Chapter 43

Theresa woke first. She was snuggled between two bodies. That wasn’t unusual, but something was different. She searched her mind for what it was.

Two things emerged from her search; One of the bodies was Sheila, not John. She snuggled back into it. The other difference was her.

Theresa didn’t feel the same. There was no dark haze over her thoughts. There were no areas of her mind she shied away from because they were painful. She tested it. She called back the events she had revealed to Cindy and Sheila. Jumping from event to event.

She found most of them distasteful at best and basically just sick. However, now she could view them more objectively. There wasn’t the tearing hurt she had felt before whenever something triggered a memory. She remembered clearly her state of mind when they had happened. She remembered how her dear friend, the warm nude body before her, had saved her life.

She kissed her softly on the cheek. Not waking her yet.

Theresa thought about her life. It had been bad. Now it was good. That’s all she cared about. A slight stirring behind her. A soft touch on her thigh and Theresa rolled to greet Sheila good morning. A smile upon her lips.

Theresa’s radiant smile warmed Sheila to her soul.

“God, she must be a strong woman.” Sheila thought.

When she rolled into her arms it was ... Sheila didn’t have anything to compare it to, but it was wonderful. She gently hugged the young blonde. Theresa’s lips found hers and kissed her softly.

“Good morning ... love. What for breakfast?” Theresa asked.

“Mmm I don’t know ... You?” Sheila asked.

“You are very welcome to me for an appetizer ... what for the main course?” Theresa chuckled.

“Oh ... I meant what would you like for breakfast.” Sheila said, concerned.

“Oh, don’t spoil my fun ... and don’t avoid things you think might be painful for me. I feel ten million times better.” Theresa said.

“Okay ... I’m glad.” Sheila said.

“Me too ... now lets see ... Strawberries and waffles?, maybe some low fat bacon?” Theresa asked.

“Sounds divine. May I help?” Sheila asked.

“Yes ... By snuggling to Cindy while I cook. I don’t want her to wake alone.” Theresa said softly.

“Mmm, My pleasure.” Sheila replied, honestly, but a bit squirmy.

“Why don’t you make a pit stop first. I’ll stay here for a bit.” Theresa suggested.

“Thanks.” Sheila said, giving her a quick kiss and gently easing out of bed.

Theresa watched her go. Admiring her sleek figure. Sometime in the night the resemblance to her mother seemed to have slipped away. Now she was just a lovely woman. She lay enjoying Cindy’s rhythmic breathing behind her.

Sheila returned and Theresa slipped out. Kissing her softly and hugging her a moment before she went off. Sheila slipped back into her place. Enjoying the feeling of the lovely Brunettes skin.

Sheila lay thinking about how much her life had changed in just a short while. As painful as Theresa’s story had been, she was glad she had in some small way made it easier on the tender child ... No; Woman! She well deserved the title, with full honors.

She looked to Cindy’s lovely face, wondering what dark secrets it hid. And what she would be like when they slipped out. Somehow Sheila sensed that Cindy was more fragile than she seemed. A fluttering of the eyes and a deeper breath distracted Sheila to her allotted task.

She softly caressed her shoulder as she snuggled to her.

Cindy snuggled back. Something different. Oh, Sheila, not Theresa.

“Theresa?” Cindy inquired.

“Cooking breakfast. She wanted to, I thought the routine would probably do her good.” Sheila replied.

“How is she this morning ... and Good morning.” Cindy said.

“Seems very calm and ... well, smiling. And a lovely good morning to you too.” Sheila replied.

“Let me make a pit stop ... and I’ll be back.” Cindy said.

“Go ahead, but I’ll get up too. I woke much earlier. I stayed at Theresa’s good suggestion that you not wake up alone.” Sheila said.

“Mmm that was nice of her ... and you.” Cindy said.

“My very sincere pleasure.” Sheila said, rolling out of bed.

“Let me brush my teeth and I’ll properly thank you, then we’ll see whose pleasure it is.” Cindy offered.

“Thanks ... I want to shower though, and my toothbrush is in my room.” Sheila said.

“Get it. I’ll shower with you, ... Please...” Cindy said.

Sensing that Cindy wanted to talk, Sheila smiled and nodded.

Sheila was back in a few minutes. She heard the bidet running, so she gave Cindy a few moments alone. When she heard the shower turn on she entered.

“Thought you got lost.” Cindy said.

“Heard that running, so I stalled a bit.” Sheila said, motioning to the bidet.

“Thanks ... If you like privacy about such things, just let us know. In the morning this is like grand central station at times. I think I’ll talk John into adding a privacy wall around that area.” Cindy said.

Sheila nodded and moved to brush her teeth. Cindy stepped into the ample shower. Clouds of steam curling up.

A moment latter Sheila stepped in.

She moved to Cindy and pulled her into her arms. Cindy soaped Sheila’s breasts and then squirmed against her, kissing her deeply.

“So what’s on your mind?” Sheila asked after a bit.

“You’re pretty perceptive... “ Cindy said.

“It’s not hard. You’re concerned about Theresa?” Sheila asked.

“A little, but actually not. I mainly wanted to thank you for your understanding last night.” Cindy said, “God, I had no idea what she’d been through.”

“Yes ... I was thinking this morning how incredibly strong she is. To have borne that and still be able to smile at all.” Sheila said.

“I think you helped her considerably.” Cindy said.

“How so?” Sheila asked.

“Babe, I’ve been her best friend for years. She never told me half that stuff. She just seems to naturally feel comfortable opening up to you. I think I can understand why. You’re naturally open and friendly, and non- judgmental. You really listen when people talk. At least you have with Theresa and I ... I’m not trying to mold you into the role of confessor, just saying that I can see why people trust you.” Cindy said.

“You didn’t, yesterday morning.” Sheila said.

“No, that’s not true. I did trust you. But I trust my instincts too. Maybe not the same way Theresa does, but more ... Well, I’m kind of analytical. Most of the time I just let things go by. But if I’m presented with a non- sequitur, I almost have to ask why. It wasn’t you I didn’t trust, there were just too many non-sequiturs. In trying to figure them out I glimpsed there were things I wasn’t being told.

I will grant both you and John this; Neither of you lied to me, or Theresa. But you didn’t tell us the whole truth either. I’m more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt in that matter. I’m fairly certain your behavior was largely due to John’s instigation.” Cindy said.

“Damn you’re a smart lady.” Sheila said.

“Please don’t tell on me.” Cindy chuckled.

“Not unless I’m asked.” Sheila replied.

“I would expect nothing less of you ... So, what shall we do today.” Cindy asked.

“Well, I’ve been here two days, We’ve made love about eighty-seven times and worked about two hours. Now as much as I’ve enjoyed myself, I am getting a thousand dollars a day for this. What you’d like me to do for that is really your business, but we really should concentrate a little more on the fashion business.” Sheila said.

“A thousand bucks, huh.” Cindy chuckled, “Let’s see ... I could hire you for about a month and a half. All to myself.”

Sheila chuckled: “Darling, for what you’d have in mind, I’d gladly do it for free. But if I were to have to place a price on it. You couldn’t afford me for an hour.”

“I understand ... So, work it is. Boy are you in for a surprise.” Cindy said.

“How so?”

“Because the first order of business is to scan you. That’s one of the things we’re gonna have to refine. Fact is that it just makes you too damn horny.” Cindy chuckled.

“Is that bad?” Sheila asked.

“You tell me ... after you experience it. But from what you and John have predicted, we’re gonna have thousands of writhing ladies fairly dripping on our tables.” Cindy chuckled.

“Hm ... I see what you mean.” Sheila said.

“You will ... besides that, the thing’s just too damn intimidating. I know John designed it for practicality. But we need to soften some edges and streamline the design a bit. Also add some safety features. The restraints on the table are mainly for safety. If you got in the way of some of those scanners, they could break your arm. “ Cindy said.

“You know ... I’m not so certain you need me. You seem pretty damn savvy about a lot of things.” Sheila chuckled.

“Not so ... Well, I am pretty savvy, but as I understand it, your main function is to guide us into the megabuck world.” Cindy said.

“My main function, is whatever you say it is. Remember, I’m working for you.” Sheila chuckled.

“Fine ... Your main function is to guide us into the megabuck world. Better yet the gigabuck world.” Cindy said, mocking.

“There’s a quantum difference between the two. Best I can ... promise you. Is the quarter to half-gigabuck area.” Sheila said.

“That’s a nice neighborhood. Totally adequate.” Cindy said, grinning.

“Okay ... just to give you an idea of what we’re talking about ... Say you charge five thousand dollars for the scan, and a thousand for each outfit. Now each customer buys two outfits minimum. That’s seven thousand dollars per customer. Divide two-hundred-fifty million by seven thousand and you get ... roughly thirty-six thousand customers and must produce seventy two thousand outfits. Now it would take a minimum of twenty machines working night and day, every day of the year to make them.” Sheila said.

“That’s all?” Cindy said.

“Call it thirty, to take up the down slack from setup and unload time. But it would take several hundred salons to actually make it to that level. Because nobody is going to come in to be scanned at three A.M.” Sheila said.

“That still doesn’t sound like much.” Cindy said.

“Consider the logistics of operating two-hundred different salons:

One. Personnel. They must be scrupulously checked out, every single one of them. One bad occurrence of an operator drooling over a customers privates and your business is down the tubes.

Two. Design to insure privacy for the customers. That includes transportation and storage of thirty-six thousand mannequins a year. The mannequins look exactly like the customer and must be treated with the same degree of privacy, or almost. The storage facilities must be secure and guarded. Guards must be bonded. The last thing we need is the National Inquirer taking photo’s of a famous persons mannequin. The same holds true of the data. Anybody who got hold of the data could start turning out Farah Fawcett love dolls, true to life ones.

Three. Materials storage and supply. What’s the world production of the chemicals you use, how will it be affected by political climate change.

Four. Maintenance on equipment and facilities. Finding and keeping qualified, reputable persons.

Five. Two hundred different sets of zoning regulations, business licenses and local ordinances to deal with.

Six. Environmental concerns. What’s the environmental effect of the gasses produced by your process?

Seven. Health concerns. What’s the effect of your product against the skin of albino’s? What will it be over twenty years? What will the cumulative effect be on your operators?

And that’s just for starters.” Sheila concluded.

“Oh...” Cindy said, “Maybe not so trivial. Perhaps we can operate one?”

“You can operate two-hundred. I’m just telling you it will take a while to get there. Fact is that when you get that big, you’ll spend most of your time over-seeing regional directors, who will oversee area managers, who will oversee salon managers. You’ll be at least ten levels above your customer. And that’s a danger in itself. You lose touch with their needs and desires. You lose touch with how they’re being treated. You’ll be spending most your time stomping fires, attending new salon openings, side stepping charity’s who want a chunk of your wealth and answering to stock holders who aren’t happy they aren’t rich overnight.” Sheila said.

“Well ... I think we’d better continue this in the kitchen. And go over all you just said for Theresa too.” Cindy said.

They dried and did their hair, then Cindy selected what they would wear.

“I did bring clothes, you know.” Sheila stated.

“Stuffy, business type, uncomfortable stuff.” Cindy teased.

“Not so. You should see my string bikini.” Sheila demurred.

“I intend to, and you should see my skintight body suit with a print of Theresa’s skin on it. But around here we like comfort. Get used to it.” Cindy said.

“Theresa’s skin?” Sheila asked, puzzled.

“Yes, she has one with a print of my skin on it. Right down to the pubic hair. We could make you one with a print of John’s skin on it, but the right parts wouldn’t stick out when viewed from the side.” Cindy chuckled.

“Maybe not, but how about a swimsuit with sky-blue inserts on the sides, which make a woman look much slimmer when viewed at the right angle.” Sheila said.

“Keep thinking like that. We need to write this all down.” Cindy said, pulling on her terry top slippers and handing a new pair over to Sheila.

“Better yet, I’ll bring my laptop.” Sheila said, slipping on the slippers. She liked them.

They found Theresa drinking coffee in the kitchen, a stack of waffles and all the fixings laid out.

“Sorry, love. I dragged her into the shower and we got talking.” Cindy offered, bending to kiss her love.

“No problem ... Just sat down myself.” Theresa replied, hugging her friend a bit longer.

Sheila sat down and looked about: “God, I’m gonna miss all this great food when you two are too busy to cook.”

“What’s she talking about?” Theresa asked Cindy.

“Our lovely Sheila has been outlining for me what making a quarter billion dollars a year entails.” Cindy replied, helping herself to the food.

“A quarter BILLION did you say?” Theresa asked, her jaw drooping.

“Yup ... Maybe half.” Cindy replied.

“That’s gross sales, your actual earnings will be considerably less, around thirty to fifty million or so.” Sheila said, rolling her eyes over the strawberry’s, whipped cream and waffles.

“We’ll make more per year than John gets total from the lottery?” Theresa asked.

“That’s the neighborhood I’m shooting for.” Sheila told her, “That gets your product to just a fraction of a percent of the potential market in the U.S. alone. That’s just two hundred top notch salons spread out in most major cities. Working their little buns off to keep up.”

“Is she ‘funnin us?” Theresa asked.

“Nope. I do believe the lady’s serious.” Cindy chuckled.

“So ... how do we build this ... empire?” Theresa asked.

“First thing is to strip this lady nude and make her all hot and drippy.” Cindy chuckled.

“Oh ... well, we can do that.” Theresa said, letting Sheila know with her eyes that she meant it.

“I mean scan her. Then we make her a complete wardrobe. Right down to the stuff you’ll want to rip off with your teeth.” Cindy said.

“I want to rip what she has on, off with my teeth ... But I get your drift. Will she model it all for us?” Theresa asked.

“You got it.” Sheila said, polishing off her last bite.

“This, should be a lot of fun.” Theresa said, leering at Sheila.

“No time like the present.” Sheila said, standing.

“An eager beaver.” Cindy chuckled.

“And a cute one too.” Theresa said.

“And tasty too.” Cindy carried on.

“Come on ... who gets to unwrap me?” Sheila said.

“Bring the coffee, Cindy. I volunteer for this job.” Theresa chuckled.

“Yes, boss.” Cindy said.

“Why do you call her that?” Sheila asked.

“She is my boss. I’m her assistant cook ... I think I might just be in for a raise though. She gets all the good jobs.” Cindy said.

Theresa led Sheila into the lab. She turned to her and pulled her into a deep kiss.

“Just to warm you up.” She said.