Monica's Games 2.31

by Richard Alexander (Gromets Plaza)

(story continues from Monica's Games 2.30)

Chapter Thirty-One: More Spoils to the Victor

Final Score

White Team: Monica, Steven, Jill, Leila, Emma, Mary, Trish and Shawnee
Black Team: Megan, Leon, Debra, Kris, Marilyn, Elizabeth, Zara and Dianne
Start Score: White Team: 70 Black Team: 66

We were all in high spirits that night.  Yes, we all got drunk and even Shawnee was allowed to join in the dinner celebrations on the back balcony.  The table was extended in length to accommodate the teams from Bilboes and the Citadel, with Mohammed, Mistress Lynx and Rashid gracing the head of the table, flanked by Monica and Megan.

Dinner was brought in from Monica’s favourite restaurant and served by Dianne and Shawnee, this time allowed to dress up in high heels, stockings and rather cute sleeveless leather dresses – one black, one white – and I found myself sitting between Jill and Mary near the head of the table.  As the dessert plates were removed by the two sexiest waitresses I had ever encountered, Mohammed stood to make a speech.  He tinkled on his very un-moslem wine glass for attention and looked confident and at ease in his surroundings.

“Ladies and gentlemen.”  A hush fell over the group, save for suppressed giggles from Leila and Emma who had evidently had just a tad more Shiraz than they were used to.  An admonishing frown from Monica quickly settled them down.

“I have to say that this has been one of the most enjoyable fortnights I have spent anywhere for a long time.  I’m sure Rashid – he of the recently gloomy outlook but now overtaken by the wine – will agree with me.”  Rashid grinned broadly.  “Your Aussie hospitality has been warm and genuine, and I have seen that nothing has been too much trouble for you.  More importantly, whatever you have undertaken, you have done so with enthusiasm and determination to see it through to the end.  Many tasks you have attempted have not been without a level of – er – discomfort, shall we say?  But I think there were also a number of compensating factors?  I seem to recall a number of you emerged from the events with smiles on your faces – or maybe it was just exhaustion and relief.  I can think of several instances…

“Jill’s bike ride and Leila crossing the pole over the stream will remain in my mind, not to mention my dear sister Zara also on the pole.”  He grinned at her and she blushed, then stuck out her tongue at him.  ”I think Monica and Megan enjoyed their time in their personal sarcophagi, as did Trish and Debbie in their weight lifting.  So I think we gave at least a little pleasure in the process.”  The girls mentioned were being poked and stirred by the ones next to them and there was more giggling.

“But before we get to the prize giving, I think we must acknowledge the work that went on behind the scenes.  Firstly, we would like to thank Steven for his ingenuity in creating many of the devices used in these games, and for his time in setting up many of them.  Rashid and I would also like to thank him for the loan of his tools and the use of the porter’s trolley.  I’m sure Dianne and Shawnee will join me in this.”  Shawnee went bright red and Dianne stared at her feet, suddenly becoming intensely interested in her high-heeled shoes.  “As for the rest of you who have sampled Steven’s ingenuity, I’m sure you will thank him in your own ways.”  He smiled and there were murmurs around the table that suggested I might be made to try out some of my own devices at some time in the future.  I did my best to ignore these good-natured undertones.

“Rashid and I had a lot of fun thinking up the events for you to enjoy, and we’d like to thank Monica and Megan for their initiative and assistance in this whole venture, and for their, um, companionship in Oman in particular – and their forbearance and patience while there.” 

“However the person whom I’m sure you will most like to join with me in toasting is she who must – and will – be obeyed: Mistress Lynx!” 

There was an enthusiastic burst of applause as we raised our glasses.  Mistress Lynx smiled with her usual total composure as Mohammed continued.  “Mistress Lynx has made an enormous contribution to this whole competition, and I have to say she was an inspired choice by Monica and Megan.  Her meticulous organisation, on top of her marvellous planning, not to mention her rope work, have been most impressive.  She would be welcome to work in our company any time.  I’m sure she would bring about a major increase in productivity.  In addition to this cheque, I would like to present her with these miniature handcuffs, which were crafted in Oman, and are in fact solid gold.”  There was more applause and I would swear, as the stout woman got to her feet to accept the gift, that she brushed a tear from her eye.

“And now is the bit you’ve really all been waiting for.”  There was a sense of expectation in the air as he said this.  “There are no losers tonight – everyone has won something, whether as part of a winning team, or on their own.  Though of course some have won more than others.  We’ll work from the bottom up – as the bishop said to the actress…” He paused, like a good comic, and sipped his wine.

“There are two prizes of two thousand dollars – to Dianne for her role as pony in the pony trap race, and Elizabeth for her part in the bondage relay.”  Applause followed, as the two collected their envelopes.

“I now have five cheques for four thousand dollars.  The first four go to Monica, Steven, Mary and Shawnee.  Each of these four failed miserably at what they did individually, but they are all part of the winning team on the treasure hunt and the assault course.  The fifth person is Leon, for his efforts in the pony trap and the relay.”

Leon was there ahead of the four of us, and the applause was conspicuously muted for his award.

“That’s one bastard who didn’t deserve anything,” I whispered to Monica as the clapping got louder as Monica and I took our cheques, ahead of Mary and Shawnee.  Monica simply looked at me with one of her famous enigmatic expressions.

“The next award gives me great pride, for it stands on its own, being five thousand dollars to our little sister, Zara – for the quiz, the relay and for coming third in the cross town walk.  I take back all I ever said about you.” 

Zara kissed Mohammed and his brother as she collected her winnings, and looked quite delighted with the cheque, though it would have no doubt have barely made the petty cash tin for her back in Oman.

“Now we have a whole bunch of winners, and I have seven cheques here, each for six thousand dollars.  First, the White Team: All featured in the assault and the treasure hunt, while Trish won the weight lifting, Leila the swimming, and Emma the back road bondage walk.  From the Black Team, all featured in the paintball and relay wins, with Megan and Debbie in the quiz, Kris second in the cross town walk and Marilyn taking the fencing title.”  More applause and delighted acceptance of cheques.

“Which brings us to the final individual prize.  A total of nine thousand dollars, for her part in the assault and treasure hunt, and winning the cross town walk and the cycle race – Jillian!”  Jill, the natural athlete still managed to look graceful and embarrassed at the same time as she took her cheque and a kiss from Mohammed.

“Now, the final prize – regrettably, as they always say on those crappy pageants, - there can only be one winner.  In this case, though, there are eight, namely, the House of Bilboes – Monica, Jill, Steven, Mary, Trish, Leila, Emma and Shawnee.  I have here a voucher that will take you around the world, flying first class, with stops in Hong Kong, London, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, flying first class, with five star accommodation in each location and five grand each to spend!”

Although we knew we had won the round the world flight, the luxurious details had not been conveyed to us.  There was a gasp from our side of the table and then there were screams of delight as only girls can do.  I, at least, managed to maintain some semblance of dignity as Jill hugged me tightly and even Mary was beaming.  Shawnee was going bananas and Leila and Emma were in tears.  Even Monica, who obviously knew about it, could barely contain her emotion as Mohammed gave her a hug that was clearly more than friendly, and Monica clung to him for a good minute, not that I was timing it or anything.

Eventually the hubbub died, and Mohammed made a final ding on the wine glass for attention.

“I’m sorry to keep monopolising the speeches, but there is just one more thing.  Part of the deal involved Monica and Megan at a more commercial level, and in this regard I’d like to present Monica with another cheque.  It will be up to her what she tells you about it.”

Mohammed handed her the envelope and sat down, leaving a flustered Monica fidgeting with her hair and looking unsure whether to laugh or cry.  She stood there for a long time, staring at us, then down at her hands holding the cheque. It was the first time I had ever seen her truly at a loss for words.  Finally she seemed to pull herself together and the assembly went very quiet as she spoke.

“I… I don’t really know what to say.  Thank you Mohammed and Rashid – on behalf of all of us.  Yes, it has been somewhat of a trial.  It’s been stressful, painful, and at times I’ve wanted to scream – but of course haven’t been able to!” She smiled, and a little of the old poise began to come back.  I’ve been supported by a brilliant team, and I’m sure we will have a lot of fun thanks to this very generous prize.  In regard to this other cheque, well, Megan knows what the deal was, but of the others, only Steven is aware of our deal.  Simply put, the deal between Megan and I was that whoever won had the mortgage paid off – and in Megan’s case, would have picked up the ownership rights.  What this means is that Bilboes is now fully paid off, and…” There was a burst of cheering from the Bilboes team, led by Mary and Trish.  “As a consequence of this, our overheads will be considerably reduced, and the profit sharing will be formally amended to reflect this.”

Monica went silent for a moment, and I’m sure she brushed an errant tear from the corner of her eye. 

“Had things turned out otherwise, I would have had to now negotiate this whole thing with a certain person whom Mary, Trish and Steven know only too well.  But thanks to them, the payment will be clean and quick, and for that, I am very grateful.” She smiled warmly in our direction.

“Talking of loose ends, I should perhaps suggest that there is a final one to be tidied up, and maybe Megan and Mary can help me here.”

Only as she said this, had I noticed that Megan and Mary had detached themselves from the half-standing, half-sitting group that we now were, to sidle around behind Leon, and with a coordinated movement, the pair pounced on him and had his wrists handcuffed behind him before he – in his well-oiled state – was aware of what was happening.  Good old Leon managed to enunciate a few well-chosen – but badly pronounced – epithets before Mary jammed a large ball gag between his teeth and buckled the strap behind is head as Megan twisted the handcuffs painfully.  Leon finally stood up red-faced.

“I hope you didn’t think we would just let sleeping dogs lie, Leon,” said Monica.  “We have a few scores to settle at this point.  We know about the fixing of the fencing match and the wheel on the pony cart, and we know about the information you were feeding to Warren in connection with the cross-town walk, not to mention the affair of the concrete boots.  Megan has an issue with your attitude, as well, not least on the assault course today.  We think it’s time for you to ruminate on your behaviour.  While you’re considering this, perhaps you can consider what Mistress lynx will do you, for what we are going to do will in no way constitute a full punishment.  On the other hand, what she will do to you will make anything she has done in the competition look tame by comparison.”

Leon seemed to sober up remarkably quickly, and mmphed furiously into his gag, before Megan and Mary led him down the back steps, aided by Debbie with a fluorescent camping light leading the way up the slope towards the bush where the assault course was.  The four disappeared over the crest into the darkness.  Mistress Lynx had a tight smile and I saw her lick her lips.  I wouldn’t have been in Leon’s shoes for anything. 

The three girls reappeared fifteen minutes later.  I caught up with Mary a few minutes afterwards.

“How’s our friend?” I asked casually.

“Ready to crap himself,” she said cheerfully.  “At least he would if he didn’t have a big electric plug up his arse.”

“Uncomfortable, is he?”

“I think that’s an apt understatement.  He’s currently naked and straddling a narrow log, with his feet pulled back under him.  All his weight is on the plug, his hands are tied and stretched very tightly behind him and his nips are very painfully chained in front, and the bugs are biting.  Oh yes, and his willy is rather painfully laid out and tied to the log as well.  I understand Mistress Lynx will be heading up there with some Finalgon ointment very soon.  I’m sure that gag won’t do the job.  In fact I just know it won’t.”

“Shame,” I murmured, clinking my glass with hers.
 

*   *   *I

It was the ideal end to what had been a pretty eventful fortnight, although in this case the ending wasn’t as clear-cut as we might have hoped, for late that afternoon Monica had taken me aside.

“This is all very wonderful,” she said seriously enough to get my attention, “but I still have some unfinished business to take care of.”

“Warren?”

“Got it in one.”

“And?”

“I’m bothered by the parting remark he made, about being overseas.  The bastard just might have been telling the truth.  I want you to make a call to his apartment and see if he’s there.  If he is, say it’s a wrong number or make like a telesalesman.  If he’s not, chances are you’ll end up talking to Christina.  I’m sure she’ll give you an update.”

And so it turned out.  Monica waited with me while I made the call from her study.  Christina was indeed there, and was looking after the place.  We exchanged pleasantries and I said I would call her again – as you do. 

“Well?” asked Monica as I hung up.

“Warren is overseas.”

“Do you know where?”

“Christina isn’t sure.  She talks to him by email and phone.  He’s away for two months.”

“And she doesn’t know where?”

“She’s a resourceful girl.  She checked the phone number on callback.  You’re not going to like this, Mon.  Warren was phoning from Portia territory - Hong Kong.”

“Oh shit.”
 

THE END
 

More from Monica & the gang in "Monica's Travels" - Monica discovers that a round the world holiday is not what she expected...

 

16.12.03