I couldn't see them, but I could feel them. A hush had fallenover them - they knew we were here. The cold amphitheatre air dancedacross my hot flesh, ... soft caress that left me shivering. The calmbefore the storm.The music started. This was it.It started soft, familiar; I'd heard it more times in the past monththan I'd heard any other song in my whole life. I knew every moment ofit like the beating of my own heart.Gentle at first, the lights rose in time to the elevation of theopening melody.. ~Chapter 19Friends and Other StrangersThe road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.Prudence is a rich ugly old maid courted by Incapacity.He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence.William Blake"I've got to go," I told my companions, "but I'd like to ask you justone thing: Don't mention that you saw Mantra tonight."Hardcase and Yrial traded glances."I'm not dodging responsibility," I quickly explained. "Aladdinbelieves that it has Mantra in prison and I you can understand why Idon't. I smiled and nodded my consent. She eased Lou into a handy beanbag chair (which happened to already be occupied by Candice) and began the noisy cleanup."Only if you collect it into a big white snowball and pass it along to Colleen in a big, sloppy kiss," I added, and she nodded her compliance."Yummy," Colleen said with a lick of her lips. Mary Ann, acting very much like a cat cleaning her kitten, slowly but totally cleaned my load off Lou's face as Candice silently caressed her firm, natural. “It’s not like you gave me a chance. And it’s not like I knew when or if they really would be joining us. Honey, that was a sexy thing that just happened. Instead of watching porn… we were the porn!!!” he was proud. I guess I really needed to get a grip. I didn’t know these people and would never have to see them again. My man and I enjoyed watching skin flicks now and then… Wow, he was right, now we were the flick!! Plus, it’s not like we had gotten boos and hisses. We had been a hit. By now.