The Catch

It was on the last day that Vladimir sprung the catch.

"I really only host to promote the family business."

"Oh really! Which is?"

"Travel agency."

My face must have fallen, for I love to find my own deals online.  Vladimir quickly said, "No hard sell, I assure you! In fact we'd be glad for you to continue to browse online for your own arrangements. We just ask that you log in to our portal website first."

"Gladly, except my laptop won't accept your wifi."

"Please continue to use mine."

"You want me to use your laptop to book my reservations."

"I should be most gratified."

"Hey! The server is a day ahead!"

Vladimir laughed without smiling. "How astute! But we aim for a Russian market primarily, and our server is on Vladivostok time. But I assure you your airline will show the dates as of American reckoning."

"You want me to use your laptop to make reservations dated tomorrow."

"I swear by the cross our only concern is a high turnover. "

"The point is," I said testily, "it's straight out of Bram Stoker."

Vladimir's lips twitched.

"No good," I said, showing him my own teeth.

We paused in mutual chagrin for a good thing vanished.

"Look," I said, "we could use a code--"

"No!" He hissed. "Goddam Americans!" And he was gone.