After meeting our host, an informal briefing on Axe's new "Brazilian Hot Mud" Fever shower gel. The pitch: after an outrageous night on the town, Axe has the power to scrub your soul clean. It's a baptism in a bottle, absolution with suds. Your shower stall as the confession booth and Ave Fever is your Hail Mary. No matter how messy the night before, you can start the day over scrubbed anew, your sins forgiven.

But that logic train was stalled by a Tequila tasting - six 100% agave nectars from 40 miles northwest of Guadalajara, and by the time we'd got to the Milagro Anejo, I was screaming "bring on the dancing girls" as i flung myself around the garden Pisseur like it was a long lost buddy.

And so, into the limo and our first stop for the night, a dive bar by the name of The Air Devil's Inn. And that brings us to punchline for the joke I set up at the start .

The magician's name was Shawn Dion, and he executed a classic force as good as any I've ever seen. In the dark pit of the bar, he worked the crowd damn well.

I never asked the girl in the bunny costume her name, and never broached the subject of why she was dressed that way. It seemed impolite. If she didn't think it was important to mention, then why should I. One of the writers shrugged and said 'I guess this is what you get at the Derby". And it seemed logical enough, given the man had taken to wearing the bunny head.

The Stripper told us she tended bar at the local joint, and encroached us that - after our meal - "y'all should come on down". (We didn't). She then proceeded to knock a sublime dent into her bartending credentials by giving a gratis impromptu demonstration of what we could anticipate.

I kid you not - a stripper and a looker in a bunny costume, together. As the scene played out, I knew no-one would ever believe this was anything but a tequila-induced dream, a figment of my own twisted inebriation.

But the iPhone camera never lies. Click for larger.

By comparison, the remainder of the evening was a respectable affair, fueled by a low buzz that held me through dinner at Z's Fusion and a brief sojourn at Prime Lounge . By 1am, the buzz was over, and I was feeling old enough to be the father of most of the writhing bodies I saw on the dance floor. Because I was. Time to head home, and hope that the Brazilian Hot Mud could get me in good enough shape for tomorrow's main event, The Kentucky Derby.

Wish me luck.

Previously on YBNBY

YBNBY goes to the Kentucky Derby - I

YBNBY goes to the Kentucky Derby - II