Allison arrived at Karen and Frank's home after about a thirty-five minute drive.  She had no problem finding it.  It was in a very well to do neighborhood.  The development consisted of about forty houses, all large and nice, with generous portions of land surrounding them.  Karen and Frank had lovely plantings and small trees out front, and a small, kidney-shaped pool in the rear.

Allison rang the doorbell, and Frank answered.  He greeted her warmly, invited her in, and offered to get her a drink.  Allison asked only for bottled water.  Frank took her out back to the patio, where she could see the pool and a high wooden fence for privacy, and began to introduce her.  There were eight other couples present and one solitary gentleman present, so Allison, who had always been bad with names, had trouble remembering who was whom.

Allison was a bit shocked; she had expected to see women in schoolgirl outfits or men and women dressed in leather and latex and carrying whips.  Her opinion of the BDSM community was stereotyped.  Everyone, with the exception of one woman, was dressed casually for a nice summer party.

The odd woman was a tall, statuesque blonde, very pretty, and appeared to be in her mid-thirties.  She had on a matching white lace bra, panty, and garter belt.  White stockings and very high black heels finished the outfit.  She looked stunning.  A man was with her, and Allison assumed, correctly, that he was her husband.  Karen informed Allison that they would do a public show later on downstairs.  Allison was free to watch, or not watch, as she saw fit.  Allison simply smiled and mingled some more.

Allison sipped her bottled water and sat on a chair by the pool, chatting and smiling.  The unattached gentleman approached her and smiled.  He was in his mid-fifties, a little over six feet tall, and a bit on the heavy side with a well-developed paunch.  His reddish-brown hair was receding and graying at the sides.  He had, Allison thought, and absolutely gorgeous handlebar moustache that was well waxed.  Allison smiled back and the stranger greeted her.

"Hello, young lady.  I am Richard.  Richard Heybourne.  You may call me Dick."   He extended his right hand as he spoke.  He had a beer in his left.

"Hi.  I am Allison."  Allison took his hand and shook it gently.

"May I join you?  I don't bite.  I promise."

Allison smiled and motioned for Richard to sit next to her.  He sat in the lawn chair, right hand resting on his knee, and leaned forward toward Allison.  It was clear he wanted to engage in conversation.

"Well, you are new.  Your first time at this sort of party?"

"Yes," said Allison, shyly.  She was determined to be careful.  Let him open up first.  "Karen and Frank invited me.  I have been to some unusual parties, but never to one like this before."

"Ahhh," said Frank, after taking a sip of beer.  "Well, this is our little BDSM club.  We have quite a few members, covering roughly a thirty-mile radius.  There are about thirty couples that belong, about ten unattached females, and six unattached males, of which I am one.  We get together and have parties about once a month.  This is just a small summer get-together."

"You mean you all get together, and beat on each other with whips?" asked Allison, with a giggle.  She squirmed and felt uncomfortable.  She immediately wished she had not asked that question; she really did not like to offend people.

Dick merely chuckled and took another sip of beer.  Then he got serious and collected his thoughts.
