in·ef·fec·tu·al

James sat brooding in his own thoughts in the steam room next to Bane. “I think Jackie has feelings for me.”

Bane almost coughed a laugh!  “The whore?  She has feelings for everyone.  Clearly!”

“No, I mean, more than that. Anyway, I wish you wouldn’t call her that!”  James was revealed and quickly caught himself. “…In public. That’s not a thing everyone needs to know!”

Bane smacked his arm and spoke louder, “Oh pish!  Half the men here have had her! Anyway, what makes you think she has feelings for you?”

“We talk, and she seems to…to genuinely enjoy it.”  Bane scowled looking for more from James’ reply.  James went on, “She likes to learn…poor thing, she doesn’t know a thing about money.  The Mistress has been shorting her for years. Anyway, I’ve shown her a few things and as it turns out, she’s quite a promising student.”

Bane laughed. “Promising student, eh?  So, you’re the one paying and providing services now, James?  Are you sure you’re not the one who has caught feelings?”

Mortified, James backpedaled, “…I mean…do you think she likes it?  Do you think that does something for her? Is that something women truly enjoy?”

Bane pressed, “I don’t know, does she seem to?  Not that it matters with a whore, but there are ways you can tell if woman is more comfortable!  Has it made her more…willing? More, receptive? Is she, eh, easier to get into, you know what I mean?”

James blushed, “In all confidence, yes.  I must say that usually taking a bit of time together before makes the other part…indescribable.” James lost himself in memory of Jackie for a brief second. “Have you found that?”

Bane thought about his time with Jackie, the way she vacillated between being stiff on some days and distant on others.  She was always obedient, which was why he chose her.  But this angered him.  Why was James getting something he wasn’t?  Why should they both pay the same and draw a different return?  Maybe James was right.  Maybe Jackie did develop feelings for him.  How pathetic!  And yet it piqued his curiosity. so he went on.  “You know, I have heard that some women enjoy a man with a strong mind. Perhaps it’s not so much a relational affection she’s feeling as a more visceral evocation you are drawing from her!  And if so, bully for you!  Take all you can get, I say!  In fact, I might try that same technique with her myself if you don’t mind?”

James did mind!  He loved his time with her and the way it made him feel.  The thought of another man touching Jackie was beginning to bother him more and more.  But Bane?  It made him sick.  He had seen how he was with the other girls at the brothel.  The looks on their faces when he left their rooms. 

This was the moment! Say something or allow Bane his awful experiment.  But what would Bane say?  James had fallen for a dumb whore!  He wouldn't keep it secret...on the contrary, he would tell everyone!  His clients would hear, society people, Anne!  Oh God, no!  The fear of embarrassment was enough to silence him. 

Instead he said coldly, “Why would I mind?”

Bane smiled. There was something behind what James said. Something he wanted to test.

James’s stomach dropped from what he said and lump rose in his throat. He felt the weight of what he had just said and he feared for Jackie.  He wanted to jump up, tell Bane to keep away from her!  Hadn't she had enough trouble?

But what did Bane care for the trouble of others?  In fact, half broken souls were only fodder for his pleasure because they were easy to break and never fought back.

 What had he done? What hadn't he spoken up? He knew there would be hell for her! His Jackie…his lovely girl…