The Club prepares for "Slut Night" and Tom explores on his own. Part 7 in the "Paula's Discovery" series.
"I think I'll call it a day" Hunter said apologetically to Tom.
"That sandwich from lunch at the convention center isn't sitting right with me" he explained.
The rest of the group had dinner plans with a college buddy and his wife, so Tom and Hunter walked to a nearby Italian restaurant for dinner. They planned to watch the baseball in the hotel bar but Hunter's choice at lunch was proving to be problematic.
"No problem buddy" Tom responded. "I've been there before with event food vendors."
"I think I'll grab a beer and catch a little of the Royals game."
Hunter turned toward the elevator and Tom walked across the lobby toward the bar.
The bar was less than half full as he entered and he took a seat at a high-top with a clear view of the big-screen TV. The young waitress saw him come in and almost before he sat down she was there with peanuts and quickly took his order. He watched her tight butt as she walked back to the bar. Tom saw the game was just beginning, glad that the Royals were playing the White Sox so the game was on the main TV.
The beer was cold and Tom got lost in the game. "They may actually have a team this year" Tom thought to himself as a single to the gap in right-center scored two runs.
After his second beer arrived he noticed that the bar was beginning to fill up. As the game went to a commercial break he noticed a text from Paula.
"GOT A WAX AT THE SPA 2DAY"
"I THINK U WILL LIKE IT"
Tom smiled and considered calling her but remembered they had theatre tickets.
As the game resumed Tom saw three women enter the bar and look around for a table. They were well dressed as you might expect from three ladies out on the town. Tom remembered reading that Angie Dickinson once said she "dressed for women and undressed for men."
There was a nursing conference in the hotel and there were lots of middle-aged women with the usual conference name tag lanyards and matching shoulder bags. Tom wondered if these ladies were part of that group.
Seeing several places open at the bar, Tom motioned to the ladies and began to get up. They turned toward him inquisitively and when he motioned to the table with empty stools they smiled and walked toward him.
"Please take this table" Tom insisted. "I can see the game just as well from the bar."
The tall slender brunette stepped ahead, smiled and thanked Tom. Her companions, two steps behind, followed. Tom turned and found an open stool at a nearby table and with the consent of the group at that table, moved it to "his" table.
The ladies all thanked him profusely and Tom turned to the open area at the bar and rejoined the top of the 5
th
inning.
A few minutes later, the bartender slid a fresh cold beer in front of him and smiled, "Compliments of your new friends."
Tom turned to his left and saw all three ladies smiling and he raised his glass to them and mouthed his "thank you."
Tom could see the ladies were enjoying their evening and he was glad he could help them out. The tall brunette seemed to be the dominant personality. Tom guessed she was in her mid-fifties, trim and with a short professional "low maintenance" hair style; confirming in Tom's mind the connection to the nursing conference. He could see her standing at a nurse's station, in charge and striking fear in the hearts of young nurses on her shift. They might be surprised to see her tonight, with an attractive fitted dress, spike-heeled boots and more make-up than usual.
Her two companions were a contrast. The woman to her right was perhaps five or ten years younger, and a little curvier, at least to the extent Tom could see with her jacket and slacks outfit. Her high heels and makeup equaled her older friend and Tom wondered if the ladies were enjoying a rare chance to dress up.
Their third companion was younger, perhaps about 35, a little more reserved but bright-eyed and attractive. She wore a well-tailored suit and somehow Tom got the impression, her outfit was more typical to her routine. She had sharp features, light complexion and jet-black hair.
The two older ladies were having an animated discussion; intense support of their opinion with intermittent periods of laughter. The younger companion was enjoying the discussion and the company of the others but did not seem to have a position on the topic being discussed.
As the game moved on, Tom stole glances to his new friends and was enjoying the mental game of making up the backstory for the three characters as if watching a play:
Tall brunette is the dedicated, career professional; staying up on the latest medical literature and master of her domain at a busy metropolitan hospital. Brunette number two was well-known to brunette number one. Definitely a co-worker of long-standing association. Tom decided she was an equal or perhaps a slightly different specialty from brunette number one.
Brunette number three was more of a mystery. There was something different about her and Tom decided she was related in some way but not a direct co-worker.
At the 7
th
inning stretch, Tom decided it was time to head up to his room. He liked what he saw and decided the Royals were going to have a solid season. He motioned to the bartender, paid his tab and stood to leave.
Tom waved to his "friends" as he turned away from the bar and laughed to himself as he saw that whatever topic they were discussing, the issue was still very much disputed. Brunette number one, immediately waved to Tom and motioned for him to come over.
Tom made the small detour from the direct course to the lobby and walked the short distance to their table.
"Thank you for helping us with the table" she said.
Tom smiled, nodded and said, "I didn't need a table and when I arrived the place was almost vacant."
Brunette number one continued, "I'm Shirley, and this is Pat" she said motioning to brunette number two. "We're here for the state nursing conference."
"I'm Tom, pleased to meet you" Tom said as he extended his hand. "I'm here for the auto show."
Shirley continued, "This is Ashley, our pharma rep" turning toward brunette number three.
As Tom shook the hand of brunette number three he smiled at his astute people-watching skills. "Pharmaceutical sales rep" he thought...of course.
"We're corrupting her this week" Shirley explained and nodded toward Ashley, who smiled a bit awkwardly.
Tom laughed. "I could see you had a serious discussion going on, so I will leave you ladies to your discussing and corrupting."
As Tom began to turn, Pat said "Wait, you can help us settle the argument."
Tom looked at Pat, wondering if her statement was fueled by the topic at hand or by the empty cocktail glasses on the table.