With each step approaching the concierge desk, Bette noticed a subtle quickening of pulse, and a little surprise at the growing nervousness she felt in her stomach. The young man behind the desk smiled warmly in greeting, turning to Bette to welcome her.

”Good evening, welcome to the Pendry Hotel. How can I help you?” he asked. His helpful expression was highlighted by a small slit cut into his eyebrow. Bette was quietly impressed – she knew that the staff in this hotel were hand selected for their exceptional experience and presentation, and felt that the eyebrow spoke volumes about challenging conventions.

”Bette Porter, picking up a room key. Thanks,” she responded. Bette could hear how she sounded – slightly rude, abrasive maybe – but Bette had long mastered the art of minimising these encounters, eager to swiftly escape the exposure of the hotel lobby. The concierge smiled and looked at his monitor, tapping a few keys before handing over a sleek black branded card. He smiled at Bette and nodded. ”Enjoy your stay,”.

Returning the smile briefly, Bette walked across to the elevator and used her thumb to press the call button. What am I doing? She asked herself this quietly, without resolving to answer. The air was cooler in the elevator, and immediately highlighted her slightly clammy palms. She shifted the bottle of wine she had brought under her arm and gently shook her hands, and prayed that she didn’t look as nervous as she felt.

Chancing a glance in the mirror on the way up to the sixth floor, Bette hoped her outfit selection wasn’t too suggestive. But also not too casual. For fucks sake, she shook her head and a few brown curls threatened to come loose. Pull it together. A gentle tone announced the arrival of the elevator and Bette stepped out and turned left down the hall, her heels muted on the plush carpet. Standing outside room 612, Bette exhaled slowly and admitted to herself that she had both no idea or control over what would happen next as she waved the card over the reader. A green light flashed, followed by a quiet beep and click of the internal latch. She gently pushed the door open and stepped through.