Chapter 2

“You know I’m all for that.” Cisco put down his cup shuffling his papers, taking out a brochure. “Here look.” He handed it over to Bear. “This is the brochure for the oncology wing. It will give our area excellent local treatment for even the worst cancers instead of forcing the patient to travel to Philadelphia, North Jersey or New York. If everything goes as planned, North Jersey and New York will come to us.”

“This looks good, lots of pictures and just enough information.” Bear passed the brochure to Reed.

“Not having to travel was a big selling point to the donors,” Reed said. “I remember when my mother had cancer; the trip to get treatment was as onerous as the treatment itself. Besides, as the state capitol, Trenton should have a top-notch medical facility. Change of subject…are you going to the club tonight? Bear and Brian will be there as well as me and my boy.” Reed made a face as he took another sip of coffee. “Swill…” he muttered.

Cisco shrugged his shoulders. “I wasn’t planning on going to the club tonight.”

“We have two new service subs in addition to a couple of new submissive members. You might have some luck finding a boy of your own.” Bear pushed.

“I haven’t had any luck so far…” Cisco took the brochure back from Reed. “I’ll get copies made for distribution.”

“You never know what you might find at the club, you should definitely check out the new crop.” Bear persisted, giving Reed a sidelong look.

Cisco looked puzzled. “You said paid members. You really have subs that pay for membership?”

“Sure. The service subs are for general use by the membership and they play with all of the unattached Doms until they receive a contract offer. They’re hired by the club. The subs who buy membership are looking for a relationship not a sugar daddy. They are more discriminating and are not obliged to play with any Dom that asks.” Bear said.

Cisco, looking interested, tapped his pencil on the table.

Bear continued, “You’ll have better luck with a one who pays for membership. Although subs get a discounted rate because most clubs are Top heavy, you know a sub that pays for the privilege is really into the lifestyle and bound to be more into pleasing his Dom.”

Reed finished his coffee. “Bear’s right. A submissive that pays for membership isn’t a poser. These guys are legitimately into the lifestyle.”

“And the new subs are going to be there tonight?” Cisco’s ears turned red at the tips signaling to Bear his embarrassment at discussing such a personal topic at the hospital.

“I can guarantee that the new subs will be there tonight. We always introduce new members on the first Friday of the month. Bull Raleigh assures me that both the new members and the service subs have successfully finished their training. Bull always trains off-site so that the subs are ready to service Doms as soon as they arrive at the club.” Reed put his coffee cup in the trash and stood, ready to leave. “Of course our sub training is just on protocol, the individual Dom and sub discuss their particular needs when they draw up a contract. As you know the training to be a Dom is much more extensive.” Bear pushed in his chair.

“Do you know any of the new subs personally?” Cisco asked Reed.

“That’s not information Reed can release outside the confines of the club. If you want to find out, you’ll have to show up tonight.” Bear interrupted while putting one of his arms in the sleeve of his overcoat.

“Well, depending on how things go here, I might see you there.” Cisco picked up his appointment book.

“For Christ sake, Cisco, you don’t need to be here for every crisis. That’s why the board hired you an assistant. You’re going to drop dead of a heart attack if you don’t slow down.” Bear made his point, loudly, heading toward the door as he knotted his scarf. Cisco looked over his book.

“Okay, I’ll try to be there around eight, so stop being a pain in my ass. However, the new oncology department head arrives this afternoon and I need to get him settled in. He comes from Mass General. Getting him down here was a real coup.”

“Wasn’t he the one with the husband who got a teaching job at The College of New Jersey? That’s quite a comedown from Harvard.” Reed said wrapping his scarf around his neck.

“He had a problem at Harvard; he didn’t make tenure, so he came here. I believe Dr. Middleton said something about a stint in rehab for drugs and booze.”

“Interesting,” Bear commented as he put on his gloves.