Control Tower

A NIGHT AT THE WET SPOT

by Mistress Matisse

9:53--Max and I enter the Wet Spot, greet the staffer at the desk, and pay our cover charge. Then we struggle to hang up our coats--black leather, of course--in the large closet that is already jammed to overflowing with other black leather coats. I momentarily consider buying a scarlet wool coat, so that at least I would never again have to hunt through sagging racks of dead cow when leaving a party.

10:01--We go into the social area of the dungeon. There are perhaps 100 people present, about 20 of whom I know, and another 20 whom I think I've seen around. A subtle ripple goes through the crowd as people nearby look up to see who came in. Friends smile or wave, and strangers either go back to their conversations or look us over, according to their different agendas for the evening. Out in the play area, I see about eight different scenes in progress, ranging from a vigorous flogging, to a man tied down to a table getting clothespins attached to his genitals.

10:10--We move through the social area, stopping every few feet to chat with friends, and then I go off to get a Diet Coke from the snack area. As I do, a man dressed in stiff, new leather pants fiddles with his empty coffee cup and throws several quick glances at me. I know this look, so I pause, ostensibly to crack open the soda, but really to let him speak to me, if he wants to.

10:11--He does. "You're Mistress Matisse, aren't you?" I say yes, and we chat for a minute--he's new in the scene, and he likes reading the column; it's how he first heard about the Wet Spot, and this is his third visit here. I congratulate him on taking the plunge, because it can be scary, but it's the best way to meet other kinky people. It's a fairly typical conversation for me to have with someone I don't know, but who feels that he knows me, a little.

10:19--I glance across the room at Max, who is talking to a small dark-haired woman that we know slightly. I can tell by the flirtatious tilt of her head that the conversation isn't strictly social on her part--unless you count getting tied up as social. However, I'm fine with that, so I walk by, smile sweetly at them, and go sit down to watch what's happening in the play area.

10:25--Max comes up behind me and kisses my neck. "Have a nice chat?" I say.

"[Her name] asked if I'd do a suspension on her," he replies. "How would you feel about that?"

"I think that sounds charming." He then tells me I'm welcome to join in, if I'd like. I tell him I'll consider it, but that I'm feeling more inclined to watch than to play tonight.

10:38--Max stakes out a play space and starts preparing for the scene. His subject stands off to one side next to her girlfriend, looking excited and nervous. I go over and gently decline the invitation to join in, but tell them I hope she has fun.

10:49--Max starts wrapping rope around his bottom du jour. Her lover comes to sit with me and I entertain us by giving a low-voiced play-by-play of the scene, in the manner of a sports commentator.

11:08--A few people come say hello and make positive remarks about Max's scene. I enjoy hearing my lover being complimented, and make mental notes so I can tell him about it later.

11:20--A sweet boy I know asks if I'd like a foot massage while I watch. I take off my boots immediately.

11: 56--Max returns his somewhat endorphin-high companion to her partner, hugs them both, and then comes to sit with me and catch his breath. My masseur gives my feet a ceremonial kiss, bows slightly to Max and me, and leaves.

12:05--Several people who watched the scene come to ask Max for some rope bondage tips, which he gives them.

12:42--After some enjoyable conversations, Max and I decide it's time to go home and finish our kinky evening with each other, in private.