A true story, slightly embellished.
Elizabeth Egan pulled up to the oddly shaped little shack off the business loop outside her college town in a hurry, a half-hour late. Along with her ringing headache from partying the night before, she was dreading what could be a long day at work.
She usually enjoyed her part-time job, which was a surprise even to herself. She was unsure at first that she was cut out for the business, but after three months, she was getting used to working at Aquarius Massage Center, especially after seeing what she could make every week in tips. And Elizabeth was attractive enough to be popular with the patrons, who enjoyed her fresh, girlish face and athletic figure. In just a few afternoons and evenings a week between classes, the 19-year-old could easily finance her weekend adventures.
Some days, of course, were worse than others.
She slipped in the back door, hoping that Leslie, her boss and the owner at Aquarius, wouldn't notice her tardiness. But she was there waiting.
"Where have you been?" Leslie scolded. "You already have a customer waiting, he's been waiting for you 15 minutes already!"
Elizabeth didn't remember having an appointment, but she quickly apologized and hustled over to her room. If he had asked for her by name, he had to be a repeat customer. She liked to treat her regulars well, because most of them tipped particularly well for her "special services."
She rushed in, but stopped in her tracks as soon as she opened the door. She took one look at the man sitting on the table, wearing only a towel, and gasped. It was her father, Frank.
"Daddy!"
"Hello Lizzie," he said. "How long have you been working here?"
Elizabeth's head was swimming. Suddenly she felt as if she were having an out-of-body experience, but she desperately tried to keep her composure. She thought if she played things right, she could salvage the situation, at least somewhat. She closed the door behind her.
"Oh, a couple of months now," she said, trying to read her father's face. Perhaps he didn't know what went on at Aquarius, and would believe it was a legitimate massage center. His attitude was strange... he didn't appear angry, but he seemed almost too casual about the circumstances.
"Well I could certainly use a good rubdown. I've been feeling some twinges since playing tennis yesterday," Frank said. "You must be pretty good at this by now, huh?"
Perfect, Elizabeth thought. I can give him a little massage and get him out of here. "I do all right," she said with a smile. "How did you hear about us?" she added in what she hoped was a matter-of-fact tone.
"Well, I told George at the club I needed a massage, and he said to come here," Frank said. "And he said the best girl was Elizabeth. After he described you, I thought it might be you."
"And you came here anyway?" Elizabeth said.
"Sure, why not?" Frank said with a smile. "You used to give me neckrubs when you were younger."
"True," Elizabeth said. Uneasy as she was, she could never say no to her Daddy. "OK, get on the table, face down."
Frank did as he was told as Elizabeth hung up her jacket on the hooks at the end of the room, next to where she saw her father's clothes. She took note of the boxers on the wall, indicating that he was completely naked under the towel.
"So, baby oil or powder?" she chirped, trying to hide her nerves. Frank chose the oil, and she worked some into her hands as she looked at her father's lean, toned body. For a man nearing 50, he was still in excellent shape, owing to his daily morning swim and frequent tennis at his country club.
As her hands made contact with his shoulders, Frank looked back and said, "Is that what you wear?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but freeze in place as she squeaked out her reply, "Why?"
