Accepting the drink, she gives me a
by all means I have nothing to do anyway
glance. We are two random drops inside the great American melting pot suddenly brought together at the hotel bar in the middle of the great American nowhere. My heavy Slavic accent is getting subdued and seduced by the innuendo of her Romanian derivative of ancient Latin. Shared Eastern European roots help to break the ice.
"Are you waiting for someone, or for something?"
"Perhaps," she replies in a husky voice. "You?"
"Me? I am searching for a prototype for my story."
"Really? Are you a writer?" For a split second, she permits a glimmer of interest to show in the corner of her eye.
"I am, I write erotica."
I say it loudly and she looks around as if feeling uneasy in the company of a hardened pornographer I have declared I am.
"Don't worry, nobody hears me," I say. Indeed, hotel life is winding down, the bar is nearly empty.
"What about him?" She points at the bartender.
"The bartender does not count. It is his job to listen to what people say and to keep a secret."
"That is right," confirms the bartender and continues wiping empty glasses.
I can see the curiosity taking hold of her until she gives in to it.
"What sort of a story is that and what kind of a prototype are you looking for?"
"It is a hot wife story and I need to see, visualize, imagine the main character. Otherwise, I cannot set the right tone for the narrative."
"Is that why you are talking to me? Do you think I might fit the hot wife profile?"
"I don't know yet. I see you are married but I am not sure if you are a hot wife material."
"And what makes a woman become a hot wife material?" she asks almost mockingly.
Now she looks me in the eyes nervously rubbing a sparkling rock on her ring finger.
Four minutes and thirty-three seconds. That is how long I intend to wait. John Cage, a music genius, invented the perfect pause. I can hardly play piano, but that piece I know by heart. I see she is getting unsettled, and I stick to my silence.
With silent gestures, I ask the bartender to close my tab and give me a bottle of wine to go. I can see that she is watching me, awaiting an answer. Instead, I hand her my keycard holder with the room number written on it and with the card inside.
"Why don't you come up and join me? I will tell you everything about hot wives" I say with as much sincerity as I can muster.
"And why do you think I would do that?" she asks angrily.
I whisper in her ear and take my leave.
"C'mon, man, that's unfair, what did you say to her?" complains the bartender but I ignore him.
In my room, I uncork the bottle of
Casillero del Diablo
the bartender has given me for triple the price. Not the best choice but I like the name. I give it a fifty-fifty chance that she would show up.
I am pouring myself a second glass when I hear the lock clicking and see her entering the room.
"Don't gloat," she says, "this has nothing to do with you."
"What has nothing to do with me?" I ask and pour a glass for her.