Investigate, Duh!

Richard answered in the form of an adolescent scamper to the empty box, nearly tearing it as he grasped for the card before Aria could.

He scanned the first few lines and his grin fades. “Wait...”

“What does it say?”

“This is... this is too p-private. I’m sorry, we shouldn’t look at this...”

Aria snatched it from him and read for herself, guarding it from Richard’s attempts to stop her.

Dearest Theodore,

Congratulations on winning the lottery!!!

In case you had any doubt, I was the one that told dad your secret. Do you think that’s what finally put him in the grave? Oh, you didn’t know? Angry as he was, he made me the majority inheritor of the estate. Still, he set aside the thing you want the most, but authorized me to judge if your atonement is sufficient. We both know dad and I wanted different things from you... so let’s play a game, even better than the old ones!

To earn your portion of the inheritance, atone by the following:

You will be assigned a room with two other lottery winners, hereby referred to as THE GUESTS.

The only clothing you are permitted to wear is the servant’s attire provided.

You are only permitted to sleep in the indicated servant’s bed, unless otherwise requested by THE GUESTS.

You are to provide any and all requested services by THE GUESTS, including but not limited to:

Housekeeping

Laundering

Porting

Food and beverage service

Legal personal favors

Any complaint registered by THE GUESTS regarding you or the cruise line instantly revokes eligibility for said inheritance.

You must read and comply with any special instructions delivered to the pneumatic delivery canister accessible within the servant’s bed chamber, deliverable at any time.

Sounds easy, right?

Cheers brother!

Maxine

P.S. I am your boss.

P.P.S. I love my job.

Just as Aria finished reading it they hear the door swipe and unlock. She tosses the card back to the bed, missing the box by a country mile. Ted walked in, dressed and polished, hair combed back neatly. His previous clothing had been crisply folded and rested in his upturned hands. He acknowledged the couple as if they were Lord and Lady.

“No, please. Just call us Richard and Aria.” Richard made his first formal request.

“As you wish, Richard. I’ll put my things away, then if there is anything I can do for—“

FFFFWWHHOOOMP! A pneumatic cylinder clacks into place with a much smaller card.