Leaving lunch, I wandered in the basic direction of my office, having a thought of which pile of paperwork to tackle first. Pretty Mary, one of our newer residents, was heading in my direction.
"Hi, Sir Chuck!" The girl was almost singing, and she was obviously very happy.
"Hello, Mary. Are you enjoying life in your new home?" I asked, turning to speak to her.
"Is, do you mean that, uh, that this is my home now, Sir? My really and truly home? I won't be auctioned any more?" she asked, eyes brimming.
"Of course I meant it. Just ask Lord Mobeus.... but I'm sure the answer will be the same. If you do not wish to leave, and you follow the rules and obey orders, we would have no reason to auction you or make you leave. Do other people talk nicely to you and treat you well?"
"Oh, yes, sir they are almost all very nice. Everyone says I look pretty as a pony, and since I don't have to keep my leathers on all the time and can bathe every day my sores are healing," she finished.
"How long has it been since you've seen Dee about those sores?" I asked.
"Not since the first day, Sir."
"We're almost here, so let's have Miss Dee look at them again, OK?" I turned her into the medical office, and we went in to see someone else was on the table. Dee turned and greeted us, and noted she be through soon, would we like to use the new medical hottub mean while? I thanked her, and we wandered into my former office. She'd had a nice 36 inch tub installed, and it did look inviting.
Mary turned to me and said, "I've already bathed today, Sir. Will it be OK if I use the tub?"
"Sure, Mary. I've bathed too, but these old muscles need a little hot soak now and than." I laughed.
She laughed too. "I heard about that handstand you did, Sir. I think those muscles must be in very good shape, if I may be so bold, sir."
"Don't let him fool you, dearie," injected Dee. "If he didn't have the constitution of a 25 year old, he'd never keep up around here. He can be amazing, can't you 'Sir Chuck'?"
"Dee, medical opinions are private."
"Oh, great Lord Chuck, don't beat me!" Dee laughed. "He knows he can't get along without me. How's your chafing doing, Mary? Come on, stand up and let me look."
Mary stood, red faced to be doing this in front of Lord Chuck. She noticed he did not look, which surprised her. Masters don't usually respect privacy.
Dee said, "OK, Mary, you're healing up pretty well. I'd like you to let me have a blood sample before you go, and let me give you some special ointment. There's no infection, and we want it to stay that way."
"Thank you, Miss Dee. I will see you before I leave. And thank you so much for caring," said Mary.
"Mary, you stand up and get out of that tub right now," Dee snapped. "Now you give me a great big hug, you Pretty Pony. That is the only payment I ever get around here, except the occasional bone thrown my way (during which statement she stared right at me). And the only one I expect. Mary, I do my best to love all the big majority of people in the world who are kind, gentle, and just. You know, the folks who pay their taxes, hold the door open for the old lady, and give up their seat to a pregnant lady on the bus. There are a singular number of people around here who are that type of person; part of that is due to Lord Mobius and this soggy excuse for a boss not letting bad folks in. Part of it is that this place shakes the bad 'uns out real fast. People here like this place, and don't want others spoiling it. Now, you just remember that you never have to thank me for caring. I love you, little girl, and that's why I help. Now look what you've done, darnit. You made me cry for the first time this year. ('First time this month, maybe,' I interjected) And you stay out of this, Lord of the Schwing. Hmpf." She dabbed at her eyes on her lab coat, kissed Mary again, gave ME one on the forehead, and stomped out.
"Now you've had a chance to meet our very own Florence Nightengale. Except this Lady of the Lamp would be packing a 45!"
"I'm really sorry to take up so much of your time, Lord Chuck," Mary said.
"That's OK, as I'm just about to leave you here to the tender mercies of the dear Lady Dee. I'd just like you to do this for me; spend some more time with some of the other ladies here. Check out the tv room, the exercise room, the pool, wherever. All the ladies are friendly, and will talk your ear of given a chance. Do Not, however, under any circumstances, go back out to your stall alone at night. Have a friend come out and sleep with you, or you stay in her room. Got that?"I finished.
"Yes, Sir. And thank you so much for your time." She took the towel from my hands and began to dry me, stopping in present position for a second, then kissing a part of the anatomy which was already too nosy for its own good.
I pulled her up and kissed her correctly on the lips.
"Er, Sir Chuck? If I ever can't find someone to sleep with, would I be out of line checking YOUR door, sir?" she asked.
"Sure sweetie; I'd love a chance to play with your sexy body. Just knock loudly." I turned and left the office, stopping off first to plant a kiss on Dee and swat her sexy fanny.