The Breeders

July 14, 2008 – 2:05 am

The hand-wrought iron sign which hung over the heavy carved wooden
doors of the main gate read: ROYAL BENSON KENNELS. But to those who
recognized quality, it said ‘expensive.’

Carolyn Vance pressed the call button and listened expectantly for the
harsh ring of a bell somewhere within the grounds. There was no sound.
Perhaps the bell was out of order, or perhaps the buildings were
soundproofed. For a large commercial kennel, it was surprisingly silent
behind those high walls. No dogs had barked at her approach. There
seemed to be no sound at all beyond the high-walled grounds. That was
odd, she thought.

Then the faint static of an intercom called her attention to the
intricate iron grillwork just above the call button.

“Royal Benson Kennels. May we be of service?”

The voice was definitely male, but veloured by good breeding and years
of servitude, like an unobtrusive English butler.

“Yes,” Carol answered in the general direction of the soft static
sounds. “I’d like to see Mr. Benson please.”

“Mr. Benson sees no one after working hours without an appointment. I’m
sorry. Would you care to telephone for an appointment tomorrow?” the
illusive voice said. “You will find a rack of business cards by the
bell, the telephone number is located in the lower right hand corner.
Please telephone at your convenience.”

Carolyn raised an eyebrow. My, aren’t we exclusive, she thought.

“I do have an appointment with Mr. Benson,” she said politely, “a 7:00
o’clock appointment and it’s just 7:00 now.”

“One moment, please,” the phantom voice purred.

Carolyn sighed gently. It was such a relief to find a job after such a
long time. She was tired. It had been a long walk in high heels from
the nearest bus stop, especially carrying a suitcase full of clothes,
but she had walked rather than spend her few remaining dollar bills on
taxi fare. She leaned against the high wall with its cornice of black
iron spearheads. Attractive she thought, sort of ‘old worldish’ and
elegant … though rather dangerous if one of the dogs, or anyone else,
were to try to go over the high wall.

Carolyn looked hopefully at the intercom and wished they would hurry.
Her feet hurt and she wanted nothing more at this moment to get the
formalities over and be shown to the room which was to be hers while
she was employed by Royal Benson Kennels. Shouldn’t be impatient, she
scolded herself, just be darned grateful you got the job. It sounded
like a marvelous opportunity to her when she first read the newspaper
advertisement.

WANTED: Attractive kennel girl, must be single and unattached, 20 to 25
yrs. Experience unnecessary, will receive specialized training. Room . . . . .
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