Tanner Guildcross sat on the edge of his bed, his nerves rattled. He was already guilty. He knew it in his mind and felt it in his heart, even though he hadn't acted upon it yet. What had started out as mere curiosity had blossomed into fruition and he couldn't turn back now. Arrangements had been made, assurances had been given and Tanner knew that his life was about to change. How much, he didn't know but the very thought was tying his stomach in knots.
A knock on the door startled him and he nearly ran to open it, glad to see his colleague, Alan, standing there, Dewar's on the rocks in hand. "What's up, Al?"
"Just getting lubed up." The portly man boomed, already well into his cups. He strode into the room, picking up Tanner's Movado and giving it a cursory examination. "And speaking of lubrication, Harry, Mike and I are going to hit a couple of clubs."
"Clubs?" Tanner fixed himself a stiff Dewar's also and topped off Alan's glass. "What kind of clubs?"
Alan guffawed, slapping Tanner on the back. "Strip clubs, of course! I don't want to dance. I want to see some tits."
"Well, I'm sure there are plenty around."
"Want to go with?"
"Naw. I've got some work to do before we fly back tomorrow."
"You work too damn much, if you ask me." Alan finished his drink and helped himself to the bottle in the mini-bar. "You ought to take a break."
"I can't afford that, Al. You know how bad I want that partnership and you know it's really competitive. Right now, they're looking at everything I do and I have to make sure that they don't find anything out of place."
"So you work your tail off for free?"
"It's just a few hours here and there, Al. Nothing huge."
"Bet Jenny would beg to differ with that."