I'm writing this story with a male as the main character; however, please excuse any faux pas I may make in this regard. Due to my own sexual orientation, I know little about a male's sex life except what I've been told, lied to, read and/or seen in porn. I highly doubt that those media are accurate in any way, shape, or form.
This story is meant to be 'tongue in cheek', but whose tongue in whose cheek and which cheek? That's for you to decide.
Alexandrea (Alex-an'-dray-uh) I borrowed the name of my Fold Maitresse for the planet - -
Alexandrea: a human populated planet several light years from Earth:Origin. It consists mainly of arable farmland and exports agricultural products. The population is considerably below what would be considered poverty level on planets with more diversified exports. Farmers attempt to grow a pharmaceutical-grade floral opiate known as 'Glow' [plagiarized from Frank Herbert's Dune 'melange'] that is highly prized everywhere but grows no where else but on Alexandrea. Unfortunately, it grows so inconsistently that growers are ever in debt.
When debt reached a certain cap, family members can be sold into slavery to repay loans. Older folks and men were of little value, so slavers took only nubile girls and women who were more marketable and could be easily sold for more than the farmer owed. Paradoxically, the slavers, through the money lenders, would return to the family any difference between their gain and what was owed plus interest, of course. This ploy kept the Interplanetary Bureau of Investigation and Universal Courts from making an issue of this so called indenture system.
Jimm Bradston, Engineer's Mate/2 class, came ashore on Alexandrea after a three hundred and ten day tour in space. His pay, §930 I/U Credits [$372,000 in Earth:Origin dollars] would, if he were frugal, last about350 two to three years without having to sign on for another tour. His first concern was to find suitable quarters and then look for a job that might pay for his entertainment expenses. He intended to party hardy after a year without more earthy pleasures. He was a hard man but was too soft-hearted for his own good.
As he strolled through the small town outside the space port, he noticed a shop with a sign reading: Real Estate Agency / Business Agency / Entertainment Agency. He entered and was greeted by an unsavory looking shop keeper. Jimm explained his need for living quarters and asked what was available. He was given a list of both rental and sale properties. He picked out a relatively inexpensive rental in town and asked to see it. Sulifen, the shop keeper, suggested that Jimm check out other wares before deciding on a place to live.
He was taken to a large room in the rear of the shop where about twenty
women were languishing. "All these women are for sale," Sulifen stated. "You might consider one or more to take care of whatever household 'chores' you might have."
Jimm's interest was piqued, and he began circling the room checking out the wares. After his second circulation, he stopped in front of a young woman and checked her out more thoroughly. She wasn't exactly gorgeous but was very attractive and had a lovely figure. "How much is this one?" he asked.
Sulifen said, "This piece is virgin and is priced at §250 I/U Credits." When Jimm winced, Sulifen said that most of the other merchandise were priced much lower; some as cheaply as §100 I/U Credits.
"No," said Jimm, "this is the one I want, but that's an awfully high price to pay for just one woman. Will you bargain?"
"Well, I'm overstocked and over-extended at the moment. I thought there would be more buyers; however, business has been slow of late, so I might come down a Credit or two, but no more." After some haggling, a price of
§235 I/U Credits was agreed on.
The woman, probably in her late teens, spoke up, "Sir, that is my sister, Emili, over there. Please don't break us up. Please buy her, too."
Curious, Jimm looked at the girl who appeared too young for his tastes. Sulifen offered them both for §450 I/U Credits. Torn between his good nature, at not wanting to break up the sisters, and his wallet, Jimm finally agreed to take them both. Kyri, his first choice, spoke up and said, "Sir, these two young girls next to me are my cousins, Jaqlin and Silvi. Please buy them, too."
Jimm was about to forget his first choice and began looking for the door. Afraid of losing a sale, Sulifen said, "You'd be robbing me, but I'll sell the four for §800 I/U Credits.
"I have only §930 in my account. How can I live for the next two years until my ship returns?"
"I'll throw in a large enough housing unit for six months if you buy all four girls," offered Sulifen. "I'll even pay the recording fees and the 'start up' kits."
"I still won't have enough to last two years," said Jimm.
Kyri spoke up, "Sir, we girls will work and bring in an income. Please buy us. We'll swear fealty and obedience, and promise to give you no trouble whatsoever, but please don't separate us. That's the only thing we ask of you.'
Jimm thought about it; four girls earning money just might make this a paying investment. He agreed, shook hands with Sulifen, and electronically transferred the money to Sulifen's account.
Jimm was given a list of rules and regulations regarding the ownership of slaves on Alexandrea. "Whoa, wait a minute. This says I can only use my slaves on my own property. So, I won't be able to farm them out as workers elsewhere. I want my money back."
Sulifen just shrugged, "The sale has been concluded. All sales are final as the sales agreement indicates."
Kyri offered, "Sir, I was unaware of that regulation when I said we'd work. I'm sorry if I misled you. Maybe you could find work, and we'll stay home and take care of your household chores. We're farm children; we could plant a garden that would help feed us. We won't need any other clothing if we aren't permitted to work outside your property. We can wear the shifts that we're now wearing. We'll try hard not to be a burden. Again, all I ask is that we aren't separated."
Jimm mused over that. He said, "I'll promise you this. As long as you never say no to something I order, demand, ask, or even suggest, you won't be separated. However, if any girl says 'No' to something I ask of her, she will be sold to whoever will buy her. Are you agreed?"
Without thinking, Kyri agreed and told the other girls about the agreement. All three nodded 'yes'.
Kyri's plaintiveness was heart warming, and Jimm decided to make the most of the situation. It was too late to do anything else, anyway.
Jimm asked Sulifen, "What do you mean by 'start up' kit?"
Sulifen explained, "The kits consist of lockable collars, lockable ankle chains, and an iron to brand your slaves. It'll take a day or to have the iron personalized, and you can pick it up at that time. The kit will protect your 'goods' from predation. Anyone attempting to steal or abuse property is automatically sentenced to death. We don't have prisons, so we get rid of criminals immediately.
"I advise a branding iron consisting of a three cm geometric figure with your initials inside. I have a database of existing brands on Alexandrea, and yours will be made unique. You can brand the girls anywhere you please, but I suggest both outer buttock hip areas, so they will be eminently visible when the girls wear the usual slave loin cloths. I'll even throw in four sets of loin cloths for them. They don't require upper clothing."
"I apologize for the work misunderstanding, but whenever the girls lose their appeal to you, I'll take them back for §80 each as they will no longer be virgin but will be marketable for §100. Come to me if you have any problems or questions. I'll be glad to help -- for a price, of course. Here is the key and address to the villa I've lent you. It hasn't been lived in for several years and may need some dusting. There's over an acre of land attached so you could grow some crops and a garden. Tell you what. You can use the place for a full year."
The girls were fitted with collars, ankle chains, and loin cloths. They were leashed and led behind Jimm. They carried the shifts they had been wearing. This was the first time they were so naked in public and were very embarrassed.
They made several stops along the way. The first at an animal feed store where they were able to buy flour, yeast, some stale bread, and a block of concrete hard coffee extract. While the girls had their heads turned, Jimm bought a bag of hard candies.