The next morning the boss explains a few things about the gala to Anna. It’s finally the day she has been waiting for.
He explains that it is tradition for the men and women to get ready in separate locations. Monique will come pick Anna up and take her to get ready with several of the other women attending. There they will have hair and makeup professionally done. Manicure and pedicure. Waxing.
“All those torturous things women put themselves through to pretty up for their men,” he chuckles and kisses her. “And Rod will be there to make any final alterations to your dress. I think you may have lost a few pounds here. Or more accurately had them pounded out of you.” He winks. Anna giggles and playfully slaps his arm.
While the women prepare, the men get together to play cards and smoke cigars at the tree house. They also determine their final prices.
“Prices?” Anna asks.
“Yes, at the end of the gala there is a private group that makes extra money by allowing the others to purchase time with their dates,” he says in a tone that says this is all completely normal to him.