Music is tingling in the air while a pianist plays a serenade, and a young woman sits on her bar stool, reminiscing about the phases of her life. She is tired and bored and in need of excitement—perhaps an affair or a one-night stand—as she contemplates her dire situation. She secretly wants a fantasy to fulfill her emotional desires. She is so lonely and in desperate need of a man, but in her heart she is shy and pure and is scared of the repercussions that it could cause. She is still a single woman that was properly brought up by a most caring mother. Nevertheless, she needs love, a fling, or a long-standing relationship ... anything that would make her feel like a woman. She wonders if she is emotionally repulsive, spiritually empty, or just plain unattractive. Her exasperating job as a laboratory technician is draining all her vitality; she leaves early in the morning and comes back late at night, with no one to come home to. Her nights are filled with emptiness as she browses through pictures of old boyfriends from her high school years. She even sheds a tear or two as she reminiscences about the more pleasurable experiences of days gone by. Afterward it's a hot shower, a few women's magazines, or a classic movie before falling asleep in a world of everlasting dreams.

However, today she sits in this casual restaurant-bar, waiting to escape her most dull and miserable routine. She wants to break away from her disheartened situation and finally find vitality. She is still daydreaming when all of a sudden, a middle-aged, dashing man enters the bar. Sitting down on one of the stools opposite hers, he quickly glances at her with gleaming eyes. She blushes and quickly turns the other way as he calls for the bartender. Is he married or divorced? Does he need a companion, and would he be interested in a one-night stand? So many questions but yet so few answers for a well-brought-up, middle-aged woman. Nevertheless, she also realizes that being passive has got her nowhere. Her biggest fear—rejection—is scaring her to death, but still she mentally schemes a way to approach him. She thinks, If I was to impose myself on him, would he accept me or just push me away?

Taking a few sips of her martini, she discretely looks at him from the corner of her eye. In her thoughts he is perfect, and she admires him sorting through his papers while enjoying a light whiskey on the rocks. Maybe he's just a gigolo, waiting for a vulnerable woman to fall prey to him. Maybe he would accept a night of sexual intimacy. For her, that would prove satisfactory, as she is so desperate for the attention.

Anticipating the end of her lunch hour, she still can't figure out how to initiate first contact. Her insides tremble in fear, but yet she is desperate to make an approach. Even her skirt waistband is getting loose by the mere thought of a shivering body. After bracing herself for rejection and knowing that she can simply walk quickly away, she confronts the man. She lightly taps him on the shoulder and then hastily asks him a whole bunch of questions.

"What is your name? Do you come here often? Are you single? Do you like New York? Do you have a girlfriend?"

The man gently smiles and places his hand on her mouth in order to stop the interrogation. There is a brief moment of silence followed by a burst of his laughter ... "I will answer all of your questions; just give me a chance to respond," he says. "My name is Michael Kowalski, and I'm an industrialist from Prague. What is your name?"

"I'm Leslie Sherwood," she coyly replies.

"Nice to meet you, Leslie," he says with a glimmer in his eye.

All of a sudden, she has the shakes; she is trembling and trying to quickly end the conversation. "I'm sorry, this is a whole mistake. I shouldn't have bothered you, and I have to go," she blurts.

"Please stay ..."

"I'm sorry, but I have to go," she repeats.

"Please, Leslie, can I see you again?" asks Michael.

"I don't think so," she quickly replies.

"If you change your mind, I will be here at 7:00 PM for a night cap. Please come," he pleads.

In a blink of an eye, she quickly exits the establishment, confused by her behavior and by what she did. After calming herself down, she starts to have the urge to see him again. She is so infatuated by him that she can barely keep her concentration at work. Her eyes can't stay off the clock, waiting for the end of the day so that she could go home.

There she would shower, go to bed, and forget this most embarrassing day.

Her life isn't that bad after all. She has a nice, well-decorated, and cozy apartment, with lots of friends and various leisure activities. Who needs a man? Her thoughts are going wild, and she tries to rationalize away her desire by thinking about how it could change her lifestyle. Yet she needs to feel loved, to be cuddled with and wanted again, and her vivid emotions slowly gain the best of her.

It is already 5:30 PM when she gets home. She is torn by the day's events and wonders if she should take the risk. Her head is spinning from the mere thought of taking the plunge. She can't take it anymore and decides to take the challenge in this newfound adventure. Jumping into the shower, knowing that she only has an hour to go, she hastily washes and then prepares her finest attire. Her choice of undergarments consists of silky white lingerie, a garter belt, and a sheer lace camisole. She then puts on a most delicate satin blouse and a long-slit black skirt. She finishes her attire with star–decorated, tan pantyhose and high-heel, black leather shoes. While putting her makeup on, she calls a taxi—her stomach is still turning vigorously. However, there is no turning back, and within minutes she arrives at the bar. She is full of contradictions, and her mind juggles countless scenarios as she walks into the bar. He told her 7:00 PM, and yet she can't find him. She looks around in despair, wondering if she has been set up. After minutes of fast searching, a hand finally touches her on the shoulder, and there he is. She is practically drooling at the sight of him but restrains herself from showing any emotions.

"I reserved a table for two, on the side corner near the piano bar," he says softly.

She is in complete ecstasy because the table is nicely decorated with soft candles; it's a dream come true. She...