"The resort is in desperate trouble." Arturo said. The owner of the four star beachfront resort where I worked had been looking sullen and crushed the last few months ever since the Hilton was built on the other side of Belfast Lake. "We are having a hard time attracting new business and an even harder time booking the big parties." Arturo was usually an incredible presence at the resort. A fifty year old Peruvian, who had come to America to study hospitality, met his lovely wife Liz in college and finally opened his dream hotel on the banks of a secluded lake in the mountains of Santa Fe. He was fit for his age; for anyone half his age really with a grey beard and long pony-tailed hair. His wife was forty plus with short blond hair and an extensive collection of business suits. If Arturo was the life of the Inn then she was the brains.
"It is because of this that I have entertained an offer from a rather unusual group who are interested in booking the resort for an entire week this fall." Arturo stopped and watched each of our faces very carefully before continuing. "But while I feel we dearly need the booking, I won't do it if the staff feels their request is too inappropriate. I need at least three of you and one of the chefs to agree or I won't book it." The eight of us looked at each other. Some people like Meredith had a look of fear on their faces, but others like Betty and I were filled with devilish curiosity.
"What we got, boss?" I asked finally sick of the silence.
"It's a wedding party; private ceremony with reception to follow. It will only be about fifteen people." Liz answered rattling off details like it was just another booking until, "and they are all nudists."
"Oh my gawd!" Katie cried out. Katie was the youngest member of our staff. Nineteen years old, she was a single mother living in her parent's garage and part of the housekeeping staff. She had a cherubic soft face and a bit of a booty that made her fun to flirt with and her shy almost naïve demeanor made her an easy target for off-color remarks just to watch her squirm.
"So we just gotta put up with these people's private bits danglin' 'bout?" Ronnie the maintenance man asked. He was pushing sixty and usually reminded everyone about it daily.
"Well, not exactly." Arturo sheepishly answered. This was the real devil of the deal. "They only want to have the wedding if everyone on premise is naked as well...staff included."
Meredith shrieked. At fifty-eight, she was too demure, too prudish, and too southern to ever go for something so risqué.
"I'll do it. I got nothing to hide." I said. I really never had any hang up about my body nor did I ever back away from a challenge. Besides, I thought it would be kind of thrilling to walk around work in the buff amongst my peers.
"Besides the Chippendale dancer over there," Deena said referring to my eagerness to participate,"Why would the rest of us even consider doing that" Deena is one of the chefs at the resort and the only chef who showed for the meeting. She was stick thin with short black hair. We laughed at her for being the thinnest gourmet chef we knew but it made sense seeing as how she rides her bicycle four miles every day to and from work. I worked the front desk and since the resort didn't actually have a front desk, I spent most of my time in the kitchen talking to her.
"There would of course be a bonus in it for you. For anyone who wishes to volunteer. Let's say, double your hourly pay that day?" Arturo offered. I could tell he just made that up to see what people's reaction would be.
"Oh gawd, oh gawd...fine." Katie said, than proceeded to bury her head in her hands. Money is the easiest way to get Katie to do anything. She's not a gold digger, just really struggling with her situation.
"I am not doing anything of the sort." Meredith huffed. Like we didn't all see that coming.
"Shoot. I'll drop trou." Betty said. "I ain't proud! I doubt anyone would want to see my fat ass anyway." Betty is a sweet, sweet girl, but about one hundred pounds overweight and only 5'4" tall. I didn't relish seeing her naked, but she really is super nice.
It seemed no one else wanted to volunteer. Arturo looked devastated while Liz as always kept her icy composure. Arturo left and the meeting was adjourned. I got ready for my shift as Katie paced the lounge area back and forth waiting to hear if Billie Jean would do it. Katie was a people pleaser who hated thinking anyone thought badly of her. She most likely agreed to this so that Arturo and Liz didn't think badly of her though everyone knows they wouldn't. Katie often puts herself out to make others like her. It was sweet, but also made her kind of a doormat.
"C'mon Deena," I goaded my colleague back in the kitchen. "When was the last time you did something daring?"
"Rick! I am not taking my clothes off!"
"You'll be in the kitchen the whole time. We'll be the only ones to see you. And, I'll make it worth your while..." I teased.
"How"? She eyed me suspiciously.
"I'll give you my old ten speed bike." She had wanted it ever since I had shown it to her and mentioned how I never ride it anymore. I had no idea old bike's could be considered "classic". I had already planned to give it to her for Christmas.
"Rick...fine. Whatever." She consented.
