Chapter 4: The Berkshires

Plans for Boston Take A Turn

Steve Amundson wanted to shelve the Boston auction. The Washington event had been in too public a place for his taste. Emerson had tried to quietly hustle the ejected guest out of the Shoreham, but he had made a fuss in the hotel lobby anyway. If hotel security had investigated, the whole auction would have been on the front page of every major newspaper in the United States. Word of the auctions was more widespread than he liked. The majority of the attendees seemed to be there only to look. He wanted that genii back in the bottle.

The Ventura matter also bothered him. They had dodged a bullet with Lou’s suicide. In his opinion, that kind of luck couldn’t hold forever. Emerson needed to discover if there were other vulnerabilities. He urged Joan to get Jennifer Carrington on board as soon as possible. He asked Bill to do a deep review of past practices.

Seven girls had already signed up for Boston. Emily had an additional two USC wannabe movie stars ready. The girls were jumpy as it was. Joan wasn’t sure if she could hold them together if the auction were postponed.

Ed promised to limit the invitation list to known bidders. No one would be allowed to bring a guest. Steve was mollified, but still unhappy.

He found a lodge in the Berkshires near Stockbrige, Massachusetts that was used almost exclusively for corporate retreats. The lodge had 60 guest rooms and twelve separate two bedroom rustic cabins. Its advanced security system was designed to provide maximum privacy. The owner and staff had a reputation for discretion. It had a ballroom with a raised stage for a band. Most importantly, it could be rented in its entirety during the week that the eighth auction have been scheduled.

Steve called the owner, Harry Mason, a client of Emerson Consulting and a good friend of Ed Grayson. Harry had also attended one of the early Emerson Services auctions. He was enthusiastic about holding an event at his lodge.

Steve and Ed Grayson flew into Albany rented a car and drove to the lodge the following day. They arrived late afternoon. The receptionist was a petite blond who looked vaguely familiar to Ed. She said that Harry would meet them in the bar after they had checked into their rooms.

After unpacking, they headed to the bar where Harry was waiting. Ed greeted him warmly. Steve shook hands.

“Welcome to Harry’s Hidden Lodge.” Harry turned to the barman, “Drinks are on the house tonight, Just tell Tom what you would like.” Tom stood 6 foot three, with curly blond hair. He looked more like a bouncer than a bar tender.

“Thank you,” said Steve, “I would like some coffee, if you have it at the bar.”

“I’ll have a martini,” boomed Ed. “It so good to see you again, you old rascal. What have you been up to?”

Harry turned to the barman, “Tom, I’ll have a martini too. Have Mary bring our drinks into the library.”

“Gentlemen, our ‘library’ is more comfortable and is completely private. Please, follow me.”

Harry led his guests through a thick oaken door into an adjoining room. The walls were lined with leather bound volumes. Dark walnut paneling gave a Tudor look. A walk-in humidor contained boxes and boxes of cigars. Plush chairs and sofas faced a roaring fire. Alcoves housed additional chairs and sofas behind heavy red velvet curtains that were currently open.

A small door opposite the main entrance opened. Mary, the receptionist entered with a tray of drinks. She placed a martini on the the side table next to Ed. Next, she gave Steve his coffee and handed Harry his martini. “Will there be anything else?” she queried. When no one said anything, she curtsied and left.

“That girls looks awfully familiar.” Ed remarked.

Harry laughed. “You’ve met her before. And, you will get to see a lot more of her after she get off receptionist duty at 7 tonight.”

Ed scrunched his brow trying to recall when and where.

“Don’t worry, Ed.” Harry said. “All will be revealed after dinner. Now, let’s get down to business. As Ed already knows, our lodge does not advertise. We mostly serve corporate clients who are looking to rent the entire facility for a private gathering. Between events, we have a few individual guests who have previously attended one of our corporate events. Walk-ins and other potential guests who have not attended a prior function are advised that the lodge is completely booked. Our staff is screened to assure maximum privacy for our guests.”

The men spent the next few hours going over the details for presenting an auction at the lodge. Steve wanted to inspect the ballroom and employee quarters and the cabins.

Harry asked Tom to give him a tour while he continued to chat with Ed. When Steve returned, he said that everything looked good. Since, it was his plan to limit the bidders to no more than 50, cabins could be set aside for successful bidders. Two cabins would house the girls and keep them separate form the attendees until the night of the auction. Ed and other Emerson staff would use the the remaining rooms in the lodge.

“We will need the lodge for three days, but will rent it for an entire week. Now, what about staffing. We normally provide security and close the auction to the hotel staff. During the night of the auction, you would need to limit your remaining staff to the most trusted employees.”

“No problem,” Harry commented. “As I said, we have held more than a few secret corporate enclaves. My staff understands that they cannot disclose anything that happens here. We can limit the staff if you wish, but it is unnecessary in my opinion”

“Ed, another martini? Steve, are you ready for something a bit stronger?” Harry pushed a red button on his side table. Mary reappeared. “Yes sir?”

“Another round for Ed and me. Steve?”

“I’ll have a Manhattan, please.”

When she returned with the drinks, she curtsied again. “Gentlemen, all the side tables in this room are equipped with a red call button. If you want anything, just press for service.” She turned and left through the small door.

“Harry, where did you find her?” asked Ed Grayson.

“Mary is doing a management internship at the lodge. She is a graduate student at the University of Denver School of Hotel Management. She will join us after dinner and you can get her story then.”

Ed finished his drink, “ I am going to my room to rest up a bit and get ready for dinner. Is there a dress code for the dining room?”

“No. You are fine, dressed the way you are. I have reserved a table for you both at 7:30 pm, but you can go at anytime.” Harry said.

“I think I’ll go up too.” Steve added. “Ed, I’ll meet you at 7:30 in the dining room.

After the two men had left, Harry rang for Mary. She sat across from him as they planned the evening for Ed and Steve. Harry instructed her to close the library to all other guests that night. She asked whether Harry need any additional servers. Harry said no. One of the waitresses from the dining room could be pulled in if necessary.

Mary decided to alert Leslie to be on call just in case. She stood, kissed Harry on the cheek and left to make her preparations. She rang Tom to tell him to close the library to regular guests for the night. Then, returned to the reception desk.

Promptly at 7:30 Ed and Steve entered the dining room. The maitre’d showed them to a table in the center of the room. “Leslie will be your waitress for the evening. If you would like to place a drink order, I will give it to her.” The men ordered martinis.

They could see a few other diners, but the room was largely empty. It was quite elegant for a rustic setting. Each table was covered with starched white linen table clothes. Limoges china settings and Baccarat stemware adorned the tables. In the center, an unobtrusive candle was lit. A middle aged couple occupied one of the side booths. Two men, who looked like they had returned from an arduous hike were seated across the room. The final set of diners appeared to be a grandfather and granddaughter also seated in a booth.

Leslie appeared shortly. She was a stunning brunette with shoulder length hair, long legs, and a radiant smile. She wore a standard white long sleeved blouse that was perhaps a bit too tight. It was accompanied by a black knee length skirt and three inch heels. She placed the martinis before Ed and Steve. “Shall I bring you menus, or would you like to wait at bit?” she inquired.

Ed sipped his drink. “Please give us a few minutes.” he said.

Leslie withdrew.

As soon as Ed finished his martini, Leslie reappeared. “Would you like another?”

“I think we are ready for the menus now.” Steve said.

Leslie returned with menus and placed them before Ed and Steve. Ed asked for a filet mignon with bernaise sauce. Steve wanted the sole meunière. Leslie refreshed the martinis and placed an appetizer on the table. “The food will be ready in about ten minutes. Your meals come with complimentary wine. I recommend a Nuit St. George for Mr. Grayson and a Henri Costal chablis for Mr. Amundson, or I can call our sommelier to make other recommendations.”

“Your choices are excellent. We will go with them.” Steve said. Ed nodded his head. “If you need anything in the meantime just signal me.”

Ed and Steve were finishing their meals when Harry joined them. “How was the dinner?” he asked.

“Worthy of a Michelin star” answered Ed.

“Maybe two.” added Steve.

Leslie returned with the desert menu. Ed patted his belly and rolled his eyes. Steve eyed Leslie up and down before telling her that he too, was full.

Harry followed Steve’s look as Leslie returned to her station. “Leslie is one of our best waitresses.” Harry said. “And she is smoking hot, isn’t she.”

“I have brandy and cigars waiting in the library for you gentlemen.” he continued. “Shall we adjourn there?”

Both men nodded. Steve signaled for the check, but Harry told him that the dinner was on the house. He assured them that he would more than make up for it if they decided to hold the auction at the lodge.

The three men passed through the bar heading for the library. “Tom, our barman, is our sommelier. He chose the wines for your meal. He also doubles as a server in a pinch.”

“Tom, tell Mary that we will need Leslie later. I think Steve may have taken a shine to her.” Harry said.

Steve blushed, but didn’t say anything. Ed inwardly smiled at the comment. It might become an interesting evening.

Once in the library, Harry led them to the walk-in humidor. “We have a sampling of the best cigars. My favorite are the Cuban montecristos, but some prefer Arturo Fuentes. Gentlemen, what your choice?”

The men selected their cigars and settled into the comfortable chairs facing the fireplace. The couch remained empty. Harry pressed the button to summon Mary.

She entered the library through the small door carrying two snifters of cognac. Steve’ jaw gaped open. She was wearing four inch red pumps, black thigh high nylons secured with red garters and nothing else. She handed Harry a snifter and placed one on the side table next to Ed. “Leslie will be here in a minute with your drink Steve.”

Mary curtsied and took a seat on the sofa with her legs folded under her. She looked directly at Ed Grayson. “I met Harry at one of your auctions. That is probably why I look familiar to you. I told him that I was majoring in Business Administration and hoped to get a graduate degree in hotel management. Harry told me about his lodge and some funny stories about its management. We hit it off, but Harry lost the bidding for me. I remember him waving good bye when I went to join my prize winner. That was the last I saw of him until last year when I was interviewing for a hotel management internship as part of my curriculum at DU. I think we were both shocked to find each other across a table. He offered me the job before we even sat down. I will start as a full time Assistant Manager here as soon as I get my degree. This is a special place.”

There was knock at the small door. Leslie entered carrying a silver tray and brandy snifter. She was wearing black pumps, white thigh high nylons, black garters, and a smile. She had rouged her nipples and pussy lips to match her lipstick. She placed the snifter next to Steve and joined Mary on the sofa.

The girls gave each other a quick kiss and turned to face Harry.

“Gentlemen, Mary and Leslie are wearing our standard female staff uniform for private events. All the waitresses and front desk female staff will wear the same uniform throughout your event, if you wish. Additional clothing options are available in our catalog on the table in front of you. You may also vary the options daily or by time of day. You can choose anything from fully clothed formal attire to complete nudity. Our staff is not available for sexual activity with your guests and you will have to make that clear to all attendees. However, both Mary and Leslie are willing to make an exception to that rule for tonight only.”

Steve picked up the catalog and thumbed through it. “May I take this to my room to study?” he asked.

“Of course. Leslie is available to model any and all the uniforms in your room, if you wish.”

“That won’t be necessary. Leslie is one of the most beautiful creatures that I have ever seen. I would love to bed her. But, I need to be thinking with my big head rather than my other one tonight.”

Leslie made a little pout. She rose, went to Steve’s chair, leaned over dangled her breasts in his face before giving him a deep kiss. “If you do decide to book the lodge, that exception will still be open.” she whispered in his ear.

Steve blushed as red as Leslie’s lipstick. He gulped down his brandy. “I think I could use another one.” he said unsteadily. Leslie placed his empty snifter on the tray and departed.

When she returned with his second brandy, she smiled to herself at the tent in his trousers. She handed him the brandy, brushing her breasts against his arm.