Chapter 3 - Abducted and Sold!
One reason that Astoria Morgan preferred human male pets over other types of animals was that they could drive, which allowed them to perform all sorts of useful errands. Earlier in the day, Astoria had sent her pet Giorgio into town with a load of supplies for the Astoria Morgan Haven for Distressed Women. Of all her charitable endeavors, this was her favorite as it most directly promoted her agenda of female empowerment.
Astoria had founded this institution as a refuge for the most downtrodden of her sex, who having nothing were often forced to sell themselves into the most degrading forms of prostitution, whoredom and even sexual slavery. The Haven provided these young women a safe and clean place to live, nutritious meals, and even laundry service. All they had to give in return was a few hours of their time to attend useful courses in self-esteem, deportment, personal finance and feminist theory. Unlike ordinary women's shelters, which attempted to get their charges off the street, Astoria encouraged these fine young women to get out there and own the streets. No longer common prostitutes, they became militant sex workers, well trained in using their charms to master their surroundings and their clients.
Still, for all their skills and self-confidence, Astoria knew that this line of work brought with it certain hazards that, while they could not be completely eliminated, could be sensibly managed. She had therefore dispatched Giorgio - or "Gigi" as she called her pet with increasing frequency - with a consignment of latex condoms, antibacterial douche and hypoallergenic mascara, all of which she had been able to buy in bulk. Astoria might have had these items shipped directly to the Haven, but meticulous as ever, she preferred to confirm for herself that she had received what she paid for. She also liked to include a note with words of instruction or encouragement with each shipment. The personal touch made charity work so satisfying.
Giorgio had just brought the last box into the Haven's supply room, had politely refused all the payment in kind the girls always teasingly offered him, and was heading back to the car, when a voice piped up behind him: "Excuse me sir, but I've lost my sheep. Can you help me?"
Turning around, Giorgio found himself faced with a short young woman, or rather her white bonnet tied up with a big blue bow, under which brazen red hair framed a face that featured a pair of pleading green eyes. From the puffy short sleeves of the crisp blue dress a pair of white, strong arms emerged holding a shepherd's crook.
Giorgio responded by narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You keep sheep? Here?" Giorgio knew from his time in the fields of his home country that the paved streets of Chatham City did not provide an auspicious environment for pastoral grazers like sheep.
"Well, I don't really keep any sheep. It's for a theatrical production. You know, a play." Giorgio's suspicions were partly, but not completely, allayed. "How big a flock you lose, lady?"
"Oh, just one. Sheep can be singular, you know. You're not from around here, are you?" the shepherdess added, smiling condescendingly.
That was enough for Giorgio. His mistress had always told him that he must be respectful and helpful to all women, even the ones who weren't hot. And this girl, well, she looked better than any shepherdess Giorgio had ever known. If Giorgio had not already belonged to Astoria Morgan, he would have happily bent under her crook. "Giorgio help you!" he declared emphatically. "Where you last see sheep?"
"Well, I think a bad man took Curly, that's my sheep's name, Curly, and put him in the van over there."
