<\/p>\n
alan ross<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He was waiting for her when she arrived. \u00a0Her staff had done the
\nnecessary prep work with their usual efficiency. \u00a0He was strapped into
\nthe chair in the center of the small, bare room. \u00a0A hood covered his
\nhead. \u00a0She took the file folder from the back of the chair and sat
\ndown in front of him to read over the notes. \u00a0It was nothing
\nunexpected. \u00a0The usual executive. \u00a0Over-worked and over-stressed,
\nlooking for an hour’s escape. \u00a0She put the file away and pulled the
\nhood from his head.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Mr. Ross? \u00a0I am Marquesa.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He blinked at the sudden transition from light to darkness. \u00a0He
\nblinked against the light and then focused on her. \u00a0She was seated
\nvery close to him. \u00a0He was used to sitting across the table from the
\npowerful and the famous but he found that her gaze disturbed him. \u00a0Her
\ngreen eyes penetrated him. \u00a0He felt as though she knew his thoughts.
\nKnew everything he had ever done. \u00a0Every embarrassment, every private
\nact. \u00a0He felt himself blushing under her eyes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa understood his reaction perfectly. \u00a0She was accustomed to it.
\nHe was not wrong. \u00a0She was in fact looking within him or, perhaps,
\nlistening would be a better word. \u00a0She had been born with the ability
\nto reach beyond her own mind, the gift of seeing within others,
\nsensing their feelings, sometimes even their thoughts and memories.
\nHis reaction to it, however, was somewhat unusual in her experience.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Are these restraints really necessary?” he asked, a note of anger in his
\nvoice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Typically, men grew timid in her presence. \u00a0Her beauty would have been
\nenough to reduce most men to an awkward silence. \u00a0The force of her
\nspirit searching them took care of the rest. \u00a0This one, however, was
\nunaccustomed to being in the weaker position to anyone else. \u00a0His
\nresponse was to lash out, to try to assert himself. \u00a0Marquesa smiled.
\nHe was wasting his time in a battle of wills with her, but it might
\nprove entertaining at least.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“They’re for your safety, Mr. Ross. \u00a0Sometimes my clients find the
\nexperience\u2026 \u00a0Overwhelming. \u00a0We wouldn’t want you to injure yourself.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He frowned, “And the hood?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa shrugged, “A little sensory deprivation. \u00a0It helps to make
\nyou more focused once your sight is restored. \u00a0Trust me, Mr. Ross\u2026 \u00a0I
\nhave been doing this for quite a long time.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Well, it had better be good considering what I’m paying for it.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa frowned. \u00a0She found discussions of money to be crass. \u00a0It
\nnever occurred to her to bring up her own wealth which, she was quite
\ncertain, far surpassed whatever this arrogant little creature might
\nhave been able to scrounge together. \u00a0Still, Marquesa knew from
\nexperience that this arrogant bluster would not survive the next few
\nminutes. \u00a0It never did.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I’m sure you will be more than satisfied. \u00a0Shall we begin?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa took the remote control and pressed a button. \u00a0The lights in
\nthe room dimmed. \u00a0Over her shoulder, a pattern of swirling, dancing
\nlights began to play against the wall. \u00a0Calmly, in a voice so quiet he
\nhad to focus on it in order to make out her words, Marquesa told him
\nto look at the lights. \u00a0To watch the pattern. \u00a0As his eyes followed
\nthe lights, she spoke to him softly, slowly. \u00a0She watched as his eyes
\ngradually lost their focus, as his jaw sagged slightly leaving his
\nlips parted. \u00a0She watched the rise and fall of his chest as his
\nbreathing slowed. \u00a0Her experience revealed dozens of small outward
\nsigns that showed he had entered into a deep trance. \u00a0Her natural
\ngifts allowed her to perceive even more. \u00a0She felt his mind go quiet.
\nShe felt the emptiness that would permit her to fill it with anything
\nshe chose.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Over the next few minutes she did exactly that, crafting a new reality
\nfor him with her words. \u00a0Again, her experience let her know when he
\nwas fully immersed in the new world that she had created within his
\nmind and her gifts allowed her to perceive the waves of pleasure that
\nwere filling his body and mind.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa flipped off the projection which had now served its purpose.
\nIt would not be needed again. \u00a0The triggers she had implanted in his
\nmind would allow her to take him in and out of trance again instantly
\nand at will. \u00a0She walked out of the small examination room, flipping
\noff the light as she closed the door. \u00a0He sat alone in the small room.
\nHis body in darkness, but his mind alive in the light of the world
\nMarquesa had placed him in.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She returned an hour later. \u00a0He was just as she had left him, of
\ncourse. \u00a0Absolutely still, his unblinking eyes staring into forever.
\nShe sat down in front of him and, after a moment, spoke the trigger
\nthat would return him to the room. \u00a0He gasped once and then shuddered.
\nHe looked around in confusion for a moment and then his eyes fixed on
\nher again. \u00a0His mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He cleared his throat and managed, at least, to speak, “How\u2026 \u00a0How long?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa smiled, “A little over an hour.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“An hour? \u00a0It seemed like seconds.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She shrugged, “Time is whatever I wish it to be. \u00a0Tell me what you
\nremember.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He tried to focus on it, tried to recall all of the details. \u00a0It was
\nlike trying to grab a handful of sand: it kept slipping away through
\nhis fingers. \u00a0It was vivid, but so unlike anything he had ever known
\nthat it was difficult for him to describe.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I\u2026 \u00a0I don’t know where I was. \u00a0All I remember is light. \u00a0I felt like
\nI was floating in light. \u00a0Almost like being in a warm pool, but it was
\nlight. \u00a0And I\u2026 \u00a0You were there! \u00a0I was\u2026 \u00a0I was worshipping you.
\nPraying to you. \u00a0I could see you. \u00a0I think you were all I could see.
\nI just kept praying to you over and over again. \u00a0Thanking you. \u00a0And
\nevery time I did, I felt\u2026 \u00a0I don’t even know how to put it into words.
\nIt was physical pleasure but it was more than that. \u00a0Joy?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded, “I think that is a very good word for it. \u00a0I’m glad
\nyou were pleased.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Can you create something else for me? \u00a0If I describe something, can
\nyou\u2026” \u00a0She was shaking her head.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I can create anything I wish, but I’m not interested in granting
\nwishes. \u00a0Tell me, have you ever felt better than you did when you were
\nworshipping me?” \u00a0He shook his head. \u00a0“Then why would you choose
\nanything else?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He had no good answer for that.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Can it last longer?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“It lasts for as long as I wish it to last. \u00a0Of course, nothing is free.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Can I go back?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“For how long?” Marquesa asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He smiled wryly, “How about forever?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now it was Marquesa’s turn to laugh, “That would cost much more than
\nyou can afford, I’m sure.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t count on that, he replied. \u00a0Money is the one thing I do have.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She was intrigued. \u00a0“Really? \u00a0And why would you want it to last forever?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He shrugged, “I suppose I wouldn’t. \u00a0Maybe I would. \u00a0I don’t know.
\nAll I know is that those few minutes were the happiest I have been in\u2026
\nEver.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded. \u00a0His suit jacket was draped over the back of the
\nchair. \u00a0She took his wallet out and flipped through it. \u00a0There was a
\nlarge amount of cash and the usual gold and platinum cards. \u00a0They did
\nnot impress her. \u00a0With rare exceptions, most of her clients were
\nwealthy to one degree or another. \u00a0However, what he was discussing
\nwent far beyond that.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“You wouldn’t mind if we did a little checking? \u00a0Just to see how
\nserious you are?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Do whatever you need to do.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded, “I’ll do that. \u00a0In the meantime\u2026” \u00a0She spoke his
\ntrigger and returned him to paradise.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“This one is on the house,” she said and, taking his wallet, she left
\nhim in darkness again.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It took twenty-four hours for her staff to compile a full dossier on
\nAlan Ross. \u00a0It was waiting on Marquesa’s desk when she arrived in the
\nmorning. \u00a0As one of her servants brought in her breakfast tray and
\npoured her coffee, she reviewed it. \u00a0Yes, he could certainly afford
\nwhat it was he was asking for. \u00a0A huge fortune, no children, married
\nand divorced three times. \u00a0Lots of associates but no friends. \u00a0She
\ncould easily see why he was ready to exchange this world for one of
\nhers. \u00a0Marquesa dismissed the servant with a wave. \u00a0It appeared Mr.
\nRoss might be worth a little more of her time. \u00a0She would go back down
\nto the interview room and bring him out of trance so they could
\ndiscuss it further\u2026 \u00a0At least, she would eventually. \u00a0He could wait
\nuntil after her breakfast and morning meetings. \u00a0After all, he wasn’t
\ngoing anywhere.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When she was ready, Marquesa returned to find Alan Ross exactly as she
\nhad left him. \u00a0Still strapped into the chair, still staring blankly
\nforward. \u00a0There was a day’s growth of stubble on his chin and cheeks.
\nShe spoke his trigger and watched as he returned to awareness. \u00a0He
\ntried to speak but his throat was dry and closed. \u00a0Marquesa expected
\nthis and put the bottle of water she had brought to his lips, allowing
\nhim to drink.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After several gulps of the cool liquid had passed over his cracked
\nlips, he managed to croak out, “How long?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“A little over a day.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He shook his head in wonder, “It seemed like minutes.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Again, Marquesa nodded in agreement and then moved on. \u00a0“It took a
\nlittle while to run your background. \u00a0As it turns out, you do have
\nenough money for what we discussed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He nodded, an annoying look of self-satisfaction crossing his face for
\nthe first time since she originally put him into trance. \u00a0“How much
\nwill it cost me?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa smiled, “Why, everything, of course.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ross laughed until he saw the completely earnest expression on
\nMarquesa’s face. \u00a0He nodded. \u00a0“And it would last forever?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“If you like, yes.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Everything. \u00a0The word left him stunned. \u00a0All that he had spent a
\nlifetime amassing. \u00a0All that he had worked for. \u00a0He had traded family
\nfor it, friends, time. \u00a0How could he just hand it all over? \u00a0He
\ncouldn’t do that. \u00a0He couldn’t. \u00a0Could he?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sensing his hesitation, the conflict in his mind, Marquesa asked,
\n“Would you like to see for yourself? \u00a0We could arrange a little tour
\nof my facility.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He could not do this. \u00a0And yet\u2026 \u00a0A tour. \u00a0What would be the harm?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“All right. \u00a0Let’s go.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa shook her head, “There are a few safety precautions. \u00a0It’s a
\nsecure facility. \u00a0I have to consider the privacy and comfort of my\u2026
\nGuests. \u00a0There would have to be certain precautions. \u00a0You do
\nunderstand, I’m sure.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He nodded impatiently. \u00a0“That’s fine.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Very well, then. \u00a0I’ll have one of my staff come for you.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Half an hour later, he was led out the front door by one of Marquesa’s
\nassistants and placed in the backseat of a car. \u00a0His wrists were
\nsecurely cuffed behind his back and the hood was in place over his
\nhead. \u00a0He had no idea at all where he was being taken as the car
\nturned, stopped, sped up and slowed down. \u00a0After an hour, they came to
\na stop. \u00a0The door beside him opened and someone pulled him out and,
\nholding his arm, led him away. \u00a0His head covered, completely
\ndisoriented, it never occurred to him that he was back where he had
\nstarted: Marquesa’s estate. \u00a0He was led down a flight of stairs. \u00a0He
\ncould hear the sound of their footsteps echoing as he was walked down
\na long corridor. \u00a0Cool air, the gentle whir of air conditioning and
\nthe hum of electrical devices\u2026 \u00a0An antiseptic smell, almost like a
\nhospital. \u00a0That was all that he could tell.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The hood was pulled off and he saw Marquesa again.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Ready for your tour? \u00a0Well then, come along,” she took his arm and
\nled him into an open room. \u00a0A bank of monitors and consoles is at one
\nend. \u00a0A man is standing at a console, dressed in a white lab coat. \u00a0He
\nis monitoring the readouts. \u00a0When they enter, he immediately drops to
\nhis knees, his eyes down. \u00a0Marquesa walks past without acknowledging
\nhim. \u00a0One wall of the room is occupied by a row of large drawers set
\ninto it, almost like the drawers of a filing cabinet. \u00a0There are
\ntwenty of them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Here we are,” Marquesa said, her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He looked around, confused again, “I don’t understand.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Inside each of these drawers is one of my guests. \u00a0Perfectly safe and
\nvery well cared for. \u00a0Each drifting forever in one of my worlds. \u00a0Just
\nas you were. \u00a0A world I’ve created just for them.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Each one is different?” he asked. \u00a0“They aren’t all like what I
\nexperienced?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa laughed, “God may have been willing to settle for just one
\nworld\u2026 \u00a0I’m a little more creative than that. \u00a0Yes, each one is
\nunique, just as the mind of each of my guests is unique. \u00a0Of course,
\nthere are similarities. \u00a0Each of them is worshipping me in his own
\nway.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He was stunned. \u00a0It was beyond the limits of his imagination. \u00a0A room
\nfilled with men living forever in a dream world.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Would you like to see one?” she asked. \u00a0He nodded. \u00a0Marquesa pressed
\na button on the wall and one of the drawers slid open with the whir of
\nan electric motor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ross shuddered at what he saw inside. \u00a0As she had said, it was a man.
\nCompletely nude, shaved hairless from head to toe. \u00a0There are
\nrestraints at his wrists, at his ankles and at his throat. \u00a0Sensors
\nare affixed to his chest and his scalp. \u00a0He stares upward, his eyes
\nwide but unfocused\u2026 \u00a0And he has a gentle smile on his lips.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“How\u2026 \u00a0How\u2026 \u00a0How long has he been like this?” Ross asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Hmm\u2026 \u00a0A good question. \u00a0Doctor?” The man who knelt as they entered
\nimmediately rose, ran over and then fell back down on his knees, his
\nhead bowed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa snapped her fingers and said just one word, “Up.” \u00a0The man
\nsprang to his feet, his eyes still downcast…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“How long has this one been with us, Doctor?” she asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Um\u2026 \u00a0I\u2026 \u00a0Uh\u2026 \u00a0I would have to check, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Make it snappy, boy,” Marquesa warned with an irritated expression.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He ran to the console, pressed a few keys and then ran back.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Nine years, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Hmm\u2026 \u00a0Yes. \u00a0And he is in good health? \u00a0No problems?” she asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Oh no, Goddess. \u00a0He is in the best of condition, just like all the
\nothers,” the Doctor replied anxiously.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Very good, Doctor. \u00a0Mr. \u00a0Ross, allow me to introduce Dr. Charles
\nMcCain. \u00a0He sees to the care of my guests. \u00a0And how long have you been
\nmine, Doctor?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Twelve wonderful years, My Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded. \u00a0“Very good, Doctor.” \u00a0She snapped her fingers and
\ngave the command, “Down.” \u00a0Immediately, he was on his knees again.
\n“Is he\u2026” Ross began.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa smiled as she reached down to stroke the kneeling man’s hair.
\n“He is in a different sort of trance than these. \u00a0Unfortunately, I
\nhave need of his talents in this world. \u00a0Now, as you can see, I have
\nspace for twenty right now. \u00a0Only seventeen are filled so, if you are
\nstill interested, I can take you immediately.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He was stunned, speechless. \u00a0Excited and terrified at the same time.
\nHe could not take his eyes off the man lying in the drawer. \u00a0And there
\nwere sixteen others in exactly the same state? \u00a0It was like a horror
\nmovie. \u00a0And yet there was that smile. \u00a0There was the memory of his own
\ntrance. \u00a0It was like a nightmare\u2026 \u00a0And a dream.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I\u2026 \u00a0Uh\u2026 \u00a0I would have to think about it.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa frowned. \u00a0\u00a0“Yes, of course. \u00a0Well, not everyone is brave
\nenough to give himself to me. \u00a0Isn’t that right, Doctor?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Yes, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“You’ll have to excuse me. \u00a0I have a busy afternoon. \u00a0I’ll make sure
\nyou are returned to your car.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Without another word, Marquesa walked away. \u00a0As she was leaving, he
\nheard her speak to the assistant who had delivered him. \u00a0“Get him out
\nof here,” Marquesa told her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
That night, Alan Ross lay in bed. \u00a0Alone as usual, but unable to
\nsleep. \u00a0He tossed and turned, unable to get away from what he had seen
\ntoday. \u00a0When he closed his eyes, he saw the man in the drawer. \u00a0Almost
\nlike a zombie, yet he looked so happy. \u00a0How long since he had been
\nthat happy? \u00a0Had he ever been? \u00a0There was so much stress in his life.
\nSo much loneliness. \u00a0The constant struggle to acquire more and more
\nand the realization that none of it made him even the smallest bit
\nhappier. \u00a0How much better to just relax. \u00a0To let go of the reins. \u00a0To
\nsurrender.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The next day, Marquesa’s assistant knocked on the door to her office.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Ma’am? \u00a0There is an Alan Ross on line one for you. \u00a0He says he has
\ndecided. \u00a0He would like to speak with you.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa shook her head. \u00a0“No. \u00a0Give him the usual instructions. \u00a0If
\nhe wires the deposit, schedule him to come in and complete the
\npaperwork with my attorney. \u00a0We’ll see how serious he is. \u00a0I’m not
\ngoing to waste any more time on him.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A few days later, after transferring one million dollars to the
\noffshore account Marquesa’s assistant had specified, Alan Ross was
\nushered into a conference room at her home. \u00a0She was not there,
\ninstead it was an attorney with a small stack of paperwork. \u00a0It is
\nsurprising how little of it there was, actually. \u00a0A power of attorney,
\na new will, a few other things. \u00a0A handful of signatures to strip him
\nof everything he had valued for a lifetime. \u00a0All the money and all the
\npossessions that had cost him everything that really mattered. \u00a0He was
\nsurprised at how freeing it felt to sign them over. \u00a0It was
\nliberating.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And then she arrived. \u00a0The attorney immediately fell to his knees. \u00a0As
\nbefore, Marquesa did not acknowledge his existence. \u00a0Rather than
\nkneel, Ross rose from the chair.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I always thought a gentleman rose in the presence of a lady,” he told
\nher, smiling sheepishly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa laughed, “Well, chivalry is very nice\u2026”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“But?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I prefer worship.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ross nodded. \u00a0He looked at the attorney, kneeling there in his suit on
\nthe carpet. \u00a0“Am I going to end up like him? \u00a0Like the doctor?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Would that be such a terrible thing? \u00a0He’s very happy.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Is he?” Ross asked. \u00a0“Are you sure?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Up,” Marquesa ordered with a snap of her fingers. \u00a0The attorney
\nsprang to attention.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“And how long have you been mine, little one?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Six years, My Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Are you happy?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Very, very happy, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Tell me why?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Because I get to serve you, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded, “Very good, boy. \u00a0Now, is all of the paperwork complete?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Yes, Goddess,” the attorney replied.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Very well then. \u00a0You may go. \u00a0Begin transferring his cash and
\nsecurities. \u00a0I will review the real estate and personal property to
\nsee what I want to keep and what I’ll dispose of.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The attorney acknowledged Marquesa’s instructions, gathered the
\npaperwork and left.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“You see,” she said, turning back to Ross. \u00a0“He is quite happy in his
\nnew life. \u00a0As you will be. \u00a0Of course, he only gets to experience my
\npresence occasionally. \u00a0You will spend every moment with me. \u00a0The joy
\nthat he feels for a moment, you will feel every second of your life.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa sat down in the seat that Ross had risen from. \u00a0She crossed
\nher legs and looked him up and down.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Well then, here we are,” she said. \u00a0“Everything that was yours is
\nmine now. \u00a0I’m going to give you one last chance to change your mind.
\nAfter that, there is no turning back. \u00a0If you wish to leave, you may
\ngo.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ross sighed heavily. \u00a0“I don’t have anything to go back to. \u00a0Even
\nbefore I signed the paperwork, I didn’t. \u00a0I’m tired of this world. \u00a0I
\nwant to live in one of yours.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded, “In that case, I will hear your prayer. \u00a0Ask for what
\nyou wish.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ross understood what he had to do. \u00a0With a clear mind, completely of
\nhis own free will, he knelt down on the carpet and bowed down, his
\nface to the floor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Please\u2026 \u00a0Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa closed her eyes. \u00a0She could feel his prayers rising to her,
\nshe could sense the sincerity of them. \u00a0And she could feel his
\nworship. \u00a0She allowed him to go on, enjoying his adoration. \u00a0Each of
\nher possessions was different and the worship of each was unique,
\nprecious. \u00a0She treasured this new addition. \u00a0And then she leaned
\nforward and whispered to him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Today you will worship me in paradise.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Overcome, his voice caught in his throat as he tried to speak, “Thank
\nyou, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa touched the intercom. \u00a0“He is ready.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A guard entered, carrying a pair of handcuffs and a hood. \u00a0Marquesa
\nrose. \u00a0She snapped her fingers and gave him the command, “Up.” \u00a0He
\nstood, his eyes lowered. \u00a0Marquesa nodded to the guard and his hands
\nwere cuffed behind his back. \u00a0The guard was putting the hood over his
\nbowed head when Marquesa stopped her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“That won’t be necessary. \u00a0This will be a one-way journey for him.
\nTake him downstairs. \u00a0Dr. McCain is waiting to process him.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Startled, Alan’s eyes rose to meet hers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Downstairs?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa reached out to caress his cheek. “I like to keep my
\npossessions close to me.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He nodded and again, this time smiling slightly, said, “Thank you, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa returned his smile and said gently, “Eyes down.” \u00a0He complied
\nimmediately and she rewarded him, “Good boy.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Take him away.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He looked very different when Marquesa next saw him. \u00a0He was lying
\ninside drawer number 18. \u00a0His nude body held down by straps. \u00a0The
\nsensors were affixed to his body so the doctor could monitor him and
\nthe IVs that would sustain him were already in place. \u00a0Marquesa ran
\nher hand over his chest and stomach. \u00a0She felt him trembling.
\nMarquesa stroked his hair to comfort him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Relax, My Darling. \u00a0Just another moment and we will be together
\nforever.” \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He smiled nervously. \u00a0She snapped her fingers to summon
\nthe doctor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Is he ready?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Yes, Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Then let us begin.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She leaned down. \u00a0Her lips brushing his ear, she whispered his trigger
\nand the trembling stopped. \u00a0His eyes lost their focus, his breathing
\nbecame even and steady. \u00a0And then she began to speak, creating a new
\nworld with her words. \u00a0A world where he knelt at her feet, a world
\nwhere he prayed to her and felt her presence. \u00a0A world where her
\nspirit enveloped him, filled him. \u00a0And then, when she was ready, she
\nsaid the final word and gave birth to a new creation. \u00a0He gasped once
\nand then his face took on a look of angelic peace.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa looked up at the Doctor inquiringly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“All of his vitals are steady, My Goddess.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marquesa nodded. \u00a0She caressed his cheek one last time and then
\npressed the button. \u00a0His drawer slid back into the wall. \u00a0Marquesa
\nclosed Her eyes and placed Her hands on the wall. \u00a0She felt the
\nprayers rising from each of Her worlds. \u00a0And She felt the newest
\naddition to Her choir of praise. \u00a0One more voice raised in worship of
\nthe Goddess.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
MISTRESS MARQUESA’s PLEASURES-percolating postscript:<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
alan ross learned to ETERNAL LOVE worshipping Me. All My VIDEOS & AUDIOS draw you closer to Me. Nevertheless, I well-built each of these recordings specifically to enhance our pleasures from your DEEPER AND DEEPER devotion to Mistress Marquesa:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
WORSHIP OF THE MARQUESA (AUDIO)<\/a> <\/p>\n
\nWORSHIP OF THE MARQUESA 2 (AUDIO)<\/a>
\nAFFIRMATIONS (AUDIO)<\/a><\/p>\n