Paper lanterns hung from the trees and incense impregnated candles filled the air with their musky scent. From unseen speakers a woman sang in a softly lilting language unknown to Han and a river burbled close by.
Taking a seat beneath a palm tree the two brothers beckoned the bar man to their table.
“I have no idea what to order so I’ll happily to leave it to you,” smiled Han magnanimously.
Leo nodded and with perfect fluency ordered them drinks in the native tongue. Not long after the man reappeared with a tray bearing multiple shot glasses of unnamed alcohol and a bowl piled high with plantain chips, a basket of miniature flat breads and some sort of rice dish.
Without skipping a beat Han reached out and grabbed a shot glass of eye watering grog.
“No, no!” said Leo. “You must eat first. Else your stomach may bleed.”
“What the fuck?” cried Han holding out the drink as though it were poison, which indeed it was in a manner of speaking.
“There’s nothing to worry about as long as you eat first,” said Leo reassuringly.
“Oh. Ok,” said Han. Dubiously he took a bite of bread. “What is that stuff anyhow?”
“It’s called Qo long ti. It’s a traditional drink made from venomous snakes and tree sap. Extremely good for the blood, eyesight… and sex drive,” added Leo with a wink.
“Wo, wo, woah!” said Han holding up his hand. “Snakes? You expect me to drink snake poison vodka? No way!”
“It’s not that bad. It’s actually nicer than vodka,” Leo said swallowing his first shot. “And trust me. Where we’re going shortly you’ll be glad of every little drop.”
“What does that mean?” mumbled Han, his mouth full of coconut rice.
“You’ll see,” muttered Leo knocking back his second shot.
Several shots later Leo announced it was time to go and after settling their bill the two brothers made their way along the dark road agreeing that they would pick up the car the next day.
“So where we going now?” asked Han slurring his words slightly. “And how come you didn’t sing happy birthday to me yet?”
Leo laughed and pointed to the house just ahead of them. A young woman stood waiting on the front porch.
“Maybe I’ll sing later,” he said. “That’s where we’re going. We’re going to take part in a little yoga. Vivistra Kama to be exact.”
Han said nothing. This was just what he’d come to expect from Leo. Eccentric to the last. He followed him up the garden path in silence shaking his head at the evening’s unfortunate lack of strippers.
Once inside the girl at the door directed them to a large room at the back of the house where the floor was covered with thick spongy matting. A line of four girls followed them in, each wearing a silver kimono style robe. Along the walls flickering candles threw down their amber light from wrought iron sconces. The warm glow made the girls appear even more beautiful; if that was even possible. They were all stunning.
To Han however, one stood out dramatically from the rest. She was simply exquisite, with catlike eyes framed by thick long lashes. She moved with cat like grace too as though she belonged somewhere out on the savannah stalking prey. Her skin was a smooth deep mahogany and her hair the colour of polished jet. And her mouth! Oh God! Her mouth was something else. It was sensuously curved with a hint of amusement, her soft lips an alluring shade of dusky pink. They were parted fractionally, just enough for Han to get a glimpse of pure white teeth and the tip of the baby pink tongue that rested on them. For some reason it gave him a jolt of pleasure that took several minutes to dissipate.