British English spelling and grammar.
This story was in some years ago, under my original nom de plume. It's been extensively re-worked, but feel free to drop out if you recognise it.
No tags; the description says it all.
***
The discussion
With a quick nod to Portia in Shakespeare's 'Merchant of Venice'.
MONDAY
"I've been meaning to have a talk with you, Ed."
"Go ahead babe, I'm listening."
"Not right now; it's only fair if you're prepared, so I'd like to discuss something with you on Saturday." said Lois.
"No problem, Saturday it is. But I can't prepare unless you give me a clue."
"Of course - but don't react right now. I'm giving you this week to digest it. Ready?"
"Ready."
"I really want to have sex with another man."
Ed's jaw dropped. Lois put a finger to his lips, a sign he should not respond. He took a deep breath and remained silent, though that certainly wasn't easy.
"You can speak to me tomorrow, but not with a decision, only any clarification you may need to get your ducks in a row. And I'll be doing the same."
TUESDAY
"I have to say, 'Not a chance' is my first reaction." said Ed.
"I understand that, but you can't decide till Saturday. Please let me explain a little."
"If you must."
"It would just be sex, and just the once. You've always been logical and fair. So, I want to discuss it with you， properly, on Saturday. You have till then to marshal your thoughts. I get to tell you exactly why it would be ok; you tell me why it's not. And I'll bring a referee who'll judge which one of us produces the best argument."
"Who's the judge?"
"Doris. She works in our Human Resources at Dostech, and promises to be impartial."
Ed considered it.
"I agree. But I may have some questions before then. Just for clarification you understand."
"Fair enough, but I won't divulge any of my arguments."
WEDNESDAY
"So, what's logical got to do with it Lois?"
"Remember when we were living in Basingstoke, and I got this job in Southampton?"
"Sure."
"Well, I suggested we move to Winchester, about halfway between the two. But you said it wasn't logical. We'd both have to travel, and have the expense of two cars."
"I did."
"So, you gave me the choice of us living in one location or the other. I chose here in Southampton, and I go to work on the bus."
"I get it, logical. Now I do all the driving. But when I get home, later than you, you've cooked dinner and we can unwind. And we save thousands, only running one car."
"Exactly."
"But what's that got to do with you wanting a 'Get out of Jail Free' card?"
"It's the way you think things through. You presented a well worked out argument, and now you are happy to put up with longer hours away from home, to make our lives easier. Our current lifestyle shows you were right."
"Thanks."
"So, I'm trying to think the same way you do. I want you to tell me, logically, why I shouldn't be allowed to have this fling. And equally important, give me the chance to argue my case; non-emotionally, like you do."
THURSDAY
"I have an important question." said Ed.
"OK."
"Do you already have someone in mind for this extra-marital venture?"
"Absolutely not." replied Lois.
"You swear? Nobody you've had your eye on for a while? You'll really be starting from scratch?"
"I swear; no-one in mind."
"Come on. No guys at work chatting you up? There must be someone you fancy."
"Sure, there are men at work who make it clear they'd like to get into my pants. And I can't deny some of them are attractive. But the answer is still no. I do not have anyone in my sights."
"It seems unlikely."
"Then, here's the deal Ed. I really want to have sex with another man. But I guarantee, whoever I choose, it will not be anyone from where I work. In fact, it won't even be someone I already know."
"Deal."
FRIDAY
"Is your plan to deliberately hurt me?" he asked.
"No! I love you. I don't want another man in my life. I just want to try sex with somebody different. It doesn't matter if he has a bigger or smaller dick, or if he's taller or hairier than you. I'm just curious to try somebody new. Logically it shouldn't hurt you."
"You want one man, once?"
"Yes."
"Say it out loud. That you do not want to hurt me."
"I do not want to hurt you Ed. I promise."
SATURDAY
"As this is Lois's idea, I think she should present her case first." said Doris. "I'll offer my unbiased opinion when you're both done. Meanwhile I won't participate unless one of you asks me to."
"Agreed."
Lois took a deep breath, and began.
"To start with Ed, I want you to understand there's a big difference between love and sex. This discussion is not going to be productive, if you believe they're one and the same."
"Demonstrate." said Ed.
"There are different kinds of love. The way you feel about strawberries and cream, about me, your mum, Shawshank Redemption - are not the same."
"Ah. But I say that I love them all."
"Yes. So it must follow that there are different kinds of sex. Sex with love, the way we do it, is the most important one. But there's also mere lust in a one-night stand, hero worship, sex when you're lonely or for revenge. Sex when you're dared to, or forced, or even for money."
"And you would like to add -- sex out of sheer curiosity."
"Yes. And they are all quite separate from love."
"OK."
"Paul Newman was once interviewed about his opportunities for affairs." continued Lois. "He said something like: 'If you have steak at home, why go out for a burger?' I know he was trying to pay Joanne Woodward a compliment, but his analogy is wrong. You're the logical one, tell me why."
"Because eating steak every day, might get boring. Sometimes you still fancy a burger. So, is that what you're saying? You're bored with me?" asked Ed.
"Certainly not, but we must accept that our love life might start getting a bit dull in ten, twenty years from now. I don't want to wait that long. I'm getting delicious steak with you. But I want to look back and say I tried a burger; just once."
"Hmm. OK, love and sex are different. I get it."
"Next. I was a virgin when we met. We're in our thirties now, and have potentially been sexually active for half our lives. You had at least three or four girlfriends, before you met me. But I've only ever been with you."
"And you want to even the score?" asked Ed.
"I admit there is an element of that, yes. Just one man, on one occasion, is far from getting even though. I think it's perfectly fair. I don't want to go to my grave only ever having had sex with one man. And doing it with your agreement means it wouldn't be cheating."
"I see; anything else?"
"I just don't think jealousy is logical. You have seen me using my dildo."
"I have."
"Well, there you are then. You aren't jealous of that."
Doris coughed, and smiled for the first time.
"You've even got me off with it. It's just a thing that gives me pleasure - though not nearly as much pleasure as you do obviously. Another man would be the same; just mechanical sex. If you can make a logical decision, then that shouldn't make you uncomfortable. One man, one time, and no love involved. No hurt, no recriminations, we just pick up where we before as if it never happened. If you love me, you will let me have this. And that's my argument done. "
There was a pause.
"For what it's worth, I think Lois has been reasonable, and presented a good case." said Doris. "I look forward to hearing your counter argumant Ed. Let me reaffirm, I will not take sides yet."
So Ed began.
"First, I'd like to start at the place where you ended Lois - the bit where you said 'If you love me, you will let me do this.' It's outrageous, and it's emotional blackmail."
"What makes you say that?"
"I'll demonstrate. If you love me, you will drop this idea immediately. How does that make you feel? Got a coherent argument?"
She thought about it.
"Or how about," he continued, "you sit there and say: 'If you love me Ed, you'll let me pull a train. I just want brutal anal sex with twenty bikers; just the once.' Should I logically agree to that?"
"OK, I see what you mean. I'll withdraw it."
"Let's get back to the plot then, I have to agree with you about the love and sex part. No argument from me, they are different. And I admit that, from a non-emotional standpoint, I'll not be uncomfortable or hurt with you having sex with another man -- unless I find flaws in your reasoning."
"Good."
She sat back, loking delighted.
"So, I would like to start my defence, so to speak, with the concept of my not feeling uncomfortable in other areas."
"OK."
"Did I make you uncomfortable when I had sex with my previous girlfriends; yes or no?"
"That's ridiculous! I never even knew you then."
Ed looked at Doris.
"Yes or no, Lois?" she said.
"Very well, no, you did not."
"Using the terms better or worse, which is worse? You having sex with someone I never knew about, before we met? Or you having sex with another person, and I know it's happening - after you've taken vows to be faithful?"
Lois sighed.
"Afterwards is worse, obviously. But it's a ridiculous argument. We're not religious; wedding vows are just words you say to get married. Your previous girlfriends were just an example to show why I want to do this."
"I understand that, and I agree with you. Love and sex are different. And as you and I were not together then, my previous girlfriends are irrelevant, as is everything we did before we met. But you're the one who brought the example up, and I am merely responding."
"Fair enough." Lois agreed.
"Then tell me, do you regret being a virgin when we first got together?"
"Of course not."
