The Guide and a Japanese Would-be Casanova

The Guide and a Japanese Would-be Casanova

Waving her yellow umbrella about with enthusiasm
Gabriella was ready to guide her group around Paris.
They were from Japan and ready to be intoxicated
By everything she and the City of Light had to offer.

‘Bonjour. Gather around,’ she announced to her guests.
‘I’m Gabriella, your guide for the week.
If you get lost, look out for my yellow umbrella.’
Let’s go and enjoy the week in my beautiful city.

She was very tall, sleek, dark haired and chic to the rafters.
She had a refined air of grace and confidence about her
And very much aware of her presence and the effect she had
On all who had the pleasure of her company, especially men.

They gathered excitedly outside of Hotel Mandarin Oriental.
As she enthusiastically outlined their itinerary for the week
She noticed one of the group stood out from the others
Whose dark eyes followed her every move.

‘This is one of the world’s greatest paintings,’
She said as she pointed out the Mona Lisa.
‘It’s de Vinci’s sublime masterpiece
And one of the many treasures that Paris possesses.

‘It may be sublime but not as sublime as you are,’
Dark eyes said, smiling admiringly at her.
Gabriella patted him on the head. ‘Now now, my cheeky man
Behave yourself and allow your friends to enjoy the experience.’

‘This is the Notre Dame, the most elegant of structures
She said as she pointed out Paris’ iconic cathedral
‘This building has lived through all the upheavals of the ages
Surviving many revolutions and attempts to bring her down.’

‘It may be elegant but not as elegant as you are,’
Dark eyes said, smiling adoringly at her.
Gabriella patted him on the head. ‘Now now, my cheeky man
Behave yourself and allow your friends to enjoy the experience.’

Each evening when they returned to the hotel he would waylay her
Inviting her out to dine at any place she wished or join him for a drink.
She would smile at him, then pat him on the head and send him away,
Rejected and empty-handed, but never defeated in him amorous quest.

‘This,’ she said pointing up to the Sacré Coeur
‘Is a stunning piece of architectural brilliance,
Sitting here on Montmartre, the highest spot of Paris
That surveys the entire city and its environs beyond.

‘It may be stunning but not as stunning as you,’
Dark eyes said, smiling teasingly at her.
Gabriella patted him on the head. ‘Now now, my cheeky man
Behave yourself and allow your friends to enjoy the experience.’

So on and on it went at every iconic place they visited
Dark eyes never missed a chance to chat her up.
He was becoming a nuisance and an irritating menace
To Gabrielle and his weary travelling companions.

On the final day he was and surprised and taken aback
When Gabriella happily accepted his invitation to dine.
He beamed with delight at the prospect of an evening with her.
And arranged a time and place for a rendezvous of her choice

Back at his hotel he showered, shaved and perfumed himself
Combed his hair to perfection then polished his shoes.
Putting on a crisp white shirt and his navy blue well-cut suit –
He was ready for an evening with a beautiful and sensuous woman.

They met at the restaurant of her choice, an extremely expensive eatery,
Alain Ducasse’s Le Meurice at the posh Place Vendôme
She was far from a cheap date and knew his amorous adventure would be costly
But he didn’t care and for once in his life cast financial caution to the wind.

The cuisine was as excellent as the restaurants reputation
The setting conducive for romance and a little dalliance.
As they dined, chattered and laughed the evening away
He was surprised how friendly and relaxed she was in his company.

It was time to leave the restaurant and he offered to see her home.
Gabrielle readily accepted and he escorted her to a waiting taxi.
She gave him a peck on the cheek and tickled him under the chin
As the taxi sped away to her apartment on boulevard des Capucines.

‘Would you like to join me for a night cap,’ she teasingly asked,
After they arrived outside her apartment and the concierge opened the door.
She didn’t have to wait for an answer as his dark eyes said it all.
‘This way my love,’ she said, leading him in by his tie.

‘Take a seat and make yourself at home and I’ll pour you a drink,’
She said as she took off her coat and headed for the drinks cabinet.
She poured him a glass of champagne, handing it to him with a seductive smile
And thanked him for his company and an enjoyable evening together.

She opened her bedroom door and beckoned him in. He followed
And stood in the doorway, transfixed as she stood with her back to him.
She began to slowly undress, first, the sleek black evening dress
Then her slip, as she glanced over her shoulder and winked at him.

He stood rigid, holding tightly to his glass of untouched champagne.
As the last remnant of her clothing slipped to the floor.
Gabriella slowly turned to face the expectant would-be Casanova.
His eyes widened and he dropped the champagne and his amorous expectations.

The beautiful woman he so desired was replaced by the body of a man.
Gabriella pulled off her wig, laughed and tossed it at him.
He screamed and clutching his hair dashed out of the apartment,
Not waiting for the lift he ran as fast as he could down the stairs.

Gabriella walked out onto the balcony and looked down
To see the would-be Casanova, still clutching his hair and screaming
Running for his life down the boulevard as passerby looked on in surprise
Wondering whatever all the commotion was all about.

Gabriella gave a sigh of satisfaction as though she had been liberated,
And raising her glass of champagne, watched as he vanished out of sight.
She smiled and whispered ‘C’est a vie, my cheeky, cheeky little man.
I hope you enjoyed the experience of your trip to our gay Paris.