Coreopsis 14 a

Today was a special day for Juliah. She skipped down the white paved streets of Shyreka, smiling widely at the people she met. ‘Her subjects’, she giggled to herself. 

   She would never have to be bothered with the burden of ruling. She gladly let Orion shoulder that responsibility.

   Today was all about her. Today was her 22nd birthday. She was on her way to buy a dress for the party in her honor tonight. She could have had a dress made but shopping was much more fun than having something made for you. 

   The best shop in town had a sign on the door, Free Gift with Purchase of Formal Wear. She was well greeted at the door by a short, stocky salesman. He shook her hand anxiously followed by a low bow. He showed her his best dresses. She finally selected a light blue satin dress that was three inches above her knees. Her long, silky sandy blond hair was longer than her dress. It had just enough material to cover what was needed. She would have to be careful or every man at the dance would get a free hormonal rise at her expense and embarrassment. 

   “Now milady,” said the kindly salesman. “Let’s pick out your free gift.” He led her to a small room in the back of the shop. They stood in front of a large window; behind the window were two tall, handsome young men.

   “Can they see us,” she asked.

   “No, oh no.” He replied.

   “Why are you giving them away?” Her voice told the salesman that she expected something was wrong with his free gift plan.

   “Oh milady, everything is legal and proper. You will get all of his papers.”

   “Very well. Will you ask them to bend over from the waist and turn around?”

   He repeated her command into a microphone. They obeyed.

   “The blond one has a nice behind,” she observed out loud. 

   “Would you prefer him, milady?”

   “What is wrong with the black-haired one?”

   “His former owner said he would have made a better preacher than a worker. He talks more than he works.”

   “Tell them to spread their legs.” Once again, he repeated her command, “and the blond one?”

   “He is twenty-eight. He has been here two weeks; all he has done is sleep. His former owner said he has been worked so hard that he could no longer perform manual labor.”

   “What did he mean my manual labor?”

   “The owner was a farmer. I am assuming he was talking about lifting heavy objects, plowing, stuff of that nature.”

   Each man was dressed in a G-String for the showing. Both men had great muscles all over their bodies.

   “Tell them to turn around and squat.” She noticed slash marks on the blonde ones back. With each command he looked down toward the ground. The other one was trying in vain to see through the glass.

   “Tell them to turn to the side. Do I have to buy them decent clothing to wear in the streets?”

   “No, an outfit is included, milady. So, would you like one of them?”

   “Yes, yes, I would like the blonde one.”

   “Very well.” The salesman motioned to a clerk to get the blonde one ready. “Let’s go pick out your shoes, milady.” She followed him out of the room. “Would you like these in boxes or bags?”

   “Boxes are fine.”

   The clerk soon emerged with the blonde dressed in denim jeans and a t-shirt. 

   “He can pack the boxes,” Juliah ordered.