Chapter 8
THE GALA
Author's note: Ideally, the previous chapters in this story should be read prior to reading this. Although this chapter could stand alone, it—as well as the upcoming chapters of the story—will be more meaningful if put in the complete context.
*****
Suzie and I were in the back seat of our best friends Bob and Julia's car on the way to the Second Annual Gala at The Mill. It was a charity affair put on by the Mill Club, a BDSM organization, of which Bob was one of the founders. Suzie and I were new to all of this and didn't know if we wanted to pursue the path toward domination and submission. So far we'd only dabbled in a little bondage.
The trip to the Mill would be about fifteen minutes on a rural road outside of Millville. On the way there Bob explained a little about the Gala.
"Let me explain a little about tonight's entertainment. About a month ago every member received a volunteer application and questionnaire to recruit participants for tonight's events. Besides the willingness to participate, this is what was required. They must be either a sub or switch. Must be OK to interact with multiple people of different genders. Must be OK with golden showers. Must be willing and able to be bound for at least one hour. Must not be claustrophobic. For females, must not be having a period on the day of the Gala.
"I think that's all. From the list of volunteers, the committee of three members—they had to include one male, one female, one dom, one sub, and one gay or lesbian—selected six. Three men and three women. Only two of each will be used tonight, but nobody, including the volunteers, knows who. Their identities and what they will be doing have been a closely guarded secret. Only the three committee members, who also planned the entertainment, know. Like the Price-Waterhouse envelopes at the Oscars. The rest you'll see for yourselves a little later."
Suzie said, "Sounds pretty well planned. You've really piqued my interest now. I can hardly wait."
"Yeh. Me too," I concurred.
We arrived at the old sawmill, now named just "The Mill". Its only identification was its name printed in letters carved from wood and mounted over the main door. The building itself didn't look much different than it had when it was still a working mill, over twenty years before. From the outside one would never guess that it was a clubhouse of sorts. Once inside, Bob led us over to the registration counter where an attractive, middle aged woman was working. He handed all four of our $500 tickets to her and told her our names. She already knew him and Julie, of course. "These are our guests, Tom and Suzie. This young lady is Millie," he said to us, gesturing toward her.
Only first names. Even at the Gala.
Millie went down her list until she found all of us. I thought that there must be more than one Bob or Tom, but she seemed to know whom to check off. Bob led us from the entry room into a very large hall where many round tables were set up, complete with white table cloths, fancy dishes and glasses, and flowers. Each table had a card with eight people's names. Bob found our table and—since nobody else was there yet—suggested that we all sit facing the front of the room. In front of us was a podium and a long table on a raised platform. The table had six place settings on a tablecloth that only reached the edge of the table.
That's strange,
I thought.
Suzie and I perused the room, looking at all the other folks. I spotted Leila and Len from the Munch meeting. When they saw us they gave a wave. Suzie said, "I really liked them. We should get together with them sometime."
"Good idea. Let's do that," I replied.
I thought I saw Frank Grause, one of the councilmen of Millville. I asked Bob if that was who he was and he confirmed it, but reminded me that here he's just "Frank" and not to mention his position or his last name to anyone. I asked Bob if the empty table in the front was for the club officers.
"No, Tom. Wait a few minutes. You'll see."
Now it seemed even stranger. I turned to Suzie. "What do you think, Babe?"
