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Chapter 68 - Chapter 68 - The Grand Opening

"Welcome," Maisey's voice carried over the speakers and her face appeared on all the TVs around the venue, "Thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion--whether for the spa or for the convention, we're thrilled to have you with us. This evening we invite you to enjoy the entertainment offered in the Battlefield, and try the cuisine in the Hearth, tomorrow morning we'll have a formal opening ceremony and get everyone checked in for their events at 10, first dice will roll at 11. If you need help please find someone black and gold with the logo on the back and welcome to the General's Concourse."

Applause rang out, alongside cheering as she spoke from the stage in the Trenches. She'd already seen a few faces she'd met at events, but there were so many she didn't know. Henry stayed by her side.

In the days since she'd left the ranch Maisey hadn't had much time to think about Brett or the confusion around her past with him, but at night it had haunted her. She couldn't get his face out of her dreams. She'd hardly slept all week and had found herself working on projects around the venue at all hours. She'd thanked all the staff and construction crew with a catered party two nights before opening: they'd bowled and gamed and danced and sang karaoke until late into the night. She'd helped the cleaning crew until she couldn't see straight.

After a trip to the office where she checked with security to make sure everything was functioning, she found she had no interest in being a part of the crowds and made her way to the Armory. Kyle was appreciative of her help and so quickly found herself talking about products and armies and ringing through orders for models and games, glue and dice--she event found herself restocking shelves as the staff was busy running demonstrations. At midnight they closed the Armory. The exhausted staff quickly restocked and cleaned while Kyle and Maisey cashed out the till.

"Congratulations," she told them with a grin, "You tripled the projection of sales for the evening--if nothing else sells all weekend we'll have made more than we expected to for the Armory." There was a cheer, "Now, either go have some fun with the people you know here, or head home, they'll be locking the Battlefield at 2, so you've got time."

"Time sure, but not the energy," one of the staff called out and echoed by staff, "Good night boss." They filed out to the parking lot and Maisey locked the doors behind them. Kyle followed her to the backroom where they slid all the money and cash slips into the in floor safe. Kyle followed her into a service hall, set the alarm and locked the door for the Armory.

"I think I'm gonna head up to bed too," Kyle told her, "that was exhausting."

"Your dad would be proud," she told him, "get some rest, I have a feeling tomorrow's going to be a bit nuts." Kyle nodded and waved as he went.

She steeled herself to re-enter the Battlefield, security had already reported they'd locked down the Trenches and there was a Team cleaning and resetting for the event that would start the next morning. It was quieter than she'd expected: the bowling alley and arcade had closed up but the dance floor and the restaurant were at capacity. She listened as she walked, they guests and the staff were buzzing with energy.

She made her way to the bowling alley and arcade to help with cash outs and cleaning, proud to see their sales were up over what had been expected as well. She congratulated them and sent the team to bed. The kitchen manager had already given her a tally and security had given her the all clear. Padding down the hall, Henry was tired and she wanted off her feet. Opening night had been a success.

Too soon, her alarm went off.

Terri-Lee knocked on her door, bringing bagels and donuts, "thought you could use a treat this morning," she grinned, "are you ready for today?"

"Honestly?" Maisey yawned, "it was more draining than I expected it to be and the crowds were overwhelming." Terri-Lee frowned, "It's different to have a hotel filled to capacity and every news reporter in the province around to check it out. We blew our projections out of the water and the staff did amazing."

"And now to start all over."

"I think the difference is I've been to conventions, I know what to expect with it: the players will be buzzing with energy and eager to throw down, but last night...that was new."

Terri-Lee smiled, "You survived." The two women went out and around to the main hotel entrance and were surprised by how many players were already lined up in the halls waiting for security and check in procedures to begin. A quick word to the organizers and Maisey had staff added to the check in process: everything was digital so she could pull staff from anywhere and hand them a tablet to check IDs with. She made her way down the lines, greeting the gamers and welcoming to the first ever event at the General's Concourse.

"Kyle's not here yet," a voice came through the ear piece that security had given her, "The Armory staff can't get in and there's a line up."

"On my way," Maisey excused herself, "Send someone to wake him up," she ordered security.

She weaved in and out of the crowds to the staff hallway where three staff were waiting to have the store unlocked. She quickly unlocked and verified the float in each of the three tills. As they spread out around the room she unlocked the main doors and greeted their first customers: players who realized they'd left dice or glue at home and needed a quick stop in and school aged kids who had convinced their dad this was the best way to spend a Saturday morning.

She chatted with the two little boys and offered a demo game, with gleams in their eyes they gathered close to hear her explain what they were going to do and show them the little hand painted models. She loved how excited they got.

"You're a natural," Terri-Lee found her there, "They're ready for you in the Trenches."

Maisey excused herself and mentally preparing herself she stood behind the curtain and accepted a microphone from the audio guy.

The curtain went up, "Good morning," Maisey looked past the cameras that would feed her message to every TV in the building, "Welcome to the General's Concourse, and to our first ever convention! Some of you explored last night but today you'll find the Trenches have been transformed into a large battlefield where 180 players will take to their battles both indoors and outdoors. We also have 100 vendors from various hobby suppliers, game stores, artists and specialty shops in the industry, please take some time to browse their shops.

"Every player today should have received a swag bag when they checked into the hotel, and for those who weren't staying here, you should have received yours as you checked in for the event. Every item in them was donated by one of many sponsors--there are some great items in there. Each of you also received a name tag that if you flip it over you'll see it looks like a room key: this is your drink car-- all over the venue you'll see beverage dispensers, swipe the card and it will dispense any non-alcoholic beverage inside, there are both Coca-Cola and Pepsi products available. The Hearth will have a buffet set out from 11 to 2 and again from 430-7, but they will also have menu ordering available."

Kyle came on stage with a gigantic pair of golden scissors. Maisey took them and walked to the side of the stage where a ribbon was tied around a sheet that covered something, "This is Kyle, he's the Manager for the Armory." She motioned for Chris to join them as well, "if it hadn't been for Kyle, Chris and Kyle's dad Dale, I wouldn't have known the first thing about this hobby. Unfortunately Dale recently passed so he didn't get to see this happen, but today, in honor of Dale I've asked Kyle to cut the ribbon that will signify an amazing new beginning."

Kyle stepped forward and lined the scissors up carefully slicing through. Chris pulled away the sheet and everyone applauded and cheered.

The statue had miniature versions unveiled all through the building: it was a memorial to fallen soldiers, and while the soldier was non-descript, the ground beneath him was littered with armor.