by Paul Preston
After painting her fingernails and toenails bright red and applying a bright red lipstick, blue eye shadow and mascara on her eyes, Cindy helped Christine into her waitress uniform. Cindy slipped a sexy white halter top on Christine which just barely covered her breasts, with the A and E insignia, two red apples embroidered into the silk in the spot over her nipples. As Cindy helped Christine step into a very short black skirt and high heels, Christine shyly asked Cindy who the woman at the make-up table was.
“I don’t know. She’s very pretty, isn’t she?” Cindy said.
“Yes,” Christine whispered, shyly sneaking a glance at her again.
“I think she’s performing in the 8:00 show. I’ve never seen her before. I guess Belle got the night off. Come on. They’re about to open the house and we’ve got to get the orders for the first round of drinks before the show starts.”
Cindy grabbed Christine’s hand and whisked her away. Carlotta watched them leave in the mirror and watched the muscles in the back of Christine’s calves and thighs ripple as she walked away.
Carlotta felt a strong desire to lay her down on her stomach, admire her back side up close and give her sweet little wet kisses there all night long. She played through her mind a fantasy about cuddling with her at night and waking up in her arms the next morning. Carlotta breathed out, trying to clear her mind and prepare for her performance.
Luman pulled the limo up in front of Safe Haven at 7:30. About five minutes later Buquet came out of the front entrance. Luman got out and opened the limo door for him.
“Good evening, sir,” Luman said, formally.
Ignoring Luman, Buquet got into the back seat and was greeted by Firmin.
“A pleasure to meet you, Coach Buquet. I am Phillipe Williamson’s assistant, Andre Firmin. We spoke on the phone briefly.”
Firmin held out his hand and Buquet shook it.
“So, how was your day?” Firmin asked.
“To be honest, I had an extremely shitty day, Mr. Firmin. It can only get better at this point, it can’t get any worse,” Buquet said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Coach. I hope the entertainment we have planned for you this evening will brighten your mood.”
“Your boss said you had a well-stocked bar in here. I could really use a shot, if you’ve got it.”
“What’s your poison?”
“Got any Scotch?”
“Let me see…We’ve got Glenlivet, Johnny Walker Red and Black—”
“Johnny Walker Black is fine.”
“Coming right up, Coach.”
Firmin poured him a double shot in a glass, handed it over and put the bottle away.
“Aren’t you having a drink?” Buquet asked.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic, it’s strictly mineral water for me, I’m afraid.”
“Suit yourself,” Buquet said, taking a large pull from the glass.
“I’m sure Mr. Williamson will knock back a few with you. As I said, he’s a big Cal State guy.”
Buquet nodded.
“So when is this thing over, so I can tell the misses?” Buquet asked.
“Oh, it should be over by 9:30, but I’m sure Mr. Williamson will want to shoot the shit with you after the show. He usually hangs out at the club until the late night show starts at 11.”
Buquet made a quick phone call on his cell. Firmin looked away, listening to every word of the call.
“Yeah, honey. I’m with the guy about the donation. Yeah. What? I don’t know, we’re going out to eat somewhere. No, don’t wait up for me. I should get back home sometime after 11. Right. Bye.”
Buquet turned to Firmin.
“The wife keeps me on a tight leash,” Buquet said.
Firmin chuckled.
“You married, Firmin?” Buquet asked.
“Oh no. No woman would have me, I suppose,” Firmin said.
“How about Williamson?”
“Well, Mr. Williamson is a confirmed bachelor. He is very popular with the ladies, especially at the club. The pretty young filly who stars in tonight’s performance is one of his favorites.”
“Really? And what kind of performance is it, exactly? Williamson never made that clear. The wife likes to go, but I’m usually not a big fan of the theater. Where are we going exactly?”
“You’ll see. Mr. Williamson didn’t want me to spoil the surprise. I think a man of your temperament will really enjoy the show.”
Buquet knocked back the rest of his scotch and looked Firmin over.
“You know what, Firmin? There’s something about you. I think you’re full of shit,” Buquet said.
Firmin’s heart started beating quickly.
“What?” Firmin said.
“You heard me,” Buquet said.
“I’m sorry, sir. Did I say something to offend you?”
“Look, I’ve had a very long and difficult day and I’m not in the mood for games. Where are we going?”
“Relax, Coach Buquet. The theater Mr. Williamson owns is called the Adam and Eve Club.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s an underground night club that caters to men who enjoy seeing women in bondage, and women who enjoy pleasuring men in that way.”
Buquet smiled.
“Well now. That actually might be the kind of theater I would enjoy going to.”
“We’ll be there in a few minutes. And, I assure you, no one is playing games with you Coach. I saw Mr. Williamson put the checkbook in his suit pocket when I picked him up this morning.”
“I know, Firmin. I’m sorry. I was just yanking your chain.”
“I see. Of course.”
Firmin laughed.
“Would you like another Scotch, Coach?”
“I’ll wait.”
The remaining time before they arrived at the club was spent in silence, with Buquet staring out the window. Buquet thought about the shit storm he had been through during the day. It put him in a foul mood to be treated like some kind of pervert by the same people who had just the day before showed you such respect. That self-righteous son of a bitch Reegan chewed him out for over an hour and threatened a suspension if he didn’t get the matter cleared up immediately. Reegan told him the investigating officer had called, requesting copies of the security tapes for a particular day in question two months ago, which Reegan refused to hand over without a judge’s order.
“What the fuck’s going on Buquet? I’ve got the Regents calling me, wanting to serve me my own ass on a platter! Did you do something to that kid on University property?”
“Hell, no! And I’m offended you’d even ask Reegan. Thanks for having my back after twenty years of service to State. Many of the kids I recruited over the years are marquee players in the NFL now, and this is the thanks I get? I never thought you’d throw me under the bus like this.”
“If the judge signs a warrant, are they going to have you on camera alone with this kid?”
“What are you worrying about, Reegan? They’ll never get a warrant, there’s no evidence to give cause to a search. And even if they did, I have permission to take all the troubled kids from Safe Haven on a tour of our facilities, once a year. I’ve been doing it for over ten years now. The kids get a big kick out of it. Just a couple years ago, they even profiled my charitable work on 60 Fucking Minutes, remember? Donations at State are up over 100 percent since then, you may recall. As a matter of fact, I’m meeting this rich guy later this evening …”
The possibility of a one million dollar endowment to the university seemed to calm the Athletic Director down considerably. The emergency Board Meeting at Safe Haven he had just sat through was more of the same. Security cameras, bad press, denials, further accusations, dropping the good news about the endowment to Safe Haven and everyone shutting up. Buquet was glad to escape the meeting when he saw the limo outside.
They pulled up to the front of the club and Firmin escorted Buquet inside. They cut through the crowd in the lobby and the line of patrons waiti
ng to enter. Firmin guided Buquet to his seat at a table for four, right near the front of the stage. Firmin tried to calm his beating heart. Luman stood in the back of the theater and sent Williamson a text.
Subject arrived. Seated at table.
The head security guard at the club immediately approached their table.
“I need a quick word with you, Mr. Firmin,” the guard said.
“Excuse me for a moment, Coach,” Firmin said, standing up.
Checking out the waitresses, Buquet hardly noticed Firmin had stepped away from the table.
“Mr. Firmin, we have a situation here. The security system is down. The cables have all been slashed. We have no camera coverage inside or outside the club,” the guard said.
“Oh Christ. Did some kids break in here overnight?”
“I don’t think so. There was no indication of forced entry and no money or equipment appears to be missing.”
“Can you get them up and running?”
“Not until tomorrow at the earliest. All the cables need to be replaced. Should I call off the—”
“No. As they say, the show must go on. We’ll do our own internal investigation of the matter. Just meet with the staff and let them know to keep their eyes open.”
Firmin returned to the table.
“Would you like another drink, Coach?”
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Firmin?”
“No. It’s just Mr. Williamson wanted me to make sure you were comfortable.”
“So where is the mysterious Mr. Williamson anyway?”
“Oh, he’ll be here soon. He usually arrives a few minutes after the show starts. After he checks the take at the box office, he’ll sit down with us. So, drink?”
“Scotch and soda.”
Firmin flagged down Cindy who came over to their table followed by Christine close behind her.
“What can I get you fellas?” Cindy said, smiling.
“Johnny Walker Black with a splash of soda for the gentleman, the usual for—”
“I’ll tell you what you can get me…” Buquet said, interrupting Firmin.
The closest two security guards reacted immediately when they saw the man at table 1A suddenly grab Cindy by her elbow with a large meaty hand and pull her down onto his lap. After a few quick strides, they saw Firmin’s finger go up, gesturing for them to stop approaching the table.
“What I’d like is for you two pretty ladies to have a seat at our table so I can buy you both a drink.”
Buquet held Cindy tightly in his lap. Despite his age, years of coaching and exercise had given Buquet the upper body strength of a much younger man.
“Love these cute little outfits, Firmin. I think your waitresses forgot to wear their bras tonight. I can see their nice little nipples poking out under these ripe apples here.”
Still smiling, Cindy wiggled in his lap and gave Firmin a look. Buquet felt himself becoming stiff in his pants.
“And where do you think you’re going, you sexy little thing?” Buquet asked, putting a finger under Cindy’s chin.
“Hey, Coach? She’s got several tables to get drink orders from and the show starts in just a few minutes. Maybe if you have time later, Cindy, you can come back over so Coach here can buy you a drink.”
“Sure, Mr. Firmin,” Cindy said, as Buquet let her go.
Buquet looked at Christine, who stood a few feet away, intensely staring at Buquet through her green eyes.
“What about the little wallflower over there? She doesn’t look too busy,” Buquet said.
“That’s our new waitress. It’s her first night here,” Firmin said.
“Oh, is it your very first day at your school, little girl? Are you nervous?”
Christine abruptly turned away to follow Cindy to the next table. Buquet trailed her with his eyes as she slipped into the crowd.
Firmin gave the two security guards a look and they went back to their assigned posts. Buquet turned back to Firmin.
“Well, I’ll tell you what. This place has Hooters beat by a mile. I think this will be the new place I bring the coaches to celebrate a victory. We’ve been going to Denny’s three weeks in a row now. It’s giving me a case of goddamn indigestion.”
“Hopefully you win this Saturday, Coach. I’ll make you a reservation.”
“If State doesn’t win this weekend, forget about it! They’re gonna have my head mounted on a spike.”
“You’ll pull one out, Coach. You’ve just had some bad breaks this year. Injuries, bad calls–”
“That’s football. To quote Vince Lombardi, ‘Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.’”
“That’s for sure. Excuse me for a moment, Coach Buquet. I have to make an introduction to this evening’s performance. I’ll be right back.”
A moment after Firmin left, Cindy dropped off their drinks and the lights in the house faded to black. Buquet took a drink and settled back in his seat. A spotlight came up, illuminating Firmin, standing behind a microphone. He looked quickly to stage left and saw Cogworthy standing guard over Carlotta, sending a text on his phone.
“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, and welcome to tonight’s performance at the Adam and Eve Club…”
Down in the bowels of the theater, Williamson read Cogworthy’s text.
Subject in place. Show started.
Williamson listened to the introduction he wrote for Firmin through the intercom system he had built into each of the back stage rooms. His old friend had been sitting with him in a dusty chair in the corner of the storage room, watching Williamson move a large free-standing smudged mirror and several musty odds and ends out of the way. Phillipe pushed a long table into the center of the room and began attaching a single shelf into the wall.
“It looks like you’ll finally put that knife I bought you to some good use, my friend,” Williamson heard the Beast say.
“Looks like it.”
“Although I had acquired that knife for use for less threatening and more pleasurable activities, I must say that man has it coming to him. It really is worthwhile; I would even say a spiritual act on your part, to take him out of the game. The lives of several children now and in the future will be shielded from harm when you put him down. His time has come. I know you’ve never killed a man; it’s not in your nature. I’m very proud of you, Phillipe.”
“I’ve already asked you once. If you are going to be here, keep quiet. I’m trying to concentrate. You’re distracting me, Beast.”
“Oh, I am sorry. You did say that earlier, didn’t you? Forgive me Phillipe. I am quite the chatterbox today. I will sit here in my chair in the dark, as quiet as a mouse. Though, I must say, I look forward with great anticipation to the proceedings.”
“Quiet, Beast.”
“Yes, yes. Of course.”
As Williamson finished screwing the shelf into the wall, he listened to Firmin speak through the intercom.
“So, we are throwing you a bit of a curve for tonight’s performance,” Firmin said into the microphone.
The stage lights came up downstage center on Armond, sitting in his apartment, sipping on a tea and reading the paper in his silk robe.
“Our extremely attractive dark-haired Dom, seated in this pleasant domestic setting is Armand. He is anticipating the arrival of Carlotta, an actress you may have seen starring in several adult videos, who we are honored to have back once again to grace our stage, making her long awaited return. Armond and Carlotta have been in love with each other for several years, carrying on a torrid affair. Though it is somewhat discouraged that our Doms and subs become emotionally entangled outside of the walls of our theater, as all of us know, the heart beats to its own drummer. During their private sessions, Carlotta has been asking Armond to take their relationship to the next level. Armond has been reluctant to do so. In the accepted world of love between a man and woman, this would, of course, involve talk of marriage. But in the forbidden realm between a Dom and his sub, the next level… well, I t
hink I’ve said enough. Please enjoy the performance tonight, entitled, ‘Mark Me, My Dom’.
The lights went down on Firmin and he returned to his seat next to Buquet in the audience. The sound effect of a doorbell rang and the lights came up on Carlotta, dressed in a black attractive business suit.
“Come on in, Carlotta. The door’s open,” Armond said, turning a page of the newspaper.
Carlotta walked through a darkened area of the stage to the pool of light downstage. She bent over and gave Armond a kiss on the cheek, while he continued reading the paper.
“Hi, Armond,” Carlotta said.
“Hi, baby. Welcome home.”
“What are you reading?”
“Oh, just the sport’s page, Carlotta.”
Carlotta sat down next to Armond on the couch. She traced a finger down the center of his chest and untied the knot of the sash around his robe.
“You smell good, Armond. Did you just take a shower?”
“Yes.”
Carlotta ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him in the nape of his neck.
“Are you… in the mood, honey?” Carlotta asked.
Armond looked up from the paper.
“Of course. I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Make yourself ready.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Armond went back to reading the paper. Out of her purse Carlotta took out a compact mirror and lipstick. After painting her full lips deep red and touching up her mascara, she began to undress. She unbuttoned her suit coat, folding it neatly beside Armond on the couch. She stood up and faced the audience, looking Buquet directly in the eyes. She slowly unbuttoned her blouse and arched her back, slipping it off her shoulders, revealing a very feminine and lacey pink Victoria’s Secret push up bra. She slowly unzipped the side of her skin tight skirt, wiggling it over her hips and down her thighs, gazing at Buquet as if he was alone in the room and the striptease was just for him. She bit her lower lip and cast her eyes downward in a demure fashion, standing in her high heels, showing off her pink sheer stockings, G-string and garter belt.