Grange Court Hotel London (open)

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

This thread is wide open and can include an infinite number of characters. Though obviously a modern day setting, you can be what age, orientation or background you choose to be. In this London hotel, you could have any number of tourists, visitors, theatre goers, business men and women, not to mention the staff working here .. the list could be endless.

I'll just provide the accommodation and you can make your choices from there...

So whether your stay be short or extended, whether your intention be business or pleasure… welcome to Grange Court Hotel!.. We trust you will enjoy your stay!

DM x

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

Melissa Peterson glanced at the list of names trying to guess at the age and status of the guests who had checked in this week and wondering what the turn out in the lounge would be like. She glanced over the meagre snippets of information the receptionist had handed her as they exchanged a wry smile. She had her work cut out for her this week if the signs so far were anything to go by.

The slump in tourism had hit Melissa’s career sharply the year before, but it had been a blessing in disguise. Instead of merely trekking round the UK on endless coach journeys with a largely geriatric clientele, she was now based in the heart of London and employed by a top hotel. Sure she still escorted tourists, but not just coach rides, she organised guided walks, gave talks and at times applied herself to finding where guests could have their diverse interests satisfied, both cultural and not so cultural … she enjoyed her job and was always professional!

Again looking at the list she noticed that there were not only couples listed, but also a host of seemingly single people and just a few families. The hotel had revolutionised the market by not charging the single room supplement that was usual in the UK, thus encouraging young single people to use the hotel as a base. She noted also that there was a varied list of names, indicating a range of origin. The hotel had taken itself out of the usual brochures and London based publications and advertised extensively on the internet. Consequently the hotel was alive with the hum of many languages and heavily accented English spoken throughout. She passed the cyber café, set out as part café and part bar; relaxed surroundings for the computer literate to send emails and continue their online activities around casually laid tables or in the comfort of little booths, if privacy was preferred.

She leaned behind the reception desk and took out another wad of questionnaires. Guests were handed these on arrival and invited to fill in key information to be passed on to herself as “resident activity co-ordinator” although she preferred her title in French best, “animatrice en residence”. She glanced at the names, based on the limited information she had been supplied with she would not need to stray from English in her welcome speech this evening.

She glanced into the lounge where drinks and hors d’oeuvres had been provided free of charge to encourage attendance. Every Friday evening she went through this routine, welcoming any guests who were resident and who chose to attend, regardless of the length of their stay or the reason for it.

She tucked a solitary escaped hair as the rest of her thick mane shone darkly and remained obediently between the securing pins. She gave a smile to the receptionist again and murmured,
“Wish me luck…” Although both women knew in truth that she didn’t need luck. At the age of 25 she had a confidence beyond her years. Melissa was simply good with people and good at her job.

Crossed the foyer, Melissa smoothed the skirt of her suit. It was a smart navy, but shot through with light blue pinstrips and lined with a vivid turquoise colour which gave the impression of a smart tailored look, without any severity. The turquoise flashed at the split in her skirt which was cut just above the knee. The colourful flag of her lining was hidden as the jacket was buttoned up at the front, though her light blue blouse underneath the ensemble provided a contrast as strikingly as that of her fair complexion and dark sleekly pinned hair.

She entered the room and smiled, her face lighting up in a natural welcome, as she heard the words,
“Ah, Miss Peterson, let me introduce you to…..”
As she turned her gaze to the individual who would definitely be in need of her services in one way or another.

Smiling warmly, Melissa held out her hand...

 

[ariosto]

Vince


"Vince Amado...nice to meet you."
A powerfully built man stood up at her entrance and took her hand. His own was large and rough, she noticed scar tissue around his knuckles and looking up saw the same around his heavy brows. Brows that arched above eyes of a clear grey blue. Eyes that belied the otherwise dark Latin nature of his appearance.

"Mister Amado is on Holiday Melissa, before he goes into training."
Her associate began backing away,
"I'll leave him in your capable hands dear, must run!"

Vince looked at her hands, lovely long fingers, manicured nails, cream smooth...

"Training Mister Amado?"

He loved her rich voice and that accent.
"Yes, afraid so."

"Military?"
She hazarded a guess.

He laughed.
"Hell no, the army wouldn't have me!....I'm a prize fighter, a boxer. I go into training camp in two weeks."

She saw now that he had a broken nose but his smile was warm and friendly.
"Call me Vince okay...I had a fight in Belfast once but I've never been to England. I have ten days to see as much as I can.
Where do we start?"


OOC....Vince is an old character of mine that I'd like to revive if you won't mind dragging a rough edged pugilist about town.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

“Vince Amado...nice to meet you."

Her fingers were cool as they disappeared, dwarfed by the man’s calloused and scarred hand. She returned the greeting with a firm shake, unperturbed by her client’s size and presence.
His eyes were expressive and now communicated friendliness and curiosity.

"Mister Amado is on Holiday Melissa, before he goes into training."
She smiled at her retreating colleague.
"I'll leave him in your capable hands dear, must run!"
As ever he avoided these gatherings and hated them, hating the commercial aspect of his hotel and much more suited to being behind the scenes.

Melissa withdrew her hand slowly and with a subtle look around the room, knew she had plenty of time to spend with this man, knowing her talk would start late once again.

"Training Mister Amado?"

"Yes, afraid so."
She smiled, intrigued by his self-effacing answer.

"Military?"
She hazarded a guess, remembering the rule of never offending one’s clients.

His laugh was contagious as he answered her.
"Hell no, the army wouldn't have me!....I'm a prize fighter, a boxer. I go into training camp in two weeks."

Her eyes ran over him taking in his appearance. She smiled knowing that he would be one person who would at least be pleasant and hoped he would be around for more than a few days.

"Call me Vince okay...I had a fight in Belfast once but I've never been to England. I have ten days to see as much as I can.
Where do we start?"

“Ten days, before you get dragged off to camp?”
Her voice was smooth and held a teasing lilt.
“I’m sure I can find something to amuse you Mr... err … Vince… “ She corrected herself.

She smiled disarmingly. “Maybe you can give me an idea of what you’re interested in and I could put some ideas together this evening and go through them with you tomorrow…?”

She took a glass of mineral water from the tray held out to them and watched as Vince picked a glass from the assortment of drinks on the tray. She wondered if he were the independent sort who would just require a package of information and then go it alone, or if he would require a guide most of the time. Would he just enjoy the attention, which he was obviously used to in his profession, or would he be really interested and want to discuss and ask questions about the places he visited?

Melissa knew that now the season was picking up there were any host of extra guides she could call upon to work for the hotel, as obviously her colleague’s introduction meant that this man merited her personal attention, should he request it.

Melissa turned her head and quickly scanned the room. People were sipping drinks and settling in groups. Not very crowded, but they seemed happy just to mingle and chat, so there was no rush to go through her welcome routine. She knew that must be timed perfectly so as not to break up a naturally convivial atmosphere, but to ensure that those in the room were receptive to the information she were to pass on to them.

Turning her full attention back once again to her charming companion she questionned;
“Are you travelling alone.. Vince, or are there others in your party?”
Again she let her eyes meet his as she sipped her drink pausing to wait for his answers…


OOC:

Vince sounds like a very interesting client for Melissa to guide. Welcome! Great to write with you ! x

 

[ariosto]

"I'm all alone and at your mercy."
Vince emptied the gin and tonic with a sigh.
"Won't be too many of those I'm afraid. None after I get back."

"Why's that Vince. I'm sure they have Bombay Gin in the States."
Melissa sat down in an elegantly upholstered chair across from him and crossed her legs. He tried not to stare to hard.
"In training you don't drink, don't eat anything that tastes good, and you don't have sex. You work your ass off for six weeks and then you go get beat up. Crazy job huh?"

She sipped her drink and smiled.
"Why do you do it?"

"Because of the glamour!"
He laughed and pointed at his strangely reconfigured nose.
"No...I do it for the paycheck. I'll take home close to a million if I win this one. And I'm going to win it."

*A million dollars!?* She made a mental note to check out Vince Amado's background.

"Listen, I'm not big on the tourist stuff Melissa.
What I'd like is to really see the guts of London not the icing and the glitz. I'm a blue collar guy. Museums are Okay and all but I want to experience something on a more personal level while I'm here.
You know what I mean?"

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

OOC: With your permission, I believe I may have an interesting character...

http://www.freeavatars.net/vpimages/efemales/fhgjk117.gif


IC: Safi glanced around at the people in the hotel lounge and was glad to discover none of them had seen her before. That could cause embarrassment, and she preferred to avoid a public scene. Preferred to, yes, could, no, she thought as she reflected on why she was here. Still, that was not for now, that was for later.

A woman she presumed to be the hotel manager was currently talking to a large man, probably either a wrestler, boxer or soldier. She was a beautiful white woman, slightly shorter than Safi herself, and perfectly manicured. He was a bruite of a man, giant and bearing the slight facial twists of someone who had been in a few fights. She wandered over to introduce herself.

"Good afternoon," she said, her voice thick with Indian accent. "I am Safi Patel."

She held out her hand and lay down her laptop case by the table where they were sitting. She always carried that with her. It was mandatory for a writer such as her, although she always travelled under her real name and kept her nom-de-plume for her books. That way, no matter what happened, nobody would ever assosciate one with the other. She even had a fake model for her book photos and never did signings to ensure the same.

The last thing she wanted was someone assosciating Safi Patel with Abda Singh. Safi was an experienced, refined and powerful woman always dressed to the nines, and always prepared to deal with any situation in a professional manner. Abda Singh was, to her fans, the opposite. Sometimes, it was hard to know who she really was.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

"I'm all alone and at your mercy."
She watched him down his drink.
"Won't be too many of those I'm afraid. None after I get back."
Sitting down and waiting until he too was esconced in a comfortable chair she continued to question him about his training and was amazed at the restrictions he would put himself through.

"Why do you do it?"
She asked. No wonder the man needed a holiday.

"Because of the glamour!…No...I do it for the paycheck. I'll take home close to a million if I win this one. And I'm going to win it."
Melissa nodded calmly. No wonder she had been directed to this particular client, still she was used to dealing with the moneyed, although financial privilege often made them obnoxious. This man seemed to be pretty easy going though, from humble roots she mused.

"Listen, I'm not big on the tourist stuff Melissa.
What I'd like is to really see the guts of London not the icing and the glitz. I'm a blue collar guy. “
She nodded, mentally going through a possible itinerary already.

“Museums are Okay and all but I want to experience something on a more personal level while I'm here.
You know what I mean?"

She looked over, her outward façade unflinching as she continued to smile serenely.
“… a more personal level…” Did she detect an innuendo there? He was a nice guy, but she always made her position clear, this was work.”

“I understand you entirely Mr Amado. You want to see London through the eye of Londoners. I am sure that we will be able to give you that perspective..”
Her comment had been smooth and could not possible cause offence.
“You’d be surprised how many of our guests shun the tourist traps so lauded by our great City!”
Her tone was light and held equal warmth. If Mr Amado had indeed been testing out the ground as it were, his pass had been politely, but smoothly parried. Melissa was well used to marking the boundaries of the services she offered and could do so without causing offence.

As she sipped her drink once more, she smiled. No doubt she had read too much into an innocent comment, if so, her response had been entirely in keeping with their conversation thus far.

She looked over and saw a young woman making her way across the room. She smiled apologetically at her companion, “Excuse me..” and rose to greet her other guest.

"Good afternoon, I am Safi Patel."
Taking the proffered hand, she shook it firmly.

“How nice to meet you Ms Patel. I am Melissa Peterson. I trust your accommodation is comfortable?”

Melissa allowed her eyes to take in the professional looking woman. Safi Patel gave the appearance of being reserved, yet Melissa noticed how her eyes scanned the room, observing every detail. The dark eyes that met hers were frank and assessing, but Melissa was unperturbed. Various options flitted through her mind. This women might be writing for a tourist magazine or book, she may be assessing hotels and grading their hospitality or even, she thought with a quirk of her mouth looking her out to head hunt her for a rival business… either way, she was unconcerned. Melissa would not change her approach, even if the queen herself were to come to stay… well maybe she’d make concessions for the queen.

Melissa snapped out of her musings, berating herself for losing concentration. This woman was most likely just a shy, but interested tourist. Again focused on her job, Melissa moved backwards and smiled towards Vince, still seated nearby.

“Ms Patel, may I introduce Mr Amado, Mr Amado, Ms Patel.”
She made the introductions quickly as Vince stood up to greet the young woman she had skilfully drawn into their circle.
“Would you both please excuse me a moment, I have to check all is in order for our presentation this evening. I’ll return shortly and I hope Ms Patel you will tell me if I can be of any assistance to you during your stay?”
With a final smile at the pair, Melissa withdrew to the other side of the room and began to run a final glance over the leaflets, brochures and maps before addressing her awaiting audience.

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

“How nice to meet you Ms Patel. I am Melissa Peterson. I trust your accommodation is comfortable?” The manageress said as she shook Safi's hand.

"Yes, thank you, entirely to my satisfaction. You run a good hotel from what I have seen so far, and I have stayed in many."

The woman was studying her, no doubt trying to work out who she was. She dressed as a businesswoman, which may make the manageress concerned that she was a rival. That said, her laptop might make her think she was a travel writer or hotel reviewer. She could only hope she would not discover the truth.

Then the manageress introduced the giant. Mr. Amado..? The name rang a bell. She wasn't sure, but she had the feeling she had heard it somewhere before, on a sports review if she remembered correctly. She held out her hand to shake his.

"Pleased to MEET YOU!"

Her voice rose an octave in pitch and a few decibels in volume as her knees buckled momentarily. Unseen against her dark skin, a blush began to cross her face.

"I apologise," she said as she steadied herself and stood upright again. "I am afraid I have a slight rheumatism."

 

[ariosto]

His eyes followed Melissa until she diasappeared in the lobby crowd and then turned again to the exotic Miss Safi Patel, who stood almost as tall as he did.

"Rheumatism?....Your to young for that aren't you?"
Vince looked concerned.
"I sometimes get an inflamation in my...."
He paused.
"Hey look at us!... were talking like two people in a nursing home!
Sit down...sit own, please!"

Miss Patel settled herself in the same chair that Melissa had left a moment ago.
An awkward moment of silence followed.

"I bet you've been to London before. You look like the world traveler type."

Miss Patel laughed showing amazingly white teeth and nodded, Yes she'd been to London before.

Another quick moment of silence. Vince Amado was not at his best in situations like this. He was by nature a somewhat withdrawn and quiet man...this was coming hard for him.
There was too something a bit intimidating about the dark beauty
sitting across from him.

"I'm from the US...New York originally but living in Las Vegas now.
Where are you from?"
* Great work Vinnie...why don't you talk about the weather next!*

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

Safi smiled at his comment about them sounding like they were in a nursing home, and quickly answered his question about being too young to have rheumatism.

"No, actually, people of all ages have rheumatoid arthritis - it is simply much more common in later life."

Then he began making smalltalk, inviting her to sit and asking where she came from.

"I believe you Americans have a phrase 'out thattaway?'" she said with a smile. "That would, perhaps, be the best way to answer your question. My mother is from the Egypt, while my father, as I myself, was born in India. I have lived in the US, France and now in England."

She gave him a warm smile and watched to see if, like many people, he would be impressed with her globe-trotting, or whether, as a traveller himself, he would be unresponsive.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson - welcome speech

“Ladies and Gentlemen… if I could have your attention for a moment… “

Melissa had stepped forward onto a subtle platform at the end of the room. In stockinged feet she was a mere 5 ft 5, so the added height was necessary in order for her to encompass the entire room in her warm welcoming smile.

“My name is Melissa Peterson, your activities officer and on behalf of the management I would like to welcome you to Grange Court Hotel.”
Again the smile at the indulgent faces turned to her in anticipation.

“Grange Court Hotel’s primary concern is to ensure that your stay with us be pleasurable and that all your recreational needs are catered. To enable us to provide you with an efficient and individual service, you will have been handed these questionnaires on arrival, requesting details of your interests and allowing you the opportunity to communicate any specific requests or concerns. If you have not yet had the opportunity to do so, please feel free to take another form to complete at your leisure. I will pick these up at reception and process them immediately. We have an extensive team of guides and specialist on hand to cater for a range of activities. Alternatively, if the idea of paperwork does not appeal to you, and indeed, who can blame you… ?”
Her smile again took in the entirety of her attentive audience.
Please feel free to introduce yourselves this evening, so that I may discuss your needs informally whilst we all get to know each other.”

Looking over at her audience, knowing their attention span was not infinite, Melissa moved on to the final section of her speech.

“On the table in the corner, you will see packs of literature detailing places of interest, transportation, theatre and sporting activities.”
She indicated the two uniformed individuals who had slipped into the room and were stood inconspicuously at the door.
“If you wish advice on general attractions or have any questions about how to get about London, please do not hesitate to question our personnel who are always willing to help and will be on hand to all evening not only to aid your selection of literature, but also to inform you of our specialist hotel facilities.

A final friendly smile as she added.
“If at anytime you should wish to speak to me, please leave a message at reception and I will respond to your request as soon as possible.”

She beamed at the throng who still stood in silent attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy the rest of this evening, with the compliments of Grange Court Hotel…”

She gracefully slipped off the platform as a patter of subdued applause sounded briefly before the assembled group moved to the table or reached for their glasses and the silence rose to a hum and crescendoed into lively chatter.

 

[ariosto]

Melissa Peterson's presentation interupted their conversation in mid course and they both turned their attention to her words.
The guides she indicated looked as though the'd stepped from the pages of GQ and Vogue.
"They must hire these people for their looks, you think they offer other services too?" Vince whispered into Safi's ear.
She smiled,
"Could be....might be a very pleasent stay indeed!"

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy the rest of this evening, with the compliments of Grange Court Hotel…”

After she had finished Melissa walked away from the podium and most of the guests headed over to the tables which were stacked high with literature. Vince excused himself from Safi and made his way over to where the hostess was standing.

"I've never been any good at speaking in front of people.
It seems very natural for you."

Melissa smiled and gestured at the tables.
"Don't you want to pick up some brochures Vince? Select a few places to see?"

He looked down at his shoes and blushed. Suddenly she realised, this big rough man was shy!

"What is it....is there something that I can help you with?"
Her voice was warm and Vincent wanted to jump into it.

"Listen I have an address here...it's the gym where Lenox Lewis trains. I met him a year ago..."

She waited patiently...

"Thought maybe you might like to meet him...maybe we could ahhhh...."

"Why Mister Amado, are you asking me out ?"

Suddenly he froze...maybe he'd overstepped himself.

"Most men ask me if I'd like a cocktail or dinner, maybe even a show...but an invitation to a boxing gym is quite unique."
She began to laugh and Vince wished desperately that he could take back every word.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

Melissa moved aside as people picked their way past her. As she’d thought, an independent bunch. Some weeks were like that. Often all people needed was information and then they would go it alone. Other weeks, she had to call in extra help. Some weeks no one could leave the hotel unescorted, full of bizarre fears about public transport, muggers and getting lost.
She grinned.
“How uncharitable Melissa,” she admonished herself. After all these people were her living and they payed well for the privilege.

She turned her head, the amused grin still on her face, her mouth turning upwards still more as she saw Vince move towards her.

"I've never been any good at speaking in front of people.
It seems very natural for you."
If only he knew how she had practised before friends, in front of mirrors, hell she’d even treated the ducks in deserted parks to her tourist rep. Speeches, but she was happy with how things had gone this evening. People seemed calm, receptive and so far content.

She indicated the tables, able to give her full attention to her intriguing guest.
"Don't you want to pick up some brochures Vince? Select a few places to see?"

Her eyes opened in surprise at his reaction. She was sure she saw a blush as he looked away from her, shuffling his feet like an awkward schoolboy.

She wondered if he had… needs… that he considered too .. exotic for her ears. He’d be surprised the requests she’d had to deal with. Not personally of course, her mouth quirked at the thought, God no!.. but.. the hotel could indeed provide a … connection to.. practically anything legal.

"What is it....is there something that I can help you with?"
Her voice was gentle and reassuring as she tried to draw this great man into her confidence, not because he was a client, but because he was nice enough to feel awkward about his request.

His voice was hesitant as he replied;
"Listen I have an address here...it's the gym where Lenox Lewis trains. I met him a year ago..."

She nodded ... a gymn.. that sounded pretty normal…

"Thought maybe you might like to meet him...maybe we could ahhhh...."

She could not help it. The giggle was out before she could stop it.

"Why Mister Amado, are you asking me out ?"
Her tone was teasing. She was relieved that he did not have any strange.. well, ... quirks as she had originally expected, though of course it was none of her business.

"Most men ask me if I'd like a cocktail or dinner, maybe even a show...but an invitation to a boxing gym is quite unique."

She began to laugh. He was so sweet and charming, so tentative in his approach.

Her eyes sparkling with amusement, she immediately noticed that his embarrassment had not lifted. He stood glancing away, ill at ease. Instantly she ceased her mirth.

She held out her hand and touched his arm gently. He turned to face her as her fingers lightly moved to brush his hand.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to be rude.”

She squeezed his hand, her own hand so much smaller and barely covering his.

“Actually, you’d be doing me a favour…”
Her eyes were warm, in her wish to reassure him, she forgot to remove her hand immediately.

“… between you and me… “ She continued with an air of mock secrecy.
“I’ve never heard of the gym you mention. Imagine when my next famous-soon-to-be-champion boxer arrives at the hotel, what would I do if I couldn’t instantly take him to such a unique venue.”
Her voice was soft as she’d drawn closer to Vince with an assumed tone of conspiracy.

“If you want to save me from certain unemployment, I’d be happy to let you escort me to this gym ... with detailed information thrown in of course… ?”

The eyes that looked up at him he realised that she actually had clear blue eyes, matching her fair complexion, rather than her dark mane of hair. Those eyes looked at him now. He saw her irrepressible sense of fun, which surfaced time and again, even when she were “on duty” and perhaps that was one of the reasons why she was such a natural with the guests, but, looking again he also saw a warmth, a caring nature, as she willed him to forget his awkwardness with her and agree to the outing.

Dropping the banter, with an unexpected suddenness, she spoke with soft sincerity.

“I’d really love to see it, if you still want to take me there…”

He smiled as her gaze was raised appealingly to him, her hand still lightly resting on his.

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

When Mr. Amato made his excuses, Safi found herself a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. Then she unpacked her laptop and booted up. She had a radio modem installed on her laptop, a newly develloped prototype given to her by her employer so she could connect from anywhere, no matter whether there was a phoneline or line-of-sight to a tower. She opened her ICQ program and checked that her employer was online. He was.

"What the fuck was that for?" She stabbed into the message window. "I told you, I'm not writing a book from this hotel! I need a rest!"

"You'll write when I tell you to write, Abda. And your fans will expect another book from you soon. It has been two months since the last one."

"No way! That's not what we agreed! I told you, I need a six month break between books. That's our contract, Vince!"

"Screw the contract. I want another book. Or have you forgotten about your sister?"

She glanced around, making sure nobody could see what she was writing, or how she was shaking.

"Please!"

It was a last desperate plea for him to let her have some rest, but she knew it was a failure. As long as her sister was living with him, he held all the cards.

"Well, at least you are asking nicely now. However, as I said, I expect a book from this hotel visit. If I heard correctly you were talking to the boxer Amato?"

"Yes..."

"What is he doing now?"

"He is talking to the activities officer of the hotel. I guess they are arranging somewhere to visit."

"Good. Go over and ask if you can go with them. Remember to take your laptop case. I want to hear every word."

With a sigh, Safi powered down the laptop and put it back in the case. She coughed slightly as she resumed her powerful air and strode over to the boxer and hotel employee.

"Excuse me," she said with a smile. "I am at a bit of a loss for what to do at the moment. I was wondering whether I could accompany you on your visit?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

Melissa turned as Ms Patel drew near. It was sometimes like this. Her job was to personally assist as many of the guests as possible, but she knew that Vince was her priority, for this week at least.

She bit back an unfamiliar irritation as the young woman drew alongside them. Vince had not yet had time to utter a response.

"Excuse me, I am at a bit of a loss for what to do at the moment. I was wondering whether I could accompany you on your visit?"

Melissa returned her smile, her tone was polite, but firm as she replied.

"Ms Patel, as you heard there are any number of activities to occupy you during your stay and if you wish I could drop by tomorrow and discuss possibilities with you, but I'm afraid Mr Amado and I were discussing his acceptance of a private invitation."

It was not policy to group guests together unless on an organised excursion or outing.

"If you wish to view London in the company of other guests, we do have extensive tours in both small and larger group, as you wish. Apart from that guests of course make their own arrangements to meet up and view our sights."
She glanced significantly from Safi to Vince.
Melissa thought to herself, that she was here to co-ordinate activities, not act as a dating agency or go-between and as it was, she could hardly escort every guest personally, one had to assign and prioritise.

"So.. Mr Amado.."
Melissa's voice took on a brusque and business-like tone. I
"'m sure I could accompany you to attend that .. function.. we discussed. Would you like to discuss details now, or will tomorrow suffice."

Melissa's face was impassive, but beneath her calm exterior, she was willing Vince to insist that he pull rank and insist that she be more attentive of him, as her manager had insisted that he be well taken care of... but he was such a gentle man, how would he react to the brash intrusion of this confident business woman.
Hotel rep. or not, Melissa could not go against the rules of hospitality set out by the hotel.

Even as she justified it to herself professionally, Melissa supressed the acknowledgement that she did not want a third party accompanying them on their visit, but that fact in itself did not mean she was acting unprofessionally.. although....

She suddenly realised that perhaps Vince would welcome the presence of the exotic beauty, but if that were the case it would be for him to extend the invitation.

"Mr Amado...?"
She prompted, politely. The ball was in his court, the decision his. The customer was always right....

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

She suppressed a cry and just managed to stop herself from flinching as she felt pain. Safi steadied herself, resting against a counter as she gave the pair a bright, if somewhat brittle, smile. Within a second she had righted herself fully, and just hoped neither had noticed it as anything more than a slight stumble.

 

[ariosto]

Perhaps to counterbalance his ferocious temper in the ring, Vince always did his best to be pretty agreeable outside of it.
In this instance though there was no choice.

"I'm sorry Miss Patel...Safi. The nature of the invitation was pretty private and Miss Peterson is going along to show me the way there...
I couldn't possibly bring someone else..."

The dark woman's brows knit. She was obviously someone who wasn't used to having her company turned down.
Vince scrambled...
"Look after we see him...go there I mean, I'll ask if you can come with me next time. Is that Ok?"

It obviously wasn't Ok and Vince looked to Melissa for help.

"Can you excuse us a minute Vince. Let me talk to MsPatel."
Taking her by the arm, she walked the Indian woman away.

Left alone for the moment he wondered if indeed the presence of Safi would have been unwelcome to Lewis and his trainers or if for some reason he wanted Melissa Peterson to himself...of course he did!
That realization, gave him a confidence he'd been strangely lacking ever since he stepped off the plane at Heathrow.

When she returned she found him, arms crossed, leaning against the wall and smiling.
"Well Vince you look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"Not exactly but I am building a terrific appetite. I couldn't eat the junk on the flight and my manager said most English food makes cardboard look pretty good. I was hoping you might know someplace that would prove him wrong."

He couldn't read her expression...

"That was a dinner invitation Melissa...how about it?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

"I'm sorry Miss Patel...Safi. The nature of the invitation was pretty private and Miss Peterson is going along to show me the way there...
I couldn't possibly bring someone else..."

Melissa noticed the woman's response. She was not happy.

"Look after we see him...go there I mean, I'll ask if you can come with me next time. Is that Ok?"

Melissa bit back a sigh. She had found her awkward client.

"Can you excuse us a minute *Mr Amado*. Let me talk to Ms Patel."

Drawing the young woman to the side, she assured her that she would speak to Mr Amado and try to arrange something, but made it clear she would not encroach on his privacy. She took the woman's room number and despite her protests arranged for a substantial amount of literature to be delivered to her room.

"I'll see you again tomorrow sometime Ms Patel, at your convenience... enjoy your stay.."
Melissa supressed a relieved sigh as she walked away from the now pacified Indian woman.

She returned to see Vince smiling broadly and quipped with him lightly,
"Well Vince you look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"Not exactly but I am building a terrific appetite. I couldn't eat the junk on the flight and my manager said most English food makes cardboard look pretty good. I was hoping you might know someplace that would prove him wrong."

Again she bit back a sigh, for entirely different reasons.

"That was a dinner invitation Melissa...how about it?"

She shook her head sadly.

"Sorry Vince. This is my work. I have to be around this evening, on the premises that is, well for another hour or two. It's in my contract."
She smiled softly.

"Thanks for the offer. The food in the hotel isn't too bad.. even though it's an insider recommendation."

He obviously didn't realise the position she was in. She had rules and times to work to, although her hours were generally flexible, this Friday night routine was the corner stone of what they did here.

"Another time perhaps... ?"
She said softly...

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

They didn't see her cringe and collapse to the floor in pain because she was expecting it and suppressed the feeling with all her willpower. Melissa saw her eyes widen for a second, but interpretted it as anger. Thank goodness for foreigners being known as brash, Safi thought. If she knew the truth...

Reluctantly, and more than a little fearfully, Safi went to her room. Her boss knew what had transpired and she already knew he was annoyed. Now she had to try to placate him. The literature arrived quickly as she was unpacking her laptop once more. She gave the delivery boy a fifty pound tip and sent him on his way quickly. Money wasn't important to her. Privacy was.

The ICQ program blinked into life and she saw she already had a message. She opened it and read what Vince had written.

"I am disappointed. You were instructed to go with them and have failed me. You had better go and find someone else to help you with this book, and tonight. Get dressed now ABDA, and go back to the lounge."

She knew what he meant and she refused, even though she had Abda's clothes with her. They knew her here now, by her real name. If they saw her as Abda, it would ruin everything for her. She glared at his name, highlighted in blue showing he was online.

"No, I cannot do this! They know me as Safi. If I leave my room as Abda, they will know."

The screen flashed back to her a few seconds later.

"Then it is time to stop the pretense. Perhaps you will get lucky and only the people here will know the truth. Perhaps you will be even luckier and they will still not recognize you - after all, you do use a standin for photographs. It is not your image on your books. All they will know is you are not the sweet innocent you claim to be."

She shook her head in horror at his insistance. "Vince, no! Please. I cannot do this!"

His screenname turned into a red, offline state as his final message came to her. "I'm afraid there is a rumor that your dear sister will have to have a mastectomy."

If anyone saw it, they would interpret it as a concerned health-statement. Only she could know it for what it was. In terror she looked at the screen. Then, slowly, she began to undress and get changed. Naked she sat before the mirror and fixed her lipstick. There was no point in putting on any other makup. Nobody would see it and Abda's clothes made her sweat too much for it to stay on. Then she opened her special bag and took out Abda's clothes to get dressed.

First was the one-piece leather suit. It was about a half-size too small to be comfortable, and fastened by means of a zipper running the length of her front and down behind her buttocks. A pair of long leather gloves closed off anyone from seeing her hands. Likewise, thigh-high leather stilletos embraced her legs and feet. The final piece, and the one that she hoped would let her maintain some dignity, was the mask. It covered her head and face entirely except for her eyes and mouth. Even her mouth was sealed behind a set of buttoned flaps.

He would expect her to take her laptop of course. That way he could hear what happened through the microphone in the case. It also allowed her to write make a start on her next novel while she waited. She packed it up and headed for the door and the stairs to the lounge.

 

[ariosto]

*Maybe I ordered the wrong thing...*
He thought staring morosely at the tasteless articles in front of him. He ate the meat by force of habit and then pushed the plate away.

"Anything else Mister Amado?"
The waitress was a pretty thing and he fleetingly entertained an idea of making a pass but after his earlier disapointment with Melissa he just didn't have the heart.
Maybe he'd read her all wrong...
She was probably that friendly to everyone. It was her job right?

He looked out the window while he sipped his weak coffee and watched the rain begin to fall. It seemed to add to his dark mood.
After she'd left him, Vince had gone up to his room and placed a call to Paddy Doyle, his manager.
The fight was still on, the purses had been set and locked in, but now Blackburn the Champ was insisting on a change of venue to Atlantic City.
Vince had been robbed there before and had vowed to never fight in that town again. But this was for the title...
'Do what you can Paddy...maybe he'll go for a neutral site somewhere...

He dozed the next hour or two then showered, changed and headed for the dining room, half hoping he'd see her.
No luck, so he ate instead. It had looked interesting enough on the menu...
Suddenly he wanted to say fuck it and take the next flight home. There were plenty of women there who'd jump at the chance to be seen on the arm of Vince Amado number one contender for the Middleweight title.
But first maybe he'd get a little drunk. That gin and tonic was damned good.
He slipped a generous tip under his plate and headed for the lounge.

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

Safi stepped calmly but slowly into the lounge. It was fairly full even now, despite the fact the restaurant was open for dinner. However, as she entered, her form accentuated by the tight leathers, her gait slowed by the high stilleto heels, her identity hidden behind a mask, much of the talking stopped. Very few would have seen someone dressed like her before, even those who attended specialist clubs.

She let her eyes drift over the people present, seeing if there was anyone she remembered from earlier. There were many, but primarily there was the boxer. She considered avoiding him - of all the people there, he was the only one who would have any chance of identifying her having seen her case before. She knew better than that though. Her boss had previously tried to get her to go with him. If Vince found out that she had deliberately avoided him... well she dare not take that risk.

She strode nervously over to where he sat, and saw the common look of shock and perhaps a little arousal cross his face as she approached. She set her laptop down beside an empty chair at his table and gave him a smile, hidden behind her masks zipper. Then she glanced at the chair as he failed to invite her to sit. She held out a hand, indicating the chair, and her other, in an attitude of begging. Hopefully he would understand, because with her mask fastened she could not talk - and Abda was not permitted to unfasten her own clothes.

 

[ariosto]

Vince knew he wasn't drunk yet.
He was only on his second when the leather clad apparition sat down beside him.
Every eye in the lounge was rivetted on his table and suddenly
He wanted to be anywhere but where he was.

He knew this creature had something to do with sex, with something dark and in spite of himself he felt a stirring when he looked at her. For it was indeed a her. The tight leather fitting like paint to every contour of a voluptuous body.
Vince's own tastes sexually were robust and inventive but still in the 'daylight' range.
He was feeling desperately uncomfortable.

She was staring at him through slits in the mask but where her mouth should be there was a zipper.
He thought of reaching out and pulling it open, but his hands were shaking.
He put down his drink, took a deep breath and wished desperately for the friendly face of Melissa Peterson.

 

[BadForm]

Safi Patel/Abda Singh

Abda looked at him intently. Unable to talk, and forbidden to move, all she could do was wait for him to decide what he wanted to do with or to her. It was always, always, up to the master or mistress to make the moved. Abda was merely a slave to do their bidding. When her intended master or mistress was shy, however, that made things virtually impossible.

Vince was a handsome man. He had everything she sought in a master, height, built, strength and, at a guess, a powerful will as well. He could master her easily and make her his to control. However, if he did not, there was the problem of what her boss might think. Oh, he always forbade her from making any sexual move, but that didn't stop him from inflicting the usual punishment when her target failed to.

Vince still hadn't moved or said anything to her. That only gave her one more option to use, in the hope that he would want a completely submissive woman. Abda got off the chair and knelt on the floor, holding his gaze for just a second longer before bowing her head in an act of absolute submission.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Peterson

Melissa gave a sigh of relief as she handed the remaining literature over to the receptionist. It had been a long night and she was definitely ready to seek the seclusion of her own room. I was 11 o'clock and as she had to work all tomorrow, Saturday, so was now officially off duty.

She gave a sound of irritation as she remembered that she had left the little platform out instead of tucking it into place behind the table. Bidding the receptionist a weary goodnight she slipped into the lounge, hoping that she would not be approached before she was able to make her way back to her cosy, quiet, room.

She entered the still crowded lounge and crossed the soft carpet, quickly and soundlessly, deliberately not making eye-contact with anyone and thus avoiding conversation. She slipped the object discretely out of sight and stood gracefully. Melissa froze, her mouth opening in silent, unaccustomed astonishment.

Vince was seated, a selection of empty glasses at a table close by him. At his feet was a leather clad nymph. She was kneeling head bowed as she looked down at her. She stood unable to move from the spot as Vince looked up and finally noticed Melissa's presence.

Her complexion paled. She did not know what to make of this strange sight. She was not naive... she knew these type of people... existed.. and where.. but here.. in the hotel.. and with ... Vince... presumeably he had found his own personal entertainment and someone to whet his.. appetite.

With extreme effort she turned on her heel. She was off duty. It was not her... affair... let the duty Manager deal with this one. She strode briskly to the lift and pressed the button, waiting impatiently for the machinery to descend and open and carry her away from the bizarre sight!

 

[ariosto]

Vince stared at the creature in shocked bewilderment. His first reaction was to recoil away as fast as he could but the booth he was sitting in was unfortunately attatched to the wall.
He looked around the lounge in desperation. This had nothing to do with any world he wanted to be a part of.
It seemed as though every face in the bar was staring right at him.
He could kill Paddy Doyle for suggesting this trip. He could be on the beach in the Caribbean right now...

Then he saw Melissa.
Her face was pale, her expression one of..disgust?
She turned on her heel...

"WAIT!!!...Wait please!'
He tried to scramble out of the booth but the leather clad figure kneeling before him blocked his path.
"Out of the way Goddamit!"
Woman or not, she was too damned bizarre for him and she was in the way. He pushed her aside and took off after Melissa Peterson.
He caught her at the lift.

"Listen...I was no part of that!..I have no idea who she was. I was having a drink and..."

The elevator door slid open, and Melissa hurried inside. Her finger was about to push the button for the third floor when his hand closed over hers.
"Please, this isn't going the way I wanted it to.
I need to talk to you..."

Vince Amado had the rugged face of a fighter but right now he was pleading like a little boy.