0. Nixon Ball

“OK, the usual place?”

“Yep. Can’t wait. See you there.”

“Bye”

Michael hung up without saying goodbye. He never said goodbye. He hated prolonging their conversation outside the hotel room. As long as their interactions stayed contained in that world, he could live with himself; but if those worlds combined, his universe would come crashing down. He then strolled out of CVS with the supplies in hand and headed home to have dinner with his wife and kids.

He sat at the table chewing his food, an actor on in a play. Playing the role of “devoted husband and father”, but really he knew who he was deep inside. Following dinner while the kids watched TV he cleaned dishes with his ever distant wife, all the while filled with the anticipation of the evening. When the time was right he faked a phone call from work, said that he was needed at the firm, and headed to the hotel, where Versacci would be waiting for him.

He entered the fancy hotel room, still wearing his finely tailored suit and saw his partner sitting at the table, in an equally nice suit Michael had bought for these occasions.

“Are you ready?” Versacci asked.

“I’ve been waiting for this all week,” responded Michael.

“So have I, none of my other clients fetishes are quit so unique,” said Versacci, slyly indicating the pen, notepad, and stop watch.

“Well, you know what I like,” Michael grinned.

“Well then are you ready?” Versacci inquired.

“Ready,” Michael replied.

Versacci started the stop watch and Michael began to scribble furiously. Versacci said, “C’mon Michael if you don’t finish drawing up those legal forms, I’m going to have to punish you.”

And late that night, he did.

And they lived happily ever after.