I hated it. I was now dressed in a maroon smock and matching pants. I don't mind a little private humiliation, but this was going to be all too public.

"I think you look cute", Katy commented." But you'll look better when I put you in a corset and heels.

I sneered at her.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to remember that. It might be useful under a bizarre set of circumstances."

She led me out of my room and into the foyer of the house. It was the first time I had been in the main part of the house. Up to that point, Katy had kept me out of the main public areas. I was more than impressed with the decor, in fact if I'd had a choice; I would have never gone into a place like this.

I froze for a moment at the doorway looking around.

"What's wrong?" Katy asked. "Did you see someone?"

"No, it just that.well I'm not used to a place like this. I'm a pretty common sort of guy."

She smiled in reassurance.

"Common is not how I would describe you. Now, remember who you are."

"Who I am?" I was a bit puzzled by what she meant

"You are Mistress Minx's slave. A cut above the common." she reminded me.

Mistress Minx's slave. Deep breath.

"Lead on Miss Katy."



She led me across the vast lobby to the main desk and introduced me to the head clerk.

"Mr. Freeman will be working here for the time being. Show him how you want things done."

The head clerk sniffed disdainfully at me and asked if I'd had any resort experience at all.

"No sir. I'm afraid not." I apologized.

He looked at Katy.

"Is he another one of Mrs. Queen's pets, Miss Katherine?" he asked sourly.

"Yes Mr. Terwilliger."

His eyes rolled back in his head.

"I hope he's more competent than the last one. Well we'll see what happens." he said.

I listened carefully as he outlined what he expected of me. I would be assisting him at the desk to start with as a bellboy.

I wasn't the best bellboy he'd ever had, but he did concede I was far from the worst.

I learned how to pack things properly, how to unpack a bag and lay things out, and how to avoid problems with women who wanted to make more intimate use of me.

That was only part of my day.

I studied with a massage therapist and learned how to give a proper massage. I worked in the salon and learned how to do a pedicure and a manicure. I studied chemistry and learned how to mix hair dyes and solutions properly.

Some of my previous experience with super glue came in handy when one of the other people accidentally glued himself to a client.

Nail polish remover takes it right off.

Mr. Terwilliger had me do some of the bookkeeping and in fact my computer skills even saved the Spa some money.

My morning jog with Katy was still a pain, although I was getting a bit better at carrying her. She just kept increasing the distance and time.

"Are you trying to get me in shape to run a marathon?" I asked after we finished one day.

"And why not? You're in pretty good shape for a man your age." she said flatly.

The tone of her voice hurt me slightly. A man of my age.

"You are my physical trainer Miss Katy. And my Mistress by proxy. Am I failing to perform or serve properly?" I asked cautiously.

"You are doing very well. Better in some ways then I expected. Your body is becoming fitter everyday. The reports I have from Emma on your self-defense training show a latent ability. And the fencing lessons from Mrs. Hoffmann aren't hurting you either."

"Thank you Miss Katy."

"But you are not spending enough time serving women. I'm going to have you moved to the salon and the kitchen. "

I tried to control my nervousness. Up to that point I had pretty well managed to stay in the background unnoticed.

"Yes Miss Katy. When do you want me to start?" I asked.

"This afternoon. This morning I want you to take me to town."

I wasn't sure if I had heard her correctly.

"Excuse me Miss Katy? You want me to take you off the grounds?" I asked.

"Yes, I need to pick up some people in town and the other drivers aren't available. You do drive don't you?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure I should leave the grounds."

"I am in charge of you. You weren't planning on running away were you?" she smiled.

"No Miss Katy."

"Good. Get changed and meet me in the lobby in ten minutes."



I did as I was told, although I was still a bit nervous about it.

Once I was off the grounds I could escape if I wanted to.

The idea of freedom again tempted me. But freedom to do what? To return to my old life, my old habits?

But I could go home again. My house, my bed. My books and comforts.

But did they still exist? What had happened to my things while I was gone?

At what a price though.

I would lose Mistress Minx.

The second night at the spa I had picked up the telephone in my room. It worked. I was tempted to call someone. Anyone, just to hear a voice that was not under the control of Ay'esha.

I put the phone back down carefully.

Who could I call? And again the question of why?



When Katy and I reached the guard post the guard just looked at us, and then waved us through.

I drove down the highway as Katy chattered away about things happening at the spa that I was too busy to notice. It was a nice day and listening to Katy I felt alive and aware of the world after my isolation.

She directed me to the small airport and ordered me to stop in front of the main terminal.

I got out and helped load the bags into the van as Katy introduced me to the new guests.

"Charles, this is Janice. She's a very old friend of mine." Katy said and I bowed in respect.

Janice was a large woman with her hair in a bun and a motherly presence.

"Well he's sure trained well Katy. Is he one of your boys?" Janice asked smiling at me.

"No, he's just well mannered." Katy denied

"That's not quite true Miss Janice. She's the one that's keeping me in line. Otherwise I'd be a real pain in the ass." I said without thinking.

Katy looked at me in shock and I started to apologize for my language when it was cut off by Janice's laughter.

"I like him. He's not afraid to speak up." she roared.

The woman standing behind her however had a little different take on that.