Acting Dominant

by Tigger

©2008

Chapter 7: The Thickening Plot

  

It was dark by the time Ty finally made his way home from the dungeon, and of course, since he was weighed down with about seventy five pounds of luggage, the elevator was not working. Murphy had always had a lousy sense of humor.

Still, the thought of what he'd be able to do with the two or so hours worth of bonus pay he'd earn playing the bimbo secretary tomorrow kept his spirits high as he lugged his heavy burden up to his apartment. His regular salary covered the necessities of life in the big bad city, so he no longer had to worry about paying the rent, and his diet had improved significantly, as well. He'd even managed to collect a few pieces of clothing that weren't from thrift stores, but New York was still New York and the cost of living sucked. So the extra money here and there for an hour or two of his time, even in skirts, had been a god send. His back rent was paid as were his delinquent union dues. The phone on the floor by his bed had been reconnected (even if it could not be used to call long distance - YET) and he'd even managed to make a dent in the principal on the one credit card he permitted himself.

This bonus, however, would be used to get a cell phone, even if only on the 'buy minutes up front' plan for now. He wanted that cell phone. No, he LUSTED for that cell phone. There was just something about having been deprived of that basic service over the past few months that had screamed 'failure' to him.

Reaching his floor, he opened the door and quickly brought the luggage in. Painful and hard-learned lessons had him closing and locking the door's multiple locks again before even walking across the tiny room to turn on the single lamp he owned. A beer was in order, he thought as he went into his tiny kitchen, as a way of celebrating his return to the world of cell phones. And that was yet another little luxury that his time in Solange's employ had restored to his lifestyle - a cold beer in the evening when he wanted one.

As he passed the rickety excuse for a kitchen table, he saw the application he'd gotten, and started to fill out. Odd how working at the dungeon had planted this idea in his head. Certainly, the program could be seen as an extension of some of the aspects of his new job that he'd found surprisingly fulfilling, but could he actually see that type of work becoming his career? Was there a calling in this for him?

He didn't yet know the answers to those questions, but there was potential there, and the possibility of an opportunity to continue working in the world of theater. Ty sat down and scanned through the nearly-completed paperwork, wincing once again at the part that discussed costs.

He'd need a whole lot of financial aid, and precisely where that money would come from he didn't know. Not from Edwards, Inc., that was for sure. Dad had not been happy with his undergraduate program of studies, but had paid for it because Ty had agreed to minor in business administration - the only student in his dramatic arts department to do so. Dad would NOT be willing to pay for this, but that didn't matter because Ty didn't intend to ask him. If he was going to pursue this, he'd have to find his own way. Who knew - maybe he wasn't too old for student loans, and with that thought, he finished the last few items before signing his name to the document with a flourish worthy of John Hancock.

A surreal sense of accomplishment wafted over Ty as he sat there, staring at the completed and now signed document. He'd have to wait until his next bonus session in order to pay the application fee, but he'd made the decision to go for it. Now, he'd find a way to make it work.

Collecting his beer, he stood up and noticed that he'd left the luggage on the floor, blocking the door. Setting the beer bottle back down, he went over and hoisted the shoulder bag and gripped the handle on the rolling suitcase. When he did, he saw an envelope on the floor where someone had obviously pushed it under his door earlier in the day. He set the luggage aside, away from the door, and then returned to pick up the note. He opened it, and was surprised to see it was from the building super.

 

Mr. Edwards:

Your annual safety, fire and pest inspection is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM. It should take no more than an hour, but as you know, this is an unannounced inspection to ensure you are complying with the terms of your lease as regards to cleanliness and other maintenance. You or your designated representative must be in the apartment with the inspector and myself during the inspection. Failure to be present will necessitate rescheduling the inspection, and you will be billed $125/hour for the inspector's lost time. A minimum of two hours will be charged, payable with your next rent payment.

If you have any questions, you can reach me at my office number during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Jon Smith, Building Superintendent.

 

Ty couldn't believe it. The guy had to be kidding. Surely he rated more warning than this 'be there tomorrow or else' note? Furious, Ty snatched up his phone and dialed the super's number, which of course, went to voice mail. A quick check of his watch showed that it was almost 7:00 PM, and Ty figured the realty management company didn't pay this guy enough to hang around after hours. Grasping at straws, Ty ran down the stairs to the Super's first floor apartment, only to find no one home.

Returning to his apartment, he called the dungeon hoping for a reprieve on the scene assignment for tomorrow, but neither Isolde nor Solange were there. ShaJuana was just about to leave for the day, but she was still there, so he asked to speak to her.

"Hey, Ty-RONE, what's up?" she asked when she picked up the line.

"Juana, can you cover my apartment tomorrow morning? I've got a session assignment in the morning working with Isolde - doing the role of her sexy secretary - and when I got home tonight there was this notice of an unannounced inspection that I have to be here for tomorrow. The inspection is at 8:30, and the session with Isolde is at ten! I can't get do that and still get there in time to change. The note says I could have a designee here to do stand in for me if I can't be here, but it will cost me more than twice what I'll earn for doing the scene with Isolde if they come here and no one is here."

"Wow, Ty, that's a bitch. I wish I could help, I really do, but I've got a dance audition tomorrow morning. I've got to be on stage and ready to go at 9:00 AM."

"Damn. This blows. I can't afford the penalty, and I can't be here the inspection and make the 10:00 AM scene with Isolde. Unlike you, I need at least two hours to make myself beautiful."

"Nice line, boy, but flattery ain't gonna get you nowhere, this time. I really want that part!"

"As if I'd ask you to give it up!" Ty responded, real heat in his voice.

"Okay, okay, just teasin'. I really do wish I could help, Ty. Want me to ask around, see if any of the girls still here can come by your place and help?"

He thought about it, but, dammit, it just wasn't fair to any of the women still at the dungeon. They were all working the evening shift, so they wouldn't be free until one or two am in the morning. By the time they got home, they'd get less than three hours rest if they were going to be at his place in time to stand in for him with the superintendent. That would just mess up their schedules too much. Unfortunately, this was his problem and he only saw one solution at this point. "No," he replied on a gusty sigh of resignation. "Could you leave a note for Isolde, or maybe call her at home? She lives on Long Island and I can't call her with my phone setup. Suffolk is a long distance call from here."

"Sure, if you want. . . " and Juana's voice trailed away. "Say, Ty? You did say a designee was okay for this deal, right? And that it would be done in an hour, right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Well, you said you were doing the sexy secretary in a ritzy office bit, right? And that means the outfit should be suitable for street wear. Is it?"

"Pretty much," he affirmed. "It's really tight in places, naturally, and the skirt's a little short, but nothing too far our of the ordinary, Why?"

"Okay, so you could wear it on the street and walk to the dungeon wearing it. Suppose I go get your girl stuff before I go home. I'll drop it off at your place, and tomorrow, you could dress up and be your own designee, only as Tina. Then, you just walk to the dungeon with the rest of the folks heading off to work and be on time for your session with Isolde."

Stunned silence was all Ty could come up with in response to that solution to his problem. It might work, he thought. No client had read him yet, at least, until he'd been unveiled. And he had everything already, right? Then he remembered the cut and size of the suit Solange had selected for him, not to mention the shoes and groaned aloud.

"Ty?" ShaJuana snapped out. "TYRONE? Are you all right? What's the matter?"

"I've already got my stuff for tomorrow here, Juana, 'cause all the prep rooms were in use tonight."

"So? You're good to go, right?"

"No. Two problems. The costume won't fit without the waspie laced up tight, and it laces from the back."

"Okay, I can see that. What's the other problem?"

"The shoes - the ones that go with the outfit are more than four inches tall. I can't walk that far in them - not and then spend two hours in the playroom with them. I'll be lamed."

"Hmmm, 'see your point, Ty. Well, the shoes are no problem, are they? Women wear socks and sneaks over their stockings to walk to work all the time, don't they?"

"I suppose, but the only sneakers I have are practically falling apart. I think folks would notice a secretary in a too-tight dress wearing four year old high tops, don't you?"

"You're right. Okay, I'll bring you over a pair of mine tonight - they should fit you with a thick enough pair of socks. And while I'm there, I'll do up your corset for you."

"But I'll have to wear it all night!" he yelped protest.

"Hey, it's either that, or let Isolde and Solange down, or get one of the girls to come in and help you tomorrow. 'Sides, you don't really need that much taken off your tummy, do you?"

It was the principle of the thing, he told himself. This was his home, such as it was - his castle - and he wanted to be king here, not queen. Still, it was a solution that didn't let anyone down, and didn't cost or lose him any money. Resigned, he surrendered to the inevitable. "Want some dinner while you're here? I have beer and leftover chili-mac?"

Juana laughed. "No thanks, but I'll bring a pizza. We'll just have to lace you up before you overeat."

"Bitch," Ty said laughing. "And that's just one of the things I love about you."

"See you in thirty, Ty-RONE!"

~-~

  

  

  

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