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.Guy was in company headquarters on his second anniversary and David Beaufort sent for him.“Come in Guy, sit down, coffee?”“Yes please Sir.” Guy tried to sound normal but his insides were churning.Was David going to talkabout bringing him home?“We have been analysing the figures for Sind, Guy, and since you have taken over productivity hasclimbed continually and expenses have dropped.Would you like to tell me why?”“Of course Sir.Expenses have dropped because I have been brutal in the prices I have paid for slaves.I generally take the ones that no one else wants, like the negroes, but they are better workers than the expensive whites, plus they have much more endurance.I have been able to sell white slaves for more than I pay for blacks or coloureds so overall slave expenses have been a negative for long spells.I have also offered overseers a percentage of the profits for production greater than the previous year.In the offices I have replaced employees with slaves where I have found the right quality.Kenyon forinstance is an African American college boy.He is one of my house slaves, but he does the job Javier did when I was Admin.Manager, a huge saving because I don‟t charge the company for his time.Ihave several others like him.With such a large slave population it has been easy for me provided Ialways attended the slave auctions.”“Yes, well now we are wondering if you would be better employed here in the head office as one ofmy deputies.”Guy went as white as a sheet as the blood drained from his face.He didn‟t even have chance to speak when David grinned.“I presume that suggestion doesn‟t fill you with glee, even though it would mean a huge increase insalary and better conditions.”“No Sir, please don‟t make me come home.I would like to remain in Sind forever.”“I suppose Javier has something to do with that?” “Yes Sir, he is the main reason, but I have such a happy household and all my slaves rely on me for their lifestyle now.”David smiled, he appreciated this young man‟s loyalty to all his people, not just the free men.“I could bring Javier home with you.”Guy shook his head, “That still wouldn‟t be the same, Sir.”David nodded, he realised that he could insist but he doubted Guy would perform as well if he wasn‟t happy.“Well, in that case I suppose I had better make your new appointment an acceptable compromise.Iwant you to become a main board director with responsibility for all our Pacific and Far Eastoperations, plus maintaining your present appointment.I have a very competent man to be yourdeputy so he can do most of the travelling and report to you directly.You will have to do sometravelling Guy but at least you will be with your lover and your boys for most of the year.”Guy looked up to see the laughing eyes of his boss.“Of course we know.Your happiness had to be for more than just the job.Javier was always so open about his love for you, his eyes showed it.”Guy blushed before replying.“Thank you Sir, I‟ll try not to let you down.”“I‟m sure of that so I guess you had better start calling me David if you are going to sit on the board with me.”Floating on air is technically impossible, but Guy was sure he floated out of David‟s office.Twenty-three years old and a main board director of the company with huge responsibilities for half of theglobe gave Guy an amazing feeling of accomplishment before he had even started.He knew he wouldhave to set up a punishing schedule of travel initially to check on all operations and make hissuggestions for increased efficiency before letting his deputy action it all.Home to Javier was the next priority so he almost lived in the head offices for the next week beingbrought up to speed on his new responsibilities.When he got back to the island Guy realised he would need a full time deputy in place here.Javier was the obvious choice leaving his job open.Kenyon was the next in line and Guy wanted to give him it,but as a free man.Achieving his aim was easier than he thought.A cocktail party at government house threw him into direct contact with the Chief Minister one night soon after he returned to the island.“I know it is considered bad taste to bring up business at a party Sir, but I wondered if there was any way in which a slave could be made a free man again.”The Chief Minister looked thoughtful for a minute.“Why don‟t you come and see me at 1000tomorrow Guy and we‟ll talk about it.”In the CMs office the next morning Guy explained about his promotion and Javier‟s and the need topromote from within to a management position for a young man who was at present a slave.“He was a rowdy frat man from an American College, Sir, He has been a perfectly behaved slave and avery talented administrator.”“It‟s a little unusual to free a slave but if he did no criminal damage I think we could make anexception provided his owner will agree to his freedom.”Guy grinned, “Oh yes, Sir, I know he will.”“Very well Guy, take him along to the slave centre tomorrow morning, I‟ll have his papers there, just give my secretary all the details.They will remove his slave brand as well, the same as they did you.”“Thank you Sir, I really appreciate that.”The chief minister looked guy up and down before smiling and replying.“Mmm, I might call in thatfavour one day guy, you are an extremely attractive young man.”Guy was more than a little surprised, but then he remembered Javier‟s talk when he first arrived.Man on man sex was completely acceptable on an island where the men outnumbered the women 6 to 1.When Guy arrived at the office he sent for Kenyon.“What do you think of your position on this island Kenyon?”Kenyon looked a little quizzical before replying.“I like it very much Master, you make my life very good and my work here is challenging andsatisfying.”“If you were given your freedom, would you still remain here if I employed you on a propercontract?”Kenyon had to think about that.He had been here nearly two years.Despite his slave status he hadmade many friends among free men.He loved the sex he was subjected to which he thought couldcontinue even as a free man.If he went home he would go to college, but that was the only good thing that would be there for him.His family probably hadn‟t even missed him the last two years they were so dysfunctional.“I would very much like to get my degree Master, but apart from that, yes, I would stay.”“Many of the islanders do correspondence courses for their degrees, you could do that.”“I could as a free man, but not as a slave.We are not allowed facilities for education.”“All right Kenyon, if I obtain your freedom and guarantee you the time to get your degree would yousign a five year contract to be my Administration Manager?”“Oh yes Master, but what about Javier?”“He is being promoted because I need a deputy.I have also been promoted to regional director so Iwill be away quite a lot.”“Will I still be able to live with you Master?”Guy smiled, “Oh yes, I hope you will want to.Of course I shan‟t be able to use Samson to punish you for dereliction of duty.”“Oh, but you must, otherwise it will not be worth making any mistakes
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