Kaia dropped her guise of innocence, leaned close to the alchemist's ear and whispered, "My victim is of no concern." She produced a leather bag, heav... with gold. "Here is five hundred drachma," she continued, "I need something that will be slow and painful."The alchemist took the money and disappeared up a flight of stairs. Moments later he returned with a simple wooden box secured with a large lock. His face was grim as he unlocked the box and produced a small terracotta jar filled with a. "Fine, strip out there and bring yourself and your clothes in with you. You have twenty seconds" I looked at my watch. Joyce just stood there looking at me in disbelief "Joyce, you now have fifteen seconds and I am going to close and lock the door. No one will open this door no matter how long you continue to ring the bell once it is closed."She began to protest and I stepped back from the door and began to close it. She looked up and started to unbutton her blouse. It was obvious that she. That evening we all gathered at the kitchen table having dinner that Carol prepared prior to the Girls and I came home. Since this was only our second week we were still finding our place in this new family unit. It became very clear the even in the presence of the girls Master Obike and Master Camara were completely in change. Each one of our Masters sat at the head and foot of the rectangle table. Carol and I sat closes and facing each other on Master Obike with Mary and Cathy sitting next. " What's your plan?" he asked."Uh, I tell him. I meet his arguments. I keep telling him. I keep saying nothing is going to change it. And, I just keep at him until I wear him down."Silence."What?" I asked, a little too loud for polite conversation."I'm not so sure that's a plan," he thought a few moments, "designed for success. Even if you get him to relent, he still hates it. He just decided that, for the time being, your being with me is slightly less painful than constantly arguing with you.