A noise woke Robert. He sat up and his head throbbed in response. The noise again; it was coming from the bed. He ran his hands through the sheets and covers, and came up with his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, muchacho! It's Miguel. You still sleeping? It's 11:00. You ready to come in to the office?" Miguel sounded far too enthusiastic for having been out as late as they both were. Maybe Miguel hadn't drunk quite as much as he had.

He could faintly recall Miguel having the limo pick them up after they left the Blue Marlin, and being delivered to his new place. This must be the new place. He was still wearing his clothes from yesterday.

"I need a shower. How do I get there?"

"We'll send the car for you. Get cleaned up; he'll be there in a half hour".

He stood up and gripped the wall for support. It didn't take long for the swirling to stop and he dropped his clothes in a heap where he stood. He stumbled towards the bathroom.

In the bathroom, he saw a bar of soap in a paper wrapper and a little bottle of shampoo on the sink, hotel-style. He also gratefully observed a number of towels on a bar attached to the wall.

He had to take a fierce leak, but he ignored the toilet, blindly turned the shower knob, and stepped in without bothering to check the temperature.

Twenty minutes later and much more awake, he stood,...