The Brothel Ch. 06

"I want to meet the others that came in with me. The girl you showed me."

Joseph nodded.

Training sessions Etiquette – Dinah Hygiene and Cosmetology – Carrie Poise and Posture – Suzanne Dance – Tina Anatomy – Greg Male Sexuality and Fellatio – John Female Sexuality and Cunnilingus – Laura Toys – Joseph

"The first four training sessions I can set up for times I am working with Katy. I think you'll like all of them. The last four I will have to accompany you."

"How long do they last?"

"It varies. There will be practicals that you will have to pass or they will continue to work with you until you do."

"Is this the John I met?" I don't know if I can do this.

"It is." He noticed her discomfort. "I've known John for a long time. He shares your gift for seeing the person inside the skin. He is only kind and loving. He will make it as easy as possible for you." Gwen slipped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder. "I will tell you a secret to survival now." She looked up at him from his shoulder. "I call it chambering." He was so serious. "We are actors. What shows on the outside with a client is not always what we feel on the inside. When I have to do something difficult, I take the feelings that are the essence of me and put them in a little box deep inside me where I can keep them safe. On the outside I act as I am required to act, I do what I am required to do, but I keep me safe."

"You said you were angry."

"I was for a long time. They beat me into submission. I think my eyes looked like Rachel's did that first time you met her."

"What happened?"

"John... he spent a lot of time talking to me. He saw the person that was hidden deep inside and helped me to bring him back. It was excruciatingly painful for me."

"Do you hate them?"

"Who?"

"The others... Julia, the man who kidnapped you, the clients?"

"I used to. John made me realize that it took a lot of energy to hate and that it only hurt me. Sometimes I feel nothing for them, but I usually make an effort to try to love them."

"Like Frankl."

"It was John who suggested I read him as well."

"Do you act with me?"

"I will have to sometimes because it is required. Sometimes I will even lie. I will tell you later though." He sighed. "With you I will rarely put those feelings away. If I do, it will make it harder for you to bring yours back."

"You will suffer for me." Joseph nodded. It was a conscious choice he was making to help her. "Can you tell me what happened in the sacrifice room?"

He paused a long time before he answered, "Not yet." After several minutes he gathered himself and continued.

Performance Evaluations Clients Trainers Evaluator 1.Daily Evaluations 2.Other reports

He pointed to the page on the clipboard, "You are always being evaluated. I can't stress enough how important the evaluations are. The evaluations are used to place you in categories. The higher your category the more control you will have over your situation. Everything is kept in a file. There is a point system." He tapped the clipboard with his finger. "Do you have any questions?"

Gwen pointed to the next section, "What is my evaluator reward?"

"It is left up to me."

"If it is left up to you, then I will trust that it will be good!" Joseph smiled as Gwen continued reading.

Upon completion of Training: Level One the student will receive: 6-digit code to allow access to immediate living area, computer, dining facilities, salons, exercise facilities Evaluator reward

Upon completion of Training: Level One each student will be required to: Receive a limited number of selected clients Participate in Special Events as assigned

"It doesn't mention clothes here."

"They come after the third level."

Gwen sighed in disappointment, "Do I get to see those check lists?"

Joseph smiled. "When you finish the first level I'll give you the check list for the second."

Gwen nodded. "Well, we might as well start at the top. Is there a list of all of these rules somewhere?"

Joseph nodded and pulled the papers off the clipboard. He put a list of rules on top and slipped the papers back under the clamp and offered it back to Gwen. Most of the rules he had explained to her the day before.

LEVEL I RULES Never tell a client your real name Never discuss your personal life with a client Never request a client to contact family or friends outside the complex Never request a client to contact law enforcement Never share personal information about other members of the staff with clients You are to be accompanied by your evaluator or a designated trainer at all times within the complex When not accompanied by your evaluator or a designated trainer, you are to be locked in your room Never refuse an assigned task Never complain about an assigned task You are to be professional at all times with clients Never make a client feel that they are repulsive in any way

"What happens if someone violates these rules?

"It depends on the rule and the severity. It also depends on how penitent someone is and how many times they violate a particular rule. Sometimes we are able to reason with people. Sometimes hunger or cold are all that are required. If that doesn't work, scaring them, or pain. If it is a complaint by a client that is validated, it is almost always pain. Clients don't all look like Adam. Most of them are old and fat. Some of them have a hard time completing the act. A lot of them smell like stale cigarettes and alcohol. Some of them smell of body odor. None of that can show on your face. You have to respond to each one like you did to Adam."

Hygiene Shower daily You are required to keep yourself presentable at all times with hair styled and makeup if required You are required to brush and floss your teeth twice daily Other enhancements such as hair removal or access to a tanning bed will be included at the trainer's discretion

"I don't have a toothbrush."

"We'll take care of that. How long does it usually take you to get ready?"

"About twenty minutes if I shower. No makeup. I just scrunch my hair wet with mousse. I like long showers. Of course, I don't have to dress, so probably fifteen."

"See, it's a time saver!"

"Very funny."

Health You will be required to maintain a healthy diet and esthetically pleasing figure You will be required to participate in an exercise program designed by your evaluator

"We can continue to swim for now. We'll add weights or running later if you lose some of that modesty.

If you are overweight upon arrival, you will be put on a weight loss regimen and vigorous exercise program If you come in as an alcoholic or drug user, you will be monitored and weaned There is no smoking allowed in the complex except by clients in limited trick rooms Drug use is not permitted except under the direction of the doctor Certain easily treated diseases are managed within the complex. These include, but are not limited to STD's, bladder and other infections, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems, hormone management and diabetes Females will be required to take birth control pills on a daily basis Any suspected pregnancy is to be reported immediately You will have a physical exam, including labs, every six months You will have a urine test monthly If you are having symptoms of any kind you are to report them to your evaluator You will have a dental exam yearly Dental problems including removal of wisdom teeth will be handled in the complex

"The girl you saw? The drug addict? She is better off here. You can ask the others who came here hooked. They get good food, medical care. Their tricks are no rougher than the ones they turned on the street and they are protected. They might not be happy at first, but they all change their minds after a while."

Training You are required to obey your evaluator You are required to obey your trainers You are required to read and view all materials in the curriculum You are required to pass all tests and quizzes with a grade of ninety percent or better You are required to complete all practicals to the satisfaction of your evaluator You are required to progress in your training at a rate that is acceptable to your evaluator

Performance You are required to obey your clients A client should always believe that you look forward to being with them and pleasing them A client should always believe that you enjoy being with them Always remember your client could be a very powerful person Make your client feel important Never give a client any cause to complain Remember that you are always being evaluated

"I'll leave this copy with you. I'll give you the quiz in a few days. Do you have any

questions?"

"Yes."

"Shoot."

"What rules do you have to follow?"

"These and more."

"What in addition?"

That little sigh again, "One in particular that I would like you to understand." Gwen waited as he gathered his thoughts, "I am required to respond to you. You remember when you asked if I participated in extra-curricular sex?" Gwen nodded. "I don't know exactly how to explain this." He paused, "Before I came here I went to church every Sunday. I read from the Bible and learned the Ten Commandments. I was taught that it was wrong to have sex outside of marriage. I don't know if it might have changed later, but I planned on being a virgin when I married. I do what I do here because I am compelled, but I have this desire still to do what is right. On the other hand, I find you very attractive. I think I am really starting to like you. If we were out in the real world I might even ask you out. In this world, if you come on to me, I am obligated, by the rules, to respond. In the real world, if you came on to me, I would hope that I would have the strength to say no."

Gwen looked into his eyes. "I think I would like that."

"What?"

"If you would have asked me out."

Joseph smiled and pulled her up. He led her back into the hallway. The office was opposite her door not far to the left, to its right was a supply closet. Joseph entered his key-code and entered the room. He got a steno notebook and pen, a box of tampons and a small plastic tub encased in shrink-wrap that contained a toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, a cup, a squeeze bottle, a brush and comb, and a roll of trash bags.

"How do you do hair removal?"

"Depilatory."

He handed her a bottle of hair removal cream and a washcloth. "You can take care of that in your room. He took two jugs of water off the shelf and followed her back to her room. Before they left, Gwen took a quick look at the rest of the items on the shelves. He led her into the bathroom to the right of the supply room. There were showers and a commode and two vanities with shelving. There was a towel on a hook with her name above it. The shower had a shelf with several shampoos, conditioners and body washes. The vanity had several kinds of face wash and lotions and creams. There was a blow dryer and a shelf with mousse, hairspray and gels of various kinds.

"Go on to your room and I'll be in in a minute after I print off the histories."

Gwen nodded. He followed her into the room a few minutes later clipping more papers to the clipboard. He sat on the bed again with his back to the wall, pen in hand. This time he put the pillow on his lap and patted it. She accepted his invitation and lay down with her head in his lap.

"Describe your history of drug use."

Joseph wrote as Gwen talked. "I have smoked marijuana. Twice the summer I was sixteen, half a dozen times over the next year and a half."

"How much did you smoke?"

"Maybe a half a joint the first few times. Never more than one joint."

Gwen waited while the pen scratched and Joseph spoke again, "Describe your history of alcohol use.

"I drank about half a beer sometimes in the evenings during the second summer and one time that fall I got completely smashed at Brian's dorm. I didn't like throwing up though, so after that I would stop at one. I did change over to mixed drinks though. I like rum and coke."

"The night you were abducted?"

"I had two rum and cokes. I think I drank a little more during the competition. The guys there kept offering it to me. Maybe a couple more."

"And that's all?"

"Yes."

Again Gwen waited until he finished writing and changed papers.

"Name."

"Gwendolyn Rose Parker."

"Date of Birth."

"March 28th, 1987."

"Place of birth."

"Lincoln, Nebraska."

"Mother's name."

"Kathryn Miller Parker."

"Father."

"Jonathan Robert Parker."

"Grandparents living?"

"My mother's parents are both dead. My father's are alive."

"Where do they live?"

"Arizona."

"Father's occupation."

"Accountant."

"Mother."

"Homemaker."

"Siblings."

"A sister, Nora." Gwen was surprised when a wave of emotion overwhelmed her. Joseph saw and looked away until she could compose herself.

"Level of education."

"Graduated from high school, a year and a half of college."

"Field of study."

"English."

"Work experience."

Gwen sighed, "I helped with lambing and ranch work. Took care of the animals on the range, tractors, fencing, hay, harvesting. I worked in an office part-time after that, and fast food. I waitressed in the city for a year and a half."

"Hobbies."

"None, really. Hard work. Swimming. Writing, I guess. Running. Lifting. Dancing. Reading."

Joseph changed the papers again. He could tell Gwen was subdued and didn't speak.

"Your parents were married/divorced?"

"Married."

"Tell me about your mom."

"There's nothing to tell." He couldn't mistake the edge in her voice. He set the clipboard down and studied her. She tried to hold back the tears, but they came anyway. He left the room for a moment and brought back a box of Kleenex, handing one to Gwen. She stood as she took it and backed against the wall crumpling it in her fist. "I can't do this." Her voice was quiet, but intense.

Joseph approached her and she turned away as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Go ahead and cry, but tell me anyway. You'll feel better. Everyone is homesick."

"Homesick!" The whole story came tumbling out then filled with anger and hurt and resentment. How her mother had kicked Nora out, how her parents never talked to each other or her, how she had loved the ranch and Brian and his parents, about the pregnancy and how everyone had reacted, about the rumors and her mother's email, about how everyone had shunned her in town, how Brian had sent the website to everyone. "I never want to see them again! Never talk to them! I never want to go back there again. I hate them all! I hate them all!"

Joseph stood in front of her listening and then looking down on her in silence as she tried to catch her breath and regain some composure. She was trembling and couldn't stop crying. Her head felt like it would explode and her sinuses were stopped up. The muscles in her back and neck were tense and sore. She was suddenly aware that Joseph was close. She looked up and all she could see was his jaw. She closed her eyes as his arms came around her. She didn't know why she couldn't stop crying.

Finally the crying stopped and then the trembling. He still had his arms around her and she realized she had a wad of his shirt crumpled in her fist at the small of his back. She hiccupped and pulled away.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

She shuddered involuntarily as she took a deep breath. "You got a little more than you bargained for."

"It needed to come out. You had a lot all bottled up inside."

Gwen nodded and hiccupped again. "You aren't going to put all of that in there are you?"

"No. Just the basics. I'll let you see it before I put it on the computer." He pointed to the camera. "It only records video. No sound."

"They probably don't even care that I'm gone."

Joseph cupped his hand behind her neck and pulled her close kissing her on the temple. He backed away and smiled and handed her another Kleenex. He sat next to her on the bed as she blotted her eyes and nose. She leaned into him hiccupping again as she felt another round of tears start. Joseph lifted her under her thighs and laid her back on the bed and then lay at her side, cradling her in the crook of his arm. He stroked her face and shoulders and kissed her over and over on the forehead letting her cry herself out. The tears started again when she told him about Morrison.

He let her wash her face and they went to lunch. She ate a little and brought an apple away with her. He took her to the library and chose several books for her to read before leaving her to work with Katy.

Gwen took a nap instead of reading. She had the book open, but nothing made sense to her. Her head was still pounding and though she was tense she felt as weak as a kitten. The next thing she knew Joseph was in the room again. He was leaning over giving her a kiss on the head. She rolled over and looked at him in confusion. He smelled freshly showered and had on cologne. He had on a golf shirt and shorts and flip-flops. He was holding a glass from the cafeteria with three pink roses. "One of the clients brought them for Julia. She said I could take these."

"What for?"

"For you, silly." He looked suddenly ill at ease. "I came to ask you out on a date."

"A date?"

"Are you always this loopy when you wake up?"

Gwen brought her hands to her face trying to orient. "Where?"

"That's a surprise." He handed her the roses and she sat up smelling them.

"I'm not really up to being around other people."

"It won't be other people. I think you will like it."

Finally she agreed and Joseph led her to the bathroom to run a brush through her hair and wash her face. Her face was still blotchy and her eyes were puffy. Joseph took her hand as he led her down the hall. The halls were busier than she had seen them, but people were on the way to their own appointments and merely nodded or smiled at them.

Joseph opened a door and beckoned Gwen through. There was an older lady with long straight silver hair in a bun behind a desk. Joseph introduced her as Bess and was told that room three was ready. He pushed a swinging door and Gwen followed him into another short hallway and a room with a three on the door. There was a woman in her fifties in a white coat with the sleeves rolled up.

"This is Karen. Karen, this is Dianna."

Karen smiled at her and motioned to a table covered with towels that stood between them. "Dianna, it's nice to meet you. If you will lie down on your stomach." Gwen obeyed as Karen poured oil on her hands. There was a hole in the bench for her face. After a few minutes of massage with hot oils Gwen looked up slightly and opened one eye. Joseph was sitting in the corner smiling at her.

"This is good." She closed her eyes again and let the tension seep away.

Her arms were hanging over the edge of the table and she felt his fingers touch hers when the masseuse was done. She smiled with her eyes closed.

"We're not done yet."

Gwen grunted. Joseph kissed her hand and tugged on it.

"It's not far."

Gwen allowed him to lead her from the table to another room at the end of the hallway. She smiled as he led her into a wood lined sauna and spread a towel for her to sit on.

"I'll be back in a minute." He returned in moments bare-chested with a towel wrapped around his waist. He turned a faucet to drip on the rocks, turned a timer on and settled himself with his back to the wall cradling her in his arms. "Are you feeling better?"

She smiled lazily and reached to touch his face, "I am."

"Karen is the best."

"I am so grateful, Joseph. Thank you."

"So you would go out with me again?"

She smiled and nodded.

"You smell so good."

"I'm slippery."

"It's good for your skin." She grabbed hold of him as he pretended to drop her and then pulled her to him laughing. "Are you feeling more comfortable in front of me?"