"Something personal"

The bus stopped at Sausalitos. We filed out and was told we had "one half-hour" or if we wanted to we could take the ferry back, which of course, wasn't included in the tour. I stretched and felt John undressing me with his eyes. I looked back and smiled. This guy was getting serious. I walked up to a man waiting at a stop sign. John came up behind me and patted me on the rearend. I quickly touched him in the crouch to reaffirm my willingness for copulation. "Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for the post office."

The man pointed to a building.

I said, "Thank you." and walked away.

John said, "Are you expecting mail here?"

I nodded.

"How about we stay here for a bit. We can catch lunch, maybe more." He smirked.

"That would be an excellent idea, let me see what happens at the post office."

"Okay."

"Besides, we'll have several days to conduct ourselves accordingly."

His smiled broadened, I immediately felt vulnerable and disgusted.

We walked into the post office, I left him at the door. "I'll be back, I must do this alone."

"Okay."

I took the key, the one a took from the WINCHESTER house, and walked up to a PO box that had the same number as the key. It was one of the large ones. I slipped the key in and turned it. The door clicked and opened. An attache case was inside. It was made of leather and colored gray, 'my favorite color.' I thumbed the combination 043 786, the numbers from the note, and opened it. The case was filled with money. A note was inside folded. I unfolded it and read it. "One tall, one medium, under twenty-five. If a virgin exist, get that one also."

I was appalled, and outraged and scared. I actually had money in my hands to buy flesh. My hand shook. I looked up over at the door. John was still there, placid by the thought of what he would be getting later. I shuddered at the thought. Was I strong enough to finish what I started? I wanted literally to get up and leave. I wanted this nightmare to end. I wanted too many things. A job has to be done I told myself. 'You became an agent to help people who can't help themselves.' I closed the attache case, locked it, and walked back to John.

"I have to go back."

His smiled disappeared. I grabbed his cheek and forced his face closer to my. "We WILL talk." I said and kissed him passionately. His breath was minted, probably from a spurt of breath mist. After a few seconds I drew away.

"What's the matter?", I said.

"You." He stated.

"Me." I displayed an innocent face.

"Yes, I've never met a woman like you. You're strange and mysterious. I hope I can live up to your expectations." I knew he couldn't. "You have." I whispered in his ear. He pressed close to me and kissed me again. He was forceful, almost hurting.

I broke away. "I think its time we get back to the bus."

He looked at his watch, "You're right, we have about ten minutes."

On our way to the bus we passed a dress shop. There was this beautiful dress in the window. It was iridescent blue, glittering in the window, it was stunning. I hoped it looked as exquisite on me as it did on the dummy. I walked into the store. The door dinked. A sales woman came over to me.

"May I help you?"

"Yes, size 10, that dress outside, gray pumps, size 8, VISA."

She looked dubiously at me. I stared back. After a few seconds, reality snapped her back to earth and she realized I wasn't joking.

She said, "Right away Miss." Grabbed my card and walked to the back. I have a VISA card for five personas in my purse. It took her five minutes.

She came out with a smile on her face and said, "Thank you very much Miss Haggart. I hope you like it."

I took the bag containing my new dress and the receipt. The receipt read, "five hundred fifty three dollars and 43 cents." I had better enjoy it. Vadnez was going to have a cow.

I said, "Thank you." and left.

Once on the bus, my thoughts drifted, drifted to the monsters who were actually running the show. I figured this tour was to be a 'look over' and the meeting place would be the restaurant. We, prospective buyers mingle around, get to know each other, are observed, probably photographed. Our names, and faces are then ran through some giant computer who spits out 'na' or 'yah'. If a 'yah' appears, we proceed as usually, otherwise someone is left out in the cold. I felt certain I could pass any background check from thugs. My job was to collect information, not be a hotshot. It was becoming more and more strenuous to follow my initial orders. This was becoming personal and that in itself may be dangerous.