THE QUEEN WITH THE PEACOCK FAN AND THE GIRL IN THE SHORT BLACK DRESS (continued)<br/><br/>Dion suppresses a groan as his father makes a grand entrance from the elevator into the lounge.  Of all the gods, Zeus is the least subtle and the most arrogant.  Yes, in part he owed his father a portion of his life, but his father's foolishness had been the other half of Dion's mother's death.  Also, Dion despises being told what to do in his own place.<br/><br/>Heading over to where his father has perched himself on a bar stool, Dion says, "Hello, Dad".  From beneath the bar, he produces a cocktail, a zombie.  "Welcome to<i>my</i>lounge."  Dion puts the cocktail down on the bar and waits while his father eyes the drink suspiciously.<br/><br/>Zeus decides to accept the drink and lifts it to his lips.  It has some sweetness but there is no doubt that this is a very very strong drink.  Strong enough to knock a mortal senseless.<br/><br/>"How many times do I have to tell you," Dion says over the sound of the music, "I invite different types of artists in advance.  Firstly, tonight is a 'disco' night.  So it's largely modern, twenty-first century dancing.  Secondly, if I wanted to have every mortal here get plastered or insane I could do it without your say-so.  Thirdly,<i>I</i>run this place because<i>I</i>like to interact with the mortals at<i>their</i>level, not because I want to cater to the gods.  If I wanted that, I'd just set up shop on Olympus."<br/><br/>It appeared to Dionysus that Zeus was about to remind him about who was king of the gods and who wasn't, but Dion still had one more card to play.<br/><br/>Dion gave his father a sly and twisted smile, saying, "And fourthly,<i>my Step-Mom, your Wife, is here."<br/>
</i><br/>The anger drains from Zeus' face, replaced by a troubled expression.  Hera had figured out he'd be coming to the lounge tonight.  Zeus knocks back the cocktail.  Dion has another ready for him.<br/><br/>"Relax, Dad," Dion says.  "Take a break from trying to be the boss all of the time.  Let yourself be entertained without running the show.  Heck, dance with the mortals.  The steps aren't hard and you'll catch on pretty quick.  Just, for all of our benefits, don't piss off<i>you-know-who</i>."