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"I can't believe we're here!" Gwen squealed as she grabbed Lauren's arm and gave it a squeeze. Lauren laughed, knowing they were in for a full night, at the least, of Gwen's contagious enthusiasm. They had traveled to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, something that had been a dream of theirs since they were in high school.

"So what should we do first?" asked Lauren, the excitement giving her voice a girlish tone that she wasn't expecting.

"We're VERY thirsty!" Gwen was walking faster, little leaps sprinkling into her steps. She grabbed Lauren's hand and pulled her into a tiny doorway, made even smaller by the presence of a burly man wearing strand upon strand of colorful beads around his neck. As they passed by him, he pointed at Lauren and said "You don't have any beads - I'll give these to you, Cherie." He placed a strand around her neck. "Now, you give Balou a kiss, yes?" Lauren hesitated momentarily, then relented with a light little kiss on his cheek. Balou gave a hearty laugh that reminded Lauren of an old King Henry movie that she'd seen a long time ago.

Gwen is pushing a giant frozen drink into Lauren's hand. "There you go, Cherie." she mocks, then giggles. Lauren notices the two strands of beads now adorning Gwen's neckline. "How on earth did you get those?!"

"Well, you didn't think you'd be the only one getting beads tonight, did you?"

Lauren leans in to whisper "What did you have to ‘do’ for them? I had to actually kiss that guy for mine!"

"I just had to give a shimmy to the bartender, and when I leaned over to grab the drinks, the guy I leaned over was very grateful!" Gwen winked at Lauren. "Now drink up!"

Afterwards, they make their way into the street again. The noise is deafening, there are people everywhere; the restaurants and shops, leaning out of windows, filling balconies to what looks like a disaster-about-to-happen level. Women are constantly being asked for "favors" in return for the beads given by men with eager eyes and hands. Gwen and Lauren get themselves a few more necklaces, for a kiss here, a hug there, even a pat on the bum.

"You've seen these women taking their tops off for the beads, right? We are NOT doing that!" Lauren announces.

"Oh, I don't know...what if they're really pretty beads? And it's just for a couple of seconds - never say never!" Gwen skips and twirls - right into an amazingly tall woman, dressed in a full-length purple sequin gown, black feather boa framing her face. "I'm SO sorry, I was just..."

"Non, ma petite, do not be sorry." Gwen looks up at the woman with the very deep voice. Lauren comes up next to Gwen, and the woman takes two necklaces, previously hidden under the feathers, and adds one to each stunned girls’ collection. "Beautiful beads for beautiful girls." The masculine voice makes Lauren blush. Gwen manages a feeble "Thank you."

They realize that this is not the only "manly" woman around them. As they look around they see that the piano bar they're facing seems to be a gathering place for them, their glamour conspicuous among the tourist crowd.

Amazed, the girls stare at all these beautiful...men. Lauren nudges Gwen and begins to say something, when a voice from behind them makes both stand a little straighter.

"Excuse me, ladies," says The Voice "would you like to come in, for a drink, perhaps?" Lauren and Gwen exchange quick glances before turning around to face him. Broad shoulders, impeccable Marlene Dietrich black shimmery suit, blonde hair with frosted tips, and eyes impossibly blue. A little smirk jars the girls out of their awe. "So, what's your pleasure, darlings?" The Voice has a luscious British accent!

Lauren and Gwen giggle and follow him into the bar, admiring the view. Gwen gives Lauren the look she's always given her when in the presence of a new delight. He leads them to a booth in the back, near the piano. With one wave of a beautifully manicured hand, two waiters are summoned, one carrying a basket of flavored breads and crackers, the other a tray of about a dozen oysters, just as many crawfish, and a crystal bowl of caviar in the center. "You mustn't miss the oysters, they're wonderful, and the caviar is my favorite - please - enjoy." He puts them at ease with a smile.

"Jean-Philippe! A pitcher of your famous margaritas, please!" The Voice calls the bartender, who nods with a broad smile, and immediately begins his task.

In a flash, the margaritas are served with a flourish. The beautiful man prepares two oysters, and lifts one to each girl's mouth. Gwen and Lauren can't do anything but oblige. He deposits the empty shells back onto the tray, and picks up his glass. The girls follow suit, and they clink the three glasses together in a salute to all that is festive.

The crowds outside are loud and raucous, the carnival atmosphere seeping in so that the piano bar is joyous, yet in their spacious, comfortable booth with the soft, cushioned leather, they are spared of the maddening crush that accompanies the revelry.

"Everything is absolutely delicious!" Lauren and Gwen speak in stereo, then laugh, embarrassed.

"Thank you, I'm glad you like everything here." His easy laughter and incredible charisma make him so attractive, the girls forget that this man is wearing makeup and shoes that any woman would envy. They talk, laugh, drink and eat, the time flying by without notice. He gets up and saunters over to the piano, and those delicate hands begin playing a beautiful tune, something that sounds at once new and familiar, it's notes seemingly giving the happiness of the night another dimension in which to exist.

Gwen leans over to Lauren, "I think I'm in love! He's everything fabulous all wrapped up into one person! Could he be more perfect?"

Lauren's eyes flutter. "I know, I can't believe how sexy he is."

"Not your usual stud-muffin type, is he? He's sweet, smart, funny; with the allure of a woman perfectly meshed in with a breath-taking masculine electricity." Gwen sighs.

"Wow, you really are into this guy aren't you?"

They both chuckle and realize their stomach muscles hurt from all the laughter they've shared the past few hours. The music stops, and he comes back to the booth.

Lauren stifles a yawn, then leans her head on Gwen's shoulder. "You ladies look tired." He says sympathetically, "Let me walk you to your hotel, I don't want you to go through the streets by yourselves at this hour."

"I hate for the night to end, but yes, I think we should get some rest...the sun will be up soon!" Lauren stands and takes Gwen's arm, so that she'll come along.

"We'll still be around for a couple of days." Gwen informs the azure eyes. His response is an approving grin, lips curling enticingly.

They walk along the streets, each girl holding on to one of his arms closely, cuddling to ward off a slight chill. "I'm quite enjoying this," he says, beaming, "I feel like a movie star!" Gwen and Lauren giggle for the billionth time that night, like schoolgirls at the prom with the most desirable boy.

When they arrive at the entrance, he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out two beautiful crystal-beaded necklaces. Holding one on each elegant forefinger, he lets them dangle, the facets glittering with the lights of the streetlamps. He fixes his eyes on the girls.

"I've had a wonderful time tonight, and I'd like to give these to you both, with just one request." He grins that grin again.

Gwen and Lauren look at him, then at each other. Gwen turns and stares wickedly into his eyes, and begins to slowly undo the hook and eye closures on her top. Lauren shakes her head at Gwen's reaction, but then sees those eyes that sent her reeling all evening, smiles, and her hands begin unbuttoning her own blouse. A breeze chills both girl's bare skin, and the impossibly blue eyes close, with a deep sigh escaping the perfectly red lips. He carefully places each necklace on, adjusting them as he sees fit. His hands give a gentle caress, then he pulls both girls tight against him, and gives each a passionate kiss.

"Beautiful, both of you. Absolutely. Thank you, ladies." He steps back, taking their hands and giving them a kiss on the inside of their wrists. "I hope to see you again."

Lauren and Gwen step through the doorway, whispering so as not to wake the other guests.

"I can't believe we just did that!" Lauren says.

"Oh, he deserved it, as a matter of fact I'd like to show him more!"

"You are SO bad, Gwen!"

Gwen picks up one of the flyers on the little entry table. "Look, it says there's a show going on tomorrow night at the theatre down the block, a British comedian...should we go?"

"Yes, yes," yawns Lauren, "you make out the itinerary, Gwendolyn, it always turns out to be an awesome time."