Sam sat on a stool at the corner of the bar, cigarette in hand. It was late afternoon and the night-life of the city was just starting to come to life. There was a small TV set on a shelf behind the bar. Ther sound was off and the pictures were pretty poor quality but she was gazing at it nonetheless. Some of the men - mostly foreign reporters - who were sat around the bar were watching her; two German reporters from Der Spiegel were discussing between themselves about whether they might ask her for a date. When two US sergeants walked in, and having spotted her walked straight over to her, the Germans were smiling expecting the girl in the red dress to tell both of them where they could go. They didn't hear what the first sergeant said but they saw the girl smile and adjust her position a little in the chair. The sergeants moved to flank her but she didn't seem to be chasing them away too quickly. There was a knowing look between the Germans who were watching. An unspoken question that maybe she was a hooker. But still they expected her to send the soldiers packing. But she didn't.
Sam wasnt really aware of the Germans or anyone else watching her. When Kowalski and Morgan approached her she felt the butterflies come to life in her stomach. Morgan's hand ran down her back as he moved around her, whilst Kowalski brushed a loose lock of hair off her face and back over her shoulder. Morgan picked up her half empty glass and finished off gthe scotch, whilst Kowalski took the cigarette from her fingers and took a final smoke from it.
"Come on. Let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"We told you... you said I should get a massage... we know just the place." Morgan reached down and took her hand, helping her out of her seat. Still most of the male reporters sitting around including the two Germans watched her get up and saw exactly what they were going to be missing out on. Kowalski led the way out of the hotel with Sam behind him and Morgan following, until they were outside and then they walked together. It took about 5 minutes turning from one street to the next and then the next. In the end there down what looked like a back lane; a sidestreet that was little more than an alleyway. Midway along was a brightly lit store front; green, red and white lights and the AFN radio audible through the open door. Inside there were two couches; a middle aged well built man sat in each one. Sam guessed they were probably bouncers rather than customers; there to make sure that no-one left without paying. The air was filled with the smell of sweet scented oils and a vague hint of dope. Sma coulnd't help but think the place was just a little bit seedy but then that wasn't unusual in this town. Neither of the men moved as the three americans walked in and up to the counter. There was an old woman sat behind. Morgan spoke in Vietnamese to her and then she disappeared. Morgan turned back to Sam and Kowalski grinning. He nodded once to Kowalski. Sam looked from one to another. Kowalski stepped close to her, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. He kissed her neck, speaking in her ear, loud enough for anyone to hear.
"You were the one who said we should get a massage remember."
Before she had a chance to say anything else, two woman appeared with the old woman. They were carrying towels. The old woman went back to the desk. The other two stood waiting.
"Go with the girl Sam... she'll take you out so you can get undressed... then she'll take you to where you need to be." Kowalski smacked Sam's ass making her jump a little. She wasnt exactly sure what was happening but she followed one of the two vietnamese girls. Morgan and Kowalski went with the other. They were taken to separate rooms. Initially Sam wasn't too sure what was expected, but it didn't take long before she realized she was in a changing room. She was given the towel and the girl turned her attention to folding other freshly cleaned towels. Sam hesistated for a moment and then undressed, stripping off the dress and her underwear and wrapping herself in the towel. When she was done, the girl led her out of the room down a corridor of doors to one door at the far end. The girl opened the door, let Sam go inside and then closed it behind her. In one corner of the room was a sofa, a small table, scotch, glasses. hand rolled cigarettes which Sam suspected were joints. The only other furniture in the room was four wooden 'beds' which came out from the walls - two each side - in towards the middle of the room. On each of the 'beds' was a thin mattress. Between them against the wall was a small cabinet. Bottles of oil on the top but the wooden door fronts meant it was impossible to see what was inside. As Sam was looking around, the door opened again and she turned to see Morgan and Kowalski walking in with the two girls. Both men were wearing nnothing more than towels secured around their waists and their dogtags. Kowalski walked over to Sam while Morgan poured out a couple of drinks and lit one of the rolled cigarettes. Kowalski put his hands on Sam's hips and moved close to her smiling.
"So.... what do you think of the place Lieutenant?"
Sam smiled as he pulled her towards him. "Not quite what I was expecting... I thought it would just be some back room in a bar somewhere." Morgan appeared at her side. He handed Kowalski a drink and put the joint to Sam's lips.She took a drag, inhaled, exhaled, feeling the effects of the drug almost immediately. Relaxing. Calming. Softening. Then she realized that Morgan was talking again.
"This is Min Li. She gives a great massage. You'll love it." He let her take another drag on the joint and then Kowalski held the glass to her mouth and tipped it just a little as she drank from it and then both of them moved away as Min Li stepped forward.