”Marilyn didn’t move at first as the sweep second hand made its relentless journey toward one minute. She soon realized there was no reprieve and ...the thought of the $4 thousand slipping through her fingers was more than she could bear. She reached behind her back and unzipped the dress. This gave her enough freedom to let it fall to the floor and she just had to step out of it. She quickly bent over, picked up the dress and threw it to an audience member. She stood there in a very modest white. She made a start. She couldn’t write down what she’d done, so she’d do them in sequence, spatially. What was the best way?By lunchtime she was half way through all the numbers that could start 1, and half way through her fingers! She made lunch and watched TV for a bit. She wasn’t liking the button-pushing - as a way of solving a problem it was a bit crude and lacking in elegance. She had a feeling her mum’d be doing it better.At half past one two soldiers came past, went into Emerald and. But not because of what I had done, but because of how he made me feel. Vincent took an exaggerated breath and said ‘Okay, are you done with the temper tantrum?” He put his hands on his hips. I could have knocked his teeth out. Had he always spoken to me this way? Why was I clinging to this? I studied him for a moment. He was nothing. Simple looking, simple minded, and mediocre. I turned away and walked out of my room. I was cutting this night early, something I should have done a long time. Twelve O'clock.One O'clock.Two O'clock.I put a towel over the clock ... knowing the time wasn't helping anything.Sarah's words kept echoing in my head.'You act like an entirely different man when we fuck. You stand a little straighter, your eyes are a little brighter and your voice is colder. That man is my Master. That man can keep me on my knees, begging to serve him.'Right now the Master would settle for a good six hours of sleep.Slowly, my bed did begin to feel more comfortable ... and all.