Read The Pleasure Room for Free Online

the doors opened, Felicity was more than happy to take in a breath of fresh air.
    “Ugh, that has to be one of the worst elevator rides I've had this week... this month,” Felicity said once she was at her desk, removing her coat.
    “Wha haffen'd?” Allison asked, her words muffled by the garlic and cream cheese bagel she was eating.
    Felicity turned to her and chuckled. “You know you're not supposed to talk with your mouth full.”
    Allison flashed her the middle finger, then gestured for her to spill the beans.
    “Nothing big, just someone let it loose on the elevator and it was one of those silent and deadly ones. I could have done without smelling that this morning,” Felicity said as she settled in at her desk.
    “Oh, that's all.” Allison had swallowed her bite and was going for another.
    “Yeah... so about the equipment. Do you have it with you?”
    “No Harriet... or is it Veronica?”
    Felicity frown, confused. “What? Who?”
    Allison sighed. “ Harriet the Spy ... Veronica Mars ...any of that connecting?”
    “I've never watched those shows.”
    “Lame,” Allison remarked.
    “Nerd,” Felicity countered.
    “Anyway, he's going to bring it by my place tonight, which ugh, I don't want to be bothered with,” Allison said with a frown.
    “I know. I got that much from your hateful text message.”
    “Yeah, and I meant every word,” Allison joked.
    “Sure you did. All right then, I'll just come to your place later before I hit the club.”
    “You're really going through with this? How do you know he'll even be there or you'll ever see him?”
    “I think I'm going to have to immerse myself in the scene. You know, go often enough, maybe he'll see me and take interest.”
    “Ooooh, ain't you vain. Thinking this man is just going to see your vanilla ass standing looking goofy and lost and think 'that's the one for me'.”
    “Bitch, shut up.”
    “Oh, look at you. You sound so cute when you try to be tough. Now, don't you get testy cause I made fun of your crazy-ass plan,” Allison said, complete with hand motions and jingling bracelets.
    “Well, do you have a better idea?”
    “Drop it and find another story to tell to get you to the top. One that doesn't involve all this shit.”
    “No can do. I'm already committed. I've got to see this through... at least until I know I'm barking up the wrong tree.”
    Allison huffed. “You know I have your back. I'm just worried for you.”
    “I know. I'll be fine. So, tonight?”
    “Yeah, if he brings the stuff, it's tonight.”
    “Cool.” Felicity turned around and got started on her work for the day. Not that it wasn't going to be difficult. Her mind kept going back to the club as if she'd left a piece of herself in that place. Just what was it about 'A Porterhouse Elm” that captivated her so? She shook her head and continued typing up her human interest story. She was going to have to call the school for more details about their new lunch program before she could complete it. She had to admit to herself, one of the reasons she was so gun-ho for this story was because it wasn't boring.
     
    ~*~
     
    Felicity dashed out of the shower, running into her bedroom and snatched up her cell from the bed, answering it.
    “Hello?” she asked, slightly breathlessly.
    “The jerk brought the shit, so come and get it,” Allison said.
    “And a good evening to you, too, Allison,” Felicity shot back.
    “Spare me, I just got into a big ass argument with this asshole over some boots, girl. Some old, raggedy-ass, crusty-ass boots that he claimed he left over here. He was all like; 'they're my lucky pair'.”
    “So what happened to them?” Felicity asked with a chuckle.
    “Girl, I threw them boots away. Fuck him!”
    Felicity's little chuckle grew into full blow wailing laughter. “Allie, you're a hot mess.”
    “This man works my nerves, you don't understand . Just anything his feeble mind can think of to ruffle my feathers.”
    “And you always let him.