He looked over at the door when he heard the knob turn, and straightened up as Boe entered the room. Vedrun went to him while he took off his coat and put it over the back of a chair. It took a few seconds for the man to smile at him and lean over to peck him on the cheek. When the greeting was done Boe passed him to sit down on the sofa. Vedrun turned around but didn’t follow. He watched Boe get comfortable and open his satchel on his lap.

Boe sighed. “I thought the week would drag on forever.”

He pawed through his bag a little, then pushed it onto the sofa beside him and pulled his legs up onto the coffee table, crossing them at the ankles. For a moment he sat with his eyes closed. When he opened them he looked down at his bag and picked it back up, looking through it once more. He pulled out a book and flared the pages until he found the right one.

After a minute or so Vedrun approached the sofa and stood at its arm. At this proximity he could see that Boe’s clothing had more wrinkles and creases than usual. His hair was a little more oily. When he wasn’t acknowledged Vedrun shifted his feet, bumping the sofa with his leg.

“Boe?”

Boe looked up at him. “Yes?” He held his gaze for several seconds. Vedrun’s brow started to furrow and he tilted his head, disguising the change.

“Do you want anything?”

“I’m all right,” he said. Another pause. His tone changed slightly, careful but curious. “Is there something you want?”

The boy was quick to shake his head but the crease in his brow deepened. He looked away, glaring towards the kitchenette. “You have everything you need, then.”

“Pretty much,” Boe said, his tone still tentative. By the way Vedrun’s jaw started to clench he must have been able to feel Boe watching him with interest now. “Did something happen?”

Vedrun glanced at him. “What do you mean?”

“You’re acting stiff. Did something happen earlier today? Maybe another guest hurt you?”

The suggestion squared Vedrun’s shoulders. He looked directly at Boe, frowning. “No, nothing happened.”

“Then why are you acting so stiff?”

“I’m not acting stiff,” Vedrun snapped. Boe started to smile.

“Something must have happened, if you’re this upset already. Why don’t you tell me about it?”

“Nothing happened,” Vedrun repeated. He worked a couple teeth together. “Do you want anything or not?”

“I’m fine,” Boe said. “Why don’t you relax? You must have had a hard day.”

“This is your time,” Vedrun said.

“You don’t have to stand up for all of it,” Boe said. He looked away and gestured towards the bed at the far side of the room. “Lie down. I don’t like you loitering.”

He kept his eyes on him to make sure the boy would comply. Vedrun stopped at the foot of the bed and stared down at it for a moment before looking back at him. Boe waited. With a sharp sigh he climbed on and settled in the middle of the generous spread.

Vedrun picked at the blanket for a while. He scratched along a stitch line and tweezed out part of the thread. It popped free when he pulled on it long enough and he discarded it. Eventually he rested his head in his arms and stared at a dark gap between the pillows at the head of the bed. He tapped his foot against the bed, bouncing it at the ankle, and adjusted himself several times.

His head dipped and he raised it back up. Now he dug his toes into the blanket, flexing them periodically. The room had been quiet for some time. He squinted at the pillows a little longer before turning slightly and looking over his shoulder. Boe was watching him. He turned over the rest of the way and started to sit up.

“You feel better?” Boe asked.

“Why are you watching me?” Vedrun demanded. Boe shrugged and pattered his fingers across the pages of his book. Vedrun couldn’t recall hearing any pages turn since he’d first laid down.

“I was just thinking,” Boe said, “you look very natural.”

Vedrun’s face darkened but he didn’t open his mouth.

“You looked bored,” Boe said. “Is there anything you want to do?” Another severe line crossed Vedrun’s face. It remained even as he shook his head. Boe gave him a sympathetic look that wasn’t well received. He pulled his legs down from the coffee table and looked down at his book. “When you’ve made up your mind, you can speak up any time.” Vedrun scowled at him but the man didn’t see it. He started to fist up the blanket.

“That’s all you do,” Vedrun said, his voice waning out at the end. When Boe didn’t respond he spoke louder. “You’re fine with wasting two hours, as long as you have a book.”

“Do you even know how to read?” Boe asked, looking up at him. He caught Vedrun’s reaction. The boy had sat back heavily as if he’d been pushed.

“Of- course,” he said. Boe nodded.

“That would make sense. You handle condoms and things, they have written instructions included, so you’d have to be able to read that, at least.”

“That’s not why I read,” Vedrun said.

“I can’t imagine any other reason you would be able to in this place. Or do you read to your guests?”

“I know how to read,” Vedrun said, “there’s nothing else to it!”

“But do you read? When do you find the time?”

“I’m not entertaining guests every minute of my life,” Vedrun said, “I have plenty of time to myself, and I know how to read. I don’t do it when I’m supposed to be entertaining a guest!”

“Do you want me to stop reading?” Boe asked.

“Why would I?” Vedrun asked.

“If there’s anything you want to do,” Boe said, “I’ll be happy to put it aside. If there isn’t, then I’d like to get this done.”

“What is it,” Vedrun asked, “that you need to do it right now?”

Boe didn’t answer right away and Vedrun started fidgeting in place. He seemed to become distracted by the boy’s pouting face.

“Boe,” Vedrun said.

“Well,” Boe said, “you don’t like to talk about your job, so I don’t feel inclined to talk about mine.”

At first Vedrun’s face started contorting, preparing itself for a nasty glare. As the words sank in though the tension released. His hands that had been wringing the blanket slowly relaxed.

“You read for your job?” Vedrun asked.

“Yes,” Boe said. Vedrun waited but the man didn’t elaborate.

“What is your job?” he asked. Boe shook his head.

“I’m not talking about that. You haven’t put me in the mood to share.”

“So you’d tell me any other time?” Vedrun growled.

“Possibly,” Boe said. “You’ve never asked before.”

“You’re the one who asks all the questions,” Vedrun said.

“You never offer anything up,” Boe said. “I have to ask questions.” Vedrun looked away and huffed. Once he’d finished mulling things over he looked at him again.

“What do you want to know?”

“Did you have a bad day?”

The boy took a deep breath in through his nose. Boe waited for him to exhale.

“No,” he said.

“All right,” Boe said. He shifted a little on the sofa and put an arm over the back. “What’s got you so upset, then?”

Vedrun squinted at him but he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes narrowed in a menacing fashion. He squirmed in his seat, folding his legs under himself and readjusting them. The longer he delayed in answering the deeper a touch of red grew in his face.

He frowned down at the bed, still squinting, and picked at the blanket. “You didn’t... get me anything...” he mumbled. “Did you?”

The silence that followed was stark.

“I don’t think I understand,” Boe said.

“Did you get anything,” Vedrun said, “did you get me anything.”

“Anything?”

“A present,” Vedrun said, grimacing. “Did you get me a present!”

“You want a present?” Boe asked.

“You always bring one,” Vedrun said. He swatted at the bed where he’d been picking at it and turned his head away from Boe. The visible side of his face was red.

Boe thought about it. “Oh,” he said, then, “no, I didn’t bring one today.”

“Oh,” Vedrun said hollowly.

“I didn’t think you liked them,” Boe said. Vedrun shook his head, still avoiding eye contact.

“You always bring one, though. I thought maybe you forgot.”

“I wouldn’t forget,” Boe said. “I need to figure out what to get you, is all.” He didn’t quite smile. “You really were upset because I didn’t bring you a present?”

“I don’t care,” Vedrun said, “I just thought you forgot.”

He turned his head enough to look at Boe again. The man was watching him intently.

The corner of his mouth curved up. “Come sit here, Vedrun,” he said. Vedrun stayed where he was, hunching a little.

“What?” he asked. Boe patted the seat beside him on the sofa.

“Come over here.”

He got off the bed slowly. The boy crossed the room with controlled steps and sat down stiffly. He looked around, eyes scanning the coffee table and Boe’s legs before tracking up. Boe was grinning, a slight lilt to his face.

“You’re spoiled,” he said.

Vedrun startled and made a sour face. He started to get up from the sofa and Boe quickly took hold of his arm. The boy pulled against him, looking disgusted.

“Let go,” he said.

“You know it’s true,” Boe said. The struggling died down but Vedrun kept glaring, his face red. Boe’s smile served to make him chuff out a hot blast of air. “Now Vedrun, I’m not saying it’s your fault. I keep bringing you things you say you don’t even want. But for you to expect to get them... I think you’re finally starting to warm up to me,” he said.

The anger in Vedrun’s expression wavered. With Boe smiling at him he couldn’t quite calm down.

“Be honest. You want to kiss me right now, but you want me to do everything for you. Tell me that’s not spoiled.”

“You want to get me mad,” Vedrun asked flatly, “don’t you?”

“You aren’t denying it.”

“I’m not,” Vedrun said. He tried to twitch his arm free from Boe without success. “I don’t.”

“Do you play this hard to get with every guest? I’m having a good time, but I don’t know if other people would.”

“I’m not playing,” Vedrun said. “I don’t like you!”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“I’m angry,” Vedrun said, “I get red.”

“Calm down,” Boe said, “I’m just playing with you. Do you get this upset with everyone you entertain?”

“Other guests don’t play mind games,” Vedrun snapped.

“So they don’t ever upset you, then?”

“No,” Vedrun said, “they get in and out, like they’re supposed to. They take what they want and they leave.”

“They don’t give you presents?” Boe asked.

“No,” Vedrun said, “not unless they want something different from usual.”

“How often does that happen?” Boe asked.

“Never,” Vedrun said.

“Do you keep my presents?” Boe asked. Vedrun gave a sharp nod of his head. The questioning stopped. Boe leaned in towards him, keeping hold of his arm. Vedrun turned his face partly away before keeping still to let the man kiss him. When it was over Boe leaned back. “Thank you.”

“I can’t throw them away,” Vedrun said.

“Not that,” Boe said. He spread his fingers across Vedrun’s arm, brushing gently. “You’re talking to me. This is the first time you talked about your work to me.”

“Is that all you wanted?” Vedrun asked.

“No,” Boe said, “but it’s a start.”

He rubbed Vedrun’s arm in small alternations. The boy shifted his legs a bit and started pressing his nails into the sofa cushion beneath him.

“So you know how to read,” he said. “Does that mean you went to school before you started working here?”

Vedrun shook his head. He stalled in answering, “They taught me.”

“The Hotel?” A nod. Boe leaned a little closer. “What else did they teach you?”

“Not- not much,” Vedrun admitted. “Some numbers, and etiquette. I know how to cook,” he said, the last tidbit given without enthusiasm. Boe’s gaze was undeterred.

“I see,” Boe said. “They don’t offer you classes here, then?”

“Not really,” Vedrun said.

“It sounds like it can get pretty boring around here.”

“They keep you busy,” Vedrun said softly, almost under his breath. He came to attention as Boe’s hand went down to his wrist, clasping loosely.

“You must get bored when I visit you. I had thought I was giving you a break, but it sounds like you don’t really need one.”

Vedrun’s eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. “No, that’s not true, I-”

“It’s all right,” Boe said, stroking his hand. Vedrun pulled it away reflexively and the man cupped his shoulder instead. “You can tell me when you don’t like something. I’ll try to make things more interesting from now on. We’ll find things to do together, how does that sound?”

The boy stared at him but couldn’t communicate his thoughts through expression alone. He looked away and sighed.

“All right, Boe.”

Boe drew his hand back and looked at him for a while but the boy didn’t glance his way again. They sat in the quiet for a couple minutes. He dropped his eyes down to the book in his lap, then patted Vedrun on the leg.

“Would you like to know about my job?”

Vedrun shrugged, turning his head slightly but not enough to engage him.

“It’s pretty exhausting,” Boe said. “Right now, I’m trying to set up a meeting with some clientele. It’s hard to impress them, so I need to pick a nice location.”

The boy nodded. He watched Boe from the corner of his eye, then down to the book in his lap. “And you’re reading for this.”

“It’s not very fun reading,” Boe said, “more like research.”

“Research for what?” Vedrun asked. Boe caught his eye and he turned his head the rest of the way. The man gestured towards the open book.

“See for yourself.”

The offer piqued Vedrun’s interest, but he stalled in moving. He squinted at Boe as though trying to see where the catch was. When he couldn’t find it he reached out slowly for the book and took it from Boe’s lap. The man shifted a little closer to him and moved his hand from his leg to rest along the back of the sofa.

Vedrun scanned the open pages, then doubled back. His brow furrowed and he turned back to an earlier section. He looked long and hard at the glossy photos present here. Further reading. He closed the book and looked at its cover, then at Boe, frowning.

“This is a travel catalogue,” he said.

“Yes,” Boe said.

“This is research?”

“I need to find a place the clientele will like,” Boe explained, “so I consider it to be.” Vedrun’s frown deepened and he looked at the book again, turning its pages constantly. “Maybe you can help me.”

“Really,” Vedrun said. He put his hand on top of the book, blocking Boe’s view of the passage it was opened to. He leaned over Vedrun’s lap to look closer anyway and contemplated the photograph in the top corner.

“Have you ever traveled?”

“No,” Vedrun said.

“That’s okay,” Boe said. “You can still help.” Vedrun didn’t look convinced. “It strains my eyes to read for too long.” He paused as the boy huffed. “I was thinking, maybe you could do me a favor and read to me.”

“Read a catalogue?” Vedrun asked.

“Sure,” Boe said, “they make it pretty easy for you. Put some personality into it if you like.”

“You’re serious,” Vedrun said. Boe smiled at him.

“Start anywhere you like.”

Vedrun took a minute to compose himself. He looked at the page he was on a long time before beginning.

“Get away from your hectic schedule,” Vedrun read slowly, “the chaos of the inner city, and immerse yourself in the calm of nature. Our remote mountain lodge is guaranteed, conducive to your relaxation needs...” His nose started to wrinkle. Boe moved over until their legs touched so he could follow along more easily. “The beautiful snowcapped peaks and evergreen trees are only the beginning of this refreshing environment. Our facilities are equipped to accommodate both outdoor and indoor activity. From skiing and nature hikes, to the hearths of our grand stone fireplaces, we supply the means to your vacation’s end.”

He stopped reading as Boe leaned over and pinched at the corner of the page, lifting it to better see the picture of the lodge provided. “Looks remote, all right,” Boe said. “Maybe a little too out of the way. I’d hate to see them getting cabin fever.” He let go. “Let’s look at another one.”

Vedrun pushed several pages. He found an entry whose bright illustrations begged investigation.

“Enrichment and adventure awaits you.”

He read ahead a little. Boe rested his arm on the sofa cushion behind Vedrun’s back as he waited for him to continue.

“Experience the culture of this exotic hot spot in the tropics. Native customs will come easily to you. Engage in festive traditions or explore the plentiful crafts of the bazaar during the day and dine on local cuisine. In the evening, regain your energy at our most popular spa and sauna, where entertainment is provided by the inhabitants of the city. For those who are particularly daring, the long coastline offers opportunities to surf, swim, and explore the reef. You will learn about and love this land of paradise.”

“Does it say what the weather’s like?” Boe asked. Vedrun read the rest in silence.

“Balmy evenings,” he quoted.

“I don’t know if that place is appropriate,” Boe said. “One more.”

Vedrun didn’t turn the pages this time. After a few seconds of waiting Boe reached over and flipped them for him. He stopped on an entry near the end of the book.

“How about this one?”

“I don’t want to read anymore,” Vedrun said.

“Even if it’s short? We still have some time.”

He flexed his fingers, bending both covers of the book in his grasp and curling the pages. The binding stretched audibly.

“Spacious suites overlook the business district of this booming metropolitan Mecca.” He paused, squeezing the book again, and his voice regained some of its timbre. “Attached resort houses heated indoor pool, fitness center, dining hall, and recreation room. Restaurant offers continental breakfast. Competitive rates afford time to take in all the attractions of the surrounding area.”

He turned the page and gave it a slight tear near the spine.

“Walking distance from the city park and public library. Shuttle provided to the court house, museum, and zoo. Ferry rides hosted at the harbor to the entertainment district where further attractions are available.”

“Pretty straight forward,” Boe commented. Vedrun sniffed. “It could be promising. What do you think?”

Vedrun shut the book but kept it in his lap. He frowned down at the cover. “I wouldn’t know,” he said.

“You can make an educated guess, can’t you?”

“It sounds like every other place.”

“The pictures are all different, at least. Where would you want to go?”

He took a breath and scratched some of the laminate off the cover. “I don’t really care.”

“You’d be happy going anywhere?” Boe asked.

“No,” Vedrun said slowly, “I don’t care about going places. I don’t care.”

“Oh,” Boe said. He watched Vedrun peal a thin strip of laminate off the book. It took part of the lettering with it. “If you were given the chance, though, would you?” The boy’s face tightened momentarily. He flicked the plastic off his fingers.

“I don’t know, Boe.”

“What about that mountain lodge? Would you ever want to go there?”

“I don’t know,” Vedrun repeated.

“You like to read,” Boe said. “Would you want to visit the library, read plaques in a museum?”

“I don’t know,” Vedrun said, starting to scowl, “all right?”

“What if I took you there? Would you like to go?”

“I-” he clenched his teeth on his first response while his face started to redden. “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care. I don’t care. Will you stop asking me now?”

“Why are you upset?” Boe asked.

“You keep asking me,” Vedrun said, “you don’t get it? I don’t want to talk about it, so just drop it already!”

“Talk about what?”

“I’m not playing this game,” Vedrun said.

“I’m not playing,” Boe said, “I’m serious. We can take a trip. Just pick somewhere.”

“No, we can’t,” Vedrun said through his teeth.

His eyes were becoming glassy from his intense squinting. Boe reached a hand towards his face and the boy veered away, slapping at him.

“Don’t touch me!”

He pulled his hand back. The knuckles were red now. “You’re crying.”

“I’m not crying,” Vedrun said, “just keep your hands off me.”

“I can’t touch you?”

“No,” Vedrun said. For a moment he looked like he was reconsidering. Then he sniffed and rubbed furiously at the corner of one eye.

“That’s interesting,” Boe said. Vedrun turned his head away and stared blearily. “I guess the etiquette lessons didn’t sink in for you.”

“What do you care,” Vedrun said.

“I am paying for you, you know.”

“Oh,” Vedrun said. He dropped his hand in his lap and felt the book. Glaring down at it he pushed it to the floor. “I see how it is. So you’re finally done playing with me.”

“If you consider it playing, I guess so.”

He watched a flinch cross Vedrun’s face. In no time the boy started to get up from the sofa. Boe grabbed at his waist and the boy wrenched clear of him, stumbling over the edge of the coffee table. His face was redder for the mishap but he turned back to face Boe with full glower.

“Keep your damn hands off me,” he said, raising his voice.

“That’s pretty rude,” Boe said. “This isn’t endearing you to me any.”

“You should talk,” Vedrun said. “Don’t you enjoy a challenge?”

“I can take it up to a point,” Boe allowed, “but this is it for me. Are you saying you want to give it a try?”

“No way,” Vedrun said. By his stance he was anticipating some kind of assault. Boe could see the slight rise and fall of his chest from his distemper. “I’m- done with playing with you. If you want to play the savior then find some other idiot to fall for it.”

“This is my time,” Boe said. He paused and leaned over to pick his book off the ground. “I would have to consider this very poor service. You get away with a lot of things with me, don’t think I don’t know that. This is not excusable.” He put the book into his bag. “Even if you don’t want to go anywhere, you can still play along and humor me.”

“Humor you,” Vedrun said, “you? You have a sick sense of humor, Boe.”

“I can’t imagine it’s any worse than the other customers you get here.”

“Guests,” Vedrun corrected him sharply.

“Guests don’t pay for hospitality. Though maybe in your case, it’s necessary to get you to be civil.”

“If you want that kind of civility, then you should be up front about it.”

“I don’t,” Boe said, “that’s why I let you do what you want.”

“You’re- just-...” he growled something incomprehensible.

“I can see we aren’t going to get anywhere today,” Boe said. He got up from the sofa and adjusted his satchel on his shoulder, taking his time while Vedrun continued to glare at him. “I don’t know why you can’t take my word for it. I hope that whatever’s got you upset so suddenly will pass. Maybe then we can have a real conversation.”

He glanced around the sofa for anything left behind before taking his coat off the nearby chair. He started for the door. Vedrun skirted back to give him a wide berth and he paid him no mind. The boy clenched and unclenched his fists.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, “if you’re leaving, there’s no problem.”

“I enjoyed our time as well,” Boe said. He opened the door. Vedrun stayed rooted to the spot but jutted his chin out.

“I hated it,” he called after him. “I hate you!”

On his way to the front of the building Boe saw Lancol coming from the other direction. They both slowed to a stop a few yards apart before resuming and closing the gap. The host smiled at him, then looked him over and let casual curiosity permeate his expression.

“I was just coming to retrieve you,” he said. “Your face is a little red, Boe. Did you have an okay time?”

“It was wonderful,” Boe said. He shook his head and waved a hand to clear any doubts from the air. “A really good time. I think I need a break, though.”