“Don't you want to find your purpose?'Lara glared at her. 'Right now my purpose is to get the hell out of here and then I'll figure the rest of it out the normal way; by drinking vodka. Or maybe I'll read Eat, Pray, Love all the way through...”

“I hope you'll stay for Blissology?' the man suddenly said, grabbing for her hand.'For what?'Davidoff smiled serenely at her. 'I'm a holistic escort. I have a PHD in Blissology from the Maharishi Kundalini University of Carlsbad. I'm about to hold a session.''Right,' said Lara. 'What do you do exactly?''Well, I interpret our human purpose by looking at quantum physics, an individual's astrological alignments and the I Ching.''And what does that mean exactly in English,' she questioned, feeling herself zoning out.”

“Don't be frightened,' he murmured into her ear. 'I will protect you.'Lara sighed deeply. A Prince - promising to protect her. Yes please.”

“Somehow, perhaps because of the way he spoke in a manner reminiscent of Jack Bauer from 24, Lara calmed down. She repeated his words in her head. Wait. Assess. Intel. Yes, OK, that sounded sensible. Then the hysterical coward in her reared up unannounced and she tried to run for the door again.”

“Where did you get them? Are they Stuart Weitzman? Prada Summer Collection?''Um, New Look, I think,' Lara told him.”

“He took her around the place, pointing out the hybrids and divulging a few of their clients. Lara could barely believe so many celebrities she knew were actually sick and in need of medical marijuana. She tried to make a mental note of their names but knew she'd forget them later, given that she'd already forgotten her own middle name.”

“Would you like some sacred chocolate?' a girl asked, appearing suddenly at Lara's side. 'They've very special chocolates,' she said, pushing a plate of the goods in Lara's direction. 'They're raw and sweetened with Stevia.'Stevia, huh? Lara grabbed a chocolate truffle and popped it into her mouth, winking at the girl. She hoped the 'stevia' would kick in soon, because frankly, it looked like these women were having a better time than she'd had in ages.”