Ritualistic Design Phase 02
Keywords: Phase, 02, Ritualistic, Design,
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Her favorite victims were those with unkempt hair and no makeup or, alternatively, the girls who looked like what she called Gucci Whores. Wes was overall delighted with her snarkiness and while he didn't always participate, he did enjoy her commentary. It helped to pass the time rather admirably.
The auditorium filled to capacity and even with the folding chairs lined in row upon row before the front row of seats there were people standing in the aisles and standing along the sides and back of the room. He was definitely curious who could have possibly been speaking to attract this many people. While there were men in attendance, Wes was sure there were more women in attendance.
"Greetings, everyone! It's a pleasure to see so many students in attendance for today's lecture. Since the event was opened to the outside public, we are hosting many from the community as well. I would like to thank everyone for their attendance today. We have a very special guest, as you all know, and I won't delay her any further as she is a very busy woman. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton!"
The auditorium burst into applause as the former first lady walked confidently to the podium. She smiled and nodded to those in attendance for the first moment or so and then began her thanks to quiet the attendees.
She began her presentation, but Wes barely heard her speak. This couldn't possibly be the woman his mother had said was coming to visit and meet him. His mother had always been a straight laced, staunch conservative, upright model citizen. Now he was supposed to believe she was a right wing liberal Pagan priestess? He numbly turned his attention back to the stage.
~*~*~*~*~*
Maryam was rattling off to the head about the different points Ms. Clinton had made in her speech, but Wes wasn't really paying attention. He ambled along behind as they made their way back to the car and wished he had never worn pumps. They were damned uncomfortable for any extended walking. He suddenly admired women a bit more, especially Maryam whom he had never seen wearing anything other than pumps.
She unlocked the door and looked up at Wes with a wide smile plastered across her face. Her smile melted and she quirked her head. "Honey, are you alright?"
Wes shook his head and said nothing as he climbed into the car. Maryam closed and locked the doors and touched his arm gently. "It's a bit too much, isn't it?"
"A bit? A BIT too much? Damn it, a few weeks ago I thought my mother was the typical American woman. She was moral and just and proper. Now I come into this and find out my mother is nothing like I knew her to be. NOTHING." Wes balled his fists and sunk them into his lap before he hit something. Maryam patted his shoulder soothingly.
"She figured this was the best way to do it. You know, the whole "when in Rome, do as the Romans" thing? She thought it would be best for you to just be inundated with all the new knowledge all at once and then you could sort through it at your leisure. Believe me, it is a lot to learn about someone, especially your mother. Having come through it myself, although not in your capacity, I have to say it took Charlotte and I a long time to reconcile our differences. I am sure it will be a LOT less time for you and your mother, Lori. Really, it's best to just accept it. It's not like you can really have it all undone. And, really, if you could... would you?"
Wes thought about it for a few moments. He could go back to his life with his friends and his family and everything that was familiar and comfortable or he could be here knowing what he knew, seeing what he saw and trying to come to terms with an entirely new life that had been forced on him. He waffled. It really had been a fantasy of his to be a woman, even for a few days. He had always been fascinated with the freedom so many people exhibited and now it was sitting at his doorstep. He had a good friend in Maryam and his mother was doing what she thought was best for him. His indecision was still too great and he shrugged and sighed. "I don't know."
Maryam sighed as well and nodded sadly. "I know this is a lot to take in all at once, Wes—Lori. But I am here to help you. You're alright." The engine purred as she turned the key in the ignition. "Let's go back so you can meet Hillary. She's definitely an interesting woman. I really think you'll like her and come to accept her in time."
~*~*~*~
When Wes entered Sharon's office, he was shocked to see her leaned across the arm of her reclining chair, hand in hand, with Hillary. He cleared his throat and scuffed his shoe against the floor.
"Oh, Lori! I was hoping you would make it back in time!" She stood and maneuvered Wes into the chair she had been sitting in and sat beside Hillary on the loveseat. They were sitting too close to one another. Wes looked away. Sharon continued, "Hillary, this is my daughter Lori. This is who I wanted you to meet when I spoke with you last."
Wes could feel Hillary's eyes as she assessed him. "He turned out rather well, didn't he? I am impressed."
Sharon suppressed a squeal of delight. "I think she turned out just lovely, don't you?"
"Indeed." Hillary ducked her head to catch Wes's eye. "What do you think?"
"Honestly? I don't know what to think. My mother, whom I thought was normal, turns out to be some Pagan priestess in a cult of women. Then she has me kidnapped, drugged, raped and given a sex change. I mean, seriously, what would YOU think if this had happened?"
Hillary nodded somberly. "Yes, I see what you mean. That was all very extreme for you, I'm sure. Has she told you about her involvement with me?"
"I didn't know you were involved in this until this morning."
"So she didn't tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Well, this..." Hillary leaned in and kissed Sharon passionately. Wes blinked hard.
"Lori, love, we've been lovers for awhile now. Ever since I met her several years ago when she returned to her former college for a speech during her husband's campaign. I chanced to talk to her and we got along very well. Since then I have been working under the covers, so to speak, with Hillary to bring about the changes she wanted to have done while Bill was in office."
"So this group is more than just a Pagan coven?"
"Yes, it is. We are also a political activist group."
Wes rubbed his forehead wearily. "And you want me to be part of this?"
"Well, yes. We really had hoped for that, especially given your prior profession."
Hillary interjected, "Wes, I know this is a lot for you to handle all at once. I had figured you would have been guided into this a bit more than you were. But let me ask you something. If you could undo all of this and go back to the way you were, would you?"
Wes shook his head. "I don't know. On one hand, I really like the way things are. On the other hand, I don't. I would really like to be kept in the loop. It would have been nice to have had some time to accept one thing before another was thrust upon me. It's not like I chose this."
"The coven will protect you, give you a new job within the commune and you are more than welcome to come and go as you please just as long as you don't give out any information about the group or any of the goings-on here. If you did, there would be a lot of women out of jobs, homes, affordable health care and community that they so desperately need."
"I don't want them out of any of those things. I just need some time to wrap my brain around it all. That's all. It was too much, too fast."
"I understand completely."
"I do have some questions, though. How is this place running? What protects it from the outside world? Why is everything here so different? What all do you do here? Who funds this? How can they have so many things at finger's reach? Is the government involved?"
Hillary smiled and patted Wes's hand. "I fund this project. As for all of your other questions, those will all be revealed in time. Welcome to the Willendorf Project, Lori. It's good to have you on board."
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Keywords: Phase, 02, Ritualistic, Design,