“Yeah, I can see the sense in that,” I said. “You’re right. I guess this way is more sane.”
“Well, let’s see, I think that’s enough of an introduction to this area. We’ve covered just about everything that I wanted to cover here for today,” Ben said. “Ready to see the grounds now?”
“Oh, yes,” I answered enthusiastically. “I am so ready to go outside.”
“All right, then. Let’s take in the great outdoors.”
We crossed the hall, continuing for a short way until we reached an inside patio, which contained the rear exit, a set of French doors.
“This is the mansion’s main rear exit,” he explained.
“The main one? Okay, just so I don’t get confused, how many doors leading out are there?”
Ben smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s easy. There are only three into the house that just anybody can see: this door, the front door, and one at the side for the old servants quarters.”
“Only three exits for a mansion this size?
“Oh, no, there are several more, but, like doors for the gallery and the hookah room, they’re hidden from view. The three that I’ve mentioned can be seen and used by any visitor, not just us. I’ll show you where the others are another day.”
He led me to a row of comfortable-looking moccasins that sat by the door. “C’mon over here,” he said. “These are where we keep our outside shoes. Here are yours, the ones nearest to the door on this side. They’re in your size. Leave your slippers by the door and put on your outside shoes. We do this to help keep the mansion clean. Arrosha doesn’t want any dirt getting inside. We’ll switch back when we come inside again later.”
I did as I was told and followed Ben out of one side of the French doors, which he closed again immediately behind us.
“Arrosha likes us to keep the doors, windows and curtains shut,” he explained.
“To protect the antiquities, I know, Geoffrey told me.” I had a slight edge to my voice, thinking back upon that conversation. “Don’t you ever get tired of not getting any fresh air inside?”
“Not really. The air in the mansion is quite rarefied, haven’t you noticed? It’s always fresh, just without the dust and pollen.”
We had stepped out onto a large, wide wooden porch that seemed to run almost the entire length of the rear wall of the mansion’s lovely, yet more modest antebellum exterior.
“I’m glad we came out today,” I remarked, happy to be outdoors. “It’s absolutely gorgeous. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.”
It was true, for the day was perfect, sunny and mild with puffy little white clouds dotting the sky. When I took in a deep breath, the air smelled sweet and was rich with oxygen. Despite Ben’s claim, I could tell the difference.
“I knew you’d feel better if you got out a little. You’ll probably sleep better tonight for it, too,” he said.
“Ben,” I asked, “didn’t you say that we’re somewhere in southwestern Louisiana?”
“Yep.”
“It doesn’t feel like it. What is it, one of those rare fall days when the humidity drops for a change?”
“Not at all,” he replied. “It’s always like this, except when we’re not in the mood for it.”
“What?” I thought I’d misunderstood his answer.
“Yeah, believe it or not, every once in a blue moon, constantly perfect weather can get boring. Sometimes a rainy day, or a foggy, drizzly day suits our spirits better, breaks things up a bit. And sometimes, especially around Christmas, it’s just nice to see a landscape filled with snow.”
“Snow? In this part of the country?”
“Of course, but only when we’re in the mood for it.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you have a choice about the weather? Ben, nobody can choose what the weather’s going to be like.”
“We do. All the time. That’s why it’s pleasant like this almost always.”
“That’s impossible,” I protested.
“Ashley, you’ve seen our endless hallway. Why must you still insist that certain things are impossible? Anything we want is possible if Arrosha wants us to have it. I told you that she was the true Goddess. What more proof do you need? Sweety, if you’re going to stay here, you’ve got to ditch ordinary thinking.”
“Ordinary thinking. Like the laws of physics, you mean?”
“Sure, some of them at least. Arrosha bends them for our pleasure. It makes her happy.”
“Okay, let’s assume that’s even possible. So you’re telling me that any weather you want just shows up.”
“Yes, if we ask for it and provided that it’s not destructive or harmful. If I wished for a tornado or hurricane, for instance, Arrosha certainly would never provide that. But if I were feeling particularly dreary and wanted a nice, garden variety thunderstorm to help me sleep, she would arrange that.”
“What about the rest of the group? What if they don’t want a thunderstorm that night?”
“Then they don’t have to have one. This is an issue we generally don’t need to deal with because, as a group, we’re all pretty accommodating and usually on the same page as far as the weather’s concerned. But once in a while we differ in opinion. For instance, let’s just say that you’re reading something like ‘Wuthering Heights’ and it gets you in the mood for an overcast, blustery evening, so you could curl up with in the library and look out upon from the comfort of a nice warm day bed. Just because it’s rainy, cold and windy outside from your vantage point doesn’t mean it can’t be sunny and dry on another side of the house.”
“Different weather in different areas of the same mansion? You have to joking.”
“Not at all. It can even be cold and snowing in the front yard while it’s tropically balmy out here in the back. I told you, Arrosha gives us what we want. She likes to make us happy. Pretty neat huh?”
“That’s quite the understatement.”
“So what do think about this place now?”
“I think, Ben, that I’m not in Kansas any more.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
As we stood upon the white porch with its shiny, neutral green wood floor, I was able to see the exterior of the manor for the very first time. At least it was the first time that I could remember. Judging from its interior, the mansion seemed somehow smaller from this vantage point than I was expecting, for I had imagined it to be a grand palace. While the lion’s share of this impression arose from mere bewilderment, I had to admit that a tiny portion of my brain registered minor disappointment, an emotion which made me wince. Had I become that jaded already, I questioned. Had I so soon become used to a level of luxury that, before yesterday, I’d never even known existed? No sooner had I formulated these questions than my attitude did a complete one-eighty. So what, I reasoned. Why not allow myself to get used to thinking about life on a grander scale? After all, these people wanted me to stay and this would most likely become my new home. No longer ashamed of lofty expectations, I decided to embrace them. I took in another deep breath of clean air, reveling in the unaccustomed sensation of being magnificently spoiled. I was finally beginning to feel comfortable here and there was no shame in that. I had Ben to thank for it, didn’t I, for it was only his warm hospitality that had made me feel so welcome and wanted in the first place. I wondered if this was where I really belonged. I’d certainly never find a better deal anywhere else, that was for sure. Maybe I should stay here permanently. At the very least, I decided, it was something I should very seriously consider.
I sauntered up to the porch railing to get a better view of the beautifully manicured formal garden. All about, the love of art that dominated the inside of the mansion was evident here as well, for everywhere I looked there was statuary. Iron and stone gargoyles, angels and cherubs kept company with creatures of myth and fantasy, all dotting the lush landscape liberally. Dominating the garden was a large, grassy round, girded by a circular stone pathway from which five straight paths emanated. Within the mid
dle of this circle stood the garden’s focal point, a large, ornate fountain, from whose center arose a tall pedestal. Upon the peak of that pedestal perched a bronze kingfisher bird displaying in triumph a fish it had just captured, a fish doomed to be grasped within its beak forever. At the bird’s feet the pedestal widened to become a ring of many stone fish, from whose mouths water flowed and bubbled as it rained down into the fountain’s basin. This fountain captivated my attention, although I could not figure out why I identified so much with the poor fish that would, in perpetuity, be about to become the kingfisher’s dinner.
“How do you like our garden?” Ben asked, snapping me out of my morbid fascination.
“I love it. It’s very serene out here.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said. “I usually come out here to do most of my thinking. Listen, while we’re standing on this porch, let me point out to you where we’re going. Do you see those sidewalks extending out from that main circular one?”
“Yeah,” I said, looking at the five straight stone pathways that reminded me somewhat of the spokes of a pentagram, because while three headed out, only two returned to the mansion. Of the two paths coming in, one led to the steps of the verandah near where we stood and the other to the second back door at the far end of the porch to our distant right. Of the three outgoing pathways, one bore to the right and one to the left, while the third aimed straight ahead. Each outward bound path disappeared at its far end into the tall, well manicured hedges which hemmed the garden and gave it a more cozy appearance than a space this large would normally have.
“Okay,” he continued. “That right one goes to the game arenas, the left to the swimming pools, and the center one leads to the reflecting pool. So how about it, let’s say we take in the grounds now.”
I followed him down the stairs and off the porch, onto the neat flagstone path leading to the fountain.
“Since Geoffrey’s playing tennis with Antonio, Kenny and Timothy,” Ben said, “let’s get that over with first, just in case Geoff decides to be a little butt again today. I do want you to see the area, but we won’t stay long. Now, if you’re into sports at all, you’ll love it there. It’s got everything from a baseball diamond and a golf course to a shooting range and an auto racing track. And, if you’d rather be just a spectator, we’ve got lots of covered seating from which to watch. You name it, we’ve got it. Even a full amusement park complete with Ferris wheels, roller coasters, the works.”
“And that’s on top of the stuff that’s inside, right?” I asked, feeling a little like a kid lost in a candy store.
“Of course. You’ll find that we have multiple amenities, both inside and outside, so you’ll never, ever have to wait even a second for someone else to finish. And for variety’s sake, none of our facilities are exact duplicates. For instance, if you want to ride a bicycle in a landscape that looks like the south of France or go skiing in the Alps, you’ll find that only in the rooms off the hall. So you see, sunshine, if you want to stay here, you’re going to have to forget that you ever heard of the word ‘limits’. You’re living in the land of plenty now and I want you to get used to this lifestyle. Hey, you deserve it as much as anybody else does, right?”
“Sure, I suppose,” I answered tentatively.
“I want you to become accustomed to this luxury and it’s my job to make sure that you love getting spoiled rotten. In fact, the main reason that I’m showing you all of this, Ashley, is to sway your decision, to tempt you into remaining with us.”
“So that’s your ulterior motive, Ben.”
“You caught me red-handed. I have to confess that I really don’t want you to leave and I know I speak for most of the others. We think you fit in well with our little group. Since it is your choice, I figured that I’d do what I could to sway you. I hope that doesn’t offend you.”
“Not at all. Actually, before now, I’ve never been courted to join any organization. It’s nice to be wanted; it feels good.”
“Fabulous. I was hoping you would say that.”
We took the right walkway, following it until we reached a stone archway set in a well-manicured pass in the hedges. We continued onward until we came to the game area. It was far too large for me to see everything it had to offer, but I was able to spot the tennis and basketball courts and something that looked like a boxing ring. Departing from the theme of a well-manicured English garden, this sports area seemed to exist in an island resort, vegetated as it was by huge banana plants, elephant ears and an assortment of other tropicals, including large, lush palm trees. The hedges that had obstructed the view of what lay beyond them may have been tall, but they were still far shorter than the palm trees behind them. By all logic, the taller trees should have been visible from the verandah and only for a split second did I wonder why I had not seen their tops peeking out above the hedges. I reminded myself once again that the normal rules of logic did not apply at this estate, where nothing seemed impossible.
We walked up to the court where the four men dressed in white tennis outfits were playing doubles. I slowed my gait once I spotted Geoffrey.
Ben noticed this and said, “Don’t worry, he was sweet as a kitten this morning. If he acts up, I’ll put him in his place.”
We stood by the court, watching the men play until Kenny hit a ball hard and low that failed to clear the net. Once they came to this stopping point, they waved to us, picked up their towels and strolled over to the fence, smiling and mopping their sweat as they walked.
“Hey, hey,” said Antonio. “Don’t you look great, Ashley. That essence really agreed with you.”
Timothy wolf-whistled.
“Yeah, really, Ashley. What an incredible improvement. You look positively fabulous today,” Kenny added.
Geoffrey came closest to the fence.
“Good afternoon, my sweet,” he said to Ben warmly before giving me the once-over. “It is an incredible improvement, I must say, although you’re not as nearly as impressive as you will be once Arrosha transforms you. But still, I have to admit that it is a miraculous betterment, given what was there to start with, of course.” The snideness in his tone had softened considerably but not completely, so I supposed that this backhanded compliment would be the best I could expect from him, at least for the time being. “I have to say, Ashley, that I would not be embarrassed to be seen with you in public now. I could not have said the same yesterday.”
I simply looked at Ben, who just smiled and shrugged, and said, “What did I tell you, Ashley?”
“What, my love, did you tell her?” Geoffrey insisted, sensing he was out of the loop.
“Oh, nothing, Geoff,” Ben dodged his question, “I just told Ashley to be ready for the compliments today.”
“You certainly deserve them, Ashley,” Timothy said.
“You look gorgeous,” Antonio added.
“You sure do,” Kenny agreed.
“Oh, come now, boys,” Geoffrey objected in a tone more matter of fact than snide. Apparently these compliments had pushed him beyond his tolerance limit. “Let’s not go too much overboard. Ashley has improved, I’ll give her that, and so very much for the better. But fabulous, gorgeous? No, I wouldn’t go that far. Pretty, yes, attractive, undoubtedly, but not beautiful, certainly, at least not yet. I’m sorry my dear, but I must be truthful. Until Arrosha transforms you, as she has us, I’m afraid to say that you will never be perfect in form the way we are. It’s an impossibility and I’m afraid that no amount of compliments can or will ever change that.”
“Geoffrey!” Ben snapped. It was the first time I had heard any hint of actual anger in his voice.
“Oh, Ben, don’t go all mother lioness on me, protecting your young,” Geoffrey remarked. “I’m just being honest. We don’t want Ashley getting a swelled head where none is warranted, now do we?”
“That’s enough, Geoff,” Ben whispered in a tone that told Geoffrey he wasn’t kidding. “It’s uncalled for.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right, Ben.
And I’m wrong as usual. Terribly sorry, Ashley. Sometimes I’m just too honest for my own good. Like I said before, your improvements are marvelous and if you stay with us, now that Arrosha has approved you, I’m certain that she will transform you as well. Who knows, you may even become the fairest of us all then.”
“I’d rather just be accepted,” I told him bluntly.
“Of course, dear girl, of course,” Geoffrey backpedaled.
“So can I trust you to be civil from now on?” Ben’s question was more of a demand.
“I’ll be better than civil, Bensy, if it’ll make you happy.”
“It will.”
“But really, my sweet, can you blame me?” Geoffrey turned coy and cranked up the charm. “You have to look at it from my point of view, darling. I can’t help but resent her. You’ve been spending almost all of your time with her ever since she showed up. You’ve been neglecting me terribly and I’ve been ever so lonely. I thought that maybe you were starting to like her more than you like me. I guess I just got jealous.”
Ben sighed. “Oh, please, Geoffrey. Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, you’re certainly not one to talk.”
“I know, Bensy,” Geoff went on, attempting to woo Ben back into his good graces. He stuck his fingers through openings in the chain link fence surrounding the tennis court and stroked Ben’s forearm tenderly. “But you’re not the jealous type. I am. You know I wish that I could be more like you; I’ve often said that. You’re so good and so strong and so patient. I’m just weak and foolish. I know I can be petty and mean sometimes and I know that I’m just a little slut. What did I ever do to deserve someone as good as you? I don’t know why you’ve put up with me all these years, I really don’t, but I’m so glad you have. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
The Nightmare Game Page 34