Note - this is the final story of the Play series.
*****
SETTING THE TABLE
"Hey Kat. I thought you and I might enjoy a final dinner alone tonight?"
Kat looked up. The look was a blend confusion and exasperation. "Max. I told you that Sloan is back in town for one night."
"Right." I paused. "I guess she can join us."
"OK. That sounds fine. Let me check with her." Kat grabbed her phone and started texting. "Where did you want to go?"
"It is a surprise."
"Oh really?" Kat continued to text. She laughed and made some cute little faces as she traded text messages with Sloan. She continued texting for several minutes.
"Are you checking on dinner or coordinating a trip to Marrakech?"
Kat gave me a side-eye glance. "Sloan says 'great' and that she loves surprises. She also suggested that we should leave you at home so she and I can be alone."
"You and Sloan? I had no idea you two were like that."
"Hah! Oh, I'm not like that. She is. Once in school, we ..."
breaking off mid-sentence she replied to a text. Once done, she continued,
"... kissed, and well, did a little playing around. I was tipsy and she was feeling naughty. Even though her lips were soft and sensual, I decided that girls were not my thing. Sloan likes both boys and girls; if I gave her the green light she would drag me to bed faster than, well fast."
That evening, we grabbed a car from the condo and headed towards downtown. Kat wore a black cocktail dress with a silk scarf wrapped loosely around her shoulders. Sloan was clothed in a tight red dress. It had long sleeves. Form-fitting to show the details of her body, while still covering most of her skin. A single strand of pearls sat on her neck. As we drove, we passed some of the better restaurants, our path continuing towards an older part of the city.
"Max? I think we just passed all of the good restaurants." Sloan raised her eyebrows and gestured towards her dress. "We dressed for a night on the town, not pizza."
"Patience," I replied.
ARRIVAL
The driver turned down a nondescript side street and slowed. The buildings were plain, and the street was mostly empty. The car stopped in front of a brick building with fading paint. Two doormen stood there, dressed in black suits. A small sign read 'MEMBERS ONLY' in English, written under Japanese characters.
"We're here. Everybody out."
"Really?" Kat laughed.
"Yes. Really. Don't you trust me?"
I spoke with the doormen and we entered. The entrance area was not overly large, but it was well appointed. The walls were paneled with dark wood, live orchids stood on stands and a small vestibule held a potted tree, a woodblock print and some calligraphy. An older Japanese woman rose from behind an antique desk, she was dressed in a long skirt, a silk blouse and a brocade jacket. She wore several strands of pearl necklaces that glimmered in the subdued lighting. She greeted us in Japanese and then English.
"Mr. Max?" She inquired? "I am Ms. Aiko."
I handed her my business card. "Mr. Kobayashi was kind enough to introduce me to your company."
"Ahhh, yes. He called me yesterday. He confirmed the details of this evening. He told me you enjoyed the dinner in Tokyo." A young gentleman wearing a tuxedo suddenly appeared next to Ms. Aiko. "Hiro will take you to your room now. Ms. Sloan Watanabe and Ms. Katherine Fernandez are also booked as your guests this evening. I assume that would be the two beautiful women with you."
Sloan raised her hand as if confirming attendance in Kindergarten. Kat smiled. As she walked by the desk, she whispered to Ms. Aiko, "I love your necklace. You and Sloan look gorgeous in pearls; I am jealous."
"Thank you very much. I am glad you appreciate these. You should enjoy your evening."
Hiro pressed a button and a panel in the wall slid open. We progressed down a long hall. Various art pieces and orchids adorned the space. A series of doors lined the hallway. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Kat and Sloan looked back at me, completely bewildered. Kat whispered to me, as if she were a child at a party for grown-ups, "where on earth are we?" Two Japanese women passed us in the opposite direction. They were young, wearing long dresses, beautifully make up and their hair pinned elaborately.
Hiro stopped. He opened one of the doors and motioned for us to enter. "Please. Your room."
SETTING THE TABLE
Kat gasped and grabbed Sloan's arm. The room was amazing. At least one thousand square feet. There was a rosewood table with sunken seating around it. Each place was set with hand blown crystal glasses and beautifully glazed ceramic plates. A large area with couches and pillows was off to one side of the dining table and a small stage with several traditional Japanese instruments stood on the other.
Hiro motioned for us to sit on the couches. "Your hostess will join shortly."
Sloan and Kat looked at me speechless. Finally, Kat found her tongue, "This is beyond over-the-top. How much does this cost?"
"This is a gift from a client in Tokyo, so I am not sure. Second, money is the least difficult part of coming here. Memberships almost impossible to attain at any price."
Sloan was about to interject, when the door to the room opened. Ms. Aiko entered and walked over to us.
"Mr. Max, my choice will be fine?"
"Thank you Ms. Aiko. I believe that you have it all well in hand." I bowed my head politely.
"Very good. Let me present your hostesses." Ms. Aiko motioned toward Hiro, who had again had somehow silently appeared in the room.
The door opened and three women entered.
"Introductions." Ms. Aiko motioned the women over.
"Yuki has joined us recently. She transferred from our Tokyo location."
A young woman, maybe early twenties, approached. She was wearing a bright yellow dress with a high collar. Also, a high hem that showed much of her amazing legs; she must have spent a lot of time at the gym. Her hair was bleached to the point of being almost white, but it was still thick and healthy. "It is my pleasure to meet you. Please allow me to take care of you this evening." Her English was perfect. She turned to Sloan and repeated something in Japanese.
Sloan smiled and said nothing. Yuki cocked her head to the side and then took a seat next to Kat.
Ms. Aiko continued. "Hara is our resident musician. "
I could not tell exactly how old Hara was, but maybe early-thirties. She bowed to us and continued, "Music is my passion. Many things also am I skilled at. Hope to share a special time tonight." Unlike Yuki, Hara wore a pantsuit with a halter top that showed a lot of shoulder and back. Taking a seat next to me, she leaned over towards Sloan and said something in Japanese.
Again, Sloan smiled and said nothing. She looked at Kat, shrugged her shoulders and laughed.
Finally, Ms. Aiko spoke, "Mari is one of our pre-eminent hostesses. She will be your guide for this evening. I will now take my leave of you and trust you to her hands." Ms. Aiko turned to Mari and bowed. She then gestured to her necklaces and they smiled at one another before Ms. Aiko left the room.
Upon meeting her, it was difficult to gauge her age accurately. Her cream-colored dress hugged her body, which was still very fit and the curviest of the three. Through a slit in the side of her dress, I could see that the pale skin of her thighs was still quite smooth.
"Welcome. We hope that you enjoy your evening with us. As noted, my name is Mari and I will ensure that your evening goes well." She sat next to Sloan and patted her leg.
Mari spoke quickly to Hiro, who brought over a tray filled with several glasses and bottles. He placed it on the table in front of Yuki.
"May I suggest that we start with some Champagne?" Yuki pulled a bottle of Champagne from an ice bucket and release the cork.
"She does that almost too well." Hara said as she giggled. She turned to Sloan and whispered something in Japanese.