Sunny had been quiet during the whole ride. She wasn't sure where Gates was taking her. she was thinking he was going dump her somewhere and leave her for dead. He'd driven so far away from big buildings, big lights, and big noise of the Las Vegas strip into a more deserted part of town that didn't look so magical. God she missed Hollywood and all the glamour.

"This is the place," Gates said. "A friend of mine owns it."

A rattlesnake's friend is other rattlesnakes. Sunny could only wonder what Gate's friend would be like and could be like.

"he's a guy who knows things. He kind of has his hand in everyone's back pocket. He knows everything that goes on in this town."

"I thought you were this amazing detective."

"I never said amazing. I just said detective. But if Sheek is in town, Leon will know where to find him."

She was hardly impressed by the looks of Leon's Joint. It had a small sign by the highway that looked homemade as if someone had found a bunch of Christmas light and tried their best to make a sign to impress customers.

The sign read, "Casino, Girls, Beer, BBQ." The building looked like a large Cabin. There were about ten parked jalopies in the parking lot.

Gates went to he trunk and pulled out two white casts. He put one on his leg and the other on his arm. Then he took a crutch and began walking as if he'd been injured in an accident.

"What's with all the get up"

"I owe him money. I'm sure if he see me all beat up, he'll take it easy on me. So What do you think is it buy-able ... is my walk Oscar worthy?"

"yeah, actor of the year. you sure are a character alright. Straight out of One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest. You always got some scam running don't you."

"That the only way to survive in Vegas. Now when we go in just let me handle everything. And whatever happens you hold on to my money and. I mean it -- what ever happens don't you part with my money. I don't care what see or hear"

"Okay you're the boss"

He went in and she followed. She had a crazy feeling about this and so did Toto who began to whimper. But Sunny couldn't tell if Toto was barking because he sensed something or if it was the smell of BBQ.

Inside wasn't as bad as Sunny would have expected. It looked like sports bar. they had slot machines along the wall. A couple of card tables in the back and In the center was stage where an older woman, with a surgically enhanced body, danced around wearing a two piece bikini in the colors of the American flag.

"Gates." A man yelled "Shit you look horrible, brother. You come for the BBQ?"

"Not today, Bull, I got business."

Several of the scantily dressed women came up to Gates. One kissed him on the mouth and grabbed his butt while the other hugged both of them.

"That was a night to remember," Gates said. The woman looked at Sunny and scowled.

"What we're no good for you anymore, Gates? You had to go get yourslef some high priced call girl huh?"

"I beg your pardon, but I'm not a hooker," said Sunny.

"She's client, be nice ladies."

He looked at Sunny and his look told her to calm down. "These woman are not nice, babe, so unless you wanna fight them all, stay quiet."

Gates saw the Poker tables and sat down. Immedialtya Ronnie thepit boss, head of security, bouncer, and cook came over

"Whats the deal" Gates said.

"Sorry, Gates, but you can't play here," said Ronnie.

"What' going on, this has been happening to me all night?"

"You've been banned from Vegas, Gates. Ivan put the word out and the Casinos all stick together. They say you cheated, so you're locked out."

"I don't believe this shit. That mother fucker. Of all he underhanded things Ivan could of done." said Gates. "I could kill that son of bitch. You say I'm banned from all of Vegas what about Reno."

"Reno got their own rules you know, I'm sure you could play there. But it was six hours to Reno. "

"I need to see, Leon." Gates said.

Ronnie lookedat Gats suspiciously.

"I don't think you want to mess with him right now, Gates."

"Why what up. He's always glad to see me."

"Well he's been yelling on the phone all day and you know how he prides himself on not cursing, saying it aint civilized and cultured and shit. And he claims to be a civilized and cultured brother; but he's been using the F word all day."

"Listen, normally I wouldn't screw with him when he's PMSING but this is important."

Gates looked over at Sunny. Now that he couldn't gamble, Sunny's money was going to help out. He needed it. "Ronnie, please."

"Fine, Gates, but you're on your own with him."

Ronnieled the way to the back. Ronnie noticed Gates putting on an act with his limp.

"You're doing it all wrong, if you're going for sympathy you better get the crutch. Put a little more drag in your walk, Gates feel that pain."

"How's that"

"Yeah that's it, Shit I remember when I was a law suit doing that. You really got to make people feel sorry for you."

At the light at tend of the tunnel was an office where Leon Brown sat at his desk devouring plate of sushi. Across him stanging wathicng him eat with a look of disgust on his face was his freind Snuff.

"How can you eat that shit, Leon?" said Snuff.

"What you don't like fish, Snuff."

"Brother, sure I like fish, deep fried and with some hot sauce."

"You need to get out of Compton, Snuff. Big world out there ... expand your horizons. Sushi is good shit."

Ronnie walked in and eyed Snuff. Ronnie hated Snuff. Snuff didn't much care for Ronnie either.

"Hey Leon, you got a visitor"

Leon looked up.

"Who is it man? Can't you see I'm eating."

"Sorry but he insisted."

Gates walked in limping badly and slowly crawled into the office. Snuff laughed when he saw Gates.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," said Leon.

"Hey Leon," Gates said.

"Whats wrong with you?"

"I got hit by a car man."

"now, this ain't got nothing with the fifteen G's you owe me."

"no way, I'll get your money."

"You fucking straight you will. Ronnie pick this mother fucker up. Put him upside down. Let's see what falls out of his pockets."

Ronnie picked up Gates and tipped him upside down and began to shake him. The cast on his arm came off then the one on his leg.

"Right. Really injured there. Where my money, Gates?"

"I don't have it."

"I heard what you did over at Ivan's. Said you walked out with a payday."

"I don't have any money I swear. He kept it."

"Shake him," Leon said.

Ronnie shook Gates and his watch, wallet, car keys.

"No money, well you know Gates I think you take me for a fool. I'm just too fucking nice, aint that right Snuff"

"That's right."

"It his what I'm gonna do Gates, for ever five thousand you owe me, I'm going to cut a finger off. Fifteen thousand that's three fingers. Snuff get the knife."

"You kidding, Leon, I thought we were friends," Gates said nervously.

"We are friends but this is business. I have to set precedent. I can't have people borrow money and not pay it back. I'm gonna look soft. Now I do like you, Gates. I'll tell you what. I'll forget everything if you sell me your car."

"Forget it."

"C'mon, just name a price for that Cadillac, Gates."

"its' not for sale."

"Look at me Gates. Look how i dress. I was made for that Cadillac. Look at my Rolex. Bling. Look my Armani suit. Bling. You on the other hand look like a homeless man. You look sick. What the hell's wrong with you? You ain't catch anything from my girls?"

"No"

" Snuff take off his fingers."

Gates hollored in a panic. Snuff took out a knife and was ready to cut his index finger off. Snuff slammed the blade close to Gates' fingers.

"You see that. He aint gonna miss next time."

"Where my money. I know you got it."

She went down the hallway and front the crack in the door she saw Ronny hiding Gates upside down and Leon threatening him and Snuff's knife on the desk.

" I guess those are rattlesnakes fiends," Sunny said. "Boy did I run into the wrong guy. Toto. I don't know why life lead me here, but here I am. What should we do?"

Sunny reached into her bag and felt the gun. The old woman words were loud in her mind now, "Don't hesitate to use it."

She walked up the door pushed it opened and pulled out her purse. The men looked over and saw her and were stunned a by her beauty. She threw Gates' wad of cash on the desk.

"Is that's what you looking for?" Sunny said.

Leon looked over at the twenty grand and his eyes bulged. He picked up the money. Gates made a face.

"Fuck I told you to hold on the money."

"I just saved your life."

"Leon's a pussy, he want going to do anything," said Gates.

Leon smiled at Sunny. "That's right sweetheart. I only wanted to put a scare in him, teach him a lesson, you know. I ain't no killer. I'm a lover not a fighter."

Leon leaned on Sunny very smitten. He gazed at Sunny "I'm Leon Brown." He took her hand and kissed it. Sunny smiled.

"Gates who is this fine lady and what is she doing with you?."

"She's my worst nightmare."

"I'm sunny Bunny

"thee sunny Bunny

"no way," said Snuff.

"That aint Sunny Bunny. Sunny got a mole by her lip."

"No man." Leon pulled out a collector calendar of Sunny in a bathing suit. "See it is her."

"Miss Bunny I'm your biggest fan. I even got your videos."

Leon took two videos where Sunny wore different bathing suits and lingerie very sexy.

"Oh great, you're a porn star?" Gates said laughing

"I'm not a porn star, you idiot. I never took off my clothes."

"That' right," said Leon. "This is art, there aint no nudity at all, but I tell you are holy and divine."

"Thanks," said Sunny.

Ronnie put Gates down. Gates told Leon he needed a favor.

"What's the guys name that you're looking for?" said Leon.

"Sheek"

"Sheek, oh yeah I know Sheek but what do you want him for? I mean you don't seem like the kind of person that hang out with his crowd," said Leon.

"He's an old friend and I've to something he wants."

"I'm a businessman Miss Bunny and you know you're little buddy here believe it or not is one hell of a detective when he want to be. I have a business partner that is making my life difficult. He's taken something of mine and I want it back. You guys get me that box on his desk and I'll let you know where Sheek is."

"why don't you get it yourself" Gates said.

"I told you I can't arouse no suspicion with this guy. You see Miss Bunny in Vegas there is always a bigger fish. Some are sharks and some are barracudas but me I'm a little fish and I can get eaten at any time." Leon said.

"oh king help us."

"I didn't know you believed in God, Gates."

"I said King" Leon looks at him confused. "Doesn't anyone know Elvis."

"Elvis. Like Elvis Presley?

"You white boys are funny," snuff said.

"But you see I'm a little fish and well it would be easy for a shark and a barracuda to come and eat me so I got to stay hidden. That's why I'm way out here in no where's land. That's why there aint no nudity in this club. This club is for regular folks who need a place to hang out. So as I see it I'll let you know where this man be if you get me my book. Deal."

"Yeah fine we'll get your book."

"But I want the rest of my money. I only owed you fifteen."

"Forget it, the extra five is for my troubles. So get me my book and we have deal okay. don't fail me now Gates."

"yeah yeah." Gates snaked his car keys from Leon's hand.