Billie's mint green pashmina scarf whipped wildly in the frigid evening air as she made her way down the shaky metal stairs leading to the tarmac. It was damp and cold, but despite the bleak and grey December skies, she was grateful to finally be on the ground again and excited for the days to come; regardless of the weather. Her floral print tea dress fluttered in the icy breeze as she hurried toward the white marble facade and large bay windows of Le Bourget Aerial Port.

She waited, shivering, just inside the doors for Noto to catch up. Palms were greased, bag boys tipped, drivers hired. And within half an hour he was whisking her out the doors and into the back of an ivory Rolls Royce Phantom convertible limousine. It was freezing, but Billie wanted the top down anyway. Her curls, like her scarf, danced in the breeze as they took a precursory tour around the city. The sun was just setting, and everywhere she looked the city was sparking to life in a dazzling display of lights. The Eiffel tower was just visible in the distance.

Billie was like a child, she couldn't decide where to look. Everything was so novel and so beautiful. Her eyes sparkled  brilliantly, reflecting the lights of the city and her own wonderment equally. For the first time in a long time, Billie actually seemed like the uncultured inner city girl she actually was. For all that she tried to hide it, this was a rare view of her truly poor and narrow upbringing. The smile she flashed only brightened her already vivid eyes as she turned to Noto, "Okay, ok, ok," she breathed deeply trying to calm her jittery enthusiasm, "what's the plan? Where are we staying? Where do we go first." 

Watching Billie's excitement made me so happy that it made me forget that I was freezing my ass off! She knew a lot about Paris, which was good because I did not know much... except that the place was stunning. As Billie calmed a bit and asked where we were staying, I replied while looking at a pamphlet.

"We are staying at hotel plaza athenee sweetie." I show her the booklet as I point to an important section about the place.

On 20 April 1913, the avenue Montaigne was all astir as the Plaza Athénée opened its doors at number 25 with sixteen guestrooms per floor, apartments on the top floor and a restaurant overseen by chef Jacques-Léon Colombier. The Hotel has become a new haunt for both composers and artists who regularly ate at the restaurant after an evening performance at the theatre.

"I booked an apartment on the top floor, corner unit. So we will have our privacy.

We had nearly arrived, I could not wait for Billie to see this place.

Billie read over the brochure, squealing and bouncing up and down in her seat. She threw her arms around Noto's neck, nearly falling into his lap. "...a new haunt for both composers and artists," she quoted, still bouncing. "Oh, John...." She squealed again, veritably squeezing the breath out of him. 

As the limousine pulled up to the Plaza, her arms went limp around him. She stared in silent wonder at the towering facade, covered in ivy and dotted with red awnings and geranium window boxes. Even compared to the Tower, this place was unlike anything she'd ever seen. They left the bell hop to unload the luggage as they hurried inside out of the cold, Billie's eyes seeming ready to fall out from sheer amazement. There was rich silk and lush velvet; fine damask, jacquard, and brocade; crystal everywhere; and so much polished marble she thought she might go blind. She was so busy gawking at her surroundings, Noto had to guide her to the room so she wouldn't fall over. 

As I opened the door to the room, Billie's excitement just grew more. This was not a room, it was an apartment... white furnishings, red drapes. Had a kitchen and everything. Looking straight ahead from the entrance, I see a balcony covered in ivory. Billie rushes over to it as I think to myself how could this place get any better?... Billie yells "JOHN THE EIFFEL TOWER!" And with that statement we were officially in paradise.

The bellboy was right behind us with the luggage. He asks if there is anything else he could do, I smirk and reply "yea... tell me where the architect was when I w's building my hotel?". Before he could answer I speak up with a humorous remark. "Oh he was in Paris that's right."

I give the gentlemen a 100$ tip. After thanking me he leaves me and Billie alone in the room to unpack.

"So Billie, darling I know your eyes are on the verge of falling out... but what would you like to do first?... just keep in mind they have a restaurant here and I made a reservation for tonight at 8."

I let Billie dance around a bit more while making a decision on what she wanted to do.