A man walked into Henry's, a nightclub in downtown Las Angeles. He was dashingly handsome; he had thick black hair and a face that looked like it was chisled out of marble.

He surveyed the bar. A girl sat alone at the right-hand side of it. She had brown hair. Her shoes were off. She was nursing a drink.

He walked over to her. "Hello. are you alone?"

She looked him over. "I was. But you can keep me company."

"Thank you." He sat down next to her. "My name is Perry Mason."

"Pleased to meet you. Barbara Hall."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Hall." They shook hands.

She studied him some more. "I know you; you're that defense lawyer."

"In the flesh."

"Well, this is a special honor!"

"Thank you! What are you drinking?"

"Whisky Sour."

He motioned to the bartender, who walked over to them. "Two whiskey sours, please."

"Yes, sir." He left.

And then he noticed her feet. "Uncomfortable shoes?"

She smiled. "I like to take them off, when I've been sitting for a while. If you disapprove, I'll put them back on."

"No, that's quite alright with me. You look kinda cute with them off!"

She smiled. "Why, thank you, Mr. Mason!"

"Please, call me Perry."

"And you may call me Barbara."

"Barbara."

"Perry!"

They both smiled. At that moment, their drinks came.

"I'd like to start a tab."

"Certainly, Mr. Mason."

"And I'd also like menus."

"Of course."

He picked up a couple menus and gave them to Perry and Barbara. Then he left.

"To new Friendships," he said.

"And may they blossom into something more!" she said.

"I like that!"

They clinked their glasses and drank.

"I see you're known around here, Perry."

"Sure am. I guess you don't come here, too much?"

"This is my first time here."

"Oh. And what do you think?"

"Nice. Kinda quiet, which is fine with me."

"You're right, it is. They have a live band and dancing, later this evening."

"Sounds good."

The bartender came by. "I'd like a ham sandwich."

"Same for me," said Barbara.

"Oh, and a refill on the drinks, please."

"Right away," said the bartender, and he took the menus and left.

"Well, you know about me, so tell me about you."

"Not much to tell. I work as a secretary for an accounting firm."

"I see."

They sipped their drinks. The bartender came back with fresh whiskey sours.

"I have a confession," said Perry.

"Let's hear it."

"I was planning to spend the weekend with my secretary."

She smiled. "Not a business trip, I assume!"

"No! A weekend retreat. We do these, on occasion."

"Sounds nice. But it didn't pan out?"

"No. At the last minute, she told me she couldn't make it; she needed to see her parents."

"That's too bad!"

"I even made a reservation at the hotel!"

"Sorry to hear that!"

Their food came, and they started eating.

"You know, I've known you for only around fifteen minutes, but I think I already like you more than I like my secretary-if you don't mind me saying that!"

"Not at all! Let me guess, she doesn't understand you, right?"

He chuckled. "A cliché', but it's true! For example, she would never take her shoes off in a bar!"

She wiggled the toes of her right foot. "You like that I do that?"

"It shows that you're a...free spirit."

"That I am!"

They sipped their drinks.

"So, are you seeing anyone, if I may be so bold?"

"Well, there's a man I've been dating for a bit."

"I see."

"It's nothing serious. He's a nice guy, but rather boring."

"Boring?"

"That's right. He would never approve of me taking my shoes off at a bar!"

They both chuckled.

The food came-sandwiches with chips and pickles. They began eating.

"Barbara, I have a proposal for you-so to speak."

"Ok, let's here it."

"Now, if you say no, I promise I won't pursue it any more."

"All right."

"I already have to hotel room reserved. How about you spending the weekend with me, rather than my secretary. Or, if not the whole weekend, at least the night."

She was silent for a bit. "I'll tell you what: Let me think about it, for a few minutes."

"That sounds like a plan."

"Meanwhile, I would like another drink!"

"Me, too!"

He motioned for the waiter and ordered fresh drinks for the two of them.

"By the way, the hotel is just a block down the street from here," he said. "It's the Miller Hotel."

"That sounds fine."

At a corner of the club was a setup for musicians, including a piano. Three musicians appeared and set up, and they began to play. People started dancing.

"Want to dance?" asked Perry.

She smiled. "I was hoping you'd ask!"

They got up and went to the dance floor. Barbara kept her shoes off.

"Do you often dance barefooted?" Perry asked.

She smiled. "That's the best way do dance!"

The number ended, and the two of them went back to their seats at the bar.

"I've come to a decision, Perry."

"You have?"

She put her shoes back on. "I will spend the night with you."

"Wonderful! Do you need to go back to your place to pack."

"No, that won't be necessary; as long as there's a toothbrush and toothpaste, that's fine with me."

"I'm sure the hotel store has those things!"

"You're right."

They finished their food and drinks, and Perry paid the tab. Then they got up and left.

"So, what was the deciding factor," he asked.

"Your dancing."

"Ah!"

The hotel was less than five minutes away. They walked into the lobby.

"Let me go to the front desk."

"Ok, Perry."

He walked to it, while she waited. The front clerk recognized him. "Good evening, Mr. Mason"

"Evening. I'd like my room key, please-2005."

"Yes, sir." He gave it to him.

He and Barbara went to the elevators and he pushed the button. The cab came, and they walked in. It wisked them to the 20th floor. They got out and walked down the hall, Perry leading. They walked to the room. He opened it, and they walked in. Then he closed it.

She took her wig off-and became another girl!

They hugged and kissed.

"Della, that was an Academy-winning performance! You could win the 1962 prize for the best actress!"

"And you could win the award for the best actor, Perry! You really had me convinced. Why, I almost got angry when you talked about your secretary!"

"And you almost made me jealous when you talked about seeing that other guy!"

They laughed and kissed again.

"That was a fantastic idea we came up with!"

"It sure was, Perry. I think that if more married couples did that, there would be a lot less adultrery!"

"I agree!"

Perry walked over to the tv and turned it on. Della slipped her shoes off and lied on the bed.

"Want to do anything, this evening?"

"Well, to be honest, Perry, I think I'd like to relax for a while; the liquor is getting to me!"

He chuckled. "Sure, Della."

"Perry, could you be a doll and rub my feet, for a bit?"

"Ok."

He sat by her legs and massaged her feet. She sighed happily.

"That was a clever way to have me notice you-taking your shoes off!"

"Thank you, Perry!"

"I hope you weren't there too long."

"Less than ten minutes."

"I didn't want to make my appearance too early."

"I quite understand." She yawned. "The alcohol is really getting to me. And your massage!"

He smiled. "If you want to sleep for a while, that's fine with me. Perhaps breakfast in bed, tomorrow morning?"

"That sounds like a date. Thanks for this weekend, Perry!"

She held her hands out. He went over to her, and they hugged and kissed again.

"Oh, and Della, I hope you know: My secretary understands me perfectly!"

"I'd say she does!"

He lied on the bed next to her. They watched tv, she she fell sleep for a while.