I suppose this
qualifies as a “
“Welcome to the
Pleasure Dome”
By Joseph Manno
She knocked.
His door slid open,
and Molly Ainsworth took in Brett King.
As usual, it required
a double take.
He wore what she
wagered was, for him, normal bedtime attire: white boxers covered in valentine
hearts, and a black t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “FRANKIE SAY RELAX.”
“Look,” she said, “you’ve
been very sweet and clever… but for a
lot of reasons, it’s not going to happen. So just… stop. OK?”
He smiled, a little
sadly, and replied, “As you were, Lieutenant.
“You know… alone?”
The door closed.
Molly stood there for
a long moment.
Then, she knocked
again.