She reached for him for support and attempted to stand again.
“Sherine I love you too, but I don’t like this and I am getting angry.”
“Angry, ha!” she said as she stumbled up the stairs laughing. “Wait before you get angry.”
“I don’t like the way you are; the way you are talking to me!
She turned and gave him a big drunk grin. She covered her mouth as she laughed, “Shut up and follow me.” She staggered and he took her by her arm. “You will love it baby! You will forgive me soon. Damn, it’s hard to speak.” She began to stumble up toward the last stair, mumbling. “… like it Joe, just shut up and follow me.”
Joe was getting very angry now. He’d had a hard day at the office and was in no mood. He said, “Sherine, I demand that you stop this game and tell me what is going on.”
She slurred, but managed to get out, “Jush Shut up and help me up the last stair.”
Joe looked at Sherine teetering. He hurried up the last stairs to help her before she fell. He made it up to the top of the stairs just as her knees buckled. She said “let’s have sex Joe baby.” He pulled her up the last step and she freed herself and turned left. Instead of going to the end of the hall to their bedroom, she entered the first bedroom on the left. Sherine held open the door and said, “It’s us Joe, it’s your present.”
As they entered the room Joe saw a nude Michelle, She was passed out on the bed. He turned to ask Sherine what the hell is going on. He was even more surprised to see a naked Sherine weaving toward the bed.
“This is your surprise Joe. It’s us.”
Joe looked again at his beautiful wife and then back at the equally beautiful Michelle dazed on the bed. She looked up and gave him a seductive smile, “Hi Joe, remember me?”
He looked back at Sherine as she lay down and snuggled next to Michelle. She reached out a hand and pulled him down toward the both of them. He thought to himself as he let them pull him on top of the warm writhing mass, “Whoa, this is not what I expected!” One of the girls, he couldn’t tell which, was tugging at his belt and the other was pulling his shirt. “I’m a complete idiot.”
39
“Pull over here, yeah, here. The Palo Coco Hotel.” The cabbie did as instructed. He continued creeping slowly up near the registration building and stopped. The nose of the car nestled gently in a giant wall of Hibiscus. “Great, this is perfect.” He opened his door and met the driver at the trunk where he retrieved his bags. “Ok, that was two hundred bucks, right?”
The cabbie nodded and grabbed Frank’s bag. He handed it to him with a big Dominican smile; the fifty dollar tip would make his wife back in Santo Domingo very happy. “Gracias señor! Pasa un buen tiempo.” He climbed back in, backed out and quickly drove off; spinning tires and throwing mud. Frank was left standing there looking around when he saw the receptionist coming his way. “Do you want to register sir? We have rooms.”
“I guess I´ll check in then.” He was still a little jittery after coming down the side of a mountain with steep twisting curves. He had to admit though, the views had been spectacular. They had just driven from Santo Domingo; the last thirty minutes of which consisted of hairpin turns and steep cliffs. The cabbie’s car had seemed safe enough at first glance, but was really a beater when up close and personal. Way too personal for Frank.
He stretched his legs some as he leaned over at the waist trying to get the blood circulating after the two and a half hour trip. He straightened up and looked back toward the mountain. “It was a beautiful drive, but I don’t think I would never want to go over that mountain again. And I can’t even imagine it at night! That was almost a suicide trip.”
He turned back and saw the receptionist chuckling agreement. Together, they walked up to the ubiquitous bamboo front desk, passing tropical plants and lovely gardens. He saw an old pool just past the reception area that was surrounded by incredibly beautiful plants of every color. He thought to himself that this place made Florida look like New Jersey in the winter. “This place is incredible,” and he smiled as he looked at the receptionist.
“Hola señorita. Yes please, I will take a room.”
“Very good señor, it´s two thousand pesos a night, and that includes breakfast. Are you American?”she asked.
“Yes,” he said laying his passport on the polished blond wood.
“Oh good,” she smiled, “we don’t get a lot of Americans here; lot’s of Europeans though ... and Canadians.”
Frank shrugged and smiled, “Uh, sorry, two thousand pesos ... what is that in dollars again?”
She pulled out a small calculator and slapped a few buttons like she could do it in her sleep. She held the calculator so Frank could see the result and said, “that would be fifty US dollars. So, will you be paying with a credit card then, or cash?”
Frank asked, “No, I have cash … American dollars. What is the exchange rate now anyway?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, we do charge ten percent less if it is cash. Currently our exchange rate is 40:1. You can actually get 42:1 at the money exchangers but my boss feels like if he is the one that has to make an extra stop in the day to exchange your dollars he is going to make a little on it. Sorry about that.”
Franks looked puzzled, “Well that’s great! Nothing to be sorry about! He threw a hundred dollar bill on the counter.
She put the money in a cigar box below the counter and counted out his change in pesos. Frank asked, “Oh, I forgot to ask. Does the room have A/C?” She looked at Frank shaking her head and laughed.
Frank chuckled at her infectious snicker, “Don’t tell me; that’s another five dollars US, right?”
She grinned, “No, that’s another ten, and……”
Frank interrupted her and said, “and no ten percent off, right?”
She grinned mischievously and said, “Now you are getting the idea.”
“OK,” Frank said, “I do need the A/C if I want to sleep well.”
“How long will you be staying sir?”
“That´s a good question. I hope for a while, but you never know, it ´s business.”
“Oh?” She came more alert now, “what kind of business?”
“Well, uh, pharmaceuticals. You know, I sell to pharmacies.”
“Really. Are there are reps here,” she asked.
“Well yes, of course. There are reps everywhere,” he said.
“Oh, of course, I wasn’t thinking … Oh, I see, you must be here for the convention of the psychiatrists.”
Frank’s head jerked to attention “H-m-m, psychiatrists, very cool, old Dr. Pierre is probably there getting to know some of his cronies.” He came back to reality and focused on the lovely lady behind the desk, “Well yes, the psychiatrists and others.”
“Very good,” she said, “I hoped we would get some of that traffic. It has been a little slow here, especially for February.”
He looked directly into her eyes and gave her a little smile, “Are you married?”
She laughed and said, “Maybe and maybe not, are you trying to pick me up?”
“Well, maybe I am. Do you know a good restaurant we could go to later? Maybe you could show me some good clubs after a nice dinner?”
She laughed and said, “That sounds nice; and no, I am not married, I have no kids either. I live with my parents and my dog and I, uh … “She stopped herself and laughed. “Well, what else do you want to know?”
Frank smiled, “that’s probably enough for now, except for one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Where is this psychiatric convention you were talking about?”
She looked a little relieved and told him, “It’s just down the road. At the fork you need to stay to the right. Then, go until you reach the road that runs parallel with the beach. Go about a two hundred meters. On the right, look for a pizza restaurant; Pizza Coco … you can’t miss it. Turn right there on that little dirt road and go down it for only about fifty meters or so. It is a dirt road and nar
row … and probably muddy right now. Go until you see the hotel on the left; Casa Robinson. You should see all the cars and the doctors. You will not miss it. It will be the only hotel with lots of nice cars parked out front.”
She scrunched her nose, “aren´t you a little late? The conventions started Monday I think.”
“Well, I, uh, had a little problem with my flights and you know… ”
“Oh, yes,” she said, “I know, you got tied up with a girl, right?”
He looked at her and said, “If we went to dinner I bet you would be a lot of work.”
“Well I guess you’ll find out?” She came around the corner and stood a little too close.
Frank grinned, “Hey, I really was traveling and I did get held up in Santo Domingo. There was no girl.”
She gave a little giggle and said, “So what you are telling me is that you are gay.”
Frank almost choked when he heard her say that. He looked at her with a grin and said, “I am not sure if I could handle you if we did go to dinner. Gay? What would ever give you that idea?”
“Well yes, the convention is gay, right?”
“Gay; wow! Now that is interesting.”
“Frank, it’s ok if you are gay.”
“I’m not gay!” He assured her. “And I did not know the seminar was gay.” He shook his head, “Is it really a gay convention?”
“Yes. You really did not know that?”
“No, I really did not!”
“That is actually funny in a sad way. You came all that way and you did not know it was a gay convention.”
“Hey, they all buy drugs. It will be fine.” He winked at her, “I will just have to smile more.”
“HA!” she barked, “I guess that’s true!” She posed prissily and held out her hands like she was holding a cup and saucer. Her pinky finger was sticking out and she mimicked taking a dainty sip. Frank laughed, nodding his head.
“Ok funny girl, so where is my room?”
“It is the second one on the right just past the pool. Remember, the price does include breakfast … they serve ‘til ten thirty.”
“Maybe we’ll be having breakfast together”
“Well maybe we will,” she grinned.
“What´s for breakfast?” he asked.
“Well what would you like,” she asked Frank as she pulled back her hair.
Frank smiled and said, “You.”
She looked at him and feigned disgust, “Men, they are all dogs!” she laughed. “Well I don´t think I´m on the menu, but things could change. I´ll be sure to let you know.”
“I bet you will,” and he marveled at how comfortable the sexual atmosphere was in this Garden of Eden. “I’m likin’ the Latino blood! Hot-hot-hot!” he thought as he took one more lingering look at the Dominican morsel in front of him before he turned and headed to his room.
40
An hour later Frank arrived at the convention. He was walking around when one of the coordinators spotted him and introduced himself. “Hi, may I help you? My name is Brendan Murray. I’m one of the coordinators for the seminar. If you will excuse me for saying so, you look like you are a little lost. I thought that perhaps I could offer you some assistance.” He was a friendly looking guy with a shiny red face and a shock of bleached white hair surrounding his thinning pate. Frank thought his accent sounded Irish, or British … maybe Australian … one of those, he was never sure which.
Frank looked a little startled said, “Well yes, maybe you can. Actually, I´m looking to see if there is an area where I could set up a booth. I’d like to show some of our latest products. I’m with Perk Pharmaceuticals.”
Brendan grinned and took a long drink from the icy glass he held in his hand. “I´m sorry, I´m not sure if we have any more room in the vendor area. Since this is such small gathering we are not really prepared for more than a few vendors. Have you prearranged your booth?”
Frank, looked surprised, “I´m sorry, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Frank, uh, Frank Murphy. Hey, you’re Irish aren’t ya? I’ve got a little Irish blood in me somewhere.”
“Well for fook sake Frank, would you like a little more Irish in ya?” Brendan’s eyes teared up at his own joke. He wiped them with the back of a red hand that looked like it could have used a bit more sunscreen today. He slapped Frank on the shoulder. “Sorry,” he laughed. “Just a wee joke ya know.”
Frank acknowledged the joke with a hearty laugh and tried his best Irish accent. “Ha! My dear ol’ mum told me to be careful of the Irish. There’s always one that wants ta stick ya with his pot o’ gold! “Er, anyway, I must be a bit confused. I was told that I would have the opportunity to meet doctors here and show our latest products and that I did not need to register as a vendor.”
“Well fook me, I’m very sorry if you were told that.” Brendan’s round friendly face and his relaxed manner put Frank at ease.
“Yes, well; no problem really, I’m sure.” Frank said.
Brendan’s white eyebrows rose, “Not to worry laddie, I will try to make sure your trip is not a total loss. We do have a party tonight and since you traveled all the way from … ?”
“Oh, um,” Frank said, “from Miami Beach, uh, Florida.”
“All the way from Miami Beach,” he smiled, “well I’m sure we would be more than happy to have you as a guest joining in the festivities; but please register and I will see if we can set up something for you. Near the pool would be nice for you I should imagine. And then you can meet our guests. What company did you say you represent?”
“Oh, I am a rep for Perk Medical. We make diagnostic and therapeutic equipment as well a whole line of pharmaceuticals. I´m sure you have heard of us?”
“Well for fook sake,” he said again. “Everybody has heard of Perk. It is our pleasure to have you here.”
“Great,” Frank smiled, he decided he liked this guy; gay or not. “This will be a fun weekend after all and don’t worry about that table for now. I can see that I will have plenty of opportunity to meet doctors either way.”
“It looks as if the open bar is certainly in full swing,” Brendan said as he finished his drink. “You can meet some of the doctors there and drink some free Brugal if you’ve a mind. They are sponsoring the bar so Brugal is the drink of choice there. All others you have to pay for.
“We have attendees from all over; although most are from Europe. A few others are from the States though. You know they love the fun and sun; write it off and call it business. And you were right, I am from Ireland myself.”
“Well Jaysis, Brendan,” Frank mimicked, “Erin go Bragh! Let’s have a tot!”
Brendan laughed, “Well for fook sake then, right this way!”
41
Dr. Pierre sat in the bar wondering to himself if he could hitch a ride back to Florida as Dr. Pierre. He thought about the fun he’d had working with the crazy patients in Santo Domingo; especially the sweet Maria. “Getting the nurse to double the normal dose was brilliant, if I do say so myself,” he mused. He could do anything he wanted and that was so much fun.
He chose a table in the back of the bar. He wanted a table that was obscure enough that he would be able to have some privacy with Garcia when he came in. He didn’t want to miss him so he sat facing the door, watching the foot traffic.
A waitress in a shimmering white dress walked up and asked, “Hi sir, would you like anything to drink?” He took her in, admiring her, but was surprised to find such class. Her hair, makeup and dress were all very nicely done.
“Why yes,” he smiled. “I would like one of your famous Cuba Libres, … a double please, with extra limon.”
“Will that be all?” She let a knee brush against his leg.
He smiled and said, “Well that will be all for now, but do you know Dr. Garcia?”
She looked at him and frowned, “Are all the men here gay,” she wondered. “Isn’t he the doctor with the rather large; excuse me for saying, belly and the smile that makes you thi
nk of Santa?”
Pierre, smiled and said, “Why yes, that is him. What a perfect description; … Santa.” He laughed and slapped the table lightly, “I would have never thought of him like that, but Santa. Yes, he looks like and just may be my Santa.”
She looked at Pierre and furrowed her brow, “What?”
“Oh nothing,” Pierre responded. “it’s a personal thing, sort of an inside joke.”
“Oh.” She said, thinking “What a shame … so good looking and he probably likes fucking old fat guys!”
“But if you see ‘Santa’, will you please tell him that Dr. Pierre is here and would love to have a drink with him?” He said this he slipped a ten dollar bill onto her cocktail tray.
She looked at him and said, “for me?”
“Why of course.”
“O gracias sir, muchas gracias! I will be looking for him and if I see him I will be sure to direct him to you.”
“Very good, thank you.” He leaned in and crooked a finger at her. “And by the way I could not help but notice how pretty you are,” he almost whispered.
She smiled at this, thinking maybe she was wrong after all. She said, “Thank you sir. I will be sure to direct him here.” She turned and walked away with a little more slide in her glide.”
My My Little Prince Page 32
