Thats the one thing about being an accountant.  There always seem to be new tax laws coming into effect.  Things you must keep ahead of, in order to keep you, and others, out of trouble or jail.  After all, it wasn't the cops who caught Al Capone, as well as several other mobsters, it was accountants.

Before 'things' started happening, Chris had made purchases of the latest of accounting books.  Books that most would use as a cure for the worst insomnia ever, are to her like the latest V.C. Andrews, Amanda Quick, or Harry Potter book to others.

She had also signed up for a class in the newest tax laws.  As well as the newest tax frauds. As the time for class draws near...would be be able to take the class?

Well, at least she has the books.

First day in class, she has a light glove over the hand with missing fingers, so it doesn't look too different.  Typing is still difficult, but easier than writing, so much of her notetaking is done on a laptop.

The class itself....if the students were not dedicated accountants, it would be sleep central, as it is, the students are like Torries confronted with the most gorgeous art, transfixed on the numbers and information.  This is meat and drink to Christine...emotions are locked away, while the computer in her brain takes over, clicking over the pros and cons of each new law and regulation, fixing them into their own place in the scheme of things.

Odd as it may seem...she's contentedly happy for the two to three hours of the class.

A seminar on the newer tax frauds.  This is the kind of thing Christine loves.  The challenge of finding out how the crook does it, how to counter it...and how its covered up.

Another day in class, between working at the casino, doing what she can at Thorns, now class, yeah, she's stretched a bit thin.
Not a problem though, she's promised herself a few hours of sleep......after class. Once she gets into it, the class is still fascinating.
She may dream, once again, of numbers doing minuets, gavottes and waltzes through her head.

Really getting into the tax frauds.  Oh, this stuff is just the most fun ever.  Learning how to spot them, how to counteract them, of course, knowing how to DO them in the first place.  As one of her co students commented, 'if accountants weren't honest, we'd take over the world'
A comment which brough a smothered chuckled from over half the room.....including the professor.  As well as some knowing looks between some of the older students there.

With the tax fraud seminars behind her, she is still in the one class for the new tax laws and regulations.  While most people look at legalistic mumbo jumbo as pure gibberish, to her and most of the other students, its pretty plain and simple.  Especially in this day and age of 'simplifying' taxes.  A phrase that makes most of them laugh.

While she's friendly enough in class, she's the one who always has to hurry off right after.  

For most of the students in her class, its updating on the new rules and regulations.  Most, like her, have jobs that just need to be in compliance with the tax laws.  For each student, there are certain areas of the new laws that they study harder, and take more time on questioning the professor over.  

Casinos, are of course, a profitable business.  In some states, they are run one way, in others, another.  Still in other states, they don't have them at all.  Lets not go into the rule and regulations for other countries.  For Chris, having the casino run well, profitably, and without any more eyes on it that need be, is a matter of more than prime importance.  It could easily be a matter of life and death.  That joking comment on her delving into the why's wherefore's and such of the new laws for casinos did bring a laugh.  Even from her.  At least most didn't notice the slightly twisted smile as she bent to her books.  Life and death.  A matter much too much on her mind these days...and nights.

As the classes draw to a close, she finally does go out with the class.  An afternoon kaffeklatch to discuss the now over with class.  Plans made for keeping in touch, perhaps.  New contacts made, old ones renewed.  The financial subcurrant of the city, those toilers with calculators and figures now prepare for another tax season.  With a certain amount of sadness, Chris will wave goodbye and make her way back to the casino.  There are other preparations to make.

None of them have to do anything with accounting.