Amsterdam
2004
"Dad."
"Yes darling." After a pause daughter spoke again.
"Dad."
"Yes darling." A pause again. "It's not like you to dither Susan; what's bothering you?"
"Nothing Dad; a request, an unusual one."
"Could I guess?"
"You cannot in a billion tries."
"Billion?"
"Make it a trillion."
"Then don't waste time, swallow hard and tell me."
"Well, it's like this Dad. For my postgraduate study I am majoring in sociology."
"Nothing unusual in that."
"Dad, listen patiently. I have to do a project and our guide who veers towards the bizarre gave some ideas. One girl in my group at his suggestion has chosen Death Row persons for her study."
"A girl? I should have thought that even a man of muscle and courage would think twice before venturing into those prison cells."
"My colleague is a very gentle 40 kilogram, twenty-three year old. She says she has never felt safer than when she was with them."
"Are these cold blooded killers that charming?"
"They are not all cold blooded killers but Dad, will you hear me without interruption?"
"Go ahead."
"My guide chose swing clubs for my study."
"Swing clubs? Where couples go for swaps."
"Yes."
"Where do I fit in?"
"I have to visit a swing club and not only see for myself but also interview a few of the customers."
"Then go ahead."
"The club I have chosen allows only couples."
"Take your boy friend."
"That won't do for various reasons."
"So?"
"You have to come with me."
"Girl visiting swing club with father? Has it ever happened before?"
"That is not the question. Are you game to the adventure?" Dad was excited at the prospect. He has never visited swing clubs before. His late wife was not interested. But with daughter? Unthinkable.
"I am not sure it is a good idea Susan."
"Dad I have not been to one. I have read a lot about them. I believe it is no different from a mall; only this mall sells an immensely popular product. I suggest we see how it plays out. We can come out anytime we like."
"It would cost us a packet of Euros."
"Yes, we might lose some Euros that we can ill afford, but I am crazy about this project and if you refuse I can't get it done. Dad please." Her 'Dad please' was something Dad has never been able to resist. He agreed, but for one who needed to be persuaded his eyes had suddenly acquired an unusual sparkle.
"Will the club object if they suspect I am your Dad?'
"It is not their problem. One has to be 18 or above and I am twenty-eight. That's about all."
2
The swing club building was in a residential locality and was no different from the other residences in the street. Dad was not sure if they were in the right place, but Susan had done her home work well. She plied the knocker. Presently the door opened and a gentleman welcomed them in. If he found anything unusual in a young lady with a grey haired man who bore so close facial resemblance that he could not but be father he did not express it in words or body language. These swing clubs train their staff well.
The secretary, a globe headed man (he was totally bald) smiled broadly as he welcomed them. He had the manners of an usher in a church. He asked them to read the rules of the club set out on a large board in many European languages.
"Street clothes must be left in the lockers," Dad read out aloud. "Customers will wrap towels the house provides. No alcohol or smoking. If you want activity in private close the door of the room. Open door is an invitation for others to join. NO MEANS NO. Why this last alone in capitals?"
"Because it is important," said sociologist daughter.
"What happens if one disobeys?"
"He has to leave. I believe it never comes to bouncing." They went into the locker room that surprisingly for a swing club was separate for men and women. Dad came out draped in a large towel as did Susan.
"Ha, ha." Daughter was unable to conceal her amusement.
"Why that?"
"It is funny the way you are clinging on to that towel, as if it is your life line.
"Are you wearing something under that towel?
"Nothing. That's the rule."
"Yes, it is. But..."
"What but?"
"Nothing."
"Dad get this clear. We have not come here to preserve our modesty. At some points these towels have to come off."
"You told me that it is to get material for your thesis not to display your body."
"That's right. I'll get it from the man whose tongue will loosen only when he cuddles my bare body. Got it?"
"Cuddles you bare body," repeated Dad slowly and softly. "Where do I fit in?"
"Dad you are impossible. When I am cuddling this man you will be cuddling his wife."
"Who will also be bare?"
"Of course she would be bare too." Daughter was watching Dad's reaction. He looked dazed and then his eyes brightened and finally he sucked his lips in and softly smacked them. Daughter grinned. "That's the spirit," she said.
"Susan."
"Yes, Dad."
"This cuddling you were talking about." Dad became silent.
"Yes Dad what about it."
"The very words I was about to employ."
"Dad you are becoming difficult. See those dispensers."
"Condom dispensers?"
"Collect your supply. Any more doubts?"
"Will we be in separate rooms?"
"Our choice. We have to take in the views of our partners."
"Who are they?"
"We'll find them soon."
"You mean you have arranged with them."
"No. Dad I'll explain. In our modern world men who are bored with their wives have mistresses."
"I was bored with your mother but I never thought of taking on a mistress."
"Dad you are an exception in everything. Many men have other girls. This goes for women too. Many women who are bored with their husbands having paramours. Now spouses do not approve of this arrangement. It is cheating. So what do they do? They visit swing clubs meet other couples with the same agenda and swap. Got it? Same room or same bed does not matter. For your information it is a lot more fun it seems watching your life partner having the time of his/her live with the other person." Dad shook his head forlornly and daughter puckered her lips in mischievous amusement.
"And then?"
"They go back home with their love bonds immeasurably strengthened."
"Strengthened?"
"That's correct. Many studies have shown that it is so. There is no dispute on that point." Dad's head was reeling.
"You have not told me how we are to get partners."
"I expect one of the couples to come to us, and if they do not we choose for among the unengaged couples."
They turned a corner and came face to face with action. It was an open room. A girl in the early thirties sat on a cot edge and a man of about forty sat on a low stool by her side. Both had towels round their waists. The girl's breasts were slender and hung like apples. She was holding one of them up and the man was sucking the nipple. His eyes were on her face but she was intently watching him suck. The tips of her fingers of her other hand were rubbing his scalp, and he with one hand he was weighing her other breast. It was a tender scene of affection unmixed with lust. Father and daughter watched enthralled.
"Must be husband and wife."
"Don't be funny Dad. Which couple will pay huge Euros to do something they can do for free at home?"
"If your mother had been willing I would have. Making love when someone it watching is something I always wanted to but your mother was such a prude."
"You amaze me Dad. You must write down you many unexpressed desires and publish it for posterity. I'll tell you what I think of this couple. Their spouses have gone off to have fun of their own. Why not here you might ask? May be they are in a foursome or even a gangbang."
"Gangbang?" said Dad impressed.
They were at the swimming pool. Some were in the water but more were on benches. Some were wiping after the drip and many were sitting round in the nude.
"Shall we take a dip Dad?"
"I can't see how we can enter with towels around us Susan." Daughter laughed.
"Dad you are impossible. For a man whose failed ambition was to have sex with his wife in public you show surprising resistance to get nude. I assure you Dad that soon that towel you are gripping with both hands will be off."
"What next Susan?" said Dad changing the subject.
"Don't turn but I notice a couple watching us with interest. I won't be surprised if they approach us."
"And then?"
"We play Scrabble," said Susan and doubled with laughter
"Hello." The couple Susan was referring to was by their side.
"Hello," responded Susan.