Glimpses of the Island

Personal Meeting

"Dr. Jaffe? Your 4 p.m. appointment is here." The voice on the intercom was the office receptionist.

Ben Jaffe checked the clock on his desk, five minutes early. Isla Del Sur might be a sub-tropical island but the stereotype about ignoring the clock didn't apply, something Ben appreciated. For the most part people were prompt for appointments.

He clicked on the intercom and answered the receptionist. "Thanks, Annie, I'll be right out." Checking his desk he picked up an open folder of patient records, closed it and put it in his out box. He was scrupulous about confidentiality but in this case it was more of an excuse to take a few seconds to compose his thoughts before greeting his caller. He was accustomed to being the consulting physician but not so comfortable when asking for help.

His visitor stood as Ben opened the door to the reception room. "Mr. Yates? Ben Jaffe," he introduced himself while offering his hand.

"Clancy Yates, pleased to meet you Dr. Jaffe. I hope I'm not taking you away from anything important?" The two men shook hands.

"Not at all, I'm off duty now. Please come in." Ben gestured for Mr. Yates to enter his office. "Have a seat."

Sitting down Clancy began the conversation. "As I explained over the phone this meeting is a follow-up to your initial inquiry last week. I like to have a personal, face to face get together to clear up any misconceptions as to how the Facility operates. To start, why don't you give me some idea of what you know about our service and what led you to call on us?"

Ben leaned back in his chair and regarded the man in front of him. The question was direct, even blunt. It deserved a similar response.

"I've been a resident of the Island for several years. I was recruited for the position of chief surgeon in our small hospital here to help fill the shortage of medical expertise. It's an ongoing problem, as I'm sure you're aware. I'm originally from Indiana, but I did my residency in Haifa, while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. You might say I'm someone who believes in the importance of principles and traditions. That's what brought me here." He paused to reach for the intercom. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Thanks no, but help yourself. You learned about the Facility after moving here?"

Ben decided to pass on a last cup of coffee. "Yes, as part of the overall history of the place, along with the other alternatives like the regular ownership program and the corporate apprenticeships. I looked at all the options before settling on the Facility. I must say you don't seem to garner the same degree of respect as other programs."

Clancy laughed. "As in we turn out brainwashed sex slaves?" He held up his hands as Ben started to protest. "I've heard it before. I think you're an intelligent man, Dr. Jaffe. That's not what you'd be looking for, would it now?"

Ben shook his head. "I outgrew adolescence some time ago. These days I'd prefer to find a lifetime partner, one who can tolerate my personality. That's not such an easy task. From what I've read about the Facility, and there doesn't seem to be much, your approach might be the solution to my problem."

Clancy picked up on Ben's last words. "Problem? How would you describe your problem?"

Ben smiled, that was an easy one to answer. "I'm a pretty good doctor, Mr. Yates. As a military trauma surgeon in Israel, I've had more experience than anyone outside of an inner city American hospital. When someone comes in with a gunshot wound or shrapnel from a bomb every second counts. I save lives, but to do it I need to run the show. I depend on my team following my orders to the letter. I'm a dictator, to make it simple.

"And I like it that way. I'm not a tyrant. I listen to those who know more than I do. I respect the talents of the people who work for me. But I don't apologize for who and what I am. There is a cost though. I tend to be the proverbial bull in the china shop outside the operating room. Between my lack of the social graces and my brusque reputation I have little opportunity to find a lady who might tolerate me."

"That's what brought you to the Island?" Clancy nodded in understanding.

"Exactly. I thought I'd find my peer group here. To some extent I have, at least in the sense that I'm not ostracized for political incorrectness. What has not worked out is finding the right someone. When I have a medical case I can't figure out, I call in a specialist to consult. I'm not well equipped to solve this problem. I think you can help."

In the seven years he had been the director for the Facility, Clancy Yates had learned from experience how to spot the pretenders and predators. In every case there were two factors he looked for: patience, or lack of it, and a willingness to speak plainly and honestly. He could tell Ben Jaffe didn't try to hide behind some grand philosophical principle or overtly selfless dedication. Clancy could trust someone who was honestly selfish to act in a predictable fashion; it was the self-proclaimed Good Samaritan who concealed his hidden motives that set off alarms.

"As you are aware Dr. Jaffe," Clancy paused, the key question coming up, "the women who graduate from Facility training are what might be considered at the extreme end of the submissive spectrum, even by Island standards. For them no ordinary masters will do. Tell me, why do you think you should deserve to own one of these women?"

Ben leaned forward, resting his arms on the desktop. "Because I can do it, Mr. Yates," he answered, never wavering as he looked Clancy straight in the eye. "I know where my own obligations lie. I've been around long enough to learn privilege is balanced by responsibility. I want the privilege; in return I'm willing to expend the effort to earn it."

"Good intentions are admirable, Doctor, but we ask for something a bit more solid. To start, we require an extensive background investigation. We will find where you have your skeletons buried. There will be tough questions you will answer to my personal satisfaction. No lawyers, no legal proceedings, and no appeals. If we find inconsistencies or deliberate deception there will be no second chances. Do you have a problem with that?"

Nearly a third of the men withdrew once they found out their background would be scrutinized. Another third tried to bluff it through and hope the real dirt wouldn't be uncovered. Clancy hired the best; no one had yet fooled his team. But he was sure Dr. Jaffe would be in that final one third. There might be something in his past, but he wouldn't conceal it.

"No, no problem. I assume you would want the same basic information as a security clearance? As a starting point I can provide you with an updated version of the data I had to supply to the IDF, that's the Israeli military. E-mail okay?"

"Thank you, Doctor, I'd appreciate it. The e-mail address is on my card. I can convert most any common file format. Naturally, we will have some additional questions." Clancy was being polite. In fact he had already obtained an abbreviated copy of Dr. Jaffe's records from his own sources in Tel Aviv. Chances were he knew more of what was in those papers than the good doctor. Some of the commendations were handwritten, by names he recognized from their frequent appearance in history books and on the news.

"One last point, Doctor. You do understand we ask for a lengthy commitment. We have a special dispensation to bypass normal Island procedures. The ownership agreement we offer has no trial period, no cutoff date, and no restrictions. You will go directly to an unrestricted lifetime agreement. You will be the only one allowed to modify the terms." Clancy paused in order to emphasize his last comment. "And you should know, she will accept the agreement sight unseen. Just as she will be required to accept you."

That was the one requirement that seemed to draw the most disapproval. Women graduated from the Facility by being chosen. They went directly into a lifetime ownership without an opportunity to refuse. The suitability of a man to be her master was determined solely by a committee at the Facility. Ben had thought no woman would willingly submit herself to those conditions but, to his surprise, found the Facility did not lack for applicants.

"So how does this work, Mr. Yates? You show me a book and I pick someone out?"

Clancy shook his head. He knew Ben's question wasn't serious. "You would be surprised, Doctor, at how many men think it's just that easy. I don't run a brothel service.

"How it works is like this. We get to know you, what kind of a man you are, how you think, what you expect from life, and the special someone who will share that life with you. We want to be sure you will treat her right and take care of her properly. We know what she needs to be happy and content in her new life; it's up to you to convince us you can fulfill those needs. If you don't measure up then I'll bid you good day and perhaps suggest an alternative."

"Let's say I do convince you, Mr. Yates." Ben leaned forward. "And it's you in particular, isn't it? Does anyone pass without your own personal stamp of approval?"

Clancy nodded his head in agreement. "Very perceptive, Doctor. The answer is no. There are others involved in the process but the final word is mine. No potential master comes to the Facility, and no woman leaves, unless I'm satisfied. I put my own reputation on the line every single time, so you can understand I do the most thorough job I can.

"It may interest you to know my own wife is a graduate of the Facility. I don't bother with the nonsense of being impartial or uninvolved. Every woman who comes through the gates of the Facility trusts me, me personally, to deliver what I've promised them. I represent their interests first, not yours, to be clear about it. I fight for what I believe in, Doctor, I do whatever it takes. I think that's something you can understand."

Ben studied the man sitting on the other side of the desk. This Clancy Yates had passion in his beliefs, confidence in his abilities, and no doubts as to the rightness of his cause. "Indeed I do understand, Mr. Director. On the Lebanese border and in the streets of Beirut I fought for what I believe in too. Today I fight to keep the people on the Island healthy and in good repair." He showed a wry smile, one corner of his mouth upturned. "I too intend to do whatever it takes to find and keep that special someone, as you put it."

The combination of name and Irish accent, and the man's odd phrasing, suddenly struck home with Ben. "Out of curiosity, Mr. Yates, would you happen to be from Ireland?"

Clancy's face went blank as he answered with a crisp, "Yes."

"Would it be too personal to ask what part?" Ben was sure he knew who Clancy was, not specifically but what might have been in his past.

"I was born in 'Derry, but I grew up on a farm in County Armagh. Right on the border with the Republic."

Armagh , every bit as dangerous a place as the villages of southern Lebanon; Ben was certain now Clancy's remark about fighting wasn't some allegorical reference. During the so-called Troubles Armagh was so dangerous British troops couldn't even use roads but had to fly in and out of bases by helicopter. Mr. Yates did indeed fight for his causes. From the expression on his face, Ben could tell it was a past he didn't care to discuss.

"Enough about me, Dr. Jaffe. I'm here to find out about you. You seem to have definite ideas as to what you are looking for. Could you speak to some of them?"

Ben had expected the question and was well prepared with his answer. "As you might expect I come from a Jewish background. Orthodox family, though I can't say I'm very observant. My ideal would be a woman who would be comfortable in the type of role described in what we call the halakha , Jewish law. Now she doesn't have to be Jewish, but she should be at ease in that environment. We would have separate roles, hers primarily one of homemaker.

"And I'd have to add in one additional requirement. There's a Hebrew word for it, tznius , essentially an internal attitude that affects the outer appearance. A modest dress and a pleasant manner, and I'd add appropriate obedience, should reflect her attitude. I don't want someone who puts on a show; she must believe the life she is to lead is right and proper for her."

"Nothing unreasonable there, Doctor. I confess my knowledge of Judaism is limited, but I'll see to it that omission is remedied by the time we next meet. In any case I think I understand what you're seeking, and I believe the Facility can provide some excellent candidates for your consideration."

Clancy stood up, ending the meeting. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Jaffe. I'll be in touch in a few days with some additional details. And some questions." The two men shook hands and Clancy turned to the door. Just before he opened it he turned back to Ben. "You know Ben, I think we are not so very different. Just a first impression, but if I'm right, and I usually am," both men laughed, "then you will find that special someone. I did, from the same source, and I've never had occasion to regret taking home my Siobhan."

"Since we're both accustomed to being right, let's hope we never disagree on anything important. Thanks…Clancy." Ben watched him leave.