*Prologue*
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it OK
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here
Sarah McLachlan - Angel
***
Taelon Monthership
Collapsing into his chair, Ronald Sandoval heaved a sigh of mixed relief and exhaustion. After a
17-hour-day of taking care of Companion business, as well as a little of his own, every tense
muscle in his lean body ached, even the slightest movement of his neck sent sharp pains shooting
down his back.
I could really use a good masseuse right about now, the agent mused silently. Maybe I
could go to the club.
It had been several weeks since his last visit and they did give the best massages in the US.
His decision made, Ronald snatched his Global up from the desk with a surreptitious smile that
quickly faded and headed for the shuttle bay.
Maybe today won't be so bad after all.
***
Kobe Gentleman's Club, Washington, D.C.
Alone in the employees dressing room, Erin Morgan finished pinning her silken blonde locks into a
tight braid and took the chance to study herself in the large mirror before her. The make-up was
a little much, the outfit tight and revealing of certain body parts, but at least she didn't
look like a hooker. As one of the few Caucasians in the establishment, she felt very out of
place; she really didn't belong in a place like this, but she had made her decision.
Too late to turn back now.
Until reading her job description, Erin had been very apprehensive about working in a 'sex club',
but the interview had clarified that not all of the employees were contracted to perform sexual
favors for their clients, unless they wanted to. Relieved by this, and the fact that she wouldn't
have to dress like her Asian colleagues, 21-year-old Erin had accepted the job.
And so here she was, getting ready for her first night as a 'female companion for men', trying
her best not to show her nervousness.
A sudden knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts.
"Okay, I'm coming!" she called out, getting to her feet. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to
the door and stepped out into the corridor where one of the other women was waiting for her.
"Ready?" Amanda Callahan asked. She was only a few years older than Erin, but had been at the
club since she 20 and had since become the assistant manger of the establishment.
"I guess so," Erin answered reluctanly.
"Good. One of our best customers just arrived and I think he'd like you. But be careful, he can
get a little strange at times," the other woman warned.
"Strange how?"
"You'll see. Oh, and, er, he's a Companion Protector so try not to act too grossed out when you
see his Skrill."
Erin grimaced slightly but nodded her acknowledgement.
"And remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If he tries anything
inappropriate, just get out of there and I'll take over."
"Okay."
Amanda gave the young woman a reassuring smile and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry,
you'll do fine. Now go on, he's waiting for his massage."
Taking a deep breath, Erin Morgan slowly pulled back the screen-door and stepped inside...
***
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