Clothes Maketh The Man — Part 41.

There were a couple of dozen people in the room, and a maid was passing among them handing out drinks from a tray, and taking orders. As I glanced around I got the feel of the room. It was fairly clearly divided into men, and one or two couples, who were evidently the guests, and a series of couples of girls or single people mingling.

As I looked more closely I could see that some of those ‘girls’ were clearly not female at all, but were very well presented and groomed people just like myself. In almost every case they wore a short skirt and heels, along with nylons and a simple blouse. Some talked to one another, and others were either engaged with or being cornered by the men or couples that were guests at this reception.

Veronica leaned over to me and whispered, “Be on your best behaviour. You don’t need to prove anything today. You were just brought in to see what you’re getting into. You needn’t worry, but just don’t embarrass yourself infront of the clients.”

I turned and said, “The clients?”

Veronica was about to explain something to me when Devina appeared and my heart quickened. With Devina was a large man who had a dark complexion and an enormous beard.

“Claude,” she said, “I’d like to introduce you.”