Slow Boat from China

Rick lay back in the bath with a sigh of pleasure and let warm water soothe away his travel aches. He didn’t move for some time, then slowly turned his head to watch cold beads running down a frosted glass on the side table. He sat up and reached for it. Slowly he sipped, and in a little while his whole being seemed gently to expand. He lay back in the water, sighed, and closed his eyes.

When the water cooled a little he called softly and a pretty young woman dressed in a colourful kimono came in. Rick touched the hot water tap with his toe and said, “Be a darling, will you?” closed his eyes again and sighed once more with deep pleasure.

Later, when the water had finally cooled and he was thinking about getting out, a slim hand reached down between his feet, pulled the plug, and laughed when he protested feebly. Reluctantly he emerged and stood there, eyes closed, hands on head. The soft towel felt fine and he wasn’t cold because it doesn’t get that way in Manila.

Rick wrapped a…