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Simple Math: Part Two

"Wait here,' the matron said. 'I'll have a bath prepared for you."

"Thank you," Omari said.

"Don't thank me. It's for our sake. You smell like shit."

Omari shrugged; it was a fair assessment. He plopped down at the nearest table then stripped off his ragged boots. A quick whiff and he put them back on. He'd wait for his bath before taking off anything else.

A woman appeared from a hidden door carrying a simmering bowl. She was pretty despite her unkempt appearance; her kanga barely held her womanly assets. Omari winked at her as she placed his bowl and spoon before him.

"A wonderful meal served by a beautiful woman," he said. "The Creator has blessed me today."

The woman smiled as she turned her head away. She lingered as Omari gulped down a spoonful of stew then moaned.

"Tasty indeed," he lied. "I wonder what else here is just as good?"

"Do not toy with me, stranger," she said. "I'm no village girl."

"Oh, I never play with certain subjects," Omari replied. "And let's not be strangers. I'm Omari."

"Kisha," the woman replied.

"Well, Kisha, you seem to be the only person that doesn't mind that I smell like a rutting camel."

"I tend the livestock. I'm used to it."

Omari frowned. "Maybe after my bath we can discover what other things you do well..."

"Don't mess with anything you didn't pay for, Mikijen!"

The matron stormed into the room. "Get out of here, Kisha. You have no business with this man."

Kisha scurried from the room. The matron glared at Omari.

"Your bath is ready. Follow me."

The matron led him to the back of the brothel. It was the worst room in the building, Omari suspected. Inside was a shallow tub filled with dingy water.

"This is it?" Omari said.

"You get what you pay for," the matron replied.

Omari began taking off his clothes. The matron stood before him until he was fully undressed.

"Now you own me," Omari said.

The matron struggled not to smile. "Let me know when you're done."

She walked out the room. Omari waited.

"Creator! He's fabulous!"

Omari grinned as he eased into the lukewarm water.

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