Orazio (Vol. 1) Orazio and the Isis hormone.

This is not a courtesy visit.

Orazia has been up all night.

On several occasions she was about to go out to look for Orazio, but she thought that would only make the situation worse. The thought of what those women might be doing to her boy tormented her.

Finally, it gets light and Mrs. Johnson's voice comes over the loudspeaker: "Orazia, come down to the dining room. We need to talk."

God, how she hates that woman. She doesn't want to talk to her, but she knows she has no choice.

Orazia walks down the stairs. Mrs. Johnson is standing by the dining room door.
She also seems to have had a bad night. Her make-up is running. Her hair isn't in its usual impeccable bun. She looks tired and haggard.

"Sit down." she orders.
Orazia sits down.

Mrs. Johnson: Narmer is waiting for you to take you to the Mayoress' house. Go there and apologize to her and her assistant. For Orazio's sake, your apology had better be convincing. I don't want to get into conflict with that woman. Make sure you do.
Orazia: Yes, ma'am.

Mrs. Johnson types something into her datapad and the loudspeaker emits a loud beep.

Mrs. Johnson: Fine. What are you waiting for? Get out of here and fix this mess.
Orazia: Yes, ma'am.

Orazia leaves the dining room and walks to the courtyard where Narmer, Mrs. Johnson's driver, waits for her next to one of Mrs. Johnson's luxury cars.

Narmer is a middle-aged man, although Orazia has trouble deciding exactly how old he might be. He is attractive and Orazia wonders if he will be another of Mrs. Johnson's sex toys.

"Get in the car," he says.

Orazia does so and buckles up. Narmer starts the engine and they are off.

Narmer does not speak, which makes Orazia uncomfortable. They finally arrive at the mayoress's house. Narmer gets out of the car and walks around to help Orazia out.

"I'll wait for you here," he says, as if he has a choice in the matter.

A security team composed of droids escorts Orazia inside. The mayoress, accompanied by the obnoxious Esther, awaits her in a large hall. A lavish dinner sits on a table in the middle of the room.

Orazia walks up to the table. The mayoress raises elegant eyebrows while her assistant looks down, apparently annoyed by something.

Orazia looks for Orazio with her eyes. He is not present.

"Hello, Mrs. Mayoress," she says politely. "I'm afraid this is not a courtesy visit, but I'm sure you already know that."

The mayoress smiles and puts an orange slice in her mouth. She seems to be savoring the taste of it.

Orazia hesitates. She does not know what to do next. She is only able to think of Orazio.

Orazia: Where is Orazio?

The mayoress looks at her with blank eyes. She finishes chewing and lets out a belch like a contented sigh.

"Oh, him?" she says.

Orazia nods, feeling increasingly furious. "He's not here," she says.

"Mm," the mayoress replies, licking her lips. "He's a lucky man."
Orazia: (speaking slowly) Where is he?

The mayoress lets out a warm chuckle.

"He is recovering," she says. "It's been a tough night for him."