Hard Lessons

Description

We descended the stairs with Sam and Daniel behind me. Corridors wide enough for three people to walk side by side led off to a series of doors.

“These are our privacy rooms.” I peered into a dimly-lit room containing a wash basin and a platform with a mattress on top. Fortunately, the room was unoccupied.

Around a corner, the space opened up. Square pillars formed open cubicles. Clamps above head height were fastened to the walls.

“Why don’t you try one?” Daniel suggested. “See how it looks from the customer’s point of view.”

“Okay.” I put my back to a wall. When I pressed my wrists against the covered metal clamps, they snapped shut. I tried to wriggle free, but the clamps were a snug fit.

“And this is how some women enjoy their sessions,” Daniel said. He glanced at the clamps, which I was still fighting to get out of.  I was trapped.  Sam closed in on my other side.

“I want out of here,” I said.

But Daniel unfastened the top button of my blouse. I writhed, but the clamps held me in place. Sam’s breath was hot on my ear.

“Are you feeling vulnerable, Angie?”

“Let me go!” I howled.

“No one is coming to rescue you.” I kicked out at my future employer. He caught my foot between his hands.

“I think she’s ready.” Daniel laughed.

Sam drew the hair back from my ear. “Today’s safe word is ‘chorizo,’ Angie. The safe word for the day is displayed at the entrance.”

“What a pity you weren’t paying attention,” Daniel said. Sam grabbed my butt and squeezed, laughing maniacally.

“CHORIZO!” I yelled. Daniel moved in, his hand reaching for my buttons; he began to unfasten another one.

“Move aside, please!” a woman yelled.

Diana, the short, black woman I’d seen in the reception area, grabbed hold of Daniel and threw him aside. She pointed a radio at Sam.

“Stay back!” Diana warned. She reached up and with a press of her fingers, released the clamps. Diana hustled me out.

Sam and Daniel came out of the cubicle, their hands in their pockets. Both were grinning.

“And that, Angie, is the exact response we expect from our FST people,” Sam said.

I frowned. “So you guys were testing Diana … the security team?”

“Absolutely.”

Sam shrugged. “We had to put you in a position where—”

“Where I felt threatened enough to use the safe word.”  I’d really believed they were going to start taking off my clothes.

 “Are you okay now?” Diana asked.

“I am now. Thanks for the rescue.”

“Anytime.” She strode off.

“I’m sorry we made you feel uncomfortable,” Daniel offered. “But we wanted to demonstrate our primary care pledge to you.”

“Sure, I get it. But I have a question. Which one of you grabbed my butt?” When Sam raised his hand, I punched his arm.

Once the shock had worn off, Sam laughed. “Touché”

Daniel nodded. “You’ll fit right in here.”