by Dominick Murray

Created on: November 12, 2008

A young waiter stood by the entrance of the dining-room with a silver tray held by his side. A raucous laugh stiffened the atmosphere in the room, ceasing the low hum of conversation.
A large, middle-aged man strode into view. He puffed on a cigar and had two obviously drunk women clinging to each arm of his outrageous pink shirt. Ignoring the waiter, he made his way towards a table.

"Excuse me Sir," The waiter said as he followed the man, "I'm afraid there's no smoking allowed in the building."

The large man stopped and turned, freeing himself from his companions' grasps, he took the cigar out of his mouth and approached the waiter. Stopping inches from the younger man's face, he took a long drag before stubbing the cigar out on the waiter's tray. Exhaling the smoke in the waiter's direction, he turned gathered the arms of his giggling companions. As he swaggered towards his table laughing aloud he called over his shoulder towards the waiter, "and two bottles of your finest champagne, puppy."

The waiter carried the cigar stub on a tray out of the dining room. A smaller man approached, his lips muttering silent words over and over while his eyes darted around the foyer. As he passed by the waiter noticed the smaller man's lips had stopped moving, his gaze focussed on to the cigar.

Stopping, the waiter asked, "Can I help, Sir?"

The small man drew his eyes from the cigar towards the waiter and said to no one in particular, "He's here," before walking the last few paces towards the dining room. Pausing once more, he took several deep breaths and then entered.
His darting eyes were instantly drawn to a table where the large man in the pink shirt sat, accompanied by two women.
Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, the smaller man approached, dabbing sweat off his upper lip, his hand shaking ever so slightly.

"Well?" The large man questioned as he withdrew a cigar and placed it in his mouth.

"Your wife, Boss, she, she's coming." The small man gulped hard.

The waiter backed out of the kitchen doors with two bottles of champagne on his tray. Turning towards the dining room he noticed a middle aged-woman enter the hotel with a younger man. They approached the dining room in front of the waiter. Before entering the young man stopped, and pulled the woman towards him kissing her passionately. The waiter coughed politely as the couple became lost in the moment. Eventually the older woman pulled away from her youthful lover, and patting his face she took his hand, leading him into the room. The waiter moved behind the couple as they moved towards a table.

"What the hell's going on here?" The large man in the pink shirt stood up and roared towards the couple who entered. The smaller man with the handkerchief emitted a frightened sob and fled from the room as the older woman grabbed her lovers chin and kissed him keenly in defiance.

Pulling herself away from the kiss she smirked towards the large man and said, "You see, Harry, you're not the only who can play away."

Learn more about this author, Dominick Murray.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.