it back over to me. "I'll also need you to sign and date our club's rule list. Make sure you read each one carefully as we have a zero-tolerance policy for violations."
I take the paper from him and read through each bullet point rule:
• Sanctuary is an adult lifestyle (swinger) party studio in the heart of NYC, where on-premise play is allowed. Single ladies are highly respected in the Sanctuary community. Stalking or harassment of single ladies is never permitted and, if excessive, can result in temporary or permanent suspension of a couple's membership.
• Sanctuary does not release a guest's private information to other guests.
• Whether you are a man or a woman, please ask for the consent of others before touching.
• All guests should respect the dignity of others. No rude conduct toward guests or staff will be tolerated.
• If you enter a play area and are not playing, we kindly ask that you whisper or not talk.
• NO PROSTITUTION Anyone who solicits prostitution, engages in prostitution, or appears to be involved in prostitution will be removed from the premises immediately, and their membership revoked.
• NO JOKING ABOUT PROSTITUTION.
• NO DRUGS
• NO GUNS OR WEAPONS OF ANY KIND shall be permitted on the premises.
• No cameras, cell phone cameras, or recording devices are permitted for use. All personal items must be checked at the welcome desk in the lobby and picked up as you leave Sanctuary.
I sign and date at the bottom, handing it back to Derek. "Sounds reasonable," I remark with a smile. He takes that exact moment to snap a picture of me with his cell phone camera, and less than a minute later, his label printer spits out a color copy with the imprint of "Guest" over the top. It doesn't have my name on it, thank God, and I notice later that none of the paying club members have to wear any identification tags, but their hands are ink stamped with a male ♂ or a female ♀ symbol.
"You ready?" Shelby asks, eager to get to the fun stuff. "You can put your purse in my locker right here."
I put my small handbag in the locker, and Shelby spins the combination lock and directs me toward the bar area, which is right outside the lobby.
"Let's have a drink at the bar to relax," Shelby suggests.
"Fine by me," I reply with relief.
"What can I get for you lovely ladies?" the bartender asks.
"Two cosmopolitans, Grady," Shelby says. "Put it on my tab."
Our drinks arrive in a few moments, and I readily take several long sips. I'm starting to get really anxious. I need some preliminary information from Shelby. "Okay, Shell, after this, what is the routine?" I ask.
She laughs good-naturedly. "Well, hopefully, you'll be relaxed enough to go with the flow. There is no routine, per se. But since this is your first time, how about I act as your guide? I'll refrain from playing this evening. I don't want you to feel abandoned. We'll start off with some quirky stuff, and then work our way to the more sensual playrooms. Won't go to the real kinky rooms this evening."
"Perfect," I reply, exhaling a soft sigh of relief. A prude I was not, but I wasn't ready for any really gross kink just yet.
3
Wake-up Call
"Her fingers moved! Did you see that Easton?" my mother's excited voice floats up to my ears, and I realize she's talking about me. I never thought the fact that my fingers moved would set off such joy and relief.
And then I realize my Coma-World is lifting. I can feel things—pain for one. I feel pain all over, and for a brief second, I want to go back to Coma-World, where at least the pain didn't resonate throughout my body.
I hear someone groan.
"She's in pain," my father announces. "Nurse quickly, my daughter's in pain here."
My eyes flutter open, and it's been so long since I've seen the light, I have to squint to make out who's here with me. I blink several times, and then my sight gets into focus, and mere shadows become my parents. Both wearing concerned looks of relief.
"Mom? Daddy?" I croak out. I don't think my voice has come back from Coma-World yet. It hurts like hell to talk. My tongue feels like it's stuck against something or is numb.
"Honey, they removed the ventilator from you yesterday morning. That's probably why your voice isn't back yet, and your mouth is sore. Just relax. The doctor is coming in to check you. We love you, Carson."