“No first names?”
Melchior considered this carefully, they were there as Johnson and Terrell. He didn’t want to blow it so he wanted to play it safe, not knowing what the real Johnson and Terrell were named.
“Not tonight, babe,” he said with a wink.
“A man of mystery,” said the blonde, to the redhead.
Melchior elbowed Robbie who cleared his throat and said, “So, what are your names?”
The blonde said, “I’m Roberts and she’s McClelland. No first names for you, no first names for us,” she said with a sly laugh.
Then Feng Mien came with a large tray and said, “Would you care to eat your dinner with the ladies?”
He looked at them and McClelland said, “Only if they share.”
“Deal,” said Melchior.
“Very good, Mr. Johnson,” said Feng Mien,and she arranged the plate of duck and the salads on the table.
As they ate and chatted, Robbie began to come out of his shell a little bit. McClelland even seemed to be taking a liking to him. After their plates were cleared and the band finished their set, the maitre ‘d approached their table.
“Mr. Johnson and Mr. Terrell, I hope your evening has been to your liking. I see you’ve made some new friends. Delightful!”
“We’re having a wonderful time Mr.–”
“Li,sir.”
“Yes, thank you. It’s been a very interesting evening.”
“Mr. Wo, your esteemed host, would like a private audience with you. If you would come this way.”
Robbie looked at Melchior sternly, and for the first time that evening, Melchior began to feel uneasy.
“Can you show me to the bathroom?” said Robbie suddenly.
“Of course,” said Li. “I’ll come find you when you are ready, but I ask you, do not keep Mr. Wo waiting for long. He has much work to do tonight. The men’s room is on the other side of the bar. I can show you if–”
“No, we got it,” said Robbie, and he took Melchior by the arm and began to pull him through the crowd.
When they got to the men’s room, Robbie shut the door and locked it.
“This has gone too far, Mel! I’m stopping this right now. We have our visas, and we have our phones.” He pulled out his phone. “Great, no bars! Whatever! We can find our way back to our car and get out of here.”
“Ok. Ok. I get it. This is getting scary, I know,” said Melchior, calmly. “Ok, if you really want to leave, then let’s leave.”
“Thank you,” he said, with visible relief on his face.
He unlocked the door and we headed for the entrance. Two men were standing by the door. One looked at the other and then stepped in front of them.
“Mr. Johnson? Mr. Terrell? Mr. Wo is waiting for you.”
They turned around and Li was waiting for them, “Come, come, he is waiting.”
David Wilson-Burns 