"Okay, I have reviewed your profile," Elke started each interview. "I know about your backgrounds. What I want to know here is why you both want to go through the program. And I want to give you an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have. We interview in pairs so that you can benefit from each other's questions and you can see that you are not unique in your desire to experience life as a slave. Now, who would like to begin? Why do you want to be a slave?"
Tempest, who was now known as Tracy since her identity change, held back, hoping the other woman would go first. When she didn't, Tempest spoke up. "I suppose we all have fantasies about being an exotic slavegirl. I have had them for years, although they have become really strong lately. I have never had an opportunity to live them out and try them before. But now I do have a way to experience what I dream about. So here I am."
"Thank you, Tracy," said Elke, who was now known as Erika. "And you, Symphony?"
Again, the woman hesitated. "I don't have any idea why I'm here. Pregnancy and motherhood have me totally whacked out. I need to get away and I need it to be as different from my real life as possible. I need to feel excitement again. I guess I'm trying to escape to No Escape."
Elke smiled. "There's nothing wrong with that. We are in business to help people escape from their overwhelming lives." The interview continued for another fifteen minutes and then the two applicants were allowed to leave. Symphony turned out to be the second customer to be placed with a temporary owner.
Figuring out the pricing was the hardest part for Elke. The business had to make money somehow but it took awhile for her to figure out how. Elke finally came up with something that she thought would work. Anyone interested in participating would be charged a one hundred dollar enrollment fee. This would cover the costs associated with analyzing the profiles and other overhead related expenses. It would also tend to screen people out who were not serious.
The owner would also be charged a fee of one thousand dollars per day that he or she wanted a slave. It would eliminate a lot of people but she wasn't concerned about that she wanted to avoid riff raff getting a hold of one of the girls.
Even though the business was still very small, it was obvious that it was going to be successful. In just four short weeks, they had interviewed ninety customers. Thirty six of the owners had been accepted into the program and all of the fifty slaves had been accepted. Twelve matches had been made and Elke fully expected that at least a dozen more matches would be made from the existing pool of applicants. No Escape to Paradise was off to a great start.
Tempest rolled over in her chaise lounge to let the sun darken her back for a while. "Yes, life as a slave is pretty good," she thought. She knew she was rationalizing, but she was happy.