The pounding on my door jolted me awake from a deep sleep. What time is it? Is there an emergency? Who could it be at this hour? With no time to really gather my thoughts I threw off the sheets, the cold air sharp against my naked body. I wrapped a robe around myself, tied it around my waist, and made my way to the front door, which was still being hammered by whoever this maniac was on the other side.
I jerk the door open to what I first assume is a prank. One strikingly handsome man in an ink-black suit, a briefcase clasped by both hands on either side in front of him at waist-level, and two men behind him, both in white ski masks, only their eyes showing. The two masked men are in light blue jumpsuits and are standing with their hands behind their backs, staring straight ahead as if awaiting orders from their leader. The man in front has his emerald green eyes locked on me. His long chin-length dark hair slicked back except for a few strands that have fallen forward. His chiseled jaw is clenched as he stares at me intensely. I laugh, frustrated, and say “What the fuck is this?”
“How seriously do you take your pleasure?” the frontman asked.
“Excuse me?”
He repeats, slowly, “How seriously - do you take - your pleasure?”
“I – I’m sorry, who are you? It's 8 AM, guys.”
He takes one step forward into my doorway. The two masked men follow.
“Mr. Levitt,” he started, “how serious are you about pleasure. It’s a simple question. If you cannot give an answer, I have a test we can administer here and now to provide one.”
I laugh out of nerves again, standing in place, refusing to budge. “How do you know my name? Did the guys put you up to this? Come on, lose the masks.”
“Their identity is of no concern to you, Mr. Levitt,” he stated sharply. “I wish for more privacy. We will come in now and shut the door behind us.”
“And again - who the fuck are you?” I asked, obviously frustrated, but now genuinely more curious.
“You may call me Commander. Allow us inside. All will be revealed, Mr. Levitt.”
“And your two buddies, Commander?” I inquire sarcastically.
“They are here to assist with your assessment. Allow us inside, Mr. Levitt, or we leave immediately.”
To be honest, at this point my curiosity is piqued. The guy is incredibly handsome, so much so that his dryness and refusal to disclose more details is kind of turning me on. The two taller masked men behind just add to the mystery.
“I’ll bite,” I say in surrender, “Come in. Do your thing.”
“Very well,” he says as they step in, close the door behind them, and make their way into my living room.
“Please have a seat on the couch, Mr. Levitt.”
“Yes sir,” I say, fully giving into whatever this is. I sit in the center seat of the couch. Commander is standing on the far side of the coffee table, still holding his briefcase. His two companions are standing at both sides of the table, facing me, hands still behind their backs.
“Again I ask you – how seriously do you take your pleasure?”
“Very seriously,” I reply, looking at all three men in the eyes. They’re all looking back at me, unblinking.
“Very good to know, Mr. Levitt. I – ”
“You can call me Rome”
“I understand but I must keep this professional. I present to you a trial we call Take It or Leave It.”
Commander places his briefcase on the coffee table in front of me. He pulls out a laptop, opens it, and after a few taps of the keyboard turns it to face me. I notice a red light at the top center of the screen.
“Are you recording me?”
“Streaming, sir. All responses will be streamed to interested parties. As of now, there are 358 connected viewers and counting. Our viewers have come to expect quality, riveting, high-stakes entertainment. 464 viewers, now. You were identified as our next participant from a poll taken based on public photos on a dating app you joined. Every year, 100 participants are recruited for a program we like to call Pleasure House. We will conduct a series of tests to see what you are willing to do for Pleasure House. If you prove worthy, you’ll be relocated for several weeks to our facilities in an undisclosed location, where tests of endurance, wit, strength, and perseverance will be performed for a live voting audience. There will be one man standing at the end of the games, and he will be granted access to the world’s finest facilities, the finest dining. Essentially, all your hedonistic desires will be fulfilled, should you leave Pleasure House the victor. There are now 934 viewers. Do you accept the trial?”
