The elevator doors closed slowly, like a camera shutter on long exposure, leaving me with the mental vision of the three women waving good-bye and smiling at me. I'd made an excuse for returning to the room, which I had no intension of doing. I had no intension of running around the vast expanse of the Rio either. I was quite confident that Mandy, Arlene and Gloria would leave no corner overlooked, on their dedicated mission.
As for me, The Flirt Lounge seemed to be calling my name. I wanted some time, you know, to rethink everything. Not that I had doubts that we should do exactly as we were planning but... still, there was nothing wrong with a little review.
Mentally, I took inventory of what we'd brought with us, waiting for the next elevator. It was a very short thought process. Our one and only shock value item was the video we produced. The elevator door parted and I stepped in wondering if we shouldn't have something else, and just as quickly dismissed the idea. The video was graphic enough and made an undeniable point. I smiled to myself recalling its making.
The name really said it all. Not knowing what to actually expect, I was surprised and pleased at the subdued, warm and sensual, atmosphere of The Flirt. The night time patrons were certainly providing visual confirmation that they understood the nature of the lounge. I felt strangely conspicuous, walking in alone. It was only a passing thought, as I quickly realized that no one else seemed to notice or care that I entered alone. Dumb ass, it's a meeting place for a lot of singles! The thought flashed through my mind as a very sexy woman approached, asking if I had a seating preference.
I gave her a quick, somewhat self-conscience smile, and pointed at the bar. She stepped aside and extended her arm towards my destination. "Please, take any seat available and enjoy your time with us." She said in a husky voice and smiled. Funny how some women can make you sweat with a look, isn't it? Yvonne, the hostess, had just that kind of look.
Moments later, I was sipping wine. The only seat available was next to the waitress station, at the far corner of the bar. Even though the area was a beehive of activity, I didn't mind. The scenery was, nearly, overwhelming in its delicious palette of female beauty. Arnie's long ago comment of being a "swivel neck" came to mind and I grinned, finding it very difficult not to turn my head, repeatedly, and stare at the gorgeous women fluttering around me.
It was during one of those, shall I say gawking, moments that I spotted Mona. I caught her ordering a drink, on the opposite side of the bar. Lifting my glass, partly to conceal my face, I stared at her over the rim. Mona, like most of the women in The Flirt, was scantily dressed. I marveled over the fact that the thin, spaghetti style, straps were able to contain her womanly treasures. Smiling, laughing and moving to unseen hands, Mona's generous breasts were jiggling like twin bowels of Jell-O.
It didn't take much imagination as to who was administering the attention to Mona. Refocusing, in the dimly lit lounge, I caught Roy's face behind her. Mona closed her eyes and squirmed more than she had been and laughed easily, as she nodded her head eagerly.
Megan wormed her way between Mona and another patron, leaning over to whisper in Mona's ear. Hooked, I watched intently and let my glass slowly drop. They seemed excited, as the words exchanged between them. What I didn't realize, until it was too late, is that Megan's eyes were wandering the bar crowd as she talked.
Suddenly, I found myself staring directly into Megan's eyes. Eyes that widened when she recognized me; and before I could drop my gaze and head, for that matter, I caught the beginnings of a wicked little smile. Having already paid for my wine, I quickly turned and disappeared in the crowd. I was sweating for real at that point. Hoping I had avoided any further notice, I gave a quick glance in their direction and found Megan excitedly talking to Mona and pointing to where I had sat. The look on my mother's face was priceless.
I left in a rush, feeling like a frightened child and I felt foolish but otherwise happy that I'd managed to escape. My breathing was far too rapid -- hyperventilating would be an accurate description. I felt light headed, as I leaned against the wall far from the entrance of The Flirt.
Jesus, too close - way too close! I thought, finally regaining my composure. The idea that maybe this adventure wouldn't be so easy came to mind immediately after. I sighed, took stock of my appearance and moved off down the hall wondering about the girls. The hour was nearly up.
Gloria laughed herself silly, as I explained what happened to me. I had found her in the All American Bar and grill, alone -- no twins.
"Hey, and just where are those nymphs anyway?" I added in, finishing my tale.
"Oh God, who knows but, you -- Jesus only you Barry! Well, you found them anyway, right?" She answered back, breaking into another fit of laughter, managing to get out, "So what now?" between cackles.
Honestly not knowing, I shrugged my shoulders. Gloria's merriment died away and she grasped my hand, trying to reassure me. We were still in control and our plan would work. "Besides, Megan can't really believe it was you! I bet she was telling your mother that she had seen someone that "looked" like you -- happens all the time." Gloria's accounting seemed likely and I smiled at her. "Yeah, yeah I'm sure your right. I heard a friend of dad's talking one day. He said if you stand long enough on the streets of any major city you'll see your twin -- you know, like Chicago or New York." I offered up for consideration, giving Gloria a weak smile.
Gently rubbing the top of my hand, Gloria leaned in and we kissed. "I'm sure he's right." She said softly, after we parted lips. We remained at The All American talking and waiting. Two hours passed in the blink of an eye and Gloria noticed the hour.
"Shit, it's almost 2AM! Where in the hell are those two? Barry, you don't suppose..."
"Nah, they're never on time and I didn't expect it. Anything, and I mean anything, will side track them. When they finally figure out what time it is they'll just go back to the room. Come on, let's get out of here I'm getting tired."
Clutching my arm tightly, Gloria rested her head on my shoulder, as we walked down the hall towards our room. She explained a new idea, brought on by my experience.
"It's perfect, don't you see? We let them get glimpses of us -- all of us but, not all together. Make them think they're loosing it or something! After a day or two of that we spring the video on them!" Gloria explained, as I slipped the door card into its slot. I turned my head looking at her, considering the idea, when a soft click announced the door was unlocked.
"You know that just might..." I said, starting to agree with Gloria's idea, when I stopped cold.
The top half of Arlene and Mandy's nude bodies rose up from behind the couch, shocking Gloria and myself. The door clicked shut, as we stood staring at them.
"Hey, where you two been?" Mandy said, cheerfully and then suddenly moaned, closing her eyes.
"Like yeah, we've been waiting for you -- Ooooo, Juan!" Arlene added in, as she too suddenly moaned and closed her eyes. Gloria and I took slow steps towards the couch, clutching hands, attempting to peer over the top of the couch before we actually reached it.
