Chapter 11 Draft - Eyes Wide Shut: An Enigma

Chapter 11 Rough Draft -- Mary Sue London: Wine tasting

Curtis and Mary Sue Saturday enjoyed driving through the rolling hills of Bear Valley Springs Resort a private gate-guarded community. The two wine tasting rooms are adjacent to Bear Valley resort.

Curtis noticed Mary Sue’s snug-fitting black jeans and form-fitting blue top. She was definitely “eye candy.” She held her head up and looked Curtis straight into his eyes when she talked to Curtis. Curtis liked that. Blue was Curtis’ favorite color. It looked good on her.

Curtis opened her door at the Souza Family wine tasting room. They are known for great Zinfandel wine. Mary Sue glanced at Curtis and made a mental note that he looked good in his Wranglers. She did not know he was part “country.” She liked that.

The Souza Family wine tasting room is an eclectic, smorgasbord of locals mixed in with tourist. Curtis and Mary Sue engaged in conversation with a retired Hollywood actor that was autographing his book. Curtis was comfortable with Mary Sue as she placed her hand on his knee. After two samplings of wine, Mary Sue was more relaxed.

Mary Sue was surprised that she and the actor both knew many of the same people. Curtis learned from their conversation, Mary Sue had traveled the world working with MTV and accompanied rock stars when they performed in concerts. She had been a make-up and hair stylist artist. Mary Sue had experienced enough of the concert crowds and the extensive traveling. She was done. You could stick a fork in her leg. Done.

They enjoyed the Zinfandel wine. It was great. There was another great wine tasting room about a mile away. Signing the guest log, they left.

Arriving at Triassic Legacy Vineyards, Curtis noted the “geologist” influence. The wine tasting room featured rock walls, and a rock fireplace. The elderly man serving the samples of wine noticed that Mary Sue was looking at the rock samples. He told Mary Sue that the rocks had a significant effect on his wine. Mary Sue replied, “Oh, you own Triassic Vineyards?” He smiled and said, “He was a retired geologist.”

The atmosphere had an environment of relaxed, casual conversation. There were people from everywhere. Curtis and Mary Sue enjoyed their conversations with all of them. As they talked to others, each learned more about each other. Dallas and Mary Sue smiled a lot at each other. He could understand why her hair looked great. She was a professional high-class hair stylist.

Curtis liked Mary Sue and he knew she had an interest in him. The wine samples were different, but equally enjoyable. Mary Sue especially enjoyed their specialty: Triassic Rocks, a blend of 52% Zinfandel and 48%. Dallas purchased a bottle of it.

The owner introduced himself, as Chuck and Curtis introduced Mary Sue and himself. Curtis, seeing the logo was a dinosaur asked Chuck “Was he into dinosaurs?” Chuck replied that the Triassic geological era was when the dinosaurs lived. It was when the rocks were formed that influenced the unique flavor of his wines.

The day quickly passed. The sun was setting. It was time to have dinner at JR’s and Curtis’ favorite diner. It was time to say goodbye to the 50 or so people that were milling around the wine tasting room and leave. Curtis and Mary enjoyed each other’s conversation. They left.

Curtis glanced over as Mary Sue slid over next to him in his car. She again placed her hand on his knee. It felt good. Curtis had forgotten how pretty the view was. Perhaps good company creates an awareness of the environment. He felt she was good for him.

On the way to the restaurant, Mary Sue asked, “What kind of work do you do?” Curtis glancing at her profile says with a perfunctory reply, I work pushing a pencil behind a desk,” she laughed. Curtis said, “You saw my office. There is nothing in it.”

Curtis was going to enjoy the evening. He did not care why she asked what he did.

Dinner was pleasant for both. Each was exploring the other in terms of likes, dislikes, and interest. It was a getting to know you evening.

A band started to play soft music. Curtis asked her to dance. When they danced, they did not have lots of conversation time. They were concentrating on staying with the beat of the music and keeping up with each other.

Curtis did not know if there was an agenda by either Mary Sue, or Daemon, or both. He was going to be conservative. Around mid-night, Curtis proposed a toast to Mary Sue. “Good night, I’m toast.” Mary Sue enjoyed the toast and told Curtis she enjoyed the evening. They agreed to meet at Mojave Air and Space Port restaurant the next morning to tour the facilities. Mary Sue had only seen the place where she worked. It was time for both to go to their homes.

Mojave Airport, 3,000 Acres Storage Area

Curtis did not alter his behavior. Perhaps he could use Mary Sue to assist him to disable Daemon and his associates. Daemon would have his surveillance profiled to note aberrations in his established profile of actions and behaviors.

Mary Sue was a wild card. She would be an asset to Curtis. In the process, she would not be harmed and would have no idea of what was going on. Daemon and Curtis were playing high stakes chess. It was Curtis’ move.

Mary Sue and Curtis waited at the Mojave Voyager Restaurant for the tour of the Air and Space Port, also known as the Civilian Aerospace Test Center. Mary Sue was interested in the engineers and pilots’ conversations. Curtis was impressed seeing Mary Sue’s recognition of the photos on the wall of the aeronautical pioneers.

Curtis looked at Mary Sue from a different perspective. Not only was she attractive, there was a keen intellect that was attractive. He wanted to learn more about her.

Catching the shuttle to the Air and Space Port, Curtis asked her as many questions that he could without seemingly interrogating her. He told her he was interested in learning about her.

Mary Sue was enjoying the process. As she explained how as a hair stylist, she learn to fly and had traveled in just about every type of airplane that there is, including land or seaplanes.

As they prepared to go for a ride to see the 100’s of planes at Mojave Space Station, Curtis sensed he was being watched. Curtis was used to this. He had always been watched by sat least one government agency for years. He wondered was it a combination of electromagnetic, visual surveillance. He made a mental note to act normal.

Curtis was sure that Daemon would be bored with his surveillance of Curtis this weekend. It was exactly what Curtis wanted: complacency to set-in.

Curtis had promised to have her in her car by 3 PM Sunday. She wanted to get home before dark. With a warm hug and a quick kiss, he waved her goodbye. It was a good weekend for both. They agreed to be strictly professionally if they saw each other at work. Both wanted another date soon.