Cathy was reading Cosmo when the receptionist called her name. She put the magazine down and was led back through the salon to a chair. A redheaded girl with a bright smile introduced herself as Dawn and asked what sort of style Cathy wanted that day. Cathy replied that she only wanted a wash and dry and a little trimmed. âDonât cut much,â she said, referring to the jet black tresses that hung straight down her back to the line of her belt.
âIsnât it a hassle to wash all that,â Dawn asked. âWhy donât I shorten it by a foot for the summer? Be cooler for you that way.â
âOh no, my Master forbids me to cut my hair. Heâd be terribly disappointed in me if I did that.â
Dawnâs smile vanished. âYourâŠMaster? That makes you sound like a slave or something.â
âWell,â said Cathy as she settled into the chair, âthatâs what I am, after all -- a slave. Iâve been my Masterâs property for nearly six years now.â
Dawn stared at her. âYouâre kidding me, right? I mean, thereâs no slavery in America anymore.â She turned Cathyâs chair around and lowered the back so the long, dark hair pooled in the shiny blue sink.
While Dawn sprayed warm water onto her hair Cathy explained. âItâs voluntary servitude. I love and respect him so deeply that I want to be his property. My Master is the smartest, bravest, most wonderful man Iâve ever known, and he has such strength in his soul. I donât know if you can understand what I mean, but it just felt so natural to give myself to him completely. I placed myself under his protection and guidance and accepted his mark and collar. See?â With that she lifted the slim platinum chain around her neck and displayed a medallion the size of a silver dollar. There was a stylized âAâ and a crown engraved on one side of the disk and on the back were words in fancy script. âThis says that I am his treasured property and that if I get into trouble there is a reward for anyone who returns me safely. He loves me that much.â
Dawn was massaging peppermint-scented shampoo into Cathyâs hair by now. âThatâs his âemblemâ?â
âYes. I also have several collars but Master doesnât usually let me wear them in public unless heâs with me. Theyâre very sturdy and heâs concerned that somebody might attack me and grab the collar to choke me. This chain would break if somebody tried that and I could get away.â
âGuess that makes sense. So what does a slave do? You do his housework for him?â
âOh, yes. I wash his clothes and dishes too. Sometimes I cook his meals, but heâs a great cook so often he does that. I serve him and bathe him and make his bed. Whatever he wants me to do or be, thatâs my job and my pleasure.â
âWhat is he, an invalid? Sounds like a baby to me.â
âOh, heâs nowhere near helpless. Youâre looking at it backwards. He doesnât need my help. Itâs ME who needs to serve HIM. You donât know how happy it makes me to do those things for him. See, my Master loves me and protects me. Heâs my teacher and mentor and best friend and lover and so much more. The only way I can possibly repay such love and care is to give all of myself to him. I adore my Master and express that adoration through my servitude.â
Dawn began to rinse the shampoo out of Cathyâs hair. âGirl, you must be crazy. Iâd never let a man order me around.â
âYouâve never been owned, body and soul, by a good and dominant man. You donât know how fulfilling and beautiful it can be.â
âYeah, and Iâm never gonna try it to find out, either.â She grabbed a big towel. âOkay, hairâs clean. Letâs sit up so I can dry it.â Dawn adjusted the chair again until Cathy was sitting erect once more. As she used the blow dryer she was quiet, but when she turned it off again she asked, âYou said heâs your lover. Is he any good?â
Cathyâs face broke into a big smile. âThe best. Absolutely the best!â
âToo bad heâs not with you. Iâd like to give him a piece of my mind. This is the 21st Century, girl. Canât go dragginâ women âround by the hair anymore,â she grumbled as she began to brush Cathyâs long, shiny hair.
âWell, why donât you come over to the house for supper tonight? Then you can meet my Master. Iâll have to call home and make sure he doesnât mind, but Iâm sure youâll be welcome.â
âNooo, I donât think so. He sounds like a nut-case to me. Probably worships Satan or something like that.â
Cathy chuckled. âNo, we donât do that. But hey,â she said, looking sideways at Dawn, âI didnât mean to scare you. If youâre afraid of him you donât have to come.â
âNow wait a minute. I never said I was scared. They havenât built the man who scares me.â
âThen youâll come?â
The redheaded woman stood for a moment, staring at Cathy. She seemed to be weighing her options, and then she said âif I do, Iâm not going to take any crap from him. Iâll tell him where to stick his Master routine if I want to.â
âDeal. While you finish my hair Iâll call home and get permission.â She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny portable phone.
-8-
The sun was halfway below the horizon as Dawn followed the hastily-written directions Cathy had given her. She guided her VW down a suburban street and spotted the house immediately. Well, she said to herself, at least thereâs no drawbridge on the thing.
In fact, the house looked no more sinister than the other homes on the block. It was a two-story Cape Cod with a neat, fair-sized yard and chest-high privet hedges defining property lines around it. The porch light was already on and as she pulled into the driveway Dawn could smell wood smoke. A pale plume of white drifted from the chimney, and the windows of the main floor glowed a warm welcome.
The front door sported a heavy, metal knocker and at her knock the knob turned. As the door opened, Dawn was greeted by an ordinary-looking, 40-ish man. âGood evening,â he smiled roguishly. âYou must be Dawn, Cathyâs friend.â She nodded. âIâm glad you came. Come on in.â He was dressed in black, acid-washed jeans and a tan dress shirt with half the buttons open to reveal the black tee-shirt beneath.
Closing the door behind her, he extended his hand. As he took her jacket he flashed his buccaneer grin again. âCathy told me about the conversation you two had. Guess youâre kinda surprised that the title âMasterâ doesnât come complete with pitchfork and horns.â Then the smile softened to a milder version. âDonât sweat it. Everythingâs cool. Youâre among friends here, Dawn. Hey, Iâve gotta get back to the kitchen. Can I get you a Coke or anything while I finish dinner?â
She looked about, not quite nervously. âNo, thanks. Is Cathy here? I was expecting her to be with us.â
âI sent her out to buy a good bottle of Chablis for later. She should be back soon.â Then he was headed out of the foyer. Dawn followed him. As they walked down the hallway she was able to look into other rooms. The living room was a Good Housekeeping photograph, with contemporary, comfortable furnishings. A lively blaze crackled in the fireplace and a mirrored coffee table stood between two facing green sofas. Centered before the hearth was a large, heavy, padded wooden chair. To call it a throne would have been an understatement. Across the hall from that was a closed door. Dawn followed the sound of his voice to the kitchen. âHope youâre not a vegan or orthodox Jewish,â he was saying. âI didnât have much time to prepare anything, so I threw together some clam chowder and Iâve made bacon-wrapped shrimp kebabs for the indoor grill. Why donât you set the table -- two bowls and a plate per person, please -- while I do the shrimp?
Dawn found the dinnerware and began to place the plates around the oval table. The chowder was smelling awfully good and her stomach was starting to growl a bit. While she worked she appraised her host. He wasnât overly handsome -- kind of average, in fact -- but she had to admit he knew his way around a kitchen. His movements were self-assured and smooth as he cooked. He had short hair and sideburns and a sincere, ingratiating smile. âSo, Cathy says youâre her master,â she began, awkwardly. âIsnât that in violation of the Emancipation Proclamation?â
He flashed that smile again. âIt would be, if she wanted to press that issue,â he grinned. âBut my manners are lacking. Letâs start off with the basics. My nameâs Adam, and yes, Iâm Cathyâs master. We met about eight years back, dated for about a year and a half, and she took my collar almost six years ago. You can ask her yourself on this score, but Iâd say weâre very happy together. Hey, thereâs two pitchers in the âfridge; iced tea and spring water. Put them on the table, please.â Dawn turned to the task and then stopped. Did I just obey an order from him, she wondered, then she set the pitchers on the table.
The front door opened and Cathy came in carrying a shopping bag from the spirits store. She placed the bags on the counter and walked to Adamâs side. Kneeling on one knee she took his offered hand and kissed the back of it. âIâm home, Master,â she said, âand my heart is joyful in your service.â
He smiled. âWelcome back, pet,â he replied. âGo change into your black toga and brush up a bit. Hurry back.â She quickly rose and kissed his cheek, then darted out, waving to Dawn as she passed.
âYou even tell her how to dress?â Dawnâs frown left no doubt that she didnât like this idea at all.
âUsually itâs not necessary. Cathy knows what I like and she has enough clothes for almost any occasion, but I have something special in mind for tonight and I want her to be ready for that. Now, hand me that big platter, please.â
âAnd suppose I donât want to follow your order, Mr. Master?â
He looked at her as though she had asked a patently foolish question. âThen what will I put the shrimp kebabs on before they burn?â
Scowling, Dawn handed Adam the platter. âJust remember that Iâm nobodyâs slave, Adam,â she stated.
The buccaneer smile flashed again. âYet,â was all he said.
As they were setting the food on the table, Cathy bounced into the room. Dawn eyed her outfit carefully. Black silk pantsuit, with a low-cut top held shut by a pair of pearly buttons. She was obviously braless, and her nipples formed pyramids against the shimmering black material. The sleeveless shirt revealed a nickel-sized tattoo on the girlâs shoulder; a stylized âAâ with a crown floating above it. She gave a quick turn to show her garb off and smiled at Dawn. âThis is one of my slave togas. My master designed them for me.â There was a black velvet ribbon choker around her throat and she touched it. âThis is one of my âat homeâ collars. Master loves to see me in a choker -- it makes him very frisky.â Her face was glowing as she spoke about her beloved owner.
Adam came into the room, carrying the platter of kebabs. Cathy dashed forward. âMay Your slave help with that, Master?â