"Sir, Sir? We've landed, you have to deplane now."
I turn to look out of the window and notice that we were sitting on the tarmac in Las Vegas, the lights shimmering through the desert night heat. I try to gather myself, rolling my neck and feeling the tension that has become a constant over the course of the past few days. Looking up I see that the plane is almost empty now, the majority of the 200 plus people managed to walk by me without waking me up. I smile sarcastically to myself, knowing that I could most likely sleep through a crash landing. Sleep has been a luxury as of late, one that I could not afford due to the ridiculous hours I have been putting in at work, trying to make partner.
Giving my eyes a quick rub and feeling the onset of a rough five o'clock shadow, I manage to get up out of my row and give myself a quick stretch as I grab my briefcase and laptop bag out of the overhead compartment and head to the door. Trudging up the jet-way I realize how these two items have become an involuntary extension of my body, never more than a foot or two away from me. Here I am, in Las Vegas, meeting friends for a long scheduled weekend of golf and beer and sun, and I am carrying a portable office. How sad. We had said no work, no wives, just a few college buddies getting together for an impromptu reunion, and here I am bringing both. My work has become my professional and personal life, costing me any chance I had for a relationship with several women who tried to compete with my job. Fuck it, I will have a good time when I can with the guys and do a few hours worth of work when I get the chance, I am sure they will understand.
Walking through the terminal in a half daze, I start to lighten realizing that I will get to spend some time with a few friends, have a few drinks and laughs and hopefully re-center myself a little. Years ago, while in university, the group of us decided that every few years we would meet up with each other and have a guys weekend, just to try and relive our glory days. This time around it was Brad's turn to book, and he chose Vegas. Should be fun to watch at the very least I think to myself and can't help but smile. Trying to shrug off the last of the work fog I have been in, I look for the sign pointing the way to baggage claim and follow the throngs of retired couples and hopeful gamblers already chatting about what they plan to do with their winnings.
Luckily my bag was one of the first to come around on the carousel and I grab it and start to look for Brad. He arrived earlier in the day and had called saying that he would meet me at the airport so we could have a beer on our way in before we check into our hotel. I don't see him, so I decide I have a minute to have a quick smoke before I look for him again. Stepping through the sliding doors, the dry heat of the desert assaults me and I realize it is going to be one hell of a hot weekend, oh well, beats the hell out of a New Brunswick winter, even if only for a few days. Lighting my smoke I look at the mass of humanity pouring out of the airport into waiting taxis, shuttles and quite a few limos. I make a mental note to make sure to book a limo for our next trip, it being my turn to schedule and think the guys would get a real kick out of being picked up by one.
Butting my cigarette out I head back into the terminal and resume my search for Brad, not wanting to make him wait too long for me. I wander a little looking for a familiar face and end up crossing the path of a slightly older gentleman holding a placard with my name on it. I stop and tell him who I am and he tells me that he is there to pick me up. I tell him that my friend had told me he was coming for me.
"Mr Brad wanted me to apologize for him not coming but asked me to come get you for him." the chauffeur replied.
Nice, I think to myself, too busy having a good time to come meet me, good friend.
"Alright, well I guess we should get going" I say realizing that I really wanted to grab a beer on the way in order to officially start my mini-vacation, but that would not happen now.
We head out of the terminal into the heat again and I light up another smoke, partially out of frustration and head to the front of the line of cars.
"Do you still enjoy Corona?" the driver asks.
I answer affirmatively with a laugh realizing that my friend may not be the complete asshole I just chalked him up to be, at least sending a few beer with the driver. We stop next to a black stretch limo and the driver opens the back door and I cannot help but laugh out loud. The prick beat me to the punch sending a limo since he wasn't coming to meet me. I step on my cigarette as my bags are placed in the trunk, including my laptop and briefcase. No work on the ride into town, I will give myself that.
I slide into the seat, immediately surprised to see another person in the limo sitting all the way at the front looking back at me. I come to the immediate realization that the limo is most likely from the hotel we are booked in and that they would be picking up multiple guests. Oh well, beats a cab, whatever. As my eyes adjust to the dimness in the limousine I realize that the person sitting across from me is a gorgeous brunette. I smile and nod hello and she returns my smile warmly. The door shuts and I think to myself that I don't really think I will mind the drive, cold Corona and some beautiful company.
"So, are you staying at the hotel as well?" I ask, realizing how unsmooth I must sound.
"No." she answered and just looked out the window as the limo lurched out of the parking lot.
Okay I think to myself, that could have gone a little better, as I reach forward and grab a beer out of the fridge. I offer her one as well and sit back and enjoy a long sip of ice cold beer. I wonder out loud how long the ride to the hotel will take.
The driver answers that it usually takes a little over an hour but "There is some bad traffic coming in so it may take a little longer tonight."
I take a long pull off my beer and ask my new companion if she minds if I had a smoke.
She says "Of course not as long as you have one for me as well." and graces me with a stunning smile.
I lean forward to light her cigarette and lean back and light my own, opening the moonroof. The driver closes the partition and it is just the two of us sitting alone in the back now.
"I am Lucia." the brunette tells me.
"Colin." I answer back realizing my rudeness for not introducing myself.
"What are you doing in Las Vegas?" The comely brunette asked, and I told her about my weekend plans.
"Sounds like a good time." she tells me as I nod, exhaling smoke out towards the moonroof.
"I sure hope so, I need to blow off some steam." I respond.