Cal smiled. “I understand you are very much into eco-friendliness. That’s why I think you will appreciate what I am planning. In fact,” he smiled, “I know you are graduating soon, and perhaps you would like to come work for me. The salary and benefits would be very generous.”
“I’m flattered Cal, but I have no idea what your work actually is,” I smiled as Cal pushed the door to one of the rooms open.
“You will be staying here, in our kitten room,” he motioned.
“Kitten room?” I glanced around the room to see plush carpeting, a furry bed spread, and a few photos of wild cats on the walls.
Cal sidled close to me … so close I could feel his hot breath on my neck. “We call it the kitten room because everything is soft like a pussy … cat.”
“Uh, o-okay.” That was weird, I thought … but then Cal backed away. I must have imagined the innuendo.
“Come for lunch, Beverly.” I was feeling nervous and not that hungry, but when Cal let me into the dining room I changed my mind. The spread was so tasty looking. It was a buffet with an assortment of thick burgers, chicken, roasted vegetables, and yummy looking desserts; a huge spread for just two people.
I piled my plate with a burger and vegetables and sat down. A waiter served us water and another server poured a burgundy wine. Cal took a sip of the alcohol. “A very fine vintage,” he said, allowing the liquid to linger on his tongue. “It pairs nicely with the burger.”
“This burger is delicious!” The hamburger was so flavorful, more so than any I’d ever eaten before.
“It’s the finest, organic, grass fed beef, Beverly. I’m glad you like it.”
“So Cal, tell me about your interest in werewolves?” I asked after swallowing a huge bite of the meat.
“Beverly, I have a lot of ideas in mind, but I have not settled on any yet. Right now I am in the planning stages. But, just think of what you are eating.”
“This burger?”
“Well, not the burger—where it comes from.”
“A cow.”
“And what do you think of, when you think of cows?”
“Umm, an animal used for meat and milk.”
“Exactly—when most people think of cows they think of meat and milk, as you did. But cows have so many other applications. Their blood is used in dyes and medicines. Their hooves are used in pet food, shampoo and wallpaper. The fat is used in chewing gum, crayons, cosmetics, oils and candles; the bones in sugar and glass. Their organs are used in…”
“Stop, stop,” I held up my hand. “I’m not sure I want to know anymore.” I just wanted to enjoy my burger, I didn’t need the nitty gritty details.
Cal pressed on. “Just as there are many uses for cows, I see many applications for the use of werewolves.”
I grimaced. Not fun that he thought of werewolves in the same vein as cows, but I would give him the benefit of the doubt. “What are some of the applications for werewolves you have thought of?”
“One area that I feel there are great possibilities for is security. Bodyguards. I could see werewolf training camps where we train an elite command to guard heads of state, celebrities, star athletes…”
That didn’t sound so bad. I mean, becoming a bodyguard was not my cup of tea, but I could see where some of the more aggressive wolves might enjoy protecting people and getting paid for it.
“What else?” I asked as I dug into a balsamic roasted mushroom.
“Well Beverly, you tell me if my next idea will work. You said weremen do it better. What about werewomen?” He narrowed his eyes. “Just how good are you sexually?”
35
I felt my face flush as I remembered my outburst at the WAG meeting. Obviously, everything we had said at the meeting had been shared with Cal.
“And not just you—because I am pretty sure you’d be a hot little number in bed. But what about other werewomen? Is it true they are insatiable? I have in mind safe houses of prostitution. Men could come and indulge in every fantasy with the werewoman of their choice. It could be huge financially.”
“What ... prostitutes?” This was unbelievable. I knew Aimee, Arturo, Lina, and other members of the WAG group would never have dreamt Cal had ideas like this in mind. They thought they were helping him learn about us so he could help us, not hurt us.
“Oh, don’t be a pussy with me, Beverly. We can be open with one another in every way. As I mentioned, I’d like you to come work for me, Beverly. Let’s face it, your grades in school are not the best. As competitive as the job market is, you may have trouble finding a job. But if you work for me, you can help me build an empire. I will reward you with money you could only dream of. And if things work out … I would like much more than just a workplace relationship.”