“I’d love to see the slut whipped.”
“Mrs. Heisei?”
“Whip.”
“And you, Mrs. Arhita?
“She is a disgrace to all women. Let her be whipped.”
He smiled and held up his hands, “The rest of you?”
“Whipped,” they said in a chorus.
“Finally,” Abul nodded to his left, “our own Madam Khe. A martini or the riding crop?”
“The martini can wait,” Madam Khe said.
“You heard my guests, Mrs. Ryan.” Abul pointed toward to stage. Kathy glanced at Mr. Satomi whose head was turned away from her as he whispered something to Madam Khe. The small woman between them, who was completely hidden under a heavy black caftan, had not uttered a word nor, it seemed to Kathy, had she even moved. Kathy tried to see her eyes behind the mask, but could not.
“Come,” Miko said and started up the ramp to the stage. Kat
