The Venus Fix

Eighty-Seven

Blythe couldn’t take her eyes off Stella. The woman was a legend. A fearless fighter for women’s rights. She’d almost starved to death for her principles. It had given Stella the aura of someone who would stop at nothing. And then she’d taken on Global Communications, hacking into their computer systems so she could contact the women who did Web-cam work and offer to help them get jobs outside of the porn industry. Blythe had gotten one of those letters, as had some of her friends. And Stella had helped some of them. Before she got sued. But even that had made her into more of a cult hero.

So, if Stella wanted Blythe to do the interview in her old costume, she would. But it was still strange. Blythe felt the feathers tickle her behind the ear. The smooth, silky sensation made her blood run hotter. She felt a thrill deep in her stomach. The instant reaction scared her. It was like stepping backward. The way she felt just holding a cigarette, knowing she wanted one but wouldn’t have one because she never wanted to go through the pain of quitting again.

“I was hoping you’d indulge me. That you’d return to your character, become the woman you were online. A Venus hiding behind a mask, willing to spread her legs and show her audience anything they asked for.”

Blythe didn’t know Stella well enough to be sure, but it sounded as if her tone was tinged with contempt. And yet, why would Stella be angry with her? She watched her carefully. Stella’s mouth was dry. There were deep circles under her eyes, rings of sweat on her red blouse. Something was wrong. Or was she overreacting?

Morgan had told her more than once that she had strong instincts and that she should trust them and rely on them. That it would help her with patients.

Stella pulled a thermos out of a shopping bag, along with two paper cups. “It’s hot chocolate. The theater gets so cold. I thought it would help warm us up.”

She handed a cup to Blythe.

Nothing was wrong. It was her imagination. It was this spooky old theater. The hot chocolate was delicious.

Stella turned on the Web cam, sat down opposite her and began the interview.

She started with the easy things: how much Blythe made, what hours she worked, when she’d begun.

Blythe answered all three questions and then yawned. “I’m sorry.”

Stella smiled. “Did you ever think about what kind of effect your work was having on younger men? On boys who weren’t even sexually active yet?”

“Effect? Sure. I was turning them on. It was safe and harmless.”

“You were setting up an impossible goal, weren’t you?”

That edge was back in Stella’s voice. “I’m not sure I understand,” Blythe said. She was slumping in her chair, she really was tired.

“You made it so easy for the boys. Just lie back and let me make you hard. Let me act out your fantasy. You don’t have to even think about me. I’m not real. I have no feelings. Do you understand how that affects young men?”

Blythe didn’t know what to say. She had talked about these issues with Morgan, but Morgan was her supervisor. She didn’t know if she wanted to talk about those things with Stella. Especially if it was going to be in a book. “This isn’t what I expected you were going to talk to me about…I thought this had something to do with working my way through school…” Her voice sounded thick in her own ears.

Stella got up and walked around Blythe’s chair and stood behind her. Blythe tried to turn, but her body was moving too slowly. Before she knew what was happening, she felt Stella’s arms reach around her waist, grab her by the wrists and pull her arms backward.