I sit in my car, questioning what I have done. I have done this most evenings recently. After, I think, about ten minutes I head in and, again as on m...st recent evenings, I start to dread what will happen tonight. I open the door: before I have even pushed it closed, I hear him call me into the front room. I leave my bag on the table by the door and walk in. I kneel at their feet, as I have been taught, as they sit on the sofa. “We have a present for my toy,” Vicky says to me…or rather Victoria. " She tried to fake a smile. I wanted to run over and take her in my arms. That wouldn't be the right thing for a son to do. It was too late to call off going now. I'd make it up to Mom tomorrow. "Be safe. I love you." She called out the door to me."I love you too. I'll be home before curfew."It was an extraordinarily cold night for the end of the Winter season. I took a last look back at the house, feeling foolish for leaving the warmth and security of being at home with Mom for the cold. It was only when two of the older hostesses actually started pulling each other's hair that the eunuchs intervened to separate them and shackle each one to a separate whipping bench by one ankle. The Chief Eunuch was sent for, and it was unfortunate for the two women that he was at that moment in conference with the Emir. Both of them came into the harem and all present made the deepest obeisance imaginable. The Emir surveyed the scene and then sat down on the nearest divan."Proceed," he said. As I said to her, I had older people in mind not active young people."You are right it is small, so how much are you planning to charge for rent?" she asked."I really haven't made the final decision. The units have just been finished. The price will include a first class video security system and it has a locked security gate. I am going to include hot and cold water in the rent. Cooling in the summer is with a through the wall air conditioning unit. You pay the electric, so that is on you,.