Excerpt for Interviewing For Her Lover

Sarah opened the door and walked into the room, trying to stay balanced on these stupid heels.  Men wouldn’t find them so attractive if they had to wear them.  The room was dark except for one light highlighting a small platform.  That was for her.  She stepped up onto the small stage.  The room was silent but they were there, above her, hidden behind the one-way mirrors, watching her, deciding if they wanted to take the next step—to eventually take her. 

She stared into the blackness of the room.  It wasn’t huge but its emptiness made it seem vast.  She glanced upward, the light making her squint and she quickly stared back into the darkness.  This was arranged for them to see her.  That was it.  She’d get no glimpse of them yet.  She’d seen their pictures, chosen them but meeting them in person would be different.  A picture couldn’t tell her their smell or the sound of their voices. 

She tugged at her dress where it hugged her hips, wishing the questions would start, but there was only silence.  She shifted, the heels already killing her feet.  Ethan hadn’t liked them and if they weren’t going to impress, she might as well take them off.  She moved to the back of the stage, leaned against the wall and removed her shoes.  As she returned to the center of the stage a man spoke, his voice loud and commanding almost echoing throughout the room.

“Don’t stop there.  Take off your dress.”

She bent, placing her shoes on the floor.  That wasn’t part of the deal.  She wasn’t going to undress in front of five men, only one.  Only the one she chose.  She straightened.  “No.”

“What?”  He was surprised and not happy.

“I said no.  That’s not part of the Viewing.”

“I want to see what I’m getting.”

She stared up toward the windows, squinting a little.  She couldn’t tell from where the voice had come.  The speaker system made it sound as if it were coming from God himself.  “And you will if I pick you.”

Another man laughed.

“It’s not funny.  She’s disobedient,” said the man with the loud voice.

“Not always.  I can be obedient.”  These men liked to be in control but sometimes, so did she. 

“Will you raise your dress?  Just a little,” asked another voice.