by Clay Moore
The chauffeur got out of his side of the car and opened Iris's side of the limo. She reached up in the limo driver helped her onto the covered carpet. John followed her out swearing in his mind that he should have gotten out and ran to her door. They always do say that hindsight is 20/20. They also say that the person who counts his faults only makes errors.
John did manage to get Iris to hook her arm with his. There seem to be a lot of people on the red carpet today. He had tried to keep everything as spur of the moment as possible. He knew the people of faraway. They enjoy a good spectacle just like any other. Two trendy people wearing their finest was a show that they could not miss.
As they walked down the red carpet to the hotel entrance, they were dealing with people who were asking for them to turn one way and then another. The walk down that carpet was filled with flashes. Once they got to the actual doors doorman open the doors for them.
"Is this typical for them. Or are the Hotel Staff going to roll up the red carpet after we used it." "Iris, you have the sense of a commanding of ficer. Everything you said is right about these people. They love their heroes, and you are a hero whether you like it or not."
"They told me that this would be an adventure, this job of mine. My Advisors didn't say that it would be Glamour filled."
"You ain't seen nothing yet." Jeff arrived where his tuxedo and carrying two menus. "You are paying for nothing this evening. It is in the house."
"Are you sure that you want to do that," said John. "While I can't take and use any pictures of you. I can take pictures of the stunning woman came in on your arm. Would this be the rear admiral lower half commander of the fleet in orbit about us?"
"You are remarkably well informed." "I am a hotel owner. I pick up a lot of information from my guests. I'm going to use pictures that I will take of you to let people know that this is a first class establishment." * * *
"Didn't you receive the five-star rating from Traveler magazine?"
"Madame is remarkably astute herself. I have that honor."
"How can you afford to live off of the money that you make with this place?" "Faraway does attract its share of people. I have set you in the middle of the room. I hope you don't mind, but a few of the customers were wondering if either of you would be dining with us."
"Jeff, I trust you. Will you serve us a 6-course meal." "Of course I would be delighted to do the honors, But before we do that I need you to tell me of any food allergies that you may have."
Iris and John looked at each other shaking their heads. Just nodded his head understanding that they would be willing to try anything. They were going to have an adventure in food.
Iris and John realized that when he said the middle of the dining room he meant the middle of the dining room. They looked around and caught people in the midst of looking at them. Even though Iris did nothing to assuage the other signatories. It was only thought that she was part of the solution because the solution used the ships. Of course, that was incorrect. John was the only one who did anything as he had authorization.
Jeff was in his element. He brought over a thin soup. John tasted it, and it was magnificent. Even Iris enjoyed it. As each course of the meal was delivered to John and Iris, it came covered. Jeff had the next course brought on. He whipped the covers off the food. All of the courses were fantastic. They said effusive things to Jeff who drink it all in.
With the meal complete they walked to the lounge where they could hear the beat of the combo. The maître d' of the lounge let John and Iris in and sat them in a circular booth. Iris lets go of her shawl. Then the combo began playing a song while the songstress came on. Together they were they enchanted by the romantic nature of the song.
When a song came up that the songstress was not singing to, John and Iris danced. John held Iris close, and she let him keep her close. The first dance seems to be reserved just for them. None of the other people moved until about halfway through the song. Then they joined John and Iris on the dance floor. They spent an hour dancing and drinking some wine. Iris was the first one to realize that it was past 10 PM. She had things to do morning that involved her fleet. She told John who agreed that she needed to get back to the fleet. He got her wrap and wrapped it around her. They walked out of the hotel. The limousine was ready for them. John opened the door for her and then went over to the next door and got into the back with her.
John and Iris took their seats in the admiral's gig. The gig went away and reached the atmosphere interface with space. They then flew directly to the narwhal. Once they were connected to the narwhal, Iris and John passed through the entry into the carrier. John was told by Angela, iris' steward, that he would like John sleeping in his quarters at night. John followed Iris until John came to his quarters. He did not go inside. Instead, he kept his eyes on her.
She reached her own quarters but did not enter. Over her right shoulder, she looked and gave John a smoldering look. Angela's plan for John to be in his own quarters was going to be thwarted. Iris tossed her head telling John to come. John walked with a saunter. When Iris opened her door and entered the room, John trotted the distance, the sooner to get to Iris.
The end
John Hardesty will be back in Broken Wings!