They worked out the fine details. When everyone knew their role, they went to their rooms to change. "You cannot expect me to play the role of husband" Jean-Claude protested "to such a fine lady in these clothes," He pointed down at his immaculate groomed looking outfit.
"You look ok to me" Cordelia drooled.
"Merci" Jean-Claude thanked her. "Edward? May I look through Ted's wardrobe? I suspect that my wardrobe would not fit the bill on this occasion"
Edward looked to Jason and Anita "Black, warm and armed" he ordered. They nodded and they went to the other room to change. "Anita" she looked back to him. He threw her a pair of goggles.
Edward gave Asher and Spike a look up and down. "Asher, loose the suit jacket. Borrow Jason's coat. Tie your hair back." Asher nodded. Edward handed him a spray can of marker solution.
"Spike" Edward started.
"You ever thought about a career in the movies? Sure they could do with a costumer like you" Spike said in a camp manner, hand on hip. "You would be just smashing"
"Doesn't pay as well as my current job." Edward got in Spike's face "Plus it doesn't give me the warm tingly feeling killing monsters does."
"Money isn't everything" Spike said "But it's right up there"
"You'll get paid Spike" Edward confirmed.
"Do I pass inspection?" He said giving a twirl. Edward rolled his eyes. He reached in his pocket pulled out some money. Spike's eyes tracked it as he counted out some of it.
"Take this" Edward handed Spike the money, who made it disappear. "Spread it about. Buy drinks for strangers. You need to be there a while before getting to business"
"Don't wait up" Spike hugged Edward. He felt the gun in his stomach. He backed off. Edward's eyes were blank. Spike put his arms out and backed off.
"Get out" Edward spat, waving towards the door.
Spike put his arm round Asher and they swaggered out the door.
They heard the screams as they went. The two of them split their sides laughing as the walked down the dark path to the large bar.
"They only put treacle in your shoes" Cordelia exclaimed.
"You are only saying that because your shoes didn't get touched." Jason pouted.
"How come they didn't get your shoes?" Anita asked. Pouring the sticky substance from her black Nikes into the sink.
"Had to put mine in the top of the closet." Cordelia explained "Angel being a D-O-G has other side effects"
"He chews your shoes?" Jean-Claude shuddered. The thought of an animal destroying his footwear was almost too much.
"Hey. Instinct. Not as if I do it at home" Angel protested, scratching his ears again.
Edward came out of his room to join them. He was dressed on his Ted Forrester clothes. "They put a water bucket above the door and cellophane over the toilet"
Jason grinned. "How come you aren't wet?"
"Because I'm careful"
Anita held her shoe up "Are you sure we need him in one piece?" She asked. I so want him dead, she thought. "When tonight's over we can discuss it"
Jean-Claude sat down on the bedside chair. It let out a long slow farting noise as the whoopee-cushion let out the air. "I have a feeling there will be a cue. But he will have company" He said with more than a hint of menace.
"I didn't know Asher had it in him" Anita sat on Jean-Claude's lap. Kissing him.
"He was always had a mischievous streak ma petite. I had thought he had out grown it" he smiled as he remembered how long Asher had been punished when he had drugged the food of a minor council member. They had hung him by his ankles in the main hall for three months.
Cordelia knocked on Jean-Claude's door. Angel sniffed at the doorframe. It had been marked recently. "Cordy?"
"Yes Angel?"
"Do me a favour?"
"What?"
"If I ever agree to an idea like this again. Stake me!" He let out a long suffering sigh.
"Angel stupid idea. Stake. Got you. Should I look one out now?" She went down on one knee. Scratched him behind his ear. "You do make a cute dog."
"Can you stop saying that" Angel protested.
Cordelia knocked on the door again. "Honey" She said, "We have to go now. I know you want to spend all of our honeymoon in the motel room." She smiled "But it isn't much fun for me on this side of the door"
The door opened. Jean-Claude looked painfully normal. "I am ready Sweetheart," he said in an American accent. He was wearing a checked shirt and blue jeans. He looked totally relaxed, like a man on his honeymoon. "What acting school did you go to?" Cordelia asked.
"You would not wish to attend." Jean-Claude said with all seriousness.
"Can we go?" Angel asked.
"Yes. I wish to show my beautiful wife to the world"
"Smooth talker." Cordelia took his offered arm and started off towards the bar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~continued~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~