Part 36 (2/2)
Christ!
And Rob had left her there alone. He wondered if her sudden illness had anything to do with Gabor? Or if-?
What am I saying? Get a grip, Harris!
He stood in the center of the padded cell and took a few deep breaths. It was late, he was tired, and his imagination was having a field day. Kara was at Ellen's. He'd go home himself, get some sleep, and see Kara first thing in the morning to make sure she was all right.
To make sure she was still Kara.
1:35 A.M.
She was in a cab going east on 42nd Street. Kara huddled sick and miserable, limbless and voiceless within her own body, searching for a way out.
”Lazlo died right over there,” Gabor told her, pointing out the window with her finger.
Is that why you brought me here?
”Of course not.”
Then why am I naked under this coat? It's too cold for this sort of thing.
”I've already told you twice: Your taste in clothes is terrible. I'm going to have to buy us a whole new wardrobe. Something with style.”
Kara prayed that was the truth, but she feared he had something else in mind. Something awful.
You won't find anything open at this hour.
”We're not looking for clothes now.”
Then what-?
”Patience, my dear.”
He told the cabbie to pull to the curb and wait, then stepped out onto the sidewalk. She felt the wind run icy fingers up the insides of her thighs... Where are we going Where are we going?
”Straight ahead.”
They were walking toward a brightly lit store. Yellow and white incandescent bulbs strobed deliriously in its smudged and smeared show window, their light racing madly around its border. A neon sign blinked ”ADULT BOOKS” in turquoise while another blared ”PEEP SHOW” in red.
You're taking me there? there?
”Yes. Have you ever been in one?”
Never!
”Then this will be a new experience for you.”
Inside the door was a square room, its walls lined floor to ceiling with p.o.r.no magazines-men with women, women with women, men with men. To the rear was a curtained arch, keystoned with a sign that said, ”PEEPS.” A narrow platform ran across the front of the store, supporting a gla.s.s display case and a cash register. Behind the case stood a portly, short, balding, middle-aged man wearing a greasy Guns n'Roses T-s.h.i.+rt and a two-day stubble. There were two male customers in the store who quickly headed for the back when they saw her.
The man on the platform leaned over the display case and looked down at her.
”Can I help yiz, lady?” he said in a voice like a chain saw.
”I'm looking for a tool,” Kara's voice said as she stared into the dusty display case.
Lined up on the shelves behind the gla.s.s were a good two dozen different models of vibrators and d.i.l.d.os.
You're not serious!
”Hush. I'm choosing.”
”Why fool with a tool when you can have the real thing?” the counterman said, leering through his stubble.
”How about yours? Is your tool available?”
His smile broadened. ”Anytime!”
”Interesting. However, I believe I'll take that one there.”
Kara watched in horror as her finger pointed to a twelve inch pink vibrator formed in the shape of an erect p.e.n.i.s. Gabor could only be buying it for one reason. It made her sick to think about it.
No!
The counterman took it out, wrapped it up after it was paid for, and handed her the package with a lascivious smile.
”Batteries not included.”
”Quite all right. I have plenty at home.”
”Okay. But if dis don't work, come back an' I'll show you da real ting.”
”I just might take you up on that.”
You wouldn't! Kara said as they exited the store.
”I might. Just to teach you a lesson if you prove bad company for me.”
But he's dirty and ugly and probably crawling with diseases!
”Probably. But I can always replace you should you become debilitated by disease.”
The sick helplessness of her position began to weigh more heavily than ever on Kara. But she refused to be cowed.
What kind of monster are you? she said as her body settled again in the back seat of the cab. And what kind of a man wants to be in a woman's body And what kind of a man wants to be in a woman's body?
<script>