THE 2H’ers

BY

PHAIR

Ebook by
PDAFiction.com

DISCLAIMER: This is merely satire. No offense is intended and no offense should be taken.

FEEDBACK: Send to

p.phair@comcast.net

THE 2H’ers

PART 1

CONNOR FELT LIKE she was dragging herself up the last flight of stairs to her apartment. Some days the forth floor walk up was tougher to manage than others. Today was one of those days. Connor was already exhausted from yet another pointless cattle call. All day spent waiting with dozens of other hopeful actresses for her five minutes in front of the casting director. He didn’t even look up at her when she read.

“Thank you, next,” he called out when she was only three words into her lines.

She turned the key in her door thinking, “I guess, there’s always tomorrow.”

Sobbing from the living room startled her as she entered. She set her things down and hurried toward the sound.

“Benjy, why are you crying? What’s wrong?” She questioned her roommate but immediately shifted her attention to Joyce who was sitting across from the young man. “Joyce, what have you done? Why is Benjy crying?”

“Well, that’s a fine hello! Go on, assume Joyce is the bad girl, again. You know, I might stop coming around here if you don’t clean up your attitude missy,” Joyce huffed.

Connor put her hands on her hips and replied, “Come around? It’s more like living on our couch! Joyce, you don’t pay for rent or for any of the food you chow down and the only time you don’t sleep here is when you find some jerk to screw. On top of that, you’re a constant pain in the ass!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was afraid you hadn’t noticed my unique specialness,” Joyce said with a broad grin.

“Connor, you’ll never believe what she’s done. We’re totally wrecked. It’s all over. Neither of us will ever get work again,” Benjy gasped out between sobs.

“Big difference! You two never get work anyway,” Joyce scoffed. “Unless it’s pancake house work you’re talking about. Still, neither of you are lead waitress caliber performers.”

Before Connor could fire back, Benjy tossed her a copy of Variety. “Read the article, ‘Hollywood’s a buzz…but very quietly.’”

“What started as a blog about a secret movie screening has turned into the film buzz of the year,” Connor began but was clearly confused. “A film screened by invitation only for the two hundred smartest people in the country has caused an unprecedented stir. Film maker Benjy Benjie…, Oh my GOD!” Connor dropped to the floor. “You didn’t do this…,”

“I was bored!” Joyce announced. “It was something to do. So, I invented a fake Indy movie premiere with a super secret guest list. The guests are sworn to secrecy because the film is so Earth shattering. Only the smartest of the smartest are invited. Benjy’s the director, I’m the set and wardrobe designer and…,”

“PLEASE! Say you left me out of it,” Connor begged.

“Don’t be silly. You’re the actor. Cast of one!” Joyce giggled. “Really, I thought people would see right through the hoax. But, some of those Hollywood types are very vain, you know. Nobody will admit they weren’t invited.”

“Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God,” Connor was rocking back and forth clutching the newspaper to her chest.

“What are we gonna do?” Benjy asked Connor as the phone began to ring.

“It’s not the end of the word, stupid,” Joyce reprimanded. “They’re starting to talk about a Golden Globe nomination.”

“Oh GOD!” Connor cried.

The beep of the answering machine silenced the room, “CONNOR! PICK UP!”

“Shit, it’s Saul,” Connor said. She scramble to grab the receiver. “Saul, hello, let me appol…,”

“Is Benjy with you? And, that twit Joyce?” The man interrupted.

“Yes.”

“Put me on speaker.” He waited to for the clicks. “Can everybody hear me?”

“Yes,” the trio muttered solemnly.

“To be truthful, I was fit to be tied when I heard what was going on. I got my lawyer to look at your contract, Connor. I wanted to know if I had grounds to sue you. He said, I have a great case against you.” Saul paused to let his words sink in. “But, that would be counterproductive.”

“Saul, I…,” Connor tried to explain.

“Honey, sweetie, relax. Sure, I’m put out that Benjy didn’t invite me to the screening…,”

“What?” Connor exclaimed.

“My fault, Saul,” Joyce jumped into the conversation. “I was suppose to mail your invite and it ended up stuck inside my purse. Didn’t find it until yesterday. Sorry Saul.”

“Figures it was you,” Saul sounded disgusted. “Anyway kids, our collective fortunes are turning. I’ve got a pile of scripts on my desk for the three of you to read. And, Marv Rattenbury of RATTS Studio is sending his private jet tonight to shuttled the four of us to LA. Be in your lobby at 8:30 sharp, my car will pick you up, we’re flying out of JFK, one bag each, I’ll spring for makeovers when we get out there, Joyce and Benjy are both going to sign contracts with me on the plane so I don’t get pissy and sue Connor, got it, kids?”

“Yes,” the group response was even softer.

The line clicked off. Connor looked at Benjy and saw tears streaming down his cheeks. Joyce was mercifully silent.

“I guess, I was wrong. There is no tomorrow,” Connor said more for herself than anybody else.

PART 2

"LIKE MOST HOLLYWOOD insiders, Penn dodged questions about his 2H'er status. ’There is a confidentiality agreement,' he coyly told this reporter." Joyce read aloud from one of a stack of newspapers in her lap.

Saul smiled, "I particularly like the quote from Babs. It says something about a turning point in cinema where the responsibility to be informed shifts to the audience."

"Are you kidding me?" Benjy's jaw dropped and he started to rummage through the pile of newspapers. "She said that about my movie? Wow oh wow!"

Connor stared in mute horror at her three traveling companions.

"Here's a good one," Joyce cleared her throat. "Sources tell me that Gibson, Cruise, Fonda, Sheen, Sarandon, Robbins, O'Donnell, and Stone would not comment on their 2H'er status. Many more would not even dare to confirm the name of the movie..."

"Oh wow, listen to this," Benjy interrupted. "The current media swirl around Benjy Benjie's bombshell of a movie is not entirely without controversy. Conservative pundit Hannity expressed frustration with liberal leaning movie makers. He indicated that movies such as this merely perpetuate more of the same. Carlson agreed stating, ‘this is nothing new, just the same talking heads saying nothing.' Oh wow!"

"Bono said something along the lines of it being more important to talk about Africa than 2H'er titles," Saul grinned.

"Ewww, this is from my favorite scandal sheet. ’Our spy snuck into the super secret private screening and tells us the film is devastating. She said it was like witnessing motion pictures growth from silent to talking.' Too bad the whole world isn't smart enough to see our movie," Joyce said and gave a heavy sigh.

The plane shuddered as it hit turbulence. Connor was certain she would puke from the toxic combination of the conversation and the rocky flight.

"Please Lord, let me just gag on my own vomit and die," she prayed silently.

Saul undid his seat belt. "I've got to go to the little boy's room. You three better put the papers away and start reading scripts. We'll be landing in four hours or so."

Once he shut the bathroom door behind him, Connor spoke, "We've got to tell him. We have to tell Saul the truth. Right now!"

"Babe, let the guy take a dump in peace. I'm mean he's so old he's probably got Crohn's or Irritable PooPoo Disorder," Joyce said. "Or maybe his Probate Gland is as big as my head!"

"Gross," Benjy said with a snarl, "and mispronounced. Listen Connor, I've been thinking about the whole situation and we don't have to tell him anything. Really. This thing has a life of its own. We confirm and deny nothing. Nobody is going to blow it open because it will put their rep's on the line. I hate to admit it but Joyce was pretty clever with the set up. In a narcissistic world, ego guarding is the surest bet."

Joyce nodded enthusiastically.

"Have you both lost your minds?" Connor asked in disbelief.

"What? It's perfect. You two are already media darlings and hot properties. Look at the bunch of scripts Saul brought. I've even got offers for wardrobe design! And, I was so hoping they'd want me for set design. Go figure," Joyce announced with a flourish.

This time Benjy nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, so you both have indeed lost your minds. Well, I haven't," Connor stated. "What we are doing by continuing the hoax is fraud. People are starting to give us gifts. Plane trips and scripts and clothes and makeovers all because of lies Joyce told. Once we start to make financial gains because of those lies then we become...,"

"Ohhh oooh, I know, pick me. Politicians!" Joyce shouted as she waved her hand around violently.

"...criminals," Benjy said and the smile slipped from his face.

"Yeah, criminals," Connor repeated.

"But, Connor, they are talking Golden Globe nominations...," Benjy whined.

"...Oscar buzz is starting too," Joyce spoke quietly and handed him a paper.

"Oscar?" Benjy questioned.

"It doesn't matter. We could go to jail for stuff like this. Think about how much this plane costs," Connor cautioned. "Besides, you'd need to have a clip to show at those award ceremonies. No movie, no clips."

"What if, I mean, if there was a movie? Would you keep going along with us if there was a movie or will be soon?" Benjy gave her a hopeful look.

Connor blew out a deep breath, "How...,"

"Let us worry about tiny details," Joyce cut her off. "We'll have ninety eight minutes of film ready for viewing in a week. Right, Benjy?"

"Connor, I promise. One week and it will be ready or I will tell Saul the truth myself."

"What truth are we talking about?" Saul asked as he dropped back in his seat.

The trio was quiet for a moment.

"The truth is," Connor began and Benjy dropped his gaze to the floor in defeat. "...the truth is Benjy doesn't really appreciate the films RATTS Studio produces." Connor swallowed hard on the lie.

"No surprise there. They only make crap. It should be renamed CRAPS Studio." Saul gave a hardy laugh. "Oh, hey, what is the name of your movie, anyway? Nothing is the press mentions it by name."

"DUMBSTRUCK," Joyce stated firmly.

The little plane shook with another round of turbulence.

Connor paled.

Benjy began to sweat.

"Hmm, good potential with posters and t-shirts, I should think," Saul rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

PART 3

CONNOR COULD BARELY keep up with the pace of activities once the plane landed. A swarm of people met them at the VIP exit. There was a hair designer, a clothing designer, several make up people, a driver, and a caterer. She was measured and pushed and fed and led through halls and tunnels as Saul barked instructions between the frantic team working on the three travel weary displaced bohemians and some unseen associate on the other end of his cell phone.

"Saul, look at this one!" A painfully thin black woman next to Connor demanded. "I hate everything about her!"

"Fix her, Belva. You have twenty two minutes with her when we get to the boutique, not one minute more," Saul waved off more protests as he returned to his phone call.

Connor glanced over her shoulder and saw Benjy and Joyce were suffering as much as she was. Perhaps, Joyce was suffering a bit more because she had no tolerance for criticism even though she was always the first to dispense it. Most often in liberal doses.

The entourage was hustled into a waiting bus. Not just any ordinary bus, a Ratt's Studio bus.

"Shit, this place is bigger than our apartment," Benjy gasped as he was shoved into a barber chair.

Joyce, who broke free of her handlers to attack the buffet table, managed to mumble, "And, the foods better too,"

"Never stopped you from cleaning out our fridge," Connor shot back as she was settled into the chair next to Benjy.

"No fighting, children," Saul announced. "The three of you are to be on your best behavior during this trip. Are we clear on that?"

An unenthusiastic yes rose from the three.

"Good. In that case, I'll let you watch some TV while you get all spruced up," Saul gave a smile and a wink as he sat in the largest chair available.

Six or seven TV screens came to life around the bus. The familiar tones of Nightly Entertainment, a daily run down of Hollywood happenings, filled the air. Connor let herself start to relax with the idle ramblings about the top movies in the country as her hair was fussed with.

"And, now on to our 2H'ers watch!"

Connor's heart nearly stopped.

"Cool, we got our own segment," Joyce snorted between bites of caviar.

Connor was certain her heart stopped then.

"We talked early this morning with Sammi Gregory about her 2H'er status."

All the screens flipped to a beautiful, dark haired woman barely containing an infectious smirk, "To be perfectly honest, I wasn't invited. So, I guess my reputation for being as dumb as a post has spread beyond the confines of my own family."

"Oh no, Sammi, you didn't get to see the film? It can't be true?" the interviewer feigned sympathy.

"Nope, it's true. I'm the only person in Hollywood who hasn't seen the thing apparently," she gave a big grin.

"Well, you're certainly the only one to admit it," the interviewer patted her on the back. "And, worse news for you we hear. Your show has been cancelled after six seasons."

"What can I say, I'm having a bad week," the woman burst out in a full bodied laugh. "And, they say it never rains in LA."

"I'm so glad we didn't invite her," Joyce stuffed her mouth with pâté. "Her show was stupid anyway."

"Shut up, Joyce!" Connor warned.

Joyce seemed stunned, "What? Don't tell me you watched her dopey cop show?"

"Joyce, Connor did a bit on that dopey cop show," Benjy reminded her. "So let it go."

"Oh yeah, I remember. They cut all your dialogue. Were you even in the final edit?" Joyce snorted before downing a finger sandwich.

"Joyce," Saul growled. "Give us all a rest or you'll be walking back to New York."

The bus fell silent with his threatening tone.

*  *  *

"Welcome to Ratt's Studio," a distinguished, gray haired gentleman came out from behind the huge walnut desk to greet them.

After hair and make up were completed in the bus, they were taken to a boutique for clothes. Connor had lost all sense of time but realized the shop was open late. Just for them. Following the expedited fitting, Saul hurried the trio back onto the bus and they set off for a late night meeting with Marv Rattenbury.

The man stood before her now and all Connor could think to do was extend her hand and say, "Hello."

He smiled and shook her hand before motioning for everybody to sit. He saved his biggest greeting for Saul. The pair embraced in a full hug.

"I knew you'd hit gold again. I never doubted it," Marv spoke with confidence.

Saul shook his head as he sat, "It only took me twenty years."

"Water under the bridge," Marv grinned as he returned to his side of the desk. "Lets move on with the here and now. You folks made a little movie that needs a big distribution. My studio can make that happen."

"Why should we hook up with you? The picture's doing fine on its own," Joyce questioned.

Connor wanted to run, screaming from the room. It was hard enough pretending the movie existed but for Joyce to try to play hard ball with a seasoned studio executive was unbearable.

"Joyce," Saul's voice carried a warning.

Marv gave a wink, "It's okay, Saul. She should question what I can do for her, for all of you. The fact is you don't need my studio to promote this film. You've done a great job of that on your own. Brilliant strategy, by the way. No, what I'm offering you is a career after DUMBSTRUCK."

"What kind of career are you talking about?" Benjy asked.

"Movies for you to direct and Connor to act in and for Joyce to do whatever it is she does," he gave a gentle smile. "I've taken the liberty to send a dozen or so scripts to you hotel suite. Read them, discuss them, find one that you can work on together. Once you pick your next vehicle, we'll get the suits to draw up a package to distribute DUMBSTRUCK and map out our future projects. I think a four picture deal is in order. What'd say?"

"Sounds absolutely delicious darling," Joyce giggled.

Benjy nodded agreement.

"Connor, what about you," Saul asked.

"Me? Oh, I'm..., okay. I'm a bit tire. Sorry. My head is splitting," Connor felt like passing out.

"Fair enough. I'll have my private car meet you at the entrance. We can talk more tomorrow after you've had a chance to settle in and get some rest. Doesn't that sound good?" Marv encouraged.

"Yes, sir. Sounds great," Connor whispered.

*  *  *

Connor wakened with a start. She was in a darkened room; laying naked on a queen sized bed. It took her several minutes to get her bearings.

"Oh God, we're getting in deeper and deeper," she muttered.

She grabbed the jeans and t-shirt she had worn on the plane. Somebody had left them neatly folded on the chair across from her bed. She stumbled slightly as she made her way to the bedroom door.

"It's refreshing to find somebody so candid about this," the voice on the TV intoned. "Are you always this honest?"

"I should hope so," Sammi Gregory chuckled back to the interviewer. "I mean it isn't a matter of life or death. It's just a movie...,"

"A movie you were too dumb to be invited to see young lady," Joyce cackled as she shut the TV off.

"...and you still haven't shut your mouth," Connor grumbled as she walked between the chairs holding Joyce and Benjy in the suite's sitting room. "Benjy, what are you doing?"

The young man stretched and yawned before answering, "We sat up reading scripts. You know, trying to find something we can work on."

"Any luck," Connor forgot her misery for a moment at the prospect of work.

Joyce interrupted, "Oh, they're all so pedestrian. Nothing to match the caliber of our previous collaboration. I mean, the plots are weak, the dialogue juvenile, the spelling is a disgrace...,"

Connor had finally had enough. She turned on the blabbering woman and took two strides toward her. Joyce fell silent.

"Do you know what you are, Joyce? You are mean. And, you enjoy being mean. You're a balloon popper. Whenever somebody else has an idea you come running right along to ruin it. You're always the first one to say something's not good enough, or big enough, or light enough, or heavy enough or safe enough. You're the kind of person who'd get lawn darts banned even though hand guns are legal. Or, keep a town from building a playground because swings are dangerous leaving the kids to play in a field with broken bottles and jagged cans. You'd call the FCC about an indecent TV show then complain there's nothing interesting to watch. You eat up the drivel about politicians' private lives then piss and moan because they don't talk about the issues. You yell about tolerance when the store clerks wish you a Merry Christmas but you screech about PC when they extend a Happy Holiday. You're the first to criticize and the last to offer a solution. You are only happy when you're tearing down somebody else's accomplishment."

Joyce, her cheeks beet red, sat staring at Connor for several minutes before asking in a somber tone, "Is that it?"

"No, I have one last thing to say," Connor shook her head. "I'm sick of balloon poppers, Joyce. I'm sick of you."

Connor turned and went back into her bedroom.

PART 4

CONNOR HAD TO suppress a smile of excitement as she followed Marv Rattenbury's secretary down a subterranean hall of RATTS Studio. Benjy and Joyce were hustling along behind her just trying to keep up. The trio had been summoned back to the Studio. Marv's secretary had promised he had found the perfect vehicle. The ONE! The script which would be their follow up to DUMBSTRUCK. Connor was so happy with the prospect of working at her craft, she let herself ignore the fact that DUMBSTRUCK did not really exist yet.

“You'll need to remove your shoes before you enter the Bull Room,” the secretary said when they came to the door.

The three complied. They placed their shoes next to three other pairs already lined up.

“Ms. James, I'm sorry but you'll need to put on these complimentary peds. It's a health code issue and all,” the secretary handed little white foot coverings to Joyce.

“Figures, she wouldn't even put socks on for the most important business meeting of her life,” Connor huffed under her breath.

Benjy nudged her to be quiet. She silently nodded agreement as they waited.

“All ready, darling,” Joyce announced after several seconds struggling with the apparel.

Satisfied the three had appropriate footwear to enter, the secretary opened the door and motioned them inside. It took Connor a few minutes to take in the space. The carpeting was a soft white with deep pile. The paint on the walls edged up in deepening shades of white until it reached the ceiling with a splash of coco color. A low table off to the side was surrounded by pillows.

“This room is just LUSCIOUS!” Joyce exclaimed as she brushed past Connor to approach the table where Marv was standing, waiting.

He gave her a half smile and said, “Connor, come over and join us. We're having Chinese tea.”

Connor let Benjy take her arm and they walked to the table. Marv stood in front of an executive office chair which, she guessed, meant he would not be sitting with them on the floor. However, sitting on the floor was a man in his mid thirties. His hair was close cut and he was clean shaven. His tanned body was thin but in no way muscular. He remained seated, sipping his tea, and consciously ignoring the new comers.

“Everyone, pull up a pillow. Benjy, pour the ladies some tea. Let me introduce our screenwriter, Polo Pei,” Marv said and the seated man just nodded but did not speak.

“Where's Saul?” Connor asked with a sudden realization her manager was not included around the table.

“Not to worry, my dear. He's seeing some new clients upstairs. I gave him an office to work out of. He's in very high demand lately. He's up to date on the plan and supports it fully.”

Connor felt a bit neglected. She took her seat on the floor without asked the additional questions running around her head.

Once everybody was seated and sipping tea, Marv continued, “Polo has an explosive script to tell us about. Don't you, Polo?”

“It's only the best thing I've written,” the man dismissed the introduction with a wave of his hand. “It's a buddy picture. A cop buddy picture. However, our buddies are women. One, you,” he pointed at Connor as he detailed, “is an expert in languages, cultures, disguises, basically the brains. The other is the muscle. Physically hard and also an expert in ammunitions, bombs, anything combustible. She get an infectious catch phrase to utter at key moments. The story's hook is you don't know until the final frame if the pair are good cops or bad cops. BingBangBoom, you got Thelma and Louise meets Lethal Weapon meets The Sting.”

“That equals a two Oscars minimum and a franchise,” Joyce clapped her hands and giggled.

“Wow O wow,” Benjy hushed.

“Big budget, gorgeous location shoots, wardrobe changes from denim to designer, lots of leather, we got the whole kettle of fish,” Marv smirked. “We've even got a simmering tension between the two leads!”

“Who's the other lead?” Connor asked.

At that moment the door to the Bull Room burst open. Sammi Gregory strode up to the table with a smug confidence. With one shattering word she answered Connor's question.

“KABOOM!”

*  *  *

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no...”

“Benjy, give me more of that Moo Shi Pork,” Joyce pointed at the one she wanted among the sea of white boxes on the low table.

“…no, no, no, no, no, no…”

“Oh, and Sammi give me some Mongolian Beef, will you?” Joyce demanded.

Sammi dropped her chop sticks back on her plate with a hint of frustration at the interruption. She retrieved the box Joyce wanted and handed it to her. Their hands connected.

“…no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…”

Sammi frowned as she pulled back her grease smeared fingers.

“Oops, my bad,” Joyce said with a short laugh and then licked her digits clean.

Benjy spoke up, “You're disgusting, Joyce.”

“…no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…”

“Polo would you like some Kung Pao Chicken?” Marv asked.

The man slowly shook his head no as he watched Connor pace the room repeating her mantra over and over. The young woman had been walking back and forth muttering for almost thirty minutes. While the rest of the group ate, Connor seemed to be having some kind of breakdown. Polo was riveted by the contrast between Connor's dire hopelessness and the banality of Chinese take out.

“Sammi, more Lo Mein?” Marv continued.

Sammi stared at her plate as she answer, “No, thank you. I think I've had just about enough.”

“Not me!” Joyce said. “You can never get enough free food, free booze, or free rent. That's my motto.”

“GOD DAMN IT!” Connor exploded.

The script writer quietly observed, “Here it comes.”

“Joyce, you selfish, greedy, gluttonous, lazy piece of crap. If it wasn't for your stupid...”

Benjy jumped up and interrupted Connor's attempted revelation, “Hey, Connor, calm down. We're all here for a really great thing. Remember? Come on back and sit with us. I'll make sure Joyce shuts up.”

“Connor,” Marv called over, “come and sit down. I'm going to have Benjy, Joyce, and Polo head out. You and Sammi and I need to talk. So, the rest of you lot get moving. Clear out.”

“But, there's still food left,” Joyce was near tears.

“We'll get room service,” Benjy said as he helped the woman to her feet.

It didn't take long to clear the room. Despite Marv's affable nature, he was a serious business man. People listened when he spoke.

“Girls,” he began after the door clicked shut, “you've got to work this thing out. The buzz is you can't stand each other. And, that feeling is palpable with the two of you in the same room. It's the kind of chemistry which will send a picture like this into the stratosphere. I want that to happen. You both work for me so it is going to happen. Now, shake hands and lets get started on smoothing over your feathers.”

Sammi quickly extended her right hand to Connor.

Connor hesitated for a moment.

“Connor,” Marv's voice carried a warning.

Connor's resolve crumbled. She took Sammi's hand in her own. It was a familiar warmth. It was a warmth Connor had been missing for a long time. Sammi gave a smile as she brought her left hand up to join the handshake.

“What the FUCK?” Connor shouted.

Sammi locked a handcuff around Conner's wrist. When Connor tugged to get her hand back she realized she was handcuffed to Sammi. Both Marv and Sammi chuckled.

“Calm down, Connor. You're going to have a great night. You and Sammi are going to go to Q. My treat,” Marv started to explain.

“Connor it's the most exclusive restaurant in LA,” Sammi reassured. “Probably the most exclusive restaurant in the world.”

“Only the AA elite get in. The reservation waiting list is two years long. Only serves seven; table for four, table for one, and table for two. Tonight, you two are at the table for two. Compliments of RATTS.” Marv pulled out a paper from his jacket and read for a moment. “You do get a full bar to choose from but the chef picks the meal. I hear it can be anything from Komodo Dragon to Mac and Cheese. Go, talk, hash out your difference, then come back here in the morning and I'll take the cuffs off.”

Connor was only half listening. She was trying to slide her hand out of the metal restraint. When that didn't work she focused on the lock to see if she could pick it. No go. She was left with only one last escape route; reason. An utter long shot with a studio executive.

“Marv, don't you think it's going to look weird for Sammi and me to walk into the most exclusive restaurant in the word chained together. I mean, Sammi, what's your husband gonna say?”

Sammi flinched slightly at the dig. “My husband does what's best for my career. Just like I do.”

“Yeah, I seem to remember that,” Connor grumbled and started to pull on her hand again.

Marv let out a rumble of a burp. “Too many late nights and take out. My gall bladder's in a twist. You girls enjoy the restaurant. It's costing me 20K so make the best of it. See you in the morning.”

Connor stopped pulling on her hand. She stared at him as he walked out the door. He left them chained together with ridiculously priced dinner reservations which could result in Connor consuming an endangered species or starch soaked in starch.

“This is Hell.”

“No, sweetie,” Sammi said softly and caressed Connor's face, “this is Hollywood.”

PART 5

CONNOR WAS STRUGGLING with the cuff around her wrist. She tried pulling and pushing and licking but she couldn't get it to budge over her thumb. In frustration, she finally growled at it.

"Oh, that'll work," Sammi said with a snort.

Connor turned her pent up frustration on the woman next to her in the limousine's back seat. "You have to have the key! There is no way you'd let him chain us together without an escape route. You're way too shallow for trust like that. So, hand it over."

"For the tenth time in ten minutes, I do not have the key," Sammi emphasized her words with air quotes. "If I did, don't you'd think I'd be out of here by now. We haven't even sat down to dinner and your bitchin' and complaining and your fidgeting is starting to bruise my wrist. Really Connor, this is not way to start a relationship."

"Start? Did you say, start? If I remember correctly, we already know each other pretty intimately. Wasn't it you who gave me a hand job in your trailer when we were suppose to be running lines? Then you dumped me on the floor to return the favor. If I remember correctly you wax way below your bikini line and you have a cute little tattoo that says...”

"Driver, put the divider up please," Sammi shrieked as she covered Connor's mouth with her hand. "Really Connor, no need for lover's secrets to become front page this soon in our reunion."

"ffragg ooova," Connor huffed behind the hand.

"Well, yes, same to you, darling."

*  *  *

The limousine slid silently up to the curb in front of Q. A gang of photographers and gawkers were already crowding around to see who would be one of the elite seven diners. Sammi nimbly jumped out of the back seat as soon as the driver opened the door. She had to give a firm tug to get Connor to follow.

"Greeting Kids!" She waved with her free hand and flashes started to pop and cameras started whirling.

"Who's your friend, Sammi?" Somebody called from the throng.

"Oh, this is my date, Connor. You guys didn't see her movie, DUMBSTRUCK, because you're all too stupid like me," Sammi announced.

An excited murmur began and cameras were being worked overtime. Somebody yell out "Date?"

"Yes, well, you've all heard of Speed Dating and Jewish Dating; tonight Connor and I are inaugurating Bondage Dating," Sammi explained with a flourish as she raised their cuffed wrists.

"Shit," Connor hid her face in her free hand.

"Are you telling us you're gay?"

Sammi chuckled as she started to make her way through the crowd, "Honey, I put the 'die 4' in dyke."

"Oh, God," Connor fell in behind Sammi trying to hide her face as much as possible.

"So you're coming out tonight as a lesbian, what about your husband?" another voice questioned.

"Him?" Sammi paused a moment at the restaurant's door, "Oh, Luke adores women almost as much as I do. I guess, he's a lesbian too. Gotta run folks. Dinner's waiting."

A man in black leather pants and a tight leather vest was waiting in the outer vestibule. Both women stopped while he checked the clipboard in his hand.

"You are Mr. Rattenbury's guests?"

"Yep," Sammi flashed her biggest smile.

He used the key hanging from the chain on his belt to unlock the door behind him. Pulling the heavy door open, he cocked his head to indicate they should enter. Sammi hesitated slight but Connor was eager to get as far from the photographers as possible and pushed the taller woman ahead.

The inner space was dimly lit. It was a cavernous room furnished with three tables and chairs and five strategically placed fold out screens. The wood was deep brown and the upholstery was leather. It gave the room a musky smell.

"I am Elroy. This is my place. You will sit at table two. Follow me."

Elroy was a short man. His head was shaved. And, in a town that worshiped physical beauty, he was entirely non-descript; not fat but not thin, definitely not strong. He came off as aloof. Although, that may have been just because he also chose to ignore the handcuffs.

"Probably not the most unusual apparel he's ever seen here," Connor thought to herself as they were seated.

"Dinner will be out shortly. You," he pointed to Sammi, "are having the Cristal Rose 96 salad. It is an entire head of lettuce, surrounded by a half dozen home grown tomatoes, four cucumbers, two carrots, eight ounces of Beluga Caviar, six ounce of spinach, four hard boiled chicken eggs, a touch of shark meat, a sprinkle of…"

"Fairy dust?" Connor couldn't help herself.

“...pepper and served in a light wash of our house dressing; Cristal Rose 96 vinaigrette."

"Shoot, no croutons," Connor continued to bait the man.

Elroy gave a tolerant smile, "And, your captive is having prison loaf."

With a snap of his fingers, Elroy summoned two young men in tight leather pants and white shirts to the table. They immediately removed Connor's place setting.

"Prison loaf? Twenty grand and I get prison loaf, whatever the Hell that's suppose to be," Connor question Sammi.

"Why don't you order something to drink? You could stand to lighten up a bit, sweetie."

Connor got a wicked look in her eye. "Okay. Tell you what, Elroy, bring me a bottle of Johnnie Walker Green. No need for a glass as long as I'm not getting a plate with my prison loaf."

"And, for the hostage taker?" Elroy did not seem amused by the pair.

"I think, I better stick with water," Sammi cleared her throat.

*  *  *

Three hours, two bizarre meals, half a bottle of Johnnie Walker, and considerable help from the waiters later, Connor and Sammi were back in the back seat of the limousine. As soon as they pulled out into traffic, Connor climbed up on Sammi's lap and planted a searing kiss on the weary woman.

"Driver put the divider up. God Dam it put it up now!" Sammi managed to bark out.

"Come on, Baby, forget him. I want into your pants," Connor was trying to figure out Sammi's belt.

Sammi gave an exasperated sigh, "Connor, honey, you're very drunk. You don't really want to have sex with me tonight."

"You know, you're right,”

"I knew you'd come to your senses," Sammi kissed the top of Connor's head.

Connor eased off Sammi's lap. "Sorry. Just stupid drunk. Do you have the key? I starting to feel like I might get sick."

Sammi gave a reassuring smile and reached into her pocket. She pulled out the small silver key to their freedom. Before she could unlock the cuffs, Connor grabbed the key away.

"No, Connor, don't," Sammi shouted over the hum of the power window descending.

"Fair's fair," Connor hiccupped as she hurled the key out the window. "You're right, Sammi. I don't want to have sex with you. I want you to fuck me like I'm your prison bitch."

"Oh, for God's sake," Sammi cried out as Connor launched herself back onto her lap.

Sammi was going to push her away. She really was. But, Connor's hot little mouth managed to snare Sammi's nipple. Connor's free hand caught the other breast and started a gentle stroke. Sammi let out a moan. When Connor's knee made contact with Sammi's crotch, the actress completely surrendered.

"Looks more like I'm your bitch, Connor."

PART 6

CONNOR WOKE TO a pounding headache in the darkened room. Her body was half dressed and reeked of excess; booze, rich food, and sex. Her eyes opened wide with the realization she had been fucking like a bunny before passing out.

“A lesbian bunny but a bunny none the less,” Connor thought to herself as she smacked her parched lips.

She shifted her weight and rolled off somebody. A low moan followed her departure. Reaching over with her free hand, she touched warm, soft, wet skin. This elicited another moan. Connor let her finger caress and tease the bare flesh.

“Oh, baby, what you do to me,” Sammi’s voice was husky.

A strong hand snagged Connor’s hair. It tugged her back to her previous position. She let Sammi be her guide. Connor slid back between Sammi’s thighs and found the woman’s center ready for her eager tongue.

“Oh Sammi, I love you so much,” Connor murmured before lowering her mouth.

“Whoa!” Sammi shouted.

The actress scrambled to get out from under Connor. Bumbling with her free hand, Sammi managed to flick on the light after knocking several items off the nightstand. In the stark light, Sammi huddled back against the headboard to steady herself.

“What’s the matter?” Connor was stunned by the woman’s behavior.

Sammi started to shake her head as she explained, “Honey, we had fun last night. I mean, a lot of fun. You are great in the sack. Nobody makes me cum like you. But, this isn’t love. You can’t go getting confused about this.”

“Not love? I thought...” you know, after the last time...” you wanted me still...” Connor was fighting back tears.

Sammi had snagged the phone from the floor and was dialing, “Want you, yes! Want your tongue whipping my pussy all night, definitely - Oh, yes, the manager please - hang on, Connor, Ralph, Sammi G here. Yep, I’m in a mess again. Bolt cutters. Yep, bondage lesson 101, don’t lose the key. Thanks,” Sammi hung up the phone and let out a long breath. “Okay, we’ve got bolt cutters on the way so we can file for separation,” Sammi grinned as she tugged on their cuffed wrists.

Connor sat up. She began adjusting her clothes. When Sammi reached over to help, Connor swatted her away.

“Don’t be like that, Connor,” Sammi scolded. “Look we can screw the whole time we’re filming. Trailer sex is the best. And, the rumors will be great publicity.”

“No, no screwing, no movie, no more bullshit,” Connor hissed.

Sammi grabbed Connor by the shirt front and dragged both of them off the bed, “Stop it! Don’t act like such a baby. We’ve got a business operation here. You are under contract. You’re gonna do exactly what you’re told or Marv will bury you in a lawsuit so deep you’ll never see daylight again.”

“What about us?” Connor sounded desperate even to herself.

Sammi gave a big grin, “Honey, we can have a ton of fun. Think about it. Fucking two or three or ten times a day during the shoot. We’ll be shooting for weeks. I might not be able to walk by the wrap party.”

Sammi leaned in and planted a needy kiss on Connor’s lips. Her hand slid into Connor’s unfastened pants and started a gentle stroke.

“Feel how much I want you, Connor?” Sammi asked. “I want to fuck you, girl. Feel how much a need you?”

Connor was losing herself in the sensation. She wanted to let go. She wanted to surrender to the strong hand between her legs. She just needed to hear one more thing.

“Please Sammi, say it,” Connor gasped as she started to hump the fingers filling her. “Say you love me.”

“Damn it, Connor!” Sammi shouted and pulled herself away. “Why are you bent on wrecking a perfectly good time?”

A knock on the door broke the moment.

“Ah, Connor? There’s a bellman here with bolt cutters,” Benjy’s voice was hoarse.

“Be right there,” Sammi answered.

Both women took a moment to straighten their clothes. Hair and make up would wait. Sammi led the way to the door.

The sitting room was blindingly bright with sun streaming in the windows. Benjy was still in pajamas but had a digital camera in hand. The box and wrappings in the couch indicated it was a recent purchase.

“Ms. Gregory, as always a pleasure,” the bellman nodded.

“Get to it,” Sammi held out her chained wrist to the grinning man.

With a quick pop, the link was broken. The pair was free but still sported mental cuffs around their wrists. The bellman took a card from his jacket pocket.

“A very discreet locksmith,” he said.

Sammi pulled a twenty from her pocket and handed it to the man, “Thanks. Now get lost.”

“I’ll show him out,” Benjy put his camera on the breakfast table before exiting the room. He was eager for a chance to get away from the women.

Connor walked over to the breakfast table and sank into one of the cozy chairs. She dropped her head into her hands. Her hair cascaded forward; hiding her face. She let out a soft sob.

“I’m sorry, Connor, but I’m not going to apologize. I’ve got my career to worry about. You should be thinking about your own career. We’re not going to be young long.” Sammi knelt down in front of Connor to speak directly to her but the woman never lifted her head, “Connor, after thirty it’s finished. We’re Hollywood leftovers then.”

“So what happens after thirty?” Connor snapped as she raised her red cheeked face.

Sammi sighed, “That’s when you get the crap calls as supporting actress. Just to get your name in the paper you have to toss your personal life to the wolves. You have to do the ugly divorce thing. It’s a good time to go gay, though.” Sammi gave a wink, “Maybe we could reunite. There’s always the adoption thing, a foreign baby or surrogate, sponsor a displaced family, become a spokesman for some horrible disease, or there’s politics.”

Connor glared at Sammi. “Is any part of you real?”

“I hope not.” Sammi patted Connor on the knee, “I had a fucking great time but I gotta to get home to Luke. He was hoping we were going to get pregnant today but with our movie starting it’s bad timing. We’ll have to put it off. It might be better to be pregnant at the premiere, I think. You know, to counter the tough dyke image with a mommy look.”

Sammi stood. She gave a gentle smile to the stunned Connor before strolling out the door. Connor watched her go. She stared at the closed door long after. Tears rolled gently down her cheeks for hours on end.

PART 7

SAMMI GENTLY CRADLED Connor's battered and tortured body. She appeared mindless to the biting wind whipping against her flimsy T-shirt; chilling her to the core. Tears streamed down her sweaty, smoke stained cheeks as she tried to find the words to save her partner.

"Don't die. Stay with me. I can't lose you. Please," her resolve all but broken as she begged, "I love you."

Connor's eyes fluttered on cue. A huge grin cracked under the blood smeared cheek, "KABOOM!"

"And, Sammi pulls Connor into a protective embrace as the building behind explodes into a huge conflagration…blah blah…and Connor drops the remote control detonator and camera pulls back and back and am I getting the crane shoot too?"

"That's affirmative," a nearby radio crackled.

"And, that's…a…take!" Benjy announced.

"Thank God," Sammi muttered as she dropped Connor back down on the pavement. "You're gaining weight. I can tell. I'm gonna need a back brace soon. ROBE!"

One of the many gophers around the set rushed over to help Sammi on with her robe. Connor climbed to her feet without a word.

"We better be done, Benjy. It is too friggin' cold out here to keep shooting this scene over and over. And, does she have to hang there that limp? My back is killing me," Sammi was inches from the director's face as she complained.

Connor stayed at her mark. She said nothing. She waited to be told what to do next. Just like she did yesterday and the day before and the days before that. Truth was, Connor had barely spoken more than her lines since the morning after eating at Q.

A voice from behind the camera broke Sammi's tirade, "Benjy, Benjy, Nightly Entertainment is heading this way!"

"What? Why?" Benjy looked at his watch, "It's barely 6:30. What do they want so early?"

"There's news from New York. DUMBSTRUCK got noticed by the Golden Globes. Connor, you're looking at Best Actress!" The burly sound guy was reporting to the silent set the results coming in over his ear piece from the studio offices. "Benjy's up too. Best Picture! You guys are up for best picture."

The big man raced for Connor and lifted her in the air. The set broke into wild shouts. Benjy was tackled by several crew members who got him on their shoulders.

"Oh, thank you little lady," the big sound guy gave Connor a sloppy kiss on either cheek. "I've only worked with has beens or never beens on stupid direct to video. You're my first star!"

"No, I'm an actor," the big guy didn't seem to hear her over the celebrating.

As the sound guy moved away from her, she saw the NE crew setting up their shot. Connor felt like she was going to puke. She turned to run back to her trailer but Benjy grabbed her and spun her around.

"We did it. Babe, we've arrived."

She wanted to scream at him. Connor wanted to slap him back to reality. There was no movie. Neither of them created an outstanding achievement in Cinema. They had not done outstanding work in their field. They were just liars and thieves and now, they had destroyed somebody else's nomination dream.

"Connor, what's your reaction to the big news?" A very plastic woman asked as she shoved a microphone in Connor's face.

Before Connor could reply another voice cut in, "Connor, sweetheart, congratulations."

Connor was pulled from Benjy's arms into Sammi's hug, "I knew they'd pick you. You're such an amazing talent."

"Sammi, so good to see you," the plastic woman continued with absolutely no change of expression on her Botox frozen face. "Are you going to confirm the rumors today? Are you and Connor more than co-stars?"

Sammi let Connor rest her head on her shoulder as she faced the camera, "They were never rumors, Muff. Connor and I have not shied away from you guys. We're open and out and deeply committed."

"Connor?" Benjy's voice weakly question.

Connor's head was spinning. The moment was completely surreal. Not only was she being lauded for work she hadn't done but she'd just been outed in a relationship which didn't exist in front of Benjy and a couple of hundred million people. She clung to Sammi just to keep from falling down.

"What of your marriage, Sammi? Ten years is a lifetime in this business," Muff probed with same stupid smile plastered on her face.

Sammi swatted away a few timely tear drops before answering, "Luke and I remain good friends. We're still sifting over the details. Ten years," her voice faltered. She leaned down to kiss the top of Connor's head. "Ten years is a long time and the emotions run deep. I will always love Luke but Connor is my life right now. A new beginning for both of us."

"Sammi, you're always so honest with us. I admire you so much. Keep us up to date. And Connor, best of luck in January. Robert, back to you."

"And, cut." A voice from behind the interviewer shouted.

"Did you goons get all that crap or what?" Muff barked as she walked back to her film crew.

Sammi noted the crew's positive reply before turning Connor back to her trailer. She guided the woman inside and to the bedroom which filled the back third of the trailer. Sammi quickly undressed Connor and cleaned her face with cold cream to remove the heavy make up.

"Lie back, sweetie," Sammi spoke as she tucked the unresisting woman into her bed. "Rest."

"I think, I'm having some kind of breakdown," Connor finally spoke. Sammi was off in the shower and did not reply. "I can't seem to make sense out of any of this. My dream is coming true. Horrifyingly true and I can't stop it. I didn't want to get it like this. I didn't want to get you like this. I wanted to earn it. I wanted it to be real."

"Huh, what? You talking to yourself or something," Sammi emerged from the bathroom completely naked except for a very large strap on dildo.

Connor looked at the woman but had nothing left to say.

Sammi climbed into the bed next to Connor and started lubing up her cock, "Wait until you feel this. It vibrates. It cums. I'm gonna have you like a real man."

Connor didn't resist when Sammi settled herself on top of her. She stared into the beautiful face above her knowing what they were doing was not about love. It was barely even about sex. But, Connor was too empty to refuse a few moments of pleasure.

"I'm gonna fuck you, baby. Gonna make you scream my name," Sammi promised.

"Yeah, go ahead," Connor dully replied.

Five Minutes Later

"Was that fucking awesome or what?" Sammi grinned as she leaned back against the headboard.

Connor closed her eyes and thought, "Or what?"

Loud banging started on the trailer door. Connor jumped at the noise. Sammi merely leaned over and pulled a cold bottle of water out of the mini-fridge by the bed.

"Sammi! Sammi! I know you're in there. And, I know who you're with!" The deep voice bellowed.

"Oh shit," Connor cursed as she struggled to get out of the bed.

Sammi grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back down on the mattress, "Relax, it's just Luke."

"Whore!" He shouted when he entered the trailer but before slamming the door shut.

He proceeded to stroll down the hall toward the bedroom with a big smile on his face. Once in the room, he went to Sammi and gave her a lingering kiss. Then he went around the bed and got in next to Connor.

"Hey Connor, long time," he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Are they still out there, Honey?" Sammi asked.

He nodded. "Yep, as soon as I pulled up they stopped packing and started to unload their equipment. It'll take them a few minutes to get set up. Just enough time for a quickie. Isn't that cock amazing, Connor. Has she done you up the ass with it yet? Made me cry like a woman. How ‘bout we do three the hard way, girls?"

"Luke, that will kill the Midwest demographics. We need to stick with the broken marriage/gay hook up." Sammi got up and took off the harness. "DON'T EVEN TRY IT!" She screamed.

Connor cringed at the sound of the unexpected yell. She waited for something to happen. Sammi started to dress.

"Yeah, you're right. We need to stay with the mainstream scandals. So, after we finish here, I'll go and move out of the house, right? SLUT!"

Connor started to shake uncontrollably.

"YOU'RE NOT HALF THE MAN CONNOR IS!" Sammi shrieked back. "Honey, you should stay at the house. It'll be easier to serve you with papers and for the cops to arrest you. I'll crash either here or at Connor's suite."

"What?" Connor managed to ask.

"Sweetie, you need to get dressed now. Luke, get her my robe, will you?"

Connor watched Luke retrieve the item as she sputtered for words, "Sammi…you can't stay with…I'm mean…the suite...Benjy…he's there and…your husband's here…,"

"Come on Connor, put on my robe or the whole world's gonna see your bum," Sammi teased before turning to face Luke.

He studied her features before asking, "Which side do you want it on?"

"Left. You know the right is my profile shot," she answered.

Without another word, Luke drew back and punched her in the eye. Immediately, Sammi and Luke started screaming and pushing at each other. Connor grabbed the robe to cover herself. She jumped on Luke's back trying to pull him off Sammi.

"What the fuck are you doing, Connor?" Luke hissed between his shouts of obscenities. "Just call security."

Banging on the door sounded over the yelling.

"Never mind, they're here," Sammi gasped with Luke's hands wrapped around her throat. "HELP!"

Several guards swarmed the room. The combatants all let go of each other at the first site of them. The guards grabbed Luke and he continued to hurl insults at Sammi. The actress did not respond. Instead, she wrapped herself around Connor and sobbed.

"You saved me, Connor. I love you so much…," Sammi murmured over and over until the guards removed Luke and shut the trailer door. "Ah, that took forever." Sammi's tears instantly ceased and a wicked gleam flashed in her eyes, "But, we do have time for a little butt fuck. Come on, Connor, let me show you what Luke was talking about."

"No," Connor stated. "I think I've been fucked enough for one day. Why don't I show you what it's like to take it up the ass for a change?"

Sammi grinned as she dropped to her hands and knees at Connor's feet, "Lube's on the night stand, Sweetie. You got a little work to do to compare with some of those before you. So, don't be afraid to take me hard. Let's see you make me your woman."

"Not my woman," Connor muttered as she strapped on the harness, "my nightmare."

"What?" Sammi looked back over her shoulder at Connor.

"I said, get on the bed. Lay on you left side and pull your right leg up to you chest."

Sammi got up and smirked in a low, sexy whisper, "Oh, you gonna order me around. Make me grovel. You want me to call you Master while you fuck me? Are we gonna do the Dom/sub things?"

Connor's eyes were filling with tears as she faced Sammi, "No, I'm going to make love to you. I'm going to hold you close and cherish your body and make you feel like we're one person. Even if none of this is real, I'm going to make our moment together beautiful."

Sammi was silenced. She got into bed just as Connor had instructed. Connor followed, a heartbeat or two behind her. She pulled up close and began to caress Sammi's soft ass. Connor's fingers traced gentle trails across the swell of Sammi's hip. She let her fingers nestle into the dark space between the two cheeks. Sammi inhaled sharply when one cool finger pushed on the puckered opening.

"You feel me. Touching you," Connor whispered. "Nobody has touched you like I am. Taken the care with you sweet body like I am. Promised you…," Connor paused as she eased another finger inside Sammi, "…this is only for you like I am. I'm making love to you, Sammi, because I do love you."

Sammi whimpered as another finger pushed inside her, "I can't…I can't take it."

"Take the size or my love?" Connor got the cock in place as she asked in a somber voice.

Sammi wept, "Love, I can't take your love. Just fuck my sorry ass."

"Never," Connor murmured and nuzzled Sammi's neck. "I'm in love with you. Can't you feel how much?"

Connor shifted her hand and edged in the tip of her cock. A slow vibration began inside the device and traveled between the women. Connor continued to guide the shaft on its slow, sensuous journey of steady advances and tiny retreats.

"Connor, please, I…feel you. So, big. Say it. Tell me again. Please," Sammi was breathless.

She reached back and grabbed Connor's ass with one hand. The other slipped between her own thighs. Her strokes were frantic at first but slowed with Connor's soft whispers in her red hot ear.

"Only I love just you. I Love just you. I Love you. Love you. Love."

Sammi came on Connor's cue.

PART 8

"OKAY, SO WE change the plan a little bit. No problem with any of that. I can do improv," Sammi's voice was husky from the aftermath of their sexual frolic.

Connor could barely get her eyes open. She was lying on her back with Sammi's head nestled against her chest and legs wrapped around her own. Their overheated bodies were cooling to room temperature and the general effect was lulling both of them to sleep.

"Huh?"

"I'll just tell Luke that you and I are really something else. He'll get it with a bit of tears on my part. He'll understand where I'm at inside my own head. He'll know this time is different. It's different than all those other times," Sammi mumbled as she tried to stifle a yawn. "Who knows, maybe he'll agree to father our kids for us."

"Other times? Kids?" Connor managed to crack open one eye with her confusion.

Sammi pulled out of the comfortable embrace. She gave Connor a soft, tender kiss with her slightly bruised lips. Leaving the woman breathless, Sammi let her head drop back to the pillow next to Connor's.

"I've never felt like this before, Connor. Honest and true. I'm so exhausted but I still want you. Even if you only just hold me. My body craves to be next to your body."

Connor gave a short snort as she rolled on her side to face Sammi, "Your body didn't crave me for long the last time we screwed around."

Sammi lowered her eyes, "It was all about me then. Completely my brain's fault. I was so…so…so torn but I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk loving you more. My show was a hit. A gay scandal back then would have destroyed my ratings. I worked too hard and come too far to lose out on something I deserved so much. No, I had to let you go, Connor, to save my career. I lived with that regret everyday. Until now. No more regret. Now, I get what I really deserve."

Connor was only half listening. Her gaze was traveling the length of her lover's sprawled body. The evenly tanned skin was highlighted here and there with glints of metal and jewels. The pieces shimmered in the curtained muted mid afternoon light of the trailer's bedroom.

"Hey, let me get a good look at you," Connor was feeling more awake and her arousal was growing at the sight of Sammi lying naked before her. "Stretch out."

Connor pulled the twisted, sweat soaked sheet off them and tossed it to the floor. She moved to the end of the bed and lifted Sammi's left foot. Connor caressed the arch as she examined the ring on second toe. Her mouth captured the toe and sucked.

"Oh, yeah," Sammi moaned.

When she finally released the digit, Connor asked, "Where'd you get that?"

"Years ago," Sammi answered while Connor resumed kissing her foot and then her ankle. "I was a teenager; too young and way too beautiful for Nebraska. A guy, twice my age, did the right of passage for me. Little did I know then, he'd be one of the biggest cocks I'd ever get to fuck. What a man he was. Anyway, he gave me the little ring to remember him by plus a fistful of cash. It paid for my trip to LA. Oooh, there," Sammi gasped as Connor licked the back of her knee.

Connor continued kissing up Sammi's thigh until she came to the tattoo she'd seen their first time together, "SLUT."

"That's my penance for being a bad girl. Luke caught me cheating on him really early in our marriage. I was going down on a studio guy. A very rich studio guy. A very rich white studio guy. Luke was absolutely angry with me. He started to worry I was only with him because he's black."

Connor let her thumb trace the letters. "That is why you're with him, isn't it?"

"No. I mean, yes. Only at first, yes. Then, no because he's totally delivered. He's been a great partner. Luke's a terrific cook, magnificent personal assistant, nobody could ask for a better script reader, he's okay in bed, Hell, Luke will even make the bed if I ask him nicely. He's mostly understanding about my personal and professional needs to fuck other people every so often. He just has this thing about me screwing rich, white guys. He says it's demeaning. He says it shames him."

"Go figure," Connor hushed as she approached Sammi's clean shaven mound. "I love it like this." She breathed onto the pale, soft skin. "So, vulnerable."

Sammi let out a small groan. "Luke and I did a three way with this Brazilian guy in Rome last year. I wanted the guy to feel at home so I got the big wax job. Luke ended up liking the look. Hey Connor, while you're down there, give my clit a suck. Would you, hmm? Just do me a little one, baby, please? You're making me hot. I need to cum."

"Nope, not yet," Connor refused as she kissed her way to the other thigh. "Now, this is new; WHORE. Why'd you ever get that?"

"It's a spiritual thing. I met this woman at an art gallery. She's a priestess of an ancient religion…, I can't remember which one. Anyway, she told me she could see right through me. You know, see through my physical being to my soul. She said I sell myself cheap, like a whore. I sell myself for money and comfort and pleasure and attention. She said I was so full of other people's crap that I had no pure light visible anymore. She told me to get that tattoo so I would remember every day what I really am; nothing but a cheap whore. She said that after I got the tattoo, I could go and see her at her temple for more treatments."

Connor stopped fingering the letters and turned her eyes to Sammi. The smile on Sammi's face was undeniable bliss. Connor suddenly felt like she was stroking a cat.

"You didn't go see her, did you?"

"I most certainly did," Sammi proudly proclaimed and arched her back to encourage Connor's physical attention to her body.

Connor shook her head in disbelief, "Did you fuck her?"

Sammi burst out laughing. "GOD NO! She was at least 60 years old. What are you thinking, I'm some kind of freak?" Sammi's chuckles turned to sighs as Connor began to kiss a path up towards her navel. "I would never fuck somebody that old unless they had more money than Branson. She didn't want that anyway. She just wanted to give me weekly enemas and then, after I emptied myself, she would get to clean me up, so to speak."

"Ungh? That is totally gross. Please, tell me you didn't let her?" Connor was horrified by the thought.

"Connor, try to keep an open mind. Highness Dorothy says I'm full of shit and she needs to clean me out," Sammi insisted but didn't lift her head off the pillow cradling it.

Connor stopped in mid kiss to say, "I can't believe you let her do that to you."

"Every Wednesday at 4:43 pm."

"Dear God. How much does she charge you?" Connor was suspicious.

"A thousand but she is so worth it. Next time you can come and watch if you want. Having an observer is just a couple hundred bucks more."

"Only in Hollywood," Connor murmured with a smirk.

After a moment's reflection, she continued her kisses from the navel to the ample breasts. Sammi's breasts were perfectly, naturally round with proud nipples ready to respond and begging to be sucked. Connor indulged her mouth's desire with the right.

"That's it, baby. Bite me," Sammi begged as she grabbed a fistful of Connor's luscious blonde hair.

"Wait for it. Let me taste the other first," Connor mumbled as she blazed a trail of fiery, nipping kisses to the left, twinkling nipple.

Sammi eased her hold on Connor's hair. She gave into the sensuous mouthing loving her flesh. Without thought, her body lifted closer to Connor's eager mouth. Connor's hot tongue lashed the barbell nipple piercing eliciting a deep growl from Sammi.

"And, whose idea was this little gem?" Connor gasped before she went back to suckle seconds.

Sammi's wrapped her arms around Connor's head and cuddled her. "It's a gift from my first lesbian romance. Sorry Connor, you weren't the first. You are, in deed, the best but sadly not the first."

"But, will I be the last?" Connor began to wonder as she held on tight to the tortured nipple.

"Edith was so sweet. Both her nipples were pierced. I did one so she could enjoy the feeling as much as I did. Then, I met Luke. I don't remember where she ended up," Sammi sighed in contentment as Connor snapped her piercing out of her mouth.

"So sweet," Connor mumbled before she began her trek back down Sammi's sweaty body.

"Oh, suck me now!" Sammi squeaked when Connor's mouth closed around Sammi's pierced clit.

"Why'd you get this? Is it in honor of Edith too?" Connor heard the edge of jealousy in her own voice.

"No. I got it because; an amazing Domme I was subbing too demanded I do it. We met at a very exclusive party in the hills. Luke handed me over to her for ‘behavior' training. It was the most blissful month of my life. Better than rehab. She told me she owned me. I had to call her Mistress or she would punish me. She was rough with me. At times, it was brutal. But, I loved ever minute of it. I cried and begged for mercy yet all the while, I prayed she'd let me sniff her boots before she'd put me back in my cage for the night," Sammi gave a satisfied sigh as Connor continued to suck.

Connor lost her reason with Sammi's words. She started to tug on the piercing. She didn't ease up until Sammi screamed.

"Please!" Sammi cried out with her hands clutching the sheets for support.

Connor released her hold and reared up to tower over Sammi. She could barely get her breath as she panted and waved her finger for emphasis, "Never…never…never again beg anybody but me. I own you now. You're mine. All mine. I'm your Domme or Mistress or Master or Lover or Wife or Whatever. The only boots you kiss from now on are mine."

Connor dropped down again to Sammi's pussy and savored the pierced and throbbing clit before her before she said, "I'm gonna fuck you, Sammi. With my mouth, my tongue, my hands, my strap on or whatever, I'm gonna fuck you like the bitch in heat you are. I'm gonna make you cum over and over and then beg me for more."

Sammi smiled broadly at Connor's announcement. She squirmed under Connor's control. Her efforts were not to get away but to become even more secured beneath her lover.

"Please," Sammi muttered, "make me beg you."

Connor made a silent promise, "You'll do more than beg me before we're finished."

PART 9

CONNOR HAD BEEN working for hours and hours on audio loops for the same fifteen seconds of film. The scene was of her character's emotional watershed moment. Over and over, the sound director walked her through the script. He emphasized the need for anguish here and stoicism there. Curses to tears to primal scream, Connor voiced the rage to fear her character lived over and over again.

"FUCK THIS!" Connor shouted in time with her mouth movement on the screen before her. "I'm done pretending." Her voice cracked and only a whisper was produced.

"Aaannnd, we're done!" Announced the sound director. "Thank you, Connor. Gang, could we get a round of applause for today's torture victim?"

The gathered technicians broke into claps and cat calls as Connor excited the recording booth. One of them tossed her a hot, moist towel which she gratefully scrubbed over her weary face.

"Would you like us to call your car, Connor?" A voice asked softly from near her shoulder.

Another woman answered before Connor could, "She's coming with me. And, I mean right now!"

Connor dropped the towel and looked up. The technicians seemed instinctively to move out of the way to give her clear view of the woman at the doorway. Connor's lover stood just outside the halo of stage lights in a black silken gown which clung high near her breast and lower near her hips but never seemed to capture the energy pulsating beneath the fine material.

"I'm going," Connor licked her dry lips in a fruitless attempted to moisten them, "with her."

She raced up the steps to Sammi. Pausing, Connor leaned in for a kiss. It was soft and warm and brief. Her lover pulled back and smirked before capturing Connor's wrist.

"Come!" It was a harshly spoken command followed by a sharp tug.

Connor obeyed. The couple moved down the hall in matching strides. Connor moved quickly as she was dragged along still remaining a step behind all the way. Sammi shouldered into an unmarked room on the left and drew Connor in after her. The door closed with a shuddering sigh and a click of the lock.

"Strip," the word was spoken like an edict.

Connor pulled off her sweat stained clothes. She eagerly kicked off the sneakers trapping her feet. Turning her nakedness toward Sammi, Connor felt a shiver of excitement race through her body. Before she could speak, Sammi walked over to the open doored closet and pulled out a leather shirt. She crossed back to Connor and began to dress the stunned actress.

"What…?"

Sammi put a finger to Connor's lips and hushed any further questions. Connor felt her body manipulated and moved. Soon her back was against the wall and her chest was laced into a leather vest.

Sammi stepped back without a word. She smiled and then went back to the closet. There was a bit of rustling bags before the woman returned to Connor's side.

"Do I have your permission?"

Connor's head was swimming, "Permission?"

"May I touch you, intimately?" Sammi's voice seemed so innocent.

Connor tried to swallow back her lust as she relaxed against the wall behind her, "Yes, please do."

Sammi dropped to her knees and her hands caressed Connor's hips, thighs, ass before the straps were secured. Connor shivered but did not resist as Sammi shoved the spit lubed nubby end of a strap on dildo against her. The clicks and pulls of leather convinced Connor the toy was well secured.

"Master, lift your right foot."

Connor groaned more at the words uttered than by the sensuous voice directing but managed to comply with the request. Leather, soft and warm, traveled up her leg.

"Master, lift your left foot."

Again Connor did as instructed. She was rewarded with the feel of leather encasing her left leg as well. With a few more twists and pulls the low riders were up over her ass but still open in the front to accommodate her strap on.

"What do you think your doing?" Connor husked as Sammi stood and brushed her lips against Connor throat.

"I'm dressing my owner for dinner out," Sammi drew back and breathed in Connor's ear. "And, later," Sammi took hold of Connor's cock and shoved it into the tight leather pants, "my Master can fuck my ass until the sun comes up." The sound of zippering and button fastening followed.

"Oh," Connor gasped as an orgasm took her by surprise.

*  *  *

Within twenty minutes, Connor sat across from Sammi at an exclusive Hollywood restaurant. Connor was very aware that she smelled. Her sweaty body had clung to her leathers and they dried together. Her sweat soaked hair had frizzed into a puffed mess. The combined effect was a musky odor more associated with a barn than a posh eatery.

"I wish you'd have let me take a shower before we came here," Connor mumbled as she sunk back into her seat.

Sammi grinned, "I like the way you smell. Especially, when you're on top and I'm ‘enduring' your undivided attention."

Connor grinned and blushed.

"Pardon, but who is having the Meat of the Beast?" A small waitress approached the table and asked politely.

Sammi smiled broadly as she answered, "My butch lover is having the beef; fresh and bloody, if you would be so kind." Connor's blush deepened with her silence. "I'm having the vegetable stew to keep my strength up."

"Very good, ma'am," the waitress replied before placing the plates before the appropriate guest. The young woman hurried off without another word.

"Great scare ‘em off before I get my ketchup," Connor's grumble was cut short when a crystal jar of red stuff plopped next to her dish.

The main server cleared his throat and asked, "Will there be any other requests I can assist you with tonight?"

Connor was completely embarrassed and hung her head.

Sammi answered the man, "Edmund, everything is just as I wanted. Please, just be sure our ride is ready to leave at 11:11 sharp. That will be all we need tonight."

"As you say, Ms. Gregory. I will return to your table at 11:11 to escort you to your vehicle. Should you need my attention sooner then please have one of the wait staff summon me."

Sammi grinned and winked, "No question there, Edmund. Now, go see to the rest of your clients."

Connor had already stuffed her mouth with what had to be the most tender cut of meat she ever tasted. It almost melted on her tongue. Her eyes closed as she savored the food.

"Careful baby, you're making me horny just watching you eat," Sammi purred.

"Well, you better calm down because I ain't leaving until I finish every last bite of this." Connor frowned slightly as she added, "And, if it's not steak then don't tell me until tomorrow."

"Of course it's steak. What else would it be?"

Connor shrugged as she spoke around another piece of succulent meat, "I don't know, buffalo or walrus or something weird. Everything in this town is kind of weird."

Sammi sobered a bit, "Remember Sweetheart, you're in this town now too."

"Don't you think I worry about that everyday," Connor winked. "I have to keep constant guard against the Cult of Weirdness."

Sammi stopped eating and stared silently at Connor.

"What?" Connor questioned the seriousness expression around a mouthful of beef.

Sammi reached for her purse hanging on the back of the chair. She fumbled with the contents. Finally, she pulled free a sleek black box. Leaning across the table, displaying ample cleavage, Sammi offered the item out to Connor.

"I hope fear of joining the Cult of Weirdness won't prevent you from accepting this from me."

Connor set her silverware down. She dried her palms on her pants before taking the gift. Her heart was pounding so hard, she wondered if nearby diners could hear it. She tried to calm herself with a deep breath as she carefully opened the box.

"My God," she breathed.

Beneath the expensive French crest were two words: I, Spartacus. The simplicity of the larger link, white gold chain design was completely muted by dazzling shimmer of inlaid diamond chips. At the end, near the clasp, was a key on a short chain. Connor could barely tear her eyes away from the brilliant necklace.

"It's beautiful," Connor spoke as she looked up.

Sammi's worried expression softened. "I was afraid you might not like it. I know you don't really care for jewelry but…well, I thought…you know, it could be a kind of symbol of …us."

Connor thought she might cry. Sammi was trying to make a real commitment. And, Connor hadn't pushed her to do so. Sammi seemed to think of it all on her own.

"I love it. I love you," Connor said. Then with a grin she added, "I'd be happy to wear your chains."

Sammi smiled as she stood. She took the box from Connor's hand and removed the chain. Stepping behind Connor's chair, she placed the necklace around Connor's throat and fastened the clasp.

"What's the key for?" Connor asked as Sammi leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, you'll find that out at 11:29 pm."

*  *  *

Connor's back was against the elevator wall with Sammi's hands stuffed into the back pockets of her leather low riders. Connor was dry humping against Sammi's thigh but her climax was halted with a singular plea.

"Wait for me."

"You're killing me," Connor groaned.

Sammi snorted a laugh, "Not yet but soon."

The elevator door slid open.

Sammi disentangled herself from Connor and motioned for the frustrated woman to follow her. They were within steps of the suite's door when a terrible thought crossed Connor's mind.

"Joyce?"

Sammi grinned, "In Vegas. I sent Joyce and Benjy on Ratt's private plane to Vegas, tickets to Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio, and…,"

"No way, Joyce will know something's up and never stay away," Connor was sure Joyce would never accept travel over gossip; even free travel.

"And," Sammi stated a bit more forcefully as she opened the door to the darkened hotel room, "an unlimited meal allowance."

Connor allowed herself to be tugged into the darkness, "She'd probably go for free food."

Sammi didn't answer. She kept them moving until they were out on the balcony. They stood twenty stories high above a sprawling Los Angeles. Even from this distance, the sirens of the city's life's non-stop emergencies echoed. Connor stood by the sliding door wondering why it seemed so much grimmer here than the wailing of emergency response in New York.

Sammi lit several candles before walking over to the railing. She latched two pairs of handcuffs at doubled arm's length to the metal pipes mounted onto the waist high concrete wall. She turned back to Connor and caught the woman's attention with a cough. Without a word uttered, Sammi untied her gown and the dress dropped to the floor. Candle light glittered off an unexpected body part.

"What did you do?" Connor whispered and approached.

Sammi arched her back and pushed her shackled pelvis forward, "It's a chastity piercing. The key is on your chain."

Connor stepped forward to let her fingers detail the intricate rings and bars which sealed Sammi's passion from the world and herself.

"Nobody can free me but you Connor. Nobody owns this but you," Sammi husked.

Connor lifted her hand to the chain at her neck in response.

"But, not yet. I still have about two weeks of healing before we can use the front door," Sammi took Connor's hand in and own and explained.

"What? Two weeks? What are you talking about?" Connor was almost distraught.

Sammi winked, "Easy there, my big strong butch. The back door remains wide open for your pleasure." Sammi turned her back and extended her arms out to the handcuffs before glancing back over her shoulder. "Come on, Master, chain me to the whipping post and teach me a lesson."

Connor was moving on lust alone. She grabbed the chains and secured Sammi to the balcony railing. Then she allowed her hands to travel the length of her captive's body. A squeeze here and a pinch there and a ‘please' whispered all along the way fueled Connor's passion. She managed to get her strap on in position and then realized she had no lube.

"Crap, I gotta go get cream," she lamely intoned.

"Master, please, your pleasure comes first. Spit on it. It'll be enough. Please, fuck me like a whore."

Connor swallowed hard, "Never a whore. My lover. My best friend. I'll never hurt you for my own satisfaction. I love you, Sammi."

"Then please don't make me wait any longer for you. Don't leave me alone now. Please Connor, fuck me!"

Connor closed her eyes, drew her hips back, and obeyed.

PART 10

CONNOR SAT AMID lush sheets and pillows on a low but plushy cushioned plinth. Her fingers gently caressed the leather leash between them. She found the motion relaxing and the jangle of chains that resulted from an occasional tug was almost intoxicating. Shifting forward, nearing the edge, Connor allowed herself to rub her clit against the inseam of her tight leathers as she examined her prized possession.

Sammi knelt at her feet. Naked. Hair drawn back in a loose braid. Head bowed. Mouth muzzled. Shackled; hands behind back and hogtied to her ankles. The cuffs matched the dark leather and shimmering steel collar around her neck. Her pussy remained under lock and key as it had for more than three weeks.

"Still happy you begged me to take you back to your former Mistress?" Connor taunted in a whisper as her right hand fondled Sammi's exposed ass cheek.

Sammi did not respond.

Connor smirked. "So, now you're quiet."

For days on end, Sammi had asked, pleaded, and begged Connor to take her to her former Mistress Gina for training. As Sammi's entreaties increased and intensified, Connor's own anxiety about the rapidly approaching Golden Globes grew exponentially.

Finally, in a fit of unfathomable temper, Connor grabbed Sammi's cell phone and barked, "WHAT'S that CUNT'S number!"

Connor grimaced remembering the bruises on Sammi's thighs from the rough fucking that followed the phone call. "You like it hard, don't you?" Connor asked just before slapping Sammi's ass.

Sammi moaned.

You like it rough like this, don't you?" Connor whispered in her ear as she smacked the bare bottom again. "You like me to be merciless."

Sammi moaned louder. Her eyes fluttered closed as if savoring the sensation. Ever so slightly, she eased her hips back to close the distance between herself and Connor's hand. Connor obliged her and paddled the firm round cheek hard and fast for several minutes.

"So, you've discovered the key to controlling your slave, I see," a low voice intoned from across the dimly lit room. "The more you hurt her, the more completely she belongs to you."

Connor didn't answer. Instead, she breathed in the scent of her lover's arousal while she toyed with the heated, beaten skin beneath her hand. A shiver went down her spine when Sammi bucked into the embrace.

"Easy," she cautioned and snapped the leash to settle the woman. "I'll let you come but not yet. It would seem I've some business to attend to with your former owner."

Sammi muttered unintelligibly behind her muzzle but calmed with the promise. Connor rewarded her with a couple of hard scrubs to her clit. Sammi tossed her head back and snorted loudly in relief with the small dose of attention to her aching need.

"I never understood the key to Sammi. I tried to love her but that's not what she's about." The sleek platinum blonde dominatrix sneered as she stepped within arm's reach of Connor. "You've got yourself a little pain slut there, Connor."

Connor kept the soft leather leash firmly in the grasp of her left hand as she jumped to her feet. She swung a vicious backhand and connected with Gina's jaw before the dominatrix even realized Connor was moving. Gina collapsed on the floor and was covered with Connor's sturdy frame hovering over her cowering body.

"NEVER!" Connor shouted as she pinned the shaken woman to the floor. "You are never to speak to me without the proper address. I'M MASTER CONNOR! Do you understand, bitch?"

"Yes, Master," Gina answered in a quivering voice. "I understand, Master Connor."

"Good," Connor replied with a simple nod.

She rose slowly while eyeing the cringing woman. Satisfied Gina would stay where she lay, Connor returned to her seat. She let her fingers resume their strokes to the leather for a few moments to regain her composure. Once she was sure she could remain in control, she allowed the game to resume with a finger snap.

"My slave believed you were her Mistress, once upon a time. Granted, a pathetic thing like you might seem slightly stronger than her sniveling, pussy whipped husband if even by some small margin." Connor grinned and snapped Sammi's leash causing the woman to straighten up while still on her knees. "However, times do change and people's needs with them. Sammi belongs to me now. She gave herself to me. She'll remain my slave until I decided to give her away or sell her off."

Sammi's chains jingled as a shudder ran the length of her. Her wide eyes turned to Connor and searched for reassurance. Connor's smug grin indicated none would be forth coming.

"If not training your slave then how may I serve you, Master Connor?" Gina asked.

"Beg."

"Please Master, how may I serve you?" Gina's voice trembled with anticipation.

"Take your clothes off and bend over here," Connor instructed as she patted the space next to her.

Sammi moaned again and tugged against the leash.

Connor hushed her. "Be still. Master's gonna butt fuck her new bitch. You just be patient and wait your turn."

"Please," Gina pleaded from her place on the plinth, "nobody's had me this way since my Master died. It's been years. Please Connor... ,"

Connor silenced her with a hard spank to her bare ass. "What did you call me?"

"I'm sorry, Master Connor, I'm sorry. Please have mercy. Please," Gina sobbed was betrayed by the flushing on her cheeks.

"Some big tough dominatrix you are," Connor sneered as she stood. "You're just as fake as everything else in this town." Connor stated as she stepped behind the woman and unzipped her pants.

Sammi's muffled cries began anew as Connor eased out her strap on cock. Shaking her head and rattling her chains, Sammi tried to creep closer to Connor. Another hard snap of her leash stopped Sammi's efforts.

"Enough!" Connor commanded.

The room fell grew quiet when the echo of the order subsided. Connor waited a moment to relish the power she held over these women. She took a deep breath and drew her hips back. With a forceful thrust, Connor set both her slaves screaming into the night.

*  *  *

"Would you describe this as a real Cinderella story?" A voice shouted from the sea of flashing bulbs and competing questions.

"Sure, you know, the one were Cinderella is a butch dominatrix with two willing slaves in her harem," Connor thought to herself as Joyce answered the question.

"Our wins here tonight show what friendship and talent and intelligence can accomplish."

"Speaking of intelligence," a voice in the back boomed, "isn't it unlikely any of the voters in the foreign press actually saw your picture?"

Pictures stopped being snapped and the other journalists stopped shouting questions.

"I mean, you only invited 200 of the smartest people to see it. How many of them are members of the foreign press? For that matter, how many people actually saw Dumbstruck? More than fifteen hundred big names and politicians have already claimed to see it."

"Well," Benjy tried to speak but his voice broke and sweat started to bead on his forehead.

"There are rumors the film doesn't even exist," another voice called from across the room.

The press corps started to jockey for positions to shout their questions and capture pictures of the clearly nervous trio on stage. Voices mixed but the content of the questions remained clear: "When will there be a general release?" "When will the rest of the press corp see the movie? "When?" "When?" "When?"

"Is this anyway to behave?" Joyce shouted the crowd down. "I mean really, how rude? Instead of allowing us a moment to bask in our collective glory, you mean spirited little trolls ruin everything! Freedom of the press, ha. It should be freedom from the press. We were just getting ready to surprise you tonight by announcing a showing of Dumbstruck on February 24."

The room erupted in yelling and pushing. Every reporter lunged toward the stage. Connor felt the platform shudder when security raced out to force the unruly crowd back. Saul and his bodyguards hurried out on the stage and whisked Connor and Benjy backstage. Joyce happily sauntered along behind the group.

"One day, very soon, I'm going to murder you, Joyce," Saul growled when the woman joined them in the private back room.

Connor stepped forward raising her Golden Globe, "Let me do it, Saul. It'll be a mercy killing."

"Stop." Saul grabbed Connor by the wrist and removed the potential weapon. "We were going to need to do a general distribution anyway. At least, the twit created a cheap buzz. But, now I've got to work out the venue and such." Saul gave a shrug, "Could be worse. You guys could've lost and nobody would be talking about you. The boys and me are gonna get a car ready to take you back to your place then we'll clear a path out of here. We'll be back in a few."

Once the door shut, Connor looked to Benjy and whispered, "Tell me you finished it."

Benjy shook his head no. With tears in his eyes, he turned on Joyce, "You know what, Joyce? You're a real bitch."

"No darling," Joyce giggled, "I'm an award winning bitch."

PART 11

CONNOR FUMBLED FOR the phone on the third ring. She managed to get it to her ear after dropping the receiver twice.

"WHAT?" Her voice was hoarse for the amount of liquor she consumed with Benjy after the Golden Globes.

A seductive purr answered, "Just wondering what happened to my bad ass Master. Your bitches missed you."

Connor started to grin in spite of the pounding headache focused between her eyes, "Hope I'm not going to have to punish you both for touching each other."

"Oh no, Master! We would never fornicate without your permission," Sammi promised solemnly "or without you filming every filthy little act of debauchery."

"Sorry, I didn't make it down to Malibu last night. I would have preferred spending my time fucking you two senseless than sitting here... ,"

"Then let's not waste time talking about miss opportunities." Sammi interrupted.

Connor barked out a laugh, "Somebody's getting uppity."

"You're just going to have to put me back in my place. I need to be kept on a short leash," Sammi advised. "I'm on my way to your hotel. Gina's in the back seat. I practically had to tie her down to keep her from playing with herself. In fact, she's strapped into a chastity belt at the moment."

Connor was getting wet just thinking about the pair racing to her door, "Did you bring some toys with you?"

"Oh ya," Sammi chuckled. "I went to the Hustler store and picked up a couple of new treats."

"When will you be here? Do I have time for a shower?"

"Nope, I'm two blocks away and horny as a virgin bride. Get your stinky ass down to the lobby, Master, and you can start fucking Gina while I take us to my trailer on the set. I just had a swing installed."

"I'll be right down but I'd much rather go back to Malibu," Connor replied. "The view is better."

"Malibu it is. See you five," Sammi said.

Connor, in her haste, almost dropped the phone again but managed to tip it into the cradle on the nightstand. She staggered around the room gathering her clothes. She decided to forgo underwear and tugged on the basics. Her pants were on but not buttoned, her feet were stuffed into sneakers, and she was still pulling on her shirt when she stepped into the common area of the suite.

Benjy was sitting bare-chested on the couch. Startled by her sudden entrance, he pulled his cereal bowl closer in a futilr effort to cover his pink nipples.

"Are you leaving again? I thought you were going to help me with the movie today?" Benjy whined.

Conner stopped and glared at him, "Last night I thought you said you only had editing left to do. Tell me what else isn't done?"

"Nothing much. The sound is done and the clip you saw at the Globes yesterday."

"Benjy the clip is the title fading out with music. I'll give you the music is cool," Connor did like what he presented for the award show. "What band was that?"

"Private Lightening. Connor, can't you stay here today? I wanted you to watch what I've got," Benjy confessed, "you know, with me."

"No time," Connor shook her head. "I'll see it with everybody else on the 24th. Besides, I really don't even want to know what you filmed me doing to use as footage. Was it outtakes from KABOOM? Or did you catch me off guard around here?"

Benjy snarled a reply, "Don't worry, I don't have any dirty stuff you've been up to lately with that bitch. And, no it's not from the set. People would notice the timing."

"Watch your mouth about Sammi, Benjy. Try to remember you're supposed to be my friend and not my mother," Connor warned as she headed out the door.

"It'll be good if you remembered we were your friends before her," Benjy spoke to the empty room after the door slam.

*  *  *

Connor hurried out the hotel doors as a black Hummer with smoked windows rolled up. She grinned when Sammi flashed her lights and popped the door locks.

"So we're anxious, are we?" Connor questioned as she climbed into the back seat.

"You have no idea," Sammi answered as she looked over her shoulder from the driver's seat.

Connor took a deep breath. Sammi was gorgeous this morning. Her hair was down around her shoulders and she was wearing very little make up. She looked comfortable in baggy jeans and a loose t-shirt.

"Good enough to eat," Connor hushed before leaning forward and stealing a kiss from Sammi's warm, soft lips.

"I'll hold you to that," Sammi stated when they broke the kiss. "But first, I need to drive us back and you need to fuck Gina before she loses her fragile grip on reality."

Connor chuckled as she settled back next to her whimpering slave girl. She took a moment to assess Gina's plight. Sammi had left Gina, with her arms bound behind her back, naked except for her collar, wrist and ankle cuffs, chastity belt and red stilettos. Gina's cries were silenced by a red ball gag stuffed in her mouth. Even though Gina was presenting herself as helpless, Connor could easily read the woman's excitement in her hard pebbled nipples and hooded pleading eyes.

"You want your Master to make you feel better," Connor cooed while caressing Gina's cheek.

A muffled response and a subtle spread of her thighs communicated Gina's desire. Connor nodded agreement. She unfastened the chastity belt and pulled it free. The air was charged with Gina's arousal mingling with the scent of the leather interior.

When Connor dropped the belt to the floor she noticed a bag by her feet. Turning away from Gina got the woman whimpering again. Connor ignored her to explore the bag's contents.

"Nice," Connor complimented. "This is perfect for her training. Did you get lube?"

"Tubes and tubes of lube," Sammi giggled. "It's the only way to get that monster inside a tight ass."

Gina squealed behind her gag when Connor pulled an enourmous butt plug out of the bag. Connor cuddled up next to Gina on the seat while turning the object in her hand. The pair lingered on the torturous toy for several moments. Connor waited until Gina's body relaxed against her own.

"You're going to let me do this to you because it is what I want to do. You are going to beg me, ‘please Master, push it in all the way, harder, please.' You won't want me to use lube because you want to suffer for me but I'll use lots and lots of lube because I want to be able to shove this up you ass everyday for years and years."

Connor paused to place a gently kiss on Gina's brow. She trailed the kiss lower and captured Gina's tears on the tip of her tongue.

"So, sweet," Connor whispered. "Are you ready to serve me now?"

Gina nodded yes immediately.

"God, I wish I brought my camera. You two are making me so hot, I might have to pull over and jack off," Sammi's eyes darted between the traffic and the scene in her rearview mirror.

"Don't worry, my precious bitch, your turn is coming," Connor wagged her eyebrows as she settled Gina over her lap, "and I do mean coming."

Connor felt Gina chuckle and gave her a gentle pat on her up ended cheeks reminding her to behave. The woman gave a contented sigh. Connor started working two well lubed fingers into Gina's tiny puckered hole.

"Did you give her an enema this morning?" Connor questioned with a smirk.

"No, no," Sammi sputtered and shook her head. "I gave her three. I wanted her perfect for you."

Connor worked Gina open further with a third finger then started to push the plug into place. Gina moaned and bucked. Connor didn't have a free hand to spank her so she tried to coax her.

"It's almost in. It'd be a shame to have to pull out now and start over. Don't fight me, slave. Master's gonna have her way with you."

Gina wept but relaxed in Connor's arms. The plug passed the point of no return and was snapped into the straining ass. Again, Gina bucked. Connor soothed her with circular strokes to the stuffed cheeks.

"I was thinking," Sammi began.

"This could be dangerous," Connor said but did not stop her attention to Gina's ass.

"Well, I've got a bunch of piercings and tattoos but none of them are in tribute to you. And, Gina doesn't have any. Not right for your new slave girls not to carry your brand," Sammi tried to sound reasonable but Connor could hear the excitement growing in her voice.

"You've got a point," Connor noted and felt a wet spot starting on her thigh directly below Gina's snatch.

Sammi singled to exit the highway. "I know this guy who does great work. He's very discreet. He'd be happy to squeeze us in, I bet."

"I bet he would," Connor loved the casual manipulation Sammi spun around her. "You need to get that other nipple done for me. I hate the lack of symmetry. However, I'm not quite sure what I should get for Gina."

Sammi burst out laughing, "She'd look great with a bull ring thru her septum, don't you think?"

"I do indeed," Connor hushed as she entered Gina's sopping pussy with three fingers. "Can we bring her in naked, chained, and stuffed?"

"Of course, we're celebrities in Hollywood, we can do whatever we want," Sammi stated without hesitation.

*  *  *

Connor clawed her way out from under the blankets. Her thirst was so overwhelming she could not even swallow. Staggering across the darkened room, she tripped over her own pants and thudded shoulder first into the thick carpet.

"Okay?" A slumbering voice asked.

"Fine, go back to sleep."

Connor heard a fitfull snore reply. She continued her struggle with her pants and finally managed to pull them up over her ankles. Climbing to her feet, she tugged them on as she hop stepped out of the room.

Connor flinched at the blinding light blessing the living room through sliding glass doors leading to the beach and two huge skylights. Her head was throbbing from the combined effects of 48 hours of dehydration, alcohol, pills, and malnutrition.

"Orgies are not for the weak," she smirked as she swaggered toward the kitchen.

Realizing her normal gait was off a step; Connor looked down and was greeted with a large surprise. An eight inch strap on was peaking out of her undone fly. Shifting slightly, she realized an unseen part was snuggled up inside her.

"No wonder I'm in a good mood," she muttered as she continued to the kitchen.

The refrigerator contained rows and rows of designer water and two or three containers of yogurt.

"Hollywood, la la la, Hollywood," Connor sung as she freed a water from the pack.

The splash of cool liquid against her raw throat made her wince but did not end her continued drag on the contents. It was blissfully refreshing. She found the need to steady herself against the cool appliance's double doors as she nursed the bottle.

Movement in the brilliantly lit living room caught her eye. Sammi had emerged from the bedroom and was putting something down on the floor before the fireplace. She proceeded to cross over to the wall next to the fireplace and open a hidden panel. In moments, the room was cloaked in darkness as the drapes were drawn on the glass doors and skylights. Seconds later, the fire place flamed into a heatless blue light and several muted candles sparked to life around the room.

"Ooh yeah," Connor muttered as she watched fire illuminate her naked lover's arrival in the kitchen.

Sammi walked with confidence toward the Connor. She licked her lips and pressed her body against her lover. Connor had to take another long pull from her water bottle to ease her parched throat.

"You know, I could use a drink too," Sammi hummed before sealing her lips against Connor's.

Connor gladly quenched Sammi's thirst. The pair traded kisses after the water was drained. Both were breathless but eager to continue their exploration. Sammi trailed nibbling kisses and bites down Connor's exposed chest. She relished each breast before moving lower to dip her cooled tongue in Connor's navel and then lower to the well used dildo.

"May I remove this?" Sammi asked from her place on the floor, on her knees.

Connor nodded mutely.

Sammi lower the zipper of Connor's pants. Her long, delicate fingers struggled to work the buckles loose without chipping a nail. Once the strap on finally pulled free, Sammi tossed it across the floor.

"This is how I love us best, Connor." Her words were punctuated with a quick lick of Connor's sex. "Me, serving you. Me, pleasing you with what I have. Me, being your woman." She resumed her tonguing of Connor's pussy.

"I love us best like this too," Connor confessed.

Sure the other sex was great. Three ways were a novel and exciting bit. Dildo and strap on sex never got old. But, there was something amazing about the way Sammi cared for Connor's sex. It was gentle and urgent at the same time; reverent and rude, cautious and careless, soft yet painful.

"Connor, I only want to be at your beck and call. Will you keep me? Will you take me as a wife?" Sammi panted before tucking her face between Connor's sweat soaked thighs one more time.

Connor leaned back against the refrigerator as she tried to get enough breath in her lungs to question the woman at her feet. "What? You mean, ohh, love, ahh, honor and that?"

"Connor, I will OBEY your every command, I honor your power and will love you through good times, health, and wealth. Will you cherish me?"

"We're missing a couple, oohh yeah, words in the vows. But, you bet, I can do that," Connor said while trying to keep from coming too soon.

Sammi released her hold on Connor's clit, "No matter what, you'll always love me, Connor?"

"Always," Connor gasped as she grabbed a fistful of Sammi's hair. "Now, less talking and more sucking, babe."

Sammi struggled briefly against the grip to whisper, "Say, I do Connor! Say, I do!" Then she surrendered to Connor's will with a long lick, hard suck, and sharp nip of Connor's clit.

"I DO!" Connor gasped as she came hard in Sammi's mouth.

Sammi nursed Connor's satisfied sex with a gentle clean up. Connor was weak kneed but held steady against the refrigerator door. She petted Sammi's dark hair as she bobbed between her legs.

"So good to me," Connor whispered.

Sammi looked up from her task. Her eyes glimmered like diamonds in the shimmering fire light. Her hands began to peel off Connor's pants.

"Can we consummate our vows, my love?" Sammi hushed as she removed the pants pooled at Connor's ankles.

Connor's fingers continued to twirl Sammi's shimmer hair, "How do you propose we do that?"

Sammi stood and took Connor by the hand. She led her now naked lover back to the living room. There was a silken white comforter spread before the fireplace. Connor spotted a long, thick life like cock dildo placed front and center laying reverently on a silken pillow. Sammi released Connor's hand and dropped to her knees to retrieve the toy. She offered it up on the pillow for Connor to take.

"Will you love me like your wife? Will you penetrate me? Will you free my womanhood?" Sammi asked as she reclined and spread her legs revealing her still imprisoned sex.

Connor studied her lover's pierced and tattooed body. Connor understood it belonged to her completely. From today forward, only she would touch the tender apex between Sammi's pale thighs. Connor strapped the large toy around her own hips. Once the buckles were fixed, she dropped to her knees and grabbed the key locked around her neck. With a duck of her head and a twist of metal, Sammi's shackles dropped away. Connor removed and set them on the now empty pillow. Then she slid lengthwise up Sammi's dewy and trembling body. Connor rested the head of her cock at the dripping opening of Sammi's cunt.

"Only me from now on, Sammi, understand? I'm the only one who gets to take you like this. I don't care how many sex slaves plead for our attention or how many orgies we host or how many lovers I fuck. Only I get to have you like this from now on. It's just gonna be my cock, my tongue, my thigh, my hand in your bush!"

"Yes," Sammi panted and spread herself wider.

Connor edged her hips forward but the cock only moved an inch, "I'm your Master, your best friend, your girlfriend, your bull dyke lover, your wife, your husband, your fuck buddy," both chuckled with laughter and the cock jerked another inch or two, "but most of all I'm your lover. I'm gonna love you like you've never been. You're my virgin bride because you've never been loved like this."

Sammi gasped as Connor pressed forward with a deep thrust. It caught her off guard because of the easy start off. Connor pulled almost all the way out and hovered for a moment as if she would slam the cock home but instead began a series of short advances and slow retreats. She was building friction and arousing Sammi as nobody ever had before. Connor seemed to read every line on Sammi's face and responded with the force needed to increase arousal. Sammi was frantic to have her climax but Connor teased the minutes out with kisses and caresses and twists and nips.

"Please, let me come. I need..." Sammi was ready to weep.

Connor kissed each of her eyes and drew her hips back with a swirling motion that stole the very breath from Sammi, "You're gonna come now, my love. Come for me."

As Connor stiffened to drive the cock home, Sammi reach up and grabbed the ball sack. Connor descended in one final thrust and paused. Sammi screamed her release and crushed the ball sack in her grasp. Cream ejaculated into Sammi and smeared out around the seal of their commitment.

Connor panted as her own orgasm took her hard. Her body humped into Sammi and found a secondary shiver of satisfaction before she quieted down. Her body was slumped in Sammi's arms and her head nestled in the crook of Sammi's neck. She could feel her lover's legs wrapped around her own. It kept the cock tightly wedged in Sammi's pussy while Connor's snatch was equally entertained by the opposite knobby end shuddering against her clit.

"What's the goop?" Connor questioned sleepily and a deep yawn followed.

Sammi kissed Connor's forehead before answering, "Semen."

"I know it's 'semen' but what did you make it out of," Connor chuckled and lifted her head to steal a kiss from Sammi's luscious lips.

"It's really semen from a sperm bank. The donor is a 25 year old Irish American man who looks a lot like you; blonde, athletic but not too broad or tall with twinkling eyes. The staff all talked about his brilliant eyes." Sammi elaborated. "He's smart like you too. He got himself a partial scholarship to Berklee, the music school, not UC Berkeley. Partial being the reason he jacked off so much for money."

Connor shook her head in disbelief, "I fucked you with real semen? This is a gag, right? Please tell it's not viable." Connor begged as she felt Sammi's legs tighten around her own.

"I followed the instructions really well Connor. You may have just knocked me up. Isn't it exciting? We might get pregnant on our honeymoon, Connor."

"SAMMI!" Connor growled as she tried to pull free of her lover's hold. "If you douche now and we go to the ER for the morning after pill everything could still be okay. Come on, we need to hurry. Let go of me!"

"Connor, please listen," Sammi hushed as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I want us to be pregnant." When Connor glared at her, Sammi tried to calm her lover with words and loving hand strokes, "I'm sorry I didn't ask you first but I know you would have a thousands reasons not to do have a baby together. You would have been right because I'm not as smart as you are so I would have had to agree with you not to have children. But Connor, I want your baby! I want to mother your child."

Connor pulled herself free of Sammi's embrace and tore the dripping cock from her body. She hurled the thing into the fake fire.

"FUCK! It probably won't even burn, will it?"

Sammi shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Shut the fire off before the toxic fumes kill us all."

Connor slammed her fist into the controls for the fire place and drapes. The room snapped into darkness moments before the drapes began the pull back. Sun light crept into the gloom and brightened the lovers as the drapes retreated. In spite of her anger and fear, Connor was awe struck by Sammi's beauty. Her perfect body's sweat and jewelry shined under the dazzling sunlight.

"Why would you do this to us?" Connor asked completely baffled by the woman lying so calmly at her feet.

Sammi smiled and stretched her arms out to beckon her lover, "We married each other in abundance, the kitchen and we consummated our vows by the hearth, in the living room. It is an age old tradition that follows marriage; pregnancy, day care, high school proms, college funds, wedding days, doting on grandchildren. It ends with our side by side placement in a nursing home, Connor. You're my wife and my lover and the mother of my baby and that's the facts of our life."

Connor stood silently worried about the semen drying on her thigh and if any traveled deeper into her body. However, she was surprised to realize she was not really put off by the thought of Sammi pregnant. Caring for and loving Sammi as she grew with their child did not distress Connor in the least. In fact, she liked the idea of their child.

"I wish you would have discussed this with me before we... before I made love to you, my wife."

"Sorry," Sammi closed her eyes and turned her head away. "There are several douches in the Master's bath. The morning after prescription is there as well. I'll take it if you command me too. I don't want you to feel trapped, Connor."

Connor paused a moment to gather her racing thoughts. She dropped back down to the silky comfort of the spread. Moving with determination, she gathered Sammi in her arms and held her close.

"Never make a decision like this again without talking to me first. I promise to never silence your desire. For now, we'll let nature have its way with us. If you get pregnant, what are the chances... , by the way... ?"

"Only about 20 percent."

Connor breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's why I got a couple of extra vials in the deep freeze down stairs," Sammi muttered as she snuggled into a cozy spot next to Connor.

Connor smiled. "You are never to extract those samples unless I directly order you to do so, understood?"

"Absolutely," Sammi hummed as her mouth grabbed Connor's nipple.

PART 12

SAMMI CLUTCHED CONNOR'S hand as the elevator doors slid shut. Her grip tightened as the car began its climb.

"You okay?" Connor whispered and she turned toward her lover.

Sammi shrugged. "Do you think they'll mind me being here? Saul said for you to come but nothing about me. I know Benjy and Joyce don't like me. Maybe I should have stayed in Malibu. You know, doing something useful like grooming Gina."

Connor snickered at the comment. "Nah, she's happier chained by her nose ring to the bedpost than having you giving her enema's all afternoon. By the way, did you at least leave her something motorized to play with herself while we're gone?"

"Better, I fastened her hands behind her back, put in a porn DVD, and called Luke to entertainer her. You know, maybe we should give her to Luke when we get back. She was fun and all but after a week she's getting monotonous. Besides," Sammi husked, "I want you all to myself for the rest of our honeymoon phase."

"Luke? Wait, back up," Connor was surprised by the casual mention of Sammi's soon to be ex husband. "You're still talking to Luke? Isn't he mad at us? Shouldn't he be mad at you or me or both of us or something?" Connor knew she was babbling and tried to rein it back. "You've charged him with a crime and are suing him for divorce. That's got to piss him off. Isn't he furious at you?"

"No, not at all. Why should he be? Connor, Luke's been in the upstairs apartment at Malibu since he made bail. He still gets his monthly allowance and use of the cars and the ski lodge at Aspen. I could see him being annoyed about only getting use of the ski lodge. Nobody important goes to Aspen anymore, really. But, I refuse to sacrifice my Sundance passes just to pacify his ego. Other than that, the only big difference now is he doesn't get to screw me once a month anymore."

Connor nearly choked, "Once a month? You only slept with your husband once a month. That's absolutely crazy. No wonder you're a total nymphomaniac with me."

Sammi pushed Connor up against the back of the elevator and planted a hungry kiss on her lips. It was deep and probing and had potential to lead to something much more. The ding of the elevator doors opening ended the potential and the moment.

"I'm only a nympho with you, Connor. You make me hot," Sammi husked as she pulled her lover out of the elevator. "You make me wet. You make me need to cum like a cat in heat."

Connor grinned. She felt very proud of herself watching Sammi confess her lust. Connor maneuvered Sammi against the wall and leaned in close. Sammi's hands found their favorite resting spots on Connor's ass cheeks.

Connor slipped her hand between Sammi's thighs and stroked the seam of her tight jeans.

"When we finish this stupid meeting, I'm dragging you into my bedroom and fisting your pussy. If you scream, I'll stuff my dirty underwear in you pie hole so you don't disturb Benjy's sensibilities," Connor promised as she squeezed Sammi's crotch.

Sammi arched into the grip, "Liar. You're not even wearing underpants. I can smell your cunt juices staining your leathers."

Connor straddled Sammi's thigh. She was so close it wouldn't take more than a hump or two to get her over the top. Wanting to draw it out more, she released her hold of Sammi's snatch.

"Oh, please," Sammi begged.

Connor shoved her hand into the front of Sammi's jeans. She entered her lover with two fingers. Matching her dry humps to finger thrust, Connor brought them both off quickly.

"Clean 'em," Connor ordered a heartbeat or two later when she pushed her dripping fingers into Sammi's anxious mouth.

Sammi lavished her attention on the digits.

"That's my good bitch," Connor praised her. "Finish up so we can get going. Otherwise, Saul's likely to come out here and find you on your knees sucking my rocks off."

Sammi groaned as she released Connor's fingers, "Keep talking like that and I'll be humping Joyce before the day is out."

The pair readjusted each other's clothes in silence prior to heading down the hallway hand in hand. Connor used her keycard pass to open the suite's door.

"You can stop talking about us 'cause we're here," Connor stated as she walked in with Sammi dragging behind her.

"We weren't... we never would..." Benjy babbled.

"Kidding, Benjy, I was kidding," Connor reassured her friend. "So, where's Saul and what's the drama?"

With a hiss, Joyce dropped the gossip magazine she was reading into her lap, "You know, you've been out running wild for umptynine days without word one of how you are and then you return and you don't even give Benjy or I a proper hello."

"Hello, Joyce," Connor stated evenly because she wanted to avoid an argument which could hold up her planned ravaging of Sammi's eager and seeping pussy.

"Hello Connor, it's good to see you. I've missed you," Joyce actually sounded sincere. "We both have."

Connor nodded but didn't trust herself to reply. She sat on the couch opposite Benjy and Sammi sat next to her. The pair kept a tight grip on each other's hand.

Benjy cleared his throat, "Saul will be here soon. This is just to make sure everything is flawless. He wants to go over the red carpet and stuff for the general release of DUMBSTRUCK."

"So, for the big day, everything's... you know, ready," Connor asked. She needed to know if the movie was finally done but didn't want to tip off Sammi to the situation with their groundbreaking scam.

"Why whatever do you mean, Connor?" Joyce asked with two parts sarcasm, one part innocence, and a sprinkle of whimsy.

"Joyce..." Benjy and Connor both warned her to silence herself with evil glares.

"What, Benjy?" Joyce tried to defend herself. "I simply don't understand what Connor's getting at. She's been off having a good old time for herself while we've been stuck faking..."

"JOYCE!" Both Benjy and Connor jumped to their feet and shouted over the blabbermouth.

Joyce grinned, "You know, Connor, when you get all angry and tough like that I can see the S & M dominatrix in you. Or are you too butch to be a mistress of pain? Would you be a Master of suffering?"

"What?" Connor blinked.

"It says right here in black and white, 'Call her Dom!" Joyce patted the magazines in her lap. "Here's a direct quote, 'Newcomer bad girl Connor likes it rough but she holds the leash. And, it is poor Sammi Gregory groveling at the other end.' It goes on and on about how Sammi was blinded by her deep love for Connor that she ignored the seriousness of Connor's deviant demands until the Sammi was a total wreck; completely broken in mind and body. They say she's an unwilling sex slave. It seems you've gone and corrupted the innocent Ms. Gregory," Joyce shook her head. "I would have bet on the other way around, go figure."

"I was sure you were spying on us that night on the balcony. Cirque du Soleil, my ass," Connor growled. "Joyce, you're not only a perverted peeping Tom but a gossiping fat ass mother fucker as well!"

Joyce stood and dumped a pile of magazines on the table, "Read them, Connor! Every one of them has some horrible private detail about you and Sammi. Things I couldn't know. Even if I did, I would never share your private life with the press. You're my friend..."

"FUCK OFF, FRIEND! You're nothing but a lying bitch. I'm gonna kill you!" Connor lunged for Joyce and managed to wrap her fingers around Joyce's thick neck.

Sammi and Benjy jumped into the fray. Sammi desperately tried to pull Connor back. Benjy struggled to get between the pair so he could push Joyce away.

"Stop it, Connor. Stop it!" Benjy shouted before somebody pulled a fistful of his hair free. "OUCH!"

"Cry baby," Joyce hissed at him.

"Ass!" Benjy shot back.

"Connor, stop, please, stop. It wasn't Joyce. She didn't do it. It was me," Sammi shouted over the competing voices. "I told the gossip magazines about us. It was me."

All the noise and struggle abruptly ended. A stunned Connor released her strangle hold of Joyce and turned to look Sammi in the eye. Joyce moved in next to Connor and grabbed one of her arms. Benjy freed the other arm from Sammi and held on tight.

"You? You, you told them about us?" Connor questioned in disbelief. "You told them about our sex life?"

Sammi nodded yes.

"Why for fuck's sake?" Joyce screamed and started to move toward Sammi with balled fists.

Connor and Benjy shifted their focus to get a grip on the woman in motion.

Sammi shook her head, "We've got this movie coming out in June and we need a strong buzz. I, we need a hit; you know to follow up DUMBSTRUCK. Our female buddy picture is going to be a tough sell to a national release. However, if we have a scandal that is sexually exciting for guys then we can raise this movie from a noble chick flick endeavor to a mass appeal mega hit. Marketing like this comes along once in a career if you're very lucky. Somehow, for you three, it's twice in a career and you're just getting started. If KABOOM rakes up big numbers then we'll become instant box office gold and Hollywood royalty. There's no telling how long we can ride that wave."

"But we were... we said... you're my..." Connor couldn't make the words come out.

"Baby, I love you. I really do. We can still together. This isn't a problem at all. This is our foundation," Sammi tried to be reassuring but Joyce stepped between her and Connor. "Back off, Joyce. From what I can see you're nothing more than a trouble maker. You don't even like those two much anyway, do you?"

The trio laughed together at Sammi's remark.

"Boy, are you stupid? You freaks don't know shit out here in La La Land, do you sweetie?" Joyce asked in a mocking tone. "Do you think the three of us are here together because we can't stand each other? Wrong. We've been friends since fourth grade."

"Apparently, you haven't changed much since then," Sammi retorted. "Still the playground bully."

"Exactly," Joyce agreed. "And, Benjy was the foreign kid who got beat up by the jocks until I pantsed the ring leader, George Costa, at Christmas assemble. I told the rest of them worse would happen if they bothered my friend again. Then there was Connor; our brainy tomboy who got teased by all the extra pretty girls until I broke Marcia Clyde's nose with a single shove into the lockers. Nobody teased Connor after that. I may be an absolute bitch but I take care of my friends. I push them to do something instead of waiting around and sometimes I push the wrong way and criminal charges result." Joyce shrugged, "You know, like now."

Benjy and Connor never expected the punch. It floored Sammi. Blood erupted from her nose before her head finished snapping back. The room exploded in a wild scramble to tug Joyce off a stunned Sammi.

"WHAT IN HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Saul shouted as he slammed the door shut.

The melee ended and the four combatants separated immediately. Benjy grabbed some tissue and handed it to Sammi. Connor walked away from the group and headed for the door.

"Connor?" Saul asked in a quiet, paternal tone.

Connor sniffled back her tears, "I need to go out. Alone. I'm so confused. This isn't what I wanted. None of it. I'm so lost. Please let me leave. I need to get out."

Saul sighed, "Take my car and driver. Here, take my cell phone too. Only answer calls from this number. Let the rest go to voicemail. I want you back here in 24 hours. Got it?"

"Make sure Sammi's not anywhere near here."

"Deal," Saul answered.

Sammi heard the agreement and was on her feet, "No, Connor, wait. We need to talk this over. Wait."

A slamming door was her only reply.

*  *  *

The mob was like a living thing. It moved and moaned and screamed as one. But, it was only a mass of confusion. Cameras, journalists, fans, groupies, drug dealers, hookers, and the assorted riff raff gathered to gawk at another Hollywood happening which would be forgotten in a week.

"Connor, look this way, Connor!"

"Connor, are you excited about DUMBSTRUCK's general release and all the attention."

"Connor, over here!"

"Smile Connor."

"Who are you wearing, Connor?"

Connor smirked as she stumbled forward on the red carpet, "Wal Mart, $4."

The crowd shouted their approval. Gangs of women cheered her arrival. Several broke into a chant.

"Come on, Connor, mistreat me, come on and beat me, make me come on, Connor..."

Connor scanned the mob. She smiled when she saw a cute little brunette. Waving to her to catch her eye, Connor motioned for the woman to get closer to the velvet ropes.

"Want an autograph?" Connor slurred.

"I'd rather you'd ride me like a racehorse and brand my ass but I'll take what I can get, Master Connor," the woman hushed as she licked her silicon lips and opened her blouse for Connor to sign.

Connor happily obliged her fan with an autograph across her left breast, "Right over your heart, bitch."

The woman shrieked above the throng, "I'm Master Connor's newest BITCH!

The crowd went wild. Cameras flashed repeatedly to capture the moment. Reports called out more questions but the fans shouted them down. After several minutes of hand shaking and groping spectators, Connor was gently nudged back onto the red carpet by security. Drunkenly she saluted the gathering before retreating inside the cinema.

"Isn't it amazing, Connor?" Benjy gushed as he hugged Connor. "The crowd loves you. There are hundreds of lesbians out there screaming for you to spank them. Thousands more are on line trying to get a glimpse of you. You're a Dom icon!"

Joyce purred her approval, "I gotta agree with Benjy. You are a sexsation."

Saul stood back, quietly watching Connor. His eyes were fixed on his meal ticket. He was not smiling as the trio made their way over to him.

"Connor, you're drunk. I'm warning you..."

Connor rolled her eyes, "I'm here Saul. Try being grateful I showed up. It'd be a nice change of pace for you to get off my ass."

"Connor, you're the one that's going to change or you're going to an early grave. I'm serious," Saul warned. "Don't expect me to stand around and watch you crash."

"Then don't," Connor stated firmly as she stared her agent down. "If I don't care then neither should you."

"Let's all calm ourselves," Joyce intervened. "Such serious matters can be discussed later. Now, we should get to our seats so we don't keep the audience waiting. Saul, be a dear and be my arm candy for the evening."

Joyce held out her arm and Saul grumpily took the offering. Connor turned on her heel to head for the theatre. Benjy chased after her. They entered the half lit hall together. With awkward steps, Connor commandeered the back row of seats instead sitting in the reserved seats up front. Joyce strolled by them with Saul at her side and went straight to the previously assigned seats.

"Hold my hand?" Benjy asked.

"Nervous?" Connor laughed at him.

"Terrified." Benjy corrected her as the house lights dwindled to extinction.

Connor almost nodded off during the previews. However, when the opening credits started to roll Benjy elbowed her awake. The letters faded and the screen flared to life with a vibrant red. The color slowly dimmed to blue grays which billowed like veils across the screen. An image below the colors emerged gracefully as the veils were shed. Connor's tear streaked face filled the screen with a haunted cry. Music swelled and surrounded the visage but the actress' tears were unending. Her hand raised once to dash the tears dry with a glimmer of metal around her wrist but the tears continued to flow.

"Benjy?" Connor forced herself to look away from the flickering image before them to question Benjy.

"It goes on like this for ninety minutes. You're so beautiful Connor. You are the movie." He stopped and looked away, "I love you. I know you don't like guys but I still love you. You're my best friend. I've missed you."

Connor didn't know what to say. "Sorry."

Benjy gave a sad smile. "It's okay. You can't change who you are. Nobody can. You're absolutely so perfectly beautiful," he sighed, "I can't help but to love you. Anyway, want some popcorn?"

Connor shook her head no and settled back to watch herself cry for the next hour or so. Movement next to her made her turn. Sammi sat in the previously empty seat to Connor's left. Sammi stared straight ahead for a few minutes.

"I remember the day he shot that footage," Sammi said in a low voice. "It was the day after our dinner at Q. The handcuff is still locked around your wrist."

Connor was mute under the accusation. Sammi stayed quiet as the music swelled. The pair remained still with Connor watching Sammi as Sammi watched Connor on the screen.

"It's all been some kind of game for you three, hasn't it?" Sammi whispered without turning to face Connor. "You could have told me you were players. You should have told me. You know, you can trust..."

Connor got up in mid sentence and left the theater without another word to anybody.

*  *  *

Somewhere in her fuzzy memory, she remembered the Oscar announcement. She could remember holding the heavy statue while standing, swaying in a stupor between Benjy and Joyce. She could not utter a word of thanks even if there were time to do so. Saul took the allotted time all to himself. After the press moments backstage, there were parties. A never ending series of non stop parties commenced for Connor. Limitless supplies of drugs and booze and women and men. She lost track of time and her friends and her obligations. She didn't even care that she lost track of herself.

She was drifting. She was dangling high above a chasm between life and death. The slap across her face startled her. Brutish hands grabbing hold of her arms rattled her. A stinging blast of cold water from above made her struggle. Strong fingers dug deep into her skin to force a grimace from her sallow cheeks. But, she refused to cry out her pain. She would not let them know the depth of her suffering.

"Wake up, Connor," Saul's voice was drained of emotion. "You are going to be at the premiere of KABOOM even if it kills you. And, it might because you are going sober and then I'm shipping your ass straight to rehab. I'm sick of your shit."

Connor struggled against the men holding her under the freezing spray. They were too strong for her. Her body was too empty from weeks and weeks of parties and drugs and sex and booze. She didn't have a muscle left on her bony frame healthy enough to fight back.

The water stopped. Connor gasped and panted as she hung in an iron fisted grasp of her captors. She cracked open her eyes to glare at Saul.

"Fuck you," she managed before the water blasted her again.

"Gentlemen, you have four hours to sober up my little starlet," Connor bristled at Saul's description of her. "Dress her in the clothes I put in the closet and deliver her to the theatre twenty minutes before show time. Don't you dare leave her side for even a second. If you screw up then I'll see to it you're all deported."

"Wait a minute, I was born here." The guy holding the struggling woman's left arm clarified.

"Believe me when I tell you I can make it happen," Saul promised before he left them to clean up Connor.

Connor was lapsing in and out of consciousness. Time was passing but she had little awareness of the events. She finally pulled her faculties together enough to realize she was dressed in comfortable clothes and sitting in a coolly air conditioned town car. Sitting up a little straighter, she tried to rub her dry eyes clear.

"Oh, no you don't," Saul grabbed her hand and tugged it away from her face. "You're make up is perfect. Don't smudge it before picture time."

Connor looked up at him and managed to mutter a question, "Picture time?"

"KABOOM premieres tonight," Saul explained. "You're on the red carpet once more. Please, try to act sober. Remember I did say, please. All you need to do is pose for pictures just like your co-star and the director and the wardrobe woman then we all sit down and watch the movie with popcorn and soda and candy. After which, I take you directly to rehab."

"Don't want to go..."

Saul pulled her by the hair so her ear was next to his mouth. "I didn't ask you and I don't care what you want! You've been screwing around for almost five months. I'm not going to lose another kid to pills and booze. Never again! Not after losing Anissa. If you won't go to rehab on your own then my boys and me will take you there and make certain you stay. You need to trust me on this that I can make it happen, Connor."

"Just wait. You won't care in three hours when this movie bombs. Just you wait!" Connor warned.

Saul smirked, "And, all this time I thought you were an optimist."

The remainder of the ride passed in silence.

THREE HOURS LATER

Connor refused to sit with Saul or her friends once she got into the theatre. Instead, she sat sandwiched between the body guards in the back row and fell asleep. Her rest was only disturbed by laughter, applause, and cheering. Once the film ended, the guards tugged Connor to her feet to make a quick exit.

She pushed herself way from their grip and the growing crowd gathering behind them. Connor rushed into the theatre's private woman's room. The roar of the mob on the other side of the door dinned minutely. Turning the water on full blast, she waited but a moment for it to fill before ducking her face in the cool liquid. She held her breath under the delicious torment until her lungs begged for air. Flipping her head back she gave no thought to whomever she might spray.

"You're not going to look so good for post picture time," droned a voice from the past.

Connor refused to open her eyes or look back a Sammi as she replied, "They got me coming in and that's all they get."

Connor reached for the paper towel dispenser. Instead, her seeking hands were filled with the dry cloth. Connor scrubbed her face dry, mindless of the make up. Her eye opened slowly to Sammi's concerned face.

"I've been worried about you."

"F..." the profanity died on Connor's lips when she saw Sammi's protruding belly. "Oh, I didn't know. Sorry. Congrats. I guess. Tell Luke, I send my best to you three."

Sammi shook her head. "Luke isn't the father. I haven't been with Luke since our vows in the kitchen at Malibu. Funny fact, though, Luke and Gina are still together."

"Oh, I've been away, ya, away. That's it, I've been way. Didn't hear you were with somebody else, somebody new. So, tell whoever it is, best wishes," Connor babbled as she continued to search for a means around Sammi's blockade or the door.

"NO!"

"No?" Connor asked.

"There isn't another lucky guy, Connor."

"No?"

"No. This is," Sammi caressed her belly as she explained, "this is your baby. Connor, I'm carrying our child."

Connor stood silent. Sammi reached out to caress her face but Connor pulled away. She slowly shook her head.

"Not possible."

Sammi shrugged. "Not probable but," Sammi spread her arms to highlight her swollen belly, "obviously possible."

"You're lying. I don't believe you. Why would you even keep something from..."

"I love you," Sammi blurted. "With all my heart, I love you. I didn't understand anything about love until I met you. Please give me a chance to make up for betraying you. Give me a chance, Connor, please. Give us another chance."

Connor frowned, "Why do this now? Where have you been the last five months?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

Connor laughed at her, "I've been all over the tabloids. You could have found me if you really wanted to."

"Bullshit! You were living like a vagrant. Running around with party girls and junkies. It took Saul three weeks and two private investigators to track you to that filthy apartment." Sammi took a deep breath before asking, "Connor, come home with me."

"Malibu?" Connor questioned with a smirk. "Lonely? Need it up the ass, my bitch?"

Sammi shook her head. "No, I moved back home to Nebraska. I needed a break from all the craziness. You need that too. Even if you don't stay for long, please, come back with me until after the baby."

Sammi reached out again. This time Connor did not pull away. She let Sammi cradle her cheek. Connor's eyes drifted closed and her shoulders relaxed. Tears started to make their way down her cheeks.

"I've got two tickets for tonight. There's a doctor who'll meet us at the airport and admit you to a private clinic. I'll visit every day. Once you get well, we can live in the carriage house at my folks place." Sammi continued to pet Connor as she quietly explained the arrangements. "I need your help, Connor. I can't have this baby alone. Please, say you'll give this a try?"

Connor's voice was soft and shaky, "Okay."

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Connor woke at the first whimper. She rolled out of the perfectly warm bed and hurried over to the cradle. Little arms and legs punched and kicked at the air in an effort to work up a wail. Instead, a tiny sob wracked the small body.

"Good morning, Madison," Connor used a sing song voice to sooth the child. "Is it time for Mommy to wake up and get breakfast?"

Connor lifted the baby out of the cradle. She carefully arranged her on her shoulder and rubbed gentle circles on the baby's back.

"She hungry?" Sammi asked as she struggled to sit up in the bed.

"Easy you. No moving around too fast. I don't want you pulling out stitches or whatever they patched you up with," Connor instructed as she climbed back into the bed with their child. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," Sammi said as she accepted her bundle of joy to fed, "just not enough."

Connor cuddled up next to Sammi and held her while Sammi positioned Madison at her breast. The baby took it immediately and began to draw quick sharp sucks. Both women chuckled at the child's efforts.

"She has your appetite, my butch lover." Sammi smiled up at Connor.

"Oh, I don't know. I think you have some pretty fierce appetites as well," Connor challenged.

"That's true but not for food." Sammi paused, "I've missed us together. Maybe tonight we could spend some time, you know, enjoying our honeymoon. My Mom could watch Madison for an hour or so."

Connor was a bit uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Isn't it too soon for you to... you and me to explore again."

"I promise I'll be gentle with you," Sammi gave a charming smile. "Besides, we only have four more weeks of maternity leave before we have to get back to LA." "Back?"

"Well, Saul would like us back tomorrow but I told him both of us need more time. You need to keep on your program and I need to lose my baby fat. No offence, Madison," Sammi hushed as she kissed her infants head.

"I thought, you know, we could stay out here for a while, longer even. This has been so great for me, us."

"Connor, don't be silly. KABOOM was a huge hit, just like I knew it would be. The baby and rehab angle has captivated the media. Us not being available is so Julia Robertesque. It's been a perfect follow up to all the S & M, divorce stuff." Sammi patted Connor's leg as she continued, "Plus it gave us alone time. We're refreshed and read to start shooting the sequel; KABANG. Benjy says the script is awesome."

Connor stayed silent as Sammi shifted Madison to the other breast. The child latched on and resumed her frantic feeding. Her fair haired child was absolutely ravenous.

"Just like your mother," Connor murmured.

THE END

Copyright © 2002-5
Marguerite Mullaney.

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