The June lady-market approached. Neither Arnold nor Faith had ever been to one. Lawrence took them both: Arnold for his education, and Faith would see how to act when she was offered in September.
It took place on the playground of the elementary school. Some neighbors were concerned about this, but school was out and any children who wandered in would find the sight educational. There would be discussions at the dinner table this evening.
The day was sunny and warm. They walked across town, Faith in front and naked on a leash held by her stepson. She grew a little sweaty before the two men; they liked that.
Five girls were offered today, chained to stakes. The first one was grossly obese; she was obviously being sold for parts rather than service. Giant swollen breasts sagged over a bulging belly that hung down over her sex; her thighs and even her calves were in rolls.
Her soft pale skin was lightly oiled and showed no sign of disfiguring stretch marks. Lawrence pointed this out to his son; the sign of a good owner, who fattened her slowly to avoid them.
The renderer had already purchased her. She raised her head and looked up at them; Lawrence and Arnold remained expressionless. His assistant, a woman in a nurse's uniform, was shaving off her hair and putting the long tresses in a box. Nurse asked them if Faith was for sale and Larry said "Not today" before moving on to the second girl.
She was the opposite of the first; young, in her early twenties most likely, with a narrow waist but curvy above and below. The woman marketing her said she had just received an advanced degree in Women's Studies and given herself to her faculty adviser. Unable to attend today's event, he asked his secretary to sell her.
The girl was plainly disappointed he was not here; she drooped and looked morose. Seeing this, the secretary took out a bright red garrote of silken cord and placed it around her neck, tightening it just enough to constrict her breathing.
This had the desired effect. Her mouth dropped open and her tongue hung out. Animated by fear her eyes grew wide and her nipples swelled. The secretary told her to stand straight and she obeyed at once, rising to attention.
The woman relaxed the cord and she took in great gulps of air. Stop that, said the woman; behave. She struggled to breathe more slowly and present herself for sale. Restored now to her senses, she wanted to bring in a good price for her owner.
A large black man, obviously a person of consequence, approached. He placed his hands on her neck and squeezed it. Already sensitized by the garrote she grew wet and responded to her lord of the moment.
The secretary explained to Arnold that Yusuf was chief of a tribe in central Africa; each year he bought a white girl for his use and kept her until spring when the annual feast took place.
He spoke to an aide, who handed him what looked at first like a large fly-whisk. No, it was a wooden-handled whip of many cords, each with a metal tip of some sort. He applied it at once to the girl who screamed gratifyingly. A few people took notice and wandered over to watch.
He worked her over until she hung limp and exhausted in her bonds. He was pleased and made an offer; the deal was consummated at once.
Released, she sank to the ground and kissed his bare feet before being led off to a trailer. Arnold watched the ceremony with interest.
Mr. Waller had also observed it and greeted the two. Lawrence described his boy's eagerness to learn. He was smart, the older man observed; there was always work for good trainers.
Lawrence said he was turning this one - he jerked a thumb at Faith - over to his boy while he courted another. Alma was young and wealthy; she would make a good number three.
Mr. Waller offered to teach him once a week. Father and son thanked him and accepted. Arnold asked him about the metal tips; he smiled and said they were unique to the tribe. Each set left distinctive marks that identified a girl's owner.
The last of today's stock was a trio offered as a set: a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead. The property of a collector, at his death his widow planned to bury them with him; but the will stipulated they be sold and so they were offered today. They were purchased by a brothel in Singapore.