Chapter 10
Grimacing, Vern Shipley leaned back in his desk chair. The elastic belt that supported his cracked ribs pinched hard beneath his shirt. He adjusted the belt, then stared glumly out his office window. Fortunately, the pain was bearable with the pain pills his doctor had given him. He thought of Maria Reese and a painful sadness engulfed him. Yes, Maria's absence was striking him in both the gut and the pocketbook!
Two weeks had passed since Roscoe Snyder had attacked him in the same parking lot at which he now stared. Since then, both his personal life and his business life had gone steadily to hell. Maria Reese would not see him. Lance Gregory had forbidden both Maria and Judy to communicate with him, and they had obeyed. Vern had not been able to contact Lance Gregory either since his goon, Roscoe, had administered the beating. Lance had been out of town.
Vern sighed, more depressed than he could ever remember. How in hell was he supposed to explain Maria's continued absence to Wyatt, Hendricks, Reardon? This weekend, at the Montague Country Club, Reardon and Hendricks had promised to sign their contracts with Shipley Research, providing Maria were there! Damn it, everything seemed to be backfiring. They had insisted on Maria's presence. Vern did not know what he would do. He would have to think of something.
He ran his hand over his face. Well, at least that ape, Roscoe Snyder, was in the hospital after Lars Brunsgaard's little 'visit,' Vern thought And tonight, if all went as planned, he and Lars would nail Lance Gregory as he came home from the airport. Lars had learned the time of Gregory's arrival from his ineffectual secretary. Yes, tonight Lance Gregory would pay-just as Roscoe Snyder had paid....
Vern felt a slight twinge of remorse at the thought of Roscoe's beating. The truth was, he had never thought himself capable of indulging in such "brutal" tactics. But Maria had altered his entire personality in some way. It was as if she had freed the animal within him-sexually and otherwise. Yes, he had actually ordered the beating of Roscoe and, tonight, he hoped to personally even the score with Lance Gregory. He and Lars would 'take' the sonofabitchl
Still, deep inside, Vern knew that beating people up or having them beaten up would never erase the terrible emptiness he felt since Maria had stopped seeing him. How could he have ever let her get under his skin (his foreskin?) this way? Hell, he hadn't even thought of Ellen these past few weeks.
Impetuously, Vern picked up the phone and dialed Dream-Date. Lance's secretary answered and, disguising his voice, he asked for Maria Reese.
"I'm sorry, but she isn't in today," the secretary said. "May I take a message? Miss Reese called in to say she wasn't feeling well."
"No message," Vern said, and hung up. It wasn't yet 11:00. Maria liked to sleep in. Vern hoped he could catch Maria at home. He dialed her home number, it rang three times, and Maria answered. "Hullo?" she said groggily.
"Hi, honey," Vern said. "It's me. Don't hang up. II have to talk to you...not only about Hendricks and Reardon, but about me. Baby, I'm going crazy. You've got to see me."
"I told you, Vern," Maria said firmly. "It's all over between us. I-I made my decision. I'm Lance Gregory's woman. I did feel something for you-I wasn't lying ever-but there's something special between Lance and myself. That's it. Now please don't ever bother me again. Lance is just liable to have you killed! Please, Vern. Use your head."
"That's not very-likely," Vern said angrily. "It might just be the other way around." Vern forced a laugh. "Who's he gonna get to nail me? Certainly not Roscoe. Huh-uh."
"If you're the one responsible for Roscoe being in the hospital, you'd better leave town, Vern. Lance will tear you into little pieces. You-you didn't do that to him, did you?"
"What if I did? Would you care if I did get torn up?"
There was a long silence. "I'm going to hang up, Vern. I-I don't want to talk to you anymore. I have to meet-Lance's plane this evening and I refuse to get all upset. There's going to be a cocktail party at his place and everything and-and I refuse to let you get me all worked up."
"I can't believe you still don't want me," Vern said, groping his crotch. "Honey, guess what I'm holding right now? It's getting nice and hard for you, baby? Want some, hmmm? Come on, you know we had something going you can't ever replace." Vern was surprised at his boldness here in the office. "Wanna fuck, huh sugar? Remember what it used to be like?"
Maria let out a groan. "Please, Vern," she said, breathlessly. "I-I'm still in bed, and-and this isn't fair of you. Don't do this to me and-and to yourself."
"But you do remember, don't you? Go ahead, hon. Put your hand down there and let's-let's get off together. Go ahead, hon. Listen, my hard-on is out and I'm masturbating. Do it to yourself while I jack off."
"You-you bastard," Maria gasped. "I-I want to hang-up, b-but I can't. Are-are you really doing it?"
Vern put the phone down at his crotch and beat his meat harder. "Yeah, listen...
He put his ear to the phone again. "Ohhhhh," Maria groaned. "I-I don't want to, but I can't help it...I'm fingering my pussy."
Vern kept talking to her as he steadily masturbated and listened to her muffled gasps.
"Tell me when you're almost there," Maria said. "You have to t-tell me...tell me when y-you're ready to go off."
"Does your cunt feel all juicy, sugar?" Vern asked.
"Ummmm...Oh, yessss!"
"Good," Vern said suddenly, "when you're ready for the real thing, give me a call! Meanwhile, fuck yourself!"
Vern slammed the phone in its cradle, quickly brought himself to orgasm in his handkerchief, then stared up at the ceiling and grinned. He'd had the last laugh. Maria still hungered for his body-that's all he wanted to know. When she wanted him she knew where to find him. In the meantime, she would have to satisfy herself with second best-with Lance Gregory. He laughed so hard his ribs hurt. Beautiful Maria wanted him, but she was stuck with Lance
Gregory. That was beautiful, especially since he and Lars would take care of Lance tonight so that he wouldn't be able to satisfy any female!
Vern's prick had dwindled down to normal. He zipped up his fly, threw the handkerchief in the waste-basket and put his head back. In a moment, he was snoring loudly, peacefully, contentedly.
"Chief...wake up, Chief!"
Vern blinked and sat up straight in the chair. It was his partner, Stan Kettering, and Stan was jiggling him. "Okay, okay," Vern said. "I'm awake, I'm awake...." Vern shook his head. "Jeeus, can't a man even nap in his own office?"
"Ellen's on the phone, Chief. She says it's important. Just pick up the phone. She's already on the line."
Vern picked up the receiver. "Yeah," he said gruff-
"Hi, honey. I-I haven't bothered you because I know you've had a lot on your mind, but-but today I couldn't resist calling you. Please come to dinner tonight? I'm fixing something special."
"I'm sorry, Ellen. I don't think so. I-I have a previous engagement."
"Oh." Ellen sounded as if she might cry. "All right," she said. "But can we get together soon? You'll be surprised, hon. I've-I've lost almost fifteen pounds!"
"That's wonderful," Vern said without enthusiasm. "I'll be in touch, but tonight's out of the question. So long." He hung up.
Stan shook his head. "Don't you think you're being a little foolish under the circumstances? Why don't you face the truth, Vern? Maria was nice but it's over. Ellen's always been right for you. She always has been. Who are you going to take to that social affair at Montague. Not me. How about Ellen?"
Vern shook his head. "I just might have to, but I don't want to think about it right now." Vern stared up at his partner, and for' an instant he thought that he might cry. He knew then that he'd been kidding himself about getting even with Maria. "I can't get Maria out of my head, Stan," he said evenly. "I mean, being with Ellen would be just too much of a bringdown. Christ, Maria is a stunning, captivating, gorgeous angel who can handle herself like a princess at social affairs. She's got Reardon and Hendricks right by the gonads. By comparison, Ellen is a-a dumpy, plump scrubwoman, for Christ's sake!"
Stan eyed his boss thoughtfully for a moment. "You're exaggerating and you know it," he said. "True, Maria is one of the most beautiful females I ever laid eyes on, but Ellen has more important qualities. She's warm, she's giving and, hell, she's lost weight, hasn't she?"
Vern nodded. There was something he could not even tell his partner, who was perhaps his closest friend. The truth was, even at the peak of his affair with Maria, he had known that his sexual compatibility with plain-looking Ellen was far better than with stunning Maria. There was a puzzle all right. Why? And, more important, why could he not admit this to Stan? He did not know. If only Ellen were more stylish, more of a showpiece, he would have the best of all worlds...then he would have perfection in bed along with perfection in the other aspects of his life. Well, he could not begin to explain his feelings to Stan, or did not want to at any rate. Besides, he had exhausted himself long ago in trying to resolve the problem in his mind. That was why he had engaged
Dream-Date's top girl, Maria Reese. But what had that yielded? Now everything had backfired. Maria was gone, he was having trouble with his clients, and there remained only Ellen-loyal, devoted Ellen. Worst of all, Vern knew that his beating of Roscoe Snyder, and the proposed beating of Lance Gregory tonight, represented an all-time low in his life. Had he degenerated into some gangster, some hoodlum of the streets? Apparently he had....
"Why. don't you give her a break?" Stan asked. "Take Ellen to the affair at Montague, Vern."
"Yeah, I guess I will," Vern said, resigned now. "I guess I'll give her a call tomorrow. I don't have much choice. I certainly can't rely on finding some beautiful, new stranger. Okay, yeah."
Stan seemed overwhelmed with joy. "You really like Ellen, don't you?" Vern asked. "Why?"
"Because I'm your friend, Vern, and I happen to know she's best for you-in every way. You see, I happen to like you, too, Chief, so naturally I want only the best for you."
"Cut it out before you make me cry," Vern said. He reached up and patted his partner's shoulder. "You're just a long-time married man, buddy, and you want everyone else in your same rut."
"Maybe," Stan said, grinning, and left the room.
In his own office, Stan Kettering closed the door behind him and dialed the school where Ellen Lanning taught. There was a long pause while someone fetched her from the classroom, and then she finally answered the phone.
"Listen, Ellen," Stan said, "I'm sorry to bother you this way, but this is super-important. Vern is going to ask you to a very important social affair this Friday night. You'll go, won't your"
"Yes, of course!" Ellen said happily.
"Good, but I want to see you here at Vern's office tonight. I have an idea that is going to help you two out tremendously, honey. You know how I feel about you two...will you come?"
"Sure," Ellen said. "What time?"
"Make it at five-thirty. Vern will be gone then. Don't let me down, huh?"
"I won't Five-thirty sharp. Bye-bye."
Stan placed the phone down and stared over at the folders on Lloyd Hendricks, Randolph Reardon, old man Wyatt. There was a mountain of personal data on these men, and their wives, too. In the hands of an intelligent woman, the information could prove to be a very valuable weapon, he thought. Yes, indeed....
Ellen Lanning arrived five minutes early. At 5:25, by Stan's wristwatch, he let her in and they sat down in his office. Stan was thunderstruck at her appearance. Not only had she lost fifteen pounds, but she wore a clinging knit dress and she had changed her hairstyle and makeup! He had always found her lovely, because of her inner beauty, but this exterior change was incredible to behold.
"My God!" Stan said, feasting his eyes hungrily on Ellen. "You're gorgeous!"
"Yes, I have made a few changes in my appearance," Ellen said, running her tongue over her lips. "Do you think Vernon will be pleased?"
"I'll sayl Who wouldn't?" Stan had to control himself. He tried valiantly to keep his eyes from her large, firm up-thrust breasts, her bare knees. "Uh-I asked you here to discuss finalizing your relationship with Vern."
"Finalizing?"
"Yes, I think you'll agree that you two have dillydallied long enough. I think you two should be together permanently, don't you?"
"Why yes," Ellen said, frowning. "What do you have in mind?"
"This." Stan opened the folder on his desk. "I told you that Vern is going to ask you to a social affair. Well, you should know something about the people there, Ellen. I have everything from the people's birth signs to their innermost secrets right here. As you know, Vern has always wanted a woman who could help him with the business. It's a hang-up of his, right?"
Ellen nodded, pursing her full lips. "Correct," she said.
Stan's heart beat faster. "Well, this information will enable you to hit them right where they five!"
Stan then explained, straightforwardly, the situation. He spared nothing, not even the details of Vern's relationship with Maria Reese. When he had finished his briefing, he said, "Well, my dear, do you feel up to it? Can you meet the challenge? Hell, you're lovely, Ellen-truly beautiful. With this information, I should think you'd be unstoppable-that is, if you think Vern is worth all the effort?"
She smiled, stood up, walked over and planted a huge lass on Stan's mouth. "You're a darling man, Stan Kettering. I've always liked you, and now you've given me this-this perfect way of convincing Vern I'm really worthy of him."
"You've always been worthy of him, dear, we've both known that, but this is a way you can convince that stubborn bastard of the truth."
Ellen ran her hands over, her hips. "Yes, that stubborn bastard is worth it," she said. "I don't know why, but he is. He must be. Looking the way I do wasn't easy to achieve, you know," Ellen said. "Dieting, exercise, beauty consultation..."
To Stan's amazement, Ellen then ran her fingers through his hair. "You know, if it weren't for Vern, I could go for you, Stan," she said. "I mean that. You're a prince of a man. I don't know how I can ever repay you for this, Stan. I'll memorize those dossiers, you can be sure. No, I don't think I can ever repay you-"
She broke then, leaned down and gave Stan a long, lingering kiss. Stan was breathing very hard now. "M-Maybe I do know how to repay you. Would you think I was terrible if we-if we...."
Stan felt his loyalty and will power fading. The scent of this woman's cologne filled his nostrils, her smooth hands Were on his face, her full lips were nibbling now at his ear. It had been so long since he had really been with a woman. Barbara had been in the wheelchair for over five years-five years of torture. Still, he could not bring himself to cheat on his wife, despite her infirmity, and he could not make love to his boss's woman. It was unthinkable...unthinkable...but. . .
"Stan," Ellen was cooing, "I-I know how difficult it must have been for you these past years-Barbara the way she is, I mean. Please let me give myself to you-just this once? Nobody need ever know. It would be just a very personal thing between two friends-a secret. Please, won't you let me do this?
Just once? Please? Oh, Stan, you're such an attractive man-so good and strong and loyal."
Stan was about to rise and flee from the room, but just then Ellen cried, "Stan! Forgive me for this, but I-I must show my appreciation, and-and in a way-it's a special kind of love."
She was all over him then, her mouth gulping at his face hungrily, her hands against his chest, running over his legs, clamping his cheek against her heaving breasts.
"It's been so long," he sighed. "So long..."
"I know, my dear," Ellen said encouragingly. "It's all right. Relax, darling. We'll have each other just this once and then you will be with Barbara again and I-I will be with Vernon."
"Yes!" Stan said. "Yes! I've admired you for a long time, Ellen. I wanted you before you changed your looks!"
Ellen raised her dress now, studying his hungry gaze as she did so. "Do anything you want, Stan," she breathed. "I love Vern, but tonight-right now-I'm yours. Make love to me, Stan! Kiss me, fuck me, do everything to me!"
Stan buried his face in her panty-covered pussy for a moment, gasping. Then he stood up, the last of his restraint gone now, and pressed his hard-on into Ellen's abdomen. "I need you, Ellen. I need you." His hands groped the firm breasts, squeezed hard.
"I know, love. I understand," Ellen gasped. "I-I'm not as innocent as I seem, Stan. I love everything...I love to do everything there is to dol Fuck mel Suck me! Let me fuck and suck you, Stan!"
Stan felt his knees beginning to weaken. "Let's go to the fold-down couch," he said. "I've got to have you-naked and lying down."
Stan led her to Vern's office, pulled the couch down and then slowly undressed Ellen. As he did so, he kissed her body desperately-kissed and licked and stroked with his trembling fingers every inch of her willing body. She undressed him then, kissing his chest, his shoulders, then dropping to her knees and showering his thundering erection with wet and greedy kisses. She nuzzled at his scrotum with her nose, then took his prick far back into her throat and gobbled lingeringly.
Stan could not believe this was the same lady-like Ellen he had known. This schoolteacher was as skilled a seductress as any female he had ever known. He stared down at her mouth working so expertly at his organ in awe.
Ellen withdrew his dribbling shaft from her hot mouth, held it against her cheek, then her breasts. She was staring at it insanely, as if it were a god. "I love your big prick, Stan. Do anything you want to me. Do you want to come in my mouth? Anything you want, Stan. You can come in my cunt, or my ass, or my mouth. Then you can wait and come again...anything you want, Stan. Anything. . . "
Her finger was teasing his rectum now. He widened his stance, took her face in his hands and steadily fucked her mouth for several minutes. His own voice sounded strange to his ears. He kept muttering, "Paradise...It's paradise...Oh, suck, Ellen...Suck, baby!"
And then he could not stand the passive role any longer. He flung Ellen's twitching body onto the makeshift bed and began gorging himself on her tits as he palmed and fingered her vagina. From time to time he would cease gobbling at the erect nipples to lap Ellen's cunt-lubricant from his fingers.
"Yes, suck my cunt!" Ellen cried out. "But put your mouth on it...don't just lick the taste from your fingers. Put your mouth between my legs and gobble me-while I gobble you! Please!"
Stan quickly reversed himself on the bed and, clutching Ellen's quivering ass, began licking her juicy slit with a frenzy. The tight, dripping cunt was delicious. It had been so long since he'd truly gorged himself on a pussy that he grew delirious, nearly passing out Cunt...Ellen's beautiful, juicy cunt, he thought
As he gulped Ellen from her clit to the lower edge of her gushing hole, working his face in a steady, rhythmic, circular motion, Ellen ingested his swollen hard-on, emitting slurping sounds as she mewed and fondled his balls. Stan could not believe that this was the same restrained, poised, dignified female he had known. She was a goddess of a woman, a goddess...How could Vern not have seen that she possessed everything a man could want?
"Fuck me now, Stan!" Ellen was calling. "Fuck me! Fuck me! I'm horny, too, Stan! Ohhhh, stick your pole inside me and make me come. You can stick it in either hole-wherever you want! Either way I'll come...I've never been hotter than this, Stan. Fuck me now!"
Stan obeyed. Wiping cunt juice from his face with the back of his hand, he got into fucking position. Ellen put one of the pillows beneath her ass and Stan began wiping the head of his pulsing rod up and down the length of the beautiful cunt that begged to be fucked.
"Ohhh, yesssss, Stan. You know just how to get a woman ready!" Ellen cried. "Stick it in, baby. Feed your prick to mama!"
Ellen's flood of obscenities seemed so out of character, but somehow the flood of four-letter words excited Stan all the more. His shaft was halfway imbedded in Ellen's tight, clenching cunt now, and Stan stared down, reveling in the sight of his meat penetrating this beautiful woman he had so long admired.
"Feel good?" Ellen asked, cupping his balls in her hand. "Tell me how it feels to you?"
"Oven-hot," Stan said, wondering how many different ways he could attempt to tell her how it felt. He gave up. "Slick, hot, wet...Ohhh, Ellen!" he yelled, and fell forward upon her and began pumping with all his might.
Ellen locked her ankles behind his knees and drove her pelvis savagely at him. "Give it to me, Stan...Give all of it to me. Fuck me...stick that wonderful hot cock as far in as it will go! Fuck me. Ohhh, Jesus! It's wonderful...wonderful. Yes, hold my ass hard. Just that way. Drive it in...use me!"
They fucked for what must have been ten minutes, rolling, thrusting, writhing. Stan had to pause several times to keep from coming. Finally, Ellen announced that she was about to come. "Now! Now!" Screaming, she pleaded for him to come, too. "Shoot it in me! Come!"
Stan raced for the finish, climaxing just a few seconds after Ellen. Afterward, they lay spent and panting in each others' arms. They agreed that it had been one of the finest fucks either of them had ever experienced, but that nothing would ever be said to Stan's wife or to Vern.
Later, at the door, they kissed goodnight and Stan was impressed with Ellen's lady-like manner. It was as though she had never heard of the words she had uttered while in the throes of passion. In very crisp diction, she said, "Goodnight, Stanley dear. I don't know what to say." She kissed him on the nose. "You may rest assured I shall put these dossiers on Vern's clients to the very best of use."
Then she winked lasciviously and departed, as if she were an Avon Lady who had completed a routine call
The moon was full over Benedict Canyon. Vern was growing impatient. He glanced at his watch and frowned. He and Lars Brunsgaard stood in the shadows behind a large oak tree, which was just to the right of the entrance of Lance Gregory's house.
"Where in the hell is he?" Vern said to Lars. "He should have been here half an hour ago. It shouldn't take this long to get here from the airport."
Big Lars shrugged. He coulda stopped for a drink, or he mighta had a flat tire or something."
"Yes, and he might already be here. His guests are here."
"No chance," Lars said. "The guests might be here, but him and Maria ain't. No way."
Vern hoped Lars was right. He was growing tired of standing in the damp ivy and waiting for Lance Gregory to arrive so they could give him the same beating Roscoe Snyder had given him.
In the moonlight, Lars resembled a modern-day Viking. He was almost as large as Roscoe Snyder, but he was blond, blue-eyed and slimmer than Roscoe.
A car rounded the bend, swung into the driveway and paused. Squinting, Vern observed that only one person sat in the car-the driver. It was a woman...it was Maria Reese...all by herself! Could it be a trick? Vern wondered. Could Lance Gregory be lying down in the seat? Not-likely, he told himself. There wouldn't be any good reason for that. No, they wouldn't suspect anything this close to home, Vern told himself.
Lars moved forward, like an impatient guard dog, but Vern held him back with his hand on his chest "No, wait," Vern said. "Look!"
Another car was rounding the bend. Maria drove through the entrance, the gate closed, and the second car came to a halt to await the second opening of the gate. Vern was glad that the two cars were widely spaced. Otherwise the second car might have slipped through right behind Maria.
The second car came to a halt now before the gate. It was Lance Gregory. Apparently, Lance had left a car at the airport, and so he and Maria had returned in separate cars. Vern was glad for that. He didn't want an hysterical woman screaming while he and Lars worked Lance over. Gregory's window was down. Good!
"Now!" Vern snapped. "Let's go."
Lars strode quickly to Gregory's car. Gregory barely got a glimpse of Lars before Lars grabbed him hard about the neck, clamping him between his forearm and bicep to cut off any possible cry for help. Lars held Gregory that way while he reached down and turned off the ignition and lights with his free hand.
"Get him out of the car!" Vern commanded. "Drag him over here. Quick."
Lars dragged Gregory as if he were a sack of dirty laundry. Gregory's heels bounced on the asphalt driveway, then whooshed over the ivy to where Vern stood, fifteen yards from the car.
"All right, hold him up-hands behind his back-while I get him," Vern said.
Gregory looked terrified. Vern didn't care if he knew who was beating him up or not.
"Yeah, it's me," Vern said. "Remember me? Well, I'm not going to rough you up as bad as Roscoe did me, but I do owe you something, buster."
For just an instant, Vern hesitated, wondering how he could possibly have sunk so low as to attack a fellow human being this way. But then he remembered Roscoe's fists hammering at his body and face, and he knew he could finish what he had so carefully planned.
Vern threw a right and then a left-not too hard-one blow at Gregory's left cheek and the other at his right cheek. Gregory grunted painfully, even squealed a bit with each hit, and Vern was surprised to learn that he rather enjoyed striking Gregory, even if he was helpless.
Next, Vern drove two hard rights to Gregory's midsection. His fists sunk in deep.
"You're out of shape, Lance," Vern said. "That makes it nice though. It's easier on my hands."
"Please," Gregory managed to utter. "I-I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. "D-Don't hit me again...please."
"Please? Now that's odd. I don't think your goon, Roscoe, would have spared me if I'd said please. No sir. In a way, you should be grateful to Roscoe though, Lance. You see, he hurt my ribs, so I can't really swing as hard as I'd like. But there are places to hit that don't require a lot of force, aren't there?"
Vern then drove a fairly light blow into Gregory's groin. Gregory screamed, and Lars clamped his big ham-like hand over the handsome face.
Now Vern was really in the swing of it. Gregory became a symbol of every frustration Vern had suffered in his life. He slammed rights and lefts mercilessly to Gregory's face, stomach, groin.
"How do you like it, huh? You like to give orders for other people to get worked over, don't you? Well, how do you like this, and this, and that, and that...."
Gregory grunted dramatically with each punishing blow. Vern knew he was not cracking ribs. Except for the one blow to Gregory's groin, Vern was certain he was hitting about half as hard as Roscoe Synder had hit him in the parking lot that night.
Finally, Vern backed away, delivered two last blows to the body and let his arms hang at rest. "You'll forgive me, Mister Gregory, but, like you, I am out of shape. In fact, I'm exhausted. Just be glad I didn't let my man here work you over. So long. Just rest where you are. We'll call your friends and tell them to come and fetch you. Come on, Lars. Let's go"
Lars let Gregory collapse in a moaning heap in the damp ivy. There was the sound of music coming from the house. Apparently the party had begun without its host
As Vern and Lars got into Vern's car, Vern heard Maria's voice calling. "Darling? What are you doing, Lance? Lance?"
Vern pulled out from the curb. He hoped Maria would be the one to find the bleeding Lance Gregory. Yes, that would be perfect, he thought
"Well go somewhere and have a victory drink, Lars," Vern said, driving fast toward Sunset Boulevard. "Yes, we'll have a drink and then I'll pay you what I owe you."
"Umm," Lars grunted, nodding.
CHAPTER ll
It pleased Vern that Lance Gregory was a practical Machiavellian businessman. Vern smiled victoriously now as Maria Reese played the role of a humble mediator over the telephone. Just two days had passed since Vern and Lars Brunsgaard had assaulted Lance Gregory outside his Benedict Canyon home.
". . . so Lance asked me to relay this message to you, Vern. He promises that he and Roscoe will not retaliate if you and Lars agree to call it quits, too."
"Very wise of him," Vern said crisply, "particularly with that ape Roscoe laid up in the hospital. Very well then," Vera said. "Agreed...no more violence."
There was a long silence, and then Mafia, whimpering, said, "Oh, Vern, how could you?"
Vern visualized Maria's pouting mouth, the tears streaming down her cheeks, her heaving bosom, and it gave him pleasure. Gone were the days when Maria's breasts were for sucking and that full-lipped mouth nursed at his cock. No, now she was Lance Gregory's woman, by her own decision, and he felt nothing but contempt for her. At last, he had freed himself from her spell.
"How could I?" he repeated. "It was easy, my dear. When you love a woman, and she kicks you in the teeth, many things become possible. You and your now bashed-up lover-boy taught me a lot about the realities of life. Enjoy each other...you deserve each other. So long, bitch!"
Vern hung up then. He glanced at his wristwatch. It was nearly 5:00, and Ellen should be home from school by now. He still felt somewhat reluctant to invite her to accompany him to Montague Country Club for the affair with Reardon, Hendricks and Wyatt, but he had to invite someone. What the hell? he thought. Stan says she's lost weight. If I can just convince her to keep her mouth shut maybe everything will work out all right. He dialed.
Ellen answered, and Vern adopted an almost business-like manner. "Hello my dear," he said. Tm calling to ask if you'd care to accompany me to a busi-nessy sort of social function tomorrow night."
"Well," Ellen said, surprisingly independent-sounding, "I suppose so...yes. To what do I attribute His Excellency's invitation? Did your girlfriend go completely lesbian?"
"Lesbian? What are you talking about?"
"Vern, I had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Maria Reese-here-at my apartment. I assure you she's quite butch. If she isn't, then she's the most effective switch-hitter I've ever met!"
"I don't believe you," Vern said, stunned. "Maria Reese a dyke? Impossible."
"Lots of women put on great shows for certain men friends, and still swing with females on the side, dear. But no matter...I'll tell you all about it sometime and let you judge for yourself. . . Now, let's see, you want me to accompany you tomorrow night. Very well. Shall I meet you there, or do you wish to call for me?"
"I'll pick you up about seven-thirty, and coach you on the way to the club."
"Coach me?" Ellen laughed. "Yes, you just do that. All right then, seven-thirty. Please be on time."
And she hung up on him! Vern scowled at the phone, puzzled. Ellen seemed awfully cocky for a woman he had neglected. Who in hell did she think she was, anyway? He paced his office for a minute, then wandered over into Stan Kettering's office.
"Well, you'll be pleased to know I'm taking Ellen to that Montague shindig. Shell probably blow the whole thing for us, but I'm just gonna have to take that chance!"
Stan removed his glasses and, grinning, stared at his boss. "You know, Chief, you just might be in for a surprise."
"What kind of surprise?" Vern said, chuckling. "Ellen is about as surprising as gray skies in wintertime."
"You're sure about that, eh?" Stan said, and resumed reading his computer report.
"Sometimes I think the whole world is going crazy," Vern said. "I'm going to drive golf balls. Goodnight."
The following night, as Vern and Ellen walked along the wide sidewalk that led to the reception-bar area of the Montague Country Club, Vern gestured emphatically, reminding Ellen that she should say "as little as possible and just listen."
"Yes, dear," Ellen said. "I know how to handle myself. Don't worry about a thing."
Just before they entered, Vern stopped and took another long look at Ellen. "Jesus, I-I still don't know what to say, Ellen. I mean, you look ravishing.
It's not just the weight loss-it's everything! You're like a completely different person!"
"Good," Ellen said, kissing him on the cheek, "then trust me to do the right thing tonight-no matter what happens you must trust me-and please stop being so nervous."
Vern nodded, straightening his tie. "It's just that this night means so much to me, and I'm afraid about their reaction to you. You see, Maria became quite a favorite of theirs. As I told you, there was sex between them and her-everything! I-I just don't know how you'll stack up against her."
"Will you please stop jabbering like a nervous idiot?" Ellen said. "Yes, you told me about the relationship between Maria and the men. I understand the problem completely. Now will you please just relax and give me credit for some intelligence?"
"Okay," Vern said, "sorry. I do seem sort of shook up, don't I? But Jesus! Who wouldn't be? I mean, the way you look-and me not knowing what's going to happen when you walk in...I mean-"
Ellen shooshed his nervous babbling with a well-placed index finger at his lips. "Shhh, easy," she said. "Calm down and let's go inside."
Vern pushed open the door, composed himself as best he could, and the two of them strode across the room to the big fireplace opposite the bar. It was the same fireplace where Vern had first introduced Maria Reese to Reardon, Hendricks, Wyatt, and their wives. His stomach muscles tightened as he made the introductions.
Fortunately, nobody made reference to the fact that Maria Reese was absent. Good, Vern thought, the less said the better. But then, before he could even order a drink for himself and Ellen, Ellen boldly said, "I imagine you are all wondering where the beautiful and captivating Maria Reese is this evening?" she asked.
Vern wanted to crawl into the fireplace and hide. What in God's name was Ellen doing?
"As a matter-of-fact," Sheila Hendricks, meeting the challenge directly, said, "that's exactly what I was thinking. Vern? Have you and Miss Reese had a falling out?"
"Uh, well-uh," Vern stammered, "it's a long, long story." Before he could gather his thoughts, Ellen interrupted. She moved to the center of the seated group and did a little pirouette. Her hair glistened in the soft, amber light and the brief exposure of her legs and upper thighs, as the dress fanned, obviously appealed to the men.
"Yes, it's a very long story," Ellen said gayly. "It's as long and old a story as the story of mankind itself. You see, the best woman won! I know you were all very fond of Maria Reese-she's beautiful, intelligent, and definitely an asset to a man of Vernon Shipley's calibre and interests-but I hope you'll like me, too. I assure you that a man of Vernon's ability and taste and business acumen would not have selected me over the-likes of Maria Reese if there were not a very good reason. Don't you agree?"
"Ellen, please!" Vern said, moving toward her.
"No, let her be!" Sheila Hendricks said, obviously intrigued and amused. "This is very interesting, Vern. I want to hear about the new weapons the modern girls are using nowadays."
"Yes indeed," said Elyse Reardon, 'let the pretty little thing continue." Elyse Reardon jabbed her husband, Randolph, in the ribs, and he said, "Yes, let her go on, Vern."
"All right," Vern said, swallowing. He waved at the waiter to order martinis for Ellen and himself. "Go on, dear."
"Well," Ellen began, "first I want to tell you that I've known Vernon Shipley much longer than Maria Reese has. I think that alone qualifies me somewhat to be his new fianc'e. But most important, I used my husband-to-be's own methods of research to get my man! I carefully researched my opponent, Miss Reese, and attacked her scientifically."
"Scientifically?" Mrs. Wyatt inquired skeptically. "I bet your approach extended beyond the realm of pure science." She laughed knowingly. "Do tell us the truth."
"I must admit," said Ellen confidently, "that my approach did include a certain amount of physical persuasion."
Everyone laughed heartily, and Vern found himself laughing, too. Ellen's performance, thus far, was astounding, brilliant.
"And that's not all I researched," Ellen said. She quickly strolled by the men and whispered in the ears of Sheila Hendricks, Elyse Reardon and Alta Wyatt The women looked astounded. Then, each in turn became suddenly patronizing. They looked as if they were embarrassed.
"Please, dear," Vern said, glancing nervously at the husbands. "We mustn't keep any secrets from the men folk...heh-heh."
"This is all just good fun, isn't it girls?" Ellen said.
The women nodded vigorously, completely won over, it seemed to Vern.
"Now," Ellen said, "I understand that the reason Vern's ex-fianc'e was so popular was because she genuinely got to know each of you. All I request is the same opportunity. Isn't that fair?"
Everybody agreed that this was fair, particularly the women.
Tine," Ellen said, beaming, "then let's just all go ahead and have a splendid evening. I'll be chatting with each of you individually, and that way well get to know each other."
The waiter brought another round of drinks then, along with Vern's and Ellen's martinis, and Vern began conversing with the men while Ellen huddled with the ladies. Vern kept a close watch on Ellen as he socialized with the men, and he was pleased to see the men's wives laughing uproariously at Ellen's light conversation.
"Certainly a bold gal-that Ellen," Randolph Reardon said, eyeing his wife suspiciously. "But beautiful...yes, I can see why you might prefer her to Maria. Ellen seems to have a bit more depth. Odd, but she even looks vaguely familiar."
Vern remembered the night he had pawned Ellen off to the men as a District School Supervisor in the Mediterranean Restaurant. He almost laughed. No chance of any of the men's recognizing Ellen; she had changed her physical appearance completely!
"A stunning female," Lloyd Hendricks said, adding his approval. "We miss Maria, of course, but I-I'm sure this Ellen will make you a fine wife, Vern."
Vern chatted with the men for perhaps ten minutes, and then Ellen once again made an announcement. "I wish to be extended the same rights as my ex-competitor," she said. "I understand Miss Reese was allowed the privilege of strolling individually with Misters Wyatt, Hendricks and Reardon." She laughed brightly. "Come now! I want to get to know each of you-individually."
The women laughed, obviously feeling their drinks, approving Ellen's boldness. Vern cringed, wondering how Ellen knew what Maria had done. Reardon glanced nervously at Hendricks, and they both shrugged. Then Ellen was leading Lloyd Hendricks away toward the door for an outdoor stroll.
"That girl is amazing!" Sheila Hendricks bellowed. "Simply unbelievable!"
"Yes, she's researched us all right," said Elyse Reardon. She even knows about those private strolls! Incredible! I imagine she'll be planting some pro-Ver-non Shipley ideas in my husband's head soon."
Yes, and I have the feeling they'll be planting something in her, too, Vern thought. He realized then that he felt intense jealousy. Ellen had changed her physical appearance miraculously, and she was behaving miraculously. He was impressed, even touched, by the lengths Ellen was going to in order to win his clients' approval. But he did not want her fucking and sucking them! Still, he knew precisely what Ellen would be doing, and he dreaded the thought. Yes, one by one-he was certain of it-Ellen would be bringing each of the men to orgasm, and this hurt him deeply. But he could not stop her. How had she learned about Maria's sexual contacts with these men? He doubted that Maria had told her. Then how? And what had she said to the wives that had completely disarmed them? It was all very puzzling.
Vern finished his drink, trying to seem casual, and then he excused himself. Both Reardon and Wyatt tried to keep him in their presence, apparently trying to spare him the sight of what he was sure to discover outside, but he told them he was merely going to the men's room and not to worry. Then, discreetly, he exited through the dining room and proceeded quietly along the wide walk. He whistled softly, searching the grounds.
What drove him to view what he did not wish to see? He could not control himself. He had to know....
Finally, near a cluster of eucalyptus trees, not far from where he had seen Maria Reese on the night of her mass seduction, he sighted what had to be Ellen's white dress. The white material appeared to be in motion! Yes, Ellen was doing exactly what he had suspected. Still, he wanted to see...he had to be sure....
Unable to control himself, he walked on tiptoe to the trees until he could see and hear perfectly. Hendricks sat on the ground, his back against a tree trunk, while Ellen sat astride him, facing him, riding his prick like a jockey.
"Feel good? Huh?" she asked, grinding her lower torso in a steady circular motion.
Hendricks had pulled her dress top down so that her breasts were bare and he was nursing noisily on them as he fucked. He stopped sucking the erect nipples long enough to mutter a reply.
"Ohhh, Jesus, does it ever feel good!" he said. That cunt...it's so hot and tight, baby. Yeah...fuck, baby...work that tight box all over my hard-on!"
Ellen leaned back, palming her stomach. "I-I love the way you fuck, Lloyd. You know just where to stab and just how hard. You make a girl feel wonderful. Ummm, fuck me, Lloyd! Give me that hard dick!"
"W-Why are you doing this?" Hendricks manage to query as he drove his prick up into Ellen's churning torso. "It-It's beautiful, b-but why?" he asked. "Oh-agh-anh-Oou," he grunted as he fucked.
"You know why, baby," Ellen said, biting his ear as she spoke. "I-I love Vern. You fuck nice, baby, but I love Vern...I want him...I want you to sign those con-tracts to-night...Ah-ou-oh-eee!"
"May-be...I would have any-way!" Hendricks replied, not missing a stroke.
"But may-be you wouldn't," Ellen answered. "I wanted to be sure!"
"O.K." Hendricks grunted. "I didn't need this, but O.K."
Vern was stunned at Ellen's performance. He had never thought her capable of such wanton promiscuity. He wanted to run over and lift her off Hendricks, tell her this wasn't necessary. But, of course, he could not. It occurred to him that perhaps having to watch Ellen degrade herself this way for him was his punishment for taking advantage of Ellen for so long.
"Go ahead and come," Ellen said, and then she began muttering four-letter words and reaching behind her to fondle Hendricks' balls as she slammed her cunt at his tool. "Come...shoot your wad, baby!"
"Comin' now, baby!" Hendricks rasped. "Here it blows...Ahhhhh!"
Ellen let out a long groan then, but Vern knew she was faking her orgasm. He knew the true sound of her voice when coming too well. Yes, he thought, she was obviously saving herself for the other men. The thought almost nauseated him. He backed away, then m;ule his way back to the dining room entrance and returned to his guests.
"Where have you been, Vern?" Alta Wyatt asked loudly.
To Vern's embarrassment, everyone turned to face him. "I was just checking on my fianc'e," he said, forcing a smile. "It seems every time I bring a date, my male clients run off with her." He smiled good-naturedly-at least, he hoped it was good-naturedlyand said, "I just saw the two of them laughing and chatting out there by the ninth green. Why it's almost enough to make a man jealous!"
The women laughed, and in a moment Vern ordered everyone another drink. He had no choice but to keep them happy and drinking while Ellen-dutiful girl that she was-fucked and/or sucked each of their husbands one at a time! Vern hoped she would manage to copulate with them before everybody got too hungry. Getting up from the dinner table to fuck wouldn't do at all.
A few minutes passed and Ellen entered with Lloyd Hendricks. She held his arm as if she were a virginal high school girl with her date on prom night! Hendricks smiled broadly, looking very relaxed, satiated beyond belief. Vern hoped Hendricks' wife would not recognize his sexually-relieved appearance.
Ellen wasted no time! She immediately insisted that "Randy" Reardon stroll with her and look at the same full moon she and Lloyd Hendricks had admired. "That is if Mrs. Reardon doesn't mind."
Elyse Reardon said, "Oh, no! You run along, dear. This Ellen is determined to assist Vera in his career and I wouldn't dream of standing in her way!"
Vern could not understand this incredible cooperation on the part of the wives, and once again he wondered just what it had been that Ellen had whispered in their ears. He watched Ellen disappear through the side door with Reardon, once again sipped his drink for a few minutes, and then excused himself to peek at Ellen and her second sexual dalliance of the evening.
This time he found Ellen lying on her back near the golf driving range. A hedge blocked people's view from the dining room, and so the couple felt safe and secure. Again, Vern stood behind a tree, this time a large fir, and watched the action unobserved. Reardon had spread his jacket out on the grass to protect Ellen's dress from stains. Now his head was bobbing up and down between Ellen's legs as he sucked on her pussy. As he licked, he reached up with both hands and rubbed Ellen's heaving tits.
Even from ten yards away, Vern could hear Reardon's tongue lapping away at Ellen's crotch. "Bee-uuut-eeefulll!" Ellen wailed, thrusting her pelvis rhythmically at Reardon's gulping mouth. "Ummmmm...suck my cunt...Ohhhhh, yesssss! And-and keep on rubbing my titties, toooooooo!"
Reardon's fingers tweaked steadily at Ellen's erect nipples as his face worked in a circular motion over her thrusting cunt. Ellen's legs were as far apart as she could spread them, Vern judged, and she softly pummeled Reardon's back as he gobbled with a frenzy.
"Oh, God! You're sticking your tongue everywhere!" Ellen cried. "Oh, Jesus...Yesl Yes! There, too!"
Reardon withdrew one of his hands from Ellen's breasts and raised her buttocks higher and dropped his head at the same time. He was lapping Ellen from her clit to her tailbone, and Ellen was tossing her head from side to side and crying out in a way that was reminiscent of hers and Vern's lovemaking. This hurt Vern. He had felt that their love-making was personal, special, but now Ellen was performing just as she had performed with him! He wanted to rush over and pull Reardon off Ellen, bash his brains in, but he had to restrain himself. There was too much at stake and, besides, there was still the possibility that Ellen was not enjoying her sexual activity tonight at ail-that she was performing strictly for him.
Vern wished she weren't so good an actress, though, if this were true. Her squeals of delight, her ecstatic writhing as Reardon tongued her, were driving Vern insane.
And then came the worst! Reardon suddenly stopped munching Ellen's pussy and stood up on his knees between her spread legs. His face glistened in the moonlight. Saliva and cunt juice dribbled down his chin. "I-I wanna fuck you now, Ellen," he gasped. "But look!" He pointed at his little hard-on and shrugged. "Do you mind? It-It's awfully small, or-or maybe you don't think it is small?"
Reardon's voice had a pathetic ring to it. Why was he being so apologetic? Vern leaned forward, scowling and trying to see Reardon's pecker. He couldn't see it; the man's shirt front seemed to be covering his hard-on. But surely, Vern thought, his dick would jut out just a bit!
And then Vern spotted Reardon's prick. Small? It had to be the tiniest male organ Vern had ever laid eyes on.
"No, no," Ellen said reassuringly. "I don't think it's that small. Why don't you just go ahead and-and sort of stick it in?"
Reardon could not see Ellen's facial expression, but Vern could. Ellen had her hand covering her mouth, and she was trying valiantly to suppress a giggle.
Jesus, Vern thought, no wonder he-likes to eat girls...he sure as hell couldn't fuck them very convincingly. Vern, too, began to laugh-not so much at Reardon's tiny organ, but at his apologetic attitude toward it.
"What do you mean, sort of stick it in?" Reardon asked, his voice whining. "Why don't you just say stick it in, and leave the sort of out? You think my prick's small, don't you? You're making fun of me!"
"Oh, no!" Ellen said. "But you seemed concerned about it, so I-I just decided to agree with you. Oh, no, Randy, I-I think your hard-on is very manly and-and simply beautiful. Ummm, is it ever! Hurry up now and stuff that nice male wanger in my hole! Hurry, or I'll die!"
Reardon did not move. "You're putting me on," he said. "I know you're putting me on. Well, I want to tell you something!" he yelled, waving his finger menacingly at Ellen. "Lots of women think my prick is terrific. My wife, for instance. Yeah, and Maria Reese loved my prick, too!"
Vern rubbed his hands together. His palms were perspiring. This was crucial, and he hoped that Ellen realized she was on very dangerous ground. Christ, if Reardon truly believed that Ellen was insulting his manhood, he could refuse to sign the final contract with Shipley Incorporated. Yes, men had backed out of business deals for less important reasons. Vern hoped that Ellen understood Reardon considered his very manhood at stake!
"Of course, lots of other women have admired your prick, Randy. Ummm, who wouldn't? I think it's a neat one. Honest, I do! Here, let me kiss it for you, please?"
Vern felt anger mingling with admiration for the way Ellen was handling the situation. He felt anger because Ellen had been forced to lie and humble herself in order to save Reardon's precious ego. Ellen had Reardon on his back now, and she began nibbling at the small hard-on. Her tongue rimmed the tiny head and her fingers tickled the light fuzz on the teensy testicles.
Reardon moaned and ran his fingers through Ellen's hair. "Tell me you love my prick," he commanded. "Tell me you think it's a big prick and how much you love to suck my great big hard-on."
"I-I don't know the reason," Ellen said, "but your prick is one of the most exciting organs I've ever seen or-or sucked."
Reardon gave her hair a pull and Vern wanted to retaliate, but he forced himself to remain behind the tree. "Say it's big!"
"Ohhh, yesss, Randy! It's a magnificent prick. I love to suck your monster prick. Ummm, what a giant hard-on. Why it will barely fit in my mouth! Arghmm...Ergm...Grghm..."
"That's better," Reardon said, relaxing and beginning steady hip thrusts-very short ones-at Ellen's nursing mouth. "Yeah...."
Vern shook his head in disgust. For the moment at least, he managed to suppress his jealousy. What amazed him was the incredible line of reasoning this first-rate businessman was employing. He seemed to be deceiving himself intentionally. Yes, he knew his prick was undersized, but instead of accepting this fact and making the best of it, he insisted on being told an untruth. Such a man would be capable of surrounding himself with "Yes-men" who could destroy his own corporation. The whole thing sickened, Vern, but there was nothing he could do.
"Take my balls and my prick into your mouth at the same time-the way Maria did it!" Reardon commanded.
There was a good one, Vern thought. Reardon had just insisted on being told his prick was incredibly enormous, and now he was ordering Ellen to suck his balls and cock simultaneously!
Ellen of course obeyed. Vern watched her cradle the tiny scrotum with her hand, then dip her head and, with one slurping motion, make the cock and balls disappear in her gobbling mouth. Then, wet and glistening, the miniature genitalia would reappear in the moonlight, only to disappear again in Ellen's hungry maw.
"Ohhhhhh, h-heavenly," Reardon moaned, palming Ellen's hanging tits as she labored.
Of course it was heavenly, Vern thought. Who wouldn't think it was heavenly having his cock and balls sucked off at the same time? Well, go ahead and enjoy it, Vern thought angrily. You can't do many normal things with that dinky prick and balls, so you might as well enjoy whatever kinky pleasures remain open to you.
"Now climb onboard and let's fuck," Reardon ordered. "With you on top!"
"First, are you going to sign the contract with Vern?" Ellen asked.
"What is this?" Reardon snapped. "At a time like this, you want to discuss business?"
"I just want to be sure-before I fuck you like you've never been fucked before, lover man. Are you going to sign?"
Reardon was trembling all over. "Yes! Yes!" he screamed. "This has nothing to do with that Now let's fuck! Mount the giant prick before it-it goes away!"
Ellen straddled Reardon, her legs very wide apart in order to get low enough so that her pussy came in contact with the tiny penis. She took the little hard-on between her thumb and forefinger and began rubbing it briskly back and forth against her clit. "Ohhh, that big cockhead of yours is-is driving me crazy!" she intoned. "Randy, don't ever let anybody tell you, you're not hung! Oh, wow!"
Vern could not help laughing. It was one of the most ridiculous sights he had ever seen-Ellen trying to pretend the tiny penis was enormous, trying to keep hold of it, in fact! God, how would she ever manage to achieve any sort of penetration without completely blowing Reardon's sick image of himself as a super-stud?"
"Can you take it all?" Reardon inquired. "I mean, I don't want to hurt you, hon."
Reardon's voice was very deep. Vern began laughing so hard he had to sit down on the grass before he fell down. Hurt her? My God!
"I'll manage it, hon. If you just go easy, ni somehow accommodate you, Randy," Ellen said in a little-girl, breathy voice. "Just ease it in nice and slow...There...There...That's it. . . ouch! There...now it's in at last...Ummmmmmm!"
Reardon's little hip-thrusts were absurd, and for the first time Vern felt no jealousy whatsoever. Yes, Ellen was carrying out this charade for him, and he loved her as he had never loved her before.
"Take that," Reardon growled. "And that...and that...and that!"
"Easy, baby! Ouch! Ohhhh, but it's soooo good!"
Ellen said. "I didn't know big men could be so gentle."
Vern had viewed all he could stand. He decided to return to his guests and await the return of Ellen and Super-stud. He backed away, ducked in the side entrance and managed to order himself another martini before anyone saw him.
"There's our elusive host," said Elyse Reardon. "Where on earth have you been?"
Vern studied her briefly, wondering if she had to endure ridiculous game-playing in bed with "Randy" Reardon. "I just went looking for my fianc'e and your husband," Vern said. "I assure you they are conversing in a most civilized manner."
"Oh, silly," Elyse Reardon said. "I never, never worry about Randy fooling around."
"Yes, I can well imagine," Vern said.
"Just what do you mean?" Elyse asked.
"Oh, nothing," Vern said. "I meant, with a lovely wife such as you, what man would want to fool around?"
"Yes, yes, that's true," Elyse Reardon said, beaming.
Ellen and Reardon returned a few minutes later. Surprisingly, their clothing was not rumpled; they were completely presentable. Ellen hastily went to old man Wyatt.
"Come now, sir," Ellen said. "You're the only one of the charming gentlemen here I haven't had the pleasure of strolling with."
Wyatt, his eyes twinkling, extended his arm, but Alta Wyatt stepped in. "I'm sorry to be a wet blanket," she said. "But I'm afraid we've all had plenty to drink. Can't we eat? I mean, there's an important announcement to be made regarding certain contracts, right Vernon?"
"Yes, indeed. Do you mind, Mr. Wyatt?" Vern asked.
"No, I guess not," the white-haired gentleman said, smiling. "I'll take a rain check, Ellen."
"Yes indeed, sir," Ellen said, and the entire group went into the large dining room.
They dined on rare roast beef from the buffet, followed by Cherries Jubilee, and then there was cognac and coffee. Finally, it was old man Wyatt who tapped on his water glass with his spoon. He huddled briefly, conferring with Hendricks and Reardon in whispers, then stood up and cleared his throat.
"We're all aware tonight," he began, "that this occasion involves more than just socializing. This is a unique event, in that two new friends of mine had decided to make their decisions regarding possible alliances with Shipley Research Incorporated."
Old man Wyatt paused, surveying the group and smiling particularly at Ellen. "At the risk of bringing up an unpleasant subject, I must say that we had all hoped Miss Maria Reese would be here tonight, for Miss Reese has been a part of our socializing these past weeks."
Old man Wyatt scratched his balls, caught himself and coughed. "However, in the last analysis, Mr. Hendricks and Mr. Reardon, I'm sure, have reached their decisions independent of socializing. Yes, I'm sure their decisions are based solely on the merits of Shipley Research-that is, the job Shipley can do for their companies."
"While it is true that these gentlemen have confided in me that another research corporation has been actively soliciting their business-" , Alta Wyatt poked her husband. "Get on with it, dear. We don't have all night!"
Everyone laughed except Vern. This was the first he had heard of another research firm.
"In short," Wyatt said hurriedly, "I believe Mr. Shipley's competitor has lost out, but that is up to Mr. Hendricks and Mr. Reardon to decide. Mr. Hendricks? Will you be the first to let Mr. Shipley know of your decision?"
Lloyd Hendricks started to stand, but his wife held him in place, frantically whispering in his ear.-likewise Reardon's wife, Elyse, was whispering instructions, like a second in a prizefighter's comer.
Finally, Lloyd Hendricks stood, cleared his throat and said, "I must admit that Maria Reese's absence came as a shock to all of us tonight-a severe shock. However, I wish to voice both my wife's and my own approval of the delightful Miss Ellen Lanning. My company is signing the final contract with you, Vern."
Hendricks quickly sat down then, and there was applause, particularly from the wives. Whoever said, 'It's who you know,' is right! Vern thought. It was spooky to think of how much influence Maria had wielded over these people. Thank God for Ellen!
"I would like to join in the decision of Mr. Hendricks of Overseas Air Hontes," Randolph (little prick) Reardon said firmly, glancing at his wife for approval. "Yes, Reardon Electronics is convinced that Shipley Research is the firm for the job of researcher and business consultant."
Vern then made the appropriate thank you speech. He felt far more relieved than any of them knew. When finally he sat down, he was trembling with excitement. With a flair, he kissed Ellen, and all present applauded.
Fifteen minutes later, the three couples were shaking hands with both Vern and Ellen preparatory to leaving. The goodbyes were lengthy, and Vern noticed that the women seemed to be treating Ellen as though she were a queen. This puzzled him, and when they were all alone, driving to Ellen's apartment, he asked: "Just, what the hell kind of spell did you cast over those biddies, anyway?"
Ellen then told him about Stan Kettering-that Stan had provided her with the file on everyone who had been present tonight
"Your partner is a very thorough man, Vern," she said. "When he researches a prospective client he even engages a private detective. Did you know that all three women there tonight have boyfriends they are currently seeing on the sly?"
Vern shook his head. "You mean-"
"Precisely," Ellen said. "I simply whispered the names of their boyfriends in their ears and told them to 'cooperate or else!'"
"Ellen, you are ruthless," Vern said. "Absolutely ruthless."
"I know but it seemed the only way to get those accounts for you-and-and get you for me."
"Ruthless and beautiful," Vern said. "I'll never know how to thank you." Vern kissed her cheek. "But you really didn't have to-to screw Hendricks and Reardon then, did you?"
Ellen ran her hand along the inside of Vern's leg, rippling her fingernails. She shrugged. "One never can be sure," she said. "I had to play it safe." She frowned. "How do you know I screwed them?"
"Because I was watching."
"Then you know I didn't really enjoy myself. I mean, Reardon didn't exactly make me climax, dear."
"True," Vern said. "We'll take care of that little matter at your place." Impulsively, Vern pulled the car to a screeching halt at the side of the road. "Damn it, Ellen," he said. "How would you like to be a full partner-my partner?"
"I thought you'd never ask." She was crying now. "Yes, Vern. Oh, yes! But-but don't you think you ought to make Stan Kettering a full partner in the business, too?"
"You're right," Vern said. "After tonight, he deserves it. Yes."