ACT 2

ANOTHER DOOR OPENS

‘Hello, is this Mr Goodman, Nathan Goodman?’

It was a woman’s voice, a little husky. Nathan did not recognise the voice at all. Perhaps it was the hotel front desk calling him but they would use the hotel phone, not the mobile.

‘Yes,’ he replied tentatively.

‘Thank goodness. Have you just arrived from Melbourne on Qantas flight 451?’

Maybe it was the airline.

‘Yes.’

‘I don’t suppose you remember your seat number?’

Where was this heading? He wondered.

‘I’m sorry. Do you mind telling me what this is all about?’

‘Of course, sorry. I should have introduced myself. My name is Cassandra Roberts. I was on flight 451 and I think I took your overnight bag by mistake.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Nathan replied, sounding annoyed. ‘I’m looking at my bag right now. It is no more than three feet away from me.’

‘Is your bag a Samsonite?’

‘Yes.’

‘Silver with a grooved surface. Cosmolite?’

‘Yes, I’m staring it as we speak.’

‘I think you are actually looking at my bag. I have the same one and I was in seat 3A and must have taken yours instead of mine.’

Nathan recalled he was in 2A. Perhaps this woman was not a weirdo after all.

‘How can you be sure you’ve got mine?’ he asked.

‘I opened it of course, assuming it was my bag. I found your notebook, that’s how I got your name and number.’ Then she added, ‘I also found your socks, underwear and shirts. You are not a very neat packer, you know.’

Nathan laughed, he couldn’t help himself.

‘Okay, you’ve got my bag, but how do I know I’ve got yours?’

‘Easy, walk up to the bag, on the top just below where the handle comes up you will see a tag. It says ‘C. Roberts, 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank’.’

‘Okay, I can see it. Would you like me to open it and see just how neatly you pack?’

‘No, please don’t. I am sorry about my comment. Please don’t open my bag. It has very personal items inside. Please…,’ her voice was pleading.

‘Relax, just kidding. Of course I won’t open it.’

‘So how shall we do this? Do you want to meet somewhere to make the exchange?’ Cassandra’s voice was once again business-like.

‘I’m happy to bring the bag to you. Where are you staying?’

‘The Shangri La.’

‘I don’t believe it, so am I. Can I expect any more coincidences?’

‘Why don’t you find out? I am in Room 2814.’

‘See you in five.’

Was she coming on to him, Nathan wondered. Unlikely. Just being friendly and probably grateful that she had found her bag. He was single now, he could afford to have such thoughts. He put on his jacket and shoes, looked in the mirror, pleased with what he saw. He took the bag and headed to the elevator. He was on the twenty fourth floor and the ride took only a few seconds. After initially taking the wrong turn, once out of the elevator he finally found himself outside room 2814 and pressed the bell.

The door opened and it took all of Nathan’s willpower to suppress a gasp. Standing in the doorway was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen (and that included Sylvia). She looked to be in her mid to late thirties, tall, almost at his eye level, although she was wearing high heels. Her hair was jet black, worn in a pageboy style, her eyes were blue. She wore bright red lipstick and when she smiled, which she did as soon as she saw him, her perfect white teeth gleamed. Nathan wondered whether her parents had also paid for orthodontic treatment. She was dressed in white slacks, a light blue sweater over which was a white cardigan. She was breathtaking.

‘Come in please.’

Nathan entered. She had a suite, larger than his and with an even better view.

‘Here is your bag. Intact. Unopened, I promise.’

‘Yours is over there,’ she said pointing to his identical Samsonite standing by the side table. ‘I have put the notebook back. I didn’t touch anything else. I have to admit I was tempted to re-pack you properly but I resisted.’

Nathan laughed again.

Cassandra continued, ‘You don’t know how relieved I am to recover my bag. I was sure it was gone. It was probably my fault. I took your bag by mistake. But come to think of it, maybe you took mine by mistake.’

‘No, I think it was you. I was the last to leave the business class section, so you must have picked up mine. An understandable mistake. No harm done. Everything is back to its rightful owners.’

There was an awkward silence and Nathan assumed that his visit was over and was about to get his bag and leave when Cassandra said, ‘Would you like to sit down? Unless you are in a rush to go somewhere, we could have a drink. I’m buying. It is the least I can do. You came up all the way here to bring me my bag when it seems it was my fault all along.’

‘I’m in no rush, a drink sounds great,’ Nathan replied.

‘Let’s have a look at the mini bar. The Shangri La keeps theirs well stocked. What’s your poison?’

‘Scotch, single malt if there is one.’

‘I don’t believe it. That’s coincidence number three, that’s my drink too. Let’s see what we’ve got.’

Cassandra went over to the mini bar which was very well stocked. Nathan was pretty sure that the one in his room was not nearly as good.

‘We’re in luck. There is a fifteen year old Glenfiddich and a proper bottle, not miniature.’

‘I’ll pour,’ Nathan volunteered. He joined her at the bar, retrieved the bottle of Glenfiddich and poured two large measures into the glasses that were standing there. He did not ask about ice. It was after-all a single malt, never taken with ice.

‘Cheers,’ he said raising his glass.

‘Cheers,’ Cassandra replied raising hers.

They sat down on the small couch. Each took a sip of whisky and put the glasses on the coffee table.

‘Are you in Sydney for business or pleasure Nathan?’ Cassandra asked.

‘Business. A conference actually. Just two days.’

‘What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘I’m an accountant.’

Nathan thought he could detect a look of disappointment on Cassandra’s face. There was no one in the entire civilised world who considered accountancy to be a glamorous profession.

‘I’m a partner, it’s actually my firm,’ he added, attempting to retrieve the situation.

‘Do you have a business card with you? I could use a good accountant. You are good, aren’t you Nathan?’

‘Well, my firm does have a very good reputation,’ he replied handing her his business card.

‘Goodman and Partners. Well, well, looks like you are the chief honcho. I might just give you a call.’

‘And you, are you in Sydney on business or pleasure?’ he asked.

‘Business,’ Cassandra replied.

‘And what do you do, if you don’t mind me asking.’

‘Put it this way, my business could be your pleasure.’

Nathan did not respond. He thought he knew what she meant but was unsure and did not feel he could ask. The look on his face must have given him away.

‘Have you led a sheltered life Nathan? Was I being too obtuse, would you like me to spell it out?’

Nathan felt his face reddening.

‘No. No. I think I understand. Sorry, I’ve not met someone in that line of work before.’

Cassandra ignored that remark.

‘Are you married Nathan?’

‘Yes, actually, no. Well yes and no. I have been married to the one woman for thirty five years and she left me three months ago,’ he blurted it out without thinking. Why was he telling her this?

‘So you’re available Nathan? Just how successful is your firm, Goodman and Partners?’

Nathan was at a complete loss. Was she coming on to him or was she trying to sell her services. He felt his face reddening even more. He was frantically searching for a coherent reply but nothing came.

The silence was broken by Cassandra’s laugh.

‘Relax Nathan. I’m joking. Don’t be so serious. What did that wife of thirty five years do to you?’

Suddenly and without warning Nathan found himself tearing up. He had begun to sob. He realised how foolish he must look but could do nothing to stop it. Three months of repressed emotions seemed to be coming to the surface all at once. And in front of a total stranger, who also happened to be a beautiful looking prostitute. And suddenly as they started, the tears stopped. Nathan wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand.

‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I don’t usually cry. In fact I never cry. I don’t know what you must think of me.’

‘Do you want to know what I think of you Nathan?’

Nathan did not respond.

‘I’m going to tell you anyway. I think you are probably a good person who has been screwed over by a wife who probably never deserved you. I think you are a bit of a nerd. I bet I’m not the first person to tell you that. But boy, you’re good looking for your age, what are you, fifty five, sixty?’

‘Fifty seven,’ Nathan managed to mutter.

‘Then I’ll tell you something else Nathan. You look like a man who could use a good fuck. That I can give you. Give you, not sell you. Consider it gratitude for bringing me back my bag.’

Before he met Sylvia, Nathan had had sex with only two women. They were teenagers, not fully fledged women. In the thirty five years with Sylvia, there had never been anyone else and in the three months since their separation, no one at all.

Nathan felt like pinching himself to make sure he was not dreaming. Her offer was too good to refuse, whatever her motives. The thought of sexually transmitted diseases vaguely crossed his mind and the knowledge that he did not have a Viagra with him was acutely on his mind.

The first matter was resolved by Cassandra finally opening her Samsonite bag. She removed a black leather box, lifted the lid to reveal what looked like two dozen condoms. The second matter resolved itself. To his disbelief and delight, Nathan felt an erection forming and within a few minutes his penis felt harder than it had for years.

‘Take your clothes off. I’ll be back in a minute.’ Cassandra went into what Nathan assumed was the bathroom. He undressed, put his clothes neatly on the chair. He left his boxer shorts on which by now had the appearance of a small tent.

Five minutes later Cassandra returned. She was wearing a white robe, partially see through and it was obvious that she had nothing on underneath. In her right hand she held a large yellow sponge from which a few drops of water were dripping.

‘I said undress… that includes the boxers too.’

Nathan did as he was told.

‘What have we here? Have you been self-medicating Nathan? Did you come up here with evil intent?’

Nathan could only stammer a reply. ‘No, I haven’t. Of course not. It’s all me. I find it hard to believe myself.’

Cassandra smiled.

‘Lie down and let me take care of you.’

Nathan lay on his back on the bed. Cassandra proceeded to use the sponge all over his body. Nathan could detect a faint perfume coming from the sponge. Once that task was complete, Cassandra put the sponge down on the bedside table and with a skilful motion, removed her robe. She was beautiful enough with her clothes on but with them off she was something else again. Her breasts were perfectly formed, not too large. Her nipples were pink. Her pubic hair was black and trimmed to a narrow vertical strip. Nathan remembered once reading about various styles of pubic hair. This he suspected was the cricket pitch. Cassandra was leaning over him, a knee to either side of his body. As she leaned forwards her breasts swayed slightly.

Nathan’s desire was now almost unbearable. She kept leaning forwards and started to move her lips all over his body, kissing him gently, everywhere but on the mouth, he noticed. She made her way slowly down and then took him in her mouth, running her tongue over the glans of his penis. Nathan was sure that he would explode into her mouth. Just then she pulled back. She obviously knew what she was doing, Nathan thought. After all she was a professional. She turned him over and her lips played over his back, his buttocks, and the back of his legs. She was in control and Nathan just went with the flow. This was the exact reverse of Nathan’s maxim about sex. She was doing all the work and he was just lying there.

While Cassandra did not have the athleticism that Sylvia had, she had a serene stillness about her, as if she was moving in slow motion. Just when Nathan felt he could not hold out any longer, Cassandra took his penis and while kneeling over him, inserted it into her and began a slow rhythmic thrusting movement. Her hair and breasts were swaying in time with her body and her face had a dreamy look about it, her eyes half closed and the sides of her mouth curled up in a slight smile.

Nathan gave up fighting it and climaxed and as he did, Cassandra tilted forwards, her torso lying on him. She was making soft moaning sounds as she lay on top of him.

Nathan wondered whether she too had had an orgasm. He realised that he really didn’t care. Sylvia demanded one every time they had sex and Nathan had to work hard for her to achieve that. Only once she’d had an orgasm would she allow Nathan his.

This was different. Cassandra was there to please him. He assumed she derived some enjoyment from the experience too but this was her profession and for all he knew, the moaning sounds were for his benefit only.

As it is with most men, once Nathan had finished, he was ready to move on. He had learned over the years that this was not acceptable behaviour and Sylvia had always demanded a few minutes of what she called ‘cuddle time’ at the end of intercourse and Nathan obliged.

Cassandra obviously did not need any cuddle time. After thirty seconds she sat up, dismounted from Nathan, reached for the sponge which she used to clean them both up and said ‘I’m starving Nathan. I haven’t had dinner. What about you?’

Nathan realised that he too had missed dinner but was not feeling particularly hungry. Nevertheless he said, ‘No, I haven’t had dinner. I think I may have skipped lunch too. Yes, I could eat.’

‘It’s eight thirty. I think room service, don’t you?’

‘Okay with me.’

‘Grab the menu Nathan. It’s over there on the side table.’

Nathan got off the bed, walked the few steps to the side table, picked up the room service menu, opened it and asked, ‘What would you like to eat Cassandra?’

‘I could go for a steak,’ she replied.

‘What have they got?’

‘There is a whole page on steaks here,’ he said looking at the menu.

‘Which one would you like?’

‘Eye-fillet, rare for me.’

‘Sounds good. I’ll have one too. Would you like me to order?’

‘Could you. Put it on my room. My treat. Oh, and check out the mini bar. If there isn’t a decent red there, order that too. A Shiraz if that’s okay with you.’

‘There is a 2007 Heathcote Shiraz in the mini bar,’ Nathan called out. ‘Will that do?’

‘Perfect.’

Nathan dialled room service and ordered the two steaks, one rare and one medium. They came with roasted vegetables and a garden salad.

Twenty-five minutes later there was a knock at the door.

‘Room service.’

Nathan was still naked. He pulled the doona up to his chin. Cassandra had already put on her robe which was done up and opened the door. Two waiters in white jackets wheeled in a table, spent the next five minutes setting up their meals, not once glancing towards Nathan who was lying in bed, hoping he was invisible.

‘Thank you,’ said Cassandra as she signed the docket and the waiters left.

‘Let’s eat.’

Nathan got out of bed, put on his boxers and they both sat at the table, opposite each other. Cassandra unscrewed the wine bottle and poured two glasses. She held up one of the glasses and said, ‘Here’s to coincidence.’

‘To coincidence,’ Nathan echoed, holding up his glass.

They ate in silence. Nathan realised he was hungry and could see that Cassandra was too. She was devouring her steak which was rare, almost raw. Small rivulets of blood were running down her chin as she ate and she kept wiping them with her white napkin. They finished two-thirds of the bottle of red with the meal. Nathan was sated and a little woozy from the wine. They got up from the table. Cassandra sat down on the edge of the bed. Nathan was not sure what to do. Should he dress and leave? Should he stay a little longer? What was the protocol in this situation? He was ready for bed. To sleep.

Cassandra solved his dilemma by tapping on the bed with her hand, indicating that Nathan should sit down next to her, which he did.

‘How was that for you?’ she asked with a mischievous smile.

‘Good, great,’ he replied. He realised he sounded pathetic. ‘Really, I enjoyed every moment of it,’ he said. Then he added, ‘I hope you did too.’

Cassandra did not reply at first. She looked at him.

‘What do you want me to say Nathan? That it was fantastic for me too? That you are such a wonderful lover? This is my job Nathan. How much do you enjoy doing your clients’ tax returns?’

Nathan was momentarily taken aback by her answer. She had a way of unnerving him. He thought the best response was no response at all, so he stayed silent.

Then Cassandra put her arm around him, put her mouth to his ear and said in a whisper, ‘I did enjoy it Nathan. I don’t usually but I did with you. There is something about you Nathan, a sort of helplessness that I find endearing. And I don’t mind your looks at all. I think I like you a bit, Nathan Goodman.’

Nathan felt he had to say something. He could hardly say ‘I like you too,’ that would sound pathetic. Instead he said ‘Thank you Cassandra. This has been a most wonderful evening for me.’

‘It’s Cassie, I’m Cassie to my friends. You are my friend Nathan, aren’t you?’

‘I’d like to be,’ he replied.

‘Okay, that’s settled. Now I think it’s time for you to get dressed and head back to your room. I need eight hours sleep or I’m a zombie and you’ve got your conference tomorrow. Where is it?’

‘It’s right here in the hotel .In the conference centre.’

‘Very convenient. Maybe we’ll run into each other again, but if not, take this.’

Cassie reached into her handbag which was on the floor next to the bed. She pulled out a card and handed it Nathan. He took the card from her. It was black. In the centre of the card was the letter C in gold and under it was her mobile number, nothing else.

‘Thanks Cassandra, I mean Cassie.’

Nathan dressed, slipped the card into his trouser pocket, and gave Cassie a peck on the cheek, said goodbye and left. He heard ‘Call me’ as he went out the door.

The conference started at 9 am. Nathan ordered a wake-up call for 7.45 am. He jumped out of bed. He felt refreshed. He hadn’t slept so well in months. He shaved, showered, dressed and was down at breakfast by 8.15 am. He managed some fruit and had two cups of black coffee and a third cup outside the conference hall where he caught up with some colleagues from Melbourne and interstate.

At 9.05 the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation rose to give the keynote address at the conference. His talk was the main reason Nathan was at the conference. James Peabody was known as a brilliant economist and an excellent speaker and Nathan was looking forward to hearing what he had to say. Peabody thanked the Conference Convenor for his kind introduction and then proceeded to detail the Tax Department’s plans for the next twelve months, which trades and professions they were going to concentrate their efforts on. It was an important speech.

Nathan could see the man speak, could hear that words were coming out of his mouth but did not take in anything that was being said. His mind drifted to the evening before which replayed itself like a movie, starting with that first phone call and ending with the words ‘Call me’ as he left Cassie’s room. In the morning it all felt like a dream.

Nathan’s view on life was that most of it could be controlled, planned. But last night, there was one coincidence after another. The switched bags which just happened to be identical. What were the odds? The same hotel. The sex, his mind lingered on that, as the words kept leaving James Peabody’s mouth, transfixing everyone in the room except for Nathan. He could see and feel Cassie as he relived their sexual encounter.

He had never given prostitutes much thought before. The only example he had ever come across were the girls on the street in St Kilda, approaching cars as they cruised by. He thought of prostitutes, if he thought of them at all, as dirty, often drug addicted, plying their trade to feed their drug habit.

But Cassie. She was far removed from that stereotype. She was beautiful, smart, and obviously successful, she could afford a much better hotel room than he could.

He then began to wonder, how did she end up where she was? What road had she taken? She said she liked him. He wasn’t too sure about that. He realised that he did have some feelings for her, not just the sex. He would love to know her story.

There was loud applause from all over the room, the speech was over. Nathan applauded too. It was question time and they would break for coffee.