Long Live the King

Ten

Somebody tell me why I'm still here.

Adrienne thought this repeatedly as she massaged the slick conditioner out of her hair. On the bright side, they had given her the--admittedly well paying--job. On the other hand she was tired of listening to Regina's long winded theories every time she got a spare minute. It certainly put a damper on her enjoyment of the hotel.

Sighing, Adrienne twisted the knob to stop the stream of water and listened to the residual puddle gurgle down the drain while she dried her body. Wrapping the towel around her head she slipped into some clothes and walked out into the main area of the hotel room.

"Hey," Marshall greeted her. "I was thinking about taking a swim today. You up for it?"

He was standing in the kitchen area, leaning against the counter with a hot cup of something raised to his lips.

"Beach or pool?" she asked, then winced. "No, I can't. I haven't photographed every room of this hotel yet. Today I'm shooting the restaurant while it's nice and closed."

"You want company?"

"I don't want to bore you." She smiled. "Did you ever give back my room key? I can't find it."

"Oh," he said. "Yeah, it's in my wallet if you want to grab it."

"Good, I thought maybe I lost it." She wandered over the dresser and rifled through his wallet for the key. As she pulled the bright blue card out of the back pocket, a small photograph fluttered out with it. She stooped down to pick it up. As she rose back up she looked over at Marshall with a strange expression.

"What?" he asked.

"You still have this?" She held up the little picture to face him and even from a distance he knew what she was referring to by the deep plum background. It was his portrait. "Scratch that. Better question: you bought this in the first place?"

"Ah," He pushed a hand through his hair. "I did, yeah. I felt bad you know, she put in all that work so I went back and bought a wallet size--paid for in cash of course."

"And you still have it because...?"

"Because I paid money for it? Besides, it's a good picture. Put it back."

Having finished his drink he dropped the mug in the sink and advanced toward Adrienne with a hand outstretched. She jumped away from him, holding the picture behind her and grinning.

"You carry it around in your wallet though. I think someone just likes looking at himself," she teased. "Maybe I should confiscate it for your own good."

"Addy," He sighed, barely holding back his own grin. "I am both taller and faster than you. It will take me approximately five seconds to take it back... or you could be nice and just hand it over. I think we've laughed at me enough for one morning."

"Oh, but I haven't even laughed yet," she pointed out.

"Did you want to?"

"Nah," She laughed and relinquished the photograph. "I've got too much to do to waste time laughing at you."

"Well," He paused to put the picture back in his wallet. "If you finish up in the restaurant before noon then you should swing by the beach. I'll be there... all alone."

"Poor thing." She pulled an exaggerated frown as she unwound the towel from her head and discarded it in the hamper.

"You're heartless," he said over his shoulder, disappearing into the bathroom.

Smiling to herself, Adrienne stepped in her shoes, grabbed her photography equipment, and slipped out the door.

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