Power and Its Vices

“Well I had a nice time, Thank you Sarah.” A shy red head looked at the dash.
“You’re Welcome” Sarah kept her eyes on the steering column of her car.
“Should I call you?” he ventured a look at her.
Sarah sighed, “Let’s not play this silly courtship game. You won’t call and I won’t wait. Lets leave it open shall we?”
The red head looked down embarrassed. “Well ok, Goodnight then.” He mumbled and got out of the car. Sarah waited until he was safely behind his door before turning the ignition on and driving away.
Another lousy date, another sensitive soul who would be “perfect” for her, another nice guy.
She turned on the radio and drove home not thinking.

Her house was small but it suited her. It was near the university so each autumn she would let a room out to a freshman to help pay the bills. Right now it was early summer and her most recent tenant had moved out.
The house was blissfully hers tonight. Something she needed. After that dull boring date Sarah needed some time to herself. Even better she needed some time with some good friends.
She unlocked the door and switched on the light. They were already there waiting.

Ludo ands Sir Dydamus were playing scrabble where Hoggle was just sitting in a comfortable chair.
Her three closest friends, somehow they always knew when she needed them. She closed the door and ran to embrace Hoggle. They played scrabble late into the night.

Just before dawn Ludo and Sir Dydamus faded away, and Hoggle stayed behind. rah,rah, about these men.” He looked bashful, “Why do you still see them even if they aren’t what you are looking for?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know it just seems to take over. People expect me to find Mr Right and settle down. So I keep looking for him.”
“What do you want Sarah?” he asked gently.
“Oh sweet Hoggle.” She hugged him. “The second I know I’ll tell you. That ok?”

Hoggle returned the hug. He, like all the others of the Labyrinth, loved her, worshiped her even. As he left her he wondered what she was looking for in a lover. He and his fellows were the creation of her imagination, but who was it she truly desired?
Hoggle returned home to his shack outside the Labyrinth. He gathered up the tools he would need for the day’s work and started to leave.
But when he moved to the door HE was there.
“Your Majesty!”
“Yes?” the Goblin King looked to the dwarf as if it was he who had summoned the king. Arrogant and proud the Goblin King waited for the dwarf’s explanation.
“What, How, Where?” Hoggle stammered scared of the king and his calm presence. When Jareth was calm the walls of the Labyrinth trembled.
“Well?”
Hoggle cleared his throat and looked up hesitantly. “I’ve been to see her.” He said meekly.
Jareth’s eyes narrowed “The girl” he hissed.
“She is no girl.” Hoggle said with bravery, but was cowed by a look from Jareth. “Not anymore.”
“Umm” Jareth turned his back on Hoggle eyeing the shack’s meagre contents. “And what is it that you can give her?” He picked up a piece of tattered finery looking distasteful.
Hoggle was guarded, Jareth was baiting him, and just what the trap was Hoggle didn’t know.
“Friendship, someone to confide in.” Hoggle put forward.
“A confidant, how touching.” Jareth dropped the lace, “Anything else?” he asked the threat clear in his voice.
“No! Nothing else.”
“Odd, why choose you?” he bent down and eyed the dwarf, looking closely.
Hoggle moved back “She trusts me! That is enough.” He flapped his little arms in the air, trying to finish this interrogation.
“So what did she confide in you then little Hoggy?” Jareth stayed crouched were he was patronizing the dwarf.
“She just wanted company, nothing else.”
“Nothing else?” Jareth stood up “I highly doubt that, Hoggle. You’ll tell me or”
“I won’t betray her.” Hoggle stood as high as he could. He was prepared for the worst.
“Such loyalty,” Jareth laughed, “Keep your secrets Henchwort.” And he was gone.

Sarah’s life continued in its usual pattern. Work was winding up for the summer and Sarah had to get the paperwork finished before the school closed.
Being secretary for the local primary school hadn’t been Sarah’s dream job but it paid the bills. Plus it meant she had two months paid holiday, which was never a bad thing.
After work Sarah would go for a walk in the park and come home to watch television.

It was all very sedate, very mundane.
After the last date Sarah didn’t go out with anyone. Some nights she would caoggloggle, but most of the time she spent them alone.

Thinking.

What did she want? That question of Hoggle’s made her think.
When she was fifteen she knew what she had wanted, when she was 20 she had an idea, but now she only knew what she didn’t want.

The school had closed and Sarah was at home watching daytime television, not really paying attention but watching all the same.
It was one of those talk shows were they get in controversial guests to create scenes.
This one had its usual Goth types with leather and peircings when some woman came in walking a man on a leash.

For some reason Sarah’s attention was taken from her daydreams and focused on the couple. The man was on all fours and dressed only in a pair of leather pants and a thick collar.
The person leading was in tight jeans, killer heals and a top that left very little to the imagination. The title flashed “Dominatrix Diane”

Sarah saw power in the woman’s eyes, power and strength. Suddenly Sarah knew what she wanted out of her life.
Power.