Los Domingos en Paraíso

2002-08-31T04:26:00.000-05:00

"Hey guys!"

"We're not open yet, Josue." Paolo remarked.

"Yeah, I know. I just needed to use your office to make a call. You don't mind, do you? Oh, and don't let me forget. I gotta tell you about this chick I took out on the boat earlier today. Hot as shit. Funniest thing, really. Left her buck naked right out there. Fuckin' funny and shit. I gotta tell you. I'll be right back. Can I...?"

"No. Go ahead. Nos casa es su casa... and all that." Pedro said and then turned to Paolo. "Why do we tolerate him?"

"Well he is our friend, for one. And well, without the deal we would have lost the club." Paolo responded.

Just then, she walked in. Had there been people in the room, it would have come to a standstill. She could stop a room when she entered. She wore a curve-clinging white sun dress. Provacative. Showing off her tone fit body. She walked with confidence. The light coming in the door behind her seemed to play on her shoulders and hair. Just for her. The brothers were caught mid-thought.

"Hi," she said. "You guys run this place?"

"Uh-huh," they said as one, nodding.

"My name's Paolo. Me and my brother here own this little place. Can I help you?" He would have done anything she asked really.

"I'm Felix. I was here earlier today and you chef, Budro said you could maybe use some help at the door. I'm here for the job."

"Well," replied Pedro, "We could use a hostess and all, but sometimes this place can get a little rough. Can you handle yourself?"

"I can hold my own. I've worked a lot of clubs and can take care crowds."

"Really," Pedro said coming out from behind the bar. "No offense, miss, but well, you look... well... kinda delicate and..."

"So guys!" Josue blurted as he returned from the office, "I gotta tell you about this broad."

"YOU!" Felix's eyes grew cold. "You assHOLE! What are you doing here?"

"Hey, baby," Josue responded nervously. "Looks like you found your clothes... What a shame!" He sauntered up to the bar closer to her.

In one eye-splitting moment, Felix reeled, grabbing Josue by a pressure point in his hand. She applied a little pressure and bent his arm backward as he screamed in agony, his face plowing into the wooden bar top. "You pathetic little shit!" she yelled. "I should rip your arm right out of your socket! You left me out in the middle of nowhere! I had to swim forever to get back to the beach. I should kill you!"

Paolo stepping in, "So, Felix, was it? When can you start?"

2002-06-25T01:01:00.000-05:00

Hello deary. Pant pant pant.

"Whew! Just a dog. Hi there, pooch. What's your name?"

Skye

"Do you live here?" She began to scratch behind Cielo's ear.

Oh, I like 'er. Wag wag wag. I don't care if she can't understand a thing I say.

"Cielo!" Budro yelled as he came back. "You know you're not supposed to be in here. Get the hell out before you become today's special!"

I was just checkin' on the new smell. And it's Skye, you bloody bastard! Grrrrr.

"Sorry about that Felix. He's not shy, that dog. "

"That's OK. He's friendly though."

"Cielo? Friendly? I don't think so. He only likes the brothers. He tolerates me. Sometimes I think he thinks that this is his place. Crazy dog. Here's some clothes I found. Some shorts and a t-shirt."

"So..." Felix was feeling a new plan coming on. "Is it just you and the brothers that work here? Anybody else?"

"We used to have a bouncer, but he got pretty messed up the other night. If I hadn't come out of the kitchen, he would have been in even worse shape. He's not coming back."

"Wow. Is this a rough place?"

"Not really. He was just following the rules. But the guys he was enforcing on kinda feel they're above such things. A couple of goons dragged him out front and beat the livin shit outta him."

"That sucks. Hey, you think y'all could use some help? I'm kinda bumming it down here for awhile and could use some money. I can speak Spanish and can take pretty good care of myself. I'd be like the hostess with the mostest. Whatdya think?"

"Well, I'm assuming that you have... appropriate attire? I mean, you probably shouldn't wear what you wore this afternoon. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the kitchen that is. Sorry, just being a smartass again. Actually, they could probably use the help. I don't make the decisions around here though. Although you did pass the Cielo test and that oughtta count for something. Why don't you come back in a couple of hours? We're usually dead at the open. Pedro and Paolo will be here and you can talk to them."

"That would be great. I could use the cash. They're about to kick me out of my pension if I don't pay up. So, I'll come back later and bring these clothes back for you too."

"No need. They're not mine anyway. The girl who owned them actually ran off with the guy who designed that logo on the shirt. Of course he tossed her aside a week later. Stupid girl. Anyway, if you get the job and need a place to stay, ask the brothers about the apartment out back. Nobody's using it. They might make you a deal."

"Thanks for the tip. Well then. I guess I'll see you later. Bye now." and she stepped out the door.

"Hey wait. You didn't tell me what you thought of those rolls." Budro called after her.

"Oh, yeah. They were a bit salty."

"Mon Dieu!"

"Just kidding, Budro. They were wonderful." And with a peck on the cheek to him, she was gone.

2002-06-19T22:52:00.000-05:00

OK, Felix. Now what? I guess I'll go up to the club. There's a side entrance. Maybe someone's around who can lend me an apron or something.

Knock Knock

"Hi there," said the chef as he opened the door.

"I've got a little problem."

"Do you? What's that? You know. Technically speaking. Nude sunbathing is illegal in Mexico."

"You don't say? That's part of my problem. Somebody stole my clothes. Mind if I come in and borrow an apron or something?"

"Well... we do kinda have a dress code... but since we don't open for a couple of hours, I guess I can let you in."

"Gee thanks. You're kind of a smartass, aren't you? I'm Felix, by the way."

"Kinda??? I've spent years honing my craft. And let me tell you. Nothing puts it to the test more than talking to a beautiful naked woman. So thanks for that. My name's Budro. I'm the chef here. The guys will be here in a couple of hours. Come inside."

"Budro, huh? Pardon me, but you don't exactly look cajun."

"Oh? Well I'm cajun on the inside I guess. I'm from Vietnam."

"Sounds like there's a story there, Budro. You think I can put something on now?"

"Oh, yeah. Tell you what. There's an apartment in the back of this place. And sometimes a lady friend of mine... anyway, I think I might have something for you to wear. Gimme a minute, though OK? And hey, if you're hungry, there's a plate of cajun springrolls over there that I just made. I was thinking about having them as a special appetizer this evening. Tell me what you think." And he disappeared outside and out back.

Cajun springrolls. Hmmmm. Not that I feel a little awkward standing in the kitchen of some restaurant completely naked.... damn those look good though. What the hell, I'll try one.

As she bit down on one of the rolls, the kitchen door began to slowly swing open.

Shit! How many people are gonna see me naked today? And with this roll hanging out of my mouth.... great goin Felix. Didn't you used to have some pride???

2002-06-14T02:28:00.000-05:00

"So this is your boat, Joshue?"

"Please, call me... El Pie. And yes. Well sort of. It's my friend's boat, but we're real tight," he said as he raised the sail.

"Well it's gorgeous, el Pie. You mind if I lay out on the deck while you sail?" This was going to be too easy, Felix thought. Get him drooling and then bragging and then she's practically in the organization. "It won't embarrass you if I remove this will it?" As if there had been anything left to the imagination with this tiny piece of gauze they call a top. As it dropped to the deck.

El Pie lost his grip on a rope at that moment and almost got decked by the boom. "Ah, no. I don't mind. That's what they usually do. Girls that is. When they're on Mar-my boat. Hey, we could catch a great sunset if we stay out here a few more hours. How about it?"

Does he even know how to sail this thing??? We used the motor all the way out. Why should he raise the sail now? Idiot.

They hadn't actually gone that far from the shore. Felix could still see el Paraiso in the distance. It wasn't open yet and wouldn't be for another few hours. But this... this was going much too slow. My gawd, it wasn't even 4 o'clock yet! Sunset? How slow was this guy gonna move? He probably never had a girl on this thing before. How long was she going to have to spend with this twerp? Time to speed things up. I AM on sort of a timetable here!

"How 'bout we go for a swim there Sport?" She said.

"But I didn't even bring my suit, 'Sport'"

"OK, I'll make it even then. See? I just have to pull here... and... here.... and voila! You gonna stand there with that funny look on your face or are you gonna join me?" And with that she dove into the water. She was still underneath and didn't hear El Pie's cell phone go off.

"Where the hell are you? And where the hell is my boat, pinche buey!" It was Marco.

"Uh hi Marco. I was just... see I met this... babe... and we... and..."

"Like I care, puto! Bring back my boat now! I got business for my father and you don't want me telling him I can't do it cause some cheap bastard who couldn't get laid if a girl fell on his dick is fucking around on his boat with his dick in his hand?"

Huh?

"Bring it back NOW! Cabron!"

Oh shit! "Si! Yessir Marco. I'll be at the dock in 10 minutes. Let me just help the girl back onto-"

"NOW!"

"Hey Felix! Felix! Hey. I got an emergency. Important job I gotta do. Sorry. Gotta go." And with that he turned on the motor and started off.

"No you don't! YOU.... BASTARD!" I can't believe it! No fucking way! That little...Arrrrrrrggggghhhhh! I'm gonna kick him in the nuts next time I see him! But what do I do now? OK, calm down Felix. Think. First things first. You're alone. In the water. About 1/2 mile offshore. No problem. Oh, and your buck nekkid. Well, we'll have to deal with that when we get to the beach. Then we figure out a new plan for contact cause I'm gonna KILL el Pie!

2002-06-13T03:30:00.000-05:00

That's right, these still look just fine, thank you. The reflection in the steamed mirror don't lie. It's only been 8 years, but all the miles... Fortunately the Agency has good workout facilities and the guys in the body shop have been able to patch me back together more than once. You can hardly notice the scars, unless you look real close that is. But nobody gets that close.

Yeah, you still got it kid. And thankfully so. Makes this job a lot easier sometimes. I just love it when guys underestimate me. All they see are these breasts and this butt. And this belly button peircing. Little do they know that this body is a weapon and could kill them before they could even whip it out. Oh, and the peircing was a nice touch. An emergency GPS tracking device that the tech boys dreamed up. They're better than Q, those guys.

Now, what did Q pack for the sexiest spy south of the border? Ahhh, the world's deadliest bikini. Just the thing for this assignment. Mostly string. Good thing I was able to sneak it through customs in this dental floss container. Amazing what technology can do these days! Now who will take the over/under on how long it will take a certain "Foot" to notice me?

Right, I didn't think so!

Oh well, off to the beach.

Yeah, there are moments when this job just doesn't suck.

2002-06-12T03:06:00.000-05:00

"He always knows the perfect thing to say to make me feel special. He wasn't always this grumpy though. Only in the last year or so. In fact, if it weren't for him, where would I be now? He did recruit me after all. And now I'm Special Agent Felix Manner. Of course that's not my real name. It's as real as I've got now though. I've been through so many... maybe a nice shower will make me feel better."

years ago

"Alright gentlemen. Give it up for Alexandra! Remember to show your appreciation guys and buy a table dance or 4. Toni standby. Aria standby. Now lets get ready for..."

"Hey, you're not bad," a voice said. "You move with precision."

"What are you? A scout or someting, sweety? You want some company?"

"Why don't you sit down, Alexandra."

"Thanks. I saw you here yesterday. You new in town? In for the convention, or just pleasure?"

"Oh, I'm here on business."

"Well then let's get to it (I got bills to pay). Would you like a dance?"

But he saw right through her. She didn't know he knew more about her than just about anybody had ever known. "You hate this don't you." He said. "So why do you do it? Oh and here's $100 for your time."

Right to the point, eh? What was it about him though? I'll bite. Hell, it's a hundie. I'll get to go home early tonight and get that redesign done. What the hell? Let's go for a little honesty and see how he reacts. "Hey, I did the math. I'm 20 years old. I got bills. I like to travel. Most of these fools in here are easily seperated from their $20 dollar bills. I don't fuck 'em. I don't drink or do drugs. So, what do I have to lose? I dance for 6 months and travel for 6. I won't be able to do either forever so... Pretty simple really."

"Yeah, but pretty boring too. Besides, I've watched these jerks. They're not always harmless. It's not entirely risk free here and the working conditions suck."

"Hey, I'm tougher than I look, bub. I can take care of myself."

"I know."

"What? How?"

"The other night... I saw you dispatch those 3 guys that followed you into the parking lot. Pretty handy. You missed their buddy though."

"What are you talking about? You were there? And what buddy? Are you some crazy stalker or someting???"

"Please. I know more about you than you think, but I'm no stalker. Oh, and your welcome for the 'buddy'... the redneck with the knife. You see, I work for an government organization that recruits people with your specific profile..."

"Hold on a minute! Information overload. Back up. Let's take this one step at a time, cowboy. Now you have a sweet voice and seem pretty rational and all, but I didn't just fall off a turnip truck. Why don't you start with telling me what you know about me and how you found out."

"Well, it was pretty easy actually. You see. We put out certain feelers in areas that are highly likely to return hits on potential recruits. Certain industry HR and recruiting databases. Seminaries. High scool vocational tests. And many other areas. You should be proud to know that you were our first quality hit since we launched this new technology. You see... certain internet personality tests that you took while surfing fed right to the Agency's central recruitment databases. In your case in particular, you exhibited the right mix of high IQ, decision making under pressure, and high marks in moral ambiguity.

"After that, it was really easy tracing your computer usage back to your website and reading your personal history from your own postings. It didn't take much either to follow up on your references who were secretly checked out. Everything we needed to know about you we found within 6 clicks of your weblog."

jaw dropping

"So what? You gonna interview me now or something?"

"Nope. No need. All I needed was a field test of your basic physical skills which was provided by our redneck friends the other night. You passed... but could use a lot of improvement."

"What's going on exactly? I'm a little lost. You show up here at the club. You say you know everything about me. You've 'tested' me by sicking some drunk redneck bastards on me and risking my life. And now you're offering me a 'job'??? With an 'Agency' who are likely spooks. So I'd be doing spy shit and stuff. And... wait a minute. This is a job I can't refuse isn't it?"

"Well, the compensation is qui-"

"No. I mean... now that it's on the table and everything is out in the open... how can I say no?"

"Uh, you can't really."

"No fucking shit. That was sarcasm, asshole. Or should I say, Deputy Director Andy Davies. Cute. Kinda like Opie Cunningham."

"Hey, how did yo-"

"Oh here," flipping the wallet back, "I lifted it when you were busy looking at that other girls tits. I guessed there's one skill you missed. Maybe even 2. By the way. Hers are fake. Not these, baby."

his jaw dropping

2002-06-11T06:03:00.000-05:00

Secure Connection established...
PGP Encryption enabled...

To: Special Agent Felix Manner
From: La Voz
Re: RE: Initial Case Analysis
--------------------------------------------------

Enough with the fucking travellogue already! Get to work. I feel the need to remind you to watch your back, Felix. And no maverick shit either! I don't want a repeat of Morocco. That was almost an fucking international incident. Got it? Good. And next time don't wait 2 weeks before reporting in. Don't get dead. It'll cost the taxpayers too much to replace you.

2002-06-11T05:26:00.000-05:00

Secure Connection established...
PGP Encryption enabled...

To: La Voz
From: Special Agent Felix Manner
Re: Initial Case Analysis
Location: Tulum, Mexico
----------------------------------------------------
Arrived 2 weeks ago in Tulum, Mexico to investigate Mario Cuvo and son. Hasn't taken long to get lay of town and power structure. There are 2 large hotels from major companies here that are under construction. A single exclusive hotel and several mid-range pensiones which (surprise) are owned by Cuvo. He also owns a couple of night clubs and a pharmacy chain. They do good business. Good "legitimate" business that is. The area is poised to take off commercially from a tourism standpoint. Everybody seems to be moving further south away from Cancun and down the Mayan Riviera. Tulum is the next big thing and Cuvo owns a sizeable chunk of real estate and businesses. It's rumored too that he is in talks with the government to get special permission to build a golf resort on and around the site of some Mayan ruins. No surprise here either, but it looks like they are going to OK the plans. According to locals, he "owns" several politicians.

There is one particular night club which is not directly linked to the Cuvo's from what I can tell from my initial investigation. But I'm suspicious. It is the most popular club by far. Preferred by locals and tourists alike, El Paraiso sits practically on the water on a prime peice of real estate. It's owned by 2 brothers, Pedro and Paolo del Toro. Not to sound too much like Lonely Planet, but it boasts a fine menu which changes often consisting of mostly latin/asian fusion cuisine prepared by a Vietnamese chef. Nightly music consists of a mix between recorded disco and rock, and also live performances by the younger brother's salsa band. They are a local favorite, by the way. Drink prices are fair and pours are, how would you say?... generous. Menu items range from $ to $$$.

But I digress...

One of the regulars and sometimes guest vocalists in Paolo's band is a guy by the name of Josue "El Pie" Goldberg. Go figure. He's a small time runner for Marco Cuvo's gang. I think they keep him around for the fall guy. You know, if they ever get in serious trouble, he'll take the fall. But with daddy running the show, that shouldn't happen. Shouldn't be too difficult to make contact through him. He's the desperate type. Likes to show off. And isn't all that bright. He has an amazingly nice voice though. Almost angelic.

2002-06-11T04:43:00.000-05:00

Looking back now, though, Brother, we never would have met her either.

She walked into our bar. I don't know which one of us fell in love with her first. Who wouldn't. You couldn't help the feeling of wanting to call her "doll." Just like in those old detective movies.

American... which meant that she had a little of everything in her. A wonderful mix of nationalities. She could be anything really and you'd never know... Eastern European, Mediterranean, North American. She was American though. Confident. Almost too confident. That's what gave her away. You had to look hard to see it though. It was as if she was trying to hide it, but would let it slip every once in awhile.

Lovely face. Big blue eyes like marbles that seemed to have a light of their own. Awe... and those lips. People would say they were bee stung, but you just knew they tasted like honey. She could look innocent if she wanted to. But she was a mystery. She moved like a cat. And she had come to El Paraiso.

2002-06-11T03:30:00.000-05:00

"OK guys, we're playing cops and robbers."
"Again, Josue? We always play that."
"Yeah, and Pedro and I are always the cops and you're always the robber."
"But it's fun. And this time you'll never catch me... 'cause I gotta plan. A killer plan. And you'll never figure it out. And I will make a zillion pesos"
"And that's like 4 bucks american, Josue!"

You always had a way with words, brother. But you were right. He always wanted to play that game. Even when we were kids. Maybe that's why he started hanging out with Marco when we were in highschool. Always wanting the quick path to riches and power... and women. And what better way to get that, but through Marco and his gang. They always had the best cars and coolest toys and prettiest girls. Then he started going by "Josue el Pie". I guess it did rhyme, eh? It wasn't even a real mobster name, but somehow Marco's gang pretended to accept him.

We worked so hard for so long to make it. How many times were we dead broke? 6? 7 times? But we never gave up. And we should have made it. Why did we listen to him? Were we that desperate?

El Pie had the plan alright. One job. No risk. Big payoff. Why did we even entertain him? Because we used to be friends growing up? It certainly was tempting though. And it seemed so easy. Aye! We should have known better. We weren't kids anymore. We knew exactly what we were getting into. And then we found out. It wasn't just "one" simple job. It tied us to "them". And eventually to El Diablo himself... Mario.

2002-06-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

"Listen Felix. You're not a goddamned rookie. You're a pro. Quit wasting time. You've got a job to do. You've made contact right? Through the brothers?"

"Yeah, I have, but," she hated confronting La Voz... even over the phone he could make her feel like a green rookie, "it just doesn't feel right."

La Voz just about blew up then. ""Feel right'??? How's it supposed to feel??? You are supposed to take down a crook... a murderer... a guy who poisons kids. That's why you joined the Company, Felix. And... as much as I hate to admit it... you're good at it. Cold, merciless, killer. It's what you are. What we trained you to be. So do your job and don't fuck up just because you might have a puppy-love crush on some wannabe mob delivery boy. We're gonna take the whole organization down, but we can't move until you take out Mario... and set his son up too. We'll take care of Marco later, but we need him alive for a little while longer. So get over any misguided 'feelings' you might have and get to work!"

"OK, you're the b-..." but he had already cut the secure connection..."...the asshole."

2002-05-26T15:15:00.000-05:00

Look at him there. Poor, pathetic, miserable, groveling fool. He protect her? She's the trained professional. Not 'im. How's 'e going to protect 'er? He and 'is brother were patsies. He still doesn't know too. She only used 'em to get close to the old man. She's off right now to do 'er business. But she's wreckless, she is. They shouldn't 'ave fallen in love.

They don't think I understand, but I do. Bloody 'ell I do. But they can't understand me. I'm just the bleedin' dog. I 'ear everything. I know all that's goin' on 'round 'ere. They don't want to listen so I 'ave to spend all me days chasin' 'em an' protectin' 'em from 'emselves. And to top it off, they keep calling me Cielo! Me bloody name's Skye!

2002-05-22T22:43:00.000-05:00

Remember playing in the maiz fields?...

Slow down, Pedro! You'll lose me! Where are you? I can't see? We're lost. I'm lost. Come back....

Waking...

Aye, brother. You are indeed lost from me. I look out over the city from my apartment and see the cars race by and get lost behind the tall buildings. They weave in and out like ants with a single unknown purpose. Going... somewhere. Where am I going now? Back to the Club? Our Club? My Club now. El Paraiso.

She'll not be there though. I know she won't. I don't know where she is now. She's safe though. And I will find her again, Brother. I will make sure I protect her. I won't fail.

2002-03-03T12:59:00.000-06:00

Sunday... (queue music)

Today I burried my brother.

You are gone, Brother. He took you from me and now he will pay. His own son continues in his father's lecherous ways. Power... more important than anything. He does not care for anything or anyone else. Not even for the women he takes to his bed. Should I worry about him, Marco, that is? Talk to me, Brother. Guide me.

His father, Mario, is old now. He is the one I should exact revenge on, Brother. I must avenge your death. For all that he did for us... and then all he took from us. When did it start to turn? How could we have known it would be like this? Oh, my Brother! I will miss you. For you, the adventure is over. But for me... ahhhh, remember when we were kids?