There was a festive mood in the air. All the city's finest and biggest and wealthiest were there. The Chamber of Commerce always had a holiday get together in December at a different business. This year, it was my turn. So, the theatre was decked out in reds and greens. The concession stand was selling popcorn but little else. All of the lights were on in the auditorium while the screen was showing "Miracle on 34th Street" with the sound turned down. The Chamber had made arrangements for a local caterer to bring in some finger food and the local distributor had come in and set up a table for wine and other spirits.
Things were going nicely and the scheduled comments from the mayor and other dignitaries were about ten minutes away. That's when I noticed her.
She was standing next to the wine table . . . . hmmm, "I'm sure I'm thirsty", I said to myself as I moved in that direction. She was dressed for the occasion! She wore Santa's coat . . . though on her, it hit her about mid-thigh . . . Santa's big black belt around her middle accented the hourglass figure. . white stockings and black boots completed the outfit topped by a red Santa hat. The white fir trim highlighted all of the curves and angles. She was the toast of the party. She was also surrounded by men as I approached for something to quench my thirst.
"Dan, step over here!" the Mayor called as I neared the table. "Has everyone met our host for this evening? Dan operates this lovely old theatre and has added a bit of the old nostalgia to the building. Dan, do you know everyone?" "Almost!" I said staring at the women in red and white. The Mayor is no fool, "Have you met Nicki here? She's the most knowledgeable woman I know about wine . . . the wife and I refer to her as the 'Wine Goddess'!"
I reached out and took the hand that was extended and looked into the face, the eyes of this 'goddess' . . ."Hi, would you like a glass?" she offered. I nodded and she turned to pour one for me. She babbled something about the spiced wine she was pouring but I was too busy taking stock of her from a closer perspective.
Not tall, she was an intriguing woman. Santa's coat showed a great figure but clearly was hiding some of its best parts. Just a touch of cleavage . . . sexy with class! Her short blondish hair stayed off her neck but fell past her ears. She could have a "pixie" look . . . but there was something more worldly in those eyes. They smiled easily and her mouth flashed white teeth and an almost sly crooked grin that I found captivating. Her voice hinted of an alto but her laugh was lower and very sexy. She seemed fun loving at first meeting . . . it seemed my thirst wasn't the only thing that needed quenching.
"It's changed a lot from when I used to come here." she said. "Yes, I've made a few changes." There was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation, "Perhaps you'd like to see them later on." "I'd love to. I'll see you later", she said and it was off to pour more wine.
The movie was turned off and the curtain closed. Everyone gathered in the seating area to hear the comments from the stage. The Mayor waxed eloquent and the Chamber president spoke about the past year. During the formal portion of the show, I stood just off the stage and watched the crowd. I also glanced over to the wine table regularly and seemed to catch Nicki's eye when I did look. The smile that returned was warm without being too practiced or artificial.
The comments ended and most folks left. Some stayed to eat and drink some more or make a late deal or wish a special holiday greeting. The wine table was the last to fold, of course. Shutting down the building I was surprised to see Nicki heading my direction without her Santa hat on. "Heading out?" I asked.
"Oh, I was hoping for the tour . . . unless it's too late."
"No, I just thought you might be in a big hurry to get going like everyone else. The holiday season and all" I replied.
"If it's no trouble, I'd like to see it. It seems sort of magical tonight with all the decorations." she said as we began walking up the aisle.
The tour started with the auditorium and then up into the lobby. Up we went into the balcony then a technical stop at the projection booth, still sporting the old twin projectors from the 1960's. This was interlaced with some of the history of the theatre (it had formerly been an old porn house that once showed "Deep Throat" for five years running). We also shared some of our professional history with each other. At the top of the balcony, looking down on the empty seats, it was a perfect place to end the tour. Looking over my shoulder, Nicki asked about the door to the room behind me.