Justin Caas - The Third Sex

The evening started quite well after a short but pompous speech by Mr Luckner, or Major Luckner as he preferred to be addressed. The Major, white-haired, florid-faced and with a bulbous red nose, had a small group of cronies who met in his private drawing room on alternate afternoons to enjoy a whisky or two and reminisce about their army service. The Major was careful to choose as his friends ex-soldiers of lower rank and when Major Luckner made an observation on the country’s finances, or even a comment on the weather, the words carried the weight of a senior officer and were greeted with respectful acknowledgement. Both Major Luckner and his subordinates attained their ranks in a particularly placid time of peace and the only shot fired in anger, it was said, was at the dartboard in the mess. In due course they were discharged from the army as quietly and anonymously as they had entered. But thereafter the tales told among them grew in stature and danger with each retelling.

Lucy was in her element. She pondered hard on the strapless blue ruffled dress, or maybe that attractive baby blue gown with a matching bolero, but eventually settled on a low-cut top and a short sequined skirt as it showed her legs to better advantage. As she circulated the room she attracted cool glances from the ladies who felt that the outfit was unsuitable owing to the unfashionable combination but mostly because of the amount of exposed flesh that it failed to cover. The young males present gazed at her with open adoration and even when talking to his partner for the evening each was inclined to give a quick sidelong glance to track her progress. Nor were the older gentlemen whose wives considered they should be long past such things immune from Lucy’s charms.

“Did you see what Juicy Lucy is wearing,” one lad confided to his friend?”

“It’s what she’s not wearing that is raising my temperature, let’s have a word with her.”

The pair moved in Lucy’s direction but their ambitions were thwarted by the handsome Captain of the First Eleven who was doing his best to woo the fair lady. Presently the pair moved to a more secluded location where to the pleasant surprise of the Captain Lucy engaged him in a few amorous exercises. After a few minutes of this Bruce was sure that his chances had improved so much that … but without warning Lucy excused herself saying she had to circulate and immediately turned to Ron, laughing merrily at his jokes and looking at him with adoring eyes.

At 9:30 the festivities were interrupted as light refreshments were served. Crackers and shrimp paste, several rounds of cheese of different varieties and for those with more ambitious appetites, bowls of hunters goulash with morels and onion slices to the side. The long table in the guest dining room groaned under a further repast. Freshly baked rolls, salads of lettuce, tomato, chives and all to the accompaniment of glasses of soft red wine. A sonorous toast was proposed by Major Luckner to his son then attention reverted once more to Lucy who by this stage had become a little elevated by the wine. Her dignified and aloof manner had not changed noticeably but she was seen to allow little intimacies from the boys which would not have happened earlier.

I quite enjoyed the party. The people were cheerful, unpretentious and just intent of having a good time. I was in earnest conversation with Thomas when Lucy swept by, turned and beckoned to me. “How cute. Are you really a girl in disguise.”

That was unexpected. I replied carefully, “No, not really. I think you know what I am.”

“Well, nevertheless, I’ve something to show you. Would you come along with me.”

I shrugged at Thomas. “What’s that all about?”

Thomas said, “You’d better see what she wants.”

Lucy swept unsteadily into a small guest room and closed the door. “I really am curious about you. It’s like one of those freaks at the circus—oh! I didn’t mean to be impolite but…”

The following day news of the scandal bounced back and forth around the town with gossip about the Major’s outrage and Lucy’s state of nervous collapse.

“What happened?” Pete asked. “Am I missing something?”

“Only that Lucy the chaste virgin had an experience last night and while her manner may continue to remain chaste, she is no longer a virgin.”

“Wow!” Pete exclaimed. “Who?”

“The finger is being pointed at a certain Erin who was last seen disappearing into a bedroom with her,” Thomas explained.

“So what happened?” Peter was eager to hear the details.

“No one is too sure, but one thing for certain is that Major L. who has been breathing fire ever since, is sure to press charges.”

“The girl is of age and if it was consensual what sort of charges could the guy press?” Pete looked puzzled.

“He’ll think of something. There’s bound to be a big stink over it.

Understandably I was the focus of a lot of attention and questions but thought it better to say nothing for the moment. I was a bit stunned about the fuss, and nervous that I hadn’t forseen it. Too late now though.

The next day a messenger turned up at our house. It turned out to be a summons to appear at the hour of 10:00 am in the private chambers of Judge Royster who also doubled occasionally as mediator of the Family Court. Where domestic matters arose it was usually better to resolve them harmoniously if possible, so this was to be an informal meeting between Major Luckner and his wife on the one side and myself on the other side. I decided to give Thomas a call and ask that he accompany me to validate the accuracy of my own statements.

At the appointed hour, the door was opened for Thomas and me by a court official. Already seated were the Major and his wife and both scowled as I entered; the Major’s florid face wore a mask of righteous indignation and his wife, a mousy woman in a plain tweed suit, stared at me with a look of reproachful disbelief. Also alongside her mother and with none of her usual haughty demeanour sat Lucy.

The judge entered from a side door and asked us not to rise. Judge Royster turned out to be a wiry man in his early middle years and spoke with a well practised authority. “Well now I must first remind you that this is not a court of law. It is a forum where I hope some understanding can be reached between the parties. My role is that of a mediator. Major Luckner I believe you have something to say to us. Would you care to state your grievance?”

“Yes, thank you sir.” He addressed the judge but his gaze was fixed on me as he spoke.

“This wretch,” he stared at me more intently, “despite our hospitality at a party held two days ago to celebrate the coming of age of my son, arrogantly and forcibly stole the virginity of my only daugher who is now in a state of shock. Moreover I intend to pursue this matter using whatever options are open to me and …”

“Major, Major,” the judge intervened, “I remind you again. This is not a courtroom and outbursts are not helpful. Nor is this the platform to air views about future options you may or may not pursue. Kindly confine your remarks to what actually happened two days ago.”

Somewhat chastened the Major began again but soon warmed to his subject and looking straight at me concluded, “Did you or did you not rape my daughter that night?”

Thomas replied on my behalf, “Major you are asking in effect two questions. Which one do you want Erin to answer.”

“What do you mean?” the Major shot out indignantly.

“In the same breath you are asking whether Erin took your daughter and whether he raped her in doing so. Which is your first question?”

The judge concealed a quiet smile. This boy is good, perhaps he should take up law.