In the few days Agatha had been working in the mansion, she had been doing fine for herself. Much of her time was eaten up by attending to phone calls inquiring about whatever business or social event either Mistress or her Majesty was organising, as well as writing or redirecting emails, and trying to stay vigilant to attend to her Mistresses.

Agatha’s own appearance had been dramatically changed thanks to the new uniform provided by Mistress. She had to admit, she understood now why tailored clothing was so good. She had never, ever, owned clothes that fit this perfectly.

Her pristine white blouse flattered her modest chest nicely, buttoned with silver and pearl buttons and covered by a black pinstripe vest. The tight black pencil skirt was something to get used to, but the gentle compression was starting to become more comfortable than not. The makeup had been adjusted, her foundation changed to a much higher quality one which better suited her skin tone. And her hair was in a perfect tight bun tied back with a black ribbon, and though she was still somewhat embarrassed by her high widow's peak she felt that the whole ensemble helped it look much more refined.

Her tights had been replaced with sheer black cuban heeled stockings held up by a lacy garter belt, and her shoes were bright and shiny white stiletto heels. She was still trying to get used to walking in them, but as she was sitting most of the time it was mostly a matter of letting her feet adjust to the steep angle – less extreme than the heels of her Mistress. Even the sound they made was subtly different but wholly distinct from Mistress’ own when she walked through the mansion.

Agatha wondered how that had been accomplished by the designers, but then felt something nuzzling against her leg.

Looking down, she spotted a figure she had noticed snooping around once or twice in the lobby, usually hiding behind low furniture thinking that Agatha couldn’t see her. One of the maids had explained that this was Lisa, one of the Mistresses’ slaves. She tended to hang around more often than not, even when the Mistresses weren't around, but she still came and went as she pleased. They told her she was a cat, so in Agatha's mind she treated her like one, using her long fingernails cut to almond points to delicately scratch at her scalp to grateful purrs and mewls.

Agatha knew she wasn’t especially supposed to interact with the playthings, but Mistress wouldn’t be around until her 7:45 am chauffeur arrived to escort her to the city headquarters office, so she had about eight minutes to spare. Besides, she couldn't resist cats. They were just too cute.

‘Good kitty,’ Agatha smiled absent-mindedly.

‘Meow~! Thank you,’ Lisa purred.

Agatha’s eyes widened as she was taken aback, drawing her hand away suddenly, ‘Wait, you talk?’

Lisa scoffed, ‘Of course I talk, stupid! I just have to meow a lot because of those Mistresses,’ she huffed again before flicking her eyes around the room and her voice dropping into a low register, ‘Between you and me, you should get out while you still can. Before they mess with your head like they did to me.’

‘Uh … uh huh?’

‘Great, you wanna help me out? Come on, we can get out of here together!’

The corner of Agatha’s mouth tugged in thought. She’d also heard that Lisa was a brat, though learning that she was able to actually talk like a person instead of being “just a cat” was somehow not what she was expecting. And then again whatever scheme Agatha might let herself get embroiled in if she followed along with Lisa would probably get her into some degree of trouble, and she needed the job.

Besides, couldn't Lisa already leave any time she wanted?

‘Hey, are you listening to me, meow?’

‘Yeah I am, I am,’ Agatha placated, ‘So what, they messed with your head? Like conditioning or hypnosis?’

‘Yeah, exactly!’ she gasped, ‘How do you know about that? Are you in on this?’

‘No I,’ Agatha muttered, rubbing the back of her neck, ‘I just practise on myself.’

‘Then you can fight them!’ Lisa said, leaping to put her front paws – er, hands – onto Agatha’s lap, ‘Come on, use your mind powers for good, you can take ‘em!’

Agatha put a hand to stroke her chin. As much as she’d like to think she was a good hypnotist, she got the feeling that whatever level she was on was nowhere near either of the Mistresses, she was sure enough of that. And besides, entertaining this any more would likely result in her getting caught by Mistress, who was due in about two minutes.

However, it would be extremely gratifying to get this cat into a little trouble.

‘You know what,’ Agatha said slyly, ‘I probably could take them. Maybe both at once! They’re nothing compared to me.’

‘Yeah! They’re nothing!’

Agatha scoffed with mock haughtiness, careful to keep her voice quiet enough for only Lisa to hear, although Lisa, in her excitement, was absolutely echoing around the lobby.

‘You know what, I bet their defences are so weak since they’re only ever hypnotising other people, I bet even you could hypnotise them.’

Agatha heard the tapping of Mistress' heels getting closer and she leant back into her chair, preparing to pass Mistress her daily agenda.

‘Yeah! I bet I could totally hypnotise Mistress and her Highness!’ Lisa cheered with excitement.

The tapping of heels suddenly stopped, ‘What was that, little kitty?’

Predictably, Mistress’ voice sounded like envenomed ice. And though it would have chilled Agatha to her most delicate gizzard were it directed at her, now it only filled her with mischievous nirvana.

Lisa couldn't help but give a meek little meow as Agatha stood up, her Mistress’ daily schedule in hand.

‘Here you are Ma’am, apologies if there’s anything missing here. I’ve been trying to keep the cat from bothering me but it hasn’t left me alone all morning,’ she said, proffering the schedule to the Mistress while indicating to Lisa with her other hand, ‘I’m really sorry, I didn’t know how to make her stop without calling for you, and I didn’t want to waste your time.’

Lisa’s immediate expression of total betrayal was absolutely worth it.

Mistress’ voice dripped with playful malice, ‘Really now. And to think after all this time you're still doing this bit?’

Lisa stammered, a thousand words trying to come out at once, ‘It’s not true! She di-’

‘I don't want to hear it,’ Mistress snapped, snatching the schedule from Agatha’s hand, ‘I have an extremely important meeting in fifteen minutes. When I get back, I want to find you already locked in your cage in the dungeon.’

Lisa wailed and protested, but her pleas were ignored and unheard. It filled Agatha’s heart with giddy glee. But it was swiftly moulded into fear when Mistress turned to stare down at her.

‘And, if I find out that she is telling the truth – for once – then we will be having a very serious discussion about what does and does not define my property, miss Avery.’

Somehow Agatha already felt a cold sweat breaking out as she yipped her response, ‘Y-yes Ma’am.’

Barely a few moments later, Mistress had left the lobby and was already in the car of her chauffeur.

Agatha breathed a sigh of relief as she looked down to Lisa, still gawking on the floor.

‘You- you-!’ she said, gagging in anger and surprise.

‘Me,’ Agatha leered down at the sputtering plaything, ‘Why don’t you run along and leave me to my work, little kitty? I’m a very busy person, you know. I’m sure I could find all sorts of ways to get you in trouble if you keep pestering me.’

Lisa hissed and scampered away, disappearing into one of the many adjoining rooms. Agatha couldn’t help but cackle at the whole situation. It was absolutely ridiculous; she felt positively evil and relished in it.

It was only as she sat down that she realised she’d just driven away the one person she’d most consistently seen over her working days, aside from her always-stern Mistress.

During one of her breaks, Agatha wandered towards one of the libraries on the manor grounds. If she couldn’t use her phone and couldn’t write in her journals – the previous ones she had written had all since been confiscated by her Mistress – she could at least read a book. And though she had her own collection of volumes, enough to fill a few shelves which she’d needed to requisition, a part of her was curious as to what these two indulgent women would read all day. Likely contenders in her mind seemed to be The Story of O, though perhaps nothing as pulpy as Gor or as trashy as Fifty Shades of Gray.

It was as she stepped carefully across the library floor, wincing slightly at the bruises left by that over-starched fop of an etiquette instructor, that she noticed a gentle humming and the turning of pages.

Peeking around a bookshelf, she saw it was her Majesty, reclining on a chaise lounge with a fabric-bound book in hand, her other swirling a crystalline martini around a glass that appeared to be made of light itself, radiant as it was caught in the late afternoon sunlight. Agatha was about to duck away to leave her Majesty to her reading before her voice caught her.

‘Wait. Come here a moment.’

Not wanting to rile this woman’s temper, Agatha pensively stepped forward, giving a practised curtsy before she spoke.

‘I’m sorry to have disturbed you, your Majesty.’

The woman gave a good-natured titter as she closed her book, ‘Don’t be silly. I’m not upset with you. I’d rather hoped to have given you a better first impression of me but,’ she took a moment to centre herself, ‘That was something rather unexpected for all of us. So, why don’t we start over again? I am one of the Mistresses of the house, and though my name is Diana you may refer to me as “Highness” or “Majesty.” Now, your name?’

‘Agatha Avery, your Majesty,’ she bowed, ‘It is a pleasure to meet you properly.’

‘As it is to you,’ she smiled, ‘Why don’t you sit and talk with me for a while? I can get so awfully bored whenever my love is away, especially considering our new arrangements with our slaves. I seem to have a lot more time alone, so some conversation would be welcome. Clara and Precious are always eager to give their time, but are poor conversationalists.’

‘O-of course your Majesty,’ Agatha said, rubbing her neck somewhat nervously, ‘Though I must be back at my desk before my break is over.’

‘Oh? And you would ignore a direct order from a Mistress you swore to serve?’ Diana asked with a sly grin, though Agatha could tell her words carried a weight of seriousness.

‘N-no your Highness.’

‘Then sit,’ she said, indicating to the other end of the chaise lounge as she moved her legs from it, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t bite. I reserve that for only my slaves.’

Agatha sat demurely, feeling an imagined prickle at her shoulder, keeping her toes pointed together and thighs compressed. Internally, she was panicking. She had no idea what she was meant to talk about. How was she supposed to entertain this woman? What did she want from her?

‘So, what books do you find most stimulating?’

The question rattled Agatha from her nervousness a little, ‘Uh, books, your Highness?’

‘What, have you forgotten what you’re surrounded by?’ she scoffed, ‘Don’t be so dull as to make me repeat myself.’

‘Y-yes your Highness. I just … must admit I am still somewhat nervous to be in your presence,’ Agatha stammered, ‘I’d have to say I’m most interested in the fantasy genre. There’s something about it that carries something, well, magical with it.’

‘Really? Do go on,’ she said, her tone betraying quickly growing boredom.

‘I mean, beyond just the mystery of spells and monsters and impossible places, there’s an emotional sincerity to it, even beyond the inherent romanticism,’ Agatha said, her passion slowly seeping through as she spoke, ‘There’s a lot of power in the sincerity of emotion and words and thoughts. Sometimes, something like an emotion or concept can feel more true and strong when it's wrapped in an emotionally woven fabric of fantasy. It’s something I’ve tried to … draw out of myself, I suppose.’

Her Highness' face inclined in new curiosity. Perhaps this receptionist wouldn’t be so jejune as the last one.

‘How so?’ she inquired.

Embarrassment began to trickle through over Agatha again, ‘Well, I’m not very good at it, but I’ve spent quite some time practising hypnosis. Mostly on myself, though.’

That certainly got her Majesty’s attention, as she put down her glass.

‘It’s a pretty delicate state,’ Agatha continued, ‘But I can get myself into a changed headspace, transform myself into something new and … and spectacular,’ she smiled, though her words turned to sighs, ‘But more often than not the real world just, breaks back in and reminds me who I really am.’

Her Majesty gave a sympathetic sigh, ‘And who are you, really?’

‘You know, I’ve wondered that a lot, your Majesty,’ Agatha shook her head, ‘I know I am a writer, and I could never imagine myself as anything else in my future. But it’s always felt like life has conspired to take that away from me. That every decision I’ve made for myself has been one degree of failure or another. It's hard to trust my own thoughts much of the time. I’ve so often wondered if I hadn’t clung to the one decision I’d made so early in life – to be a writer – who would I have become? How might other people have made decisions for me? Would I even still be myself? Would I even be a woman, still?’

A look of warmth and understanding crossed her Majesty’s face, ‘Oh, so you’re transgender too?’

Agatha blinked in surprise as she looked to her superior, ‘Too, your Majesty?’

She gave a soft, musical laugh. Agatha could feel herself redden more in her embarrassment.

‘Oh you really are a funny little creature,’ she mused, ‘Charming and silly. Like a clown.’

Agatha’s mouth gaped, literally no response available in her brain to give. Literally every option felt incorrect to say.

Diana stretched luxuriantly as she stood.

‘Still, I suppose I mustn’t keep you. You do, after all, have a door to guard.’

‘Y-yes, your Majesty.’

‘Still,’ she said, turning her head back, ‘I’m something of an accomplished hypnotist myself. If you’d like some instruction or guidance, I’d be happy to oblige you.’

Agatha felt a suspense string itself like spiderwebs inside her chest, each syllable plucking a different chord. She remembered Lisa’s warning, but coming from one of their slaves who’d been with them for years – and clearly had some bratty tendencies to boot – perhaps she should take that with some salt.

‘I would be honoured, your Majesty.’

The regal lady gave a nod of understanding before collecting her book, leaving her glass behind as she sauntered off to some other corner of the obscenely spacious mansion.

As Agatha was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Diana stepped back for another last thought.

‘Oh and, Agatha?’

‘Yes your Majesty?’

‘Perhaps it would be best if you don’t antagonise our property too much. We’ll let it slide this once, as it was rather funny to watch someone beat Lisa with her own trick. But don’t make a habit of it, alright little jester?’

‘How did-’ Agatha exclaimed before catching herself, ‘I mean, yes your Majesty. It won’t happen again.’

The woman gave one last wicked smile before disappearing into the depths of the mansion.

The next day wasn't anything too special. Agatha didn't see Diana again, and for the most part things were very quiet around the mansion. No sign of Lisa, either. No doubt because of her threats towards her, like some idiot.

It was honestly a little eerie to see the mansion so quiet despite knowing that it was filled with servants, the lobby empty save only for Agatha and the thoughts inside her head.

So a it came as a not totally unwelcome surprise when the front door nearly slammed open as Mistress strode through, almost yelling down her phone as she crossed the lobby floor in seconds. Agatha could barely catch what she was saying through her shock, but it sounded like Mistress was volcanically upset.

Agatha felt like her blood flow reversed for a brief moment when her Mistress' eyes snapped onto her.

'Agatha,' she breathed, her phone tilted away from her mouth, 'Finish what you are doing and get in the car outside. Now.'

Agatha didn't even have time to respond as Mistress strode past to somewhere deeper within the mansion. Knowing that a reason for what was happening wouldn't come until later – and that saying no would likely get her fired – she packed what things she had and walked out to the waiting car. It was as she was about to open the car door that Mistress rushed from the mansion behind her, a brushed steel suitcase in her hands as she continued to lambast whoever was on the other side of the phone.

By the time Mistress was done with her call the car was already well away from the mansion, and she looked like she was resisting the urge to throw the phone out of the car window.

'One day I wish that whoever is organising these meetings would actually schedule it properly, rather than assuming there is only one time zone in the entire world,' she breathed.

Agatha nodded wordlessly. Having had to book a lot of medicals across her home country, she knew well the pain that confused clinics and impatient clients could bring. Mistress straightened her blazer and turned to Agatha.

'You'll be taking minutes for this meeting. As it's a teleconference with a translator there may be some delay, so you'll have time to take notes.'

'Y-yes Ma'am,' Agatha muttered quietly.

'Is something the matter?' she snapped, 'Speak up.'

'Well I,' she began, 'Do you really think I can do this?'

'If you were incapable, I wouldn't have hired you,' she said sharply, Agatha's form shrinking in response, 'This may be quite sudden and you're new to your role. But you are capable of this. Whatever you may feel you lack isn't worth your attention right now.'

Agatha nodded, hands holding her knees tightly. She just hoped Mistress was right.

'And though it may not need stating,' she continued, 'I would strongly suggest you not call me "Mistress" in the office. This scheduling mishap has been enough of an embarrassment."

The teleconference was to take place at the head offices of what seemed like Mistress' company, a huge clothing brand. Not that Agatha had many garments from their range, as most of her own clothes were bought second-hand. That was how she preferred it anyway. Not only were some of the things you bought much longer lasting and had their own histories, but they tended to be cheaper and better quality. The only downside was sometimes things had a funny smell to them.

The office was packed, even late into the afternoon. It seemed that though there were a lot of people working nine to five, many others came and went based on rostered shifts. As Agatha and Mistress had walked in, a number of people from all manner of departments passed reports or files to her, which were quickly handed off to Agatha as they both attended the priority teleconference.

The meeting itself was uninteresting for the most part. Jasmine's conversation with the dour-faced businessmen she spoke with was courteous, but mostly regarding fiscal accounts, seasonal trends, specifics about advertising firms and what new store branches had been performing most optimally. Most of it was meaningless information to Agatha, but dutifully she let what she heard from the translator pass through her head and hands, and into the word processor on her computer screen.

"Acceptable" was the word Mistress had used to describe the notes that Agatha had managed to write down. After Mistress had looked over her notes and made a few alterations, she had it printed out in her office and told Agatha to have it photocopied, distributed to several internal departments, and to have extra copies dated, stamped, and filed for the archive.

By the time most of these things were done, Agatha had been in the copy machine room for at least an hour. She was just about ready to scream before the door opened. Agatha turned to see a man – likely late twenties – wearing pre-pressed trousers with a brown belt and leather shoes. The sleeves of his ironed white shirt were rolled up in a cassanova style, with a grey silk tie and his dirty blonde hair slicked back by some sort of matte clay.

'Hey,' he said, 'I'm here for the ad department meeting notes?'

'Oh sure,' Agatha said, finally glad to be interacting with another human being, 'I just finished printing those. Gimmie one sec.'

As Agatha moved over to an adjacent desk to grab the pile for the advertising department, the new guy continued to make small talk.

'So you're working with the CEO? Must be a sweet gig.'

‘It's not bad,' she admitted, 'She's a little stern, definitely. But working for her is definitely better than whatever else I could be doing right now. Honestly, I think I'd still be job hunting.'

'Yeah, she really knows how to pick 'em,' the guy hummed thoughtfully, 'You know, there was this weird rumour I had heard about her.'

Agatha blinked, turning back to the guy, 'Yeah?'

She needed to be careful. If she let anything slip she was going to be in some deep shit. From the clauses she had read in her NDA, the Mistresses did not fuck around when it came to their privacy. Then again, it probably wouldn't be too risky if he was willing to share some gossip on Mistress…

'Yeah,' he said, his tone a little conspiratorial as he got closer to Agatha, 'Word is that she's got some weird personal interests.'

She laughed, probably a little more nervously than she'd intended to sound, 'Ah, I ... wouldn't know anything about that.'

'Is that so?' he asked, stepping even closer now, 'So you wouldn't know anything about, say,' his smile becoming wolfish, 'Pink, pink, pink?'

The guy was grinning expectantly at this point, but Agatha couldn't help but feel confused. Maybe a little embarrassed. 

'Uh, no? Can't say that I do sorry.'

His smile faded quickly as he looked down at the papers Agatha offered to him.

'Oh. All good then. Thanks,' he quickly said.

Without another word he took the collected notes from Agatha's hands and sped out the door, left hanging open in his wake.

Agatha couldn't help but rub the back of her neck in thought. What was with that guy?

She closed the door and got back to photocopying, as there was still the last department to make copies for. It was as she was waiting for the last few pages to come through the printer, wondering why this information couldn't have just been an email, when the door flew open again to reveal Mistress, looking like she was about to snap.

'Agatha,' she said with strained tones, 'The employee from the advertising department. What did he say to you?'

Agatha was a little taken aback, 'Something about pink, Ma'am? Is something the matter?'

A look of barely concealed rage crossed her face before she gave a defeated sigh, crossed the room, and leant against the desk as she began rubbing her temples.

'Did you get his name? Or at least give me a description.'

Agatha described him as best as she could, to which Mistress gave a groan of contempt and frustration.

'Christian. Of course. We've been getting HR complaints about him for a week now. But this is absolutely over the line,' she said, 'Agatha, just forget about whatever he told you. It doesn't concern you in the least, and it certainly doesn't concern him.'

'Yes Ma'am,' she nodded.

Agatha couldn't help but look at her Mistress with worried eyes. She looked like she was about to explode from stress, and knowing how she'd gotten into an argument with her Majesty not long before today, maybe a small suggestion was in order…

'Uh, Ma'am?'

She looked up at Agatha with absolute frustration, 'What.'

Agatha swallowed her nervousness before she spoke again, 'Would you want to go have a drink before going home tonight? It seems like it's been a stressful day, you could use something to relax.'

Mistress was about to open her mouth to protest, but closed it again. She mulled it over for a second, breathed in through her nose and said, 'Fuck it. Fine. After you distribute those copies to the relevant departments, find us a bar. Red wine or cocktails. I'll let Diana know I'll be home late.'

Agatha gave a nod. Mistress stood and brushed off her blazer.

'Now, I have a middle manager to fire.'

Agatha had decided to err on the side of caution and tried to find one of the more upscale wine bars in the city. It was definitely the kind of place she would never have visited even once on her previous salaries.

Claire de Sol was a highly rated wine bar, its nineteenth century decor and styles a kitschy imitation of the modern and romantic styling of the Mistress' own mansion. The patrons here looked like they'd never worked a casual position before in their lives. Candles flickered on the tables as its clientele gathered around with each other for intimate and romantic evenings, lifelong friends who would never see each other again had one last drink, and Agatha sat wordlessly next to her Mistress as she ordered a seven hundred dollar bottle of red. And two glasses.

Mistress gave a very melancholy sigh as she relaxed into the plush seat of the isolated booth they shared, illuminated by a steadily burning candle held within an orb of azure mosaic glass and concrete.

During the car ride to the bar, Agatha had noticed her mood slowly but surely sliding into this depressive state. Admittedly she wasn't sure what to say to her Mistress at the best of times outside of work related matters, but seeing her acting so differently was a little confronting.

'I apologise for what happened between you and Christian,' she suddenly spoke, 'While I am glad that nothing came of it, it should never have occurred in the first place.'

'That's alright Ma'am,' Agatha said, 'Mostly I was just confused about what he was talking about.'

'It was a … mistake,' she stated vaguely, 'While I'm certain those involved with the scene I had set hadn't told anyone, I suppose office gossip has a way of spreading regardless.'

She gave another heavy sigh as the bartender brought their wine, gave a short spiel about its origins – of which Agatha was the only one paying attention to – and a glass was poured for the both of them.

Mistress grasped hers as soon as the bartender was out of sight and drew a heavy sip from it. Agatha was a little more meek in savouring hers.

'I expect it goes without saying you won't tell anyone about this either?' she asked.

'No Ma'am.'

'Good,' she breathed, 'I really don't enjoy having to exert power over people like that. Especially not when it comes to someone's livelihood. I want to build people up, rather than just filling them with fear and expecting them to fall in line. Especially when it comes to my employees. What we do at the mansion is one thing, but at work I don't want those kinds of emotions bleeding over.'

Agatha nodded, not really knowing what to say. By the time she'd gotten halfway through her glass, Mistress had poured herself a second.

'Things have been turbulent over the past few weeks,' Mistress continued, 'Diana and I had thought that granting our playthings leave to come and go as they like would give us some reprieve from all this. Having Clara and Precious stay with us still allows us to show our love for them, but it's not the same love Diana and I share.'

'How so, Ma'am?'

Agatha couldn't help herself. She was genuinely curious and if Mistress wanted to keep talking, that was her decision to do so.

'They're our playthings. We cherish and value them, but ultimately they're our property. Not our equals. I speak only for myself, but I suppose I'm more protective of them than anything.'

She took another sip of wine.

'I still care for all our playthings. Even the ones who … weren't right for us.'

Agatha thought it might be best not to dig too deep into such a vague wording. That was likely a sore topic Mistress didn't need to think about right now.

'I don't believe I've spoken much with either of them,' Agatha said, trying to change the subject, 'Come to think of it, I think I may have only met Lisa in person.'

Mistress gave a small smile. Nostalgic, somewhat wistful.

'We only have Clara and Precious staying with us full time, as I said. Though we have a few more. Our first was Felicity. We took her in, transformed her into a perfectly obedient thing for us. I believe she's working as a freelance artist now. Lisa was the opposite. She did everything we asked of her without hesitation or resistance, so we instilled some more obtuse tendencies amd tenacity into her.'

'She didn't just start out like that?' Agatha gawked. Much to her surprise, Mistress gave a small laugh.

'Oh you should have seen her when she first started bratting. She was so confused at the words coming out of her mouth!'

She couldn't help but laugh at the memory of it. Agatha politely chuckled into her wine. She very much enjoyed the idea of bratting, but there was something that always held her words back when she wanted to push things in that way.

'How long do you think you'll be working with us, Agatha?' Mistress asked, suddenly changing the subject.

Surprised by the question, Agatha couldn't help but give it pause. A lot of the time she had only worked in a job for one or two years, jumping off to the next thing as soon as she had the experience. It wasn't what she wanted to do, of course, but it wasn't exactly viable to focus on her writing career. Now, on the other hand…

'Truthfully Ma'am, I don't know,' Agatha started, 'Having my needs totally taken care of is something I've missed, and, well, even if I'm not meeting a lot of new people I'm at least getting to focus on my writing. So I'm happy to keep working as long as you'll tolerate me.'

'Oh have some respect for yourself,' she said, 'People can do much more than merely tolerate you, Agatha. I would hope you learn to do the same.'

'I can only promise to try, Ma'am.'

Mistress gave her A Look, but made no further comment.

'Tell our driver to start the car. It's time I go home,' she said, draining the last of her glass.

'Yes Ma'am,' Agatha nodded in response as they both rose from the booth. Agatha took in the luxurious bar around her as her Mistress went to the bathroom. Were it not for the extreme wealth of her employer, Agatha likely would have never gotten the chance to visit a place like this. She wondered if she ever would again, if she left her service.