| Subject: This I Offer 4/10 |
Author:
Athena4
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Date Posted: 20:09:51 03/04/02 Mon
In reply to:
Athena4
's message, "This I Offer" on 14:58:36 03/03/02 Sun
The door shut behind them, leaving them alone in the room with Ryker. He sat behind a large oak desk, his eyes shut, his arm raised in a gesture to silence them. Music filled the room, reverberating off walls, seemingly coming from the walls themselves.
The volume of the music Madeline to cringe visibly. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognised the music. Wagner. Die Walkure. Christ, she thought to herself. Could this mission get any worse?
The music stopped abruptly, and Ryker stood, a wide smile completely altering the appearance of his face. “Welcome!” he said boisterously, shaking Paul’s hand. “My apologies for the wait. I wasn’t expecting your arrival until the morning!”
“We got a, uh, discount on an earlier flight,” Paul stammered in reply. “We didn’t mean to inconvenience you.”
“Nonsense!” Ryker replied, gesturing for them to sit. He was several inches taller than Paul, his paunch the only indication of his leisurely lifestyle. ”Good business is never an inconvenience!”
After they’d sat, Ryker returned to the chair behind his desk, riffling through files on his desk. “Mr & Mrs…Williamson, I believe?”
“Yes,” Paul replied, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
Ryker merely grunted in reply, leaning back, a file folder in one hand, the other stroking his beard. He studied the file carefully, making small noises when he found something that intrigued him.
Madeline fought the urge to smile. It was a wonderful technique really. Make the couple nervous. Catch them off guard. She could play his game.
Biting her lip, she placed a hand on Paul’s thigh, looking up at him with nervous eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ryker’s own eyes shift to watch them. A hint of a smile crossed his face when Paul gave her an equally nervous smile.
Perfect, she thought, turning back slowly towards Ryker. Who’s playing whom?
“Your application appears to be in order,” Ryker finally said, sliding his chair closer to the desk so he could access his keyboard. “I just have a few more questions, Mr. Williamson.”
“Umm, yeah, sure… “ Paul began, sitting up straighter in his chair. “And, uh, call me Paul.”
“Of course, Paul” The way Ryker said the name, it was almost an insult; as if the name proved the worthlessness of its owner. “Who exactly directed you to my….establishment?”
“Friends of ours. The Golds. You helped them out of a rough spot…they said you could help us too.”
“I see.” Again Ryker’s tone was patronising. “Yes, I believe I can help you.”
“Thank you,” Paul began, for a moment becoming more comfortable in the wingback chair. His comfort quickly ended as Ryker cut him off.
“ I know how difficult it is to be unemployed. I was there once myself, you see. Which is why I’ve chosen to help those who can’t help themselves.”
Paul cringed visibly, his posture stiffing. A deep red blush crept up from below the collar of his shirt, quickly covering his entire face. Embarrassment, and anger. The only appropriate responses.
“I –“ he began again, meeting Ryker’s eyes defiantly. But once again, he didn’t get the chance to continue.
“No need to defend yourself, Paul. I understand, really I do.” The tone remained patronising, his name a venomous slur from Ryker’s lips. He stood and crossed the room, circling his desk to come to stand before Madeline. Reaching down, he took her hand in his, stroking it with his thumb. He let out an audible sigh of pleasure before he continued. “And imagine not being able to give your lovely wife the life she deserves. It’s a sin really, but one that will soon be rectified.”
Ryker dropped her hand and returned to his desk, sitting on its edge and turning his attention back to Paul. Madeline suppressed a small shudder. Here it comes, she thought to herself, taking a deep breath.
“But there is one more thing I need from you, before I can confirm your membership in my organisation.”
“And that would be?” Paul voice was a strange mixture of defiance and fear.
“Every man has a different way of judging character,” Ryker began, crossing his arms casually on his chest. “Some men can simply look on a man, and know his character. Some believe it to be found in a man’s faith, in his belief in God. Do you believe in God, Paul?”
Paul stumbled with his words, reacting to Ryker’s harsh tone. “Yes…yes I do. We’re very devout people, Mr Ryker…”
“I’ll try not to hold that against you,” he replied with a glare, before continuing with his previous tirade. “Many judge men on strength. Physical strength, emotional strength.”
He paused momentarily, looking from Madeline to Paul and back again, studying their reactions. “I judge men a little differently from most, “ he said finally, settling his gaze on Paul once more. “But I find that my way is more honest . You see, you cannot lie when it comes to sexual prowess. You either have it,” he smiled, using one finger to gesture ‘upwards’ in sexual innuendo; his finger took on the opposite position as he concluded. “Or you don’t.”
“You plan to judge me on my sexual performance?” Paul gulped, looking towards Madeline. She turned away quickly, appropriately uncomfortable with the discussion.
“Yes.”
“We weren’t aware of this requirement,” he lied, struggling with the words. She turned back towards him, taking his hand. He looked nervously at his crotch before shifting his gaze towards her. “And what if I don’t ‘perform’ well under pressure?”
“Then I’ll know you’re not the appropriate man for the job. You see, this job requires someone who can perform under pressure. Not sexually, of course. But really, it amounts to the same thing. Pressure is pressure…some is just more…pleasant.”
Paul was silent for several moments, as if deciding whether the requirement met with his approval. Then deliberately, he spoke. “When?”
“No!” Madeline snapped, clasping Paul’s hand tightly. Everything was proceeding as profiled, only one thing remained. Her eyes filled up with tears, her body beginning to tremble in fear and indignation. “This isn’t right, Paul. It’s not.”
Paul pulled his eyes away from her face, ignoring her words. “When?” he repeated.
“Tonight. A room is being prepared.”
“I see.”
Madeline was now openly crying, her jaw set in anger; she barely saw Ryker through her tears as he turned in her direction. “Its not as bad as all that, my dear. I won’t be in the room with you, just observing elsewhere. It will be like a second honeymoon!”
Paul placed a consoling arm on her shoulder, but she pulled away, feigning resentment. Her distaste with the situation was clear on her face.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Ryker said, clearing his throat. “Joseph will be in momentarily to show you to your room.”
“Thank you,” Paul said, reaching out to shake Ryker’s hand.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Ryker replied, as he stood in the doorway. “You still must rise to the occasion.”
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