Blood Red

Ben left the apartment at ten minutes before eight. The sun had already set and the world seemed darker as a result of the heavy fog.

Ben started walking, trusting his instincts to tell him where he needed to be.

II

The girls were in the back of his van, all nice and cozy. Just thinking about what they were in for made Tom feel good about life. He wished he could stay around and film it, but there just wasn’t enough time in the day.

Lenny had finally called him back, and it was time to get down to business. First though, he had a delivery to make.

He pulled up in front of the fraternity house and shut off the van. Doug Clark was waiting with a few other guys. They were practically dancing from foot to foot.

“Boys . . . nice night for a party, isn’t it?” Tom climbed out of his seat and smiled at them. It was always best to smile for the paying customers. Especially when he considered what they were paying.

Clark handed him a heavy wad of cash. There is polite and then there is stupid: Tom decided to be rude and count it in front of the boys. “Looks like everything’s here.” He smiled at Doug. “I want to go over the ground rules.”

“There are rules?” He sounded disappointed.

“Oh, yes. Definitely. Follow them, and I won’t have to get all nasty about anything.” He stepped closer to Doug and the college boy got a little nervous. It was best to make certain points in advance. “They’re simple rules and they won’t stop your fun. But obey them.”

“First rule: Condoms. Use them. They’re for your own safety.” He looked at the gathered guys. “You all know where your buddies have been dipping their wicks. Do you really want to catch what they’ve probably got?” A few of them laughed. “That rule is so-so. If you break it, I’ll forgive you.”

“Next rule: Do not break the merchandise. Have fun, guys, but remember these girls belong to me. If I can’t use them when you’re done, I’m going to have to find new girls. I don’t like finding new girls. So no cutting, no beatings, no hot wax or nipple clamps.”

“That all?” Doug seemed okay with the rules.

Tom opened the back door of the van and urged the girls out. They were still in a stupor. “Almost. This is the last rule and don’t think I’m kidding when I say this, because I’m not. Top quality is what I promised and top quality is what I deliver.” He paused as Lizzie, Maggie, and one of his new girls, easily recognized by the boys in the frat house, stepped out and stared wherever their heads were turned.

Doug stepped forward and whispered in his ear, “Dude, these girls are hot, but they’re all fucked up.”

“Relax, it’ll wear off soon. Just wanted to make sure they were in the mood to play.”

“They won’t call the cops or anything, will they?”

“No. Now shut up and let me finish my speech.” Tom spoke louder when Doug nodded. “You probably know every one of these fine ladies.” The boys were nodding and very, very pleased. “You get to have your fun tonight. They’re yours. You guys want to talk about this later, that’s great.” Some of them looked like they wanted to go tell a few tall tales about what they’d done when it was all over; most looked like they’d already started having second thoughts. They’d still go through with it, they were guys and they wanted what the girls had to offer, but they weren’t ever going to tell anyone about what happened tonight; shame would stop the majority of them. He made sure he looked at the ones who wanted to sing in the choir when he finished his speech. “I have a few snitches just about everywhere, guys. They’re paid well to keep me informed of what’s going on. If I ever hear that any one of you has ever mentioned what happens here tonight and used the names of one of my girls in the same sentence, I’ll kill you.” He spoke calmly, but clearly and if he had to guess, he was getting his message across. The one who looked like he was still having troubles with the idea was the one he focused on next. He walked over to the kid. He was skinny as a rail and looked like the only way he was ever going to get laid was by paying for it. “I’ll do it slow, too. My girls have to go to this school, too, and you never talk about what happens here and you never mention their names. That’s part of the deal I made with them.” He jabbed his finger into the kid’s sternum and watched him wince. “You never even look at them funny in class. You want to talk to them, you’re as polite as you would be in church. You like what you get tonight and want to do it again, you call me and we make arrangements.”

The kid was flinching a bit, and that was good, but he still wasn’t quite scared enough, so Tom got in his face. He was close enough that he could count the eyelashes on his reflection in the kid’s eyes. “You understand me?” His voice was an arctic breeze when he spoke again.

“Yeah. I mean, yes sir.” Now he believed the kid would follow the rules.

“Good. They’re all yours. I’ll be back around one in the morning to pick them up. Make sure they have all of their clothes.”