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Sasha motioned to the side with the seven doors. “Seven options to choose from,”—she twisted her lips into a wry smile—“If, for whatever reason, you feel compelled to make a choice.” She turned to the other side of the corridor and motioned to the lone double doors. “Or…”
She walked slowly but deliberately toward the double doors. I hesitated to follow, but curiosity got the better of me. I had come too far to turn back now.
Sasha opened the double doors but did not step inside. “I’ll let you have a peek,” she said, “But I never go in alone, not without the others.”
In the center of the large room was a circular bed surrounded by foot stools. Mattresses and fur rugs spread from there to the walls, which were lined with sofas and loveseats. Above them hung shackles and chains and whips and objects of various sizes and shapes I didn’t have names for and whose functions I could scarcely imagine.
I didn’t dare enter, but I had to put my hands on my legs to keep them from disobeying and carrying me in. “I… I…”
“At a loss for words,” said Sasha. She put her arm around me and turned me back toward the corridor. “And that’s only one room.”
I motioned to the other side of the corridor. “And these seven rooms?”
“Well, those are their quarters. They are very good about sharing, but everyone needs a bit of privacy.”
We walked to the Polar Trinity. “I had no idea,” I said, as much to myself as to Sasha.
“How could you?” she said. “It’s not exactly in the papers.” She stopped and turned to me with a serious expression on her face. “And I plan to keep it that way.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Having a documentary crew in my home is quite a risk, as you can imagine.”
“Oh, I won’t film anything or say anything you don’t want me to.”
Sasha did not respond but simply kept walking. I took her by the hand and turned her to face me. “Please believe me,” I said. “I would never do anything to betray your trust.”
She smiled. “I do believe you, Bonita. Thank you.”
In the Polar Trinity, Sasha invited me to take a seat. I had a feeling she had something heavy to unload on me.
“I usually have lunch at this hour,” she said. “Are you hungry?”
I put my hands on my stomach. “I ate so much this morning. I think I’m good for a while.”
She smiled. “Perfect. We’ll have a pre-lunch drink.” She slipped behind the bar and pulled out a bottle. “Glenfiddich? It’s my favorite.” She set out two glasses and put an ice cube in each. “Or perhaps you don’t drink during the day?”
I chuckled. “Honestly, with the time change and the fact that I try to avoid the sun, I don’t know what’s day and what’s night anymore.”
She handed me a drink and took a seat next to me on the sofa. “Bonita, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Of course! Anything.”
“But I don’t want to pressure you. Only do me this favor if you’re comfortable. If not, that’s perfectly fine, and I won’t bring it up again.” She chuckled and shook her head. “Sorry, that’s just exactly something Dan would say.” She took a sip and regained her serious demeanor. “I mean it,” she said. “Truly.”
I nodded emphatically. “Please, what’s the favor? I’m dying of curiosity. I hope I can do it for you.”
She set her glass down on the table, crossed her legs, and leaned in. “Well, as you know, I watched your film.”
I nodded.
“And I loved it.”
“Thank you.”
“You have a sensitivity and an eye for…” She waved a hand in the air as if trying to conjure up the word she was looking for. “I don’t know how to describe it, but you have a certain flair for the visual.”
I beamed. “Thank you. It makes me happy to hear that.”
She put a hand on my knee. “I want you, if you are willing, to film me. To film us.”
“You mean?” I looked back toward the corridor we’d come from. “In that room?”
She laughed. “It could be in any room, if you’d prefer. Hell, we can shoot a scene in many different rooms. I’m just curious, you know. I’m curious to watch us from a different perspective, you know.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
She stood and turned from me. “I’ve embarrassed you, haven’t I?”
“No.” I, too, stood. I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m touched that you think so highly of my work. Frankly, I’m flattered that you would trust me enough to ask that of me. Of course, I’ll do it.”
She turned and gave me a hug. “Oh, thank you, Bonita. I’m so happy you’ve agreed.” She turned as giddy as a schoolgirl. “And the boys will be happy, too. They do love to put on a show.” She winked at me, and I, too, turned giddy. What an assignment! I couldn’t wait to get started.
