stronger with the use of the Internet. They even enslave some Muslims, although this is against the Koran and looked upon as ‘NOT’ exactly the right thing to do. The infidel, preferably those with light skin and blond hair, both male and female, are another story. They are much sought after and highly priced, and the younger the better. Younger slaves, and especially the good-looking ones, can be broken in and trained to work as prostitutes in the many brothels. These have almost all replaced the black and oriental slaves of past years. It appears that white meat is the choice of preference today.

Homosexuality does not carry the same social stigma within their culture as it does here in the west. Then there is that well publicized concept that if you die while fighting the infidel, you get a first class deluxe ticket to heaven and the Garden of Eden where you get your share of 40 virgins, male or female or a combination of both. This and other things are still preached, taught and believed today as religious dogma. Right out in the open, on any Friday, you can hear it preached from many Mosques.”

“In this day and age?” Richard said disdainfully. “Religion is supposed to teach love and equality.”

“Oh! How I wish that were true, even in our western religions. How long ago was it that Christians thought nothing of killing non-Christians by the millions, to say nothing of one Christian sect trying to kill off the other?” Joseph asked him. “Or for that matter, even today, here in our own democratic American paradise, we read about and see ‘good christians’ beating up and killing homosexuals.”

“Or not permitting them to serve their country without fear of reprisals,” Richard added as they ordered coffee and desert. “I guess we are all still barbarians at heart.”

“The only difference between Christians and Muslims, in this instance, is that, hopefully, we really know it’s wrong and against God’s law,” Joseph said. “The saving grace of Christianity is that, for the most part, we don’t glorify or make heroes out of the killers, nor do we pay them or their families a bonus for killing innocent civilians.”

After finishing lunch they left the cafe and strolled up and down the main streets of the town. They stopped at a wine shop, purchased a few bottles of white Chianti, and continued looking in shops, just enjoying the warm summer late afternoon and each other’s company. With evening coming on rapidly they drove back to the hotel and rode the elevator up to the Penthouse Suite. While Joseph was busy chilling the bottles of wine, Richard went out onto the roof garden and readied the hot tub.

“Hey babe! Better get your sweet ass out here or you’re going to miss one hell of a sunset,” Richard called. “And bring out that wine.”

Joseph—juggling the chilled wine, an ice bucket, and two glasses—came out onto the roof garden and was about to ask for a helping hand when he found Richard luxuriating in the bubbling tub. His clothes were cast willy-nilly here and there, all over the place. His pants were draped over a bush, and his shirt over chase lounge. His stockings hung from a potted tree like it was Christmas and Santa was to be expected. It reminded Joseph of their second night together.

“This makes it all worthwhile. Come pour us some of that ‘Dago White’ and join me