Love & Prostitution

On rising the next morning, Sansa & Emily agree to keep their betrothal secret until they have found and purchased their engagement rings. As they dress in their favourite emerald green and royal blue saris both embroidered with gold roses they each decide that their engagement rings will feature a natural high quality emerald for Sansa and a natural high quality sapphire for Emily.

They join Sushila and their PSOs for breakfast and Sushila's phone rings. She sees it is Mahendra and asks if she may put him on speaker for all to hear; he is happy for her to do so. The ladies exchange greetings with him and he asks if he may ask the candidate teams to be employed as pilot, co-pilot and cabin attendant, there being 4 of each on his shortlist to come to the hotel to be interviewed starting in one hour's time. Emily and Sansa agree with the comment that their cars and PSOs will be out on a mission so the timing is perfect. They invite him to join them as soon as he likes so they may be properly prepared. He thanks them with a chuckle and says he will arrive at the hotel in about an hour. Emily & Sansa say that they look forward to seeing him soon and the call ends.

Sushila remarks that their projects are moving like... like the Maharajahs' Express, Emily & Sansa spontaneously break into the Burt Bacharach hit: "Trains and boats and planes" but, to the amusement of all, can only remember the first couple of lines. Susila and the PSOs take their leave while Sansa finishes breaking their fast with another lovely skinny decaff latte. The servants clear away the breakfast things, one being despatched to collect Mahendra when his arrival is announced.

Mahendra enters with a big smile, they both rise and embrace him like family with a kiss to his cheek. They sit and he hands them both a file containing the curriculum vitae of each applicant. It turns out that they comprise 4 separate aircrew teams for owners that have chosen to move to a larger aircraft than the Learjet 75, an excellent reason for being available for employment. Mahendra sips his coffee as they read the applications and Emily asks him if he has ever considered owning only one Rolls-Royce and having it fowarded by road transporter to his new location. He says that he has considered the very same proposal but has always had a fleet of Rollers. He adds that perhaps it would be timely for them to consider the option together. They love the idea and he offers to put the car they travelled in the previous day at their disposal while they investigate. He has found that arriving in a Roller for a business meeting gets a more interested response. They thank him for his kind offer and accept.

While they are relaxing before the first interview. Mahendra receives a call from the director they met at the Learjet hangar in Delhi. He tells him that the ladies that bought the other aircraft are present and they all agree for the call to be put on speaker. He advises that their aircraft are ready for delivery to Kolkata that afternoon if it is convenient. They say that it is most convenient. Emily gives the names of the 4 ladies to be collected from the Best Erotic Hotel of Delhi and Karima's phone number to call, mentioning that she is her Group Hotels Manager. The call ends and Emily makes a short call to Karima to advise her of the arrangements. Karima tells her that the 4 ladies are packed and ready and she will ask them to wait in the reception area. They end the call and shortly aftwards they are notified that the first team of applicants has arrived and are waiting in reception.

Quickly they agree to interview each team of applicants together to observe how they interact as a team. Mahendra volunteers to collect them. Sansa jokes that they shouldn't drink too much coffee or they will be constantly having to excuse themselves. Mahendra returns with the first team of applicants. Greetings are exchanged and the applicants invited to make themselves comfortable. When seated a servant appears and Sansa asks what they would like to drink. The orders for tea and for coffee are taken and the applicants are asked for their reasons in making their application to them. The pilot and co-pilot describe the reason they are temporarily unemployed and the female cabin attendant says that she stays with her team which is a known quantity to her. The drinks are served and Mahendra uses his experience to solicit attitudes and working details that he knows can become issues. To the ladies the interview seems short at just under an hour but their discussion makes it clear that they have all the information they need.

The interviews of the following 3 teams follows a similar format. The fourth team are the big surprise of the day, being an all female team: Nila the Captain, and Lalita the cabin attendant, have been together for nearly 10 years. Nila explains that co-pilots tend to change due to being promoted to Captain. Emily & Sansa are impressed with the kindly & friendly but businesslike interactions between the ladies. Mahendra is also impressed with the ladies but his preference is for the third team. Emily teases that there would perhaps be too many female pheramones fot his liking and they laugh. The decision is made and as their light lunch is served Mahendra & Emily telephone to invite their chosen aircrew to meet them at Dum-Dum airport where their new aircraft will soon arrive. Nilesh and Sudesh arrive back to report their mission has been accomplished. Mahendra has brought the same 2 rollers with him and offers both so the ladies arriving from Delhi can be greeted with a luxurious drive to the hotel.

After lunch they all go down to the cars and Mahendra asks if Nilesh would like to drive to the airport and Sudesh can drive on the return journey. They are both delighted and Sudesh gets into the second car alongside the driver while Nilesh and Mahendra assist Emily & Sansa into the first car then get into the front seats. Mahendra gives Nilesh some tips regarding the touch and response of the major controls and they drive smoothly but carefully slowly away as Nilesh feels his way. Mahendra receives a phonecall to say their aircraft have just taken off from Delhi and expect to land at Dum-Dum in a little under two hours. He replies that they should arrive at about the same time. Mahendra directs Nilesh on a rather longer way to the airport, while Nilesh gains a little more confidence as he drives. He even accelerates a little and they arrive safely at the domestic terminal gate. On Mahendra showing the registration papers for his old aircraft, they are admitted in time to organise themselves and get a superb view of their aircraft arriving.

When the aircraft have taxied to their allocated positions and the door opened to lower the gangway, the cars are allowed to park alongside them. When Lalisa, Rochana, Phaelyn and Kannika emerge smiling happily from Emily & Sansa's new aircraft, they go to welcome them with a loving hug and kiss. They are all delighted to be together again and Emily introduces them to Mahendra as their leading lights in Emily & Sansa's new project encompassing the 36 major cities of India. He kisses their hands gallantly and they each perform a sweet but elegant little curtsey then smile as his says: "The new project is the reason for thinking about 36 Rolls-Royce cars?" Emily answers that it is. He doesn't ask the nature of the new project but she expects that as their relationship develops that he will.

A taxi pulls up beside the Phantoms and Emily & Sansa's choice of aircrew emerge. At the same time, Mahendra's current aircrew makes their way to Mahendra. He greets his aircrew while Emily & Sansa welcome theirs. In the meantime Sudesh conducts the 4 ladies to the second Rolls-Royce which he proudly tells them he is being allowed to drive them to the Best Erotic Marigold Hotel of Kolkata. Emily & Sansa invite their aircrew on board their aircraft and sit with them. Mahendra invites his aircrew to inspect their new aircraft.

Emily & Sansa inform their visitors that they would like to offer the team the positions that they applied for at a starting salary of the amount quoted as being sought on their C.V. The ladies are delighted to accept and offer to inspect the aircraft which is accepted. They find everything as it should be and when asked where they reside, reply that they reside wherever the owners directs the aircraft to be, i.e. in airport hotels. She asks if they have stopped at a Best Erotic Marigold Hotel, they answer that it is too expensive for them and Sansa giggles saying that it isn't anymore. Emily explains that she owns the 5 star chain of hotels and they are welcome to stay in them free-of-charge when Sansa and herself are there. They are delighted and accept her kind offer gratefully.

When they emerge from the aircraft Emily gives Nila, the Captain, a set of keys and the aircraft is secured. She asks the Captain to explain to Nilesh, her chief PSO, where to pick them up after they have had a chance to pack and apologises that due to unusual circumstances their other cars have been engaged elsewhere, but their reward will be for Nilesh to meet them off at their hotel and return to collect them with their luggage. The thank her profusely and use the taxi they arrived in to return meet them at their hotel and bring them to the Best Erotic Marigold Hotel. Mahendra being ready, the 2 Rollers return to the Best Erotic Marigold Hotel of Kolkata where Emily, Sansa & the 4 ladies go up to the penthouse and sit together for afternoon tea & cakes while Sudesh rejoins Nilesh in the first Roller goes on his own to collect the aircrew and their luggage while Mahendra waves them off. He is then driven off in the second Roller.

Emily & Sansa explain the nature of the project and the parts that she would like them to play in it, i.e. to foster the Bangkok Girl experience in all the branches in the same way that Amy & Achara did and still do. Naturally, their salary will reflect their new responsibilities. Lalisa, Rochana, Phaelyn and Kannika are delighted to be asked to assist Emily & Sansa in such a way and are to get started. Emily tells them that all the ladies are permitted one client per night and the national standard fee for the client to pay is US$1,000 per date. They are welcome to work while in any mansion if they wish to add to their salary which will immediately be increased to US$1,000 per day so they cannot earn less than any working lady at any branch. They are absolutely delighted and will be able to help their families much more and start saving for retirement when age inevitably diminishes their attraction.

Sushila joins them and is very happy to see her friends again. After hugs and kisses she tells Emily and Sansa that all the ladies are now equipped for financial independence and she will return to the mansion unless she is needed. Emily asks her to take Lalisa, Rochana, Phaelyn and Kannika with her to the mansion, install each in her own luxury suite, close to each other, and tomorrow to set them up in the same way as the 30 ladies today. Sushila is delighted to hear that the 4 ladies are joining her as leading lights to bring the Bangkok Girl experience to Kolkata. The 4 ladies hug Emily & Sansa then pick up their belongings and join Sanwar in her Mercedes V class to travel to the mansion.

Alone again, Emily and Sansa discuss the pros & cons of telling Mahendra the nature of their project. He has become a good friend and Sansa agrees that his curiosity is bound to bring forth the enquiry. They decide to be honest with him when he asks but in the meantime they decide to wait and see how things progress. Emily adds that his advice and contacts could be very helpful in deciding where to get married. In the meantime Sansa, as a Kolkata girl, knows a very good bespoke jeweller they could approach regarding their engagement rings. Sansa makes the call and the jeweller recalls her family very well. He invites them to his secure premises to express their desires and view some samples. They arrange to meet him on the next day and to go in a Mercedes rather than the Roller.

Emily telephones Karima and asks what she thinks of the idea of buying just one Rolls-Royce and a road transporter for it and a Mercedes V class. If both their cars can be sent off to their next destination before the ladies even leave and they can use a hotel car to take them to the airport. She tells her that it is an alternative idea to buying 36 cars to stand unused for most of the time. Karima thinks it is a better idea but, with her permission, she will phone a contact in the trade of the road transportation of luxury cars and get some more information for her. Emily says that she couldn't ask for more and thanks her for her assistance. She replies that she is very happy to be able to help and they end the call. Emily briefs Sansa about the call and they are happy to have another strand of advice toward such a big decision.

After a busy time, Sansa suggests that they stay 'home alone' and enjoy relaxing for a change, after all, the hotel has 3 Michelin stars and they agree to eat in the hotel restaurant for a change. They brief reception to provide complimentary suites for the 3 ladies of their aircrew, book the best table for 4 in the restaurant and they wait for Nilesh and Sudesh to return. They shower and change so they are ready and when they do, invite them to dine with them in the restaurant. They ask to be allowed to shower and change and the ladies agree with a smile. It is amazing how quickly men can prepare themselves to go out. They appear and the foursome proceed first to reception and are then escorted to the restaurant. Nilesh & Sudesh are told that this is a special treat for their excellent loyal service and to order whatever they wish. The Executive Chef attends them personally and guides them through the wine list and the menu.

The whole meal is a delight and they share a magnum of champagne. Their menu choices are very different, the ladies ordering seafood while the gentlemen order the best steaks recommended personally by the Executive Chef. Surprisingly the conversation is varied and easy considering there is so much they wouldn't want others to overhear. The desserts are to die for and the ladies share one between them while the gentlemen order 2 each. After the meal they compliment the chef and his staff and return to the penthouse. They have caused a sensation by eating in the restaurant, which the staff talk about incessantly, e.g. the day they served the great lady.

Back in the penthouse they enjoy a brandy together. Sansa asks them both to take her and Emily out shopping in her Mercedes. They had taken them shopping before and appreciated the Mercedes for shopping trips as it attracts much less attention so this excursion suggests nothing unusual so they readily agree.. Sensing success in their ruse, Emily tells them of the dilemma regarding cars and asks their opinion. Nilesh isn't sure about leaving so many valuable cars idle for extended periods. Sudesh agrees and suggests that the transporter option provides more flexibility if the transporter can manage 2 cars, e.g. for their shopping trip tomorrow.

Alone in their suite Emily asks Sansa if she prefers any of the car solutions they've discussed so far and she replies that she does. Sansa prefers a single Roller accompanied by a Mercedes and both to be transported by road. Emily agrees completely and hopes that Karima's contact in road transportation agrees. Sansa says yes adding that 36 cars represent no personality unless a favourite is chosen and then the rest are 'less'. Emily says that she was just thinking exactly the same thing but didn't mention it because it wasn't a business-like reason. They giggle and agree not to mention that particular reason to anyone else.

They undress each other and enjoy their intimate shower together and when dry get straight into bed to catch up on their sleep. They cuddle into a spoon position and it isn't long before they are both asleep.

At breakfast the following morning Emily receives a call from Karima to say that her contact in a road haulage business says that he wouldn't advise using a car transporter such as used by car manufacturers to deliver new cars. The maximum number of cars are packed into the space available and charge on average 10-20,000 rupees (US$300) to transport an average car from Delhi to Kolkata and expects that a Rolls-Royce and Mercedes V class will cost four times that amount. The cost might seem excessive but the worry is that damage to or theft from the trailer and insurance costs more than the cost of transportation itself.

The contact suggests the purchase of a good truck and purpose built box trailer could transport 2 Rolls-Royce cars at the time, so the Rolls-Royce and Mercedes V class is feasible. A suitable truck will cost in the region of US$100,000 and a customised substantial box trailer about US$25,000. Then of course there is the cost of employing a driver and cost of running the loaded rig to consider. The purchase costs could be reduced by half if a partner with similar needs could be found.

Karima says of course there is always the option of having the Rolls-Royce driven by one of her trusted staff to the required destination. She hopes the information helps her deliberations. Emily thanks her for the useful information that she will discuss with a friend that has similar needs.

On their way to meet the jeweller, Emily asks Sansa if they are visiting the jeweller that she mentioned before the maiden cruise after Emily had bought 30 dresses from her family tailor. Sansa is surprised that she remembers and replies that it is the very same jeweller that her parents used. The car is approaching the area where her late parents lived, operated an escort agency and tragically died, so Emily takes Sansa's hand in hers and asks if she is going to be okay. Sansa says that it seems to be getting less upsetting as time passes. The car pulls up outside the jewellery store and it looks just like any other shop using the ground floor of a large Kolkata block that would benefit externally from some maintenance and paint.

Nilesh gets out of the car and knocks on the locked door which is opened by an armed guard. He explains that they have an appointment for two ladies to meet with the jeweller. The guard nods and Sudesh helps the ladies out of the car who enter the store but Nilesh is not admitted so he waits in the car with Sudesh. They are welcomed by the jeweller who sits with them around a circular table and asks how he may assist them. They explain that they were betrothed to each other on the previous day and wish to purchase a pair of matching engagement rings, the only difference between them being that Emily's should feature a high quality sapphire and Sansa's a high quality emerald. He whispers to his assistant who goes behind the counter and returns to place 2 shallow wooden boxes on the table.

The jeweller opens one of the boxes and they see a beautiful display of sapphires arranged in 4 rows and asks the ladies to each choose a row featuring their preference. Without hesitation they both choose the second which is a medium blue and so brilliant, that having seen it they couldn't choose anything else. He explains that not all sapphires are blue but most valuable sapphires have a rich medium blue colour. The lower quality sapphires are characterized by a darker blue and are mostly opaque. Continuing he says that the best quality sapphires are what they both have chosen, they come from Sri Lanka and are known as Ceylon Sapphires.

He gives them each a jewellers eye glass and a stone with obvious inclusions, Emily says that they look like cracks and Sansa agrees. He tells the ladies that all natural sapphires have inclusions, but in the best quality sapphires have the least inclusions and they do not reach the surface of the gem. He shows them an example of the best quality, which he explains makes them the most expensive and they are both delighted to be able to see the remarkable difference. He says a sapphire without any inclusions may be synthetic and not a natural sapphire at all.