Temptations Ltd.

Robert had stalled leaving his room for as long as he could.

To be blunt, he was hiding. Hiding from the six women that now made up his harem. What was he supposed to say to them? That he hadn't asked for this? That it was all a mistake? That he was just as trapped as they were? That seemed cold comfort to the people whose very bodies and minds were being twisted against their will. Twisted to please their Master. He couldn't even imagine the word now without the venomous sneer Ava had laced it with yesterday.

He thought with his suite's kitchenette he could stay sequestered indefinitely, but his hopes were quickly dashed when he realized that the pantry and refrigerator were bare besides a coffee tin, a loaf of bread, some butter, and a jar of grape jam. He'd made toast for breakfast and that, paired with the coffee, had gotten him through the morning. But as lunchtime drew near he found himself hungrier for more and he resigned himself to the necessity of venturing forth from his room.

Robert opened his suite’s door, and nearly walked into Ava standing right outside. She was dressed in a professional looking black pencil skirt and matching blazer with a white blouse. Despite her blowup yesterday, she had on a smug smile as she looked him up and down.

“Finally decided to grace us with your presence?” It wasn’t a sneer, but the words still stung.

Robert avoided her eyes while shuffling awkwardly in place.

“Just trying to get some lunch…”

“Hmm.” Ava looked down at him studiously. “I’ll ride down with you.”

She swept up behind him. She didn’t physically push him to the elevator, but her intent was obvious. Robert braced himself for another tense elevator ride, but Ava seemed downright placid compared to yesterday. As the elevator began its descent she finally broke the deafening silence.

“Keeping yourself aloof isn’t going to help.” It was a surprisingly gentle reprimand considering her tirade the previous evening.

“I’m not keeping myself aloof,” Robert replied reflexively. Ava fixed him with a stare.

“That may be true, but your harem members don’t know that. How do you think they’ll feel if the only time you interact with them is when they are **** to come up to your bedroom?”

Robert’s mouth was gaping.

“That’s...that’s not what…”

“They’re bound to you for life now. I guess you’re fine with just being the man they have to sleep with once a week.”

Robert was red-faced and stammering.

“What?!...I don't...No! That’s not what I want at all!”

Ava responded with a sad, small smile.

“Show, don’t tell Robert. The golden rule of film-making. If you truly want these women to believe that you don't solely think of them as sex objects, then you should probably spend some time with them outside the bedroom.”

Before Robert could respond the elevator reached the lobby and the doors opened with a soft ding. Ava strode purposefully out while he trailed behind her.

“Ava, I-”

“Robert?” He was interrupted by a small soft voice off to the side. Robert turned, to see Samantha getting up out of one of the large plush chairs that littered the lobby. She was dressed in a light blue sleeveless blouse and a black skirt that hugged her wide hips. Her hair was pushed back behind her long pointed ears and he had to fight the urge to stare.

“Could I talk to you for a moment?”

He turned back to Ava, who’s sad smile had been replaced with a smug grin.

“Have a good day, Master.” There was no sneer in the word this time. She disappeared out the front door of the hotel leaving him standing there alone with Samantha.

******

Robin and Sarah ran into each other just up the block from the Masterwork Theater.

“Find anything interesting back that way?” Robin asked, indicating the direction Sarah had just come from with a nod of her head.

“A whole lot of restaurants. I think nearly every style and type of food is represented. Found a clothing store and a library too. Besides that, a lot of these doors are just for show. You?”

“About the same. I did find a bowling alley and a gym though.” Robin paused as she looked across the street trying to see how far Chloe had made it. The petite blond was still quite a ways up the block. Robin watched her disappear into a storefront before turning back to Sarah. “You notice anything interesting about the “establishments” on this block?”

“They're all manned by a single person?”

“Well, besides that...”

Sarah shook her head. Robin sighed.

“They're almost all movie references. I found a freaking Chotchkie's up the street. I'm pretty sure the bowling alley is the one The Dude bowls at.”

Sarah crossed her arms and shrugged.

“Did you seriously not notice?” Robin asked incredulously. “Don't you work at a talent agency?”

“First, I work in our television division. Second, My primary role is negotiating distribution and syndication rights. You don't necessarily have to see the finished product to do that.”

This time it was Robin slowly shaking her head.

“Jeez...OK, let's just check out this last shop.”

The shop was tucked away in the basement of a large “office” building that didn't actually contain any offices. The storefront consisted of one large window and a single door down a couple steps from the sidewalk. As Robin and Sarah drew closer they could read the intricate gold lettering on the window glass that spelled out the store's name.

Needful Things

“You've got to be kidding me.” Robin said, stopping in her tracks.

“Another movie reference?” Sarah asked with a questioning look.

“Yeah, the store name is from a horror movie. Still want to check it out?”

“This is the last store on this side of the street. We might as well.”

Robin let out a long sigh.

“Yeah, might as well. Just...I wouldn't touch anything, OK? Not until we know what's up.”

Robin insisted on entering the store first. A small bell mounted over the door tingled cheerily, marking their arrival. Robin proceeded cautiously, but she couldn't help but roll her eyes as she surveyed the shop.

The store itself wasn't large, but it was quite cluttered. Inside was a labyrinth of crowded shelves and display cases littered with all manner of paraphernalia. Lewd paraphernalia. Robin saw everything from lingerie to a Sybian to several pieces of what she thought might be bondage equipment. The store's dim lighting made the small space seem cavernous. A long combination shop counter/glass display case ran along the left hand wall.

“What type of store is this?” Sarah wondered out loud.

“Can I help you?” The voice was low, deep, and soothing. It came from a man who had suddenly appeared behind Sarah.

“Jesus!” Robin gasped. “A warning would have been nice!”

The man fixed them with a smile that almost too friendly. He was tall, with gaunt sunken cheeks and large, almost luminous, milky blue eyes. He wore a black three-piece tweed suit and held his hands clasped behind his back. His salt-and-pepper hair was thinning while his head was cocked slightly to one side, like he was examining the two women.

The man was a walking cliché of the “cursed shop owner” that Robin had seen too many times to count.

“Hi, yes. We just wanted to see what type of store this was,” Sarah replied, like she was shopping for home appliances.

The man's smile somehow managed to widen even further, as his head slowly cocked the other way.

“Why, 'Needful Things' is your source for all things magical and transformative.”

“Uh huh, and you are...?” Robin asked flatly.

“I'm the Proprietor of this lovely little store.”

“Ooooh-K. And your name is...?”

The man's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile held.

“The Proprietor...”

“Yeah, not creepy at all,” Robin said as she looked the man up and down. “Come on Sarah. I don't think we need anything that's magical OR transformative.”

Robin began to walk towards the front door when the Proprietor slowly sidestepped into her path.

“But you haven't even seen our transformation catalogs!”

Before Robin could hit the man with the “Don't know, don't care,” Sarah was already speaking.

“Your what now?”

“Our catalogs of transformations that harem members can buy with BP. Wouldn't you like to see them?”

All Robin wanted was to get out of this little shop of horrors, but Sarah had a determined look on her face.

“Show me,” she replied.

The Proprietor beckoned for them to follow as he stepped around behind the long, glass counter top. He reached under it, and produced two thick, leather bound books with plain black covers. He set them both down on the counter top, then gently slid each one towards one of the women. Robin eyed the catalog suspiciously, but Sarah strode right over and flipped one open. Robin held her breath, but after watching Sarah flip pages for a few seconds without receiving some terrible curse, Robin decided it was safe enough to check out the other catalog.

The catalog was split into three sections by tabbed dividers, labeled “General,” “Movie Magic,” and Paths.” Robin opened the “General” section and began to flip through the catalog. There were pages and pages of physical and mental transformations. Some were simple such as bigger boobs, changes in hair color. Others were much more...complex. Robin nervously eyed one that only let the targeted individual orgasm when given verbal permission. Robin's heart sank when she looked over at the prices.

Self: 24 hrs – 700 BP. 1 wk – 1400 BP

Other: 24 hrs – 500 BP. 1 wk – 1000 BP

“Does this mean,” Robin tilted the catalog so the Proprietor could see what she was pointing at. “Does this mean we could potentially buy this transformation for ourselves or for someone else?”

The man slowly turned his head towards her and met her eyes, never looking down at the catalog.

“Well, of course.”

Shit.

“Sarah, you seeing this?”

“Yeah, I'm seeing it.” Sarah replied, still flipping through the pages. “So not only do we have to worry about a horny audience, we have to worry about each other too.”

Great. Just great.

“Surely no one...”

“I wouldn't count on it,” Sarah replied matter-of-factly. “Sure, we're all in the same boat for now, but only one of us can win the wish at the end. That wish might be our only chance at a normal life after this. People could get ****.”

Robin shuddered as she turned back to the catalog she was holding. She flipped over to the “Movie Magic” section and begun to browse.

Meet Cute: The affected individual will somehow manage to run into and fall on top of anyone that finds them sexually attractive at least once per day. (Romance)

Self: 1 wk – 2000 BP. Permanent – 5000 BP

Other: 1 wk – 1500 BP. Permanent – 4000 BP

Footloose: Whenever the affected individual hears music, they will feel compelled to dance in an appropriate, but sexy style. (Musical)

Self: 1 wk – 2000 BP. Permanent – 5000 BP

Other: 1 wk – 1500 BP. Permanent – 4000 BP

Movie themed transformations similar to our genre paths. Seems straightforward enough, Robin thought to herself. Except...

“Hey Lurch,” Robin called out flippantly. “Why aren't these available in twenty-four hour versions?”

The Proprietor's eyes narrowed to slits, but his wide overly friendly smile never wavered.

“Most of the 'Movie Magic' transformations depend on certain triggers, or are more subtle then the 'General' transformations. They're not available in single-day form to give them time to actually take effect.”

“Robin...have you made it to the “Path” section yet?” Sarah asked with some trepidation. Robin began to hurriedly flip to the back of her catalog. She stopped when she came across a page with Sarah's name across the top of it in black bold lettering.

Sarah Bridges

Improvement Plan: Sarah will treat any contestant with less VP's then her a little more harshly. She's not angry, she just doesn't think they are giving their best. (Dominatrix)

Unlock: 3000 BP

Biological Clock: Sarah keeps putting off starting a family, but she's not getting any younger. Her want will now become a deep-seated need. (Breeder)

Improve: 2200 BP

Can Take the Girl Out of...: Sarah has put some serious effort into concealing her background. From here on it will be as plain as the clothes she wears. (Western)

Unlock: 2200 BP (Master's Choice!)

Robin skipped the other contestants' pages until she found her own.

Robin Levy

It's Not A Phase: Robin had a Gothic period during high school and this brings back that timeless look. Robin's hair will turn black, and she'll gain permanent Goth eye shadow. (Goth)

Improve: 2200 BP

Put Your Face On: Robin is given a magical makeup case, that allows her to pick her eye shadow, eye color, and hair color for the day. Whatever look Robin picks will have a slight influence on her personality and/or mood for the day, based on stereotypes associated with that style. Robin must pick a new look every morning before she leaves the room she slept in, and she can't repeat looks during the week. (Stylist)

Unlock: 3000 BP

Queen of the Night: From sundown to sunup, Robin's senses, strength, and stamina are greatly enhanced. (Horror)

Improve: 2200 BP

“What happens when you “improve” a transformation?” Robin asked hesitantly.

“Typically it either increases the positive effects of a transformation, or it reduces any negative impacts it might have.”

“And 'Master's Choice'?” Sarah asked, pointing to her relevant transformation.

“Ah, yes! The Master's Choice is a transformation option that the Master preferred, but it didn't win the audience poll. Those are available to purchase at a discount. We wish to assist those contestants working to fulfill the Master's desires.”

“Yeah, that's going to be a hard pass for me.” Robin shut the catalog and slid it back across the counter. With only 800 BP she could only afford the most basic transformation, if she had even wanted to buy one in the first place. Sarah thoughtfully perused the pages for a couple more seconds, before she too returned the catalog she was holding. As the two women left the shop the Proprietor called after them, without raising his voice.

“I wish you both well ladies! Until we meet again...”