Dear Vegas

How's business?  LIFE is good.  We adopted twins!  I'm sure you've heard I'm no longer an athlete.  Too hard to be a mom and travel that much.  Of all things, I'm an accountant.  We're just cruising along!

I did go to a very interesting party last weekend at Tudor Mansion.  We were given characters and roles and off we went.  I was Miss Scarlet, a beautiful and well to do young aspiring actress.  As the twist would have it, I also enjoyed carrying around a lead pipe, just in case, of what, I wasn't quite sure yet.  My 'mom' was there, Mrs Peacock, but we're always fighting so my job was to ignore her.  My husband was Col. Mustard, retired and pretending to be a writer.  Naturally, he had a rope.  Off we went to mingle in different rooms of our friends' house.  I started in the 'conservatory' while my husband went to the lounge.  All of a sudden, there he was!  He'd found a secret passage!  Then, the housekeeper ran in saying that Mr Black, who of course owns the mansion, you remember him, had been murdered!  I know, it's not in the news.  Because of the money he was to inherit, we were all sworn to secrecy, but you won't tell.  Then that was it.  We had to figure out who did it!  We were on lock down and I'll tell you what, I couldn't even trust my own husband!  I didn't know where he'd been for those first few moments.  I was alone so I had no ideas.  There were some unusual people!  A 'reverend' Green, who may have smuggled, laundered money, and committed some sort of fraud.  A Professor Plum who apparently stole some notes from a dead friend and published them.  My crazy mom, and the housekeeper who just seemed bitter.  While we waited for the 'police' to arrive, we questioned each other.  For a long time, they all thought it was me!  ME!!  He was found in the billiard room, with no marks on him.  After a lot of digging, I discovered the professor was carrying a gun, the housekeeper was busy carving dinner, so it wasn't her.  And it couldn't have been the Col., because a rope would leave marks.  That left Mr Green, with a candlestick and Mrs Peacock with the wrench.  As luck would have it, it was my 'mom', Mrs. Peacock.  We really couldn't be all that surprised since three of her husbands had mysteriously died.  She was very accustomed to killing for money!  

It was a wonderful night with great friends.  The only thing missing is you, my dear friend Vegas!  We need to plan a getaway.  It's been too long!

Yours

Domino Effect

Dear Domino,

It's been a while since we last spoke. I hope this game, known as life, is treating you well. Retirement comes before you know it! I've been horribly busy. I recall warning you weeks ago of a criminal mastermind on the loose. I've now been charged with finding her. I have traveled all across the country searching for her and her accomplices- where in the USA can Carmen San Diego be! I started in New Mexico, where a source told me that the culprit I was looking for had a passion for picture taking and was excited to capture the faces of some of our greatest presidents. Soooo....off I headed for Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. (A boring state if you ask me!) There I met a few interesting, but random tourists. I was told to look for a man who was easy to see over and around. Then mentioned he would nearly be blown over on his next journey. So, off to the Windy City I went looking for a short, skinny man with a camera. Have you ever visited Chicago- it's big! I still hadn't caught a glimpse of my suspect, but I was also missing some details. However, this is where I completed my profile. A very nice, southern tourist told me that the man's medium length towheaded wig looked fake and just plain awkward! To help lock these facts in, I also found a reciept lying near the Sears Tower (a wonderful place to take pictures I hear) for a Blonde Wig from "Hair Flair" for a Mr. Art A. Crook. My last interview in Chicago told me of Mr. Crook's interest in music, rock n' roll to be specific. And, of course, you know where to find all about that- Cleveland at the rock n' roll hall of fame! And there, standing outside the gift shop I saw him! Short, skinny, blonde wig, and a camera! I grabbed him quick and immediately called it in. After hours and hours of questioning we discovered a new mission of Carmen's: to steal millions from Las Vegas! I guess you know where I'm off to....all this flying is tiring. I may not last on these missions much longer. Being a gumshoe is hard work.
Vegas

Dear Vegas

What a fun adventure! Surely it is something that will keep you busy for a long, long time.

I had the strangest dream the other night.  It all started when I was taking a walk.  You know how I love walks.  The forest was so brightly colored!  There were reds and purples, blues and greens.  Even some yellow and orange!  I met the strangest people and saw the strangest things on this walk.  After going past a tree that I swore looked just like gingerbread, I went though a peppermint forest.  I had a lovely chat with a giant man named Mr Mint.  After that, I went over the gumdrop pass narrowly avoiding a bizarre looking creature they called Jolly.  I got stuck on a licorice by Lord Licorice.  He was a little evil, only a little.   After traveling on, past more colors, I met a wonderful old lady named Grandma Nut.  She had the cutest dog.  And now that I think about it, it resembled a basket.  Anyway, I stayed with her for what seemed like forever eating peanut brittle and peanut butter cookies.  She sent me on to Lollipop woods, which I was a little nervous about, but then I noticed the trees were really made of lollipops!  I guess that's where it got it's name!  A nice young girl named Lolly lived there.  She was busy, so I went on.  Next, I met a princess named Frostine.  She was ice skating and told me to go see her dad, she'd be there shortly.  I continued on when I came upon a place you would love.  A chocolate swamp!  The swamp creature, Gloppy, told me it was safe to eat, and boy was it good!  It was only a few steps to Candy Castle to meet King Kandy.  

Then, I woke up.  I will never forget such a sweet adventure!
-Domino

Dear Domino Effect

I have decided to go into business for myself. I have rolled the dice of chance and am going to start buying up properties, depending on where I land. As I buy, fix up, and put houses on them people can rent from me and I'll generate a large profit. Or go backrupt. But, you know, you win some, you lose some. I hope to have a monopoly on certain areas- but I won't be picky. Some of my properties are sure to be junk, and some will be luxurious, upscale developments. Something for everyone! I hope this is all legal and I'm not sent to jail! If so, I trust I'll have a handy get out of jail free card in my pocket! I'm also hoping for other strokes of luck, maybe my Uncle will give me money or i'll get free parking somewhere! Though I'm sure to draw bad cards, too. I'm still excited for the adventure and trust that it will go on forever....
how is your 'life'? Still an athlete?
Write soon,
Vegas Solitaire

Dear Domino Effect

Yes, still alive and we've made the journey successfully! Turns out the possible typhoid was just a touch of indigestion. We have had a series of ups and downs since arriving- like going up ladders and falling down chutes. The other day I thought I'd do a good deed to help a kitten from a tree, and I felt so great about myself. But then I was carrying the dishes and dropped them. Just like that I was back down. Then just today I bandaged up my friend sally who fell down and she was so thankful and I climbed really high- in spirits. Then when we went to toss a ball around, I accidentally broke a window, and I slid back down to where I started.
However, I am very excited to hear about your successes! Best wishes for the wedding, and your car sounds absolutely divine. Have you started looking at houses? How is your career? Still an athlete, or will you be switching? Maybe an artist? Accountant?
I'll be in touch.
Vegas

Dear Vegas

Hopefully when you get this, you're still alive. As for me, I just took a spin at Life and decided, after much thought, not to go to college. I'm a pro athlete! I signed for 60,000 but there are sure to be large bonuses with a little luck and good deeds. Oh, and I got a car! It's white with white interior. Pretty much every angle is white. I've met someone and we're coming up on the marriage stop. Then I suppose we'll buy a house and have some kids. I'll keep you posted on those things of course. Who knows, there might be a career change for me out there!

Yours
Domino Effect

Dear Domino Effect

I'm writing from the oregon trail. it is terribly exhausting. Just being awake is difficult as I feel a bout of typhoid fever coming on. Just last month I battled diphtheria, but came out on top. So far this week we have lost 2 oxen fording the river, but we are nearly to Indepence Rock so we are making do with the 1 we have. We are rationing food, but there is plenty of money to buy some- even after we purchase our new oxen! I hope you are faring well.
Yours,
Vegas Solitaire

P.S. I hear there is a mass criminal on the loose- they call her Carmen San Diego. Be careful out there!