DELERIUM

The Marriott

3:00 PM: It's crazy how busy the malls were all the time.

Was it like this back home?

Was GUCCI always busy?

Window shopping, Hannah wondered why she continues to believe people here when they say 5 minutes. Sometimes it was nice being so visibly an outsider. A permanent tourist. Otherwise, it would've been nearly impossible to stroll from store to store browsing hundreds and thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise.

3:30 PM: Finally, he shows up. It's funny what our eyes adjust to, and how quickly our standards shift in the face of a bright shiny object. As he came towards her, she was reminded of why she liked him so much.

It wasn't the money.

It was the way he presented himself. His aura was that of Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind. The pinnacle of stability. His demeanour promised a life of security and comfort. Never would she have attracted such a character anywhere back home. They stared at each other in admiration.

"Salam sister" he said embracing her like a daughter.

He then whispered, "I have a surprise for you"

Assuming it was a very bad dirty joke she responded, "well I don't feel it so I'm assuming it needs to be unwrapped."

He gave her a confused smile then just said bluntly,

"here" and gave her a key card

"I'll text you the room number."

Kissing her on the cheek he made his way out.

At least he's alone she thought.
Confusion shifted to excitement. He really did have a present waiting for her somewhere. More excitingly, this somewhere just so happened to be the Marriott. Even in this day and age. this so-called advanced city, where foreigners were encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy the luxuries of home, there were dangers. As limitless as advanced cities were meant to appear to outsiders, there were rules. If anyone asked, they would have to say they were married. If anyone important asked they would be screwed. Hence, the wonderful world of hotels.

At the Marriott everyone was invisible. The only people who ever acknowledged her were the western expats at the desk. These days it's a lanky Australian boy. For a moment, she became overwhelmed by a degree of self-awareness that made her want to throw up. It was hard to imagine the level of depravity these hotel attendees must see.

A man with a woman.

A man with women.

Men with men.

A man with a man.

Or the myriad of combinations of humans that shouldn't be together. More than ever Hannah felt as though she validated the worst stereotypes people had about women who looked like her.

Words like

"easy,"

"trash,"

"maid"

"prostitute,"

And  "godless" came to mind.

Without any hesitation the Aussie interrupts her train of thought.

"your room is at the very top to your right."

Before she could blink, he gives her a piece of paper with a number on it.

"In case there's ANY-thing you need."

Once his little speech was up, he guides her to the elevator and escorts her to the top floor.