Green sent a car to collect Tammy from the Meridian. It was, in his typical style, far too large and far too expensive for a lady of Tammy's age but nonetheless it made her feel special as she was driven to the masquerade ball. As she was arriving, she saw paparazzi and knew she had entered another world.
Once inside she was assailed by the opulence of her surroundings. Ostensibly for charity the ball, nonetheless it looked like every possible chance to waste money had been seized upon with glee. The only thing more exclusive than the fabrics and furnishings was the guest list.
Tammy was offered a welcoming drink of champagne that she accepted with a little too much eagerness. She felt more nervous than ever and not just because she had never mixed in such circles before. She was missing Connor and wondered if he would be able to get to her soon. Tammy needed his strong, soothing presence here and instead all she had was a sea of masked, swirling strangers that rose and fell in time to the orchestral accompaniment.
Her isolation did at least give Tammy a chance to examine the other guests. In a variety of costumes they looked more like a travelling circus than the great and good of Lexington society, although the accents and mannerisms betrayed their social status even though they had been robbed of their usual attire. From the voice, Tammy was able to identify that the woman near to her was Barbara Taylor. She was dressed conservatively yet somehow managed to be awash with artificial feathers, a combination that amused Tammy despite herself. From the bird-mask Barbara was wearing Tammy could only assume she was mean to be a bird of some kind, though she looked more parakeet than bird of prey. Tammy presumed correctly that the man on Barbara's arm, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, must be Senator Taylor. He was one of at least five "Phantoms" in the room, proving that money cannot buy imagination.
In due course the guests were escorted to dinner. The centre of the floor was dominated by one almost endless dining table adorned with every conceivable decoration imaginable. When the gold and silver plates were presented it finally achieved the heights of vulgarity or, at the very least, those heights could be seen from there.
Green watched Tammy from one of the many hidden cameras in the building. He placed a call to Bastion.
"There's our girl sir. In position."
Bastion could feel his heart speed up as he relaxed into his anticipation.
"Is Barbara Taylor there?"
"Yes sir. If you would care to make your way down here I will make good on my promise to you before the end of the night. I would suggest you come dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, to ensure maximum blending."
"On my way."
It took Bastion twenty minutes to get changed and leave the building. He entered a black stretch-limousine that was driven by one of his Praetorian Guard. Bastion entered the city with typical overstated secrecy and headed for the ball.
Green opened a channel to Tammy.
"Miss Squires, as you see you are seated next to Senator Taylor however you would be wasting your time if you attempted to seduce him. He is a man devoted to his wife. Leave that element to my people for the moment and just enjoy the meal"
Green thought for a second. Knowing Bastion would be watching and equally knowing his taste for power-games, Green decided to make Tammy play.
"Look for a chance to be sexual however. That guy next to you is Simon, he's only 24 and his girlfriend is next to him. Fall into conversation with him and see how seductive you can be. Arouse him without arousing suspicion."
For the next twenty minutes Tammy flirted mercilessly with her neighbour. She found Simon to be charming and that made the chase all the more pleasant, despite the obviously jealous glares that she occasionally received from his girlfriend. During her conversation Tammy encouraged Simon to drink as much of the wine as possible and, in the manner of a young man trying to impress, he obliged. It was clear he was not a regular drinker by the time he had consumed his fourth glass. Simon was clearly merry as his body language began to betray his lust for Tammy.
Green opened a channel to Tammy again.
"Ok Miss Squires, let's test Simon. Move on to suggest directly. If he is willing, we can arrange for something there at the table. I doubt his girlfriend would allow you to go upstairs with him alone."
Tammy was surprised at what Green had said but nonetheless leaned over and whispered in Simon's ear.
"Would you like a little sexy fun Simon?"
Simon's eyes nearly popped from their sockets. It was clear the decision was made but his fear of being caught was great, despite his drunken state. He whispered back, "She'd never let me be alone with you."
"That's not a problem. I can arrange something. Do you want me too?"
Simon flushed red before he whispered his consent.
Green talked to Tammy again.
"Ok, good. We are going to have a package and some silk gloves brought to the table. You are to tell Simon that you market erotic toys and that you have something new from Europe. Give him the package and tell him to go to the toilet. There he is to follow the instructions and return to you. Tell him he has five minutes maximum or else his girlfriend may become worried. The gloves are for you Miss Squires."
Tammy relayed the instructions once the package had arrived. Looking puzzled but aroused Simon went to the toilet to prepare. Tammy put the gloves quietly onto her hands before she made small talk with Simons's girlfriend. Once Simon was out of the way the other woman visibly relaxed and Tammy found her easy company.
As Simon returned, Green briefed Tammy on what was to happen
"Now, Miss Squires. If he's followed instructions Simon will have changed his underwear. He's now wearing one of the toys I have had specially created. They are boxer shorts and contain a myriad of electrical conductors. Suffice to say that as you move your fingers in the gloves a series of signals will duplicate those movements around Simon. If you stroke they will simulate the stroke, if you grip then they will grip. You need to programme the gloves with spatial awareness. Take three wineglasses and make them into a small triangle in front of you. Two are to represent his buttocks and the third is his penis. Mark the buttocks with a sharp point from your left hand and the penis with one from your right. Try it when he sits down."
The idea appealed to Tammy and she winked at Simon as he sat down. Tammy placed three empty wineglasses and locked them into the programme in the way Green had indicated. She began tentatively by stroking the left glass with her finger and was pleased when she heard Simon pause in his conversation for a moment, clearly feeling her invisible touch as he chatted. Tammy knew she had a new toy to play with and it had a pulse.