�Charming,� she said, lowering her eyes.

�It is quite warm, n�est-ce pas? Hot in this room.�

�Yes, I�m warm too,� she murmured, and cashed out her coins.

The moment to make his move had arrived, his chance to impress this woman and initiate a liaison. �I think now I will go upstairs before dinner,� he whispered, �have an ap�ritif in my chambre and� and...� Mon dieu, he had forgotten the English word for that drink with vodka and tomato juice! No, it was like so many, similar in both languages. He put on his most alluring smile. �I go to my room now to drink sangres de Marie. Will you join me?�

�Blood?� she asked, raising her eyebrows. �Did you mean bloody Mary?�

Henri saw his love boat sailing away. Blood drained from his face. He was dead, all because he didn�t know the name of a drink. His soul shriveled as the goddess rose from the slot machine and started out of the casino. She paused, turned like a trophy on a pedestal, and stared deeply into his eyes.

�Wait,� she said. �Perhaps you can help. I�m going back to Paris in February to begin shooting a movie. The French know the language of love. Can you teach me the words, show me the gestures?�

Henri�s eyes brightened. �I will be your Berlitz, your Rosetta Stone.�

She smiled and for the first time Henri noticed her canine teeth. �My bloody valentine,� she whispered.

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