They returned to the hotel early, and Georges took Rae to display at his club. He and his friends liked to show off their new purchases to one another.
Anne would be going to the opera with her owners. Some friends of Thomas lived in the city and had invited the three of them to dinner and a performance of "Dialogues of the Carmelites".
Anne loved the opera and used to attend it regularly before she gave herself to her first master. And this one, doomed nuns under the shadow of the guillotine accepting their martyrdom, seemed particularly appropriate; it spoke to her condition.
A pair of young women from the hotel staff suspended her by the wrists and bathed her, trimming the ends of her hair and brushing it. No perfume, though; she was going au naturel.
And no lipstick. She used to love applying it in front of the mirror and admiring herself before going out to bars in the evening, but that sort of adornment was forbidden to her now. Besides, she might leave a telltale ring on any man who used her mouth.
She smiled at the thought of planting a scarlet or hot pink circle on the base of his member before she stood up; would he notice it? Would his wife?
They dried her off and she hung quietly until Thomas came for her. He led her out to the taxi stand where Francesca was waiting for them. Anne wilted a bit under her scrutiny. Thomas sat between them in the taxi and she was able to relax.
They got out at Dan and Beth's house; but on the sidewalk Francesca said "Wait a moment" and held up a garrote.
It was of braided cotton rope covered with black velvet and resembled the ribbon worn by girls marked for execution.
All of Anne's fears returned in a rush and she reacted in the usual way; her breasts swelled, the nipples stood out and she felt a growing wetness between her legs as Francesca put it over her head and made it snug.
The three of them proceeded to the front door where the couple's daughter Hailey welcomed and let them in.
The young woman had a brisk, superior air and viewed Anne with cool detachment. She wore a long-sleeved white silk blouse fastened to the neck and a calf-length skirt of dark linen.
Anne was struck by Hailey's distinctive red hair. And despite her off-putting demeanor, the ripe breasts which strained the buttons of her prim and modest blouse; recent growth perhaps. Very enticing.
She ushered the guests into the living room where her parents rose to greet them. Beth was an older copy of her daughter in her thirties, well-built and attractive. Anne tried to think of something else.
She curtseyed to them and remained standing for inspection. Dan noted the absence of recent lash marks.
Francesca said she was likely spared for sale that way, but it left her overdue for a whipping.
Anne saw Beth look at her with an enigmatic, quizzical expression. Something was running through the woman's mind but she could not make it out.
They sat down and Hailey served canapes.
She watched Hailey bending forward at the waist so precisely with the tray. Her breasts, resentful of their confinement.
And the pert little buttocks when she faced away; Anne longed to part them and explore inside. What a prize she would make for someone who could tame this uncompromising perfectionist.
After a few minutes of talk about the weather, Beth asked how old Anne was and Francesca told her; she adopted that thoughtful expression again.
Hailey announced it was time for dinner and they went to the dining room. She knelt as they sat down.
Bowls for her feed and water were on the table, but there was no pillow for her knees on the bare wood floor; someone understood the rules for girls like her, probably Dan.
The conversation turned to Hailey's future. Just eighteen, she had graduated with straight A's and been accepted by a prestigious university in America. She planned to pursue a career in finance and business administration, then join a corporation or become a consultant after obtaining her degree.
Francesca mentioned that had been Anne's career as well before she entered her present life.
Hailey grew interested; what led her to make the change?
This caught Anne by surprise; she was unprepared for the question. She looked up at her owners; Francesca said "Tell them".
She gathered her thoughts and tried to explain. She described the emptiness of her earlier life; professional success, climbing the career ladder, money, casual affairs with strangers, and - careful to avoid details - the date with a man that showed her a new existence free of self-seeking and material concerns by giving herself to him without reserve.
She summarized the training she received under her first owner, and at the academy he sent her to where she learned a deeper form of obedience and submission; her sale at auction to a wealthy businessman who used her to attract clients. Very briefly (this might be a sensitive subject) her rescue by Francesca when he tired of her, and remaining in her possession until last fall.
She ended by saying she never doubted the rightness of her choice, even at the most difficult of times. She was happier as a slave than she had ever been in her career. It showed her joys she had never imagined to exist.
She finished and looked up briefly; Hailey and her mother were both staring at her. She bent her head and lowered her eyes to the table.
Hailey leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand. She frowned, pondered for a long moment and declared this was a revelation to her; she had never considered it before. She wondered if she could try out this sort of life just for a short time, to see.
Her father suggested tonight; she could go with them to the opera like Anne.
Beth spoke up. She would like to as well.
Anne realized what Beth was thinking when the woman looked at her.
Francesca explained some realities to them. It meant surrendering control totally, forever.
Beth might have to be starved to slim her down (she flinched at this), and being older she would sell for less than her daughter. Her appeal would fade sooner and then...
Anne reflected that she was only a few years behind Beth. Her days were also numbered.
They wanted to proceed. Beth, Hailey, and Anne could all go on leashes held by the other three.
Dan nodded. The two went upstairs and returned shortly without their clothes.
Hailey was transformed. Later she said she felt like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, preparing to fly. Her exposed breasts were as large as Anne imagined, maybe larger, and the nipples dark and erect; they seemed to bounce as she descended the stairs.
Her mother was the same; the two of them giggled like schoolgirls and chattered to each other excitedly.
Dan slapped Beth. In her new role she must learn not to speak until told to.
He slapped Hailey as well - harder, Anne thought - and said the same applied to her. The two women lowered her heads in contrition and stood silent.
They all went into the living room. Dan, Thomas, and Francesca sat and drank coffee; the other three knelt on the floor in front of them. Hailey looked uncomfortable at first, but that passed after a minute.
Anne glanced over at them; they responded well to Dan's chastisement and would improve after training.
Beth's age and waistline told against her, but she might have a chance to avoid the jaguars.
In contrast Hailey would bring top money at auction. Without clothes she was a prize: slender waist, small tight buttocks. Those breasts.
And firm thighs. Anne remembered Dora's description of Cheryl's at the tribal feast. Hailey's were smaller, but more solid.
