Author's Note: This is the fourth Angel story and he needed lots of help for this mission. Even when I threw in characters from my previous work into the mix, we still needed more. I then reached out to other authors who had created heroic figures with a similar purpose. You will see a series of works attached to this story, all launching off the same assignment detailed in chapter 20. I can tell you we had fun doing it- Tyrone Slothrop
I Can See For Miles
by Tyrone Slothrop
Chapter 24: Belles Are Ringing-
*********************************************************************
Therapist Private Journal- George Romany MD: Patient: ANGEL-Excerpts From Therapy Analysis
Necessity had blown holes in Angel's self-image. The brutality of the final disposition of Beimbeau set off a catatonia which lasted three days.
When he did talk, he was lucid and purposed. He connected the imprinting of his childhood torturer that men are evil with his action using Beimbeau's corpse to shut down more pain.. That awful woman haunts this poor person to this day. She has reached out from the grave and claimed him again.
He wants to make a sacrifice.. To escape her he believes he must shed a part of himself. He has spoken with Carolyn and she has offered her unconditional support.
I often struggle with the existence of an active God given the pain I see, but at times, when I see the gift of Carolyn to a soul in pain like Angel, I lose the struggle and believe again.
I can help him no more except by friendship.
End Journal
Wedding Chapel, Malibu, California- December 5
"Splendid! Simply Splendid! " Miss T bubbled as the chapel filled up. It seemed almost every victim Angel and Carolyn had ever helped had made the ceremony. Combined with almost half of the Group agents, many from Lady Jean's organization, Carolyn's law practice and several organizations she supported, there were few open seats.
Angel stood at the altar, with George Romany as his best man. The black tuxedo jackets were well fitted over the black sheath dresses they wore, similar to the groom outfit Carolyn had donned months ago for the first ceremony.
Mr. Robert had done wonders with his hair, complete with embedded jewelry in the dramatic upsweep and long tendrils falling to his ample cleavage. Between the hair and his five inch heels, Angel was determined to be taller than his bride. George had donned a similar but not as stunning wig to provide symmetry. Bill and Jim were ushers in traditional formal men's suits.
Larry Elger and Sean Taylor made a couple, next to Bob Angelo and Jezzie Clarkson. It was noted by some that Clementine had her arm wrapped around the bicep of Clarence Posey. Lady Jean was regal in bearing, accompanied by Carol and Marla. Steve Dunbar stood behind them, ruggedly handsome and broadly grinning.
Trevor Olsen lead the delegation of the nine Group special operatives, the inheritors of the role Angel had pioneered. Taking their cue from the groom, they were subdued yet stunning.
Three pretty fifteen year olds, two of them twins and one looking like a cousin were in stylish dresses. All of them had shining black hair in lengths ranging from just below the ears to mid back. They occupied the aisle right in front of Larry and Sean, with Sean shushing them on a regular basis. Next to Sean, a tall stunning blonde, Marissa Dupre added to Sean's ministrations for quiet in a motherly manner.
The cousin turned around and said to Marissa "Can I go back to being Brian now, Mom?"
"You promised Cissy and Cecilia you would wait until the day after the wedding, Brian. A promise is a promise. Besides, you look really pretty in that dress." Marissa and Sean smiled.
Mendelssohn began. A tuxedo clad Spider Robertson escorted a white bridal Carolyn down the aisle. Attended by her step sister Johnnie and her law partner Thelma as bridesmaids, she gracefully entered the vision of everyone in the chapel. One pair of eyes were fixed on her, ancient soulful eyes which conveyed a deep love for the woman in the white gown.
Once more the vows. Love, Honor, Cherish, Protect. Angel looked down from a slight height advantage into Carolyn's eyes, his red polished fingernails glinting in the photographer's flash as his hands gently lay on her bare shoulders. Two pretty faces locked in a long kiss.
Cyberspace- Various Points- November 15 and Ongoing
NICKIE TERN> DID YOU SEE THAT PICTURE? IT WAS JUST LIKE THE PLEASUREJAC THING WE WERE WRITING ABOUT
POOH-THING> A DEAD GUY WITH IT IN HIS MOUTH. FREAKY
DIABLA MALLEY> HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE SUPERVISOR?
NICKIE TERN> NOT IN TWO WEEKS
POOH-THING> THEIR SITE IS OFFLINE
Matador was still furious about the malfunction which had almost destroyed his manhood. The picture in his private email was frightening. He decided to shift his investments into real estate.
All over the world, emails, instant messages and other forms of communication reached out and made Adrian Beimbeau a symbol of the cost of crossing lines. People high and low, venture capitalists and government bureaucrats, cops and crooks, pimps and preachers who were given up by the TransTalent databases of customers, investors and prospects were sent a simple message.
The second message quickly became one of the biggest urban legends of the Internet. The malfunction of the PleasureJacs at 'just the wrong' time by those unknown took on epic proportions in the re-telling. It spread wide and far from chat room to message board. The phrase "Jac Off" took on comic and tragic meaning.
Beach House, Malibu, California, February 1
"Angel, we've gone over the options but I have yet to hear why you are considering this. Is Carolyn supportive of this?" Janice Peters accepted the cup of tea Angel poured.
Angel straightened his full skirt as he sat down after attending to Janice's teacup. He was wearing his hair up today and she noticed that he had clearly 'dressed' for her visit. Makeup, nails, jewelry, he was clearly honoring her. She felt very underdressed in her white office coat and pantsuit, having just come from the new rehab center established in Venice Beach.
"I intend to ask Carolyn's permission before anything like this, Janice. It's only fair, since she makes all the money. All I do is keep house and try to make her happy." Angel said, smiling a faint smile.
Janice took a deep breath. She felt the need to bite her tongue at Angel's words.
"Very well. You know the effects of the four recommended hormone regimens, all of which will reduce or eliminate your sexual ability. I have some things I can do to mitigate that, but it's still a crap shoot. You know what can be done with surgical implants for breast, hips and buttocks. We've gone over the various voice and facial characteristics, lips, eyes and so forth. You know the trade offs and I have good referrals for you." She said, concern creeping into her voice as she reviewed the answers she had been asked to provide. Janice Peters loved Angel, her lover's son. She knew he had pain, deep wounding pain.
Beach House, Malibu California February 5
"I can't help you anymore, Angel. You are going down a path where you burn all the bridges." George Romany stated in desperation. Angel was talking but seemed to have lost the ability to listen.
Angel was fussing about the house, tidying up. His mid back length hair was up in huge rollers and he was in a halter top and short shorts outfit. He was wearing prominent 'D' breasts, now a seemingly permanent part of him.
"It seems like I should head that way George. I think I have been fighting it since I was a kid." Angel said wistfully.
"Dammit kid, despite your looks, you are not a woman. I have helped people in the wrong bodies and that ain't you. I know what we planned and you carried out brought back a lot of pain and if I was any good, I would have foreseen it, but this! You are just building another mask. " George raised the pitch of his voice as he spoke, but forced himself to remain calm.
"I don't want to be the man who mutilates people. And I am so tired. I just want some peace. Carolyn's good to me, and I do what I can to make her happy."
"Dammit, Carolyn loves you and is indulging you on this. She had plenty of opportunity to have a relationship with a woman before she met you. You might ask yourself why she didn't."
Angel just filled George's coffee and checked his makeup. His eyes were moist.
Coffee Shop, Venice Beach, California February 10
Miss T was in jeans with a pink sweater, her blonde hair in a long pony tail. She had selected an indoor table since there was a wavering chill in the sea breeze. Sipping on her major vice, highly sugared cappuccino, she felt the moistness of the while residue on her upper lip, a sensation which always elicited a smile.
Her expected companion entered the shop, in a new fitted suit. Miss T's practiced eye noticed the small increase in weight over the last few months which merely added a nice curvature to her derriere as Carolyn walked in. Her stride had lost some of it's purpose and her face betrayed a worry and concern beyond the day to day.
"Carolyn! Your usual?" came out with an emphasis and musical lilt more than Tess's usual effusive greetings. The two women hugged and took their seats while Tess waved at Fred the owner to bring out the beverages.
"I don't think I've every seen you so casual, Tess. You carry it off well as usual." Carolyn opened.
"My ex husband is in town, and she has managed to balloon up to 250 pounds. She wanted to cry on my shoulder. The press over in the UK are merciless and poor Hermione still thinks she can wear a bikini without getting photographed. But that's another story."
"I can sympathize with her. In another month I may pass her." Carolyn patted her hips and grimaced.
"Newlywed padding. You'll do no such thing, Carrie!" Tess giggled.
"Angel feeds me like a prize sow and he is such a good cook. I come home every night and there he is, handing me a glass of wine, dressed better than I am, and then he lays out a fabulous meal. After massaging my feet and neck, of course." Carolyn said as tears began to form in her eyes.
"It sounds like a dream for any girl, Carolyn. So what's wrong with this live fantasy?"
"He's so, so submissive to my needs! He cooks and cleans and almost never leaves the house. He sews. He decorates. He has not appeared male since Halloween. He begged me to let him wear the same groom outfit at the wedding that I wore for the first one. It's like a large part of him is gone and all I have is a shell. " Carolyn was sobbing. Tess held her hand.
"And he is asking permission to have a boob job and begin hormones, right?" Tess said quietly.
Carolyn snapped up and looked at her.
"Janice talked to me since Angel had asked her to look into his options, since I have some knowledge and contacts about such things." Tess continued. Carolyn nodded.
"Carrie, you know on one level what happened to Angel and me when we were kids, but I doubt anyone can really appreciate the feeling. He is retreating and the mental conditioning that miserable bitch painted in our heads is like graffiti on a wall which has been cleaned but comes back over time, like after a rain. Right now he wants to burn the bridges so he can't go back to who he was.
"In a way, it's a positive sign. For the first time since I've known Angel, he is being monstrously selfish! He is actually whining and hiding, something he has never allowed himself to do before. And he has even rationalized it by probably thinking it's good for you. Have you had sex since this started?" Tess probed.
"No. I mean yes, I have the most fabulous lesbian lovemaking you can imagine, but have I had sex, like with the man I love? No. The few times I have hinted, he gets this look of shame and begs off. He says it doesn't work, it's his fault and he is deeply embarrassed. Like he is impotent or something. I know that's crap, since he betrays himself when he is pleasuring me. I want my man back, Tess!" Carolyn stopped sobbing and focused.
"I at least want one who does not ask permission to get his boobs plumped. The old Angel would have just come home with a big rack and asked if I liked them!" Carolyn continued.
"Carolyn, we need to make him deal with his decisions. He is in a cocoon now, sitting at home and playing housewife. Bring him into your world, have him support you. Have him entertain. Let me drag him into the rehab operation. He can do charitable works like any wealthy housewife. Tell him he can do whatever he wants on the hormones, but you need him now to host a dinner party or plan an event. He can fit his 'little problems' in after he begins to help with your work. And then buy him jewelry and flowers regularly.
"I'll drag him into helping with the Lady Jean rehab centers for the victims of TransTalent. He won't refuse me and I want to connect him with the reason he is who he is." Tess finished.
Carolyn looked at her with a new admiration. Every time she met with Miss T, she gained new respect for her pragmatic and cunning approach to life which was usually hidden underneath the persona of a socialite airhead.
Lady Jean's Lodge, High Sierras, Northern California February 10
The eight year old ran across to the waiting arms. Carol absorbed the shock as her little brother Toby collided with her and gave her one of those earnest hugs only a child knows how to do. Carol had been gone for ten days and he viewed his sister more like his mother. She had raised him, comforted him and in his fuzzy knowledge of events, saved him when he was little.
Lady Jean laughed. As she got older she took comfort in the observation of the little things which made life worth living. Seeing these two greet each other with such love was definitely worth a hearty dose of mirth. Life is often good if you look for the things which make it so.
"He has been counting the minutes, Carol. I wish you had not bought him that watch!" Jean said with her broad smile.
Carol set the boy down, who now ran off to Marguerite, entering with a tray of fresh baked cookies.
"At least I got equal attention to the chocolate chips."
"Tell me about the center. I want your first hand impressions." Lady Jean asked.
Lady Jean and Bob Angelo had managed the grants from Promisense committed to the rehabilitation of the victims of TransTalent. Pooling the resources and expertise of both their organizations, they had converted a large building in Venice Beach and an old ranch north of Santa Barbara to house and care for the fifty three girls and boys who had been held captive by the franchises or repatriated from Mexico.
"We were right to not separate the centers by gender but by need. The social isolates at the ranch are able to deal with rebuilding their identities in a beautiful setting. No outside world. The one in LA almost forces the patients to interact with a city full of people. The neighbors have been great and accepting. And the local businesses are very happy we are there.
"Miss T, Tess has been immensely helpful. I think she spends more time there than any other volunteer. Her story gives her real credibility." Carol finished her summary.
"As does yours, my dear. As does yours. I hate to say it, but the girls will have an easier recovery than the boys, not to minimize what they went through. The boys had their mind and bodies assaulted. How many will be able to return to the world as men?" Jean mused, almost rhetorically.
"About half. Some were only at the beginnings of their treatment and some were not subjected to hormones at all. But we have a lot of reluctant 'girls' left. And then there's Johnnie. He scares me a bit. Nobody should embrace becoming a woman that easily. He's hiding something." Carol said, answering Jean's open question.
"We all hide something, Carol. Let's hope Johnnie knows what it is and can deal with it. In the end, we all have to deal with our terrors alone before we can ask for help."
Beach House, Malibu, California, February 28
The two girls broke into laughter at something on the television. Since Johnnie as a step brother had been an abstract to her and Johnnie as her sister was real she had never had the discontinuity of changing the gender designation. Johnnie was a she. She had chosen to become a she and was undergoing a carefully measured regimen of hormones to prepare her body for an eventual decision on sexual reassignment surgery.
Johnnie's decision to live at the Venice Beach rehab center was welcome to Carolyn, since it gave her time to adjust to being a sister while she dealt with her husband's challenges.
Today, she and Marla Brokken, the co victims were two girls on leave from the 'jail' as they jokingly referred to the center. Angel had been feeding them an endless array of foods made on request, while hovering over the area and picking up after them.
Johnnie was really showing the therapy effects in the location of her weight gain. Hips, thighs, butt and even breasts around the implants were all showing a plumping effect of her voracious appetite. She wasn't very fat yet, but Carolyn felt a need to intercede soon. Her friend Marla apparently was one of those blessed souls who can eat anything and never gain weight.
Johnnie was to become the inheritor of half of the Tunturo estate. Their father had changed his will before he died, making Carolyn the inheritor of the other half as well as the administrator of the various enterprises until Johnnie reached twenty one. Carolyn owed Johnnie an education and care until Johnnie became majority owner only by buying her out for a fair market price. If Johnnie elected, she could remain minority owner and receive the same fair value for her half. She had until age twenty five to decide. It was an interesting arrangement.
What was most important was that Johnnie was happy with it. She admitted to Carolyn that she would have no idea on how to deal with all that responsibility. Inheriting wealth in the form of a working enterprise is not like winning a lottery. The value only exists if you keep it running.
Carolyn had to admit that Johnnie was acting like a normal girl her age would, even to admiring the boys and men on television with a critical eye and withering humor to the delight of Marla. The reports from George and the other staff counselors were encouraging. The strange note was from Carol, Lady Jean's staff leader.
Carol had sent a vague misgiving that Johnnie was too accepting, and might be covering something under her behavior. Carol was also the first to admit she was an amateur and probably worried about nothing. Carolyn hoped she was right about that. She had enough problems with Angel.
In the kitchen Carolyn approach her husband from behind, threading her hands around his slim waist, now slimmer due to the corset Miss T had convinced him to have custom made.
"Oohhh, that feels good but I can barely breathe in this." Angel cooed as Carolyn nibbled his earlobe. He felt a cold sensation as she drew the necklace around his neck. Diamonds glistened in the mirrored surfaces of the kitchen appliances.
"Consider this a token for the Spring Client Event Hostess of the year. And I must say your figure is getting even more girlish, you will be stunning at the event. You'll be the prettiest spouse who ever ran the affair for our firm. But I do want you to breathe, darling. Fainting is so old fashioned." Carolyn had decided to treat Angel as she would any dependent girlfriend. She had showered him with a stream of flower deliveries, lingerie, surprise spa visits and jewelry on a seemingly random schedule.
Angel at first enjoyed the procession of gifts, not because he liked them but because they represented Carolyn's love. He did not realize he had never refined the shopping gene. Clothes and accessories were what you wore to give a performance. Sometimes they made him happy as part of an overall whole.
On any chemical or surgical procedures Carolyn had told him to do 'whatever' he wanted, but she needed him to help with things right now since she was so consumed with settling her father's estate as well as her legal work. Angel threw himself into event planning, dealing with florists and invitations, caterers and locations for the annual event for Carolyn's legal clients and benefactors. Tommie (Miss T) was invaluable in guiding him through the uncharted waters.
While Angel was an expert at planning an assault or a complex sting, dealing with the social secretaries of twelve wealthy feminists who had contributed to Carolyn's legal foundation was different than anything he had ever seen. Tommie held his hand through the details.
Miss T's House, Pasadena, California March 6
Looking down from the deck railing, Angel could see the Pacific and the panorama of Los Angeles laid out before him. Hair moved by the gentle breeze as he found simple amusement in the coincidence that he and Tommie were wearing the same fitted suit, his a pastel blue and hers pink. They had just been driven back here from the rehab center, looking for all the world like sisters, with the same taste in clothes, similar long flowing hair, and the easy relationship and shorthand conversation common to siblings.
In many ways, Tommie (Miss T) was Angel's true family, perhaps the only one with whom he could ever share his inner thoughts. They had the same painful experience and had no need to hide it from each other.
"Angel, honey, you've really done so well at the center. The girls just adore you. They feel they can talk to you. And I have a gift for your new life." Tommie said as she presented a gift wrapped box to him.
Angel protested and with Tommie's urging, opened the box. He was surprised by the contents. An expensive 'feminine pleasure device'. A vibrator. An artificial male.
Miss T spoke before he could react.
"Angel, on the path you are on, you need this. All of my girl friends who are couples swear by it, and I think Carolyn will appreciate it. Plus, if you go all the way, you will need it post op." she said, in a sisterly tone.
Angel was stunned, still dealing with the implications. Carolyn's needs may be more than Carolyn let on. A realization of just how self centered his thinking had been started to light up his mind.
The week he had spent just counseling the victims was having a profound effect. They all knew who he was and how he had been instrumental in their freedom. They hung on his every word. He also had seen the boys who were trying to regain masculinity and realized he needed to help them by example.
Tommie grabbed his arm and pulled him to her. They held each other like they used to, long ago when things were dark. Angel had protected her then. Now she was protecting him.
"Angel, I was there too. The bitch did it to me too, despite all your efforts. She was wrong. Men can be wonderful and women want them to be there, especially when some piece of shit like Beimbeau needs to be removed. And if one Tommie or one Angel type kid is saved from what we went through because you scared the piss out of them, then you did right."
Angel held Tommie as the lights came on across the vista. LA at night from the hills, a scene from a thousand movies.
Hotel Ballroom, Downtown Los Angeles, March 8
Carolyn was impressed. The flowers, the invitations, the schedule, the insane dietary variations of all so twenty or so spoiled wealthy women of inherited wealth were covered. The drama of prior years had somehow been avoided, or had at least avoided her office.
Angel was perfectly turned out, his hair pulled back and in a fall down the open back of his formal gown. She was amazed at how much his waist had been compressed by the corsetry, since without it tonight, he was approaching a 24 inch size. Not wasp waisted, but for a male, definitively feminine. He seemed to have also moderated his breast size to a more demure 'C' cup. He looked very much the role of the junior league corporate spouse. He greeted each and every guest, some of whom were known for distinct hostility to anything male. The smile never left his lips, despite some quite rude and insulting remarks. Two of. her guests refused to address him and demanded another escort to their table. Carolyn made a mental note to remove any connection of her work with their groups. Referring to Angel as an 'it' was more than she was prepared to take. Angel paid no notice.
The event proceeded; the guest speaker was Miriam Sinclair, the noted psychiatrist and author. Miriam was amusing and irreverent as always, poking fun at the more extreme attitudes about gender and society, many of which were present in the room in abundant quantity.
A tall blonde woman, listed as the 'companion' to Imelda Martin, shadowed Angel in his fluttering about the event, keeping things moving. She was clearly a bodyguard of some type. Seated at the Martin table were two other security types, both blonde and over six feet tall.
Carolyn wondered what Imelda was up to. She normally only had on security person and two social secretaries. She was also one of those who referred to Angel as 'it'.
Near the end of the event, dessert was being served. Carolyn watched Angel being summoned to the Martin table. A waitress serving a tray was being yelled at by one of the blonde security types.
Under the eyes of the entire room, the noise level rising enough to shut down all other conversation, Angel approached the dispute. Apparently the dessert was not satisfactory.
"Imelda cannot consume this garbage. We informed you what her requirements were.." The blonde said, towering over Angel.
Angel looked at the tray holding an excellent version of tiramisu. He moved his white gloved hand to touch the shoulder of the waitress, to offer support and calm her down.
"You have changed your mind? That will be no problem. What would you prefer different from your original order? We will see what we can do to accommodate your new request at such a late hour." His tone was musical and yet contained a hint of steel.
The blonde was taken aback. She grabbed the tray from the bewildered waitress. Angel shifted his position slightly.
"It would figure a male thing could not handle even a simple request for acceptable food." The blonde said, beginning a motion with the tray.
Angel saw Imelda grinning in enjoyment at the spectacle out of the corner of his eye. He saw the tray being thrown right at him, made a ninja like motion adjusting the trajectory of the blonde's arm, too quick for any to see and then shifted his position again.
The entire room saw the blonde heave a tray of sticky syrupy dessert at Imelda Martin while Angel had a shocked expression on his face.
Looking at the spluttering Imelda, furiously swearing a blue streak, Angel snapped his fingers and motion for the staff to come and begin cleaning up the mess.
"Ms Martin, please restrain your bodyguards from having food fights until they leave the venue. Thank you so much." He said, turning on his four inch stiletto and moving to the next task.
The room broke into applause. Carolyn ran up and hugged her husband. She then turned to Imelda and said in a loud voice "Get out now, Imelda. I don't want to see you or your rude bullshit anymore. All relations with the foundation and your groups are severed."
Parking Garage, Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles, March 9 1AM
Miriam Sinclair and her friend, June Carter were standing with Carolyn and Angel in the parking garage. The affair was over and viewed as a great success. Imelda had been regarded as extreme and obnoxious by almost everybody.
"Thank you Miriam. You were entertaining as usual. And nice meeting you, June." Carolyn said as they were parting.
"I think I can't compete on entertaining with Angel, Carolyn. Good evening and I will see you again. Angel, I will meet you at the rehab center next Tuesday. I would like to see the people there. I always learn something new, especially when the cases are so extreme." Miriam said as she kissed Angel and Carolyn.
As the two guests were just around the corner, the three blonde security women emerged from the corner of the garage, surrounding Angel and Carolyn.
"Thought you were cute in there, man thing? Well, we're not playing girl's rules out here. My sister was a guard at TransTalent in Oregon. And Imelda was a friend of Madam J. I'm gonna have fun bashing your woman to a pulp while you watch." The woman said. The rage in her voice was palpable.
The other two circled, closing in on the two in the center. One of the blondes pulled a silenced Beretta automatic and pointed it at Angel.
"Move and you die, then I get to kill her slowly. Don't move and you get to see me hurt her." The tall blonde advanced on Carolyn. Angel stopped moving.
A sudden gunshot froze everybody in the tableau.
"Angel! She's down!" Sean Taylor spoke, her voice echoing around the garage walls. The blonde with the gun fell over dead.
Carolyn never knew what happened. Angel blurred into motion and suddenly there were two more dead blondes, heads twisted like a broken toy, pistols in their hands barely out of the holsters.
"Are you all right?" Angel asked as he held Carolyn. Sean Taylor, followed by Miriam and June ran up.
Angel turned to Sean and took her hand.
"Thank you. I'm not sure I could have taken all three." He said calmly.
"Remind me never to piss you off, Angel. Larry warned me about you. I was covering June at the event and saw these bimbo's sneaking up. I figured you needed some help with the odds."
"Remind me never to try and spot you undercover, Sean. Thanks again. Now we have a mess for a few hours. Thank God it's a righteous shoot."
Carolyn, Miriam and June just stared at the two, calmly talking shop amongst the dead bodies. The police arrived within twenty minutes. Bob Angelo called his local contact in LAPD and Carolyn and Angel were released from questioning after two hours. Sean had her piece taken into custody, but was also released. Miriam and June gave eyewitness accounts. Imelda Martin was nowhere to be found.
Beach House, Malibu, California March 9 , 4 AM
The bed looked very inviting after the ordeal at the end of the evening. Carolyn had undressed and donned her negligee, ready for sleep. She crawled under the covers.
Angel entered the room, wearing a matching negligee, carrying Tommie's gift under his arm. His hair unpinned, it fell to his bare chest.
Carolyn stared at him wide eyed.
"Which would you prefer, my dear? The height of enhanced pleasure OR..." he began to slowly lift his negligee "the all natural alternative?" Angel managed a smile which was simultaneously innocent and leering.
Carolyn laughed and lay back, spreading her legs in giggling anticipation.
Angel was back. All of him.
"All natural. I hear it's much healthier." She purred as Angel removed his negligee.
Beach At Sunrise, Malibu, California, March 9
Rays of lights broke through the clouds in tiny sections, illuminating pieces of the rolling surf. Bare feet chilled in the wet sand as Angel walked. Carolyn was sleeping with a large smile, and he had been unable to rest.
The Face was gone. Just a memory now. Frank's image had replaced her.
Angel knew he was no longer hiding. All the masks were off and he laughed over the rumble of waves breaking on the shore.
Chapter 25: Brave New World March, The Following Year
Cyberspace and points in reality
Marge Foley, now a senior customer service representative for TransWorld Productions, a division of Promisense, Inc., loved her new job. She was especially pleased with her new chair, which no longer squeaked when she shifted her three hundred pound bulk. She leaned over to her microphone and said, breathlessly-
"Hello, LollyPop, so glad you could come back to visit. All charges are approved."
"WELCOME BACK! LollyPop: Member Class=DOMME, SELECTION=BOBBY TO BOBBI scrolled across the all black screen of the laptop.
LollyPop grinned in anticipation as the show began. His summer job and new allowance from Dad was wonderful. He could afford to buy his own panties now, and had found several pairs which fit nicely at the TransWorld online store. The rates had gone down since TransTalent had gone dark. There were many more sites now.
He missed the old one though. It was obvious that the new participants were actors. Nothing would ever touch JOHNNIE TO JILL for quality of humiliation.
PleasureJacs were becoming available, but they scared him. He had heard the stories. Worrying about a malfunction tended to ruin the mood.
Garden Apartments, Suburban Area Outside A Major City
Marla enjoyed these little ventures with Johnnie. She was not clear how her friend had tracked down this one, but she had. They rang the doorbell.
Johnnie was much better looking since Marla and Carolyn had made her diet and exercise. The fat had melted off her hips over several months, leaving pleasing curves which matched her large breasts. Johnnie had refused offers to remove the implants.
Using her generous allowance, the two seventeen year olds had flown in and with some clever strings pulled, had rented a car.
The door opened.
"Nickie Seabird? We need to talk." Johnnie said pleasantly. Her hand rested on the Sig Sauer in the holster under her jacket.
END
Author's Note: I had an intriguing conversation with an early reader of this work. They had expressed concern that many TG folks came to their place from very different circumstances than those in this story. She was correct. The following is an excerpt from my email reply, which may give you some idea what I was trying to do.
"Made me think again, dammit! It hurts!
Ok, here's what I came to. You are right, it is fantastical. Angel is not a reaction to real pain and suffering as he is a reaction to the fantasy pain and suffering which plays out in lousy and well written TG fiction.
Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes , but then had to create Moriarty, the first super criminal so Holmes would have meaning. It was fantastical.
Thinking back (and using Conan Doyle as an example- I am not anywhere fit to polish his nouns) Angel was created as an alternative to the fantastical entertainment being passed off as TG fiction.
The authors I asked to collaborate have all expressed similar sentiments.
Angel is not a commentary on TG as much as he is a commentary on TG Fiction."
Surely if there is room for all those deliciously villainous people in the genre, there is room for Angel.
Tyrone Slothrop
Other Tyrone Slothrop Stories Featuring Characters From "I Can See For Miles" :
Angel Stories
Characters: Angel, Frank, George Romany, Carolyn, Bob Angelo, Dr, Janice Peters, Bill, Jim, Madam J, Vicky Prentille, Spider Robertson
"Spring Is The Season Of Recovery"
"Winter Is The Season Of Endings"
"Lamb And Lion"
High Sierras Stories
Characters: Lady Jean Thomas, Carol(Bobby) Dunbar, Steve Dunbar, Toby Dunbar, Bobby Filler, Charlene Filler, Terri (Terry) Singer, Joelle Singer, Marguerite, Doc Schlange, Dr. Karen Peters
"Accidental Momma"
"Roadside Attraction"
Princess Cycle (with Wanda Cunningham)
Characters: Marissa Dupre, Brian Dupre, Larry Elger, Sean Taylor, Cissy(Alan) Carter, Cecilia Carter, June Carter, John Carter, Miriam Sinclair
"The Princess Trap"
Other Stories
Characters: Brigit Kelly, Jessie Musgrove-Kelly, Parnello
"Walk On The Street"
Random Victories Series
Characters: Miss M, Jim Brunner, Sharon Brunner
Random Victories -"Legend of Hair House"
Random Victories-"You're Gonna Carry That Weight"
Random Victories-"Mid Mountain File"
Random Victories-"Angels Of Mercy"
*********************************************
© 2004 by Slothrop. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all
articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No
portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or
otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.