Jesse pulled up to the local brothel, jumped out of his Jeep, and entered the gentleman’s club, not that any gentlemen could be found there. He was greeted by a young woman who recognized him and asked him in perfect English to follow her. Jesse shadowed the very attractive young woman through a bamboo and beaded curtain into a magnificent parlor. His olfactory senses were immediately filled with an interesting combination of French perfume and incense, which was quite pleasant.

  Plush Indian wool rugs covered the highly polished exotic wood flooring. The walls were covered with rich dark mahogany accented with bamboo. Hanging from every wall were ornately framed artwork by nineteenth-century painters Delphin Enjolras and Sir Lawrence Tadema, showing off the beautiful curves of nude women in seductive poses. Madame Chi was seated on a Victorian, red velvet Meeks Stanton Hall pattern sofa. The woman was striking in her white áo Dài traditional dress embroidered with red roses.

  The dress was a tight-fitting silk tunic worn over pantaloons with long slits up each thigh. It was a very provocative dress, showing off her bust and curves. It is said that; “The áo Dài covers everything but hides nothing.”

  On either side of the sofa were two matching rosewood chairs covered in red velvet. Finishing off the setting were exquisitely carved mahogany end tables, elegant Victorian lamps with shades of burgundy lace, and chainette fringe laced with hand-beaded red and green crystals. A large Ming vase sat on the mahogany pedestal between two potted palms. It was said to have been a gift from a very wealthy admirer and was one of Madame Chi’s prized possessions.

  Chi was a tall, attractive woman in her mid-thirties with long, beautiful black hair, a slender face with high rounded cheekbones, and large dark eyes. She wore blood-red lipstick over her very sensual lips. Her complexion was flawless, with just a light makeup covering and blush. Madame Chi’s was by far the best gentleman’s house in town. She got up and greeted Jesse as he walked through the bamboo curtain. The Vietcong had killed her parents and forced her into prostitution at a very early age, but at the age of fourteen, she escaped her captors and fled to Xuan Loc.

  Chi was intelligent and cunning and, over time, started her own brothel employing only the prettiest girls. The brothel was thriving now from the buildup of ARVN troops, and she put on more girls to service the men. Chi paid her girls well but with no forced servitude. Her livelihood depended on her being gracious, and she knew how to stroke the egos of the men who entered her establishment.

  “Jesse, welcome back. It’s always a pleasure to see you. I know just the right girl for you. Sit down and have some tea, and I will make a room ready with Sang, or do you want more than one?”

  Shawn had told her that Jesse was seeing the pretty CIA dragon lady, although she hoped he wouldn’t refuse her offer. She also suspected that he was there to pick up Shawn and wasn’t there for fun.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “No girls today, but I will have some coffee if you have any? Where is Shawn? I need to round him up?”

  Madame Chi pretended to be disappointed by his refusal but rebounded quickly.

  “You good customer… I give you two for one price today.”

  “No boom boom today, Madame Chi. Maybe next time. How about that coffee? Oh, and can you roust Shawn for me, please.”

  Jesse pondered the two-for-one offer, knowing it was five times the going rate anywhere else in town, but Chi also had the best girls in town.

  Madame Chi reluctantly gave in and said. “I have Sanka if you like?”

  “Thanks, that will be just fine.”

  Madame Chi ordered the young girl who escorted Jesse in to make some coffee and sat beside Jesse, admiring his rugged good looks. She had known many US soldiers in the past, yet none had captivated her like this man. Chi had often dreamed of moving to the United States, and her fantasies often included being with the man sitting beside her. Then again, Chi was a realist and knew her dreams would never come true.

  “Shawn is bathing now. He should be down soon.” Chi informed him.

  “I hope he’s bathing by himself?”

  Jesse knew if he was in the tub with one of the girls, it might take way too much time.

  Madame Chi paused momentarily, then said, “I believe he has two girls bathing him.”

  “Shit, what bathroom is he in?”

  Madame Chi pointed up the stairs and said, “Top floor, last door down the hall on the left.”

  Jesse headed up the stairs two at a time. When he got to the top floor, he could hear laughter coming from the end of the hall. He found the door and entered without knocking. Shawn was sitting on a seat in a large, square, wooden bathtub with steam rising from the surface. Two young girls were in the tub with him, and neither looked over sixteen. One sat on his lap facing him, while the other washed his back with a sponge. They weren’t wearing bathing suits.

  “Bro, come on in and join the fun,” Shawn said with a broad smile as the two girls pleaded for him to join them.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’m saving myself for marriage.”

  Shawn let out a loud chuckle, “Good one, bro, I love it?”

  “I’m going back downstairs, and I want your ass downstairs in ten. No, make that five. We have a meeting with Colonel Bennett, and we need to be there on time for a change!”

  “Quick as I can, man, just as soon as these lovely things give me a thorough scrubbing.”

  “Didn’t you get enough last night?” Jesse said, using Sydney’s line.

  “I was drunk last night and don’t remember a thing, so now I have to refresh my memory.”

  Jesse gave a loud sigh and headed for the door.

  “Ten minutes tops,” Jesse said with authority as he closed the door behind him.

  Jesse returned and sat with Madame Chi, who had his coffee waiting for him. Chi moved close to Jesse and rubbed the inside of his thigh.

  “Maybe you would prefer an older, more experienced woman?”

  Jesse knew Madame Chi turned down almost every man who wanted her and was surprised by her offer. She was only reserved for the elite class, and only a few made the cut. She was also very expensive.

  Being very diplomatic, he said, “Thank you for your offer, but I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. It’s not that I don’t think you’re desirable because I do. Unfortunately, Shawn and I have a meeting with some top brass in thirty minutes. But I will take a rain check.”