Every once in a while, the higher powers of kink send me a sign that lets me know I must be living right. I got such a sign last weekend. Max and I were having a party at our house for some 70 people--the largest private party we've ever hosted. We knew it would be a lot of work. Fortunately, whenever Max and I have parties, we have Renee.

Renee is that rare but beautiful phenomenon, the service submissive. A service submissive is someone who gets pleasure and fulfillment from performing practical tasks for a dominant. They don't do it in exchange for something else, like sex or a scene--carrying out the task is the scene.

I'm already spoiled by Renee, who is such an amazingly good service submissive that I will no longer plan a party of any size if she isn't available for it. On this occasion, however, Renee introduced us to Chris, her friend and service protégé.

There's a scene in the movie Exit to Eden where a submissive boy gives Rosie O'Donnell a come-spank-me look and breathes, "Mistress, let me fulfill your fantasy." She snaps back, "Go paint my house." If Rosie had been talking to Renee and Chris, she'd have been getting a new coat of latex before you could say "Benjamin Moore." On the day of the party, these two were at my house, working in the yard, several hours before I got out of bed. After that, they cleaned the house and began the food prep. Once the party started, they answered the door, hung up coats, fetched drinks, and carried hot hors d'oeuvres around on silver trays. When the party ended, they cleaned up glasses, trash, and leftover food. And then they told us they had a great time, and went home. A few days later, Max and I even got a thank-you card from Chris.

Service submissives like this are so refreshing. A lot of people want my attention, and I'm not going to say I don't enjoy that. Having the ability to create other people's fantasies feels good. But doing so takes a lot of energy, and sometimes I feel drained. Renee and Chris conceived and delivered a fantasy for me. I didn't have to do a thing--other than relax, enjoy the service, and take pleasure in knowing that they enjoyed giving it. What a sweetly kinky gift from heaven.

matisse@thestranger.com