I walked the city streets, the cold, the wind cutting through my threadbare suit jacket as if it did not exist. As I walked, my head down, I reflected back on the day, all of the applications I had filled out soon followed by the rejections which seemed to haunt my life. Still almost eight blocks away from the solitary confinement of the room I had rented all I could think of was collapsing and letting the day wash away. It was then that the snow began to fall and before I had even gone another block I felt chilled to the bone, looking around, seeking sanctuary if even for a moment.
All of the store fronts were dark, their doors locked tight and I moved forward, my teeth chattering against the winter's onslaught. I was almost ready to give up, simply surrendering to the night, finding an alleyway to lay down in when I saw a dim light behind an ornate door. Moving closer I saw the simple lettering, a single letter B and underneath BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. All I could think of was how cold I was and that the only thing that could happen was that I would be thrown out. I tried the doorknob, feeling it turn in my hand and the promise of warmth which hit me.
"Hello?" The only reply was silence, the meager light shining from down the hallway and as I moved closer I saw that it illuminated a series of pictures which hung on the walls. Only when I drew nearer did I find myself stopping, my eyes mesmerized at the sight before me. All of the portraits were of men and women, each in torment, some bound, some beaten, all the captive of the lens and the person behind it.
I felt my body begin to shudder, not from the cold but from the intense sexuality which they portrayed and I almost screamed when I felt the hand touch my shoulder and the voice say, "You're late, it's not a good way to start off. Come with me."
The young woman who stood there, her brown curls framing her face, her emerald eyes not unkind though her tone had told me that she would suffer not fools and I started to speak only to have her turn, walking briskly toward the long, velvet curtain from which she had appeared. "Well, come on" and I obediently moved to follow only to see the setting for what seemed to be a photo shoot in place.
I stopped again, as much so from the sight of all the lights, cameras, props and such but even more so because of the words which were uttered from my right, "Jesus Christ Brielle, he's old enough to my fucking father, I'm not doing this."
The speaker was a woman, her words hitting me like a slap to the face but before I could even speak in my defense, to say there must be some misunderstanding the brown eyed beauty turned saying, "Apologize to him, right now Allison."
The blonde, only now did I truly see her dressed in such a provocative manner, black patent leather gleaming under the hot lights answer was to pick up her cigarettes, lighting one and blowing smoke towards her. "I'm not doing this for under a grand, take it or leave it."
The dark haired beauty response was quick, her hands moving to pick up a camera, removing the lens while saying, "Get out, now. Oh, and don't bother to return, ever."
The sound of her heels echoing, the door slamming soon following, the woman she had called Brielle paid her no heed, simply continuing to work at her cameras until we were alone when she sighed softly, lifting her head to give me a weary smile. "I do apologize for Allison, she can be a bitch at times and her words were uncalled for. I thought I mentioned to the agency that I wanted someone a bit younger than you but I think I can make this work, if you still wish to go ahead?" I stood there, frozen to the spot, like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car as she looked up to say, "Did they tell you about the assignment and what it pays? I'm sorry, what is your name?"
"Jon, Jonathan Samuels" I managed to mutter and she walked over, favoring me with a smile and a handshake.
"I'm Brielle and this is my studio. As you can see from the portraits you were looking at I deal in a special clientele, my buyers demand high quality and in turn they pay me high prices to purchase my art. That is why I pay my models five hundred dollars a session, that and the fact it's a bit different from what most have done before. Have you ever posed for anything dealing with bondage and discipline Jonathan?"
"No, that is I, no, I haven't, is that okay?" At the mention of the fee, the chance at a job so tempting, I curbed my tongue, wondering if I could possibly see my way through this. "No, that's alright, quite a few models haven't and I'll go over everything after you've changed. My only concern is now I've lost one of you and I'll have to fill in." With that she turned back to the table, picking up a piece of paper and motioning again for me to follow. "Here's the script for the shoot and you'll find everything you need inside. Come on out when you're ready and we'll begin." With that the door closed behind me and I looked down at the sheet which I clutched and began to read.
A HUSBAND COMES HOME DRUNK, LIPSTICK ON HIS COLLAR AND HIS WIFE CONFRONTS HIM. SHE WAS WITHSTOOD HIS LIES AND HIS DECEIT BUT SHE will NOT PUT UP WITH HIS INFIDELITY. SHE TAKES MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS, HER ANGER LEADING TO HER ACTIONS AS HE FINDS HIMSELF THE OBJECT OF HER RAGE, A RAGE WHICH MANIFESTS ITSELF IN HER DOMINATION OF HIM, A CRUEL LESSON IN THE ART OF B&D.
By now I could barely stand, almost falling into a chair as I looked at the clothes which had been laid out it looked like in advance. Looking into the mirror, seeing the reflection of my eyes, so shielded, so withdrawn as if to hide away from the world in case of further pain. I almost turned to walk out, admitting my ruse and preparing to accept her anger. I truly can't say why I didn't, why I began to undress, walking into the bathroom, seeing the shower and turning it on, feeling the heat, the steam rise and only willing to take one step at a time and see where it might possibly lead.
It was almost thirty minutes later that I timidly opened the door, walking out only to come to a quick halt at the sight before me. Where Brielle had been dressed in a sensible sweater and jeans before now she looked, well...amazing. "Ah, there you are, come on; let's have a look at you, shall we?" Her hand reached out and I took it carefully, letting her guide me to a couch where I tried my best not to stare at the incredible picture she afforded me. "I've had to make some changes; I'll have to play Allison's part so I've put three cameras in place, each of them shooting a different angle and each on timers, shooting every three seconds. Now, let's discuss what's going to take place and make sure you're comfortable with it."
Comfortable was not how I was feeling but I managed a brief nod as she continued, her eyes now looking directly into mine. "I sense you've never been put in this position before will and I need for you to focus, to understand that it can cause someone to undergo extremes in emotions, in their body, in their mind. If at any time you feel like what is happening is too intense, too overwhelming then simply say so and we will stop or we will continue in another vein, okay?"
I could barely hear her words, my heart hammering in my chest and I was no more capable of speech than I was in leaving, nodding my agreement. "Good, we'll play this out like a movie and you simply react as if it were part of the script. Let's begin."
She stood up, walking over to the cameras, adjusting them and it was then I let my eyes take in the sight of her clad in leather and lace, her heels clicking against the concrete floor and I sat there, becoming more and more lost in the moment with each passing second. "Stand up Jonathan" and I moved woodenly to do so, watching her as she approached with a tube of lipstick in hand. Covering her lips generously she leaned close, her mouth pressing against the white of the shirt I wore underneath the black suit, leaving a perfect imprint. Another fell on the right side of the collar and then she looked at me with a smile and firmly kissed me on the lips.