2. Mustaf

You know what's great about being rich and good-looking? Pretty much everything. I mean, put it like this. What's not to love about sitting in a luxurious leather seat on your private jet with your best friends around you?

Jealous? It's okay, most people are. I won't hold it against you.

"There you go, sir. Whiskey with ice, two cubes like you said," the pretty stewardess says as she sets my drink down in front of me.

"Thank you," I reply as she turns and walks down the aisle. I watch her as she goes. That extra wiggle in her walk tells me she knows I am watching her.

"Nice," Dragan, one of my close friends, remarks. He smirks and takes a long swig of his beer. The rest of our group does the same.

"Very," I reply.

"I think she's into you, Mustaf," Fordan adds, winking in my direction.

I lean back in my seat and let the glass of whiskey rest on my knee as the stewardess turns and flashes me a devilish grin. I return the favor. It would be rude not to.

"And we have lift-off," Maui whispers in my ear. Dragan and Fordan snigger like orc kids.

"Easy, guys. I don't do mile highs. It's beneath me," I reply.

"Not me, " Maui remarks.

"In your dreams," Fordan says.

"I'd settle for that," Maui says.

We laugh, just as we always do. They're great guys, and this will be one hell of a trip.

"So, Mustaf, what's this I heard about you and that chick at the casino the other night?" Fordan asks me, nudging Dragan.

"That was strictly business," I reply, giving nothing away. A gentleman never tells, especially this lot.

"Monkey business, you mean," Dragan says. The guys giggle, and I can't help but laugh as well.

"Nice one, Dragan," Fordan laughs, giving him a high five.

"So, I hear this club on the island has topless servers," Maui says excitedly.

"Yeah, but they are all men," Dragan replies.

"Oh, you're on fire today, bro. Get that orc another beer," I tell him and shoot him a high five.

"Why don't I ever get a high five?" Maui asks.

"You walk yourself right into these things, you really do," Fordan says.

I lean over and raise my hand to Maui. He smiles, but as he moves his hand towards mine for a high-five, I quickly move mine out of the way.

"Ah, ha, ha!" Fordan buckles over in laughter. Maui sulks back into his chair.

"Sorry, dude," I tell him. "Couldn't resist. Let me make it up to you."

I raise my hand again for a high five. Maui looks at it for a second, and Fordan and Dragan try to hold back their snickers. Maui leans forward, lifts his hand, and again, just as our hands are about to connect, I pull away again. This time, it throws Maui off balance and he ends up on the floor.

"And that is why you should always keep your seatbelt fastened," Dragan replies, and both Fordan and I give him a few high fives each, then help Maui off the floor, giving him a friendly pat on his back.

* * *

"What do you say we skip the hotel and hit the town?" I ask the guys as the plane bumps onto the runway.

"Damn straight!" Dragan shouts as Maui and Fordan give a few hoot-hoots.

"Gentlemen, we have landed in the Maldives, where the good times roll and the bad times don't get past security. Enjoy your stay," the pilot announces as the plane slows to a stop.

"How do they tell the difference?" Maui asks.

"What?" Dragan replies.

"Security. How do they tell the difference between a good time and a bad time?" Maui asks genuinely.

We all laugh.

"They have a scanner," Fordan says as the plane door opens and we gather to disembark.

"Really?" Maui says.

We make our way down the aisle of the plane, and the vision of beauty that is the stewardess gives that look again.

"You fellas have a good time. Maybe I'll catch you around," she says, looking at me.

"Maybe," I reply with a grin.

As we step out of the plane onto the steps, the warmth of the night takes hold of us. The smell of the fresh sea breeze and the air electric with the promise of good times ahead is intoxicating.

"This is the life," Dragan says as he stretches out his arm to embrace it.

"I'll drink to that," Fordan adds.

"Drinks in the car, my friends," I tell them as I skip down the steps of the plane onto the tarmac and lead them on a merry dance towards the waiting limousine.

We pile in and settle into the limo"s soft, crisp white seats. I press a little button, and the drinks cabinet appears. It's stocked up with a drink to suit every palate, but my drink of choice is always whiskey, so I make sure there is always a little more of that in there.

"Help yourselves," I tell them as Forgan assumes the role of bartender.

"Okay, gentlemen, welcome to Forgan's Paradise. Name your poison!" Forgan declares.

"Beer!" Dragan shouts.

"Whiskey!" I shout.

"Sex on the beach!" Maui shouts, and we all cheer.

"Driver?" I call out.

"Yes, sir." His reply comes over the speakers.

"Take us to Good Times," I tell him.

"Good Times it is, sir," he replies.

The limousine pulls away from the plane and out of the airport. We make our way along the beautiful coastline, the full bright moon following us as we go. Soon, the sounds of the nightclubs pump into the air and we reach the heart of the island.

Maui can't help himself as he lowers one of the windows and sticks half his body out of it, inhaling the energy of all the sights and sounds that travel around us.

We slow and turn into a lane that leads to the club, a huge building covered in flashing lights and almost bouncing to the music coming from within. The car slows to a stop.

"Here we are, gentleman," the driver announces to us.

We down what's left in our glasses and slide ourselves out of the limousine. We look up at the neon sign of the club.

Good Times

We have arrived.

"This way to a good time," I tell them as I make my way towards the entrance. The door, of course, is opened for us, and we are greeted by a well-dressed man holding a clipboard, always a good sign.

"Ah, Mister Mustaf, welcome, welcome. It"s great to have you back with us. It"s been so long." His face beams with delight. I have no idea what his name is.

"Great to be back!" I declare.

"I have your booth waiting if you'd just like to follow me," he tells us as he swings around on his heel and leads us through the club.

I watch the guys" eyes widen as we enter the throng of pulsing music and scantily clad women on the dancefloor. This is their first time here, but not mine.

"Mustaf!" I hear a woman call out my name.

"Hey, great to see you again," I call back to her.

"Oh, she's hot, what's her name?" Dragan asks me.

"I have no idea," I tell him.

"That's why, my friend, you are the dude," Dragan replies, patting me on my shoulder.

The VIP booth is plush, comfortable, and gives me a perfect vantage point of the club, especially the dance floor. There are some hot women in here tonight of all species, orcs like us, vampires, fairies, even a few humans. Not that I"m picky.

I feel the pulsating energy of the room as the bodies move to the throbbing rhythm of the music.

Our drinks arrive, and I take a sip. I love the sound of ice clinking against a glass of strong whiskey. The liquid"s warmth travels through my body, and I look at the guys, their eyes wide with a continued and unstoppable excitement.

The pact between us tonight is simple. Like so many nights before, it is about living life to the fullest. A smile forms on my face, and I enjoy the feeling of having good friends such as this around me and hot women just as close.

My gaze can't help but be drawn to them. Their bodies sway and grind against each other in irresistible attraction.

"To good times!" Dragan calls a toast.

We raise our glasses and clink our glasses.

"And the never-ending pursuit of happiness!" I add, and we clink our glasses together again.

"To topless waiters!" Maui shouts, and we all laugh.

"You're learning," Fordan replies and clinks his glass.

I can feel the excitement buzzing from them and myself—the hunger of the anticipation of what tonight will bring.

"I have an urge to dance," Maui says.

"Well, my friend, then you must dance," I tell him.

"You're right, Mustaf, you are right," Maui states as he stands up, fixes himself, and dances his way badly toward the dance floor. But more power to him as I watch him strut his stuff. In fact, he is already attracting the attention of a few fine-looking women.

"Shall we join him?" Dragan suggests, standing up.

"The signs are pointing in that direction," Fordan replies as he stands up.

"Mustaf?" Dragan says.

"Knock yourselves out. I'll bide my time," I tell them and watch as they make their way to the dance floor.

I smile.

Because you see, this is what it's all about for me. The drinks, the music, the company of my closest friends. I take another sip, and I feel the mischief sparkle in my eyes because I have learned that the possibilities of an evening are endless. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.