Laurel Week 2 Part 3: Interlude

Natalia waited nervously in the library.

Joan and the twins were in Natalia’s team bedroom, apparently dealing with “gross magic shit” they had refused to explain. Natalia had searched the library computer, found contact information for Tess, and sent a message requesting a meeting.

Tess had replied that she would be happy to meet.

Every part of Harem Hotel was dangerous, but this was the first time Natalia had done something that might be read as provoking the host. Contacting the host’s girlfriend could be taken as a challenge.

It was necessary.

Natalia sighed as Tess walked in wearing the face of Natalia’s ex-husband.

The gait was wrong. The outfit was wrong. It felt less like seeing the real man than meeting a long-lost twin.

It was still a dick move.

“So, what’s your escape plan?” Tess asked with a smirk.

“I did not say anything about escaping,” Natalia said quickly.

“So it’s murdering the Producers?” Tess sounded cheerful. “That’s always fun.”

“You clearly have the wrong idea, Ms. Stuart.” Natalia raised a hand toward the aggressive entity. “I just want to talk. We might have common ground.”

“Ah. Common ground.” Tess settled into a comfortable chair. “What would that be, exactly?”

“Well, I heard you are not happy with Ariadne being in Alan’s harem. I want to know more. That is not the same thing as moving against anyone, is it?”

“Oh, this whole season is a clusterfuck.”

Tess snorted.

Natalia felt vertigo at the sight of her ex-husband’s face, making such an unfamiliar expression.

“You do not want Ariadne in Alan’s harem,” Natalia said carefully. “I would rather not be forced into a second marriage. I think involving Ariadne would make it even harder to make any of this work.”

She took a breath.

“We might be able to help each other.”

Tess looked thoughtful. It was a more familiar expression for that face.

“Well, I would like her to stay a Gold Star. But I do not see how you can help with that.”

“Couldn’t I?” Natalia asked, blushing despite herself.

“Well, if you worked hard to make sure Alan was out of sperm, it would lower the amount directed at my fiancée.” Tess frowned. “That would not prevent sexual contact. Variety, ratings, and Ariadne’s own interests all work against that goal.”

She looked at Natalia.

“What else are you offering?”

“I do not know what else you might want. But if we are going to be, well, in-laws, I thought I should reach out first.”

“In-laws.” Tess smiled. “Yeah. That is a good way to put it.”

Then she leaned forward.

“Also, this is all shit you would say if you were feeling me out for some weird escape plan.”

“I do not trust that I can escape safely, even with help,” Natalia said. “I found clips on the computer of failed escapes from other seasons.”

“The clips do not work.”

Tess’s voice went flat.

“My godfather wrote it down before he died. Fear only works if you are not hated. If people hate you, it does not matter whether there is any rational benefit to fighting.”

She smiled without warmth.

“Harem Hotel inspires hate.”

“Godfather?” Natalia asked. “Can you tell me about him?”

“Yeah. One of the people my mom fucks. Guy from Italy.” Tess shrugged. “He was kind of famous on your rock, but I forget what his name was before he died.”

“Your mother seems like a tense topic,” Natalia said quietly.

“Yeah. The rules do not let me say much.” Tess waved a hand. “Let’s not get sidetracked. You wanted to know what I wanted.” She paused. “One second.”

Natalia felt a buzzing sensation. Then something like fog lifted from the inside of her mind.

“Oh.”

Natalia blinked.

“There is a transformation making me think Christian and Chloe are in a relationship.”

“Yeah,” Tess said. “It is scary.”

“I needed you to know the truth so you would understand the deal I am making.”

Natalia’s stomach tightened. “What kind of deal?”

Tess handed her a piece of paper.

ELIMINATION: Natalia Porter. Draft.

Silver Screen: Having been removed from the competition, Natalia does not deserve Alan’s dick, but the Hotel cannot let her leave cleanly. Natalia will find herself drawn to creating erotic art and pornography as a writer and performer, with her interests altered to fit Alan’s tastes. Refusal will be impossible. Natalia will feel a desperate need for Alan’s sincere approval of her work.

Natalia read the transformation twice.

“Is this a threat?”

“It is a bribe,” Tess said. “That is a ticket out of the harem. A normal life, showing more skin, some lost reputation, and one final transformation. You stay on set until the end of the season. After that, you go home.”

Natalia stared at the page. “What is the catch?”

“I want the twins to fuck for real,” Tess said, smirking. “Make that happen, and I can push for your elimination.”

Natalia’s eyes went back to the paper.

“We only need three winners to end the season. A mild elimination is better than staying, losing, and finding out what the Hotel writes for you instead.”

“This has to be a trap,” Natalia whispered.

“Maybe it is.” Tess stood. “But we have to build suspense somehow, and Ariadne does not have the stomach for it.”

Pink light flashed around her. “The offer stands.”

Tess vanished.

Natalia remained in the library, holding the draft. She had a great deal to think about.