It was new, clean and looked more like a collectible boutique than an adult store. It had caught my attention on this Saturday morning as I was out running errands. I stopped in and was just beginning to browse when a feminine voice asked, "Is there something special you are looking for or are you open to suggestions?"
"Well, I guess I am listening," I replied.
"Take care of yourself first and everything else will fall into place."
"Um, what do you mean?" I asked hesitantly.
The girl reached into a bag she was carrying, lifted out a small bottle, sort of "presented" it between the two of us and continued, "If your stimulate and harness your own libido then you will naturally be more attractive to your woman, and that begins a re-enforcing cycle that will enhance the environment for both of you."
A bit confusing, yet intriguing. By now I had noticed that the girl was close to my age, tall, fairly attractive and looked somewhat familiar. I pushed her product presentation over into a corner of my mind and responded, "Hey, as you were speaking it dawned on me that you are somewhat familiar. Do we know each other?"
"Sort of," she replied. "I think we were in the same business class at State University two years ago, but I am surprised you remember me. My name is Jane, and though it quickly dawned on me where I knew you from, I can't place your name."
"Hal. Thanks for connecting those dots...and now back to your sales pitch."
"It really wasn't much of a sales pitch. I was simply trying to explain how you might enhance your perceived attractiveness to your partner." Jane took the closed bottle, turned in upside-down against her middle finger and continued, "When you place a dab of this liquid behind your ear it has a positive influence on your sex drive and ability to perform. Think of it as a combination pheromone and Viagra. It stimulates your confidence and your actual abilities."
"That sounds quite interesting, but I don't have a steady girlfriend at the moment," was my weak response.
"Not to worry. Your improved confidence level will make you somewhat more effective in meeting new people," explained Jane. "Look, try this small bottle for a month and if you don't like the results bring it back and I will simply give you your money back."
The price turned out to be a bit steep, but I was fascinated by the potential and, besides, the sales pitch had already won me over. Jane gave me some instructions regarding how and when to apply the liquid and how long it was effective (roughly eight hours). I left the shop and finished my errands before heading home.
During the drive home it registered that my visit to the new boutique (I think I like referring to it that way. It has a better ring than "adult store.") had been pretty short and I really had not even looked over their selection of enhancers, vibrators and super-vibrators. Oh well, now I had an excuse to visit again another day.
As I retell this story I am still impressed with my improved mental acuity. It must be an unintended consequence of the liquid, but I remember all kinds of detail that would have totally escaped me in the past. It is a shame I got my degree and am back working in the real world. This kind of recall would have been very helpful while getting my MBA, or any time in school for that matter.
Home alone and pondering Saturday night I was now anxious to use a bit of the liquid and see what the results might be. I had a late afternoon snack, showered, dressed and prepared to head out for a couple of drinks at Shelby's, the local watering hole. I dabbed a bit of liquid on my right index finger, applied it gently behind my right ear, rubbed it in and then following Jane's instructions thoroughly washed any residue off my finger.
At Shelby's I spotted some of the gang I sorta hang out with and joined them at a circular corner booth. Connie slid over to make room for me on the 9 o'clock side of the booth. The others present included Danny, George, Marilyn and Tanya. I had done my MBA with Tanya and George and had only met the others here at Shelby's.
The evening was warm and a margarita with salt sounded good to me. Actually it was a Texas sized glass with quite a few ounces of refreshment contained within. The snacks were good and all things pointed to a rather uneventful Saturday evening shooting the breeze with uncoupled acquaintances while savoring a tequila buzz.
Now it probably should have surprised me when Connie's hand found its way onto my thigh while we were all chuckling over the limp punch line of Danny's joke about oversexed geese. However, I chose not to overtly respond and simply continued in the table banter. People came and went from the table as the need to pee was strengthened by several beverage re-orders. The nature of a corner circular booth is that only the end occupants had easy egress, so there was frequent sliding and shifting of positions as people departed and returned.
Somehow during the movement I found myself more in the middle of the circle (farthest away from the end). Connie remained on my left, but now Marilyn was immediately on my right...and she kept brushing her left breast against my arm and nestling her leg tightly against my own.
Let me stop for a minute and clarify a couple of items. First, while I see Connie and Marilyn occasionally at Shelby's, I had no previous relationship with either, other than as friends. Second, while I am not a bad looking guy, I would definitely not describe myself as a stud and I don't have any special abilities (like licking my eyebrows) that would prove an attraction to women. Third, while they were not with dates on this particular Saturday, Connie and Marilyn were both attractive in their own way.