Jack O'Connell - Wireless

She gives no indication that anything unusual is happening. Flynn knew she’d be all control and it makes him want to push things further, make it a harder test. He switches to her left breast, this time sliding his fingers inside the camisole and squeezing a bit, leaning his head down at the same time to kiss her neck. Her head moves abruptly, but he’s not convinced she wants him to stop.

Yes, hello. I’m a first-time caller.

Thank you. Thank you very much. For calling.

Flynn brings his tongue out and tastes her neck. The sharp, lingering sting of her perfume surprises him as much as the sudden change in her voice. He thinks she sounds like some female version of Elvis.

I’m not sure exactly how to start here. I’m just not … I’ve heard you in the past, you know, discuss my, discuss the type of problem I’m—

You’re nonorgasmic, correct? This is what you told my assistant? You’re not able to achieve orgasm?

The caller doesn’t respond at first and Flynn thinks she might be a little put off by Ronnie’s interruption and the abrupt manner she’s taking. He agrees that it isn’t her normal procedure and he wonders if his tongue and lips and hands are at all responsible. He hopes so and undoes another button on the blouse.

Are you still there, caller? Hello?

I’m here. I’m listening.

Have I identified your problem?

[Pause] Yes. You’re correct.

All right, then, let’s go to work. Now, I have to ask you a series of questions, and I need to know, before we get going here, if you’re going to have difficulty answering. Because, as you can imagine, these are questions of a fairly intimate nature and I’m getting the sense that you’re a bit apprehensive about being on the air.

Flynn pushes both his hands down inside her shirt, begins to squeeze both breasts and at the same time massage each nipple with his thumbs. Under the board, Ronnie kicks off her shoes.

It’s just that, I’ve listened before and I never—

My manner surprised you. You thought I was abrupt with you. And I was. What you have to understand is that I don’t have the luxury here of spending an hour with you, face-to-face, one-on-one, taking months to learn the personal history, to become versed in the childhood, review the traumas, hear all the details about the choice of lovers.

Yes, I understand.

I have to operate on instinct and the nature of the problem and the tone of the voice in my headphones. And I’m limited on time. Now, in the past you may have heard me take a more patient tack with another caller. But I’m sure we were dealing with a different problem. And certainly with a different person, correct?

Yes, yes, of course.

He brings his hands out and starts to unfasten all the buttons. He pulls the blouse out of the skirt and opens it wide, showing the silk, cream-colored teddy below.

Now, I’m going to need complete honesty from you if you want to accomplish anything tonight. And I’m going to need you to believe that, in fact, this one call, this next ten or fifteen minutes of talk, could change a very important part of your life. I’m asking for a good deal of faith on your part. Okay?

Yes, okay, I’m ready.

He pulls the tail of the camisole out of the skirt and when it snags for a second, he wonders if it’s the kind that extends and snaps at the crotch. But Ronnie gives him a hand, shifting in her seat and pulling the hem free at her waist.

Let me start by asking you, is this a lifelong problem? Have you ever reached orgasm at any time in the past?

Well, you see, I’m not really sure. I don’t—

Okay, fine, go no further. That’s not a problem. Can you tell me, have you ever attempted self-stimulation? Have you ever tried to reach orgasm manually? [Silence] Come on now. Either with your hand or with a vibrator?

No. No, I haven’t.

Flynn starts to roll the camisole upward, forcing himself to go slowly. When he comes to the bottom fold of her breast he tugs it in toward her body and pulls up even slower so she’ll feel the silk rubbing past her nipples.

I sense that you have some reservations about attempting this?

It’s just … I’m somewhat modest …

We’re talking about the privacy of your own home. Close your shades. Turn on your answering machine.

I know what you’re saying but I …

You’ve got to relax, learn to be more comfortable with your own body. Can I make some suggestions? Will you promise me you’ll give them some thought?

He slides her chair back from the board just a bit and swivels it to the right. He starts to walk around to the side and can’t help looking out the plate-glass window. The mall corridor is empty, but he wonders what will happen if Wayne changes his mind halfway to the Himalaya Express and returns. He’s surprised to find the thought excites him a little.

Go ahead. I’m listening.

I don’t hear a lot of commitment in your voice.

It’s just awkward. You don’t—

Yes, I do, my friend. You have no idea. Listen to me now. It’s awkward at first, possibly, but you’ll be shocked at how quickly your body will respond. Remember, you called here for a reason. The alternative is much more awkward. And more painful. Your subconscious is yearning for this change. You owe this to yourself. Doesn’t it bother you, doesn’t it drive you crazy, that there are feelings that you know exist and you know are tremendously powerful and yet you can’t get to them? You can’t ignite them. You don’t know where to begin.

I don’t—

No, you don’t. And that’s why you called. And that’s what I’m here to give you tonight.

He goes down on his knees, reverent as an altar boy. He leans his torso into her, at first just laying his head sideways against her breasts, feeling the surprising coolness of her skin on his cheek. And then after just a second or two, he turns and brings his mouth to a breast, tongues the nipple a few times, very slowly, achingly slowly, time slowed down to an almost-frozen edging. Then he closes his mouth and starts to suck. He can see her chest rise and he knows how hard she’s trying to stay in control. Then he closes his eyes and lodges in a rhythmic draw.

[Breath audible] Listen, tonight, before you go to sleep, I want you to put on some music. Forget the TV tonight. Put on something soft. Lush. You know what I mean. Something sensuous. You know what will work for you. Whether you think you do or not, trust me. You know. And if you have any wine in the house, I want you to pour yourself a cool glass of wine, maybe a nice merlot, that would be good. [Deep breath] Then I want you to draw a bath, fairly hot. And I want you to add some bath oil to the water. I want you to get some candles if you have any in. And I want you to place them around the tub and light them. Keep the regular lights off, okay? Understand? And leave some talcum out on the vanity if you think of it.

He switches to the other breast without opening his eyes. He kisses the skin between them as he moves. The skirt she’s wearing zips up the side.

Now I want you to start to get undressed. But I want you to do it before the mirror, with the candlelight reflecting behind you. This might be difficult for you, but it’s essential that you go slow and watch yourself. I need you to keep your eyes on yourself, keep your eyes on your body as it appears in the mirror. And tell yourself it’s good, it’s fine, you approve. Say the words aloud if you have to. Whisper them. Convince yourself if you’re a doubter. Assure yourself. Compliment yourself. Let your clothing just drop to the floor. I don’t want you to even think about it right now.

He starts to draw down the zipper and has to slide his hand under her and lift her slightly off the chair. She suddenly surprises him by reaching down and bringing her hand up into his crotch. He almost makes a noise, but stops in time, hunches inward, and stifles himself.