"Right away." The bell hop left.

"Room looks just the same as it did five years ago. Doesn't it, honey?" He picked up some underwear and stowed it in the dresser.

"No. They've done it all over. New drapes, new carpet, new furniture. Even the bed's in a different place."

"Well, it seems like the same place. It's the same room and everything."

"It's a hotel room, Carl, like all the others." She ran a hand through her short black hair.

"You didn't think that the first time we were here."

"That was five years ago. On our honeymoon."

"You liked it then."

"I'd have liked a sleeping bag on the ground, Carl." She rose, came around the bed to him and gave him a short kiss, just touching lips Brenda was short, her body sleek; very trim, breasts like apples, and just about as firm. Dark eyes, her olive skin heavily tanned, face lean, alert. "And you wouldn't have knowing the difference between a sleeping bag and Buckingham Palace."

"Yeah." He smiled at the memory.

"Christ, you were all hands and arms… and stiff cock, too." She turned and walked to the dresser.

"It'll be like that again, Brenda. You'll see. We'll get the magic back. The prick magic."

"We'll see." She put some of her clothes into the drawer, carefully separating her, clothes from her husband's. "This whole trip was your idea."

"Look, I had the time coming, and got that bonus, so it seemed like a good idea." He tossed his socks on top of his underwear.

"I just hope it is." Brenda lit a cigarette and took a very deep drag, holding the smoke.

"It will be. You'll see. We'll have a great time."

Brenda let the smoke out very slowly. "Maybe."

"Just try to enjoy it, Brenda. We haven't been away for a long time. Too long."