When we got to the hotel, the outside staff quickly got the van unloaded while the desk clerk (five feet of condensed cute) got us checked in.

Ready to head up to our rooms, I turned to Marlyn and said "If you don't mind, I would like for us to go over your plans for our trip this evening. I would be delighted if you would join us for supper in a few hours, after we've had time to rest from the flight, and clean up a little."

Marlyn answered "I was thinking the same thing, except for the dinner part – but I accept. What time would you like me here?"

I checked my watch to find that it was getting close to 3:00 PM. "How about seven o'clock, then?" I asked, and she readily agreed. I went on to say "I don't think we'll be going very far tonight. Do you think that we should ask Bhoy to stay?"

She thought it over, and answered "No, I don't think you need to. This is a good hotel, and there isn't any trouble around here. Just don't go more than a few blocks, and you should be fine – I think you know what places you will be safe in. Once we leave Manila, though, you will want to let Bhoy know what your plans are, since he can help you better than I can."

"Then that's what we'll do; thank you. We'll see you at seven, then?"

She nodded, and we parted company.

Up in our room, I tipped the bellboy when he'd unloaded our luggage, and he left happy – carefully closing the door behind him. Kelly and I both had a look around the rooms (it was actually a small suite) before both of us released a sigh of relief. I was the first to start undressing, but Kelly didn't hesitate to follow my example. In just a few moments, both of us were naked as we headed for the bed to lie down.

As the air conditioning dried the thin film of sweat from our bodies, Kelly looked at me and said "I couldn't believe that pile of garbage, and how all those people were digging through it! What were they doing there? And what about that place with all those shacks? I thought I saw some woman actually peeing behind a bush!"