Ordeal 27

This isn't right, Harper thought. This CAN'T be the same woman who, mere minutes ago, was physically making a chump out of one of his TRAINED men. The same woman who, yesterday, wrestled like a pro practically stark naked. And then, while clearly not experienced at it, was still ballsy enough to do a live sex act. So why was she on the stage right now dancing like a timid kitten?

The men started to boo. This was it, Harper thought. "Marilyn Berry" would flop and she and her friends would be gang-raped at last. Part of him was relieved that the game was finally over. But another part was sorry to see it end. This was actually the first time the game was truly played. And he was enjoying it. Despite that damned fool, Kyles, he was enjoying the game. And so were the rest of the men. It was different from the norm. And so too were the women.

The booing was Dazzler's cue. She slammed down on her makeshift drum. That was Storm's cue. She stopped, stood up straight and looked down on her audience with a most haughty expression. Then she threw back her head and laughed. Which, again, was Dazzler's cue to begin beating a wild tattoo.

The kitten became a tiger as she gracefully pulled off her dress like it was a tee shirt, twirled it over her head, and then tossed it into the startled crowd. She began to pulsate, gyrate and undulate wildly to the rhythm Dazzler was providing.

Harper realized he and his men were had big time. The troops began to whoop and whistle and applaud as the white-haired goddess went from one dance to another.

Bless you and your crazy ideas, Alison. Storm thought. During her youth, roaming the wilds of Africa, Ororo encountered numerous tribes and learned a variety of tribal dances. Celebrations given in her honor as a "weather goddess." She didn't believe for a second that the mercenaries would find such dances interesting. But Ali figured it was just like a horny kid thumbing through an old issue of National Geographic. Looking for pictures of naked native girls. And she was right. The men were eating this up.

Storm finished her dance and Harper smiled. The game was still on. And, judging from the men's reaction, "Marilyn Berry" won herself another free pass. But would the purple haired girl, the one called "Nunchuck Nancy," run with the baton after it was passed? Or would she drop it and condemn herself and the other two women to the inevitable jackrolling.


Dazzler was relieved for two reasons. One, first and foremost, Ororo made it. She was a success. Two, she didn't have to play the "drums" anymore. Her wrists were actually sore. Guster entered the room with handcuffs and a gag. Ali sighed.

"Is that really necessary?"

"Chief's orders. Sorry."

"No you're not."

"No I'm not."


Rogue was confused when she saw two men escorting a bound and gagged Storm toward her direction. She was even more confused when she and Ororo traded places. Ororo couldn't have bombed. She HEARD the hootin' and hollerin' and applause. What was goin' on? Still gagged Rogue couldn't ask. And, naturally, the two thugs, who surprisingly kept their hands to themselves this time, didn't say anything. Back in the Jail, where Dazzler laid in her cell hogtied, gagged and blindfolded, Rogue was likewise secured.


Back at the theater, once the pole was put in place, Harper introduced the next act. The CD music began to play. It was all on her now. Psylocke sucked it in and forged ahead.

Combining her various skills and remembering Dazzler's tips, (thank goodness, before she was outed as a mutant, the glowing little perfectionist had a gig as a pole dancer in a David Lee Roth video), the graceful and fantastically limber Betsy danced around the pole like a snake. Arching and bending her body to almost Mr. Fantastic-like positions as she oh so casually tossed off bits of her costume to a raucous and receptive crowd. Raucous and receptive, Betsy knew for certain, because of a combination of spirits (that they all reeked of) and their puerile attitude toward women which was augmented by her own tight incredibly fluid and very naked body. Betsy wouldn't have given a pound OR a penny for their chances otherwise this night. But she, like Storm, did win a "free pass." Had Dazzler not been there there was no telling how bad this situation might have turned out. But thanks, in part, to her efforts they made it through another night.

But this was the night they had to make their move and escape. It was highly unlikely Dazzler could pull another rabbit out of her hat with Rogue. Last night they should have been well away from here. But Harper, for whatever reason, drugged them and prevented their escape. Would he do it again? Or would they be allowed their chance?

Commission for thanks for the commission.