A Change of Heart

Pljake

This is a wonderful start. You already have me hooked. Please keep writing.

GH

nice start! keep it going!

I may have been instrumental in Donna’s change of heart without realizing it. It was later that week and I was picking her up from work since she had taken her car in for a service. Sitting in my car I saw what could only be Angela. I immediately wondered what it would be like to service her. She was walking out of reception with the boss of Lucas Advanced Electronics, Mr. Rupert Lucas – or should I say Sir Rupert Lucas. Although founded by his late father Henry, Rupert had brought the company on from a small outfit employing maybe 20 people to its now more substantial 400. A medium sized firm making its name for some quite pioneering and sophisticated electronic equipment, Mr. Lucas remained a friendly and amicable man. At 60 years old he was looking a little worn around the edges with grey thinning hair but remained fit and athletic.

Donna’s friend Angela was a little removed from the image I had conjured up. She was indeed similar to Donna in height – around 5’5” – and build – large breasts and bum, but was otherwise quite different. Knowing what I now did about her sex life she looked much less glamorous than I expected. More grey eyes than blue, and a much more subtle fair haired blonde than the peroxide colour I had envisaged. No less pretty though. A very good looking lady in a rather understated way. Thinking about it she would need to be considering her close professional relationship with her boss. It struck me how dangerous it was for her to reveal her controversial personal life to Donna. If Lucas found out I’m sure he wouldn’t be best pleased.

As they passed my car I lowered the window.
“Good evening Mr. Lucas. You look very well this evening.” We had met a few times over the 5 or so years Donna had worked for him.

“Mark isn’t it? Mark Henderson?” I nodded. “Thank you very much Mark. Your wife will be out shortly. She’s just tidying a few loose ends up for John.” John Mitchell was Donna’s line manager.

“Righto,” I replied. I nodded to Angela. “And you look especially nice Angela.”
As Angela began to reply Rupert Lucas said, “See you tomorrow Angela. Nice to see you again Mark,” and walked towards his Aston Martin.

“So you are Donna’s husband. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good I hope?”

“Of course. We all know you two as the happy married couple.”
“Well I guess that’s us!”

Angela then clearly thought about something and a frown of concern troubled her face. She moved up to the car window and lowered her head closer to mine. In a hushed tone she said, “Look Mark I’m sorry if I was out of order asking Donna and you about the Dark Nights membership. I like your wife and thought you two might be interested.”

“Dark Knights? The party thing?”

“Yes,” she smiled, “the founders of the club are medieval enthusiasts. Dark Knights appealed to their sense of tradition I think. By the way Mark, I would really appreciate your discretion. And I’m really sorry if I have upset or annoyed you with my suggestion. The club isn’t just all about sex.”

“Oh god no Angela! Not at all! In fact I would be more than willing to give it a try. It’s just that Donna is a little bit of a prude when it comes to things like this I’m afraid. She was a bit disappointed when she learnt about the house though. Which home is it? I would love to take her there.”

“Didn’t Donna tell you? It’s a privately owned house on a privately owned estate. Very secluded - ideal for the members. I’m afraid the only way you two would be able to have a look round would be as members.”

“I see. That explains her disappointment. Could you maybe take some pictures or video of the place? At least then Donna could get an idea?”

“I’m sorry Mark. There is a strictly enforced rule forbidding cameras and phones. It’s ……”

“To protect the members. Yes, of course.”

“However …..” Donna said thinking aloud. “If I approached the Knights they might sanction some officially taken pictures. Do you think that might help?”

“That would be really great Angela. Hey, there’s Donna now.”

As my wife approached the car she waved to us both. “Hey you two! You seem to be getting along ok?”

“Yeah,” replied Angela, “it’s about time I met your other half.” With this she turned to walk to her car. “See you tomorrow Donna. Nice to meet you Mark.”

“You too Angela.”

On the drive back to the house I filled Donna in about my idea with the photographs. “One thing puzzles me though Donna. It’s not as if there aren’t other places we can go and see. Why are you disappointed not to see this one?”

“It’s because I have an idea which one it is Mark. If it’s privately owned and near Leeds – which I seem to think it is – then it’s Irongate Castle. It has some of the most spectacular baroque collections in the country. Some items get loaned out to museums and displays every once in a while, but to see the whole thing would be a real treat.”

“I see. I hope Angela gets some pictures.”

“Well yes. It would be nice. But nothing like the real thing.”
“So you haven’t changed your mind about membership?”

“I don’t want to get mixed up with those kinds of people Mark.”

“Even Angela?”

“Well OK. Angela is OK but it’s different when you work with her.”

“Mmmm,” I said wondering what Angela looked like naked.

“Oh my god”, my wife mumbled whilst looking through the portfolio.

I think it was about a week or so after I saw Angela she had given Donna a sealed, leather bound portfolio of high definition photographs. There was also included a DVD with video footage of some areas of the house and garden. We had just finished out evening meal and it was the first chance Donna had to look at them. She was engrossed. She was like a young girl in a toy shop. From what I could see the pictures look pretty standard stuff but I’m no expert, no enthusiast.

“What’s up?” I said.

She mumbled something about a genuine George II something. I knew better than to ask for an explanation.

“Shall I put the DVD on?”

“Ugh?”

“The DVD. Shall I put it in the player?”

Donna nodded without looking up from the pictures. Well that certainly got her attention! If I thought she was engrossed in the pictures her attitude changed immediately. The woman was awe struck. The DVD was professionally worked and was showing the rooms, art items, furnishings and gardens to best effect. It did the trick.

“I suppose we could just go the once Mark”.

Next chapter p[lease

The following day I got a telephone call at work.

“Mark Henderson?”

“Speaking.”

“Hey Mark, it’s Angela. You OK?”

Angela? Must be something to do with the Dark Knight membership.

“Hello Angela,” I replied. “What can I do for you.”

“Look, Donna has just told me about her change of heart regarding the Dark Knight membership. Thing is, there are a couple of hoops we need to jump through before it is ratified. I’m sure there won’t be a problem but I wanted to call you myself just to fill you in on the procedure.”

“Well I know there is an interview,” I said.
“There is. But before either of you get to the interview there is a medical
requirement. I hope you don’t mind.”

“A medical? Angela, we are both in pretty good health.”

“I know Mark. It’s just a formality, but a necessary one. It’s to protect
everyone concerned.”

“Well I appreciate the need if there is some sex going on but Donna and I …..”

“I know Mark. But there are no exceptions. If you think about it there can’t be. Anyway. Think about it. It’s a thorough examination at no cost. You would be given a physical examination and a few blood and urine
tests.”

“At no cost?”

“It all comes out of the membership fees.”

“Then I will have to pay?”

“Only if you become a ratified permanent member. Temporary membership lasts for one month and is free.”

“I see. How much is membership?”

“It’s expensive but there are various plans and ways to reduce cost. Anyway, you are only going the once aren’t you? The medical will be useful for your peace of mind. It’s worth it just for that.”

I thought for a moment and had to agree with Angela. It all seemed above board and sensible. If people got involved into the sex side of the events then they would surely want to know everyone was drug and disease free. It made sense.

“Does the medical test for drug and disease?”

“Yes. You are given a report. But some drugs wouldn’t stop membership. Some of the milder drugs are acceptable.”

“Well that’s not a problem. When would we go for this medical?”

“So you agree?”

“I guess.”
“OK Mark. I’ll book you in but you will see separate doctors so it will probably be at separate times.”

“Different doctors?”

“Yes. The women see our female doctor. The men see our male doctor. I’ll get onto it now. You should have appointments within the week and can be arranged for the weekend. I hope you don’t mind driving up to Leeds.”

“No. That’s ok. Only an hours drive.”

“That’s fixed then. See ya Mark.”
“Bye Angela”

That was fixed then.

Donna got the first medical for that coming Saturday. We made a day of it and we drove up with the kids. The health clinic was actually tucked away in the conservation area of Gomersal, situated in the Spen Valley in West Yorkshire - a beautiful area where the Bronte sisters wrote their famous novels.

We didn’t expect to see the house – or castle – itself that day so wasn’t disappointed. I had a walk round with the kids whilst Donna went into the centre. I didn’t want to ask her too many questions about it with the kids present so waited until we were home that night.

Donna was very impressed with the doctor – a Jane Melrose – though she wasn’t as old as she expected. There was also a nurse in attendance – a Kate Parsons. They took a urine sample, blood sample and mouth swab. What did surprise Donna was the cervical smear sample and internal examination. Nothing she hadn’t had before though and Dr. Melrose explained everything as it was done. She was making sure there was no internal trauma, cysts or genital warts. Angela was impressed with the professionalism and thoroughness of the examination. She was also told any flagged results would be followed up with necessary referral to our own doctor. Dr. Parsons was pleased with Angela’s health and couldn’t find anything to worry about. The sample analysis would be posted to us the following week.

“There was one thing which troubled me though Mark.”

“What’s that?”

“Before the physical examination there was a short interview. It was the main run of the mill stuff mostly – you know – illness in the family and previous conditions and that. But she also wanted to know how many sexual partners I have had and when I first started having intercourse.”

“Really?”

“Yes. She said there is evidence to suggest having sex from an early age with several partners increases the chance of developing cervical cancer. They might be standard questions these days but I was put off a bit.”

“What did you say?”

“Told her the truth. First time was with you at university when I was 19. No other partners.”

I’d never thought about that much for years. Not only was Donna prudish in bed. I was the only man she’s ever been with.

It’s something I started to think about a lot more after that. I’d had two girlfriends before Donna.

Sally – the first – used to suck my cock.

Very well written indeed! Please please continue!

My own medical examination was a few days later. I drove up to the appointment on my own. Thinking back, it may have been during this time I started to have nagging doubts about what I was getting myself into. I was caught up into something of a roller-coaster without actually realizing what I expected to get out of it. Realistically I knew I wouldn’t be getting involved in any mass orgy or even having sex with another woman. My sexual self would have loved to have done so but my heart and brain knew it wasn’t going to happen, and indeed wouldn’t want it to happen. I loved my wife and wanted my marriage to continue. I convinced myself the whole thing would just sate our curiosity. I would get to see the workings of a real life and very exclusive sex club with hopefully an element of acceptable voyeurism and Donna would get to see things she was deeply interested and normally out of bounds from the general public. Little did I know at that time Donna’s interest would be piqued by anything but the décor.

My examination was straight-forward but also slightly odd. I too gave urine, blood and swab samples and was given a thorough examination by a Doctor Mervin Jones, a rather nice man from the valleys of Wales. I even got the rather unpleasant and disconcerting prostate check with a gloved finger. Doctor Jones gave me a testicular examination but also did something which really should have started an alarm bell ringing in my head. Intimate measurements where made of my genitals with the explanation he was checking for genetic mutation or inconsistencies. Sperm counts in British men have fallen by 50% since the second world war with a whole host of hypotheses as to why. I was reliably informed my genitalia was in perfectly healthy condition following the medical norms.

As with Donna, any flagged results would be passed on to my own doctor and the sample analyses posted to me within a few days. By all accounts I was a perfectly healthy 32 year old man. As with Donna, it was a good feeling and rather elating to have such a thorough and professional medical examination and to be given the all clear.

Everything would now be set for the interview for membership. I just hoped it would all be worth while.
Little did I know at that time how much everything was going to change.

can't wait to hear more...

excellent thus far, thank you.

more please!

top quality. hope you can keep it up. sure not easy. all the best

This is really really good. You've done a great job so far. Thanks. Hope to hear more.

This is top quality stuff, please keep it going!

Angela told Donna the interview would be about 2 to 3 weeks after the medicals, giving time for the results and analyses to be processed. I assumed we would go to the interview together but they were to be done separately. This was because the medicals themselves were staggered and the interviews arranged as the results were passed on to the club.

Donna received her invitation about 2 weeks after my medical. It was a mid-week appointment and so she needed to book a holiday at work and I was unable to accompany her. She said Angela had outlined to her what to expect, coached her what to say and gave her some advice on what kind of clothes to wear.

Unlike the medical, the interview was to be conducted on the grounds of the private estate itself, not in the actual house – since that was off limited to all but ratified members – but what was once a groundman’s cottage close to the main gate.

I didn’t see Donna off that day since the interview was in the afternoon but she was already in when returned from work. We didn’t find a chance to speak until the kids went to bed and I must admit I was rather intrigued.

The interview was conducted by a panel of 4 members, 2 women and 2 men. Angela said Donna would be appraised visually by the panel to assess her value to the club. Overweight or ugly women would not be allowed to join, though rejection through this criteria was rare since prospective membership was through sponsorship only, the sponsors having a good idea of what was acceptable. If membership was rejected on this criteria then another reason would be used so as not to hurt the candidate unnecessarily. Obviously, Donna would not have a problem in this department.

Sometimes the candidate would be asked to undress for closer assessment, either completely or partially. The reason for this was twofold. To see how comfortable the candidate was with her own body and to test the conviction of her application. Donna said she was not asked to undress which is just as well. I am – or should I say was - the only person to ever see Donna naked outside a medical situation and I believed she would not have been prepared to do so. Indeed, I would have been upset if she had.

She was also asked about her motives in wanting to join the club. Following Angela’s tutelage she said she was interested in meeting sexually liberated people and watching other people have sex. By not saying she wanted to have sex with other people she would lose points, but Angela insisted she would still breeze through due to her physical beauty and young age. It seems most of the female membership were late 30s plus. She was also asked about any sexual fetishes she may have.

All this she had been comfortable with but not so for the final few questions. Donna was asked about number of sexual partners – though the panel must have known this from her medical records – though it is true in a more general way – 1 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 20 etc. She was asked about the gender and race of sexual partners and most embarrassingly of all for such a prudish lady her likes and dislikes during the sexual act. She didn’t go into much detail to me about this at first but I eventually managed to coax it out of her. She said she liked sucking cock (she had never sucked a cock), been fucked anally on occasion (that had certainly never happened or even been discussed) and liked to go on top (again very rarely). It also struck me at that time how rarely we had sex at all, and I was ashamed to admit to myself for several years had been the missionary position, with lights off, curtains drawn and sheets up.

We would find out if her membership had been accepted through her sponsor – Angela – within the week.

It was only then it occurred to me Donna’s application might be successful and mine not. If so I hoped Donna wouldn’t blame me for being unable to attend.

It was only then it occurred to me Donna’s application might be successful and mine not. If so I hoped Donna wouldn’t blame me for being unable to attend.

What a wonderful statement to end a segment. So subtle, yet so filled with portent. I love it.

Nice Work!

GH

please continue. I'm looking forward to more.

Great story, cannot wait for the next posting.

Very much looking forward to the next installment!

A few days later I was driving up to my own interview and decided to phone Angela at the office.

“Angela? It’s Mark, Donna’s husband.”

“Hello Mark, what can I do for you?”

“Look, it’s about the club membership. I’m driving up for my interview and wondered if you could give me any tips?”

“Not really Mark. All I can ask you to do is be yourself. I’m sure there won’t be a problem. If I thought there would be then I wouldn’t have sponsored you and Donna.”

“What should I say is my reason for joining?”

“Same as Donna. To meet liberal thinking people and voyeurism. Membership can be a little more strict for the men but I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“More strict? Why is that?”

“Because more men than women want to join the club and the organizers don’t want a bigger number of men to women. You will gain points by joining as a couple and because Donna has already been accepted .”

“She has! I didn’t know that.”

“Yes, I told her earlier today. She’s been smiling ever since.”

“I can imagine. She’s really looking forward to seeing the place. She tells me their collection is famous.”

“Collection?”

“Yes – the art and such.”

“Huh?”

“You know Angela. It’s the reason Donna wanted to join. She is fascinated by that period. She wrote her thesis on the baroque movement for her university degree.”

“Oh yeah. I see. Yeah. Well I imagine there are a few other things which might catch her eye too!”

“We told you Donna wasn’t really interested in the club for the sex stuff Angela.”

“Of course Mark. Right . Look Mark, Mr. Lucas wants me. Don’t worry about the interview.”

With that she ended the call.

It didn’t take me long to reach Irongate and was at once impressed with the whole arrangement. Donna had given me a brief description and so I had an idea of what to expect. The estate entrance was manned by a security man who waved me through after checking my identification with an appointment book. I followed his directions and parked next to an old and small building, complete with thatched roof just within the walls.
A quick check in the rear view mirror and off I went.

The outside of the old groundsman house was completely in character with the rest of the estate. I could see the main house – or pseudo castle – in the distance and was at once impressed. It reminded me of a smaller version of Chatworth House – grand indeed.
Inside the transformation was immediate. Modern furnishings and a sense of antiseptic sterility. A plain business like woman greeted me from behind a clean lined acrylic desk.

“Mr. Henderson?”

“That’s me.”

“Hello Mr. Henderson. My name is Cheryl Conner. If you take a seat I will inform April you are here.”

I did as requested on a comfortable designer settee. I was just about to make myself a cup of coffee with the facilities provided when Cheryl returned through the side door.

“They will see you immediately Mr. Henderson.”

“Thank you. And please call me Mark.”

“Certainly Mark and be sure to call me Cheryl. Good luck.”

I entered an equally clinical and similar sized room. Two women and two men sat behind a large transparent acrylic table. The chairs were the modern designer kind of thing. This whole thing stunk of money.

“Please take a seat Mark,” said one of the women, “my name is Dr. Jane Melrose, I had the pleasure of examining your good wife.”

“Dr. Melrose? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Please call me Jane, Mark. Everyone connected with the process is a member of the organization - we like to keep things in-house. It helps to keep the lid on what some people might consider a little shall we say .. erm … bohemian?”

“Of course Dr. Mel .. I mean Jane.”

Dr. Melrose proceded to introduce her colleagues. The other woman was a rather severe looking school mistress type lady in her mid 50s. Even her manner was rather pedantic. Her thick rimmed glasses added to the look. Her name was Karen McDonald.

Jean-Pierre Martin was a young athletic looking black Frenchman in his early 20s.

Pete Conner was a little older at maybe 30.

These were not the same people who interviewed my wife. Of that I was sure. The interview started as I had expected. They wanted to know a little bit about me, my lifestyle and place of employment. They also asked about my sexual partners and preferences. To this I was truthful, having two partners before my wife and no others since our marriage. Heterosexual with no homosexual tendancies or fantasies. When asked about my reason for applying I followed Angela’s advice – voyeurism, socializing and meeting liberal thinking people.

“Have you any intention of fucking any of the female membership Mr. Henderson?” said Karen.

Taken aback with the suddenness and frankness of the question – despite the nature of the interview – I answered as best I could.

“No Karen, as I said, I just want to socialize and watch, as does my wife.”

“Please don’t answer for your wife Mr. Henderson,” interceded the big black Frenchman, “this interview is for your application and yours alone.”

“Of course. But no.”

“No?” said Karen, “No what?”

“I have no intention of er .. fucking the female membership.”

“I see.” Karen went on looking down at some papers through her thick rimmed glasses, “You see there might be a problem with your application. Dr. Jones’ physical examination of you revealed a potential problem with your genitals.”

“Problem?” I was asgast. “I am in perfect …..”

“Yes Mark,” she interrupted, “it seems you may have a small penis.”

I was dumbstruck. I looked blankly at all four interviewers. Small penis? I had never thought so. I’d never had any complaints.

Dr. Melrose went on in a strictly professional tone. “There are some regulations we have to adhere to Mark. We insist the membership is clean, healthy, drug and disease free. We also insist on a degree of physical beauty – this is a sex club after all. On all these points you have passed. We also insist on friendly amiable attitude – which you also seem to have. The one sticking point is penis size. We don’t require on huge hung men like Jean-Pierre here,” she said passing a side-long glance to her co-interviewer, “but we do want to maintain standards. We don’t want our female membership to be short-changed. To be frank Mark, when we are at the club we want to know any man has the equipment to satisfy.”

I couldn’t help notice the Frenchman’s smirk. Pete Conner also looks aloof. “I have never considered myself to be particularly small in that department.”

Dr. Melrose went on. “We all know your aroused state might be completely contrary to your size when Dr. Jones examined you, but to be sure I must insist on examining you myself.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Your application will be rejected.”

go on go on !!!!

This is getting better and better, cannot wait for what happens next.

Very good Jake.

excellent keep it coming
david liput

Still waiting for more Poorlitlejake!

My wife and I are waiting in anticipation for the next installment!

and me

great story, please keep it coming

My gut reaction was to get up and leave immediately. It was humiliating. I forced myself to say nothing more and to think for a second. It is true I would have loved to have visited the club as a member at least once but knew due to Donna’s reticence we would only be going the once. We had both been through a big inconvenience with the health checks and interviews but it was also true the health checks had been useful in their own right. It just wasn’t worth the humiliation.

“I’m not sure I am prepared to be examined Doctor.”

“Well of course that is your choice Mark. It would be done discretely in the examination room behind us.”

“And who would do the examination?”

“Myself and a colleague. Karen, Cheryl whom you have already met or possibly April.”

“Cheryl mentioned April.”

“Yes, a lovely lady who helps out here.”

“It would be very embarrassing. Humiliating.”

“Not really Mark,” Dr. Melrose continued, “you may even enjoy it.”

“Well no offence to Karen here, but maybe if you and this April were to examine me I might be ok.”

“I would guarantee complete disinterest. Any result would be strictly confidential.”

I thought a moment longer. Fuck it.

“OK, Jane, let’s do it.”

“Very well. But please be warned even if you do pass the physical examination we four must still consult to see if we are happy with your other qualities.”

“What Jane means,” interceded Jean-Pierre in his deep bass tone, “if the women are happy with the size of your dick then we will decide after the interview if we think you are suitable.”

“You mean if you like me?”

“More if we think our female membership will like you. If you have a bit of an attitude then a big cock will compensate.”

“I see.”

“Jean-Pierre has an attitude problem,” said Karen.

“Right. So I gathered. OK. Let’s do it.”

Jane led me through to another room which was bare but for a rather ascetic looking surgical table, cupboard and two chairs. The harsh fluorescent lighting adding to the rather unromantic and sexless feel.

“Please get completely undressed and lie on the table Mark. I will just fetch April.”

“Undressed? But all …..”

“I insist Mark. I need to see the whole package. I need to see what you will be offering our membership. Place your clothes on one of the chairs.”

With this she left. I was still hesitant but had made my decision. Feeling very uncomfortable and self conscious I did as requested. I am certainly no Adonis but nor have I ever considered myself particularly ugly or out of shape. I have always been pretty slim and fit if not athletic. Not bad for a 30 something father and husband. I undressed and lay back on the cold unyielding table. Hard and uncomfortable it did nothing to relax me.
Longer than I hoped Jane returned but preceded by the April I had heard of but not seen.

“Hello there Mark,” she said, “my name is April.”

She wore an outfit just the respectable side of slutty with black stockings, short black skirt and short sleeved top. Long raven hair finished off a pretty if not beautiful mid 30s face.

“I know this is uncomfortable for you,“ she went on, “but rest assured I’ve seen so much cock nothing you have can surprise me.”

Jane sat on the vacant chair and watched silently. I was having a hard time of this and naked in front of two attractive women was far from enough to get any arousal from me. I just lay there and stared at the ceiling.

“Ok. I know you are married and so don’t want to do anything your wife may disapprove of so I’ll do this as clinically as possible. All we need do find out is how big your fully aroused cock is. For you to be here I understand there may be some doubt as to you meeting requirements. As you may have gathered I am a fully fledged member of the organization and am a strong supporter of adhering to the rules. We don’t insist all members have huge dicks but nor do we want any men with pathetic little toy ones either do we?”

At this monologue I actually found myself – astonishingly – to react. I felt movement down below – not full erection – but certainly the stirrings of one.

“I think we may have a reaction April,” said Jane.

“Indeed we do Jane. Let me see if I can help Mr. Henderson along a little.”

Stepping over to the cabinet she quickly opened a door and expertly put on white sterile surgical gloved. She moved back to the table holding a small tub of lubricant.

“Here goes Mark. Let’s see what you have got. And as a little incentive please realize if you are up to the job there is no reason that within the week you won’t be fucking every female member you have seen – me included.”

Oh my. This girl really knew her stuff. Despite everything I was indeed responding. April used the lubricant and even with surgical gloves the effect was immediate. My erection started to grow.

“That’s the idea. Would you get the measure please Jane?”

Jane was up to the cabinet and back to the table in a shot, peering down at my dick with glee, tape measure at the ready.

“How are you feeling Mark?”

“Mmm. Pretty good actually.”

“So it seems. It’s looking like you are pretty much fully grown down here. What do you think Jane?”

“I agree April. I think Mark has a full erection now. Need I measure it do you think?”

“Measure it? Don’t be silly. What excuse for a dick is that?”

“I agree. What a fucking a joke. I’m sorry Mark. You have so failed.”

Nice twist, though given the forum not entirely unexpected. Can't wait for the next installment.

mark.