Who are you?

Bureaucracy. What can I say about it that hasn't been said a million times before? Look, the processes in bureaucracy are designed as much to protect the government from the stupidity, or larceny of its own employees, as they are to guard against those who would abuse the options being offered via the laws and regulations.

So yeh, I get that the formalistic nature of it is baked into the cake. That is why as the applicant I have to supply everything including the manila folder in which my papers will reside in their filing cabinet, because otherwise the employees will steal the folders. Better to not provide them in the first place.

Getting a visa is a matter of establishing: who you are, why you are here, and finally, ... when are you leaving? In my case, as I make it clear that I am seeking a SRRV visa, my intention is not to leave but, to get an extended stay tourist visa I need a departure date.

I do have a purchased ticket to leave the country to fly to Malaysia. I don't intend to use it but, knew I needed to show a 'return flight out' to be allowed to fly in. I am prepared to list that date. I never assumed I would be able to apply for the SRRV so soon.

I have all the paperwork I think I need for the tourist visa as I enter the BI office. The Immigration office does not issue the SRRV visa. For that I need to go to the PRA¹ office in Makati later.

BI wants a notarized copy of fingerprints taken, and two 2x2 photos of me are also submitted along with the documents and application for the extended stay tourist visa. With the waiting and the queues, it takes the better part of a day but, it is done.

I got to Iloilo by ferry two days ago, arriving in the afternoon. I stopped by the Immigration office but it was too late to do anything. Yesterday I spent the entire day there. Today my ferry leaves, late morning, to return.

Three nights ago I called my bank and authorized the charges out of my account to the attorney's bank account to pay for the land and the house as well as the extras I need. Two days ago I called the lawyer in the morning, before departing by boat and to fill him in on what is needed to be done. I instructed him to take the balance out after the two transactions are completed and give it to Susan for safe keeping.

I called Susan last night and updated her. She will get the money after lunch today and meet me at the port when I come back. With any luck, at a minimum, we will have a bike on which to ride back to the house, as I intend to go shopping for one once I arrive at the port. It won't be as much of a spur of the moment purchase. I was window shopping, if you will, last week, for a bike. I like the look of a red Kawasaki Avenger 220 I saw in a showroom. It costs less then ₱100K.

As luck has it, the boat is two hours late on my trip back. I am not sure I will get the bike today and I am going to keep Susan waiting at the wharf for hours. I call her, and tell her what's up. She giggles. No problem. She will go to the showroom and get the paperwork started. She will meet me at the dock with the bike and someone from the store. I can sign the paperwork there, as she already has the money. She tells me, once she controls the giggles, See? No problem, Ron.

The difference between bureaucracy and life as I am living it with these girls, could not be more of a contrast. I have been in a land of queues and I move back to a land of 'no problem.'

When I arrive at the dock, there is Susan and a young fellow with a big smile and a manila folder. Beside them are two bikes. A 125cc puddle jumper and the Kawasaki. I gather the 125cc is his. Susan runs up and hugs me. PDA²'s are frowned upon in public and so no kisses here. She pulls me along to meet this very proper and very young employee of the motorcycle shop, who has the paperwork I need to sign. The payment has already been made and Susan has the receipt with her. She also has a plastic sack in her hand. She holds it out to me. Inside are choco rolls. I am hungry and they look damned good.

Susan smiles. My Tita says you are a good man for loving me!

Oh but, if your Tita knew the complete truth!

She giggles and says, Hala Ka!³ Hehe.

In short order he is gone and we hop on the bike. Doing so is nothing new for Susan. She has been on such bikes since she was an infant. I point it to our little house, only to be told, Bobo where you think you live?

What?

You buy a house? Di ba?

OK, sure. But we haven't moved yet.

Yes. It happen. We go there.

What?

Bobo! Makulit ka⁴! Go the new house!

O... KAY... Where is k'Ren?

School, of course! She ride a jeepney home.

The girls have moved us, with the help of a rented jeepney. We don't have much of our own and the jeepney was a bit overkill. It was only one trip with plenty of room to spare but, the German's house has furnishings that came with it. So we have beds and tables and chairs.

We arrive at the house to see activity all around. Elvie and Jenny are there but, they are less busy cleaning, than they are directing traffic. The traffic are five girls. I recognize three of them from our walk two weeks, or so, ago. I sure as hell don't want five more girls! What's going on?

Susan gets off and I set the kickstand before dismounting. I am confused and I guess it shows on my face. Susan sees it.

Ron, how we know if they good maids unless we see them clean and cook and do what needed. If not good, they go. If OK, they stay until you make choice. All safe for you. We sure this first.

Come closer Susan.

Bakit?⁵

Because I want to kiss you.

OK, this good but you kiss me so they can see it. Then you kiss Elvie and Jenny. Make sure the new girls see this. Make sure they know we are all yours.

So from a desire for a little loving, we have morphed into performance art. I like the kisses but, the meaning is a little bit lost in the translation. Still, I gather the five applicants take note. If they think I just hunger for young pussy, they are mistaken. Sure I want young pussy but, I also enjoy my older girls, though a 17 and 20-year-old are not exactly 'old.'

For now I just ignore the five. They are not vetted yet as regards their ability to do the job. I gather Elvie and Jenny are watching them closely. We will pay all of them for their work. No one is being taken advantage of, and all will get a chance to do many things including cooking. They may be with us for a week before the first cut is made. In the process, the huge fucking mansion gets a thorough cleaning.

I inquire about the TV and the Internet. It seems like we will be converted to satellite options and the contracts will continue but, at a higher price point. The installers are coming out tomorrow.

I have a sense that my girls, having decided that this is a real deal and that I am a long term keeper, have formed a cabal to smooth all the rubble from my path. I see no dissension. I see a level of cooperation that exposes prior planning and collaboration.

I tell Karen that I want her Ate and her in my bed tonight. She balks. They will be there but I must have Elvie tonight. Susan and she will assist but, I should take Elvie like I took her last time.

Why k'Ren?

She loves you. You must love her back. She need to know me and Ate include her. Same Jenny. You wrong. All four of us, your girls. No difference now. Same, same.

Your Ate and you agree on this?

Yes, Ate and me talk. We think it not right what you do. We all same.

I see. And in fact I do see. The cabal is real but is in the formation stage. Karen needs me to formalize it by my actions. Until then it is only an ad hoc action between the girls. If I acknowledge the change in status, it will be permanent.

Once again I am getting echoes of the stories I have read. I have set things in motion but, they now have a life of their own. These girls have free will and they are evaluating, making their own decisions and affecting all those around them. I suspect that if I fight the flow of events, I will have problems. I see no problem with Elvie included. So long as she doesn't see herself as the 'one and only,' which she doesn't, no harm is being done. As to Jenny, two weeks ago, I would have said 'No!' but these last two weeks have shown her to be a good soul and considerate of the others. I guess I need to allow this. By permitting decision making where no harm is done, I preserve the right to say no when I can defend the decision. I tell Karen, OK, talk to your Ate and set it up.

Elvie has stopped cleaning and is supervising one of the applicants as the girl attempts to make supper for us. I am not really hungry. The choco roll has assuaged any need for food. But there are nine girls here. They need to be fed.

That thought has just hit me... there are nine, count them, nine girls here. I could probably bed each and every one of them. That is so off the rails as to be impossible to fathom.

There is no way. Yes, sure, I read the stories. I took them as great tales. But while I got the point that some things were possible, I didn't really believe some of the wild shit. Nine girls, now that is wild shit. I won't bed nine. But Holy Mother of God.

If there was any question about what it takes to feed nine girls, all I can say is that an eight cup rice cooker sure as shit isn't large enough. We ran two batches through it. Sure we had some left over but, really? I mean we probably consumed twelve cups of rice as measured out uncooked. That's a lot of rice.

All five newbies are sitting with us as we eat. One asks Karen, if she might ask a question. Karen looks at Susan. Susan translates for me. I say, OK, I guess.

This sweet looking one, who has cooked our meal, wants to ask but is too shy to look at me. She is looking down at her plate, giggling and mumbling something about now being too scared. Karen is giggling and teasing the girl. I gather she is telling the girl, it's OK I don't bite. (Susan is whispering an ongoing translation of sorts.) The girl whispers back to Karen and loud enough for Susan to hear. 'But what if he hits?' That gets another round of giggles from all around her. Karen answers, 'Do you see any bruises on me?'

This has been funny but I cut it short. k'Ren ask her what she wants to ask and repeat it to me.

Now Karen gets stern with the girl and tells her to give her the question. Ron, she wants to know how many may stay when the house cleaning is done.

What have you told them up to now k'Ren?

We say maybe none. It depends on them.

OK k'Ren, do these girls know enough English, or do you need to translate for them.

You speak and I will translate so it is clear.

k'Ren is correct. Maybe none. But maybe one. Not more than two. First, it depends on how well you do. With cleaning, cooking and taking direction from Elvie. If any of you remain after that, there are other things that I will judge you on.

Another of the girls pipes up, but this girl has English. She is one of the two I don't recognize from my walk before. Sir, will you keep one and send her sister home?

First, what is your name?

Jas.

I don't understand. Is your sister here?

Yes, Sir. You meet her before. She is this one, pointing to a girl that I think Karen told me is named Nancy. She tell me what she do. I hit her hard. She is stupid. She should never do such a thing. Then two day ago, we get a text on the number she give k'Ren. It say if she wants she can come and maybe she can stay, have a good life. She say she will go, I can't stop her. So I say I come too and see. We meet k'Ren and Susan. Susan interview us. I think OK, maybe this not so bad but, I not sure. I not like the idea of my sister doing this. I say this to Susan. She say to me, you want to come too? It possible for both of you. Probably just help clean a house for a week and go home but, you pay for this and we not need to pay for food or anything.

I see. Yes I can see why Susan did what she did. She is correct. Both of you will probably be told that you can go home when we are done. In any case, I will not separate you from your sister. I do not care if she is willing to leave you. It is a bad thing and I will not do it.

You mean that, Sir?

Ask k'Ren.

Friend, Sir mean this truly?

Yes, friend. If he say it, it true.

So, friend k'Ren, what if he wants both. This is possible?

Maybe. But I do not expect it. Maybe all go home at end of the week. Need to be truly special to be asked to stay.

How?

Secret.

Unfair!

Maybe, still I not tell.

Ate Susan, will you tell? Do you know?

Friend, k'Ren is correct. We may know something more but none know all. Only Sir Ron knows and he not tell us. k'Ren is correct. It is secret from all.

Sir Ron, (this is the other one I don't know,) k'Ren and Ate Susan not know. Will you tell us? Are we to be your bedmates tonight? Will you have all of us this week?

So much for a nice dinner. I am a little peeved. We were just sorting out who absolutely doesn't fit here on the most basic issues. I am ready to send all of them home right now.

OK, let me make this very clear. I will not touch any of you while Elvie makes her decision. None of you will be in my bed. This is final. You are not here to be in my bed. You are here this week to help get this house so we can live in it. If one or two of you is so special that we are interested in having you stay longer, we will talk to you about that later. Understand this, none of you is required to be in my bed at all to do what you have been hired to do. You are virgins now and you will be virgins when you are done with this job and leave. Does that make it clear?

Then, Sir, (evidently I wasn't clear enough,) why did you select virgins only?

OK, so now I am going to throw some mud in her face. Because I do not want anyone saying I hire underage prostitutes. Is that clear enough?

Yes, Sir. Sorry Sir. Yes, I see why that is important. If we leave virgins, then no one can accuse you of doing bad things. I am stupid. Sorry, sorry.

I gather Susan and Karen had not thought of that. They just think I like to pop cherries. They might love me but, there are still blind spots.

Sir, please, I am stupid but, may I ask one more question?

Yeh, what is it?

Sir, I too am the sister of another here. She say she will be your sex girl, if you will let her stay. I tell her no way. Will you tell her the same thing please?

First, what is your name?

Joydee, Sir.

Which one is your sister?

This one, Aimelyn.

Ah OK, I turn to the child, Aimelyn, do you understand me?

A little, Sir.

OK, if you do not, you will ask Susan to explain, OK?

Yes, I will ask Susan if I not understand. Good, Sir.

Aimelyn, I have sex with Susan, Jenny, Elvie and k'Ren. Why do you think I need or want to have sex with anyone else?

There is a panicked look on the child's face. I think she understood me but she is not sure. She turns to Susan, who without anything snarky tells her in Ilonggo. Two of the other girls gasp. Aimelyn looks mortified. Her Joydee, who was expecting something totally different from me, is now not sure what to think. Karen is Joydee's age. If I am having sex with Karen, what does that tell Joydee? From the look on her face she is wondering if I might be more interested in her than her sister.

I repeat, at the end of this job you will still be a virgin. That includes you, Joydee. You are not here for sex. You are here because Karen and I decided you might need the money and we need to clean the house.

Jas looks at Joydee. Both look at Susan and then Jas looks at me. Sir, I know you will tell me I am stupid and difficult but, that is not the entire truth. This is a test. We are being tested. Maybe none pass and all leave like you say. But if some pass then maybe they stay. But if the one who passes has a sister and both stay, I wonder, do you have sex with both? I know you will have sex with the one who passes. I know this and Joydee knows this. We thought you wanted sex with our sisters but, maybe it is us you want. What happens to our sisters then?

That is something you can think about next week when all of you are gone from here. This meeting is over.

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Chapter 9