House Call

I stood outside of this woman's apartment, I had met the other day pure chance and after chatting for a bit it seemed we had something in common. Not the same kind of commonality that you'd a have on a date, but something more super natural.

Now here I stood on the top floor of this luxurious apartment complex. Only the riches and meanest sons of bitches could a afford a place like this. Whether that money came legally didn't seem to matter too much to them.

So of course she had the penthouse. Even yesterday I could tell this woman gave little concern when it came to things like morality.

But what does that say about me? I took her up in the offer to come look at this item of interest she had, something only people with “special eyes” could appraise. Perhaps it was my ego or maybe it was the promise of getting paid- I had nothing in terms of funds due to getting fired from my last job.

I stare at the door knob way longer than I really should with fists balled up, like even I knew I shouldn't be here, shouldn't be doing this. To some I might look like an angry boyfriend- or boy toy, that had just been broken up with by this woman… That was if there was anyone else on this floor. It was the penthouse after all. Despite that I still look down the hallway to the elevator, like I was waiting for someone to come out it. Maybe so I could psyche myself out and walk in the same direction and act like I live here. However I'm too broke to live in a place like this, maybe even that person would be able to smell the “poor” on me. Perhaps that smells like the shavings from pennies and rotting Chinese food that's been left in the fridge for over a week. These people probably don't even eat take out Chinese food, they probably would just go to China and eat that shit fresh. Instead I have to settle for Juan at the local Great Wall, but damn can he cook up a good General Tso’s chicken. Better than any Panda Express employee anyways.

I continue to stare at the door unconsciously counting the amount of rings in the laqoured wood door. I wonder how heavy the door is, if it's made out of real or fake wood, wonder how many steamy love sessions took place against it. “No baby I don't hate you, I just hate the thought of you being with another man” Is probably what he said before kissing her and taking it to the bed and getting triple-X rated.

I let out a sigh trying to get over myself for wasting so much time. Who even was Juan or this couple who have an on again off again relationship that I made up in my head. I pull out the key card and swipe the key card to the room and finally opening the door.

Once the door was open it felt like I had walked into Narnia, inside the “room” was the night sky filled with stars unlike the sky outside, beneath my foot was green grass, not that fake turf shit either, actual grass and dirt. In front of me was an Edo period Japanese pagoda, with a small stream running by it at its base. If it wasn't for the tall pagoda, the stars would be the only thing illuminating this place, but the building had lanterns hanging from each corner and tier of the structure. I wasn't sure whether to take my shoes off or not.

That was finally when I saw the woman again standing in front of a cherry blossom tree near that Edo style building.

“I knew you'd come.” She said in a graceful tone, but condescending tone. It was like she was trying to tell me she was beauty, she was grace, and she could also buy my whole being with just the money in her pocket. The worst part was she didn't have any pockets… She wore a red kimono with the sleeves indicating that she was single. Really fitting in with the theme of this place.

“Of course I'd come, not exactly swimming in money like scrooge McDuck.” I shrug before walking closer to her, the dirt shifting and compressing beneath my feet as I do. Assuring me this was all very real. “How much does a place like this cost you?” I saw spinning around see how lively the room was, it was like we were actually outside.

“More than you can imagine then double it.” She giggled, like it was funny, it just left me with envy though. “Come, follow me and we can get right to work.” She began walking toward the pagoda, presumably where this thing was.

“Finally done gloating how much richer you are than me?” I ask, wishing I had even a fraction or a tenth as much money as this woman.

“Depends how good you are in bed.” She giggles “Ive paid men that are good, better than some of my butlers.” She says eyeing me before facing forward “however you're not pretty enough for my taste, your body is too well built and dominant. I don't take orders. Whether it's in the board room or in the bedroom.”

I was hit with all sorts of compliments and insults and confusing remarks that just made me silent. Perhaps that was her plan, but I felt dirty now. I hadn't gotten naked neither this women yet I felt used some how.

Finally I'm brought to the item she wanted me to look at. It was a sword to put it plainly, but the hilt and guard looked strange. First the pommel of the sword was a blue snake head, which ran up to the guard, which was in a V-shape practically hugging against the sword, each end of the guard also had the same snake head on it too. “What is this?” I said confused, thinking it looked like a bad movie prop, but I did feel something from it. It had an aura about it, making it feel as alive as an inanimate object could be.

“Pick up it” She said with a wave of her hands, inviting me to look at it closer. “I'm sure you already feel something coming from it. As do I, but it won't respond to me. I was hoping someone of your talents could make it work.” She explained, before pulling a key out from her sleeve and unlocking the display case it sat on. She opened up the glass and looked at me expectantly.

I picked up the sword and could immediately feel something course through me, it felt foreign but not necessarily weird. The guard began to move, as well as the blade. I wondered if I could control it and began thinking of the shape of a straight sword. The sword popped to the generic shape of a straight sword, still and unwavering like it wasn't just slithering as if it were a real snake. Then I thought of a scimitar, the blade curved and the guard wrapped around itself to bulk up the section where the handle and blade met.

The woman looked impressed, like she never expected the sword to react like this. “I suppose I was missing that swordsmen touch” she chuckled “I suggest you keep it for now. Don't think of it as a gift, but on loan.” Her inner shrewd business woman was coming out. “I'll keep in touch when I need you again whether it be for sexual desires or for appraisal of items such as that one.”

“What?!” I yelled a little flustered, unsure why she would want to play a round of coutis with me, especially after she said I was too bulky for her taste. But when I looked over at her, I realized she was just trying to get a rise out of me. And it worked. I groan, admittedly a little disappointed. She began pushing me to the door with word in hand “Hey careful” I say trying not to cut her or myself before reaching the door.

“I'll keep in touch and your payment should reach your bank account soon. Your bank may call you about how you came in reach wit that money. Just say my name and they'll understand” She threw me into the hall way standing in the doorway.

“Wait how much money did you give me” The mention of male escorts came to mind again, about how she'd pay them ridiculous amounts of money. Was I no different? Also more importantly how did she know my bank details? I sighed, muttering to myself before pulling my phone out and opened my bank account and saw the money. My eyes grew wide, I could feel myself almost faint. “100-” The door slamming in my face abruptly cutting me off, strongly indicating our time for tonight was over.