At about 12:30 Andrew asked Gail and I if we wanted to accompany Charlene and himself into Monte Carlo for a few hours. It was a about a 45 minute drive, he’d do some quick business and then lunch there. I thought it would be great. Gail declined saying she was enjoying the pool and that she would be in Monte Carlo all next week. Charlene also withdrew because she had been hoping Gail would join her in some shopping. Andrew said,
“Well, I guess I can go it alone,” and started to get his things together.
Then looking across to me, he said, “How about it Rian, you feel like coming along.”
“Actually, I wouldn’t mind. Honey would you mind if I popped off to Monte Carlo for a few hours?”
Then grinning I quickly said, “It felt very chic to say that.”
They all smiled and Gail replied, “No Ri, of course I don’t mind. Take the cell with you.”
So Andrew and I bade the group adieu kissed our respective wives and off we went. As we were approaching our rooms we heard a phone ringing. Only when I opened the door did I realize it was our phone. Andrew headed off to change and I took the call. A director of or company was calling from Chile. It seems that our Paris client had decided to complete the transaction I had presented. The call was to ask me a few more questions about our meeting, and to see if I was available in the event it was necessary to return to Paris. I asked a few questions of the Directorwhich he was unable to answer.
“Rian he bellowed, wait there a few minutes. I’ll try to get answers from Gonzalo or I will have him call you back.”
He didn’t ask me to wait, it was an order. I quickly ran over to Andrews’s room and told him what had happened.
“If I know Gonzalo, he won’t be easy to find, it may take a while.”
“Well I can’t say I’m not disappointed but, it happens. I’ll see you guys this evening and off he went.
I returned to the room. It was a good twenty minutes before Gonzalo called and we hashed over the options and decided that he would get back to me the next day.
I put my swimsuit back on and proceeded downstairs to the pool. Rounding the hallway from the elevators into the lobby I noticed Gail standing in the doorway speaking with Karl. I was walking slowly enough to spin around and return to the elevator without being seen. I returned to the room wondering if Gail had been making plans to meet Karl.
Once in the room I felt like a fool. So what do I do, I thought, sit here. I was about to leave when I looked at the small closet door near the entry. I opened it. We had our suitcases stacked inside and only my raincoat was hanging. I walked in and closed the door. Looking through the louvers I could see into the room. But, I could only look down. The most I could see was near the closet to the sitting arrangement. I took the suitcases off the shelf and placed them in a corner on the floor and I stood up on the suitcase rack. Now, looking through the louvers I could see the bed, balcony, chairs, everything except into the bathroom. I could even see the entry door. I was standing full height, I could lean on the wall and still look out, and I was looking through the very top two louver spaces, looking down.