Jasper intends to keep her as his paramour and prize. He dressed her like his own Sindy doll and drugged her into sleep last night. Arturro says she's wise to that trick. She got rid of the tea he offered her and managed to pen that note.”

Luke read it over again. “She says Jasper's meeting with some of his people at the Oasis Bar and Grill across from the Desert Sun Palace at lunch this afternoon.” The boy's smile widened. “Shouldn't be too hard to crash the party. I always wondered what one of those fancy tea luncheons looked like.”

“I'll help you.” Chip produced a piece of thick paper stock the size of a business card. “Mr. Hutt gave me two of these and told me to invite a friend to lunch. Arturro and Mr. Callahan will already be working.” He handed Luke the paper. “No one will question this invitation, even if you are wearing leather.”

“Thanks.” He leaned over, plucking a black jacket from the turquoise and white quilt on the bed. “So, how does this look?”

Chip helped him into it. “You look...almost oddly elegant, in those tight trousers and the t-shirt. Rather like James Dean. Where did you get that 'Jedi Knights' patch on the back?”

“Lance knows someone on the boardwalk who does custom airbrushing for t-shirts and jackets. He was able to get the guy to do my jacket yesterday.” Luke frowned as he admired himself in the mirror. “Did you hear anything about Hank and Charlie?”

“Only that they were taken away.” Chip fussed over his collar with his good hand, trying to get it to sit right. “I don't think they'll do anything to them right now. They're leverage to force Leia to cooperate.”

“That's it.” Luke finally brushed Chip off. “Tell Lance I'll be at the Oasis Bar and Grill for lunch. I'm going in.”