Message-ID: <16694eli$9810210540@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: From: David Wright Subject: {BlueWords} Chance Meeting (MF, cons) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded X-Story-Submission: X-Original-Message-ID: <19981021011054.23485.rocketmail@send201.yahoomail.com> {BlueWords} Chance Meeting (MF, cons) I'm trying to send this as an attachment, Eli, and I don't always have good luck with that. Hope it works. David {BlueWords} Chance Meeting (MF, cons) If you have trouble figuring out how to read this, you can check out the author's note at the bottom, it might help. Hopefully, it's obvious what's happening. This story came about when I asked myself, "What if somehow I accidentally ran into one of the writers here in ASS/M/D and realized it was them?" This text contains material of an explicit and adult nature. If you are not of legal age to view such text DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. The following text and characters are fictional and in no way reflects any known persons, situations or places. Any similarity to real life is purely coincidental. Oh, and by the way, the characters herein don't practice safe sex. Sorry. They are married, just not to each other. This story is dedicated to two remarkable women: Jane, who helped me with editing this thing (any remaining errors are totally my fault); and Teresa, who’s comments have helped me very much in my writing. Both of them have read my whining and bitching and general silliness, and for some reason, _still_ write me back. Thanks. Permission is granted to save this story to a private computer for personal viewing or to be re-posted within this newsgroup so long as both this disclaimer and copyright of the writer and owner-(me)- remain intact. The story may be archived or linked to a web page, as long as there is no charge for access to it, it remains unchanged and I am given credit for the work. However, permission to print in book or magazine, or commercial archive this story, as well as selling this story as your own, is explicitly withheld. Chance Meeting I was in town on business, helping out one of my company's clients. I really wasn't the person for the job, because I'm a programmer and not a teacher, but I knew the programs, and I could fix them if necessary. Turns out the problems were relatively minor, and so I had three or four more days to spend in town if I wanted. I decided to take advantage of being all the way across the country and go sightseeing for a while. I was eating lunch in an interesting restaurant. Some sort of Polynesian decor, and the food was very good. I was just glancing around, watching the other dinners, when I saw them. There were two pretty women at a table just across the isle and down a table from mine. I tried to look at them nonchalantly, but tend to stare at pretty women. I managed to cut my stares back to just random glances. I could more or less make out their conversation. At first it was normal talk I imagine most women do. Then the shorter one said something that piqued my interest. "So, how's the story writing coming along, 'Susan'?" The slightly taller one sort of glared at her. "I've told you not to call me that in public. Someone could hear and make the connection." "Oh, come on, 'Susan'," the other woman said again, teasing, "What's the chance of someone recognizing you from your vague descriptions in your stories and making the connection? And how many people around here do you think read pornography anyway?" "It's 'erotic fiction', I'll have you know, and I'd bet you'd be surprised how many people read it. I bet I'd be surprised. Anyway, the writing's coming along just fine. I just posted a story the other day, and I have several ideas for some more." "I guess I never understood what the attraction was. I'd much rather be doing than reading or writing." "Me too. I just like to do both. I like writing, and I get a lot of nice comments from the readers out in cyberspace." Suddenly I realized who this was. She was one of my favorite authors on the alt.sex.stories newsgroup. She looked a bit like her description and I guessed her friend was 'Joann' the 'sex crazed' friend in some of her stories. Wow, I had always wanted to meet her to let her know in person how much I liked her stories. Here was my chance... SPLIT But I just couldn't do it. It was obvious that she valued her privacy, and I didn't want to he rude and intrude on her and her friend's conversation. It would probably be embarrassing for her, and what if she denied it? I'd look pretty stupid. What if I was wrong? I'd look even more foolish. I could have heard the conversation wrong, or they might be talking about something else entirely. I decided to hold back and not go over. Besides, I had already written her e-mail and told her that I liked her stories. Better I remain faceless and continue to talk only via computer. She might think I was coming on to her or something, and I wouldn't want to give her the wrong impression. I could come out looking like a real jerk. I waited for a while, but eventually I finished my lunch and had to leave. They were still there, having gone on to other discussions. Almost sadly, I left the restaurant and went back to my hotel room. The room was nice. I'd been put up on the eighth floor of the a nice hotel. Nice view, but the room just seemed empty to me now. I missed my wife. I decided to get the next flight back and go home. No real sense in staying here any longer. SPLIT I wondered how to approach her. Just walk up and say hello? "Sorry, I don't mean to disturb you, but are you the author "Susan O'Hare"? I really like the stories she writes and well, I couldn't help over hear your conversation..." Crap, that sounds like I was eavesdropping. Well, I was. If I go up to them, no way to get around that. "Sorry to have eavesdropped, but I overheard you say that you were the author "Susan O'Hare", and I really like the stories you write." Better, but still sounds kind of lame. "I'm Jonathan Temple, I've written a few stories myself. I think you've read them." That was good. Let her know that even though I know who she is, she now knows who I am. Both of our covers are blown, as it were. "I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your writing, and -" And? And what? "I hope you keep it up." Man, what am I trying to do, bore her to death? "I really enjoy your writing." Period. Let her say something, thanks or whatever, then, "Well I didn't want to disturb you. Thanks." And leave. Just short, to the point, say thanks and leave. Good enough, I think. I looked up from my musings, but the table they were sitting at was no longer occupied. I looked around the restaurant, out the windows. Gone. They'd left. Sadly, I left the restaurant and went back to my hotel room. The room was nice, but it just seemed empty to me now. I decided to get the next flight back and go home. No real sense in staying here any longer. SPLIT I decided just to go up and tell her what I thought of her stories, and thank her for them. Maybe mention that I wrote some myself. I got up and walked up to their table. "Excuse me, I hate to interrupt you, but are you that author "Susan O'Hare"?" She looked up at me like I was crazy. "Excuse me, who?" she said, an annoyance in her voice. Oh, shit, big mistake. Either she's not, or she really doesn't want to be bothered by cretins like me. "I, I'm sorry. I guess I mistook you for someone else. I, I really am sorry." I could feel the red rising in my face. I turned on heel, and quickly walked back to my table. I didn't even finish my lunch, I threw down the money to cover my bill and tip, and left the restaurant quickly. With one last glance in their direction I found them still staring at me. Man, how could I have been such a fool? Idiot! I had to get out of there. Out of the city. I didn't know my way around and I felt so stupid, I decided just to leave. Get the next flight back to home. SPLIT I walked up to their table and said hello. "My name is Jonathan Temple," I told them. "I hate to intrude, but I thought I overheard you saying that you were the author "Susan O'Hare". I really like her stuff. I've also written a few things, you might have read a couple of my stories." I saw them both looking at me appraisingly, sizing me up, probably wondering if I was some kind of psycho killer or something. 'Susan' spoke. “Yes, I'm her. Nice to meet you in person, Jon. I like your stories, too.” I blushed a little, I think. "Thanks. Your description of yourself in the stories is pretty good, I almost recognized you from that alone. Sorry to eavesdrop on your conversation like that. Well, really, I didn't want to bother you, just wanted to say thanks for writing your stories and to wish you good luck on your future writings. Thank you." I backed away from the table and started to turn to leave. "Well, thank you, Jon. Good luck to you, too," she called after me. I was happy to have been able to meet her, even if just for a few minutes. She seemed like a nice person in person. I was finished with lunch, so I paid my bill and left. Just before leaving the restaurant, I turned back to look at their table. They saw me, so I waved goodbye and smiled, and they both smiled back. Stepping out into the street, I wondered what else I could do around the town. There seemed to be a nice museum, and it was close by. I decided to check it out. SPLIT "My name is Jonathan Temple," I told them. "I hate to intrude, but I thought I overheard you saying that you were the author "Susan O'Hare". I really like her stuff. I've also written a few things, you might have read a couple of my stories." I saw them both looking at me appraisingly, sizing me up. The shorter one seemed to be checking me out. Ha, I thought, chalk that one up to an overactive male imagination. 'Susan' spoke. "Yes, I'm her. Nice to meet you in person, Jon. I like your stories, too.', The shorter one spoke up. "I'm the 'Joann' you've read about," she said, holding out her hand. I shook it. "Would you like to join us?" I wanted to, but 'Susan' looked a bit concerned so I begged off. "I don't want to intrude on your lunch." I turned back to 'Susan'. "I just wanted to say that I really liked your stories." She smiled and seemed about to speak but her friend spoke first. "It wouldn't be a bother, would it 'Susan'?" She put extra emphasis on her friend's pseudonym. 'Susan' glared at her, annoyed at her friend's exaggerated use of her name. "I guess it'd be okay," she said. I realized she didn't want some unknown weirdo coming up and joining her for lunch, regardless of what her friend was saying. "Thank you very much for the offer, but I probably should be going," I told them. "Thanks again, and good luck with your stories." I turned to leave, but 'Joann' spoke again. "Are you sure you can't join us?" I looked at her, then at 'Susan'. Susan gave me a kind of resigned smile, like well, it'd be okay, but I could see the hesitance in her eyes. Whether it was me, or she just didn't want visitors, I could see she would feel uncomfortable with me there. "Sorry. Thanks for the invitation, though. Take care." I left them before they could say anything else, other than goodbye. After paying my bill, I decided to see what else I could do in this city. Probably lots of things out there to see. SPLIT "My name is Jonathan Temple," I told them. "Oh, my, you're cute," 'Joann' said. "Would you like to find a hotel room and have sex?" What? "I said, would you -" No, wait, that's just silly... SPLIT "I don't want to intrude on your lunch." I turned back to 'Susan'. "I just wanted to say that I really liked your stories." She smiled and seemed about to speak but her friend spoke first. "It wouldn't be a bother, would it 'Susan'?" 'Joann' said. 'Susan' looked at me. I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, behind her eyes. She was appraising me, to see if I looked like a normal person, or a serial killer. Finally, she said, "No, it'd be fine, please join us." I had passed muster. Kind of a nice feeling, I hadn't screwed things up, so far. "If you're sure, I think I'd like that." 'Joann' scooted over to the middle of the round table so I sat next to her, across from 'Susan'. "Jon here, writes funny stories. Mostly about an adult boutique," Susan said. My astonishment showed on my face. Not only had she remembered who I was, she remembered my stories. "They really aren't anywhere near the caliber of Susan's stories," I said. We had a pleasant conversation. We sat there for more than an hour, and the conversation ranged beyond writing stories and sex. They gave me some ideas of places to visit in the city. Finally, Susan had to leave, so I begged off too. "It has been a great pleasure meeting you," I told her, "and you, too, 'Joann'. Thanks for the wonderful afternoon." We said our goodbyes, and the two women walked off to the parking lot. That was a pleasant meeting. I headed off to try our one of their suggestions on things to do. SPLIT Finally, she said, "No, it'd be fine, please join us." I had passed muster. "If you're sure, I think I'd like that." 'Joann' scooted over so I sat next to her, across from 'Susan'. "Jon here, writes funny stories. Mostly about an adult boutique," Susan said. My astonishment showed on my face. Not only had she remembered who I was, she remembered my stories. "They really aren't anywhere near the caliber of Susan's stories," I said. "I'm sure they're very good. 'Susan' doesn't give praise lightly." Joann sat a little closer to me than I would have liked. I got the definite feeling she was teasing me, or maybe even trying to come on to me. I might have been projecting what I 'knew' of her from Susan's stories, though. We had a pleasant conversation, that ranged beyond writing and sex. Although Joann 's favorite topic seemed to be sex. Generally she steered things back toward that topic, time and again. I was getting the definite impression that she was coming on to me, and Susan seemed a bit embarrassed by her friend's brazenness. Finally, Susan had to leave. I was about to say I was going to go, too, when Joann spoke. "I could show you the museum," she offered. "I don't need to be anywhere this afternoon." I was unsure of how to respond. Susan looked at me and almost rolled her eyes, as if to say, "Not again." "Well, whatever, you two have fun," she said. "I need to go, so I'll see you later," she said to 'Joann'. To me she said, "It's been a pleasure, Jon. Keep up your writing." She shook my hand and turned to go. "Thank you. Uh, you, too." I watched her walk away, just slightly confused. Did I want to go with Joann? I decided to play it safe. "As much as I'd like to see the museum, there's something I have to do in a little while, for work. Maybe I could take a rain check?" She seemed to miss my rather obvious polite refusal. "How about tomorrow, then? You'll be here a few more days, and I'll be free. Tell you what, here's my number." She wrote her number on a napkin and handed it to me. "Give me a call in the morning, and we can get together after. Okay?" I saw she was going to be insistent, so I took the napkin and agreed. I said goodbye. I supposed I could always 'accidentally' lose the number. It'd be a shame, but I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the day with her, pleasant and pretty as she was. Too much temptation. The next morning I called her, told her something at work came up, and that I couldn't meet with her after all. I apologized and thanked her for her offer. She finally seemed to accept my refusal, said it was nice meeting me and hung up. After breakfast, I went out exploring the city on my own. SPLIT The next morning I called her, and told her I'd like to see the museum with her. "I can meet you there in a half an hour," she told me over the phone. Her real name turned out to be Barbara. I hadn't figured out a good way to refuse her offer, so we'd just made a date to meet in front of the museum. I was a bit apprehensive. I probably should have 'lost' her number, but I felt bad when I thought of leaving her hanging like that, since I had promised to call her. Oh, well, I wanted to see the sights, and she seemed willing to show me. It was probably my imagination that thought she had been coming onto me the previous day. I guess I liked to imagine that pretty women found me attractive. Seemed like most guys probably wanted to think that way. I walked to the museum, which wasn't too far from my hotel, and saw her as she was about to go in. She seemed happy to see me. "Jon, how are you?" She took my arm and led me inside. "You'll like this place, they have a lot of interesting exhibits." We went inside and she became my own personal docent. She seemed to know a lot about most of the paintings, statues and other exhibits there. She chatted away the whole time, and I barely said three words. She didn't seem to mind. After a few hours, we, or rather, she decided that we should go see other sights. Once outside, I noticed a chill in the air. "I didn't realize it was going to be this cool. Can we stop by my hotel so I can pick up my jacket?" "Sure, let's go," she replied, gleefully. She insisted on coming up to my room with me, although I suggested she wait in the lobby. Once in my room she commented on how nice it was. "My company spares no expense," I laughed. I got my coat from the bedroom and came back out. She was standing in front of the window looking out. The light from outside cast her in shadow, giving me a silhouette of her body. She was very good looking, even if she was a little bit short. I was looking at her longer than I realized, and she caught me staring at her. "What?" she asked me. "Sorry, I was just, well, that is -- You're very pretty." I don't know why I said it. It was true, I guess. "Look, are you coming on to me?" Suddenly, her voice had an edge to it. "No, I'm sorry, I was just -" "I see. You bring me up to your room and think I'll just fall all over you, when I was just trying to be nice." She was mad now. "Really, I didn't - please, I didn't mean anything by it!" She came up to me and slapped me hard, across my cheek. The force of the blow turned my head. I became frantic. "Please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything. Please!" She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Great, I thought, that went well. Not only does she hate me, she'll probably tell 'Susan', and I'll get a nasty e-mail from her. I might never be able to post a story again. Damn, what rotten luck. SPLIT "My company spares no expense," I laughed. I got my coat from the bedroom and came back out. She was standing in front of the window looking out. I was looking at her longer than I realized, and she caught me staring at her. "What?" she asked me. "Sorry, I was just, well, that is- You're very pretty." I don't know why I said it. It was true, I guess. "Look, are you coming on to me?" Her voice had an even more playful quality than it had earlier in the day. "No, really, I'm sorry. I-" She came up to me and traced a finger across my cheek. "That's too bad, I thought you might be coming onto me. I mean, you bring me up to your room..." She let the idea hang there. "I…," I said, then shut up. I had no idea how to react. She solved that for me. She leaned up and kissed me, full on the lips. Then she grabbed my neck and pulled me closer to her, and really kissed me. I felt myself melting into her. For some reason, I couldn't resist. It just felt so right. The kiss got more sensual, her tongue found mine and they began a small dance. I managed put my arms around her, dropping my coat on the floor. Barbara ground her hips into mine. I was sure she could feel the hardness in my pants. After a few minutes, she broke off the kiss and led me into the bedroom. She kicked off her shoes, and I helped pull down on the zipper of her dress. It fell to the floor, revealing a lacy black bra, black panties and a black garter belt holding her stockings up. "Wow!" I said, almost whistling. "You like?" she asked me, turning in a small circle. She looked fantastic, and I felt fortunate indeed. I hoped I could live up to the occasion. My cock felt so hard in my pants. She reached up to fondle her breasts through her brassiere and I came, right then, in my shorts. "Oh, god," I moaned, "Opps." She glanced down at the wet stain on my pants. "Well, that was quick." she said sarcastically. SPLIT She looked fantastic, and I felt fortunate indeed. I hoped I could live up to the occasion. My cock felt so hard in my pants. She reached up to fondle her breasts through her bra, so I stripped out of my clothes and stood nude in front of her in no time flat. "Well, that was quick," she mused. "My, certainly happy to see me, I see." She came over and grabbed my dick and pumped it a bit. "Careful, it might go off," I told her. "Can you get it up again?" She asked, looking me in the eyes. "Yeah, if given the proper incentive," I grinned. "Well, let's see what this bad boy can do, shall we?" She knelt down in front of me and took my dick in her mouth. Gently, she began to stick on the tip, rolling her tongue around the end. "Oh ,god," I moaned. "Hold on, there. Make it last a little bit," she said, between licks. She was driving me crazy. I'd had blowjobs before, but never while I was standing and the woman was kneeling, taking such obvious pleasure in teasing the hell out of me. I tried to hold back, and managed to back off the feeling of impending orgasm a little. She continued to suck and lick, taking more and more in her mouth. She felt wonderful, and I could feel my control slipping away. "Oh, I can't hold back any more, Barbara, please." "Will you return the favor?" she asked. I knew she was teasing, but I was getting desperate. "Yes, anything, please?" It momentarily struck me as odd that a woman, on her knees in front of me, had that much power over me. She renewed her efforts, and I was boiling over in seconds. "Oh, jeez, Barbar-aaaaaaahhhh!" I came what felt like gallons into her mouth. She sucked every bit down, it was incredible. It was indeed the best blowjob I'd ever had. She stood up and unhooked her bra in the back, letting it fall off her arms to the floor. "Good dessert," she said, licking her lips. "Now it's your turn." "Yes, ma'am," I answered enthusiastically. I bent down to grab her ass and kiss her breasts, which was a stretch for me as I was at least a foot taller than she was. I tugged at her panties and was happy to learn she'd planned ahead and put them on after putting on her garters. She helped by wriggling out of them and kicking them into a corner. I guided her to the bed and she sat down, scooted into the middle and laid back, all the while my mouth never left one or the other of her nipples. Her breasts were gorgeous. They were full and firm, and the areolas were large, with a nice long nipples that responded to my tongue by poking out and getting hard. She enjoyed the attention I was lavishing on them, and was running her hands through my hair. I started kissing my way down her stomach to her belly button, which was very ticklish, then down to her trimmed pubic mound. I just love eating pussy, and I could tell I was going to enjoy hers. Her labia were slightly swollen and peeking out below them was her hardened clitoris. She was already very wet. I slipped a finger into her vagina, pulled the finger back out and sucked it clean. She moaned and groaned but otherwise said nothing. I bent down between her legs and enthusiastically began. I loved her taste, and I shoved my tongue as deep as I could into her. Then I licked up to her clit, almost touching it. After a few minutes of this, she was having a hard time keeping still. She would thrust her hips up at my tongue, trying to get me to lick her clit. Finally I gave in and rapidly tongued over her hard nub. She must have been ready because she came immediately. She writhed all over the place, and I was afraid her cries would bring hotel security. I wasn't quite prepared for all her motion, but I rode it out until she grabbed at my hair and made me stop sucking on her. She tugged at me to come back up, so I kissed my way back up to her breasts, then continued on to her neck. Amazingly enough, I was hard again. She felt my dick pressing up against her belly and reached down to guide it into her waiting cunt. It slid in easily, and I slowly pushed it in to the hilt. "Fuck me, Jon, please, fuck me," she breathed in my ear. Always happy to comply, I began to pump in and out of her. I didn't have a great technique, but it seemed to be good enough for her, and she began moaning all over again. I was happy to have had the blowjob, as now I could keep up my activity for a while. I bent down to lick at her nipples, which were almost out of my reach, so instead I licked and sucked on her neck and ears. My arms were holding me up, her hands were grabbing my ass. After what seemed like an hour of us slipping around on each other's sweaty bodies, making the little 'pffft' noises between our stomachs, she began to tense up some. I could feel her vagina walls grasping my penis, and a tension in her stomach. "Yes, yes, yes, faster, fuck, yes," she exclaimed to the room. I leaned into her and sped up as much as I could. Her scream almost hurt my ears. Her face distorted, a grimace I knew was pleasure but looked like pain. I changed my angle of insertion a little and got the friction my dick was looking for, and I came, too. We were both panting. I grabbed her head and kissed her deeply, a kiss she returned in spades. "Wow, you're a good fuck," she told me. "It's always nice to have a gifted and willing partner," I replied, laughing. "Not to be rude, but I really need to pee," she said. I rolled off of her and watched as she headed for the bathroom. She had a nice ass, something I hadn't seen much of up to this point. I thought about our lovemaking and felt the contentment you get after a nice session of lovemaking. Too bad I had to leave in a few days, and too bad we were both married. Or maybe, that was a good thing. We both knew this was a short term thing. I was hoping for more than a one night stand, perhaps two or three, but would take what I could get. She came back and stood at the foot of the bed, hands on her hips. I couldn't get over how beautiful she looked. "You hungry? I know this good Italian place." "Sounds good. My treat," I replied. I scooted up and sat on the edge of the bed, putting my arms around her waist and started kissing her nipples. "I thought I already had your treat," she told me, smiling. I laughed. Then I got a little serious. "How long?" I asked. She knew what I meant. "I have to go home right after dinner. But tomorrow, well, you want to meet for breakfast? We could spend the day together. When do you leave?" "Friday night, late." It gave us two more days. "Hope I'm not interrupting any other plans." I continued to kiss her breasts between words. "No, it's okay. I was going to meet 'Susan' again Friday for lunch, but she'll understand." She was rubbing her hands up and down my back, moaning from my attention to her chest. "You could still go," I said, reaching around and fondling her ass. On impulse, I reached a hand in front of her and rubbed her pubic hair, then slipped a finger into her still (again?) wet cunt. "I don't want to make 'Susan' mad at you, or me." She moaned some more, and her eyes were closed. She made a move to sit on the bed. "It's ... okay... Maybe ... we ... both ... could ... go ..." She sat down on the bed and laid back. I slid to the floor and kneeled in front of her and began to lick at her pussy again. She spread her legs for me, then began to murmur, words that I couldn't quite make out. Could have been another language, or just nonsense. We were late for dinner. The next two days were some of the most fun I'd had in a long time. We had breakfast at the hotel buffet, then 'dessert' upstairs. She showed me more of the city's sights, and more of herself. At one point, we snuck into a small, empty back room at an art gallery we were in, and she showed me that she'd not been wearing panties that day. I admonished her, turned her around facing away from me and lightly spanked her beautiful ass. Then I unzipped my pants and proceeded to show her what happens when bad girls forget their underwear. I was afraid our cries would cause someone to come investigate, but luckily no one did. We did end up going to lunch on Friday with Susan, who's real name I never did learn. We had a pleasant time, and afterwards, Barbara and I went back to my room one last time. I was very sad to leave the city. "I don't know how to thank you for showing me around," I told her. "Hey, don't get all weepy-eyed on me. You don't have to thank me. I think we've thanked each other plenty." She was finishing getting dressed, and I knew this was probably the last time I'd see her. "Well, it's been great being here with you, and seeing all the neat things in your interesting city." "I've enjoyed your visit, too," she told me. "Gave me a chance to do a few things I don't usually get to do." She flashed me her teeth in a wide beaming smile. I stood up from the bed and hugged her. She was fully clothed and I was fully unclothed. It felt good. "You take care, Barbara. I'll miss you." I kissed her as passionately as I could, a last kiss. "Bye, Jon," she said, smiling. She turned and walked out the door. I busied myself by getting dressed and packing my clothes. Soon it was time to drive the rental back to the airport and head home. SPLIT I got my coat from the bedroom and came back out. She was standing in front of the window looking out. She was very beautiful, and I wanted to tell her that, but I was afraid she might take it the wrong way. "I'm ready," I said instead. There was a moment, when she looked at me, I saw something in her eyes, a slight smile on her lips, and I wondered if she was expecting something. I was probably reading too much into it, though. "Great," she replied, "I know this great gallery we can visit, and then for lunch, there's this good Italian restaurant. You like lasagna?" "Love it," I said. We left the room and went to have fun. The next day, Barbara was busy at something, so I roamed the city on my own, finding a good barbecue place for lunch. Afterwards I went to see the latest action flick. I wandered around a really huge bookstore for hours. Back at the hotel I got a message from Barbara asking if I 'd like to meet her and 'Susan' for lunch the next day, before I left. I had a few places left I wanted to see, so I called her back and begged off, and thanked her very much. She said they were going to be in the same restaurant I had met them in, so if I could make it, to come. Unfortunately, the next day, I was across town before I realized it was lunch time, so I decided not to meet them. I had enjoyed my stay, seen many interesting sights, and met two nice women. A successful trip if I'd every had one. SPLIT Before I could get up and approach their table, they noticed me looking at them. 'Susan' got up and came over to my table. "Excuse me, I don't mean to bother you, but you seem familiar some how. Do I know you from somewhere?" I was flabbergasted. "I, uh, I'm not sure. I, my name is Jon Temple, and -" "Oh, you write those funny stories in alt.sex.stories. I've written some myself. I'm Susan O'Hare." She held out her hand. I shook it, and just kind of dumbly stared at her. "May I sit down?" she asked. "Sure, uh, yes, please do." She was already taking her seat. "You, know, I think your stories are very good. And you're much more handsome in real life than you portray in your stories." I swear, she batted her eyelashes at me. My jaw moved up and down a few times, but no sounds came out. I wasn't expecting any of this. She remembered my stories, she thought I was handsome. I just kind of stared at her. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her friend get up, pay the bill, stare at Susan for a second or two and then she almost rolled her eyes, as if to say, "Not again." She left, not glancing back again. "It's so hard to talk in these crowded places," Susan was saying, even though the restaurant wasn't all that full. "Would you like to go somewhere more private?" She stared me straight in the eye. "Like maybe, your hotel room?" What could I do? Of course I SPLIT Copyright (c) 1998 by David Wright. All rights reserved. Author's note: I hope that it's fairly obvious how to read this story, but in case it isn't, here's an explanation. After each 'SPLIT' is a continuation of the initial part of the story, but each continuation is different. (The story could have happened in any of the ways described.) After several splits, some of the continuations had their first parts in common, so instead of repeating it, I either summarized it, or left it out altogether, hoping it was obvious where things were continuing from. If you liked this story, go see or rent the movie "Sliding Doors". It's a good, funny movie, with much the same concept (where I got my idea, I guess), although there's only two splits in the movie, and they both run concurrently, sort of. "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" - Monty Python -- +----------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `--------------+ | | | | Archive site +----------------------+--------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | ----