Later that evening little Nataly sat in front of the dressing table mirror in the tiny apartment she shared with Yulia and Elizaveta. She looked at the image she saw in the mirror and saw her own face with Yulia standing behind her with a satisfied look on her face. Yulia said, “There. That is much better since I have plucked your eyebrows. You don’t have that ugly Caterpillar creeping above your eyes.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad,” replied Nataly.

As she said this, the door to the apartment opened and Elizaveta came in. She said, “Hello, roommates. I am home.” Then looking around, she added, “Unlike some people I know, I have both a real job and am working on my accounting degree. I can’t just lounge around the apartment all day gazing at myself in the mirror.”

Nataly started to tell Elizaveta that she had finally agreed to a screen test, but thought better of it. Instead Yulia, ignoring Elizaveta’s remark, said, “Come look. Without her little Caterpillar above her eyes, our little Nataly is almost beautiful. Why, once I put on makeup and lend her decent clothes, she will certainly do well at the screen test and soon be an actress like me.”

Elizaveta rolled her eyes and said, “Screen test! This nonsense again? Natalya, you should stick to your accounting classes. This acting talk is just all bullshit.”

“Not so,” cried Yulia. “I got a part in Bogdan’s and Alexi’s friend’s movie. They filmed it the other night. And now Alexi has finally convinced Nataly to try for an acting part. Perhaps she can be my co-star.”

“And what kind of part, excuse me. Yulia dear, just what was your role in this ‘movie’s of Bogdan’s and Alexi’s?”

“It was an erotic part,” sniffed Yulia. “Something an old maid like you wouldn’t understand.”

This seemed to set Elizaveta off. Her voice raising, she said, “Yulia, if you want to make porno films with your boyfriend, that is your own damn business, but you should not drag Nataly into it.” Then looking at Nataly, “This is a very bad idea. I do not trust either Bogdan or Alexi. They are nothing but never do wells looking for a fast Euro. Don’t be stupid!” She paused, nodded at Yulia and added, “Like her!”

Now Nataly was angry. “But I love Alexi. And he loves me. It is he who has my best interest at heart. You are not my mother! I am going to do the screen test. And if I am chosen, I will do the part!”

“You are impossible! Both of you!” shouted Elizaveta. And she stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door on the way out.

“She must be on her period,” said Yulia. Nataly giggled, and Yulia went on, “Now let’s do your hair and makeup. Bogdan and Alexi are picking us up at eight.”

“Mutual friend?” replied Bogdan with a blank look. “I don’t understand.”

Ivan replied, “You know. Mr. Big. He who is close to the other Vladimir. The man who allows us to operate without interference from the authorities. The man who gets a healthy cut from all our endeavors.”

“But you should be happy. Look at all you and Vladimir have done under his protection.”

“Oh, I am,” replied Ivan. “Anyway, it is good news that you have convinced Yulia’s roommate to cooperate. No offense, but your girl was getting a little shop worn. It’s hard to play the seduced virgin when in all the nude scenes, her bruises are already visible. Plus, now when she is filmed being whipped, it’s obvious that she is enjoying it.”

Alexi broke in. “Well, it certainly won’t be with Nataly. She looks quite virginal. And is, in fact, almost a virgin. I have only penetrated her once or twice, and even then, she keeps saying, ‘No, no, not yet my love.’ I have had to imply that marriage might be in the future to get in her panties.”

+++++

And across town in the tiny apartment, Yulia and Nataly share with Elizaveta, the accounting student, another conversation was taking place. “Yulia, I am having second thoughts about this screen test that Bogdan has arranged. I know nothing about acting.”

Yulia replied, “Neither did I at first. But, after all, we all ‘act’ in our daily lives. Did you never act innocent back home after you did something your parents disapproved of? Acting is merely a form of lying. Lying and reacting. Besides it’s your looks that are most important. You don’t have to be beautiful like me.”

Nataly started to say, “Yulia, you are many things, but beautiful is not one of them, but thought better.” Instead, she thought to herself, “Striking perhaps, certainly showy and often slutty looking, but beautiful, no. Not at all.”

Yulia offered another reason. “Besides, Bogdan has told me that Alexi wants you to do the test. And you want to please Alexi. Right?”

“I guess so,” replied Nataly.

“Good. It’s settled then. Mow, come on. We have to do something about those eyebrows of yours. They make you look even more like the country girl that you still are at heart.”

Ivan was reclining in a chair across from Vladmir’s desk, smoking. He said, “Remember back when I convinced Nastascha to go to Paris with us under the pretext of you getting her into films in France?”

Vladimir replied, “Of course, I remember. It seemed like a good idea at the time – you seduce the pretty girl from the country. You what with your expensive suit and fancy Rolex watch. It was almost too easy. She was so naïve. Why do you ask?”

“I ask because if we had been in the porno film business back then like we are now, we wouldn’t have ‘sold’ her to Roissy. Instead, we could have convinced her to be in our films on a regular basis. I think that would have made us more money that the amount we got for her from that woman at Roissy.”

Vladimir looked up from the film editor and said, “You are probably right, my friend.” He paused, then added, “But hindsight is always 20/20.”

Ivan agreed, then he said, “I wonder what ever happened to her. She was quite good in bed.”

Vladimir responded, “Funny you should mention that. I heard from our French friend that the woman in charge of Roissy sent her to a similar place in southern Germany – aptly named Haus der Sklavin. And there she was ‘bought’ by, of all things, a Ukrainian fellow.”

“What! A Russian girl bought by a Ukrainian? That doesn’t seem right!” said Ivan.

“Well, she let you seduce her, so she couldn’t have been too bright. She got what she deserved,” replied Vladimir. Then the phone on his desk rang.

Ivan only heard one side of the conversation. “Yes? She did? Good? We’ll do the screen test tomorrow. You and Alexi bring the girls here about eight p.m. She’ll feel safer in a group.” Then after a pause, “Any progress n the sister? She would be a star.” Then he hung up and looked at Ivan and said, “That was your protégé Bogdan. He finally got Yulia’s roommate to agree to a screen test.”

Ivan replied, “Yes. He told me he was working on her. I saw her once. Young, skinny black hair. Not a Slavic princess, but pretty enough, I guess. And what did he say about Yulia’s sister? She’s the one we should really get. She’s a knockout. She is pretty enough to do regular porn; we wouldn’t have to use her for BDSM porn like we do with Yulia.”

Vladimir said, “Yes, I know. But Bogdan says she is still with that wealthy fellow. She likes being a kept woman.”

Ivan said, “Well, this Nataly girl would probably be a step up from Bogdan’s bitch Yulia. She has that used and cheap look about her already.” Then the cell phone on Vladimir’s desk rang again. He smiled broadly at Ivan and said, “It’s our mutual friend. You know, the one with the connections to the ‘other’ Vladimir. I must take it.”

“Okay,” said Ivan.

Vladimir replied, “In private, my friend. Just wait outside.”

Remember our little story arc about young Nataly, our Russian girl? Probably not, after all, it’s been over six months since we last checked on her. Nataly was from Veliky Novograd and after her impoverished parents basically kicked her out, she migrated to Moscow and moved in with two other girls Yulia, an aspiring actress and Elizaveta, a student. Nataly enrolled in school and worked some as a waitress. Yulia introduced her to two neer do wells, Alexi and Bogdan. Nataly soon developed a crush on Alexi. Following is the last post about Nataly from December 2020:

REPOST

Yulia had told Nataly that Bogdan and Alexi had cast her in a film, and that as they were always seeking ‘fresh faces,’ they were curious as to what Nataly would think about being in one. Yulia had said, “Bogdan and Alexi wanted me to ask you if you would be interested in doing a screen test. What should I tell them? Yes or no?”

To say Nataly was surprised would be an understatement. She could see why Yulia might be considered for a part in a movie; she was, after all, very pretty. Not as pretty as her sister, Natalya, whom Nataly had once met.

Natalya who was in her early 20’s was what an American might call a ‘knockout.’ She had a cute face, big blue eyes, full lips that exuded sex. And her figure! Natalya had huge breasts – Nataly thought they might be enhanced, a tiny waist, a large rear that seemed all the fashion rage now. And to accentuate it, Natalya had a huge tattoo of some sort or bird on her right hip and thigh. Whereas Yulia was pretty, Natalya was truly gorgeous. And to top it off, Natalya had an older boyfriend who seemed quite wealthy. It was no wonder that Yulia hated her younger sister.

But now Yulia considered herself a movie star. Because Bogdan and Alexi had cast her in some small role in a film they produced. Yulia, sounding impatient said again, “What should I tell Bogdan? That you are interested in doing a screen test or not?”

Nataly knew that in her own way, she was also comely. She was tall with a wide Slavic face framed by a mass of black hair. But she was skinny and flat chested. In the few movies she had seen, Nataly identified with the star’s not so pretty friend who always gave practical advice. She said to Yulia, “What type of screen test? For what type of movie?” Yulia replied, “Probably the kind I was in. You don’t have to be glamorous at all. Just not fat or ugly. I’ve seen some girls uglier than you who have gotten parts in their films.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Yulia,” responded Nataly coldly. “Oh, you know what I mean. Come on, Bogdan said he would call me this morning. What should I tell him?”

Nataly considered her options. She was nearly broke. Paying her part of the rent this month was going to be difficult if not impossible. Her hours at the café where she worked as a waitress had been cut. “Not as many customers now,” said the manager. “Everyone is afraid of getting the plague. They are staying home.“ And she was struggling in school.

Yulia’s phone buzzed. She said, “It’s Bogdan.”

Nataly sighed and said, “Tell him I’ll do the screen test.”

TO BE CONTINUED IN 2021

Nataly looked at the image staring back at her from the dressing table mirror. She thought to herself, “I honestly think I look very pretty, very sophisticated. Not at all like the country bumpkin I was when I first came to Moscow.” But to Yulia, Nataly modestly said, “Why I hardly recognize myself.”

Yulia laughed and said, “That’s because I am the only movie star you know. Soon you will know another. You, darling. But now we must pick a suitable dress for your screen test. I know you have only country clothes, so let’s pick something from my closet.”

Sorting through the clothes jammed into the wardrobe that housed Yulia’s clothing, she pulled out a black mini dress. It was of lightweight material and actually looked fashionable, not like most of Yuli’s other clothes which varied from garish to outright trashy. On Yulia it went to her mid-thigh, but on the taller Nataly, it barely covered her rear. Yulia held it up and said, “Here! This dress. I loaned it to you the night we went to the disco with Bogdan and Alexei, you remember, the first night I introduced you to Alexei.”

Nataly thought to herself, “How could I forget that night. I had way too much vodka and the men bought us champagne. I was truly a country girl then. I got drunk and when you teased me and said I was probably a virgin, I blurted out about her encounter with Dimitri when she was about fifteen. They had all laughed. I was so embarrassed! But it was also the first night I met Alexei, and now I am sure that I am in love with him.”

Nataly took the dress and started to go into the tiny bathroom in the hallway, the one bath shared by four apartments on the floor of the building. Yulia said, “Where are you going?”

Nataly responded, “Why, to change clothes.” “Oh, do not be so modest. Actresses are not so modest. Loosen up. Besides I must see what type of under clothing you plan on wearing.” Nataly frowned, but did as Yulia said. When she pulled down the jean she was wearing, Yulia said, “Oh no, little girl. Those granny panties will never do. Don’t you have something more sexy?”

Nataly went to the cardboard trunk that held her belongings. She shyly pulled out a pair of red hip hugging panties and held them up. “Yes, those will do. And ditch the bra also. You look better in that dress without it.”

Five minutes later Nataly stood before her friend in the black mini dress. Wearing sandals. As long as she didn’t bend over, her red panties were not visible. “Yes. Much better.,” said Yulia. Then Yulia’s cell phone rang. She answered and after a brief conversation, looked at Nataly and said, “Let’s go. Bogdan and Alexei are waiting in the car.”

Nataly didn’t see Alexi that night. After Elizaveta’s lecture, she called and said she couldn’t go out. Instead Nataly spent the night studying. But when she finally went to bed, she had very vivid dreams about Alexi and her. Nataly dreamed that she and Alexi were on a beach somewhere – probably the Black Sea. It was summer and Nataly was wearing a tiny bikini that Alexi had bought her. They frolicked on the beach and afterwards they lay beside one another. Alexi kissed Nataly on the lips, then on the neck, then he carefully pulled down the top of her bikini and kissed her nipples. Then…

The buzzing of the alarm clock awoke Nataly. As she lurched into consciousness, she realized that she was wet and aroused. She glanced around the bedroom she shared with Elizaveta and Yulia. Elizaveta was already gone, probably to her job as an accountant. Yulia was still in her bed – snoring loudly. “She came in around 3 am and woke me before falling into her bed without changing into night clothes,” thought Nataly. She won’t wake up for hours, thought Nataly as she pulled up her night gown and slid her hand down her belly and thought of Alexi and the Black Sea beach.

After Nataly finished masturbating, she got out of bed and padded into the other room of the apartment – a combination living area and kitchen. There she placed a teapot on the two-burner stove and heated water for her morning tea. Nataly thought to herself, “I am getting no where with my life. I am not doing well in my studies and I am making almost nothing at my job as a waitress. I understand Elizaveta having money; she is very reliable, and no doubt does good work at her job. Plus, she never goes out. She will probably end up well off, but single. Yulia I do not understand at all. She always seems to have money. She says she is an actress, but who knows. She stays out all hours. Maybe Bogdan gives her money; after all she did say that Bogdan and Alexi work in films and were perhaps going to get her a part in one of their projects.” The teapot whistling broke her train of thought.

Nataly was sipping her tea when Yulia appeared in the room. Nataly thought she looked awful – make-up smeared, hair all messy, still in her disheveled clothes from the night before. Nataly also noticed what looked like bruises on both wrists. “Good Morning,” said Yulia. “Is there more tea?”

“Help yourself,” replied Nataly. Then, “You came in very late last night.”

Yulia replied, “Yes, I know. It was a long day.” She paused, then, “But Nat! I got to be in a film! I told you and Elizaveta that Bogdan would arrange it.”

“Great,” said Nataly without much enthusiasm.

“Don’t sound so happy for me,” said Yulia. Then she picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table.”

“Those are mine,” said Nataly.

“You don’t mind, do you?” said Yulia, lighting one. When she lit the cigarette, Nataly noticed Yulia’s wrist. “Yes, that is a bruise, Thought Nataly to herself. Then as Yulia expelled smoke, she went on, “That night gown of yours. Ugh! It looks like something my grandmother would wear. If you asked, I bet Alexi would buy you a new one. A sexy one.” Then after a short pause, she added, “Bogdan and Alexi wanted me to ask you if you would be interested in doing a screen test. What should I tell them?”

The waiter brought the two extra glasses for the vodka and a bottle of cheap champagne and champagne glasses. Bogdan proposed a toast to the night and all four downed a large portion of vodka. Nataly was not used to drinking and felt the quick burn of the vodka as it went down her throat. She feared there were tears in her eyes. Yulia said, “Good, huh?” Nataly, not wanting to appear either the country bumpkin that she was or a prude, gulped and said, “Yes. Very good.”

Bogdan said, “Now we must toast champagne,” and poured four glasses. He said “Cheers!” and they again drank. Nataly thought, “This tasted somewhat sweet, not like the vodka.” She said, “Why, this is very good.” Alexi laughed and said, “Virgins always prefer champagne.” Again, Nataly was silent.

And so, it went for half an hour – shots of vodka, followed by champagne – champagne for Nataly anyway as the others somewhat refrained from the sweetness of it, preferring the burn of the vodka. But the combination began to have an effect on Nataly. For no reason at all, she blurted out, “I am NOT a virgin. I made love with a boy back at school in Veliky Novgorod.”

Alexi said, “Bravo!” and Yulia and Bogdan laughed, then got up to go dance. Once they were on the dance floor, Alexi slid over close to Nataly and said, “And how was the sex with this boy in school?” Nataly had the hiccups now. In between them she said, “It was icky. We were in the basement laundry room of the apartments where I lived with my parents and siblings. Mama had told me to go do the laundry. He was there. I recognized him from school. Hic! Dimitri was his name. He, Hic! Looked at me and said, ‘Wanna see something?’ I was curious and said sure. Hic! Then he took his thing out and began stroking it. Hic! It got big. Hic! Real big! Then he said, ‘Let me put it in your vlagalishche. It will feel really good. Hic! He came over, lifted my dress, pushed aside my panties and stuck it in. It hurt. I screamed and he pulled out, but when he did, he discharged on me and my panties. Hic!”

Alexi laughed and said, “That is rich! You truly are a country bumpkin.” Then, “You know I can cure your hiccups.”

“Hic! How?” asked Nataly.

Then Suddenly Alexi moved his hand up Nataly’s dress and grabbed her sex. She gasped and pushed his hand away and said, “What are you doing!” Alexi laughed again and said, “See! Your hiccups are gone.”

Nataly and Yulia walked into the disco club in one of the areas of Moscow frequented by not only Russian Noveau Riche, but also western tourists. Nataly was somewhat overwhelmed by the sights of blinking lights, alternating from bright light to darkness as well as the loud thumping of the music. Yulia had loaned her a short black dress that came to mid-thigh on her, but on the taller Nataly barely covered her rear. Also, Yulia had insisted Nataly not wear a bra with the dress, so her nipples, erect in the cool Moscow air, strained against the cloth of the dress. As for Yulia, she wore leopard print tights and a purple top over them.

Two men in ill fitting suits rose when the girls approached. Yulia rushed to the taller one, took his arm and said, “Bogdan, Alexi, this is my roommate Nataly. She’s a country bumpkin from Veliky Novgorod, and new to the big city.” Then in a theatrical whisper, loud enough for the men to clearly hear, “And I think she’s still a virgin!” The men laughed and Nataly blushed, but didn’t say anything. Then the two couples sat down. There was an open bottle of vodka sitting on the table, and Bogdan and Alexi had clearly been drinking. A waiter appeared and asked, “Two more glasses. For the ladies?” Yulia replied, “Sure. And a bottle of champagne. We are celebrating tonight.” Then she looked at Bogdan and said, “Okay?” He nodded in agreement.

Remember the young Russian girl, Nataly?

Nataly was a tall (1.7 meter) young Russian girl in her late teens. She was quite pretty by Slavic standards, albeit on the skinny side – oval face with wide cheek bones; coarse, straight black hair that she usually wore in a ponytail; and large gray-brown eyes. She was the first born to a lower middle-class family in Veliky Novgorod. As a schoolgirl, her good looks caught the attention of her classmates – boys and girls. Nataly envied those who could afford nice clothes and lived in nice apartments while she had only two or three dresses and had to share a room with her two younger brothers. “But Papa, I’m a girl. I need my privacy!” she had said. “Then move out!” he replied. So, as soon as possible Nataly had moved out, and moved to Moscow where she got into a school for accounting.

But Nataly’s living conditions scarcely improved. She shared a one-bedroom apartment with two other girls Yulia and Elizaveta. Elizaveta was a classmate, and Yulia fancied herself as an actress. Both Elizaveta and Yulia seemed to have more money that Nataly who around her school schedule worked as a waitress in a coffee shop near campus. Nataly knew that Elizaveta’s family in Smolensk, but where Yulia got her money was a mystery. Yulia had several outfits, all new, even if a little bit slutty by some standards. Whenever Elizaveta commented on Yulia dressing too provocatively, she would laugh and say, “But I am an actress, not a prudish accountant.”

It was early March, Nataly’s birthday, her 20th, was next week, and she was depressed. She had not heard from her family since Christmas; they had pretty much disowned her when she moved to Moscow. And after paying her share of the rent and buying the books for the next class, she was almost broke. She held a few Rubles in her hand, looked at them bleakly and said, “This will have to do until I get paid at the coffee shop, and that won’t be for a couple of weeks.” It was at this moment that Yulia walked into the room. “Why so glum, Nat,” she said.

“I’m broke and it’s two weeks until payday,” answered Nataly.

“Well, come with me,” said Yulia. “I have a date with Bogdan, and he has a buddy, Alexei who is very cute. I’ll call Bogdan and tell him to bring Alexei to the club. And I’ll even loan you some clothes, so you don’t look like the country peasant you are,” she teased Nataly before adding, “They both have money from some venture.”

Nataly thought for a bit, considering her alternatives before answering, “Well, Okay I guess.”

While Idetta and Anne Claire were chained in their respective beds at Haus der Sklavin and trying to get to sleep, another drama began to play out about 2400 kilometers to the north-east. Nataly was a tall (1.7 meter) young Russian girl in her late teens. She was quite pretty by Slavic standards, albeit on the skinny side – oval face with wide cheek bones; coarse, straight black hair that she usually wore in a ponytail; and large gray-brown eyes. She was the first born to a lower middle-class family in Veliky Novgorod. As a schoolgirl, her good looks caught the attention of her classmates – boys and girls. Nataly envied those who could afford nice clothes and lived in nice apartments while she had only two or three dresses and had to share a room with her two younger brothers. “But Papa, I’m a girl. I need my privacy!” she had said. “Then move out!” he replied. So, as soon as possible Nataly had moved out, and moved to Moscow where she got into a school for accounting.

But Nataly’s living conditions scarcely improved. She shared a one-bedroom apartment with two other girls Yulia and Elizaveta. Elizaveta was a classmate, and Yulia fancied herself as an actress. Both Elizaveta and Yulia seemed to have more money that Nataly who around her school schedule worked as a waitress in a coffee shop near campus. Nataly knew that Elizaveta’s family in Smolensk, but where Yulia got her money was a mystery. Yulia had several outfits, all new, even if a little bit slutty by some standards. Whenever Elizaveta commented on Yulia dressing too provocatively, she would laugh and say, “But I am an actress, not a prudish accountant.”

It was early March, Nataly’s birthday, her 20th, was next week, and she was depressed. She had not heard from her family since Christmas; they had pretty much disowned her when she moved to Moscow. And after paying her share of the rent and buying the books for the next class, she was almost broke. She held a few Rubles in her hand, looked at them bleakly and said, “This will have to do until I get paid at the coffee shop, and that won’t be for a couple of weeks.” It was at this moment that Yulia walked into the room. “Why so glum, Nat,” she said.

“I’m broke and it’s two weeks until payday, and I have an exam coming up,” answered Nataly.

“Well, come with me,” said Yulia. “I have a date with Bogdan, and he has a buddy, Alexei who is very cute. I’ll call Bogdan and tell him to bring Alexei to the club. And I’ll even loan you some clothes, so you don’t look like the country peasant you are,” she teased Nataly before adding, “They both have money from some venture.”

Nataly thought for a bit, considering her alternatives before answering, “Well, Okay I guess.”

And so it began.

To say Nataly was surprised would be an understatement. She could see why Yulia might be considered for a part in a movie; she was, after all, very pretty. Not as pretty as her sister, Natalya, whom Nataly had once met. Natalya who was in her early 20’s was what an American might call a ‘knockout.’ She had a cute face, big blue eyes, full lips that exuded sex. And ger figure! Natalya had huge breasts – Nataly thought they might be enhanced, a tiny waist, a large rear that seemed all the fashion rage now. And to accentuate it, Natalya had a huge tattoo of some sort or bird on her right hip and thigh. Whereas Yulia was pretty, Natalya was truly gorgeous. And to top it off, Natalya had an older boyfriend who seemed quite wealthy. It was no wonder that Yulia hated her younger sister.

But now Yulia considered herself a movie star. Because Bogdan and Alexi had cast her in some small role in a film they produced. Yulia, sounding impatient said again, “What should I tell Bogdan? That you are interested in doing a screen test or not?”

Nataly knew that in her own way, she was also comely. She was tall with a wide Slavic face framed by a mass of black hair. But she was skinny and flat chested. In the few movies she had seen, Nataly identified with the star’s not so pretty friend who always gave practical advice. She said to Yulia, “What type of screen test? For what type of movie?”

Yulia replied, “Probably the kind I was in. You don’t have to be glamorous at all. Just not fat or ugly. I’ve seen some girls uglier than you who have gotten parts in their films.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Yulia,” responded Nataly coldly.

“Oh, you know what I mean. Come on, Bogdan said he would call me this morning. What should I tell him?”

Nataly considered her options. She was nearly broke. Paying her part of the rent this month was going to be difficult if not impossible. Her hours at the café where she worked as a waitress had been cut. “Not as many customers now,” said the manager. “Everyone is afraid of getting the plague. They are staying home.“ And she was struggling in school.

Yulia’s phone buzzed. She said, “It’s Bogdan.”

Nataly sighed and said, “Tell him I’ll do the screen test.”

TO BE CONTINUED IN 2021

“Don’t even think that, Nataly. You are too young. Besides you haven’t finish schooling yet. And I have noticed that since you began seeing him, you are not doing so well in school. The teacher mentioned it to me. He is concerned about you.”

Nataly responded, “But Alexi is so handsome. And quite worldly. And I think he and Bogdan have good jobs. They are with some sort of company that makes movies. Alexi told me that Yulia has been having parts in some of the films.”

Elizaveta replied, “Well, Yulia seems to be working some now. She had no problem coming up with her part of the rent last month.” She paused and said, “By the way, rent is due in two weeks. Do you have your part?” Not yet, but Alexi said he would loan me the money if need be.”

Elizaveta, who was several years older than the nineteen-year-old Nataly, said, “That is not a good idea. You shouldn’t be taking money from a man. He will expect something in return.”

Nataly flounced over to a table by the sofa in their tiny apartment and picked up a pack of cigarettes that Yulia had left there. She withdrew one, lit it and inhaled.”

Elizaveta said, “And when did you start smoking. You know it’s bad for you.”

Nataly only looked at her and said, “And you know you should not lecture me. You are not my mother!”

Exasperated, Elizaveta said, “You’re impossible! I give up.” And she walked out the door of the tiny apartment, slamming it on the way out.

After she was gone, Nataly looked out the window to the street below. She thought to herself, “Perhaps Elizaveta is correct. But I do think I am in love with Alexi.”

Vladimir A. had started out as a small-time pimp in Moscow almost forty years ago. Then one day he had met a man who worked for the (then) KGB. The man had offered Vladimir a proposition. “You will report to me any Party members who partake of your business.,”

Vladimir, young and full of bravado, replied, “And if I refuse?”

The response was, “Then I will kill you. Who would care about one less pimp?”

Time passed. The Berlin Wall came down. Boris Yeltsin came to power. Vladimir’s friend from the KGB disappeared. Vladimir took a younger partner in business -a handsome man called Ivan. They gradually got into the human trafficking as young women from the Russian interior began flocking to Moscow looking for better opportunities. Ivan, with his good looks, Western suits, and Rolex had no trouble seducing young naïve farm girls. The homely ones were sold to local brothels or to Belarus or Ukraine. Prettier ones were sent to the West. Truly beautiful girls might be sent to a place like Roissy, as was the case with Nastascha.

Then one day there was a chance meeting between Vladimir and his old KGB ‘friend.’ It seemed he was now with the SVR. As the old USSR was imploding, he had hitched his star to another former KGB officer – the other Vladimir, as he referred to the man- and now had access to the highest levels of power within the Kremlin. He offered Vladimir and his fledgling human trafficking enterprise protection from law enforcement. For a price, of course. It was an offer Vladimir could not refuse.

Not long afterwards Vladimir realized that making photographic movies was also a way to make money. Vladimir knew nothing about making movies, but I van had actually tried to get into Russian cinema, going so far as to study filmmaking at a local university. And prior to meeting Vladimir he had been in a couple of short pornographic films. Vladimir knew that BDSM porn was quite profitable. And Ivan said of the women her seduced, “A Russian woman isn’t truly happy unless she’s being beaten. Even Stalin said that.”

“That isn’t quite what Stalin said, but it is close enough my friend,” replied Vladimir. “Besides if a girl tires of ‘starring’ in our little movies, we can always traffic her. And thus “Slaves for Love” studio was born.

+++++

Back to the present:

Vladimir said to Ivan, “Is everything set up in our filming studio?” Calling the little room in the warehouse with lights and props a studio was a vast overstatement, but Vladimir thought it gave an air of authenticity to his operation.

“Yes,” responded Ivan. “And I have Abeo standing by. You know I do not like him.”

“Neither do I. I hate doing business with that Nigerian. But he is well endowed. Even much more than you, who are a regular Slavic stallion. And having a pretty Slavic girl take a large Black member in her mouth makes for a good scene.”

“I guess so,” said Ivan somewhat glumly.

Vladimir continued, “And this new girl, what’s her name?”

“It’s Nataly.”

“Yes, Nataly. She will be compliant?”

“I should think so. Bogdan and Alexei were going to smoke some marijuana with Yulia and her, then give her a, how do the Americans say? A roofie and tell her it’s a Valium. To calm her nerves before the big screen test. I am sure she will be compliant.”

Vladimir considered this, then nodded and said, “It should go well then.” And as he said this his cell phone buzzed.

In Moscow: Part Two

And across town from the warehouse that served as the ‘studio’ for “Slaves for Love,” a car with four young people was headed to the building. Bogan and Julia were sitting in front in the black Zil, while Alexei and Nataly were in the back. Alexei said, “Nataly, you look stunning tonight. Just like a movie star. Are you nervous about your screen test?”

“Yes, of course. A little. I had only smoked marijuana a couple of times previously…”

When Nataly said this, Yulia laughed and said in a loud voice, “See, I told you that this country girl is an almost virgin. The first time we smoked some in our apartment, she almost passed out. Then she decided she was hungry and aye everything in our little icebox.”

Nataly said in a sheepish voice, “What can I say? I got hungry. But not tonight. Tonight, it has made me feel a little calmer about this screen test. And Alexei has also given me a – what do you call it?”

This time, it was Bogdan who answered from the front seat. “It was a Valium, dear girl. My friend Alexei procured one from a friend. Once it kicks in, you will feel very calm.”

And Alexei added, “Yes. Very calm. And you will do fine at the screen test.” Then he pulled Nataly’s head over to his and kissed her. Kissed her deeply on the mouth. As he did so, he slid his hand up Nataly’s thigh towards her sex. Half-heartedly, Nataly pushed his hand away, saying, “No. Please. Darling. Not now.” Nataly knew she really didn’t want his hand to leave; she wanted to have sex with Alexei, but now wasn’t the time or place. Instead, she changed the subject. “Do you know what this screen test will involve? Will I just have to have some photos taken, memorize some speeches and perhaps read a few lines from a play? Something like that?”

Bogdan answered, “Oh yes. Photos of you will be taken. And perhaps you will read a few lines of dialog. But it won’t be from a play. Instead, it will be from a short film that our friends Vladimir and Ivan are producing.”

Nataly, sitting in the backseat, began to feel herself becoming much calmer. She thought, “Ah, good. The valium must be beginning to have its effect.” Out loud she said, “Oh, they already have a film planned?”

“Yes. And you will be the star,” replied Bogdan. Then he added, “If you do well on the screen test. The play is about a Russian girl who is kidnapped by an evil African…”

Alexei broke in, “While she was working for the International Red Cross helping orphans in Namibia.”

“Yes, helping orphans,” replied Bogdan. “She is kidnapped by the evil African and tied up, but the hero of the film and his compatriots save her.”

Nataly, now slurring her words, asked, “Who will play the hero? Do I know him?”

This time Alexei answered, “It will probably be Ivan. He has done several films. He is very handsome. And Bogdan and I will be his compatriots.’

“Oh good!” said Nataly and she leaned over and kissed Alexei, saying, “I will be saved by handsome Ivan and you, my hero.”

From the front seat, Yulia said, “Here we are at the studio.”

TO BE CONTINUED: