The barter system, p.2
The Barter System, page 2
The drive took three hours, counting the stop on the turnpike for gas, a shake, and a bathroom break. She’d purposely made the first leg of her journey close to home. This was her first face-to-face exposure to one of her subjects and she didn’t want to be too far away to turn back. She kicked herself for the self-doubt that had necessitated this safety net, but felt she’d made the right decision all the same.
When pooling her research, she’d automatically weeded out the web liars. Men who said they were a certain age, income level, etcetera but were something else altogether. She was admittedly discriminating about looks but not race, religion, status, or age.
If someone lied about the little things, they were more likely to lie about the big ones. She needed truth if the data was going to be accurate. All the rejected applications were numbered and comprised the first fifty pages of her research. Nothing would be wasted.
Each of the chosen eight had agreed to complete surveys for her research. All had signed releases to use their anonymous data for her dissertation. Of course, it wouldn’t be a one-way street. They would get what they wanted just like her. This was the first experiment of its’ kind to her knowledge.
Entering Orlando around noon, she took her time finding the house she was looking for. Traffic here was always congested because of the various theme parks, but most of the houses were lovely and the people generally friendly.
She found the street and kept going, stopping at a convenience store to freshen up. It wouldn’t do to arrive looking like a wayward traveler. She brushed her hair and teeth then added fresh deodorant. Once she was certain she was ready, she got back in the car.
She pulled out her file and read the correspondence between herself and her first subject. Her standard acceptance email had been sent to each subject, with approximate dates of her arrival.
Good afternoon, Sean:
I’m pleased to tell you that your application has been accepted. I’m due to arrive one week from tomorrow. I look forward to finally meeting you in person. Please remember the following terms, as outlined in our signed agreement:
I will arrive on a Friday morning and stay a minimum of one (1) week.
You are expected to cover all expenses during my time with you, up to and including non-typical clothing for occasions requiring more than casual attire.
You must have Internet access in your home throughout the duration of my stay.
You will provide safe transportation, of your choosing, to my next destination.
Sexual intercourse must include the use of condoms at all times. There are no exceptions.
A current physical and blood work, dated no more than three days prior to my arrival, showing a clean bill of health should be emailed to the above address.
Sexual preferences will be accommodated as long as my personal safety is not at risk at any time.
You agree to complete two surveys. The first is to be completed before my arrival. The second is to be completed at the halfway point of my time with you and will be audio recorded.
Let me know if you have any additional questions. I’m sure our time together will be mutually beneficial. I’ve attached the first of the surveys to this email. Please get it back to me before Thursday of next week.
Kind regards,
Riya
She read his response right behind it:
Hi, Riya:
I look forward to meeting you, too! I understand and accept the conditions in both the contract and your email. I’m very curious to meet you in person and think we’ll get along great.
I’ll take very good care of you while you’re here and can’t wait to see what your other survey includes. The first one is included in this email. Wondering how I did. I’ve always been rather good at tests.
See you next week!
Sean
SURVEY ONE
Subject Name: Sean
Subject Age: 37
Subject Career: Internet Entrepreneur
Marital Status: Divorced
Children (Y/N): N
Annual Income: $150K
Location: Orlando, FL
What was your primary motivation for applying to this study?
I was intrigued when I found your site and was convinced by an old Army buddy to apply.
What do you hope to gain by your participation?
More knowledge about the "investigator" (not just carnal) and maybe myself.
What is one thing you wish the investigator to know about you?
I don't overcomplicate things but I take life seriously.
Do you have any negative assumptions regarding this study?
There being either NO emotional impact or TOO MUCH.
What is your most secret sexual fantasy?
Experiencing that "chemistry" I hear people talk about. Being on the water with a willing partner who isn't looking over her shoulder or asking for constant reassurance about sharks.
Have you ever told anyone else about this fantasy?
Yes, but no one gets it.
Have you attempted to realize this fantasy in your daily life?
Not yet. I rarely take women out on my boat - never for sex.
How have you utilized the Internet in your sexual life?
Light porn. I tried online dating three times and regretted it almost immediately.
Looking once more at his online profile and the photo he’d mailed as part of their arrangement, she decided it was time to quit stalling. She returned to the bungalow style home on a quiet residential street a couple of miles from the gas station. The yard was well manicured and the house in good condition. There was a white Ford Explorer parked in the driveway and she pulled in behind it.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her door and made her way up the stone walkway to the front door. She lifted her hand to knock when the door was thrown open wide and she was embraced in a strong hug. Caught off guard, she inhaled sharply and evaluated the mixture of scents that assailed her.
Clean cotton, a hint of cologne, and a light aftershave. Nice.
She hugged him back and then leaned to the side for a good look at Sean. Late-thirties, strong build, about 6’, friendly gray eyes and a bright smile. Dark hair cut short in military style with a scattering of silver at the temples. Dressed in khaki cargo shorts to the knee and a clean white polo, ratty canvas sandals on tanned muscular feet.
Riya realized she wasn’t the only one looking, and felt a light blush creep up her neck and face. His eyes traveled from her shining hair, loose down her back, to the ultra-soft pale pink cotton shirt and linen mini skirt. Her leather sandals highlighted her coral polished toes. Her legs were tanned and smooth.
He nodded once in satisfaction and smiled again. “Even better than your photos, I have to admit. I’m impressed.” He cupped the back of her head with a large, strong hand and pulled her in for a kiss. It started light but his exploration of her lips and tongue soon took on an urgent quality.
Fresh breath, slightly salty tang on his sensually firm lips…and very good at kissing. When he raised his mouth from hers, he murmured against her skin, “Much better than I expected.”
They stepped away from one another and he looked at her car. “Do you have a bag?” At her nod, he took her hand casually and led her back to the driveway. He waited as she unlocked the doors then reached in for her duffle, the perfect gentleman. She grabbed her backpack and Tawny’s CD from the front seat and locked the car. He made sure she was ready and led the way into the house.
Her initial impression of the house as a bungalow was carried through on the inside. There was a beautiful lake view behind the house, and the open floor plan brought an abundance of light into the rooms. The living room was essentially a ‘man cave’ with a leather sectional, big screen television and plenty of electronic equipment. Classic movie prints in matching frames adorned the pale mocha colored walls. Very few knickknacks other than some black and white photos of people Riya figured to be family and friends.
Sean carried her bag down a short hallway. He paused in a doorway, showing signs of uncertainty for the first time. “I…well, I wasn’t sure if you wanted the guest room or if you’d rather…share space…while you’re here. I didn’t want to assume. I made up the guest room if you prefer it.” He glanced quickly at her then away.
Hmm. She decided to go with what he obviously preferred, the entire point of her being here. “I’d like to share space with you. I think it’s important to spend as much time together as possible while I’m here.” It sounded much different when she spoke her thoughts aloud. “I mean, there is a lot to do together.” No better. Lots of innuendo.
He smiled and seemed to regain his footing. “Excellent. I’ve cleared space in the dresser and closet.” That confirmed his preference, she thought. “There’s an empty top drawer in the bathroom, right through there, if you need it.” He placed her bag on the bench at the end of the bed and turned to go, “I’ll give you some time to get settled while I make drinks.”
At the door, he stopped and turned back to her, “I’m glad you’re here, Riya. And not just for the obvious reasons. I feel like I kind of know you after all our emails back and forth. I think this is going to be very interesting. I’ll be in the kitchen, straight down the hall and on the other side of the living room.” One last smile and he was out of sight.
Riya pulled her backpack from her shoulder. As she set it beside her duffle bag, she released a relieved sigh, so far so good. Sean was good-looking, charming, and an excellent host subject. She really couldn’t wait to get started with him. “I’m just dropping innuendos all over the place,” she muttered to herself and laughed.
She took her toiletry bag to the bathroom, placing it in the drawer he’d considerately cleared for her. She glanced at herself briefly, deciding she was still in decent condition. She removed her laptop and typed a few initial impressions before closing it and heading to the kitchen.
Sean was blending fruits and alcohol when she entered. He was comfortable in his space and it showed. He dropped freshly chopped pineapple into the blender and she found a seat at his bar so she could watch him.
“You mentioned you’re a lightweight so I’ll go easy on you.” He chuckled at her expense and she smiled. “I’ve mixed my own concoction, there’s a little vodka in this first batch. Not trying to get you drunk, I swear.”
He added coconut milk while he talked, “I’m nervous, I’ll admit it. To actually have you sitting in my kitchen is surreal.” He blended a moment longer before removing the carafe and pouring the frosty mixture into two tall glasses. “This drink is more for me than you.” They toasted over the bar and Riya took a sip.
“This is delicious. I can’t even taste the alcohol!”
He nodded seriously, “Those are the ones that knock you on your ass. Be careful. Want to sit out on the patio?” She nodded and slipped off the stool to follow him outside.
The deck was Mexican tile and there were two chaise lounge chairs in the shade. He pulled one around so they could see one another. She stretched out and waited for him to sit. The breeze off the lake was fantastic and privacy fencing almost to the shoreline prevented her from seeing the houses on either side of Sean’s.
They sat in silence with one another for a few minutes, and it was surprisingly comfortable. Finally he said, “I’m not asking anything about anyone else, but there was one thing I was curious about…how many applications did you receive? Overall, I mean?”
She couldn’t help but laugh, “Total? Hmm, more than I thought I would. More than thirteen thousand…” His eyes widened in shock, “I know, right? It added months to my deadline just to go through them all.”
“Whoa. I am so much more flattered than I have any right to be.”
Riya shook her head, “Not to put too fine a point on it, but I got rid of almost ten thousand liars and perverts in the first few weeks. My proposal was…unorthodox. It brought out some pretty scary people.” A small shudder passed through her, “There are some truly unbalanced people in the world. It was the remaining three thousand plus that were harder. That took me the longest.”
“Can I ask why you chose me?” He seemed truly interested. Almost as if he didn’t quite believe he had been chosen. Riya found the modesty endearing.
“You were one of the first I chose, actually. Physical attributes have something to do with it, I hope you understand. That’s human nature.” She was warming to her topic and he smiled with a certain degree of male satisfaction.
“Then, I split everyone into age groups, then ethnic, then field of industry, then smaller things like preferences on my looks, my race, my religion…that kind of thing. I had one guy tell me I’d be perfect if I got a boob job and colored my hair. Since I’m the control, I couldn’t start changing myself. Physicality was the easiest. You found me attractive, I found you attractive…one marker down.” She laughed at herself, “All very scientific…kind of silly when I say some of this stuff out loud.”
“I don’t find any of it silly. I find it fascinating,” he replied honestly.
They talked for a couple of hours, getting to know one another. Riya felt more at ease with every moment. He asked what she was thinking on her drive to Orlando.
“I was nervous, but got it under control. You were the closest person to me, and my best friend insisted you be my first subject…I’m sorry, that sounded horribly cold and impersonal.”
He shook his head and she continued. “I tend to be conservative, but the subject matter interests me, even if it’s outside my personal comfort zone. Maybe because it is. This is what I’ve worked for. I have a lot of time and effort invested in it.”
“This is very enthusiastic for a first venture. How do you think it’s going to change you?” She realized she was doing a lot of talking to someone she’d known for a few hours and reminded herself to document her open reaction to her first subject.
“I think it will open my mind. I was sheltered regarding men and honestly I’ve just not had time to really deal with them much until now.” She laughed, “You don’t have to look quite so surprised, Sean. I’m no vamp and most men bore me. I’ve had two long-term boyfriends. I’m not complaining. It gives me a unique perspective most women in my age group are sorely lacking. I focused on myself first, able to take or leave men in general, and now I feel more equipped to handle what I put in place for my dissertation.”
“I have to say I’m more impressed by the moment, Riya.”
She insisted they talk about him. They discussed his business on the Internet. His company facilitated research and resources for small companies without the capital to hire their own teams. He dabbled in just about everything, from databases to security to marketing.
When she asked about his divorce he shrugged, “There are no hard feelings or anything. I was in the military for too long and she just got tired of sleeping alone. We didn’t have kids or property. She had her own family and business interests. When she made the decision, she was just gone. There was no drama or tears. We still talk if we run into one another. She’s remarried with babies. She was a nice person. I figured it was time to settle down. Turned out I was wrong.”
“How was your sex life?” Riya asked bluntly.
He grinned, “I’m enjoying myself so much I really forgot why you were here. Our sex life was fairly vanilla, I suppose. When I was home on leave, we took care of a need but there was nothing overly exciting. Nothing kinky.” He winked at her, “Not that I have a problem with kinky.” They both laughed.
“The freakiest person I’ve dated was about your age, into some Goth crap that scared the hell out of me. Wanted to tie me up and drip candle wax on my dick. I like my dick, and wish him only good things. He wasn’t into it so I deferred to his choice. I also wasn’t letting someone I didn’t trust tie me up.”
“Would you let me tie you up? I’m just curious,” she asked him.
“You know what? I think I would. It’s weird, and don’t take offense, but you’re so much more normal than I thought you’d be. You seem so honest and, well, sweet.” Riya laughed, not sure if that was the reaction she needed from her subjects.
They finished their drinks and Sean came back with a refill when he asked, “So, how long do I get to keep you?” He looked at her with interest. “I’ve got a lot of activities planned. I don’t want to waste a moment. My mother wants to meet you.”
At her gasp, he chuckled, “No worries, Riya. I go up to Rock Springs every couple of weeks to check on her now that my dad is gone and she’d already heard about the project from my younger brother, or The Traitor, as I like to call him. I filled her in on the basics and she was amazed at your ingenuity.” He smiled sardonically, “She was the original flower child and judges no one. I think she may even be a little jealous she never thought of the idea. I told her I would mention it but I wasn’t making any promises.”
Riya was surprised. In all honestly, for all the noble conversations they’d had, she figured they’d spend most of their time inside, either working on her part of the bargain or his. “I’m not worried about meeting your mom, Sean. It actually might add another element to my research. I’m just concerned you went to so much trouble. I didn’t expect anything.”
