The towncar delivered Zack to his hotel on San Antonio's River Walk. He was disappointed that TWA had not seen fit to book him into the Gina and Jenny's boutique hotel but cooler heads had seen to that. Continued close presence with the sisters would compromise Zack's full attention to his next assignment. That would be unfair and in fact detrimental. Total Woman Academy was highly regarded for its superb graduates. Zodiacs were expected to follow rigorous quality assurance procedures to maintain the TWA Reputation for Excellence.
Zack's hotel was known as a sportier venue on River Walk with an Olympic sized pool, well equipped gymnasium and luxurious spa. Although he engaged often in bedroom recreation, Zack had been negligent in the physical sports of late and looked upon this time as an opportunity for more traditional aerobic and anaerobic exercise. At the reception desk, there were no papers to sign; arrangements were already in place. The clerk asked him to wait one as she dialed the phone, waited for the pickup and simply stated 'Your party's here' and hung up.
Zack hesitated before turning away. He saw a young lady crossing the lobby, obviously headed his way. She extended her hand in greeting.
"Hello, sir. Are you Zack? Oh, good. My name is Carrie. I will be your designated hostess during your stay with us."
Zack's waited for his watch to vibrate but it didn't. His first instinct was to look at Carrie's fingers. Though highly unlikely, the watch could have malfunctioned. But not this time; Carrie was not wearing a Zodiac ring.
Carrie was blond, dressed in all white spa wear: soft sneakers, satiny running shorts and a tight sports bra. She was mid-height, solid and athletic, not muscle-bound but definitely toned. Zack was rather disappointed that Carrie was not his next evaluation assessment assignment. He imagined the many bumpy roads to sexual excellence they could travel together.
Carrie assumed the requisite role of bellhop and gathered Zack's luggage. She led him to the elevator and they ascended to his upper story suite. The well-furnished accommodations had separate bed and sitting areas with a luxurious bath and a nice view of the city. Carrie fussed about the room, putting and placing this and that while Zack executed a brief look around. Carrie handed him a printed cardstock with his name embellished at the heading.
"Sir, I have a tentative activity schedule laid out for you but you are welcome to change it however you please."
Zack scanned it and saw a three day plan. From 7 AM to 8 PM, there were time blocks for swimming, aerobics, weight lifting, yoga, meals and spa appointments. He still didn't know the 'who' or 'when' for his next TWA assignee. That might change the schedule but, for now, it was as good of a plan as any. Zack said he would explore the hotel facilities and start in on the exercises at mid-day. Carrie the hostess took her leave.
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Zack found the hotel facilities first rate. The pool was refreshing, the lifting room stocked with free weights, benches and machines. Zack tried them all. He may have overdone it because the sauna and shower afterwards failed to chase away the minor muscle strains. At the exit, he discovered Carrie attending the service desk and mentions his piques of pain to her. She moved into immediate hostess mode and called the spa. Yes, they could squeeze Zack in right away for some needed relief. Carrie pointed him down the hall to the spa facility.
Zack found the rooms on the bottom floor. It smelled spa like: floral and antiseptic with the aromas of cosmetic product aerosols. The receptionist greeted Zack by name and assured him Candy would be right with him. A trendy menu board behind her listed the products and services available on a complementary basis to the hotel's VIP clientele. In lieu of uncouth prices, each procedure was followed by its attending staff professional. Amongst the hair style and set, mud baths and pedicures cacophony, one line listed Massage Therapist: Candy.
Zack didn't have to wait long. At the same time a tall blond woman entered the room, Zack's Zodiac watch started to vibrate, the 4-o'clock jewel pulsing the beacon. The blond stuttered a step as she checked her hand and saw her ring stone glowing. She spied Zack's watch and her face literally shone. Candy's unintended dual appointment had arrived: her unanticipated spa client and her anticipated Zodiac evaluation assessor were one and the same.
Candy fought off her outward exuberance and politely thanked the receptionist. She invited Zack to follow her and the receptionist buzzed them through the security door into the spa's functional spaces. Zack was pleased to follow the beauty, neatly attired in the same style white cotton outfit that Carrie had worn. As the door closed, Candy hugged Zack's arm and tiptoed a kiss on his cheek. Her lips whispered her excitement in his ear.
"I knew you were coming today and expected to happen upon you somewhere in the hotel this evening. But what luck: you found me sooner!"
Candy practically skipped down the hallway to her workspace, opened the door and ushered Zack inside. The room contained the standard assortment of massage therapy fixtures: table, cabinets, wall art and clothes trees. The same background flute music was piped into all the spa spaces. Candy invited Zack to sit on the low massage table as she locked the door.
