The House of Pleasure

Jessica had some heavy things to sort through emotionally. She sought solitude to get through it in her own time and terms and set out on what she thought would be a quiet adventure, exploring the ruins of an old resort in the hills of Tennessee. What would happen to her in that old building would lead her to doubt her sanity.

~~~~~ PG Excerpt ~~~~~

Awakened by a shaft of sunlight on her face, Jessica stretched lazily. Oh, she’d slept so well. The mattress was so comfy, and her covers felt like … silk?

She sat up like a shot, near panic. Jessica lay in the bed she’d moved the night before, covered in the finest silk sheets. Jessica’s eyes were wide, and her mouth shut tight against the scream that was ready in the back of her throat. The room was immaculately clean and well-decorated. The windows and mirror were spotlessly clean. Paintings hung on the wall, and a clock stood on a dresser. No cracks in the ceiling plaster.

Looking down at herself, Jessica found she wasn’t wearing her own clothing, but a beautiful blue satin nightgown. Jessica slid out of the bed like a soldier trying to avoid making herself a target. She crawled to the window, poked her head up, and gazed out.

Her head swam. The parking lot in front of the building, in perfect condition, overflowed with the most gorgeous cars ever to roll out of a Detroit factory. A glance made her think of the late 1950s. Huge cars made of glass, chrome, and Pittsburgh steel. The grounds beyond were a detailed and manicured garden masterpiece. Elaborate topiaries, hedges, and statuary were spread about with an artist’s touch.

With a groan, she slid down to sit on the perfect tile between the two windows. Her mind was a maelstrom. She spoke aloud to herself.

“Okay, there’s no possibility of a reasonable explanation for this, but there are some unreasonable ones.”

“One. I’ve stepped through a doorway into some weird world, like the Pevensies. That’s pretty unlikely unless I meet a faun in the foyer.”

“Two. I’ve encountered some sort of mold or chemical in the house, causing me to hallucinate. Also, unlikely.”

“Three. The most likely and highly upsetting is I’ve had an accident or stroke and I’m in a coma, dreaming this.”

As she was searching for possibility number four, there was an abrupt knock on the door and a man stepped in. The scream that had been lurking in her throat popped out in a strangled YEEP sound as she stared at the man in amazement and fear.

“Oh my, Ms. Cassidy! Are you alright? Have you fallen?”

The man was tall, dark-skinned, well-groomed, and dressed in pressed black slacks and a blood-red button-down shirt with a black bow tie. He carried a silver tray with a coffee pot and cups on it. He set the tray down on the bed and stooped to help Jessica up. She stared up into his face in awe.

“He’s gorgeous.” Jessica thought as her heart raced. “Jesus, how is that the first thing I notice when this situation is so insane?”

“My word, Ms. Cassidy. You’ve given me a start. Shall I call for the house doctor?” the young man asked.

She let him help her up and shook her head. “No.” She barely croaked out. “No, I’m fine.”

The man led her to a chair at the makeup table. “Are you sure?”

Jessica nodded.

The man passed her the newspaper that had been folded on the tray, with a shy smile.

Jessica opened the folded newspaper and stared at the date of publication. June 14th, 1962. The headline read; STANLEY KUBRICK’S “LOLITA” OPENS AMID CONTROVERSY. “Holy shit,” she whispered, and a shiver ran through her entire body. She felt faint for the first time in her life.