It was pouring rain that night when the woman turned the wheel of her car into the mud soaked parking lot of the run down motel. A half working neon sign blinked "vacancy," under another electric light that tried to spell out the words, "Fairmont Motel," without much success. She pushed the car into park by the dimly lit office and checked the glove compartment. The key to the trunk was there still, and the briefcase she was in charge of was still locked inside it. Clasping her wallet she straightened her tailored suit jacket and stepped out into the gloomy night.
The man behind the desk didn't even turn from his 13'' TV set when he heard the door open. It took the woman's insistent throat clearing to get his face to even slide to her direction. When he did catch a glance at her he shot to his feet. The woman was beautiful, despite her despicable mood and drenched appearance. About 5'8'', her form was long and lean, hidden by a black suit jacket, but with the rounded chest and full hips still noticeable as a powerful feminine presence.
"Well, yes ma'am, how can I help you?" he drawled coming forward, brushing the crumbs of his potato chips from the front of his dark blue t-shirt. He leaned against the front counter and looked her up and down, not even trying to hide his lingering on her breasts despite them being covered up by her button up dress shirt. "I'm sorry for the wait."
"I would like a room," she said dryly, regarding him much as one would regard an annoying gnat. "I will be here only one night."
"Well that's a shame," he said standing up straight, a leering smile on his lips. "But you are in luck, little lady. We have one room left. It has two queen size beds, HBO and the networks, and a few channels for the lonely, if you get my drift."
"Unfortunately, sir, I do."
The clerk seemed put out by her lack of interest in him, but shrugged it off and handed her a registration form, realizing that tonight was just not his night to get lucky. "$49.99 a night, single."
She whipped her hand over the registration form filling in only the most basic spaces as her other hand reached in her pocket and placed a $100 bill on the counter. The clerk had just turned to make change when the door opened again. This time it was a tall man, soaked through his trench coat and stomping his feet on the rug. The clerk looked up from the register as he was making change.
"Evening," he said gruffly.
"Hey," the man panted out of breath. "I'd like to get a room please."
"Sorry, buddy." He jerked a thumb to the woman at the counter. "She just got the last one."
"Are you serious?" he cried, shaking his head. "The roads are closed in both directions now."
This seemed to bring the woman back to the present. Spinning to the new visitor she narrowed her eyes, "What?"
"Yeah, both ways. I barely squeezed by the highway patrol and they said it was closed again another 15 miles up. I don't suppose there is another motel between here and there?"
"You're looking at it."
"That's what I was afraid of," he growled looking down at the floor with a sorrowful expression. The clerk shrugged a little and bobbed his head to the woman.
"She has a double room, she might be willing to share."
"Really?" he brightened.
The look the woman shot the clerk was as potent as any venom for a serpent. Taking a deep breath she did her best to put on a sympathetic face.
"I sympathize with your plight, sir, but I am in no mood for company tonight."
"Please," he smiled with charm, "its only one night. This is the only hotel available and we are both stuck here. So lets try and make the best of it."
"Why are you talking as if this is our problem?" she quipped, ignoring his charismatic demeanor. Inwardly she sighed to herself, if it was any other night than tonight, you might have a chance buddy, but this is not your lucky day. "I have booked the room, and I have paid for the room, and I don't have to share it with you."
"Fine," he said stepping forward to the counter. Turning smartly to the clerk he pulled out his wallet. "Whatever she paid for the room I will double it."
"What?" she cried.
"Hmm," the clerk nodded and walked closer. "Very interesting. Cash money?"
"All the way."
After a brief moments contemplation he slowly slid the registration form out from under her pen. "I'm sorry miss, I think we are all full tonight."
"Are you insane?" she spat. The clerk just smiled and shrugged jovially.
"What's a guy to do honey? Its just business."
The woman shook her head and pursed her lips, looking over the two men with a shake of the head. Whatever flash of attraction she had had to the handsome stranger, however small, when he entered, dissipated like warm water on a hot skillet.
"Fine," she hissed. "I will pay you triple."
"I'll make it four times."
"This is ridiculous," she snarled looking at the man beside her.
Nodding with a smile, he agreed. "Yes, it is."
"This can't go on all night."
"Sure it can, at least until one of us runs out of money, or you agree to let me stay with you, and I don't know about you, but I have plenty of cash to make this man happy."
A long tense silence filled the office. She had already stayed in here longer than she wanted to. The car couldn't be left unattended for so long.
"Fine fine, I will share with you. But be on your best behavior."
She clamped her hand down on the key and strode out.
A few minutes later the man came in the room with a tiny overnight bag, shutting the door behind him. The woman was across the way by the bed in the corner, tucking a briefcase under the bed frame. She looked up when he entered, but said nothing. There was a palpable air of anger seething in the room and there was no doubt who it was directed towards. He just nodded and set his things by the other bed.
"I really appreciate this," he smiled, trying to be kind. "It's a hell of a night for this to happen."
"On that you are correct," she said without looking up. She tossed her car keys and wallet on the ground beside her headboard.
The man shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the edge of the curtain rod to dry. "So, I guess we should introduce ourselves. I'm Tim."