Bess stood in the huge closet trying to decide what to wear to work today. There were numerous choices and she was debating over which one to wear. It was no secret that the outfits she wore to the station were helping her career. They were in style, not over stated, professional, but definitely made her look attractive. She had now the additional responsibility of the noon reports and as well as some on location reporting. Her on the field reporting for the Twins had led to a job with the Vikings and offers from the Wild and T-wolves. She was beginning to see that these jobs could lead to something and in a change since May, she was liking it.
Bonnie was still sending "friends" her way and Bess was starting to create a following of clients herself. Most of her men were in their 40's but a few were in their 50's. Most were with her for the sex but one man would simply treat Bess to the finest dinner and talk with her. He told her that he enjoyed being with her and that was all he wanted. At the end of the evening, he would see that she got home safely and say good night. Surprisingly, he also paid her $500 each time. When she tried to refuse it, he told her her time was valuable and besides she was worth it.
She had gone through all the scenarios in her album except one, the dungeon scene. All had gone well and the more she was asked to perform them, the better she became. All the times she was asked by the 'friends" only once did she feel uncomfortable.
His name was Charles and like many of Bess's men, he was recommended by other 'friends'.
Charles was late to dinner which in itself was unusual. As she watched him his hands were never still. He put his glass down and fiddled with his napkin. When it was neatly in his lap, he picked up his fork and twirled it in his long slender fingers. "You sounded nice on the phone," he said, his words quick and clipped, "but I'd like to make this perfectly clear. I do not want to talk about my personal life or my job. Charles is not my real name. I don't want you to be able to trace me."
This was the first time that Bess had this occur and she should have been on guard. Instead she continued.
"I have no intention of trying to find out who you are. Remember you asked me here," she said.
"Yes, yes I did," he said, putting down his fork and picking up his water glass. His nails were bitten down to the quick and his cuticles chewed. "As I told you on the phone, I have these needs that no one would understand so I decided to hire a hooker." He looked at Bess, stylishly dressed in a pair of black woolen slacks and a long-sleeved Kelly green silk blouse, and his mouth tighten. "I'm sorry. You're not really a hooker."
"Yes, I am," Bess replied. "Look, you need to relax. We can just talk."
They spent the meal talking and discovered they shared the same tastes in restaurants. Try as she could, she couldn't seem to get inside the barrier he put up. Again there were signs that things may not go so well but she chose to ignore them.
Over coffee, Bess decide to get to the point. "Why did you call me?"
Charles picked up a sugar packet and turned it over and over in his long fingers. "I have needs. You understand. I have things that pound inside my brain, fantasies I have. You know, in bed." His eyes fixed on the corner of the leather album.
Bess pulled out the album and handed it to him. "Here is how this works. You look through this and find the one you want. There's an envelope inside." When he nodded, she rose and picked up her pocketbook. "I'll just freshen up."
When Bess returned, Charles was staring at one of the pictures. She glanced over his shoulder as she took her seat. "Charles?" He was a million miles away. "Charles?" she said again. His eyes cleared and she caught his eye. "That's Annie. She really likes candy." She could see Charles' Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
Suddenly, Bess knew exactly what he wanted. She had never been Annie before and she became a little nervous thinking about it. "I know where she lives."
When they arrived at the condo, Bess showed Charles the living room, then disappeared upstairs.
As she finished dressing, she gave one last look into the mirror. Her face was freshly washed and she wore no makeup. She even removed her nail polish. She had put on white cotton underpants and a tight t-shirt which flattened her large breasts. A ruffled skirt, some petticoats, shoes, socks, and a bow completed the look. Her stomach gave a nervous flip. She looked too right.
Afterwards he dressed quickly and, reliving the evening over and over, he left. Bess gathered her props and walked upstairs, thinking. She was surprised how deeply Charles got into his fantasy. She had given him a wonderful time and earned five hundred dollars as well. As she pulled off the white cotton undershirt, she got a glimpse of herself in the mirror. And threw up.
Bonnie always called or stopped by the next day after a 'friend" visited. Today was no different. "So, how did go?"
"Awful," Bess said, "It was sick, perverted, and I feel terrible. He wanted Annie and I gave her to him!" In front of her was the picture of Annie, torn to pieces.
Bonnie grabbed Bess's shoulders. "You did nothing wrong. He didn't fuck a little girl. It was a fantasy."
"A pretty sick one!"
"Granted. Remember Bess, there are two main rules. One, you don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Obviously this one did. Second, always keep control. They may think they are in control but you must be. Always! Understand?"
Bess nodded.
The City Tavern was not one of Bess's usual restaurants. It specialized in mammoth hamburgers, great steaks, forty-five varieties of beer and desserts covered in real whipped cream. She headed towards the back looking at a man seated at a table for two. "You must be Richard," she said.
Rising, he said, "And you must be Bess. Please be seated." Richard was in his thirties, medium height, with almost blonde hair and rimless glasses. "Bonnie has told me a lot about you."
"You have me at a disadvantage then," Bess replied, sitting down.
"Fair enough. I own my own business. Built it from the ground up. I like being in charge. Now what would you like to eat? They serve the best steak in town."
They spent the next hour in pleasant conversation and quickly discovered they had similar tastes in books and movies. They had completely different views on the current administration and argued hotly over a recent law.
As the meal neared its end, Richard leaned over and asked, "I'd like to see your pictures."
Bess reached down and grabbed her album. "Did Bonnie tell you about them?"
"Yes she did," Richard replied, "I know how this works. Now be a good girl and get lost. I'd like to look at this alone."
When Bess returned, Richard had already paid the bill and was waiting by the door. He handed her coat and the album. "I have a cab waiting. What's the address?"
