Twenty pairs of eyes followed Madam Cole Kennedy (also known less formally as the Queen of Kink) as she strode to the front of her classroom.
Just two months before, she had featured in the highly regarded annual 'European People of Power List' at a very respectable number eight. Quite a rumpus followed, with many complaining of a 'lowering of standards' at the first ever inclusion of someone from the sex profession.
Ignoring the furore, Cole had picked up her award in person, and her impassioned speech on the rights of sex workers had become a social media sensation.
Despite huge financial offers from TV and press, she had disappeared from the public eye the day after. Her total lack of engagement, and the fact that almost half the nominees were clients in some way of Cole's multi-million-euro empire, meant the fuss quickly disintegrated.
Interest had recently been reignited with the announcement of her new venture - Pink Lemonade, a bordello offering sexual services by women for women. The reaction from social media commentators had been mixed: some declaring women would not be interested and would never pay for sex; others seeing it as the next logical step in women's emancipation.
Predictions from the business world, however, were that this would be the latest in the string of highly successful business ventures that had made Cole a very wealthy woman. Her massively successful art exhibition 'Pop your cherry', with exhibits from previous unknown artists, was still touring with ever more prestigious galleries on the wait list to feature the sensual artwork. Her large publishing company focussing on erotica had just signed another word famous author who was exploring this genre for the first time. A further four of her sex therapy clinics were now franchised and about to open in Sitges and London. And her high-end escort service businesses were just branching out in South America. It was rumoured she still attended to some of her high-profile clients personally, many paying six figures for her expertise.
A year exploring many of the architectural gems of Amsterdam had culminated in the purchase of this old school, in the cosmopolitan and vibrant area of De Pijp, as a home for Pink Lemonade. Cole had overseen every step of the refurbishment and it had resulted in an outstanding design, both internally and externally. And today the bordello had opened, not yet for business, but for an intense three weeks training for the first intake of sex workers.
Cole was adamant that it would be differentiated within the large pool of sex services available in the city particularly those services provided in De Wallen, the red-light district as it was better known to tourists.
Cole addressed her students with her instantly recognisable soft Scottish lilt, "Sex is at the core of what it means to be human."
She paused for a minute, making eye contact with each of her students individually, taking in their responses. Her gaze rested a fraction longer with her two 'wild card' students wondering if they would hit the mark. Luisa, who was staring steadfastly at her desk, and who was currently showing evidence of her nerves in the pink blotches covering her chest. Cole had debated over for a while fearing she may be too innocent and vulnerable to take on the role, but in the end her likeability and 'girl next door' appeal had got her through. Cole had also been impressed by her diploma in TV production and the massage course she had completed -- both useful skills in the services she intended to provide.
Meghan was the other end of the scale. Cole knew she had worked in many of the brothels in the red-light district and feared it would be too difficult to remove the bad habits she would have most likely have picked up. Meghan gazed back at her holding eye contact with her easy smile. She was the bad girl she hoped that clients may not want to visit on their first visit -- but may well come back again and again for. A well-defined almost masculine jawline was softened by her large blue eyes, sharp cheekbones and soft lips. Tall with an angular sinewy strong body, she had a magnetism that made you take notice. Despite her easy countenance, there was a vulnerability about her, a hint of sadness in her eyes which softened what could otherwise be an unbearable arrogance.
Cole returned to her introduction, "There has been a historical prejudice against sex workers and against women who choose to pay for sex. Society tries to tell women that anything outside of the missionary position is taboo. But thankfully the tide is turning. Women are starting to do things now that ten years ago they never would have done before. And Pink Lemonade is responding to a demand from so many women who want to explore and embrace their sexual fantasies. You will all be working together to make Pink Lemonade a welcome space for female erotica."
At 48 years old, Cole stood 5'10 inches tall with cropped blonde hair, quiet but commanding. Her clothing of black jeans and a plain white t shirt added to her androgynous look, and every woman in the room hung onto her every word.
Each one of them had been selected after a battery of tests and interviews and all had been personally approved by Cole, they all sat captivated by her. Meghan leaned back in her chair; legs spread out in front her trying unsuccessfully to flirt with her teacher. Cole had noticed, and knew the girl was going to be trouble but hoped she would be worth it.
She continued, "Your role will be to release the restraints they may have had in playing out their fantasies. You will be working with women who perhaps know exactly what turns them on even if they may not feel comfortable expressing it to their partners. Or with women who have buried their fantasies for some time and now want you to explore and grow them. You are here to release the restraints these women may have felt in playing out these fantasies."
"Or tighten the restraints for those who get pleasure from pain," quipped Meghan trying again to get her teachers attention. Cole could have predicted Meghan would be one of the first students to make herself be noticed.
"If that's what they are into then yes,' she replied without missing a beat. "We are building a service for women only, a service provided for women by women, not a service by men who think they know what women want."
"And if we build it -- they will cum," interrupted Meghan to a few sniggers round the room.
"That's the plan," said Cole with a hint of smile, though Luisa did detect a slight narrowing of her eyes, the only sign that perhaps she was slightly irritated with Meghan's attention seeking behaviour.
"OK, time to hear from all of you, we are going to go around the room, and I want each of you to tell the group your name and to tell me what you think women's top fantasies are."
Meghan, predictably, started to speak first. "We'll get to you in a minute," interrupted Cole, "Luisa, can we start with you?"
