British English spelling and grammar.
No tags on this one: you'll soon work it out.
***
Just for one night
Years ago, I read of a woman in an American bar, who drank from a bottle of Bud, and died. The story was that it had been stored in a cellar, and a rat (diseased?) had pissed on it. Could be bullshit of course. Or what we call an urban myth. Either way, I never drank from a bottle again.
In England it was the era of Sol. Now thought of as Mexico's second favourite beer, there was a time when everyone seemed to be drinking it. The fad was to stick a wedge of lime in the neck, and drink it from the bottle. Lemon would do if the pub didn't have lime.
Getting comments from bar staff was slowly wearing me down. If I want my Sol in a glass, then bar staff should fucking well serve it that way, without comment. Even raised eyebrows pissed me off. I deliberately started drinking it everywhere, just to give me a chance to vent. Stupid I know.
That night, I left my hotel room and went down to the bar.
"Sol please."
"Would you like it in a glass sir?"
I could have kissed her.
"Yes please, I'll pour it."
"Would you like a slice of lime in it?"
"Sure"
Not a flicker. Now this was a classy hotel!
I found a table facing the door. Whoever my date was, she would be entering from the carpark. I knew she was not staying here,and worked for the company I'd been with. I had no idea what she would wea, though I had been explicit about black stockings. She would recognise me; I'd be the only man sitting by himself, with an empty Sol bottle on the table, next to a glass of the stuff.
I hoped I wouldn't have to wait long; I didn't want to be drinking lager for ages. More than three, and I'm prone to brewer's droop. And there was no doubt I was going to be fucking her; a lot. I wouldn't even have to buy her dinner.
An absolute stunner walked in; strode in. Red hair, no bra, nearly six foot tall. She glanced at me, smiled, and then shrieked. She ran at another woman, arms outstretched. They hugged and kissed. Some of those kisses were full on. Not her then.
Next, mine arrived. Near-transparent cream blouse with matching bra. Black-clad legs under a pleated skirt that came half way down her thighs. She looked at me and I saw her eyes flick down to the glass and bottle, and she smiled. Beautiful teeth; well, beautiful everything really. She came straight to the table, and extended her hand.
"Hi, are you John?"
"I am."
I stood and we shook hands.
"I'm Maria."
"Please sit down. What would you like to drink?"
"White wine please."
I returned with her wine and suggested we move to a quiet corner. I made sure she had her back to the room.
"Before we go any further," I said, "perhaps I should just state why I am here, and what I expect from you. There should be no misunderstanding."
"Good idea."
"Then you can do the same."
"Fine."
"I'm a freelance consultant. Your company hired me for four weeks. They agreed to provide all the spreadsheets I required, and I should have completed my side of the deal with a couple of days to spare."
"Go on."
"Unfortunately, they repeatedly missed their own deadlines. Now it's Friday, I've been paid, but the task is not finished. I have them over a barrel. My contract, which terminated today, required me to hand over my findings when, and only when, the job was completed."
"So, they face getting nothing."
"Exactly."
"We negotiated. I'll stay in this hotel over the weekend; maybe do some early Christmas shopping. Monday, I'll get an extra three thousand in cash, but can leave when the project is complete. I get you just for one night."
"That was my understanding too." Maria replied.
"Just to clarify then. You will give me your mouth, cunt, and arse, without question. And I can use them as many times as I wish, between now and breakfast tomorrow."
"Fine. That's what they told me."
"And you agree?"
"Of course."
"I insisted no escorts, or prostitutes by another name. Now, tell me about yourself."
"Right. Three years ago, my husband racked up some serious gambling debts. I know our CEO personally and asked for his help. He lent me the entire amount, interest free, to get us in the clear. And, to my husband's credit, he went for therapy, and has never gambled again."
"But you had to have sex with the CEO?"
"Believe it or not -- no. He's gay, and has some sort of arrangement with his wife. But I, and my husband, agreed there would be times I would be asked to provide sexual services for people the CEO specified."
"How many times have you done this?"
"Six months later, I had sex with the executive of another company, who then signed a contract with us. I was only with him for an hour, and my company made lots of money from the deal. A year later, we were caught in a serious Health and Safety breach, which could have closed us down. I spent a weekend with the H and S boss and his assistant, while the company sorted the matter. I saved the day by having sex no less than eighteen times!"
"Wow!"
"Recently my husband got a bonus where he works. Next month, we'll be able to give my CEO the final payment. So, tonight is my last outing."
"Last one pays for all."
"Quite."
"And your husband knows you won't be home till tomorrow morning?"
"He does. He'll make me an early lunch; smoked salmon and champagne to celebrate. And he'll get horny when I tell him all the dirty things I did! Then he'll probably try them all himself; that's what he usually does!"
"Then he's a dirty bastard and ought to feel ashamed of himself. Let me see what's under your skirt."