The final few miles were up the mountain and some of the hairpins in the switchbacks challenged the stretch limo but it managed to negotiate them. James raised his glass and took a small sip. Martha had her hand on his knee and looked out the window. She knew he was not happy with her selections. She also knew the way to make a good impression at the Exchange was to offer quality stock. Too many Guides used the events to pass the trash.

James looked at Jennifer. She sat close to Brad, rested her head on his shoulder, snuggled in and offered him comforting words. "Martha thinks it's best and it is Our Way for Guides to decide. You know it's a check on the lust of the men." Brad gave her a squeeze and kissed her forehead and said simply, "I know." Brad loved Jennifer just as James loved Martha. He was sure both His Master and his Guide knew that. Brad thought he and Jennifer were meant to be together but. James agreed, but Martha did not. She thought it was for the best, she was convinced of it.

Brad realized he was neglecting Laura so he extended his free hand to take hers. "Laura, my sweet. I'm going to miss you. I wish I could keep you but you know it's Our Way, it's for the best." Laura snuggled in to Brad and said "I know, Hon. I know. I'm going to miss you too. I'm sure I'll get used to my new Man, but I will never forget you." She looked over at James and added "Or you, Master. You have been so kind and generous with me and given me two wonderful children." James smiled at her and said "Thank you Laura, for the kind words. I'll miss you too, but it's Our Way, it's for the best." He thought Laura would adapt and thrive and had a suspicion she was looking forward to moving on. Yes, Laura was a good choice for the Exchanges.

The rest of the trip passed in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. James ran through the details of his scheme, Martha kept convincing herself she had done the right thing, Laura and Jennifer wondered who would claim them and what their new lives would be like. Brad weighed his decision. Should he go along with the wisdom of The Group, follow the beliefs he had adopted when he joined and just accept that Our Way was, indeed, for the best? Or, should he follow his heart?

Brad thought back to his introduction to The Group and the Our Way philosophy. He had been a rising star in James's company. The Boss, as James liked to be called at work, took an interest in him and soon realized Brad was Made Right and started recruiting him. At first Brad thought these guys were nut jobs, but as he learned more about The Group and met other members he started to think they had some good ideas. Of course it was easy to think they were good ideas when you were told over and over by rich and powerful men you were Made Right.

There was a dearth of leadership all around the globe, people were being marginalized and essentially reduced to slavery, even in the enlightened, so-called developed countries. Standards were lowered each year and the human race was in decline. Steps needed to be taken. People with pristine gene pools, the people who were Made Right, needed to band together and procreate. They needed to be fruitful and multiply. Efficencies of scale argued monogamy was a luxury mankind could no longer afford. The key objective of Our Way was to produce offspring who were Made Right so they could save those who weren't. But now Brad had doubts. If he and Jennifer and their children were all Made Right why couldn't they stay together? Why did she have to go to another Man and have his children? Why did he have to take another Wife and have children with her?

The car pulled up to the entrance and several porters whisked the bags away to their suite. It was a three bedroom suite, one room for each of the women. The men would float. That was Our Way.

James left the others to their own devices and strolled out over the grounds. He sat on a bench with a great view of the valley, but he didn't see it. All he could see was the approaching frustration and discontent, no matter what happened. At least his plan would keep Brad and Jennifer together. He though Brad might be finished with The Group if he lost Jennifer. He thought Martha had fucked up big time. But, if all went according to plan, Jennifer would be returned to Brad and he would remain in The Group.

The plan was simple, but rather unorthodox. Brad had to offer Jennifer at the Exchange because Martha, his Guide had selected her to be broadened by living with another Man. Nigel would select her, enjoy her for one night and then gift her to James. After his night with her, James could gift her to Brad. She would be right back where she belonged and Brad would be reunited with the love of his life. It basically subverted the Our Way philosophy, but it did meet the letter of the Our Way law. It would be very controversial. Nigel thought it would be well accepted but James wasn't convinced. He was certain Martha would not accept it. Martha would be livid.

James startled when his cell rang. It was Nigel touching base to report he was two hours away and they had four hours until the Exchange started, so all was well. They chatted a few minutes and Nigel offered to help with Martha. "Just let me have her for a night or two and I'm sure she will see reason, one way or another." James hated to share Martha let alone have another Man discipline her, but his answer was the prudent one. "Let's see how things go. I'll call on you if I need help." They disconnected and James went back to looking at the view he didn't see.

The alarm on his phone signalled it was time to get ready. His things were in Martha's room and he found her naked seated on the bed drying her hair. She was nervous and that meant she would be talking. Normally her chatter would have been entertaining but today nearly every word she said was part of a long and rambling justification of her decision to offer Jennifer for exchange. James got some peace in the shower but she picked up her monolog as soon as he was out. It continued while he dressed and she sat, still naked, at a vanity applying her makeup. His phone gave him a much needed interruption. Nigel just checking in to say they had entered the switchbacks. He slipped off his tux jacket and laid it on the back of an upholstered chair. He told Marty he was going to get some air as he stepped out onto the terrace and pulled the slider closed behind him. He did not feel the need to mention his ears would enjoy the peace and quiet.

James had only been out on the terrace a only a few minutes, it seemed, when Martha tapped on the glass and pointed to her wrist. He went in, grabbed his jacket and led the others down to the banquet room. He was supposed to wait at the entrance and make contact with Nigel before he entered. They would enter together trailed by the women they had brought to exchange and the other members of their parties would follow. Nigel would immediate cover Jennifer and, as was his custom, James would wait for Marty and cover her. Brad could go hunting and Laura would go fishing.

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men, Robert Burns reminded us, Gang aft agley.

Nigel was no where in sight when they reached the entrance so James hung back to wait, making small talk with one of the other members while glancing nervously about. His phone rang but the cushion it had nestled behind when it slipped out of his pocket ignored the call and it went to voicemail after four rings. The chair back was unable to open the short text Nigel had sent: stuk in h pins, wait.

James began to wonder if Nigel was waiting just inside the entrance and stepped closer to look in. At just that moment Viktor Buginsk saw him and the big Russian, better known as Misha, wrapped him in a bear hug. He wanted to arrange a time they could meet to discuss a business proposal.

Martha had seen James start toward the entrance but now Misha's bulk blocked him from view. She assumed he had entered and rushed the rest of them in to the banquet room to catch up. Laura undid the clasp that held up the front panel of her ceremonial gown, exposing her exquisite breasts and made her entrance. She looked around hoping to catch the eye of Jean-Pierre, an up and coming Man with a cheery smile and huge hands. Jennifer was next and stepped into the room with more than a little regret as she exposed her breasts. It had to be, she knew that, but she certainly wasn't looking forward to leaving her love and starting over with a new Man. Martha lowered her panel and realized her mistake as soon as she entered the room. She heard James calling behind her but it was too late.

Several things happened almost simultaneously:

• Laura made eye contact with Jean-Pierre and they drifted toward each other. He stood before her and smiled down at her. He said the ceremonial words, "My Dear, you are such an exquisite creature. May I cover you and enjoy your company this evening?" The words were a formality. She could not say no. Besides, he had already raised her drape and fastened it in place with his pin.

• Brad moved up behind Jennifer and pulled her back in to him. "I love you Jen, and I want you to marry me. Will you abandon this life and come with me? We can share our lives and raise our children." Jennifer's eyes filled with tears of joy and she nodded and turned to walk out of the banquet hall, Brad's strong and protective arm wrapped around her waist.

• Master Franz Josef nearly dropped his wine glass. Martha was standing there uncovered and James was nowhere in sight. In three quick steps he was standing in front of her. He clicked his heels and said "My Dear, you are such an exquisite creature. May I cover you and enjoy your company this evening?" Martha smiled and nodded. As Franz Josef raised her drape he managed to make her wince with a very hard pinch of her nipple. Marty kept the forced smile in place but feared she was about to find the rumors were true. She took consolation in two things. It was Our Way so it's for the best. More importantly she belonged to James and was not up for exhange. No matter how long Franz Josef kept her during the exchange week she would be going home with James. Unless, of course, James decided to gift her.

• James stood there, devastated. Brad and Jennifer rushed past him on the way to a waiting car. He looked up and saw Franz Josef with his hand up the back of Marty's gown, his other hand at her throat, and recognized her forced smile. He saw Laura smiling warmly at Jean-Pierre and then giggle as he whispered something in her ear. James wandered toward the edge of the crowd, head diwn a d shoulders drooped. He was lost in thought and barely noticed her standing there, uncovered, until she greeted him. He looked at her and nodded. Her breasts were small but perky, her hips wide and inviting, her face cute rather than pretty. Tears welled in his eyes when he heard her say "You look like you could use a friend. Would you like to just sit together a while?" Marty had said those exact words the first time they met. James raises her drape pinned it in place. "Let's get out of here and have a nice quiet dinner."

[Yes, it's long, with several complicated story lines and I've left all of them wide open. Hope to find a partner who likes to play with characters and let them drive plots. Please don't feel constrained. Write in a new character if you like. Please don't feel we need to play more than one of the story lines. Each can be split out and retain the general spirit of the prompt. Here are some starter ideas:

• James keeps both his new Woman and his Guide, Marty. Could be an interesting triangle.

• James has had it with Marty and gifts her to the sadistic Franz Josef. Or he could give her to Nigel, an old friend who has always had a thing for her.

• Brad and Jennifer find it's not that easy to leave The Group. What about his other wives and children? Is Our Way a lifetime committment and will The Group pursue or persecute them?

• Do Laura and Jean-Pierre find true love? Or is there something she doesn't know about him?

• Of course, we could simply build out the world I've just begun to sketch out.

Hey! Take a shot! We can have some fun. I'm very flexible about style and kinks. I like a response every day or two but will settle for once a week if you are a fun writer. I like collaborative writing so I am happy to include your ideas, or at least discuss them. My cardinal rule on role play is if it's not fun, don't do it! So if we are not clicking, no dramatics. We'll just see if we can fix it and if not say good bye and good luck.

What else? I am an all around great guy, full of hugs and kisses and all kinds of sweet stuff! That is, unless you don't want me to be! ;) If you prefer I can correct your naughty or bratty behavior with a, well perhaps a spanking will do to start. So you romantic types respond and start collecting your hugs and kisses. You naughty girls respond and I'll give you the guidance and structure you need ... and want.

What are you waiting for? We could be writing a dirty story!]