Chapter 12
1155 Words
Madame Collette smoothed her brown hair and slid her hand down her maroon faille dress. She slipped a heavy pearl necklace over her head and smiled at the round face in the mirror before entering the lobby of her domain. She nodded at Doris arranging the glassware and whiskey bottles. Twilight had begun and her girls were in place awaiting her inspection, each deliberately posed in their most alluring position. She studied Suzette as she checked them. This would be Suzette"s last season here. She was getting too old. Worse, it looked like the woman was pregnant again. She shook her head. Too damn stupid to use the correct douche. She nodded at the maid to unlock the front door. She could see two looming shapes outside. This might be a good evening for midweek if someone were here this early.
Doris opened the door with a beaming smile and two men crossed the threshold. The huge form of one made some of the smaller girls suck in their breath. There were times when such men could rip the insides of a petite woman. At least he was well dressed. The other man was dressed in buckskins. Not a good sign for someone with money to drop.
Madame Collette tried to gauge whether to ask that they leave or accommodate them. The large man solved the problem by removing his hat, bowing, and speaking in French.
“Good evening, Madame Collette. Mr. Rutledge recommended this as a refined place to visit before leaving your fair city. It seems you have those that will please a man and your drinks received almost as much praise.”
Madame forced a smile to her lips. The girls be damned, she thought. Rutledge was her link to the law. This man was entitled to anyone in the place.
“If we both could have a drink, I"ll make my selections.”
“Selections, monsieur?”
The dark eyes smiled down at her. “Aye, I"ll select two now and more as the evening progresses.” He had reverted to English.
Madame Collette stared for a moment and gave a low chuckle.
“I like a man who knows what he wants. The fee is twenty-five dollars per room.” In her establishment, it was the room that was rented not the female. “Since you are selecting two, it would be two rooms. It is a bit difficult to be two places at once. Do you intend to spend the evening? Then it becomes one hundred dollars.”
MacDonald"s smile was becoming a bit fixed. “Tis there a time limit on the two rooms?”
“Only if you spend the evening, then, as I said, the fee is one hundred dollars for each room. One room could be empty, of course, if that is what you prefer. We do make our gentlemen feel quite at home here.”
Relief flooded MacDonald"s face. “Of course, the fee changes with each selection. Tis that nay correct?”
The girls were twittering in the background. Madame could see someone else"s shape at the door and the knocker clanged.
“Doris, admit the gentleman.”
She turned to MacDonald. “That is correct.”
“Then for now I twill take the two tallest. I should be back down in about two hours.”
“Wouldn"t you prefer a drink first, or one to take with you?” She thought this a most curious way to choose.
“Nay for myself, but friend Rolfe twould like one.” He pulled out his bills and added a nickel for Rolfe"s beer. He then looked at the young women for none were over twenty-four.
He nodded at two of them and they rose and went to him. Somehow he knew this would not fulfill the desire raging in him, but the physical could no longer be denied. At least his Elder Lamar had instructed him and Leta had more than taught him. They ascended the stairs.
True to his word, MacDonald returned in about two hours. By now the room was filled with cigar smoke, men talking loudly, the smell of alcohol floating about the room, and fewer women. Most of the men were waiting for a certain woman to return. Several men had started a poker game. The Madame did not mind. They bought drinks more frequently and added to her profit. MacDonald selected two more and sighed at their short stature. He bought Rolfe another beer. Rolfe raised his eyebrows. It was now after nine o"clock.
Two hours later he returned. That had been time enough for the first two females to spread the tale of an incredible lover who was capable of more than once without assistance. Both were hoping to be chosen again. Rolfe was trying to guard their valise and not fall into a slumber when MacDonald went back up the stairs with two more.
It was enough to make Rolfe sit upright. He decided to join in the poker game. The men looked tired and they had definitely downed more booze than he had. Rolfe laid down his gold piece and was accepted. They knew they were sharp business men. What could a buckskin-clad frontiersman know?
At one fourteen in the morning MacDonald walked down the stairs again. By this time the lobby was almost deserted except for a very drowsy Rolfe. Madame Collette was pacing back and forth.
“Will you be choosing another? I have but two left who are not engaged for the evening.”
MacDonald looked at the two. They were but mere slips of womanhood, barely standing an even four feet. He shook his head.
“Nay, they are far too wee. I might injure them. If I may have my hat, please?”
“Of course, Mr. MacDonald, and may I say this has been one of the more interesting evenings of my life.” She motioned to Doris to bring his hat. “You have given us something to dwell on for many an evening. Please come back at any time.” She did not address her remarks to Rolfe. He had managed to upset two of her better customers by winning their evening funds.
Doris handed him his broad brimmed hat and he handed her a nickel, bowed to the Madame, and walked out the door with Rolfe. Once the door was closed, they untied their horses and mounted.
“I heard dem vimen say du f****d two times for each visit. Dat true?”
“Aye, I did that.”
“Do du know vhat, Mac. Du ain"t human.” He swung his horse out into the empty street.
The darkness hid MacDonald"s smile, but inside he still hungered. He had made up for the physical fire raging within, but the mental and emotional transfer had been missing. It was something the beings on this planet lacked.
- Writer
