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Day 1 2. Hotel Check-In Michael preferred Central over Wan Chai. Wan Chai was too obvious with what it meant when you walked the streets – the Red Light district and computer stores. In Central, everything was a disguise or an enigma. Sure, there were whores in Central and computer equipment – you just had to know who to ask and say the right words to get them. And both required impressive negotiation skills. In between the buses, the hundreds of other red taxis maneuvering around them, there was the occasional Mercedes or Jaguar. And always when the luxury cars would overtake his taxi there was a rich Chinese man in a black suit and an electric colored tie and a local Chinese driver in full uniform in the front. The taxi driver looked in the mirror to see him. “This okay?” the driver asked. He looked outside and saw the hotel entrance to the Park Metro Hotel. “Yes, this is fine.” And he leaned forward to see the meter. It said twenty seven Hong Kong dollars. He pulled out thirty. “Keep the change.” The taxi driver nodded and pushed a button – and the door opened for him. He got out and went to the boot of the cab. The taxi started moving forward – he yelled out, “Hey!” And slammed his hand on the back of the car and it made a thunk. The red taxi stopped and the trunk popped opened. He pulled out his single bag. He then closed it and rolled to the curb. He didn’t really need the bag because he figured he would be naked most of the weekend. But for appearances he had to bring it. For Isabella’s protection, he had to bring it. The lobby door was opened by a doorman. “Hello sir,” the man in uniform asked. “Can I take your bag?” Michael shook his head. “No but thank you.” And he went direct to the check-in counter. A woman was in line in front of him so he looked around for signs of Hope. saw a Korean business man sitting in the lobby glancing at a paper.

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“Can I help you?” said a woman’s voice as he was glancing around. He turned back around and saw the desk empty. Michael walked up. “Hello, I’m Mister Lazaretto.”

The woman with Suzy on her name tag began typing on her computer. “Yes, we were expecting you.” She typed more on her keyboard. “I hope your flight to Hong Kong was okay.” Michael smiled, “Yes, it was fine.” “Can I see your passport?” she asked. And Michael dug into jacket pocket and pulled it out. He laid it on the counter. “American?” the lady asked. He looked her in the eye. “Yes.” “Is this your first trip to Hong Kong?” she asked still typing on her computer and trying to strike up conversation. “No. I have been here a couple of times.” She typed and suddenly her face changed when she saw something on the screen. “Oh I am sorry. Yeah our system says you have been here quite a few times. I apologize.” “It’s okay,” and he leaned forward on the counter. “Are you new?” She looked up and smiled. “Yeah a little.” And he looked at her name badge and under her name in bold was Director. “Wow, you are the director?” She looked up again with a puzzled look. “Yeah. You never seen a woman director before?” He shook his head. “No, that’s not what I mean. You said you were new so I just assumed you were just a trainee or something.” She stared at him watching him squirm. Then she busted out in a smile. “Actually you are correct. This was my father’s business. He passed away a couple of months ago and lucky me – he named me as the new Owner and Director.” Michael showed genuine shock. “I am so sorry about your father passing. But wow. What a last will and testament he must have had! You had a great father.” She kept typing while she answered. “No, he was an asshole. And to make up for it he gave me this place. I think he is a bigger asshole now that he is dead.” And she smirked.

“You can always quit or sell it.” “No I don’t quit. And I am not a sell out.” She stopped what she was doing. “Good lord, I cannot believe I am discussing my private life with a stranger.” “No, you mean a customer. And this is excellent customer relationship management. I think you are going to be very successful with this.” He looked around for Hope. He just saw the Korean business man again. “You are also from America – I can tell by your accent.” “No, Vancouver.” “Oops sorry. You must hate getting confused for American.” “No, its okay. My best friends are all American. I spent a lot of time going back and forth between Seattle and Vancouver.” She started writing something down. “Smoking or non-smoking?” “Non-smoking. And a King size bed please.” He looked up at the ceiling. “And if you can get me a room with a good view of the Harbor that would be excellent.” “I will do what I can.” And starting up with the conversation again, she asked. “What brings you to the hotel?” “Romantic weekend.” She raised one of her eyebrows. “Alone?” He laughed. “Yes, just me and my hand.” Suzy laughed too. “Well we offer complimentary hand lotion.” “Thank god it’s free.” And then they went back to being a customer and the check-in agent. “No, she will be arriving soon.” And without actually seeing her, he felt Hope enter. It began with, “Can I help you with your bags miss?” said the bell man. And her empowered answer, “No, I am fine.” Then suddenly her body was leaning into his back with her fingers gripping his shoulders. Her perfume enveloped him in a cloud. She leaned into his ear. “I am pissing my pants.” Which was Hope’s way of saying, “I am very happy.” She said she was “pooping her pants” when she was ecstatic.

He turned around and saw her wearing her customary Ray-Bans sunglasses, but he leaned forward and kissed her gently. She touched his tongue with hers. “You must be his hand,” Suzy said. And they broke apart. And both Michael Craig and Suzy laughed. Hope was confused. “Hand?” “Suzy asked me earlier what I was doing here at the hotel. I told her a romantic getaway.” Hope’s body became a little stiff. “You did?” “Yeah,” he said slowly trying to reassure he had not said too much. “But she thought I was going to be alone. I told her it was just going to be me and my hand on a romantic weekend. She offered that the hand lotion is complimentary.” Suzy watched Hope’s reaction while laughing again. Hope then laughed. “Well he is very good with it.” She then looked at Suzy and winked. “I will take your word for it.” And she blushed a little and began typing more. “Mister Lazaretto, how will you be paying?” He opened his wallet and stared at his credit cards but asked, “Can I pay cash?” “Sure. But can I use a credit card to the secure the check-in. When you check out no problem paying cash.” “Okay then.” And he slid out his HSBC card. She took it and disappeared down the counter. Michael turned back to Hope. “How was your trip from wherever you came from?” She smiled her dazzling smile. “It was okay. Sorry I am a little late. I missed the ferry.” Michael noticed a man standing behind Hope waiting to check-in. The door man came up to him. “Can I take your bag?” The man – who seemed Spanish – wrinkled his eyebrows. “Pardon?” “Can I take your bag?” And the door man said again putting his hand on the luggage. Then suddenly, the Spanish man broke into a horrible cough. He couldn’t stop. So finally putting his hand over his mouth, he nodded. Finally he managed out. “Si.” The door man took a hold of his bag and rolled it to the concierge.

“Okay, Mister Lazaretto. You are checked in.” And she put his passport back on the counter. He took it and slipped it into his bag. And then Suzy held out the credit card as if it was a Hong Kong business handshake – with both hands. He pushed out his hands and she transferred it over to him. “How many room keys do you need?” “Six please.” Suzy looked startled. Michael laughed. “Just kidding. Two is fine.” Hope leaned back into him and whispered, “She is hot. Ask her to have drinks with us later.” She then grabbed his ass. Michael Craig smiled but didn’t say anything. He just reached up and grabbed the keys. “You are on the eighth floor. I tried my best to get you a good view of the Harbor but all those rooms are taken. So I got you a good view of Central. I hope that’s okay.” “Fine. Thanks so much Suzy.” And he and Hope started moving away. “Do you want me to list her as an occupant of your room?” “Sure.” Suzy started typing something. “What’s your name ma’m?” looking at Hope. “Missus Jones. Beatrice Jones.” Suzy kept typing. “Okay, you are in the system. Enjoy your stay at the Park Metro Hotel.” And with that, he and Hope pulled out of line. And Michael Craig laughed when he looked at Hope. “Beatrice?” “I was watching a Golden Girls marathon. And besides Bea Arthur just died. I used that name in commemoration.” “And Missus Jones?” She winked. “You know why, Mister Jones.” She was alluding to their song, Mister and Missus Jones. “Welcome to the Park Metro Hotel, Mister Garcia,” Suzy said to the Spanish man who had been in line behind Hope.

Just then Mister Garcia coughed hard.