The Stewardess’s Diary – 5:05 a.m.

Alex handed me a red silky envelope covered with vertical streams of Japanese characters. “Then there’s this event,” she said.

I accepted the document and let my fingers graze the beautiful calligraphy. “What is it?”

“It’s a private function hosted by Mr. Suzuki. That man’s wealthier than anyone I know. No clue what it will be about this year, but it’s sure to be a blast. Our kind of fun, if you know what I mean… He invites lots of beautiful people.”

“Certainly beats staying in my hotel room. What should I wear?”

Alex raised her shoulders. “I don’t know, but you can’t go wrong with a black evening gown.”

“And how will I get there?”

“The address is inside. Just show the card to your hotel concierge or taxi driver.”

I turned the envelope over and noticed the opening was on one of the small ends. I tapped it against my hand and a thick card slid out, which was also covered in characters I couldn’t read or understand.

“And when is it exactly?”

“Ah! That I did find out. Those characters are the date and time,” she said, pointing at the second line from the right. “The evening on the day you land. That should give you enough time for a solid afternoon nap, then the event starts at 9 o’clock. I guess you’ll have to figure out the address first so you can plan ahead in terms of travel time from your hotel.”

“Taking over your flights certainly comes with added benefits,” I said. “Thanks, and good luck with your mom.”

“I’m just glad you were qualified for that aircraft so I could hand you my ticket. Mr. Suzuki doesn’t host events that everyone enjoys, but I know you will absolutely love it, whatever it ends up being. You’ll have to tell me all about it when I see you next.”

“I will.”

“Okay, I gotta go now, so I can get there before her surgery.”

I gave her a big hug then watched her disappear toward her departure gate.

***

7:45 p.m.

With the upcoming mysterious event on my mind, the past days had flown by. I really had no idea what Alex meant other than there could be some opportunities to have sex with beautiful people. Or perhaps she meant some 4:20 activities, but the latter seemed unlikely.

But now that I was in Tokyo, refreshed by my afternoon nap, I was once again day-dreaming about what would be happening in a couple of hours from now. Would it be some sort of 70s-inspired event where men put their keychains in a bowl and women randomly picked one and went home with its owner?

That could be fun.

Or maybe it would be something classier that would still involve nudity. Like a naked musical. That’s not very Japanese now, is it?

The alarm clock by my bed indicated it was time to go.

I double-checked my makeup and outfit in the mirror. My hairdo was still looking good, with just the right number of strands cascading out of my loose chignon. I smoothed out my long black dress and got rid of a few pieces of loose threads that had somehow clung to its silky fabric.

My necklace!

I walked to my carry-on and dug it out. I’d brought a simple silver circle that hung on a delicate chain. It wasn’t worth much, but its simplicity turned it into the perfect accessory in a pinch.

My black clutch under my arm, I headed out of my room and down to the reception to get myself a cab.