Chapter 19: A session with Iris

By the start of my third week working at Le Chat Noir, I’ve reorganised by life to suit my variable hours of work. I’ve also decided ... at least for now ... which extra services I am willing to provide at the club in order to supplement my earnings. Tips from serving drinks at tables provide a small but steady boost to my income. But until I pay off the loan the Bureau of Ancillary Services provided to buy my freedom, I need to earn more. Prostitution is tolerated by the club, but that’s something I’m uncomfortable with doing. However, more subtle or specialised sexual services are something I could manage, particularly when it comes to helping out in the dungeon downstairs. Even Caitlin and Sarah seem impressed with the ease that I’ve adapted to being a part-time dominatrix. I confess that I like the leather gear I’m given to go with the role.

When I’m not needed as a dominatrix in the dungeon, I put on a much skimpier outfit and work the floor in the main club. My outfit is inspired by the Jewels of Desire, with small semi-precious gemstones sewn into the glorified bra and panties that I normally to wear. The effect from wearing either of my regular costumes gives me a warm and pleasant feeling I associate with sexual arousal. However, I refuse all offers of sex despite my traitorous body wanting to comply.

“Hello, princess,” comes a familiar voice as I pass one of the tables on a busy night.

“Paulo! I didn’t know if I would see you again.”

“Hmm. Like everyone else, I was shocked when you disappeared from the Argonaut. We all assumed you had been eliminated. It’s only when I met Chloe last week that I discovered what happened.”

“I was lucky to find a sponsor and job that suits me,” I reply. “How about you?”

“I was one of the nine Argonaut winners in addition to Patrick, Chloe and you. That’s a fairly typical success rate for the Argonaut these days. I’ve got a job with a building maintenance company. Nice regular hours although the pay isn’t that great. I presume your job means you must work nights?”

“Yes. The club doesn’t open until mid-afternoon, and stays open until the early hours of the morning. I’m normally working from six o’clock in the evening until the club closes around three or four the next morning.”

“That must make it difficult for you to get home after work,” observes Paulo.

“There are several of us in the same situation. We’re allowed to sleep on one of the beds upstairs until the first train services start in the morning. As long as my travel card shows me travelling to and from Buchanan every day then I satisfy the city’s rules about residency.”

“I had hoped we could resume where we left off during the Argonaut,” says Paulo. “But our different work hours are going to make that difficult.”

“I’m sure we can work something out,” I reply, although I’ve no idea how we might achieve it. “Anyway, how did you get in here tonight? Are you a member of Le Chat Noir?”

“Chloe managed to get me a guest pass for tonight. The pass doesn’t seem to allow me access to downstairs.”

“Only members of Le Chat Noir can enter the dungeon,” I reply.

“Is that where Chloe works?” asks Paulo. “She was very evasive when I asked her. What does she do down there?”

“Chloe works downstairs, but you’ll need to ask her about her duties. That’s not the sort of detail I can provide.”

I’m being equally evasive as Chloe about her duties. Paulo might not understand Chloe’s submissiveness and react in a way that could cause problems.

“I need to resume my work, Paulo. It’s been great catching up. If you can find a way for us to meet up outside of work, then I’m okay with resuming where we left off before.”

My departure from Paulo’s company is a bit abrupt, but Sarah is trying to attract my attention from across the room. I promptly go over to where she is standing.

“Caitlin needs your services as a dominatrix downstairs,” says Sarah. “Go and change into your leathers and report to Caitlin. And Jasmine ... play your cards right tonight and Caitlin’s client could prove to be a very profitable source of extra income for you. But remember what I told you the first time we met about knowing when to keep your mouth shut about what you see.”

“Yes, thank you, Sarah. I’ll go and change at once.”

I quickly change and take the back stairs down to the dungeon level. Caitlin is helping out at the bar. The dungeon crowd is smaller than upstairs, but it is still fairly busy. Caitlin comes over to me and takes me into one of the side rooms.

Although I am still new to playing the role of a dominatrix, Caitlin seems pleased with my efforts so far. I’ll admit that the role eases my pent up anger at the inequality in Argon society. And the extra money it earns me is welcome, and encourages me to develop my skills further.

What I told Paulo wasn’t entirely true. Access to the Black Cat’s dungeon is restricted to the club’s premium members, and even staff access is limited to a select few. Quite how I was designated as one of the few was a mystery to me at first. Eventually Sarah admitted to her involvement in that decision after she saw how I handled wearing the Jewels of Desire during the Argonaut. This will be the tenth session I’ve run as a dominatrix. Two of my clients have returned for a second session, although it’s too early in my career to call them regulars.

Caitlin takes me to one side and hands me some extra items to complement my outfit. A leather paddle and handcuffs are placed in a black leather bag along with a few lengths of rope. My rope tying skills are still work-in-progress, but I can handle a few basic restraints. My outfit is finished off with a black leather mask covering much of my face.