A police car stops in front of 221b Baker St, Detective Inspector Lestrade strides purposely through the front door and up the stairs. 'Sherlock, I need you' he calls while looking into the unbelievably messy kitchen. John Watson rises from his chair, overcoat already on.
'Where is he?' Lestrade asks.
John shrugs and gestures to the bedroom. 'Hmmm, sulking most likely'.
'Will he come out, do you think?' Lestrade enquires.
'Your guess is as good as mine', says John 'he's been in there since your text came through'.
'Did he say anything?'
'Not a word, although he did leave the couch. He's been lying on it for days'.
'I thought a case might cheer him up?'.
'Maybe. You never can tell'.
Sherlock suddenly appears, dressed in a dark suit and shirt and tying his scarf around his neck. He strides past John and Lestrade and grabs his coat off the coat rack.
'Come on, what's the hold up?' are his parting words as he strides down the stairs. The front door slams and a car door opens. Lestrade looks quizzically at John, who just shrugs his shoulders and follows.
A woman is sitting straight backed in a wooden chair. She has red curly hair, piled loosely on her head. Another woman is finishing lacing her into a blue and black corset. The lacing is altogether more intricate than it needs to be and is finished with leather buckles. The second woman pulls a chair up in front of the other and starts applying her make-up .
'Not too much Kate, I need to go out after this' the first woman says.
'Yes, Mistress' Kate says as she reaches across the first woman's breast to start her eye make-up.
'Enough of that' the woman jokes.
'But you must start acting the part, it's not long now' winks Kate.
'I suppose so.'
She pauses.
'Finish the work. No talking.' she barks and closes her bright blue eyes. Kate starts on her eyeliner.
The crowd are your typical steampunk crowd, if there is such a thing. Corsets and top hats are common. The room is dark but not so dark that participants can not appreciate each other's efforts in costuming. Occasionally there is an 'old fashioned' BDSM outfit, if there is a thing as old fashioned BDSM. Maybe traditional is more appropriate; simple black leather and rubber, no colour or fancy adornments.
John and Sherlock follow Lestrade as he walks quickly through the crowd to a side door of heavy wood with large brass hinges. Lestrade opens the door just in time to see Kate finish putting earrings on her Mistress.
'The wipes and lipstick are in your bag for later' says Kate and leaves. The woman does not even glance in her direction.
John's eyes look to the door Kate exited from and then to Sherlock. Sherlock is surveying the room.
'Sorry, we are a bit late. I didn't realise you would be dressed' says Lestrade. Now, John and Sherlock exchange a glance.
'We'. She pauses. 'I did not authorise your entry'. She turns in her chair. 'And you are?'
'Sherlock Holmes and John Watson'
'It wasn't an invitation to introduce yourself, Mr Holmes, but merely a polite alternative to me saying get out'.
John looks to Sherlock, shrugs and gestures to the door. They start to leave and Lestrade follows.
'Greg. Text me' she orders.
