Robert Weinberg - A Calculated Magic

“Hugo, Mongo,” he whispered, hoping the two ravens were close at hand. He could use a dose of the blackbirds’ sarcasm. Perhaps even a peck or two on his ears. But they didn’t answer.

“No, silly,” said Candi, scrambling over to Jack’s side. Pressing herself against his shoulders, she began unbuttoning his shirt. “Candi and Alis.”

“Stop that,” he commanded hastily, trying to ignore the heat of the girl’s barely clad body. Alis, reaching for his belt buckle, paused and pouted. Then she smiled wickedly.

“The master prefers to remain dressed while we engage in delightful acts?” she asked. She wiggled, setting alarm bells ringing inside Jack’s head. “That would be a novelty.”

“Wait a minute,” said Jack, closing his eyes to avoid distractions. He raised one hand and pointed in a direction past his toes. “Go sit over there. Both of you. Right now. Then we’ll talk.”

“Talk?” questioned Candi, a few seconds later. While their near nude figures still had Jack sweating, he could at least keep his eyes open while he spoke. “We displease the master?”

“There are fleshier women for those who prefer their houris with more substance,” said Alis. “We can summon them if the master is unhappy with us.”

“Please be quiet,” said Jack. He wished he knew what had happened to the ravens. Finding Megan without them would be impossible. Especially if Paradise consisted primarily of rooms like this one, and was populated with women like his two companions. Even his encounter weeks ago with the mall nymphs had not prepared him for the houris. He had never met women so willing to satisfy his every command.

That thought broke the numbness gripping his mind. He was letting his emotions override his intellect. The solution to his problems sat a few feet away. He merely had to switch directions.

“You’re here to please me?” he asked.

“Yes, master,” answered both girls happily, rising to their feet. “Any way you desire.”

“Then sit down,” said Jack, rubbing his eyes to erase his latest vision. “I want to ask you some questions. Understand? Questions. And I desire for you to provide me with, to the best of your knowledge, complete, truthful replies.”

“Questions?” said Alis, wrinkling her nose. “The master prefers to talk about sex rather than engage in it. I’ve heard of this new style of oral sex but never engaged in it before.”

“Oh, give me a break,” said Jack, his temper flaring. “I’m not interested in any kind of sex at the moment I require information and you two sexpots are going to provide it.”

“Whatever turns you on,” said Candi, with a shrug of her beautiful shoulders. Gone was the humble servant motif. “But you’re passing up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m really special.”

“I don’t doubt it,” said Jack, frowning. The houri’s statements triggered a long-forgotten memory. He stared at the girl closer. “Didn’t you say those exact words in an X-rated film, Bimbo Sluts from Los Angeles ?”

“Yes,” said Candi excitedly. “You saw it? I made my screen debut in that movie.”

“They showed it at a bachelor party I attended,” said Jack. “Everyone there commented on your acting abilities,” He saw no reason to mention the remarks focused primarily on Candi’s lack of any such talents. The attendees had agreed she exhibited a greater command of body language than the spoken word. Jack groped for an appropriate compliment. “You showed lots of enthusiasm.”

“Thanks,” said Candi. Jumping to her feet, she tugged off her top and pantaloons. Totally naked, she bent over and grabbed her ankles with her hands, her buttocks thrust in Jack’s direction. “This pose look familiar?” she asked, cheerfully. “I’m thrilled you recognize my features. I’ve starred in seventeen other films. But in most of them my face isn’t on the screen.”

“Please take your seat,” whispered Jack, squeezing his eyes tightly closed. Watching a porno flick rarely turned him on. Being in the same room with one of the stars ready, willing, and able was another story. “Immediately.”

“Your wish is my command,” said Candi, dropping to the floor. “But I promise, you’ll regret wasting the opportunity.”

“Hey,” said Alis, “cut the commercial. I’m no slouch, either,” She winked at Jack. “On my day off, I work as a private dancer for hotel guests. I’m sure you’ve noticed the ads in the phone book and in the newspapers.”

Leering, she folded her arms beneath her chest and squeezed her breasts tightly together. “Strangely enough, my legs rarely bother me. But my back aches terribly.”

Jack swallowed a deep breath. While prostitution was legal in several Nevada counties, it was against the law in Las Vegas. However, business travelers and gamblers expected to find sex for sale in the city. Resourceful hookers managed to subvert city ordinances by advertising themselves as “private nude dancers for hire,” No mention was made of any extra services they might provide for customers. A large section of the telephone directory featured hundreds of such services and there were even free advertising newspapers distributed on street corners with phone numbers and provocative nude photos of the “entertainers” included.

“Then you’re not full-time inhabitants of Paradise?” asked Jack, trying to regain his equilibrium. “I assumed the houris never left this place.”

“Are you kidding?” said Candi. “It’s actually kinda dull down here. Only two types of men visit us. There’s the high rollers the boss wants to entertain so they’ll keep coming back to the casino and drop more money. They’re okay, though most of them have bigger dreams than they can handle, if you get my meaning.”

Jack nodded. Most males fantasized of being surrounded by a bevy of breathtaking, eager women. But dealing with the actual situation was another matter entirely.

“The second bunch come late at night,” continued Candi. “They’re the idiots who sincerely believe this hideaway is Paradise. As you can imagine, brains aren’t their strong suit. They arrive doped up to the eyeballs, so keeping them entertained isn’t difficult. Most of them pass out long before time’s up.”

“I prefer your crowd, handsome,” said Alis, licking her upper lip with her tongue. “While fraternizing with clients on our off days is strictly forbidden, I’ve been known to make exceptions.”

Jack shook his head. “Sorry, but I don’t think my fiancée would approve.”

Alis smiled seductively. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Besides, you might learn a few new tricks.”

“Wow!” said a familiar voice in Jack’s right ear. “That’s some hot potato.”

“Hugo,” said Jack, sighing with relief. “Where the hell have you been?”

“Hell describes it, Johnnie,” declared Mongo in his other ear. “Rescuing Megan is going to be a lot more difficult than you imagined.”

“Hey,” said Candi. “Are you talking to yourself?”

“Don’t tell me he’s nuts,” said Alis. “I kinda liked the guy.”

Weighing his options, Jack decided honesty was the best policy. If what Mongo said was true, he needed all the help he could muster. Snapping his fingers, he commanded, “Make yourself visible, boys.”

The two ravens flickered into existence on Jack’s shoulders. Hugo, with his flair for dramatics, flapped his wings and cawed. Mongo, more reserved, merely bowed his head once in greeting.

“How neat,” said Candi, otherwise unperturbed.

“Cool,” said Alis, equally undisturbed. Magical beings themselves, it took more than a pair of transparent ravens to shock them.

“Alis, Candi,” said Jack, “meet Hugo and Mongo. The birds are my assistants. We’re here to free my girlfriend, Megan, who’s held prisoner down here.”