Mike & Karen Ch. 17

"Two loads, off to the library," Alex said, clearly not feeling any concern. "We're seemingly ahead of schedule, but that's probably my dad allowing too much time so that everyone feels like we're ahead of the game. He's fun like that."

"I'm glad he's in charge, this has been a breeze so far," she said, nodding. "And they're pitching in, too. But I'm seeing other cars here in the driveway I know didn't come with us. More volunteers?"

Alex shook his head and smiled. "Nope, Mister Winson has already begun interviewing potential staff, since they'll need to start soon..."

***

Jordan sat behind the desk in the small office, tucked away on the main floor. Across from him, in a comfortable chair, sat a woman with a bearing of efficiency about her. He estimated her to be in her late thirties or early forties. She sat primly, with her hands folded in her lap, but she wasn't rigid, merely... composed, and perhaps patient. Her hair was a light brown, pulled back in a bun, and she was wearing a long peacoat. She was neither attractive, nor unattractive, but the position she was applying for hardly required aesthetic considerations either. Only efficiency, and the ability to maintain harmony in the Manor, the way the DeBournes would want it.

He looked down at her résumé again, pleased that she'd brought a hard copy, instead of making him refer to an email on the computer sitting on the desk. He'd already seen that, now he needed to assess her attention to detail.

"First off," he said in his clipped British tone, a bit of a rasp in it due to his age. While Karen had initially intended to run the interviews herself, along with her husband, Jordan stepped in and insisted that he be allowed to conduct them, since he was the former seneschal of the Manor, and knew what was required better than just about anybody, herself included. Karen smiled and deferred willingly. "How shall I address you, Miss... Orlova?"

"Thank you, Mister Winson, please call me Tatyana," she said in accented English, although she was perfectly understandable. "If you hire me, it is your former job I would be doing, so I feel it is best if you know me as Tatyana."

"As you wish," he replied, nodding. She returned the gesture, and it carried a note of respect. "I have gone over your résumé, and it seems impressive enough. I do not need you to have similar experience to what you would be doing here, since there are few such opportunities these days. What I would need to determine is how readily you would adapt to your environs and run it with the efficiency and grace your employers would require."

"How many staff would I be in charge of is the first question I have, then," Tatyana stated, her hands gesturing the question. She already liked this man. He was a model of dignity, and if he had run this place for decades, then she wanted to do the same.

Jordan nodded. "We think ten staff, day-to-day, plus any that commute in as deemed necessary. Coordinating schedules is important, but every bit as important is an ability to help maintain an air of serenity and tranquility around the place, do you understand?"

She considered for a moment, looking at him. "May I ask a question so that I can better answer you, sir?"

He smiled and nodded. "Please."

"What are my potential employers like?" she asked. "I figure that you would know them well, and it would be in your interests to be honest with me about what to expect. I've heard some things, of course, but aside from their names, I know nothing concrete."

Jordan nodded. "Mister and Mrs. DeBourne are both internationally respected physicists, and she is the chair and CEO of Blackwell Industries, an obligation she finds somewhat irksome. But she grew up here, and she understands her responsibility to the place and its legacy. Beyond that, she has no intention of keeping it as the stately mausoleum she was raised in and intends to make it a home for her and her family. A place of serenity and tranquility away from a mad world. And a seneschal's part in that task is crucial."

Tatyana listened intently. He liked that she was giving him her full attention, and analyzing what he said, so that she could answer further questions more fully. She had an analytical mind and desire to see the big picture. Good.

"They are the most wondrous people you will ever meet, my dear, both brilliant scholars, and the younger ones, their son and her younger sister, are very much the same. You will want to work for these people."

"That sounds dangerous," she said. "But at the posted pay rate, I could hate them and still do the job for that much."

He smiled. "The pay is indeed generous, and your lodgings and food and expenses are accounted for. And to be honest, maintaining the harmony of the place is more important than strict efficiency. Your job is to keep the place running and sane. Your employers' job will be to tax your resolve in that regard."

She made a wry face. "They are crazy?"

"No, not as such, and certainly not in a negative sense," he allowed. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Good. "But events find these people, and they must deal with them. Therefore, we do what we can to make sure life is normal when they arrive home."

"I can do this," she said confidently. "With a staff of under a dozen, and you as my spirit animal, I am certain I will have this situation well in hand."

"One more question then, my dear," he said. "Can you curtsy? I am not saying it is required of you every time you speak to them, but important people visit this home, and staff must know how to comport themselves at such times. It is a small point, but a vital and non-negotiable one. Can you do this?"

Tatyana nodded simply. "Absolutely."

Jordan stood and leaned across the desk to shake her hand. He had seen the other applicants already over the last few days, and his decision was made. "Then welcome aboard, Tatyana. And welcome home..."

***

St. George Campus, 1985...

"What're you doing, Kar?" Lisa asked from her place sitting on the floor in their dorm room where her bed would hopefully soon be. She was organizing her toiletries kit in a small bag, since they'd be sharing washrooms and showers with the other girls.

"Picking an outfit, darling," Karen called back from inside the closet. "For this afternoon's shopping."

"D'you need to pick something up?" Lisa mused. "And what happened to the clothes you were wearing earlier today?"

"That skirt, while attractive, would prove something of a hindrance to our shopping venture is all," came the response.

"Our shopping venture?" Lisa queried, looking up, slightly confused. "I'm coming along?"

"You need a bed, don't you?" reasoned Karen's melodic voice, still in the closet. "I thought we should get on that immediately, so to speak."

"Kar, I..." Lisa faltered, trying to formulate the words. Hell, she still wasn't used to calling her roomie 'Kar', since they'd only known each other for about five hours. "I'm sorry, I can't afford a new bed, and the uni already said they don't have one to give me right away. I've got a sleeping bag, I can-"

"Nonsense," Karen declared, exiting the closet and coming out into their bedroom, clad only in her lacy bra and dainty matching panties while carrying two dresses over her arm. "If necessary, I'll get a bed for you, and you can- Lisa?"

Karen looked at her new friend curiously. Lisa seemed to be frozen or stuck on 'Pause', staring at Karen rather blankly.

"What?" the bronze-haired girl asked, before following Lisa's gaze and looking down at herself. "Oh. You mean me in my underwear? Sorry..."

Lisa's eyes somehow widened even further when Karen undid her front-clasp bra and pulled it free, her large, lovely breasts springing free. Despite their size, they sat high on her chest, capped with dusky pink nipples. Lisa just gaped as her new roommate bent over and slipped out of her panties next, revealing her pussy, shaved except for a single strip of coppery hair sitting just atop it.

"Better?" Karen asked, her hands resting lightly on her hips while she turned to face Lisa in glorious nudity. "I admit, I'm not much for clothes either when in private, I love the feel of being naked and- eep!"

She sprang forward and managed to grab onto Lisa as the girl's eyes almost rolled up into her head and she tipped over. Karen kept her head from bouncing off the floor and cradled her for several moments, looking down into her pale face.

"Well, this won't do, will it?" she sighed.

Lisa blinked and turned her head just slightly to look up into Karen's lovely face. "W-what won't?"

"We can't very well have you fainting every time you see me in my underwear or naked, because it tends to be a habit of mine," Karen stated, gently stroking a thumb along Lisa's cheek. "Turn your head slightly to the left."

Slowly, very slowly, Lisa did as she was told, turning her head. She was greeted by the sight of Karen's large and full breasts, a scant centimeter or two away from her face. She prayed that she wasn't drooling.

"You're going to be seeing these a lot if we're to be roommates, darling," Karen said gently. "I suggest you best get used to it. You losing all capacity for rational thought at the sight of my boobs was cute and funny once, but if it goes on, you'll make for dreadful conversation. And I do so abhor dreadful conversation."

"Buh..." Lisa managed to say.

"Exactly, I'm glad we agree," Karen agreed, hugging Lisa in closer, squashing her face into her soft bosom. "So, say hello, and then we can move on."

"Hmffffffff..." Lisa mumbled as her face disappeared inside Karen's cleavage. Moments later, Karen removed her head and sat her up, rubbing her back while holding her steady. Lisa blinked and shook her head slightly, her kinky red hair dancing over her shoulders.

"Don't worry," Karen said soothingly. "They have that effect on just about everybody, myself included."

"Can you even see your feet?" Lisa asked, still not quite back to reality.

Karen giggled, a sound that sent a thrill up Lisa's spine, and also right to her pussy.

"I'm sorry I kinda lost it there. I... I guess I'll just admit it, I've been sure for a while that I like girls."

"I could have told you that," Karen said easily, smiling. "I take it you have tried boys in the past and it never worked, or just felt wrong?"

Lisa made a pained face. "Y'don't think I'm weird or a perv, do you?"

"Well, if you are, it's certainly not because you like girls," stated her roommate rather firmly. "I happen to like girls myself."

Lisa's eyes widened. "You're... you're a lesbian?"

"Well, no," Karen amended, stroking Lisa's red hair now. "I like boys too, so I guess you could say I'm bisexual. But most of my relationships have been with girls. Boys are fun to have sex with, whereas I tend to form emotional bonds as lovers with girls."

Lisa looked at the floor and said nothing.

"Come," Karen said, helping her stand. "I still need to pick an outfit to shop in. I know there's a store down the street on College that-"

"Kar?"

"Yes, darling?"

Lisa took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry I just interrupted you, please forgive me. But... how on earth can I let you buy me a bed? We met less than six hours ago. Can you afford it, even?"

Karen's look of amusement made Lisa blush, as if she'd missed something. "Lisa, sweetheart, have you heard of Blackwell Industries?"

Lisa nodded. "Well, yeah, my dad has a computer system made by them."

"My surname is Gordon, because that's my mother's maiden name. But my father's surname is Blackwell, as in Jonathon Blackwell, Chairman and CEO of Blackwell Industries, and god-emperor of that empire."

Lisa just stared. She couldn't do anything else.

"So yes, I think I can afford to buy a bed for you," Karen continued. "Do you intend to come with me, or will you be trusting your mattress type to my judgment?"

Lisa found her voice. "Will they even be able to deliver a mattress today?"

"Probably not, but the sooner we order it, the sooner you'll have it. It might be as soon as tomorrow."

The redhead considered. "I... suppose one night on my floor in my sleeping bag won't kill-"

"Absolutely not."

Lisa looked up at Karen again. "Huh?"

"There is no way that my roommate is sleeping on the floor when my bed is more than big enough for both of us," Karen declared. "If you can get over me sleeping naked, then I insist you share my bed until such time as yours arrives."

Lisa closed her eyes, and Karen tilted her head curiously. "Is there a problem with that idea?"

"A really big one," Lisa said in a quiet voice, her eyes still closed. "And I... Karen, if you let me stay in your bed..."

She opened her eyes and looked at her friend earnestly. "I'm kinda worried that I won't ever want to leave it."

Now Karen was quiet for a moment, but then spoke. "Do you snore?"

"Not... not that I know of."

"Gastrointestinal issues at night?"

"O-only if I have too many blintzes on Shavuot," Lisa admitted, blushing slightly.

"Do you talk in your sleep?"

"I... don't think so?" offered the redhead.

"You don't sleep with lots of clothes on, do you?" Karen asked.

Lisa shook her head. "Most I ever wear is a long shirt and panties, but usually just panties or nude."

Karen smiled warmly and put her hand on Lisa's cheek. "Then I have absolutely no problem with you sharing my bed for as long as we're roomies, my dear. We'll have the other one on the opposite wall for appearances, or in case one of us has a visitor."

Lisa just nodded, spellbound.

"So, we get dressed and go find a bed for you, we'll stop to eat somewhere, and then we come back and go to bed, quite naked. What say you?"

"This sounds like the best bad idea I've ever agreed to..." Lisa breathed.

***

The Bridle Path, nowadays...

Jordan looked at the résumé for some seconds, and then up at the person sitting across from him. There was silence for a while as he looked down at the papers again. There'd been no email version of the résumé, just this paper copy.

"So... your name is Trilby," he ventured.

The girl slim girl with long, honey-blonde hair nodded. Her hazel eyes were somewhat concealed by round-framed John Lennon glasses. Her shirt was tie-dyed a series of lovely but garish colours. Both shirt and pants seemed to be made of hemp. "Yeah, it's Trilby."

"An unusual name these days, or any days, really." Jordan mused.

"My parents raised me on a commune," she replied. "I get that a lot."

"I do not doubt this," agreed the old man. "Do you have a last name, my dear? There doesn't seem to be one here on your resume."

She shrugged. "It's okay to call me Trilby."

"Indeed," Jordan said, trying to keep the sigh out of his voice. Clearly this interview would have to be exceptional. He'd given her a call the week before simply because the resume was so incomplete, and he was intrigued. "You're applying for the position of housekeeper."

The hippie girl nodded.

"But according to this résumé you've sent in, you've never had any formal employment in this capacity," he pointed out. "Would you care to elucidate?"

"If that word means 'explain', then sure," she said, finally sitting up and not slouching in her chair. Her little purse sitting in her lap was covered in beads, and despite the weather, she was wearing a hemp headband. Oddly enough, she didn't reek of marijuana, which Jordan fully had expected from looking at her.

Trilby continued. "Like I said, I was raised in a commune in Muskoka, one of those stereotypical ones everybody thinks of- everyone working for the greater good, making our own clothes, growing our own food, producing our own power and electricity from corn or hemp oil, that sorta thing. And since I was mostly too young to do the heavy stuff, I spent a lot of time doing the cleaning up, y'know?"

"Not exactly, but do go on, please," Jordan encouraged.

She gestured around herself, as if to indicate her current environs. "This place of yours, and the grounds, it's about half the size of the commune, you see? And I had to clean up, all day, every day, after nearly two hundred hippie slobs. So if you've got a feather duster and a vacuum cleaner, I'm pretty sure I can handle this by myself."

"We are interviewing for one other housekeeper, so you needn't worry about taking care of everything by yourself, should you be engaged," Jordan said. "But if I may ask..."

She gestured with her fingers, indicating permission to proceed.

"Why, Miss Trilby, w-"

"No need for the 'Miss' part," she corrected. "Trilby'll be fine."

Jordan regrouped and proceeded. "If you still ascribe to the values as put forth by your life in a commune, which I deduce you must, given your general appearance and manners, why, then, would you want to come and work in a manor owned by unimaginably wealthy people? One would think this would be anathema to you."

She smirked. "I saw the pay, old man, it's really good. Plus, a place to live and properly prepared food? Yeah, I can play the capitalist game, as long as they're fair with me."

"One final question, my dear, before this interview concludes," he stated.

Her expression darkened behind her glasses. Had she blown it? "What is it?"

Jordan stood and reached his hand across the table, smiling. "Can you curtsy?"

***

Elsewhere in the Manor...

"Alex, this place is off the hook," Wade mentioned as they walked down a hallway on the third floor. They were dropping off boxes containing framed art and portraits in the guest rooms. "Think we can snag one to use as a gaming room?"

"Actually, my dad already suggested that and is working on it, I'm told," Alex replied as he led the small group into one of the rooms and directed two of his helpers to put down their boxes before proceeding to the next suite. "Since he still games with some of his old buddies on occasion, we'd share it, and I deferred to him about décor. I trust him."

"Still weird to me to hear that the prof plays roleplay games," said a girl named Rachel, walking near Alex. "I mean, I tend to think of that as geeky kids' stuff."

Alex chuckled. "Dad started playing in the mid-seventies when he was just a kid. I think my grandparents got his first D&D set when he was around eight, and it was a new thing. He's loved it ever since. Do you still do some things you loved when you were a kid?"

"Yeah, I guess," she replied.

"D'you plan to stop doing them later in life because younger people think it's dumb, or you're too old, even if you still enjoy it?"

"Well, no."

"That's why Gen X still plays D&D, Rach," he laughed. "They know a good thing when they see it."

"So where'll the room be?" Wade queried as they dropped off more boxes in another room.

"Somewhere mom doesn't have to be exposed to it, she thinks it's really dorky..." Alex chuckled.

***

A room in a sub-basement, beneath the main building...

Mike had Karen pushed up against the wall, her thighs hoisted and resting on his, and her knees behind his waist. They panted as they looked into one another's eyes while he thrust his powerful hips back and forth, driving his massive cock deep inside her pussy. Karen shivered every time her lower back thumped against the wall behind her, but she kept squeezing around him, in perfect rhythm with her husband's thrusts. Her blouse was pulled open and his huge hands were fondling and groping her breasts, as only he could.

"And for once... we can be as loud as we want," he said almost breathlessly as he felt her contracting around him, her inner muscles devilish in their technique and strength. "Nobody followed us down, and nothing's coming down here today..."

"I wouldn't have cared... if you took me in the grand foyer, in front of anyone," Karen managed to say, her body absolutely on fire as she reveled in the feeling of his cock so very deep inside her. They fucked whenever they could, and since she had been off birth control for a while now, her libido was out of control. She was only mostly kidding about letting him fuck her upstairs in front of anyone. "I just needed you, my love. I'm sure... Alex... Alli, and- gnnn!- and Jordan have everything in hand for the next few minutes..."