Miss White and Jodie were sitting quietly, sipping Champagne and gazing out at the lights of Las Vegas, when they heard a faint knock at the door to the suite — it seemed to be coming from a great distance, though it wasn't really that far away. Jodie instinctively started to rise, but Miss White held her arm and told her to sit.
Jodie fell back into her seat with a little frown on her face. Miss White had been sweet and solicitous the whole night, and while it was lovely in a way, Jodie was happy and comfortable in her submissive role. Being spoiled like this was a new sensation and a little disorienting for her.
When Miss White opened the door she wasn't sure, at first, if this was the same girl from the card. She was actually prettier in person — maybe the lighting on the photo had been bad, or maybe the printing of the card was low-quality. Dark roots were visible under the platinum blond of her hair, and she was petite — a full six inches shorter than Miss White even in heels — and chewing gum like every hooker in every movie ever made.
"Crystal?" said Miss White.
The girl at the door shrugged. "Who else?"
Miss White invited her in and as they walked down the short hallway toward the main part of the suite, Crystal asked, "So where's the birthday boy?"
Just then they turned the corner into the living room, where Jodie sat looking angelic in her baby-blue dress. "Actually, it's her special day," said Miss White.
Crystal smiled for the first time. "Well," she said, "well, well. You should have said something. There's a discount for girls."
"Is that so?" asked Miss White.
"Yeah," answered Crystal, shrugging again. "It's a nice change of pace." With that she unbuttoned the bulky overcoat she was wearing and Miss White helped her out of it. Underneath she was wearing a skimpy red tube top and a very short sliver skirt — making her look a little cheap, Miss White thought, but definitely sexy. She had a big tattoo of an octopus on one shoulder, and a cobra on the opposite thigh.
Miss White hung up the coat and returned with a tissue in her hand, which she held out in front of Crystal's mouth. Crystal grimaced but compliantly spit her gum into the tissue, which Miss White tossed into the trash. After handing Crystal a glass of Champagne, Miss White picked up her own and sat down, and for a while no one said anything.