Decisions are the hardest thing to make, especially when it’s a choice of where you should be and where you want to be…
Dalton Mallet has won the Escapement. The Escapement is a once in a lifetime event held by Jeffrey Riker, founder of Riker Industries, that guarantees to change Dalton’s life forever.
Leaving all he has ever known, Dalton flies to Las Vegas to learn about the details of the Escapement. He has the choice to opt out, but if he does, no one else will ever get this opportunity. If Dalton opts in, he must come to terms with the decision he has to make.
With only a few days to make his decision and help from an unlikely ally, Dalton must make this choice that will have implications on not only his life, but everyone around him.
Just when Dalton thinks he has all the answers, the questions begin to change.
Decisions are the hardest thing to make, especially when it’s a choice of where you should be and where you want to be…
Dalton Mallet has won the Escapement. The Escapement is a once in a lifetime event held by Jeffrey Riker, founder of Riker Industries, that guarantees to change Dalton’s life forever.
Leaving all he has ever known, Dalton flies to Las Vegas to learn about the details of the Escapement. He has the choice to opt out, but if he does, no one else will ever get this opportunity. If Dalton opts in, he must come to terms with the decision he has to make.
With only a few days to make his decision and help from an unlikely ally, Dalton must make this choice that will have implications on not only his life, but everyone around him.
Just when Dalton thinks he has all the answers, the questions begin to change.
As he sat and waited for his section to be called, Dalton Mallet continued to get lost in the letter that was held firmly in his hands. He read every line, word by word, over and over, still not believing what he was seeing. He had read these lines at least a hundred times but still couldn’t believe it was him that was selected. Right before he began to read it again, an announcement came over the speaker.
“Now boarding, First Class.”
Dalton neatly folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and placed it in his jacket pocket. He grabbed his carry-on bag and proceeded to the desk, where two attendants who were obviously faking their smiles were waiting.
“Excuse me?” Dalton asked. “Does this announcement mean anyone flying First Class can board?”
“Yes, honey,” the cute blonde one answered. “Go right in through the terminal there and take your seat.”
“Sorry, first time flying. I didn’t know,” Dalton exclaimed as he presented his ticket and hung his head down. Dalton shuffled his feet moving through the terminal, still not believing he was here. True, he had never flown before. He hadn’t even been to the airport in his life. But the time had come to do so. Who turns down an all-expense-paid trip?
When Dalton stepped onto the plane and presented his ticket, he was directed to his seat, which looked nothing like what he saw in the movies. What was I expecting? Dalton thought as he placed his carry-on bag into the overhead compartment. After doing this, he sat down on the plush, pleather seat and sighed heavily. Was he really here? Was he really going to go through with this? Too late to turn back now, Dalton thought to himself as he closed his eyes to relax.
“First time flying?” he heard off to his left, so he squinted his eyes and turned his head a bit to see if the question was meant for him.
An older woman, Dalton guessed to be in her 50’s or 60’s, was staring right at him. She was looking at him with a wry smile while sitting up in her seat as if she had known him from somewhere.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dalton said. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, dear,” the stranger said while patting his hand. “You see, you seem to have a death clutch on that armrest there and the business section hasn’t even boarded yet. Relax, honey, planes fly all the time. Nice to meet you. I’m Susan.”
“Dalton, Dalton Mallet,” he said as he extended his hand to her. “This is all so new to me.”
“Really? You’ve never flown before? How old are you, young man?” Susan asked as she shook his hand.
“I’m 29, well, 30 actually. I’ll be 30 at the end of the month,” Dalton said.
“And you’ve never flown?” Susan asked while shaking her head back and forth.
“No, ma’am,” Dalton said. “Never really needed to ‘til now I suppose. And to be honest, I would’ve driven. But this trip was already paid for.”
“Well, there’s nothing to it. Trips this length usually have a movie and a pretty decent meal to pass the time. I also heard if you talk sweet to the attendants, they’ll make sure you don’t run out of the good stuff,” Susan said as she held up two airplane bottles of tequila.
As Dalton began to laugh, business class began to board. He was a bit more relaxed now and thankful that Susan was sitting close to him. Dalton always got along with older people and kids. He knew the flight was going to be about five-plus hours, so it was good that she was around to keep him company.
“So, you said this trip was paid for?” Susan started back again. “I don’t mean to get in your business or nothin’, but are you what they call a high-roller?”
“No, ma’am, not at all,” Dalton said as he was still laughing a bit from the alcohol remark. “I actually won a contest, so to speak.”
“A contest? To Las Vegas? They’re always giving free trips to good people so they can take their money from ‘em. Don’t you get off t his plane and give ‘em all your money,” Susan said.
“I’m not going to gamble, ma’am. It’s more of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Dalton replied, still smiling.
“Well, now I’m a bit curious, young man. Once in a lifetime opportunity? In Las Vegas? I’m 62, getting older by the day, and I’m not sure I’d even approach that one,” Susan said as she unscrewed her first of many tiny airplane bottles and took a sip.
“I’m not too sure I believe it either, Susan, but I’ve done what research I could and it checks out so far. Have you ever heard of Riker Industries?” Dalton asked.
Susan shook her head, not wanting to put down her liquor bottle for a response.
“Riker Industries is a company out of Las Vegas,” Dalton said.
“No shit, son, that’s where we’re headed. I figured out that much,” she said laughingly.
“Yes, ma’am. Apparently, they’re a lot like Google. They have a big presence online and such. Basically, they ran a contest a year ago. Maybe you saw the commercials. They’ve been on all the time,” Dalton said.
Susan finished up her tiny bottle and placed it beside her on her seat. She looked right at Dalton and asked, “The 'change your life' commercials?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dalton replied. “Those are the ones. Anyway, you see, all the commercials, ads, and stuff stated that someone could receive a life-changing event. They guaranteed your life would change as you knew it, forever, and that’s it. No other information. Nothing. Anyone that had bought and registered one of their televisions, computers, watches, or anything they sold would automatically be registered and entered into their life-changing event. They call it the Escapement.”
“I do remember hearing about that. I watch a lot of court shows on television in the afternoons and those commercials are always on. Always saying they will change your life. I thought it was just a big conspiracy to buy everything they sold,” Susan said as she twisted open another bottle.
“I did too until I received this letter ten days ago,” Dalton said as he pulled the envelope out of his coat pocket.
Dalton pulled the letter out of the envelope and handed it to Susan. Before she took the letter from him, she twisted the top back on her drink and placed it beside the empty one. As she grabbed the letter, the attendants started their safety lecture for the passengers to hear before the captain was to tell everyone their destination and how high he would be flying.
“Pay attention to those ladies so you’ll know what to do if we have an emergency, young man,” Susan said. “I’ll read this after they’re done. I’d hate to be trying to explain to everyone how a seatbelt works and some old ass woman ruined it for me. How the hell would we ever get buckled in?”
When the attendants finished their little show and the captain addressed the masses, the plane began its trip down the runway and ultimately into the air.
“You are now leaving Raleigh, next stop, Las Vegas!” the captain said over the loudspeaker, which drew applause from the rear section of the plane.
Dalton grabbed onto the armrests as tight as he could when the plane took off. He was pretty certain he closed his eyes as well, but he couldn’t know for sure.
“Dalton, son,” he heard Susan say to him as the plane began to level off. “I sure hope you don’t fart.”
“What?” Dalton asked.
“The way you’re clinching that armrest again. Your butthole is probably clenched so tight that if you pass gas, everyone will think you’re whistlin’ dixie!” Susan said.
Immediately, Dalton began to laugh and the tenseness was relieved. He thanked Susan for the laugh. She in turn thanked him and said she would read his letter after she put on her glasses.
While Susan was looking for her glasses, Dalton got the attention of one of the flight attendants and asked for a drink. She smiled and asked if he wanted a glass of wine or something a little stronger. He opted for stronger. Whiskey, neat.
The time it took to get his drink was about the same amount of time it took Susan to find her glasses.
“I can never find anything in this damn bag,” Susan exclaimed as she scurried through the bag relentlessly in pursuit of her spectacles.
Dalton smiled at her as the flight attendant placed his drink on his seat-back tray. He thanked her and took a sip. It was exactly what he needed. “Sweet shit on a Cheez-It, here they are,” Susan exclaimed as she took out her glasses. “Now, let’s read this letter.”
Pin #4812
Dalton Mallet,
Congratulations are in order. You have won the opportunity to take place in our
life-changing event, the Escapement. We cannot divulge what the aptly titled
Escapement is at this moment, for you see, some legal matters have to be tended to
first. However, trust me when I say this is well worth your time and effort. THIS
WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!
Keep in mind we are not forcing you to accept our offer. It’s only that, an offer.
Enclosed is a first-class ticket with your name on it and your flight information.
Once you arrive at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Monday,
November 26, our driver will greet you and provide you with transportation to the
Bellagio, where you will be staying in the Penthouse Suite. If you would like to
gamble, take in some sites, or maybe enjoy the fountains at the Bellagio, please do
so because I would like you to enjoy yourself before we talk business. As a matter
of fact, a cashier’s check for $500 is also enclosed for you to spend as you wish.
Please consider this a gift for your stay. And no, you do not have to pay it back.
Tuesday, November 27, we will have our driver pick you up at 9:30 a.m., Pacific
Standard Time, and he will drive you to our offices so we can discuss the
Escapement. Keep in mind, you can turn down this offer at any time. No questions
asked. Tell us you aren’t interested and we will fly you back, First Class, and act
like this never happened. No harm, no foul. One thing though. You were chosen
out of 3.6 billion people in the world. That’s half of the world’s population. We will
not be holding another contest like this one, for reasons you will understand once
we have our discussion. Therefore, if you turn this down, you nor anyone else will
ever get this chance again. It’s you, or no one. Take it or leave it.
You have a lot to think about, so I will leave you to it. Use the tickets. Let’s talk. If
you do not like what I have to say, no hard feelings. You can fly back home and
resume your life just as you left it. But...this is Las Vegas. I’m betting what we have
to say will make you think about things you have never thought about before. I’m
betting you will need more time than what we give you to decide exactly how you
want your life to change. I’m betting that your life WILL change forever.
I can’t wait to meet you, Dalton.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Riker
CEO Riker Industries
P.S. I’m also betting that you read this letter over and over, trying to figure out
exactly what we are offering. You will never guess it, so you may as well come
hear me out. See you soon!
Underneath the writing on the letter, Susan also noticed a note handwritten in blue ink. All it said was, ‘I hope you are able to find what it is you’ve been missing...Love, B’
“That man, Mr. Riker, had some interesting things to say. And what in the world is an Escapement?” Susan asked as she folded the letter and handed it back to Dalton, who was watching her read every word.
“Yes, ma’am, he did, and I have no idea what an Escapement is,” Dalton said, taking another sip of his drink.
“Well, young man, congratulations. Looks like you have a big decision ahead of you. A word of advice?” Susan asked.
“Absolutely,” Dalton said.
“I know you’ve probably heard this so many times before, and perhaps from many people before you got on this flight, but I ’m going to say it too. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” Susan said.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ve heard that so many times in the past couple of days, I probably say it in my sleep,” Dalton said.
Susan shook her head at him and started again. “You didn’t let me finish. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. However, that isn’t always correct. Suspicion, cynicism and doubt that are inherent in this belief can and does keep people from taking advantage of excellent opportunities. Richard Carlson said that. I sat in one of his seminars one time and it opened my eyes. Why do you think I’m 60 and on a plane headed to Las Vegas?”
“Maybe you have family? Perhaps even a contest that you’ve won as well?” Dalton responded.
“Hell, no!” Susan exclaimed. “I’m going to Vegas to watch the Chippendales muscle men in their underwear. You only live once!”
As Dalton shook his head in laughter, Susan asked, “Dalton, I don’t mean to pry, but if you don’t mind, who’s B?”
Dalton stopped laughing almost immediately and turned his head to look out the window. He picked up his glass and finished his whiskey. As he sat the glass down, he attempted to collect his thoughts before speaking, knowing that the words wouldn’t come out the exact way he intended. Dalton tried anyway.
“She’s the reason I didn’t want to take this trip or this offer, but she’s also the reason I’m here,” Dalton said.
Susan sat back and let out a sigh before she spoke. “Oh,” she said. “Well, if you would like to talk about it, I do believe we have the time. We also have alcohol available if we need it,” she said, holding up two more tiny bottles of alcohol in-between her fingers.
“No, ma’am, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be bored to tears with the intricacies of my so-called disaster of a life,” Dalton answered back politely.
“We all have a story, dear,” Susan said. “Some stories have their good and bad parts, but it’s what we do to get to the ending that matters. Every chapter of the story can change based on the choices that are made. I’m sure it isn’t nearly as bad as you think it is.”
“Perhaps it isn’t,” Dalton said, as he turned his head to stare back out the window.
Susan caught sight of this and realized it was a touchy subject.
“Dalton,” she said. “Since you don’t want to talk about it, can I talk to you about how excited I am to see chiseled gods of men with tuxedos around their penises?”
Susan began to ramble on about shirtless men and her excitement to see them; Dalton continued to listen and laugh along with her. This went on for several more minutes until the attendants decided it was time to begin the in-flight movie.
“I hope it’s Magic Mike,” Susan said, giggling.
“I hope not,” Dalton replied. “You’re going to see enough of that if and when we ever get to Las Vegas!”
“It will never be enough,” Susan said.
The movie turned out to be a superhero movie, one Dalton had seen many times over. He was fairly certain Susan had never seen this type of movie before.
“Well, this isn’t what I was in the mood for, but I’m sure someone’s happy about it,” Susan said. “I believe I’m going to try and sleep a bit. I probably need the rest. Never been a fan of the comic movies anyway. Maybe when I wake up, we can continue our conversation?”
“Of course,” Dalton said. “Sleep well.”
“Oh, I will,” Susan responded. “Especially if that Channing Tatum character shows up in my dreams!”
Dalton shook his head and laughed. Susan was a nice person to talk to. He figured she was just as nice as anyone to enjoy his first plane ride with. As an attendant walked by, Dalton asked for another drink. Once it was poured, he relaxed a bit in his seat. He grabbed the glass and began to look out of the window and sip. He reached for the letter and read it again, still not believing he was in a plane, headed toward Las Vegas to do who knows what. As he got to the end of the letter, he focused on the handwritten note written in blue. He rubbed over the note with his thumb as he sipped his drink. He read the words on paper again out loud,
but not above a whisper.
“I hope you are able to find what it is you’ve been missing...Love, B,”
Dalton read.
“I hope I do too...God, I miss you,” he said to himself as he lowered
his head and decided to finish his drink.
This was an interesting read, to say the least. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to reading the sequel and any other books that come after, I'm finding it difficult to put my thoughts on this first instalment into words that will not spoil the novel for those who are thinking about about picking it up. This is because a great number of my thoughts centre on details not included in the synopsis. In spite of this, feel I can provide the gist of my feelings and thoughts about the book without revealing any spoilers.
Although I enjoyed the writing style, I did feel as though a lot of it was detailed descriptions of characters doing certain things; the steps leading to them taking a shower, getting ready for the day two examples of this.
Additionally, despite expecting the story to get straight to the point about the Escapement was after a few introductory chapters, however I found that I quite enjoyed the build up to it through tension filled chapters that frequently brought questions about what was going on to my mind. Though it was not a long novel, elements of the plot as it unravelled through its chapters were intricate and made me think about how they fit into the story; later answering the questions that built up in my mind as I read.
The outcome of the novel, and what led up to it was shocking as much as it was fascinating and interesting to me, and I can't wait to read the next one.