9.

Walk, calm, Darren told himself as he strode into the bar, you are simply going in to use the bathroom, no-one must know, no-one must see what you are about to do, no-one must suspect.

Fortunately most people seemed to have chosen to forsake the rather tame surroundings of the hotel watering hole for the wilder entertainment on offer in the rest of the city that night.

The place was practically deserted and with a sigh Darren pushed open the door to the mens’ room and looked around for his prey.

Aha, over by the sinks.

Digging two two dollar coins out of his pocket he slotted them into the machine and pulled the tray. Nothing happened.

He tried again this time with a bit more force. Still nothing. His palms began to sweat and he glanced anxiously towards the door.

No, this could not be happening. Giving the tray one more tug again to no avail he thumped the machine loudly and rested his head against it.

Was this someone’s way of telling him that what he was about to do was wrong or just their idea of a sick joke?

I bet women never have this problem with tampon machines he thought.

He looked up an idea forming. It was the age of equality so maybe…but could he? dare he? what if he got caught?

Deciding that the benefits definitely outweighed the risks he opened the door and heaved a huge sigh of relief. The womens' toilet was just next door.

Another quick look around. Nope the few people there were were all down the other end of the bar.

Taking a deep breath he quickly slipped inside.

Now where was it?

There, tucked away in a corner.

He ran over to the machine and fumbled around for some more change. Fuck! He only had one dollar and some smaller stuff left. With shaking hands he fed the coins into the slot, dropping a load and having to retrieve them, slowing him up still further.

With a grateful heart he pulled the tray just praying that this one would work.

It did.

Into his hand plopped a small box containing three condoms.

Houston we have situation normal again.

Hurriedly he stuffed the box into his pocket.

Now all he had to do was make it out of there unseen.

His hand was on the door handle when it turned of it’s own accord.

Shit!

Panic set in but Darren decided that all he could do was brazen it out. He could hardly run and hide he could be in here all night.

The door opened and an attractive brunette entered. She looked only mildly surprised to see Darren there, doing, he was sure, his best deer-in-the-headlights impression.

‘I’m sorry I appear to have got the wrong one.’ He stammered, acutely aware of the colour that rose to his cheeks.

‘Oh that’s ok honey,’ A somewhat amused voice replied, ‘I used to do it all the time pre-op.’ She dropped her voice even though they were the only ones in there, ‘You’re never quite sure who will give you the funnier looks are you, the guys or the girls.’

Darren’s jaw dropped.

‘Er, no, ermm, yeah.’ And he fled.

That’s it those damn curls were going tomorrow without fail.

Briskly he made his way back through the bar area and then bolted for the lifts.

Once in he slid to the floor in exhaustion and clutching his sides let out the laughter that he found himself unable to contain any longer.