Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 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.