Julian asked, unsure as to whether he was hating or enjoying confronting the three of them like this.
“The part about sexual servitude,” Patricia promptly replied.
“I disagree, Patricia,” said Marguerite firmly. “It’s best if this requirement is stated up front. Otherwise you might run into an awkward situation on a date.”
“I think the remark has to go,” Patricia firmly stated, “unless you want to come off sounding B&D sleazy.”
“Okay, I’ll take your advice,” he told Patricia, only slightly wounded.
“Wonderful,” said Marguerite.
“So, what happens next?”
“Well,” said Marguerite, “there are several options open to you at this point. The first is to simply run your ad and photo in our catalog for as many months as it takes for you to attract a compatible mate. With all you have to offer, one or two issues should do it.”
“Tell me about the other options.”
“Well, you’ve just made a video. You might want to order a supply of your tape from us, and then have it on hand to send to the more tempting respondents to your ad.”
“Sure. I’ll order a case if you think it will help.”
“You won’t need more than a couple of dozen,” murmured Marguerite, aware of what a prize Dr. Honeywell was.
“Anything else?”
“There is one other thing,” said Marguerite, “but I don’t think you’ll need it.”
“Tell me.”
“Private introductions,” she replied.
“Private introductions?” he was intrigued and excited.
“Research is expensive and of course does take time,” explained Marguerite, “but we can find you a brilliant submissive.”
“Guaranteed?”
“No. But you only have to pay if we achieve success.”
“Find me someone like Laura Random,” said Julian when Laura slipped out of the room with the coffee tray. Marguerite and Patricia exchanged a smile.
“Now girls, don’t get too excited,” Marguerite cautioned after Julian had departed. “You know he’ll be inundated as soon as his photo ad comes out. He may never have recourse to a personal introduction.”
“Meanwhile, he gave us the authorization to get busy,” Patricia reminded her.
“That’s true,” said Marguerite.
“He won’t feel satisfied unless we force him to spend money,” Patricia observed.
“When you promised him we’d find a brilliant submissive, Marguerite, did you mean an extremely smart or an extremely servile one?” asked Laura.
“Either,” replied the redhead gaily.
“You know he’s staying in the village tonight,” said Patricia.
“He might appreciate some company for dinner,” Marguerite returned, then both she and Patricia looked at Laura.
“He liked you,” said Patricia.
“Yes, he liked you best,” agreed Marguerite.
“No, he didn’t,” Laura disagreed.
“He told us he wanted us to find him someone just like you,” said Patricia.
“You must be hallucinating. I almost lost him during the interview because I asked some questions that revealed what a ball buster he really is,” Laura declared.
“Excuse me,” said Patricia, “but are we talking about the same gentleman?”
“The man was completely stuck on himself,” said Laura.
“He was somewhat full of himself, at first, I’ll grant you,” said Marguerite, “but I observed the attitude drop as the interview progressed. He seemed a good deal more animated and real towards the end.”
“Yes, especially when he was discussing his examining room,” said Patricia. “I’d love to see it.”
“What you saw was him getting more and more flustered at me between the cuts,” Laura admitted.
“He’s cute,” said Patricia.
“I don’t want to play with him,” said Laura.
“Just have dinner with him and let him spank you,” said Patricia.
“No!” said Laura heatedly.
“Don’t you want to keep our richest client happy?” Patricia pressed her friend. “After all, he came all the way to Random Point to meet us.”
“If you like him so much, you go play with him,” Laura advised.
“But he preferred you.”
“Patricia, when we started this business nothing was said about playing with the clients,” Laura reasoned, “and furthermore, doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of what we are trying to do?”
“Ordinarily I wouldn’t suggest it, but he’s so handsome and rich. How could you resist?” Patricia continued to tease Laura. Then Laura arose with a dangerous look and went for the phone to dial a number she had memorized.
“Hello, Connie? Would you please ring Dr. Honeywell’s suite?” said Laura to the Innkeeper of the Bone and Feather. “You brought this on yourself,” said Laura softly to Patricia, with her hand over the receiver. “Oh, Dr. Honeywell? This is Laura Random. How are you? May I tell you why I’m calling? Thank you! You see, my partner Patricia Fairservis only just found out you were going to be in town tonight and although she’s too shy to ask you herself, I know for a fact that she would love to have dinner with you.... You will? Eight o’clock? She’ll be there.”
“I wish you hadn’t done that!” cried Patricia as soon as the mischievous brunette put down the phone.
“What’s the matter? You were willing to sacrifice me. Since you seem to like him so much, you can suffer in my place.”
“Well, I don’t mind,” smiled Patricia, “but how did he sound when you told him?”
“Surprised and interested.”
“You know Hugo would flip if he thought I was playing with the clients for free,” Laura said, as she and Marguerite drove back down to the village.
“I understand. Fortunately, your first temptation was resistible,” murmured Marguerite.
“Well? Aren’t you in the same position with Malcolm?”
“Oh,
