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66: Zoo Guests
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2021-01-28 12:18:08“Good morning, darling.”
Yawning, Evelyn stretched and turned into Andrew’s embrace. “Good morning. How long have you been awake?”
“Half hour or so.” Cuddling her close, he kissed her forehead. “I found the sound of the ocean waves rather soothing. In fact, I don’t recall having slept quite so peacefully since the train. Unfortunately, I don’t find the screeching of the gulls or the terns nearly as calming. It’s a bit like waking up to the racket in Times Square.”
The fine hairs on his chest tickled her cheek and Evelyn shifted her head against him, laughing. “It’s a wonder you didn’t shout for a cab in your sleep.”
“I have to agree with you. As much as I’m proud of him for getting his life together, I miss having Mickey as a driver.”
“Ah,” she inhaled the sound. “Elitist as it sounds, even t
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World of Tomorrow 139: Epilogue
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The hotel’s ballroom was a gently baroque style. Its elegant space was replete with all manner of luxuries one would expect of a high-profile hotel, no matter where one might visit in the world—custom paneled with artfully etched-mirror and plaster walls, gold-leafed accents and intricate crown moldings. Above the near-magical dancefloor, which was lit from below, hung in the decorative ceiling, a ponderous crystal chandelier lit the warm wooden dancefloor beneath it. Along the periphery, undulating balconies supported by Corinthian pilasters gave an air of classicism to the space, but one not overly staid. These generous galleries provided seating for those who had only come for a meal, to watch the dancing or to listen to the orchestra. They’d dressed for a late dinner, but though the orchestra played, their music broadcast exactly as Evelyn had always dreamed of experiencing, she and Andrew hadn’t danced. In fact, they hadn’t stayed much longer than
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