A Black and White Auction

After dinner and dancing, the stage was cleared and a small pedestal was placed under a spotlight as the house lights dimmed.  I had been dancing with William and didn’t realize what was happening, or who was missing from our table.  The room was quiet but you could hear whispers everywhere as the MC walked to the spotlight and raised the microphone to speak.

“Our first sale is going to start with a minimum bid of $1 million.”  He went on to describe the woman who was walked out from behind the curtain, naked except for her leather collar.  A leash was attached to the collar and in the hand of one of the attendants.  I didn’t hear anything else the MC said as I realized that the woman was from our table.  I glanced at the man who brought her, sitting and watching with no visible emotion.  I looked back at the stage just in time to see her step onto the pedestal.  The attendant stayed off to the side and slightly behind her, but the leash stayed attached to her collar as he raised his hand to allow some slack.  I was completely mesmerized by the sight of this gorgeous woman on display, ready to be auctioned to the highest bidder.  I have never been more excited.  I have never been more envious.

 “I’m surprised they started with such an attractive specimen,” William said to the table.  He nodded slightly to the woman’s owner, who returned the gesture without expression.  “Usually they start with someone a little less desirable, but Vera is magnificent.”

My heart fell.  William didn’t look at me.  I turned back to the stage, fighting tears.  The bidding was already at $2 million.  I tried to hide my disgrace by leaning toward William and whispering in his ear.  I was surprised at the amount of money that was about to change hands.  He ignored me and then he raised his hand and bid for her.

“Two million, five hundred thousand.”

At once I realized that this was the test William had warned me about.  I didn’t know if he was a serious bidder, but coming in as late as he did, and with such a jump in his offer over the previous bidder, I could only assume that he was very serious.  I was nearly delirious in my pain and humiliation.  I felt like everyone in the hall was staring at me, wondering why the man who brought me would bid such an outrageous amount of money for the first woman offered at auction.  What must everyone be thinking? 

I was about to find out.