By: Alasdair
Jude stepped into the foyer, the doorman closing the doors behind him. The difference in temperature was noticeable; he felt the air conditioned air sweep around him, removing any evidence of the high humidity of outside. As a reminder of that outside world he felt a bead of sweat run down his back and could feel his shirt sticking to his body. The sweat was turning cold and, combined with the instant change in climate, made him shiver. Shaking it off he continued on; he was here, and here for a reason.
The foyer opened up into an impressive lobby; a clean cut design of wood and glass with a contemporary use of antique furniture. Jude’s shoes clicked on the marble, echoing back and reverberating around the room. It gave him a sense of authority and power, a feeling he loved. He slowed down, savouring the moment. Noticing a gaggle of women in the corner whispering behind their hands, he flashed them a smile that got him a giggle and a shy look from three of them.
He approached the desk, smiled at the receptionist and gave her a wink. Without speaking she slid over the penthouse key.
‘You know where you’re going, don’t you love?’ she asked as Jude turned away.
With a quick wiggle of his arse and a brief ‘huhuh’ he proceeded to the elevator. The feeling of authority continued as he walked across the marble. Whispering under his breath he told himself, ‘could get used to this!’
One of the eight lifts to his right sprung open. A couple walked out, and he jumped in, inserting the key for the exclusive floors. A satisfying ‘dong’ meant he was on his way up. The doors slid shut and he felt the pull as the lift started up. He spent the next ninety seconds flicking the room key to pass the instant boredom that comes with the solitude of a lift. The lift slowed and the floor number started to flick slowly: 28, 29, 30, 31, and then as it halted on 32 the lift came to an abrupt stop and the doors glided open.
He stepped out on to the carpeted floor, turned right and approached the double height wooden doors, dropped the key into the slot and in a swift single action turned the handle to the door just as the light turned green. He pushed the door open and stepped in. The room was spacious, impressive and perfect. Everything was conveniently placed. Luxury in here meant oversized, massive sofas, armchairs, tables and pictures.
He dropped his bag on the floor, bent over and had a rummage, grabbed what he needed and walked over to the lamp on the table. Reaching under the shade with his left hand, he grabbed the bulb, gave it a quick twist and pulled it out. With his right hand he slotted in the new bulb, flicked the switch and it flickered into life.
‘Job done’ he said as he turned round and headed back to the high humidity outside.