THE COMEDIAN AND HIS MUSE (continued in an incredible elevator)<br/><br/>I finish singing and for a brief moment, the room is silent.  Then it erupts in applause.  Everyone is see is standing and clapping.  That said, the focus of my vision and attention is Thalia.  Everything else is just in the background.<br/><br/>I take my bows and hand the mic to the band's singer, the Polynesian girl.  Then I give my thanks to Theia and Echo because the lighting and the sound were perfect.  They both smile.  I guess they must have enjoyed the show.  No sooner do I turn from them than I see Thalia, rushing up and almost tackling me with a big hug.  As good as it felt to get two encores in this legendary club, I'd trade it without a moments hesitation to be hugged like this by this goddess that I unconditionally adore.<br/><br/>I'm on the verge of tears of joy, again, as Thalia praises me.  She says, “You...you are incredible.  Absolutely wonderful. I know that Dion is going to ask you back.”<br/><br/>Then Thalia again takes my hand, just like when she took me to the wine cellar to get Dion to let me perform, and leads me through the lounge.  Eventually, we get to the elevator.  After we're in the car, she puts a key into the panel and the button above the ground floor lights up.  It reads, 1,363.  She pushes that button and the elevator ascends.  The car's walls become as clear as glass.  It ascends above the building and the speed increases incredibly.  I'm figuring magic is involved, since I'm not a puddle on the floor of the car.<br/><br/>As I'm astounded at what's going on, Thalia firmly pulls me to her.  Her back is against the glass.  Her arms encircle my neck and she pulls my head down to hers, my lips down to hers.  I offer no resistance.  It is a kiss 'sweeter than wine'.  I become light-headed, I hope it's not the altitude.  The air is normal.  It's Thalia's kiss.<br/><br/>As we ascend, we're passing through clouds.  Being a mere mortal, I could get in trouble for what I do next, but it seems so right and natural.  I reach my hands down and behind Thalia, to lay them on and firmly squeeze the cheeks of her oh-so-perfect behind.  She allows me to lift her up, so that her feet are off the floor and we are eye to eye.  Then she manages to not quite wrap her legs around my waist, but her legs are holding me quite securely.  I press her more firmly against the glass and lean in for another kiss.  Along with my hunger for her kiss, there's also fire in my blood and in my, if you'll pardon the archaic term, loins.<br/><br/>I look into Thalia's beautiful dark deep eyes.  For me, this is the face that launched a thousand ships.<br/><br/>The elevator car begins to slow.  Wherever we're going, we're almost there.<br/><br/>(to be continued....)