From the notes of Mr. N

«Crocodile leather boots look good on you,» I said to Vera the day before.

– I bought them to walk you around at night, «she smiled, lighting one of her many cigarettes. «Tell me, what doesn’t suit me?»

My jailer squatted down, her knees spread shamelessly, and blew a cloud of smoke at me.

«That you’re not wearing any panties,» I said as she took a deep drag on her cigarette, clearly enjoying her superiority over me.

A woman’s laughter came from the bathroom, and I looked at Vera questioningly.

– I thought I’d give you a little last gift, «she said, flicking ash on my head.

All her gifts were predictable. She had a fancy hot tub. Sometimes this strange woman arranged a holiday for me, inviting VIP prostitutes. Usually two or three girls, dyed blonde with blue eyes. For more y Vera lacked imagination. Naturally, these girls had doll-like porcelain faces, and even in their gait there was something of a mannequin. They wore chastity belts, so classic sex with them was impossible for me. Every time I managed to get around these women’s tricks, but today, the day before the surgery, Vera exceeded my expectations. She pulled the girls ' leather helmets over their heads and laced up their visors with special care. It reminded me of the image of gladiators bathing before a fight. Then Vera pushed me into their modest group, and she sat down on the edge of the Jacuzzi and thought about something, watching these carefree furies frolic with laughter, splashing each other with water and foam. I swam between them, resigned to my fate and resisting the senseless desire for intimacy with them, until the hostess brought me a terry towel. I was silent, a little annoyed, and she kept looking at me as if to say, «Well, how did you wake up, honey?»

Ancient murky mirrors reflect the glare of hopelessness. High ceilings, crystal chandeliers. Wet footprints on the marble floor. The distant laughter of the girls behind the screen. Bubbling water, sparkling foam, smoking incense… I’m crowned with a laurel wreath like Caesar, sucking on a Martini bottle. A naked gladiator washes me with a soapy sponge.