This story runs parallel to my "Night in Old Havana." There are several references to Characters and action in that story.
*
The line of cars snaked around the block. They were moving slowly as they discharged the occupants at the front of a repurposed warehouse. David Perry sat in the back of a car waiting his turn to exit. There was a marquee above the entrance "Welcome to the Johnson, Barrett and Cohen Big Top" His car pulled up to the entrance and an attendant opened the door. David exited and started to walk to the entrance to the venue.
"Dave wait up," said a female voice over the din of car engines and traffic sounds.
David turned around and spied Beverly Brown from his office; the Bayou City office of JP&C. Beverly came up beside him and interlaced arms. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek as they entered the building together. They stopped and gathered nametags and drink tokens at the check-in table, then preceded into the space. Walking around the floor were jugglers, magicians, and clowns. Above there heads was a large spring net and above that were two aerial acts, one a group of trapeze artists, the other was a tight ropewalker. On a stage in the corner was a group of gymnasts, demonstrating feats of strength and agility.
The party for 300 of the agency's managers was the ending of a three-day company meeting, where JP&C's management laid out the plans for the future of the agency.
"I hope that I do not have to go through what we went through again. Those meetings were a grind," said David.
"Don't want to hear about whirlwinds or tornados again?" said Beverly.
"No!"
The couple stopped when they were accosted by a Juggle who was working with clubs. He finished his trick and accepted the applause of the group who gathered. Above their heads the aerialists went through a series of tricks. David and Beverly walked to the bar and ordered cocktails and found a table and sat. A close working magician came up to the table and performed for them. Using Beverly he did a series of card tricks each more amazing that the last. He bowed and moved to another table. David was fixated on the woman that was walking on the tight wire over their heads.
The woman jumped off the wire and landed in the net. David's gaze moved back to Beverly.
"I am getting the idea that you are not interested in me my friend?" said Beverly.
"Madam that is a lie and a bald faced one at that," replied David with a small laugh.
"Well you looked like you wouldn't mind taking the young woman on the high wire and..."
"Beverly I have a lover, two if I include you. I don't need further complications."
"But from this vantage point she has some nice assets," said Beverly.
"I will agree with you but I am sitting across from a woman who is just as beautiful as she is."
In the background a band played a fanfare and Leland Franklyn Head of JP&C stepped to the microphone and started with another motivational speech. It was short but full of clichΓ©s, and allusion to circus acts. A waiter came by and took drink orders, and David offered to go to a carving station and grab some food for them. David returned about the same time the drinks did. Beverly and David decided to walk around the room. They joined different gaggles of JP&C members and compared experiences of the three days.
After an hour and a half in the venue, and not finding cocktail food filling enough David leaned over and whispered, "Do you want to find some real dinner?"
"The noise is beginning to drive me batty," replied Beverly.
They gathered the party favor bags on their way out. There was a line of cabs waiting at the venue entrance and they grabbed the first cab in the line. It took off before they could decide where to go.
"Plaza Hotel please" David told the driver.
"I thought you were looking for dinner?" said Beverly.
"The Grill is good and we are close to our rooms," replied David.
Beverly sat back and her hand started rubbing on David's leg. David was about to remove her hand but the car came to a stop and the doorman opened the door. He assisted Beverly out of the car while David swiped his credit card to pay the cab fare. He included a tip and exited the car. He joined Beverly and they entered through the revolving door. Off to the left was the Plaza Grill and it looked like there wouldn't be a wait. The hostess took them to a table and left menus. A waiter asked about drink and appetizers and after receiving their orders left them alone.