are plenty of places to melt the credit card alongside
Europe's high rollers. The chic clothes shops are in the
Golden Circle, framed by Avenue Monte Carlo, Avenue des
Beaux-Arts and Allees Lumieres, where Hermes, Christian
Dior, Gucci and Prada all have a presence. The area on and
around Place du Casino is home to high-end jewelers such
as Bulgari, Cartier and Chopard.
For more shopping in Monte Carlo is the Condamine
Market. The market, which can be found in the Place
d’Armes, has been in existence since 1880 and is lively and
attractive - many hours can be spent simply wandering
around, bargaining for souvenirs from the many tiny shops,
boutiques and friendly locals. If however you like more
modern shopping, just take a short walk along the
esplanade to the rue Princess Caroline pedestrian mall.
Monte Carlo is a pretty and interesting in an old-
fashioned way, medieval village, weaving its ancient magic
on a hilltop in the Alpes Maritimes.It is surrounded by a
spectacular and enchanting landscape of hills and valleys
covered with flowers, orchards, and pine forests. Monte
Carlo itself, has a plenty of artists' studios, galleries, and
wonderful antiques shops, is a magnet for tourists from all
over the world.
Robert Stanley was one of them. He and his group
turned onto the Rue du Portier. Stanley talked to the woman,
"Sophia, do you like museums?"
"Yes, my dear." She was very excited to please him. She
had never met anyone like Robert Stanley. Wait until I tell
my opinion about him. I didn't think there was anything left
for me to learn about sex, but my God, he's so creative! He's
so fantastic, clever and stimulating. He has the ability to use
his imagination to produce new sex ideas and make orgasm
happen. He makes me feel tired and exhausted!
They went up the hill to the Chapel of the Visitation
Museum, which has been built in baroque style during the
17th century. The Museum collection includes
masterpieces by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and the Italian
baroque masters. Robert Stanley browsed through the
renowned collection of paintings. When he casually glanced
around, he saw the woman at the other end of the gallery,
carefully studying a painting.
Stanley turned to Sophia. "Hungry?"
"Yes. If you are." Must not be pushy, she thought.
"Good.We'll have lunch at Cafe de Paris, Place du
Casino."
Cafe de Paris was one of Stanley's favorite places. The
nerve center of Monte Carlo, where people go to see and be
seen, buzzing with the feel of old time Monte Carlo, circa
early 1900s.It is a meeting point for all of Monte-Carlo. With
its new futuristic decor, this casino invites you on a journey
through the galaxy. An innovative place where slot
machines and systems exclusive in Europe sit side by side
and the American table games are out of this world…
Stanley and Sophia take a place at a table.
Carl, the black German shepherd, lay at his feet, ever
watchful. The dog was Robert Stanley's trademark. Where
Stanley went, Carl went with him like as his best friend. It
was rumored that at Robert Stanley's command, the animal
would tear out a person's throat. No one wanted to test that
rumor. Donald sat by himself at a table near the entrance,
carefully observing the other patrons as they came and
went. Stanley turned to Sophia.
"Shall I order for you, my dear?"
"Yes, please."
Robert Stanley prided himself on being a gourmet. He
ordered a green salad and fricassee de lotte for both of
them.
As they were being served their main course, Daniela
Ramon, who ran the Cafe with her husband, Frank,
approached the table and smiled. "Bonjour. Is everything all
right, Monsieur Stanley?"
"Wonderful, Madame Ramon."
And it was going to be. Sophia said, "I've never been
here before. It's such a lovely place."
Stanley turned his attention to her. Donald had picked
her up for him in Monte Carlo a day earlier.
"Mr. Stanley, I brought someone for you."
"Any problem?" Stanley had asked.
Donald had smiled broadly. "None." He had seen her in
the lobby of the Louis XV, Hôtel de Paris, Place du Casino.
In one of the finest hotels in the world, this Michelin 3
star rated restaurant serves dining perfection amongst
luxurious glitterati. Sophia was in Monte Carlo for a few
days just to take a short vacation and enjoy the place.
"Excuse me, do you speak English?"
"Yes." She had a lilting Italian accent.
"The man I work for would like you to have dinner with
him."
She had been angry and surprised because she feels
insulted and unfairly treated. "I'm not a hooker! I'm an
actress," she was unbearably arrogant. In fact, she had had a
walk-on part in Paul Agati's last film, and a role with two
lines of dialogue in a Giuseppe Tornadore film.
"Why should I have dinner with a stranger?"
Donald had taken out a thick pile of hundred-dollar bills.
He pushed five of them into her hand. "My friend is very
generous. He has a yacht, and he is lonely." He had watched
her expression go through a series of changes from anger,
to curiosity, to interest.
"As it happens, I'm between pictures." She smiled.
"It would probably do not cause any harm to me if I have
dinner with your friend."
"Yes, of cause. He will