Exploring.

Janet headed outside, with only a vague notion of what she intended to do.

I suppose the first thing is to get an idea of the layout of the place, she thought. And I’ll see how many guests are around. It’d be great if I saw a famous face!

She was forming the idea of chatting to an "ordinary" guest, if there was such a thing in this place. She was good at getting people to talk to her. She wanted to get a flavor of what went on here. Already she suspected that the lurid stories of a "****’s paradise" were gross exaggerations. Far more likely that a green necklace simply signalled the wearer’s openness to being propositioned. At worst it would be... green necklace – “You’re cute, how about coming back to my place?” – “Fuck off, you creep.”

That would explain the lack of people. Anybody who wanted to "participate" would be indoors. Anybody who did not would presumably be playing tennis, or horse riding, or whatever else the weirdo’s who came here liked to do.

There were only two people in sight. Two men in their thirties, fit-looking, tanned, both carrying golf bags. As they approached her she was aware that she’d caught their attention. She saw their eyes roaming over her legs then up to her chest. Next stop would have been her face, but, before getting there, one man said something to the other that sounded like "Damn." It took Janet a few seconds to realise that they had seen the red stones on her necklace.

Insulted by their frank appraisal of her body, she swept past them with only a nod of recognition and a brief "Hi." They slowed and seemed ready to chat, but she was determined to assert her place in the pecking order, and that did not involve being ogled by a couple of chauvinists.

As she walked away there was a muttering behind her. The only word she could make out was "bitch."

Janet continued her tour. Despite herself, she became increasingly impressed by the place. The setting was beautiful, the facilities first class. She passed an increasing number of people, most of whom looked rich and prosperous. A few faces looked familiar, but she could not put a name to them.

She was aware that she was constantly being appraised. Well, if her necklace turned green and anyone propositioned her then they were in for a stinging putdown!

Her plan called for her to strike up a conversation with someone, but, having decided that the whole place was basically a glorified chat-up joint, she was wary of seeming forward.

Eventually she decided on a safe-looking middle-aged couple. The woman, like herself, wore a red-stoned necklace and bracelet. An ideal source of information.

The man, like every other man she had passed, unashamedly looked at her as she approached.

Janet slowed and stopped.

"Hi! Isn’t it a beautiful day?"

The man smiled at her.

"Sure is. I don’t think we’ve seen you around before. Just arrived?"

"Yes, about an hour ago. I’ve unpacked, and I thought I’d have a wander around to get to know the place. I’m Janet, by the way."

"I’m Graham. This is my wife, Margaret."

The woman nodded to her.

"I do hope you enjoy your stay, dear. Are – are you with anyone?"

"No, I’m on my own. I was recommended to this place by a friend, who said they’d found it very relaxing. Are you regular visitors here?"

Margaret responded, "This is our fourth time. Graham explained to me a long time ago that he has certain inclinations. This place meets his needs. I come with him because I know that, wherever he gets his motor running, he’ll always be home to park in the garage. Of course, I stay red all the time, but there’s plenty to do while Graham’s, er – ‘away’."

"How interesting." Janet felt that she ought to contribute to the conversation, even though she did not really have any idea what Margaret was talking about.

"So, could I ask..."

She got no further. A tiny vibration at her neck and on her wrist interrupted her and she looked down.

The stones on her bracelet had turned green.