MyStandIN: Back to Joe (alternate ending)

2- A private massage (NC)

New day, same old scene. 

Sword stroke after stroke, battle after battle, the stuntmen and I were sweatier today. A hubbub in the room. 10 A.M. Tong came earlier than usual on set. He usually appeared after noon. Guess he would get his revenge today, in any kind of way, publicly or privately. I was more alert than the other days. Surprisingly, no big words, no threats, since he came on set. However I could feel his gaze on me. As his standin, I knew he always had an eye on me. I always thought he wanted everything to appear perfect on screen. I have to admit I'm puzzled now. Joe, don't let it get to your head ! People like him are masters in manipulation. Keep a cool head if you want to get what you want from him. As I gained my composure back, our eyes met. He didn't even try to hide it. This would surely be a long day !

After five takes, we were done. Relieved, the whole crew was squealed with joy. The day was over at 3pm, what a relief. In this hustle and bustle, a hand on my shoulder.

- Well done Joe, much better than yesterday!, Tong congratulated me.

The first time he had ever paid me a compliment. I was startled.

- Let's grab something together, the food is on me!, he suggested.

I couldn't remember the last time I ate at the same table as Tong. Was he plotting something cunning? I had to keep the situation under control. I declined the invitation, while others looked forward to a well-deserved meal, disappearing behind their shouts.

I wanted to take advantage of Tong, of all the benefits he could provide, both in terms of career and material things...nevertheless I was afraid of getting caught up in my own game. He was better at this type of games as I ever would be, but I was stuck in a rut. Realizing that I was lost in my thoughts again, I hurried to the locker room. Nothing suspicious. I quickly took a shower, changed into my street clothes, before heading to my routine. As soon as I got out of the studio, I heard a female voice calling out to my name.

- Joe... Joe wait!

A young woman run to me, held out her hand to give me an envelope.

- Tong left something for you!, his assistant informed me.

Her phone rang, she quickly gestured, rushed inside. Puzzled, I opened the envelope. A voucher for a massage in a 4-star hotel, a few streets away. My whole body was aching after two days of shooting. I really couldn't refuse.

The hotel was just as I'd imagined it. Lots of lights, high ceilings, giant paintings, huge bunches of flowers, refined customers... in a word, everything I wasn't used to. At the reception desk, I handed in my voucher. The receptionist smile, before escorting me through the long and fragrant corridors to an upstairs room. As she opened the door, I could smell the scent of wild orchids. The main room was twice as big as mine with large grey couches, a wonderful view of the city. A violet welcome cocktail was waiting for me on the coffee table in the middle of the room, not far from a beige massage table. I was looking forward to this bit of relaxation after these last intense forty eight hours.

- Please make yourself comfortable sir! The masseuse will arrive in 20min.

- Did anyone... someone.. give you any instructions... Say they'd be joining me?

- No, noone Sir!, she smiled, leaving the room.

Delighted, but somewhat skeptical, I put my things on the floor, walked around, looking for... I didn't even know what. Slowly I entered a very cosy bedroom with pastel colours, thin lace curtains, opening onto a large equipped bathroom. No signs of Tong or anyone else. I wore one of the bathrobes lying on the bed, slowly sipped my drink under the air-conditioning, my sight lost on the wonderful view. Heavenly!

The door rang. A young and neat woman entered with some massage instruments. The experts were usually older. She quickly placed her belongings by the table, shyly left the without a word. A few minutes later, an elderly lady arrived, at last I felt reassured. She beckoned me to lie down while she got ready. As I laid on the table, head on my forearms, she put on some music. Perfumed oil on my dry kin, her hands took care of me. My body was aching and tense. I really needed this. The back and forth of her fingers, the pressure on my neck, my back. I almost fell asleep.

After about twenty minutes, she made a short break. I heard water running for a few minutes, the delicate notes of some relaxing music. She came back. Her hands were colder, giving me goosebumps. From that moment on, she put more pressure on my muscles. Her movements, which had been concentrated on my painful areas, extended to my whole body. My neck, my ears, my arms, from gentle to strong. My legs, then my toes, before returning to my lower back.

More oil on my body. The music was slowly changing, from a calming, to a slow and seductive undertone. Both her hands firmly held my hips. The last time someone touched me like that... No... I shouldn't think about it now. Dizzy I straightened, feeling the masseuse's body leaning over me, her breath on my neck, my ears. Shocked, I turned around. Tong!

His hands on my hips, he moved me closer, stealing a kiss. My feverish body couldn't resist him. His soft lips sought out mine, my tongue. His arms tightened on me, before pulling me off the massage table, crashing me onto the nearest sofa. The battle continued horizontally, his body over mine. He plunged into my neck, while I gasped for air, asphyxiated by his long embrace. Breathless, Tong sat on top of me, moving back to forth, savoring his victory. I leaned towards him. He withdrew once, twice, before getting up from the sofa.

- Was great, standin ! Thanks for your support!

- What?! You can't leave me like this!, I blamed him.

- Just needed someone to rehearse my upcoming love scene!

While I was slowing getting up, Tong rushed to get bag, slammed the door. What had just happened? Pacing around, I felt like I was going to explode. Should I relieve myself ? No... there must definitely be another way.

The doorbell rang. Maybe room service...the masseuse coming to pick up the equipment. Ashamed and staggering, I grabbed a towel to hide my bump, headed for the door. Knocks were intensifying.

- I'm... I'm coming!, I shouted.

In the carefully half-opened door, I saw a gray cap.

- Excuse me, I... I wasn't expecting anybody!, I stuttered.

- I know!, said the stranger with a smirk.

Tong's voice. That jerk was playing with me again. Infuriated, I throw the towel away, grabbed him by the collar, tipped him inside. Time for revenge!