--------- The Week Begins ---------
Alice sipped her coffee as she recollected on the previous day's misfortune. Her ass still offered the occasional painful throb of protest after her meeting with Malone. The dryer continued its cycle as the last vestige of her alter-hooker-ego was being scrubbed away. She was still coming to grips with everything that had happened.
Her attempts at achieving a Zen-like state of inner peace was actively challenged by the crumpled note in front of her - Malone's list of tasks for her. Her gut urged her to rebel, but the throbbing lulled her into obedience. Her face shrunk to suppress a sob as she picked up the list. Alice grabbed her spare car keys and headed for the door. These events would not break her. She was being tested.
"Mom, where is the car?" her youngest son asked - startling Alice as she stepped out on the porch.
"Um.. wha... it was the strangest thing. It wouldn't start last night at the store. I took the bus," she stammered.
Her oldest stepped up onto the porch from the driveway. "The Bus!? Mom, you never do that! The people in that neighborhood. Why didn't you call us?" he stated with a light of concern in his face.
Alice thought to the list of characters she had met the night prior. She checked her pockets. "I guess I lost it. My phone.." she weakly answered.
"Mom, are you alright?" her youngest asked.
In a shameful reflex, her hands wrapped behind her back cupping her ass as she leaned against the house. "I'm ok. It has just been busy."
"Don't worry, Mom. God will reward you for your hard work. If anyone deserves it, it is you," her oldest preached with confirming nods from his brother.
With a small tear in her eye, she replied with a strained smile, "Yeah, you are right. Amen."
After dodging a half dozen offers of assistance from her sons, she was able to start the walk to the bus stop. Each step a reminder of the sinful pilgrimage she made during the previous evening. She exchanged neighborly waves and idle chit chat with the usual suspects wondering if anyone had seen her come last night. She couldn't remember. It had all become a blur.
The bus was timely. As she fed in her money, she noticed the driver was staring at her.
"I'm sorry. Am I doing this wrong?" she asked nervously.
"Oh... no, I'm sorry," the driver said shaking his head. "You just look like someone I saw last night," he added.
Alice froze.
"But you clearly aren't her," he smiled, "I hope you have a wonderful day, ma'am."
Alice tried her best to return the smile. She wasn't sure how good of a job she was doing. With her cheeks burning, she searched each strangers face for any additional glimmers of recognition and thankfully found none. She would be fine. She even risked a small smile as she took her seat. The bus pulled away from the curb heading into the city.
The car was as she had left it the night before - with one major difference. There was someone sitting in the driver's seat. Not just someone - she recognized this person. It was the mean prostitute she had met at the bus stop - Carmen.
"Excuse me, this is my car. What are you doing!?" Alice demanded.
"Oh, new fish - I was wondering when your shift started," Carmen answered. "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your home office to conduct some business," she added with a big smile as she exited the vehicle.
"I am not a hooker! Leave me and my stuff alone," Alice stated.
"Yeah, sure. I used to tell people that too," Carmen replied before heading towards the bus stop.
Alice scowled at Carmen's back as she walked away. Who was she to judge her? She was a sinner. She was a dirty prostitute. She had nothing in common with her. Alice balled up her fists until she felt she had convinced herself of that.
The car looked fine. Carmen didn't seem to have stolen anything. Alice smiled to herself as she remarked that the tape deck radio was still there. Alice pulled the key from her pocket and reached for her sunglasses in the glove box. As she leaned over, her hand felt something wet on the passenger seat.
Alice froze and looked down in confusion. The passenger seat had about half a dozen little balloons. Some looked crusty, while others appeared a little slimy. Her mind raced as she tried to determine what these were. She picked one up for a closer look. Drugs? Did that bitch leave some drugs in her car? Alice was furious. She would pay for this - she would call the police. Wait, no.
Alice felt the bile climb her throat as the realization came to the front of her mind. Her eye caught a glimpse of a couple more lying on the backseat. Carmen had used her car for business - not pleasure. These were used condoms. That slut had sucked and fucked strangers in her car - probably all night. The bitch had then purposely left these for her.
Alice retched out the driver's side door onto the pavement.
--------- Errand 1 - The Concubine's New Clothes ---------
Alice's station wagon rolled to a stop across the street from "Damaged Goods" the lingerie store that Malone had sent her to. Alice wondered if the green neon of the second "O" being burned out was a sign of its own. She hoped not as she opened the door.
Alice had never been inside this store before. It had a reputation of being a resource for what she would describe as "sinful" women - strippers, escorts, and prostitutes. As she stood inside, her mind struggled to process the goods on sale before her. Fishnet, leather, and latex filled aisle after aisle with a couple aisles at the back dominated by boots and heels. Closest to her was a table of thongs and g-strings of various colors. Alice could not imagine that these covered anything at all. The prices in no way matched the amount of material alone she would be purchasing. Her mild embarrassment was interrupted by a salesperson appearing at her side.
"Hello Miss, welcome to Damaged Goods. Is there anything I can help you with?" the man asked. His name badge read - Derek.
"Hello... um, Derek. Steve Malone sent me here for Vincent. I'm starting a fan club?" she stammered blushing.
