Mark sauntered down the long corridor weighed down by his heavy golf bag. He read the notices on all the oak panelled doors. Then he came to a sudden halt as he read on one of them: "Secretary's Office". He knocked.
"Come in!" responded a cheerful voice.
Mark put his head around the door and smiled at his Uncle Max who was seated at his desk with an enormous array of papers in front of him. Seeing his nephew, he rose to his feet and walked briskly towards him with outstretched hand. "Mark, my dear boy, good to see you. I'm glad you were able to make it."
"Wild horses wouldn't have stopped me," smiled Mark as the two shook hands. "It's not every day that I get the chance to play a round of golf at the famous Patriarch Palace."
"That's true," replied his uncle with a smile. "As you're a newcomer to the golfing world you can learn a lot here. Some of the best players in the country are members and, with any luck, you might see a few of them from time to time."
He led Mark over to a luxurious armchair near his desk. "Have a seat, Mark. Coffee?"
"Yes please."
Max picked up his phone. "Oh, Marion, will you bring in two coffees and some biscuits please." He smiled at his newphew. "So, you've just finished your first year in university. How are you finding the art course?"
"So far I love it," replied Mark. "It's quite concentrated at the moment but I think that's because they want us to have a wide experience before deciding on our main area of work."
"Good thinking," replied his uncle. "And what do you think of our palace, Mark?"
"I'm most impressed. I've seen the outside from a distance on a good many occasions, of course, but this is my first visit inside."
"Yes, well you have to be either a member or the guest of a member to get inside."
"I liked the idea of using the names of so many of the great patriarchs to identify the rooms."
"Yes, it's a bit more imaginative than giving them a number, and of course, some of the names help you to identify what the rooms are used for. The Shakespeare room for instance is the library, the Elgar room is the concert hall, the Constable gallery is the art gallery and so on."
"Mmmm. All names to remember. Men who helped to make Britain great. So many of them are well known all over the world."
"Indeed they are Mark."
"I suppose the facilities here are of a very high standard."
"Oh yes. We are so well endowed, right from the time when Sir Edward died and left us the house and 150 acre estate in his will. One place which will be of interest to you is the Russell Flint room. That's a studio where some of our members paint. I'm sure I can arrange for you to use it if you want to. It's well stocked with easels, canvases and all sorts of paints." He paused and looked over to the door as his secretary knocked and brought in the coffee and biscuits.
Mark looked her over as she poured the coffee and served them both. She was a slim blonde in a mini-skirt and high heels. She looked in her early twenties. Mark found her very attractive. When she'd gone he spoke confidentially to his uncle.
"I like your secretary Uncle Max. Gorgeous legs! She's an all feminine girl."
"Yes, she dresses like a young woman should. No trousers or trainers for her. That's why everyone finds her so attractive, including you by the looks of things." They both laughed.
"Yep! I think I take after my Uncle Max."
"And talking about attractive women, I have a bit of a hold up at the moment." He indicated the piles of papers on his desk. "Do you mind waiting a bit for our round of golf?"
"Not a bit, Uncle."
"Come to think of it, you might be able to help me out."
Mark was interested. "Certainly! But how can I do that?"
"Well, I'm going through the long list of applicants who want to attend next month's gentlemen's party."
"What's that exactly?"
"Er . . . well . . . I suppose you don't know about it, though it's much of an open secret hereabouts. You'd find out soon enough so I might as well tell you."
Mark found himself incredibly interested. He leaned forward.
"The gentlemen's party is a special event we run each month for our members and their guests who are nearly all influential, wealthy and in positions of power - the sort I'd call real men - but who like to let their hair down from time to time and relax while being entertained by specially selected ladies who are chosen because of their looks, figures, femininity, politeness and a wish to serve men and entertain them in a wide variety of ways. You will often hear them discussing politics and business, but they have no objection to discussing such things while a naked girl is pouring them a drink."
Mark was completely fascinated. "Sounds a marvellous idea!" he enthused.
"Yes, the only trouble is I have to choose the short list - which is certainly not short - from all the women who want to attend." He waved at the array of papers on his desk. "Look at them; hundreds, and I've got the job of choosing which ones will be allowed to come."