Leading the way to the door into the back was always fraught with perils. Fortunately the crowd this evening had been well entertained by the floor show, and aside from Bobbie telling them to fave fun and a couple of wolf whistled from tables they passed, there was no serious heckling. At least no-one called out "we know where you're going!" in that annoying sing-song voice that had happened to her on previous occasions. Maria and Marcus were circulating around and would probably have thrown the offender out if it had happened.<br/><br/>Mikie collected the key and pushed through the ominously red and black door with the excerpt from Dante's Divine Comedy painted on it in Gothic script:<br/><br/><div style="margin: auto; overflow: auto; max-width: 400px; padding: 5px;border-top: 20px Solid #000000;border-right: 20px Solid #000000;border-bottom: 20px Solid #000000;border-left: 20px Solid #000000; background: #cc0000; color: #000000; font-family: Lobster Two; font-size: 20px; text-align: center"> Through me you pass into the city of woe:<br/>
Through me you pass into eternal pain:<br/>
Through me among the people lost for aye.<br/>
<br/>
Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:<br/>
To rear me was the task of power divine,<br/>
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.<br/>
<br/>
Before me things create were none, save things<br/>
Eternal, and eternal I endure.<br/>
All hope abandon ye who enter here.</div><br/>Mikie shook her head. "Please ignore that. Someone's idea of a joke". The corridor beyond was remarkably ordinary. Video cameras at either end and at the various corners kept it under surveillance, the carpet was dark green, the walls apple white and the ceiling ivory white, with wall mounted sconces providing a soft uplighting. Doors of varying colours from white through pastels and into the primary colours, then darker tones, fortunately out of site around the corner. "We won't use the white room, cos there's nothing in it except a bed..."<br/><br/>Sam thanked her and Mikie laughed. "Ha ha, don't thank me yet, sweetie, you might hate every minute! Oh and I love Brussels sprouts!"<br/><br/>She unlocked the door that was painted the colour of a clear sky on a crisp winter's day, obviously the same colour as the wooden fob on the key. "So, before we go in, some ground rules. Actually I need to explain safe words to you. We've already used the term and you probably have an idea what it means, but I need you to understand the whole concept, because whether you have one tonight is your choice." She took a breath, held up a finger to forestall any interruption.<br/><br/>"The whole point of having a safe-word that isn't just 'Stop' is that it adds a dimension to the game. If you can say 'Betelgeuse' and stop everything, it means you can yell out 'Stop' at the top of your voice and not mean it. Which adds extra spice. For tonight, though, if you would prefer, we can forgo that, or rather, we say that your safe word is 'Stop', or any other expression that might mean you're uncomfortable with what's happening. But you are in control here, it's your call. If you have a safeword, you must promise to use it if you're not enjoying it. If you don't have one then feel free to give me a running commentary on how you feel."<br/><br/>Michelle waited for a reply, nodded and pushed the door open. "Have a wander around, examine the gear, tell me if there's anything you particularly don't like or anything you really fancy trying. Tell me when you're ready."<br/><br/>The centre of the room was dominated by a king-size four poster bed with pale blue sheets and pillows, against the wall facing the door. The decor was the same as the door, and there was a soft black rubber matting on the floor. A<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F236x%2Fdf%2Fd3%2F47%2Fdfd34738170b7c32fc37a6d1048e0613.jpg&amp;hash=cc5dc3c1d6051162d1f15e38b0b6a363" href="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/df/d3/47/dfd34738170b7c32fc37a6d1048e0613.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">St Andrew's Cross</a>stood against the wall on the right, a thing like<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.etsystatic.com%2F18636465%2Fr%2Fil%2F4c6c91%2F2724188720%2Fil_fullxfull.2724188720_9is2.jpg&amp;hash=26e86658588d43a5adaeb55a04946827" href="https://i.etsystatic.com/18636465/r/il/4c6c91/2724188720/il_fullxfull.2724188720_9is2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">a cross between a saw horse, a park bench and a vaulting horse</a>next to it. On the opposite side of the room was what looked for all the world like a hospital gurney, complete with straps. In fact it seemed that everywhere one looked, there were loops, buckles, straps and clips. On the wall behind the bed were racks and glass fronted cupboards, displaying various implements of "torture" - floggers, paddles crops, handcuffs, leather wrist and ankle bands, collars in various materials, blind folds, belts, harnesses, ropes, chains, straps, dildos, vibrators, strapons, and but plugs. Of the things not present, there was nothing electrical, nothing sharp, nothing involving liquid of any kind, no clamps or weights, no masks or anything to do with breath control, no gags and no whips,<br/><br/>To the left of the  room another door with no lock led to a small changing room and bathroom, with a shower and toilet.<br/><br/>The door clicked shut behind her and Mikie stood patiently, watching and waiting.