Chapter Nine:
CALCULATED RISKS
Biographically I think I've gone about as far as I need to go to illustrate the sense of maturity and confidence Malcolm and I have reached together. Perhaps one last episode might round off this half-baked biography. It was a point in our development when for the first time we found ourselves not only comfortable with our extraordinary way of life, but proud to be part of an intellectually stimulating, imaginative fraternity of people around the world. Two years after the New York trip, thanks to my cheap travel concessions we made another trip to California . The kids were too old for Disneyland but the bright lights of Los Angeles and San Francisco attracted us all. Again first and foremost a family holiday. In L.A. we did the tourist things like Universal Studios and the homes of the stars but we found it all too big and impersonal and stuck very close to each other. But San Francisco was a different story all together. The kids felt safe to go off and explore on their own in that wonderful city. Good job too, because we had so many people who wanted to meet Malc and me. How about that!
The SOCIETY OF JANUS hadn't got a meeting scheduled during our stay so they threw what they called a Play Party specially for us so we could meet all our various Pen Pals in one fell swoop. Soon as we'd arrived and settled into our hotel our main contacts, Mike and Janie, invited us to come up to their house and bring the kids. We were nervous of that, but they told us they also had kids who didn't know about their alternative lifestyle either. So on the day of the JANUS party we took a cab up to Nob Hill. The house was incredibly glamorous with lots of space and stunning views. Their son was away at college but Liza their daughter was just Todd's age (Ho, ho, ho!). So after a meal for the seven of us Liza took Todd and Melanie off to see some sights and meet a few of her friends. As she drove them off in her Lincoln convertible (she was 17 years old!) she promised to drop them off back at the hotel around 2 in the morning. Mike our host was something high up in a bank and his wife Janie seemed to be a well known photographer. Dress code for the Janus Play Party was, they told us, leather or fetish and they'd previously agreed to kit us out.
From an impressive wardrobe of clothes which was housed in Janie's photography studio (which doubled as their playroom) Malc settled for a leather waistcoat over his bare chest, his own jeans and tall Engineer's boots like John Travolta wore in 'Grease'. I had the choice of leather or Western. I chose a fabulous embroidered silk rodeo shirt, suede skirt, boots and hat. Mike said he'd be my escort for the evening so he'd wear brown Western leather chaps and boots and a fantastic fringed suede jacket. Janie appeared in a slinky leather catsuit and proceeded to persuade Malcolm to put black leather chaps over his jeans to compliment their leather image. He looked smashing ... we all did.
The Janus Society is mixed straight and gay, and the Play Party was well underway when we arrived. Several men and women were chained or strung up to various pieces of equipment and being worked on systematically by lovers or friends ... but a good time was being had by all apparently. Some of the action was heavier than anything Malc or I had ever seen in 'Public' but however much moaning and writhing ... nothing was ever without consent. In our honour there was a sumptuous buffet all laid out and wine or soft drinks. We were told that club policy discouraged alcohol during 'Scenes' and drugs were totally forbidden.
After a few introductions Malcolm and I took a look at some of the incredibly wonderful equipment which various members had brought along to use and share; leather strait-jackets covered in straps and with detachable hoods. Head to foot form-fitting leather 'Sleepsacks', man-size canvas 'Male Sacks' with air holes. These could be suspended from the ceiling and two were already occupied when we arrived. Also an impressive range of metal manacles for ankles, wrist, waist and neck in styles ranging from neat and chromium plated to super-heavy medieval dungeon weight, all fully lockable. Our hosts were amazed that we'd never seen any of this merchandise before because it was all made in London . FETTERS turns out to be a London-based firm with a spectacular illustrated catalogue of amazing bondage items. You live and learn, as sister E. would say.
As the evening progressed I got the uneasy feeling that Malc and I might be expected to DO something. Perform! Various members of the Janus Committee told us we had the run of the equipment, but I said we were quite happy to just talk and meet people. Chet and his lover Bill were two passably handsome and incredibly straight-looking men in full leather and appropriate hardware. They told us they regularly come to London for the museums and theatre but of course they always went to the Colherne, London Apprentice, the Cellar Bar and named several other leather clubs which they went to during their visits. Malc caught my eye and we both nodded wisely, but we'd never heard of any of those places. Funny old world, isn't it. They asked Malcolm if he'd like a tour of the Frisco Leather Bars? He declined politely using me as an excuse. By this time the action was hotting up and a man was screaming and writhing as a woman was lashing him with a leather belt. Apparently they did the same thing at every meeting but in real life he was an important Attorney and she was his secretary. SM as therapy, somebody explained.
Chet and Bill asked me if we ever went to the opera. They offered to take Malc and me while we were here. I said thanks but no ... but tell me more about the Leather Bars. They told me they were the best in the world, raunchy and the action was really steamy but strictly male only (this was 1983). I told them that Malcolm was not gay (or bi as far as I knew) but I thought he'd really like to see them ... but he might need a bit of persuading. Janie had joined us and her comment was Well these boys can be extremely persuasive. When any of our members submits a kidnap or arrest and interrogation scenario to our Fantasy Enactment Committee, Chet and Bill usually provide the muscle. John over there is actually a cop and the guy he's talking to is in the Marines. Chet unclipped handcuffs from his belt and looked at me. We'd enjoy taking him around the bars in chains and if necessary gagged. Nobody would look twice in those places. The action does get pretty heavy. Do you think he could handle it? I knew he'd hate it at the time but thought that after he'd survived it, who knows what he might do to me in revenge.
To this day I don't know what came over me but I heard myself saying authoritatively (just like Miss Whiplash) Don't hurt him, don't humiliate him ... but I don't mind if you scare this shit out of him. To this Chet grinned and gave me a kiss before saying to Bill Get leg irons, gag, hood, collar and lead. Talk to John and Nick and be in the backroom in ten minutes. As Bill jumped to it, Janie said Honey this is what makes it all worth while. Now Chet, after giving him the tour take him back to our place. Sally how about a few of us girls taking in one of the Male Strip Joints while your old man's otherwise occupied? Chet suddenly asked They're having a Shaving night at one of the bars. Do you think your husband would mid losing some hair around his crotch? I thought about it before saying You might need to tie him down. I wouldn't like the razor to slip ... and do you think you could arrange for a couple of photos so I don't miss all the fun? Chet gave me another bear-hug I love you lady and I lust after your sexy husband, but I will defend his honour and he'll be delivered back to you as unsullied as ever was. Janie, do you have a camera here? Bet your ass, and Mike's almost as good a photographer as I am. Sally, you shall have a photo storyboard from start to finish. I'll go find him. How soon, Chet?. He checked his watch. Bill, John and Nick are already in position. Soon as I see Mike go into the Backroom, Sally and I will go find her lucky feller. He added Let me do the talking. ... and he did.
END CHAPTER 9
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