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Whether the Civil War, World War II or the Iraq War, it can be challenging to face how conflict penetrates the psyche of a nation and surfaces in the nuances of life.  There are thousands—if not millions—of individuals who indulge in fantasies others would deem perverse that have their nascence in some of the darkest moments of human history.  It is possible someone you know pays a person to dress like a German Nazi to treat them like a “dirty Jew”, or to force them to pick cotton off the floor like a slave.  
An S&M dungeon is a place where these individuals act out such taboos.  Businesses that operate to meet their needs are often hidden, but they do exist and are typically legal.  The clients want to remain confidential for fear of ostracism in their respective communities.  As Sigmund Freud wrote, "Anyone who has violated a taboo becomes taboo himself because he possesses the dangerous quality of tempting others to follow his example." 
Last week Wikinews published the first in a two part series on the BDSM business: an interview with Bill & Rebecca, the owners of Rebecca’s Hidden Chamber.  This week we publish the second part: an interview with three dungeon employees, Mistress Alex, Mistress Jada and Mistress Veronica.  In their world, BDSM is a game, a harmless pursuit of roleplaying exercises that satiate the desires of the tabooed.  These Dominatrixes are the kind of women men fantasize about, but they all look like they could be babysitting your children this Saturday night.  Most likely, they will not be.
Mistress Alex has a distinctive sheen when David Shankbone walks into the room.  Her moist skin cools quickly from the blow of the air conditioner she stands in front of.  Just having finished an hour and a half session, she is dressed in a latex one-piece skirt and matching boots.  Mistress Jada, a shapely Latina dressed in red, joins the conversation and remains throughout.  When Alex needs to tend to a client, Mistress Veronica, who looks like she would be as comfortable teaching kindergarten as she would "tanning a man's hide", takes over for her.  
The interview was neither sensational nor typical, but what you read may surprise, repulse, or even awaken feelings you never knew you had.  Below is David Shankbone's interview with three Dominatrixes.    
David Shankbone:  How did you get started as an S&M Mistress?
DS:  Does BDSM turn you on?
DS:  Outside of work is it something that is an interest of yours?
DS:  Did it start out that it was a turn-on and then you just moved on?
DS:  True; tomorrow I’m talking to a Presidential candidate and the President of the ACLU. 
DS:  Maybe not as much as you think! [Laughs]
DS:  So BDSM is something that you had a curiosity about, experienced it, you realized you had a talent, and made it into a profession?
DS:  How did you start, Jada?
DS:  Was it an S&M relationship?
DS:  Is that why things were going down the toilet, because he had that desire and he wouldn’t express it?
DS:  So he learned not to express it and that caused him to not communicate…
DS:  And he just assumed you were somebody who—
DS:  So here you were thinking he hated you, but really he just had—
DS:  Are you still with him?
DS:  Had you ever done explored BDSM before, or was it a new thing for you when he expressed it?
DS:  How long ago was that?
DS:  And how long have you been doing this, Alex?
DS:  How long do you see yourself doing this?
DS:  I’m very much the same way.
DS:  How long do you see yourself doing this, Jada?
DS:  It’s open-ended, but you do see it coming to an end at some point?
DS:  What would be a typical request?
DS:  What happens in a foot worship session?
DS:  Are your reactions scripted by them, such as whether you act disgusted or happy?
DS:  What do they talk about with you?
DS:  Do you feel like therapists?
DS:  [Laughs] That’s okay.
DS:  Do you ever get bored listening?
DS:  Is it pretty obvious when they are not being honest with you?
[Rebecca comes in and tells Alex she has a client for her to meet, so she has to leave shortly]
DS:  That you are going to help him.  
DS:  The people who see you, it does help them.
DS:  Are they typically embarrassed when they first start coming in here?  
DS:  Depending on their experience or their comfort level?
DS:  How do you make them feel comfortable?
DS:  What do you think in your own histories has made you so non-judgmental?
DS:  Alex, do people ever come in with fantasies that are Iraq War-related.
DS:  Like veterans?
DS:  So you were saying you have war-related?
DS:  Does that make you feel uncomfortable?  Are there some times where you are like, “I don’t want to punish the Jew.” 
DS:  With experiences like that, do you experience personal growth and contend with your own hang-ups or why certain things bother you?
DS:  Can you given an example?
[Rebecca comes in and asks if we will leave The Blue Room for Alex’s session and go to The Gold Room to continue the interview]
DS:  Is it important for you to know the motivations of the clients?  
DS:  Can you give an example?
DS:  Like what?
DS:  How would you treat that person differently than someone who is coming here for the pleasure or the thrill of it?
DS:  What would be a point where you didn’t feel comfortable with the session?
DS:  In both of those situations, how would you handle it?
DS:  Do you give them absolution?
DS:  What do you do when someone gets angry?
DS:  Do you ever act as a Sub?
DS:  Do you feel comfortable as a Sub?
DS:  There is never sex involved?
DS:  But almost always masturbation?
DS:  Have you ever felt threatened during a session?
DS:  Any particular reason why?
DS:  Have you noticed a difference here at Rebecca’s?
DS:  [Laughs]  If you were to give advice to a woman who was looking at becoming a Mistress, what would you say?
[Veronica comes in to join the interview]
DS:  We were talking about advice for young women looking to become Mistresses.  
DS:  Can a person who has no experience really just jump into it?
DS:  So I guess someone with some experience, because a person with no experience would probably fail utterly, right?
DS:  That was one of the things Jada and I were talking about earlier: if someone comes in and says, “Treat me like I’m a dirty Jew” or “Treat me like I’m a bad slave” is it difficult for you to bring yourself to that level?
DS:  You intellectualize it.  So you were able to treat him like a slave?
DS:  You made him pick cotton off the floor?
DS:  What if someone wanted to treat you that way?  If you were Jewish…
DS:  What is your ethnicity, Jada?
DS:  So if someone wanted to treat you like a dirty wetback, you’d be able to go with that?
DS:  Who is Mental Dental?
DS:  Do you also think you find out more about yourself in those types of sessions?
DS:  Well, they typically are, right?
DS:  Who wants to do the missionary position their whole fucking lives, kind of thing, right?
DS:  I don’t know if I’ll put that in - it makes me sound like I'm getting into it!   [Laughs]  Maybe I’ll do some photos of you two beating me!  Just for the article!  Just for the article!  [Laughs]
DS:  Have you been asked to carry out any War related fantasies?
DS:  That seems cliché.
DS:  If people come in with post-traumatic stress disorder, are there special considerations?
DS:  Are there places you just won’t go?
DS:  What about physically?
DS:  Have you ever had a session where you felt threatened?
DS:  Have you had to end a session?
DS:  Can you tell me about a time?
DS:  Will you do full nudity?
DS:  Topless?
DS:  Is full nudity uncommon?
DS:  Why do you prefer not to do it?
DS:  What’s the difference between obedience and submission?
DS:  How do you know that line between personal and impersonal in such a personal experience?
DS:  “Oh, I love kittens!”
DS:  Do you think BDSM leads to domestic violence at all?
DS:  Is that one that’s common?
DS:  [Laughs]  Britney Spears didn’t get where she is on her singing talent.
DS:  Are there certain known people who are banned?
DS:  What is some of the literature that is considered classic?
DS:  Are there certain films?
DS:  One of my favorites – David Lynch.
DS:  “Hit me!” 
DS:  What’s a mainstream movie that turns you on?
DS:  Another favorite of mine.  Hoo Hoo!  The hate hoots!
DS:  What about some BDSM films?
DS:  Harmony. 
DS:  Would you do videos?
DS:  And then you’re running for Congress ten years later!
DS:  “Oh, shit, I forgot about that!”
DS:  Are there certain celebrities people have BDSM fantasies about and they want to incorporate them into the session?
DS:  Do you all network amongst yourselves?
DS:  Do you all hang out?
DS:  Are there certain clubs where you all hang out?
DS:  Are you single?
DS:  When you date, do you tell guys what you do?
DS:  Is that a first date conversation?  A third date conversation?
DS:  What kind of reaction do you typically get?
DS:  Because it then becomes about what?
DS:  What do you mean?
DS:  What do women you date say about it?
DS:  Is that a relief?
DS:  How long do you think you’ll do this for?
DS:  Then what do you think you’ll do?

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BDSM as business: Interviews with Dominatrixes