Ergo, the Ogre

This can’t be right …Marco checked the address again. Supposed to be a new dance club called Door to Hades. It matched the one Stephanie gave him. He was a little early, though. He’d wait 20 minutes and that was it. Marco didn’t really know Stephanie. He’d just met her that afternoon in the produce section of the market.

Marco didn’t know anyone around here. He was from Cyprus. His job transfer finally came through and he was in Heraklion over the weekend to find a place to live.

Soon, a couple of chariots pulled up with normal people in them. This made Marco feel a little better. Seeing Stephanie walking toward him made him feel even better. She sure is a hottie!

“Hey, Marco!” Stephanie called. “Glad you could make it. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”

“Hi Stephanie. You look lovely.” Marco hoped he wasn’t drooling. “No trouble at all; drove right to it.”

There were a couple of bouncers positioned at the doorway now and more employees were milling around.

“Stephanie,” Marco began. “Are you sure about this place? I mean, just standing near the door is hotter than hell. What’s it like inside?”

She laughed. “Oh, you’ll see. I forgot you aren’t from around here. C’mon. I’ll show you.”

They got in line and chatted about this & that until the bouncers checked their ID’s and let them in.

It turned out that the flames and smoke were just holograms. It was really quite nice inside. All the furniture, including the bar, was made of Lucite acrylic. Whoever bankrolled this place has some serious money. There was a giant silver disco ball hanging from the mirrored ceiling and the walls were mirrors, as well.

“What do you think, Marco?”

“This place is fabulous!” Marco smiled. “You’d never know it from the outside.”

“That’s for sure.” Stephanie said. “My dad wanted to make sure there was no other place like this anywhere.“

“Your dad?”

“Yeah, oh didn’t I mention that?” Stephanie asked.

“No, you must’ve left that detail out.”

“Let’s get a drink.” Stephanie suggested. “I am parched.”

“Well, we can’t have that! What would you like?”

“Oh, let’s see … I think a glass of Cristal champagne.”

Marco gulped and looked at Stephanie as if she started speaking Swahili. “Cristal? Really?”

“Yes, please.” Stephanie grinned.

Crap. Guess I’ll be drinking ice water tonight.

Marco went up to the bar and ordered Stephanie’s champagne.

“And what would you like, sir?” The bartender, Jeff, asked.

“Ice water is about all I can afford now.” Marco sighed. “With a twist.”

“Wait, you’re with Stephanie, right?”

“Yessir, I am.”

“Steph doesn’t pay.” Jeff explained. “Neither do her guests.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope!” Jeff smiled. “Might as well get what you like.”

Marco really wanted to try the Cristal but didn’t want to look like he was taking advantage. “I’ll take an espresso martini, please.”

“Comin’ right up!”

When Jeff brought his drink, Marco laid a $10.00 on the bar and thanked him.

“I was beginning to worry,” Stephanie joked. “What did you and Jeff chat about?”

“Oh, nothin’.” Marco shrugged. “I couldn’t figure out what I wanted, so he made a few suggestions.” Marco handed Stephanie her champagne glass and proposed a toast. “To the prettiest girl in Hades.”

Stephanie laughed louder than she intended to. “You’re the best, Marco.” She sipped her champagne. “Thank you.”

“So, what brings to Heraklion?”

“I’m getting a job transfer and this where my new job is. I gotta find a place to live by tomorrow.”

“Nice! What do you do?”

“I’m an architect.”

“Really! Who do you work for?”

“Andrianakos & Kallergis. Why?”

“You won’t believe this.”

“What? Try me.”

“Nick Andrianakos is my father,” Stephanie said. “And my uncle is Pete Kallergis. Small world, eh?”

“You gotta be shittin’ me.” Marco cleared his throat. “Pardon my Portuguese.”

“I shit you not! Pardon my Portuguese, too.”

They both laughed.

“What are the chances we’d run into each other? Stuff like this amazes me!”

“I know right?” Stephanie’s eyes were bright. “Kismet. It’s gotta be!”

Marco raised his glass. “To Kismet!”

They clinked glasses and drank.

Just then, the DJ queued up Never on Sunday by Melina Mercouri.

“OMG!” Stephanie squealed. This is my song! Dance with me?”

“There’s nothing I’d rather do.”