‘Medicine or thermometer?‘ I asked myself, letting the stream flow to the toilet. But I felt better after using the restroom and washed my hands h...mming a tune.My sides didn’t hurt, my head wasn’t throbbing, and I felt 100% myself. I left the facility and stopped outside, looking down the corridor in both directions. It hadn’t occurred to me that I didn’t know where to go.Normally, I would be headed to the old man, to fix or plant things at this time. No guard around meant no instructions so I. Her eyes were soft and loving as she always is with me, but there was a hint of concern around the corners."Thinking of your dream?" she asked."Yes, mother," I replied."Let's talk about real men. Mr. McLaren has invited us to spend the weekend at his house in the Hamptons."Archibald McLaren was a wealthy and powerful man. Mother was his mistress, yet so much more. She told me he was her king and her master, holding her in thrall. Yes, those were her exact words. "King and master." "Holding her. But while the food was awful, the company was most decidedly not.Somehow, the conversation came around to music. My three companions had no musical background of any kind. I didn't really care to talk about my status as a musician, but when Julia asked me if I played any instruments, I answered in the affirmative."I've been playing the piano ever since early grade school, and I started to take up the guitar during senior year in high school." I envy you," remarked Dennis. "I always wanted to. Right or wrong, I do know it was fucking hot; and I mean temperature-wise.I should perhaps mention here that Dolly had a couple of women she referred to as ‘support staff.’ I think you know exactly what that meant, no?So, anyway, there I was coming off set and holding my dress up out of the dust when a familiar voice shouted, “Millerton!”Marilyn, Maz, Foster. We went back a long way.“What the fuck are you doing here?”“It’s good to see you too.” She smiled. “Dolly got me a bit part. She calls it.