Alif (22)
"Don't be so hard on the girl," remarked Khedra amiably. "She's not used to meeting men in the buff..." "Doesn't stop her hanging around with Binta or Ketaba, does it?" Sneered the Director. He sat on the sofa next to Khedra and took a cup of coffee from the tray. He took three or four teaspoonfuls of sugar from a sugar bowl, and stirred them vigorously in his cup. "So, Ana m'dear, here we all are! Such a delightful gathering don't you think? And you so well turned out, if you don't mind me saying so. Couldn't find your knickers, then?" "They're in the wash," Bezaffa explained. "She was very sick last night." "Too much booze, eh? Honestly, m'dear, if you're going to break yet another law of this land, you really should ensure you've got the stomach for it." He stubbed his cigarette out in an ash tray that Bezaffa placed in front of him. "So, m'dear, I dare say you're wondering why we're here?" Ana stared at her boss. What was the reason? She couldn't find enough of her voice to confirm his conjecture. She nodded her head. "I like a challenge, m'dear. That's the truth of it. I don't like things to be too easy. It doesn't give me enough pleasure. It's better to climb a mountain than a hill, as they say. When I'm confronted with a challenge, I'll persevere. I won't give up. Inta, your predecessor, was a challenge at first, but in the end she succumbed all too easily. Much more easily than you, m'dear, I'll give you that." The Director took his silver cigarette case out of his waistcoat pocket and carefully inserted a cigarette into his cigarette holder. He lit it with his petrol lighter and asked Bezaffa, while puffing out a fresh cloud of grey smoke: "And was our little prude a challenge for you last night?" "Not at all!" Bezaffa chuckled, glancing at Ana with a smile lacking the friendliness she'd previously associated with her hostess. "A couple of drinks. That's all it took!" "A real dyke slut!" Sniffed the Director contemptuously. "Keeps her legs crossed for the men, but opens them wide to a pretty woman! Well, Bezaffa m'dear, you certainly won that wager, eh? No flies on you, eh? And what do you reckon of our little piece of dyke fluff. Good performance rating?" "Not bad!" Bezaffa confirmed. "Not bad at all! Good appearance, too!" "I can see that! Well, almost see it. How long are you going to keep that cushion on your lap, m'dear? Do you really think it makes the blindest bit of difference to me whether I see your furry mound or little titties? I'd abandon it if I were you." The cushion was the only friend Ana had in the room and she was loath to lose what little protection it afforded her. She shook her head vehemently. "Anyway, m'dear, I like a challenge. I would like to see you participate more fully in the work of the Brothel. And now that you have demonstrated to darling Bezaffa that you aren't at all the tight-arsed virgin you pretend to be, I really don't see now why you shouldn't do so. Khedra has quite kindly brought along with her literature and other material that might persuade you to do your bit and work part-time in more active service in the Brothel's interest. Isn't that so, Khedra m'dear?" "Indeed it is!" Announced Khedra, placing the briefcase onto her lap and decisively snapping open its locks. The briefcase opened to reveal some glossy brochures and booklets. "I have here the training manuals and information which we supply to all our recruits, with particular emphasis on what the Brothel offers to part-timers and what in return the Brothel expects from them. I think you'll agree it's a very attractive offer. One that you really would be a fool not to accept." She pulled out the literature and laid it carefully on the table. Ana looked at the remarkably coy covers. They showed photographs of prostitutes, some of whom she recognised, in their work clothes, greeting clients and chatting amiably among themselves. Khedra picked one up and handed it to Ana who took it in her hands and resting the cushion against her tummy flicked through the pages. This one was rather more informative than any literature she'd seen before on the subject, showing women with rather more of their bodies on display than she'd ever before in her life seen in print. The chapters had headings like: Greeting the Client, Anticipating a Client's Wishes and Personal Health and Hygiene. She flicked through the pages feeling alternate flushes of heat and shivers as she imagined herself in such positions. "I couldn't possibly!" She remarked. "Never. Never." "Come on, m'dear," continued the Director. "It's not as bad as you seem to think. If it were, then nobody would ever do it. It's just a job. Wouldn't you agree, Bezaffa?" "It is. And a good one at that! You really ought to think more seriously about it, Ana. It'd do you no harm at all. And the money's very good." "Have you seen the rates, Ana?" Asked the Director. Ana nodded. Khedra elaborated: "I've been through all that with her. She knows how attractive it is." "And she knows that in addition she can easily more than double her income with gratuities from grateful clients. You could be rich, m'dear. You could very soon be able to afford a house nearly as nice as Bezaffa's. You're young. You're pretty. A bit of hard work and you'll soon see the benefits. You could have foreign holidays, buy a car, go to the opera - you'll have more money than you'll know how to spend. What do you think, m'dear? Would you like to take the opportunity that's laid out in front of you?" Ana bowed her head down and pinched her forehead which had started aching again. The painkillers' effect seemed to have totally evaporated. All she wanted was to get away. "I don't want to. I just won't." "You get excellent backup service," Khedra recommended. "Frequent checkups. Sick leave. Maternity leave. A crèche if you wanted it..." "She won't need that!" Snorted Mr Madir. "Dykes don't have babies. They're frigid. It's scientific fact." "Maybe," responded Khedra sceptically. "Anyway, Ana, sweetheart, there is really nothing to worry about. Frequent counselling. Training to improve your performance rating. Advice to maximise the quality of your appearance. And these in turn will maximise your earning potential. And for someone like you that could be quite significant." She turned to face Bezaffa. "Would you say she's technically intact?" Bezaffa nodded. "Pure as the driven snow. Technically!" "We can of course confirm that in the standard medical. That in itself is an asset of quite inestimable value, Ana m'dear. Your first takings could set you up very nicely. There is a large demand, wholly impossible to fully satisfy, for the right species of inexperience, Ana. You have done well if you have indeed maintained your internal intactness, for which there is a considerable bonus and, no doubt, quite a sizeable gratuity from any client who enjoys your première performance." "And the gratuities are tax free, m'dear. The Brothel has an unofficial policy of passing a blind eye on any such extra income. It is believed that it adds extra stimulus to the quality of service provided and improves staff morale..." "...And much of it gets returned in the form of purchases from the staff shop," added Khedra. "The goods on offer being very much in demand in the service of the client." "So, Ana m'dear, what do you say?" "No. No. Absolutely not!" Ana spluttered, a fresh rush of nausea rushing to her head. She pushed back her head in the hope that it would subside, but instead her stomach began to heave with a mind of its own. Her eyes flooded with tears as she reflected on her humiliation and helplessness. A salty trail trickled down her cheeks. "I think the poor girl's going to be sick," remarked Bezaffa. "I'll take her to the bathroom." She leaned over and put a comforting soft arm around Ana's shoulders. "Come along, Ana dear. It's alright. Don't you worry!" Ana gazed up at Bezaffa with pitiful gratitude. She leaned against her hostess's large soft body as she raised herself, the cushion clutched tightly to her breasts, and allowed herself to be led to the bathroom, averting her eyes from Mr Madir's leering lecherous gaze. As soon as she was in the bathroom, she threw aside the cushion and flung herself onto the floor in front of the toilet bowl, leaned her elbows on the edge and coughed frantically to relieve herself of the vomit she felt must be waiting to emerge. She was quite disappointed to find none appear. Her sickness was more psychological than physical. As she knelt there, Bezaffa tenderly stroked her bare back. "There there!" She said reassuringly. "It's nothing, see. Nothing at all. It's just a hangover. People have them all the time in countries where alcohol is legal. Perhaps you can see now why President Marmeluke's government has proscribed such poisonous substances in Alif." Ana stood up, certain now that there was nothing to be gained from her endeavours. "Why? Why?" She pleaded. "Why what, sweetest?" "Why am I being treated like this? What have I done? Why are Khedra and the Director tormenting me?" She wrapped her arms around Bezaffa, feeling again the warmth and softness of the body which had tempted her so fatefully the night before. A fresh gush of tears, partly stimulated by her efforts over the toilet bowl, released themselves onto her cheeks. She sniffed miserably. "Oh, Ana. You're getting it all wrong! Mr Madir and Khedra are not tormenting you. The idea of it! They're simply explaining to you the advantages of part-time extra work in the Brothel. It's really not that big a deal! And surely you must admit that there are plenty of good reasons why you should take the offer. It could truly make you quite rich." "Why can't they understand I'm just not going to? I just couldn't. Why don't they leave me alone?" "Well, there's quite a premium commission for recruiting an attractive girl like you. Particularly one who's still intact. I daresay the Director and Khedra wouldn't mind sharing it between them..." "And you too!" Accused Ana bitterly. "Is it just for money then?" "Well no, it isn't! And you are most unfair to sugggest that I comforted you last night simply to share the commission. I really find that most offensive. Although I make love with men every day, it really is not often that I am tempted by the attractions of my own sex." "Is that so?" Sniffed Ana. Perhaps she hadn't just been used. Perhaps there was still some love and tenderness left in her world. Bezaffa smiled indulgently. "Of course, Ana. You are a truly attractive young lady. I almost envy Binta. She's succeeded in winning your love where many men have presumably tried and failed." "What do you know about Binta and me?" Ana sharply demanded. Bezaffa looked a little put out by Ana's direct accusation. "Nothing. Nothing. It's just what I surmised, cherry. Nothing more. Come here, sweetest! You're amongst friends." She pulled Ana's naked body to her chest and her pale blue eyes explored her face. Ana melted under Bezaffa's gaze, as she smiled broadly and allowed her to take her mouth in hers and to once again sink her tongue inside. Bezaffa's chubby dimpled hands caressed Ana's smooth slim naked back and gently squeezed her buttocks. A warmness crept inside Ana's chest, thoughts of fidelity to Binta forgotten in contemplation of the humiliation still waiting for her in the living room. "Come come," said Bezaffa softly. "We can't possibly indulge here. Not with our bosses waiting for us in the living room!" "I don't want to go back in there!" Ana announced. "I don't ever want to go back. Can't I just leave now! Go home without facing them again!" "Really, cherry! With no clothes! You'll be arrested within minutes. Indecent exposure is a crime you know. You'll just have to wait until your clothes are washed and dried." "Couldn't I borrow some of your clothes?" Pleaded Ana. "Then I'd be decent and I'd be able to escape." That was all she wanted to do. Flee and return to her Jadid flat. She wanted her life to simply return to what it was. Her infidelity forgotten and herself back snuggled in Binta's arms. "That really isn't possible!" Bezaffa exclaimed with a dismissive chuckle. "My clothes are far too large for you. They would just drop off. You're just a flimsy skinny rake in comparison to me." She stood back, her arms outstretched and her hands still gripping Ana's shoulders. "Look at me, sweetheart! Nobody could ever accuse me of being thin. I'm definitely not the delicate slender reed that you are! The idea of it!" She pulled herself back onto Ana and caressed her face again with her tongue and lips. "But I'm naked!" Ana exclaimed. "As I said, you're amongst friends here. And anyway, cherry, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your body is so beautiful and desirable. I could just eat you up!" "I want to go home. I don't like being seen like this!" "Nonsense, dearest. Absolute nonsense. And anyway shouldn't you at least listen to what Khedra has to say. After all she's gone to an awful lot of trouble to come here and explain to you the advantages of part-time employment. Surely it's only courtesy to listen." "I don't want to. I've already made my mind up. And I've said so many many times before. Never never never!" "You are a stubborn thing, aren't you?" Chuckled Bezaffa. "I can't help but think that you have really just misrepresented things. There's no plot to humiliate you or force you to do things you don't want to do. You're perfectly within your rights just to listen and continue in your obstinacy. No harm will come to you, I'm certain. You surely can't blame Mr Madir and Khedra for trying to persuade you to do something which is so indubitably to your advantage."
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