Part Two

A week later, with their furniture and belongings finally in place, Ted took Terri aside to discuss some new and important concerns. For the most part, the transition had gone smoothly. The girls were attending classes again, walking without fear to the neighborhood school. Every morning, Ted made sure that they and Terri remembered to wear the red scarves that marked them as newcomers to the Enclave. It was those red scarves, and the day they would come off, that now concerned Ted.

"I think we may have a little problem," he began cautiously, pausing as they sorted some clothes in their bedroom. The issue would be a sensitive one, but the results could have a long-term effect on their future in the Enclave.

"Hmmm?" Terri replied, her apparent lack of interest not successful in masking her concern. She knew that Ted only brought up problems when he couldn't solve them himself. And she believed Ted was one of the most intelligent men she ever met. Too bad they were living in a time when brute strength mattered more.

"I've been talking to the neighbors, you know, trying to get a feel for the place. Now that I've had a couple beers with them, I think we may have taken the, um, the Presentation a little too lightly. There's a lot more competition, and a lot more at stake. More than just a few perks, which is how they made it out to be at my orientation. We're going to need to do something about the Presentation."

The Presentation. It was the one aspect of life in the Arbors Enclave that had given them pause. It was the only reason that Terri had taken a few hours to decide to move, instead of just jumping at the chance. In return for their protection, the Enclave populace gave the soldiers more than just shelter and food. They also offered up sex. Free sex. Sex for the taking. Sex with any woman (or man) above the age of 16. It didn't matter if you were married, engaged or single. Whether you were straight or not. Whether you wanted to or not. Sex was the ultimate price paid for the protection of family, home and life.

The Arbors Enclave had specific rules regarding this practice. Newcomers were given 12 weeks of assimilation time before they were eligible. Of course, because the garrison had only one gay member, the community's women had more at stake. Moreover, the favorite partners of the military men received extra perks: the first choice of food for their families, the opportunity for escorted trips outside the enclave, higher quality clothes, and more. And with just 40 men and over 300 women, the competition for attention was quite fierce.

The Presentation marked the start of that competition. After the twelve week waiting period ended, each woman of age presented herself to the garrison's commander, known only as The General. After the formal presentation of her body to him, he was free to visit her at any time for sexual relations. Only after he had sampled a woman's wares were the women available for use by other soldiers in the garrison. To be The General's favorite carried great prestige and perks. To be an officer's favorite carried less prestige, but still a great number of bonuses. And even though partnering with a private carried no prestige, it gave a woman a chance to perform well enough to catch the attention of someone of higher rank.

In meeting his new neighbors, Ted had found them to be open and helpful in all matters ­ except how they handled the Presentation. Evidently it was up to each woman to try and impress The General in any way she could. Ted knew that making a good first impression was most important. And he didn't want to waste this opportunity.

"The Presentation?" Terri stopped folding clothes and perched herself on the edge of the bed. She'd done her own inquiries, and after reading between the lines, discovered that Presentations could be as elaborate as a Broadway production. To have Ted focusing on the Presentation would probably mean a lot of work for her.

"Well, it seems to me that we need to make a good impression," he continued, hoping that she'd pick up on his use of the word 'we.' "This is the one chance to have the General alone, and to show him what you can do. When we decided to move here, we said we'd all do what we have to do. I just want to make sure that we do it the best that we can."

His argument made sense to Terri. And when her husband got something in his teeth, she'd long ago learned it was best to let him go with it.

"It sounds like you've already thought this out," she commented. "So what would we have to do?"

"I think we should take a look at what we have to offer, and see how we can make it better." He was treading lightly now. "I mean, the kinds of things that kept me happy all these years might not be what makes The General happy. I think we should take a close look at everything, and change whatever needs improvement. Maybe practice a little."

Practice. Terri allowed herself a small smile. Practice was an ongoing theme in her husband's personality. It came from his logical side. Add to that his incessant pragmatism, and you got a man who expected a lot of work from other people. But, he'd proven himself over and over during the last few years. He'd been right about the need to suck up to The Sniper. And he was probably right about this. Besides, it'd be nice to be able to eat steak every so often. Just the kind of perk The General's mistress usually enjoyed.