Smoke And Mirrors, Part 26

This fictional story contains adult themes and descriptions. If such offends
you, read no further.  All persons and situations depicted are fictional, any
similarities to real persons or events is purely coincidental. All rights
reserved. This story cannot be reproduced without the written prior approval
of the author. You can notify the author at del999@yahoo.com.

Smoke & Mirrors
Part 26: The Challenge:

As the days and weeks went by, the number of cigarettes Giselle smoked each
day slowly and gradually began to rise. Thanks to  Danielle's advice, when
she had started she deliberately smoked her five cigarettes a day. It had
been more of a chore as she practiced each day. The second week, after it had
become easier, she averaged about seven, and by the third week she was
smoking nearly half a pack a day. As the weeks had progressed, she started to
actually look forward to her next cigarette. In the mornings, while she
prepared Serge's breakfast, she felt herself feeling slightly agitated,
nervously anticipating what had become her customary first cigarette of the
day. As she would watch Serge's car slowly back out of the driveway, she
would hurriedly find her cigarettes and light up. Her drags had now become
long and deep. She no longer consciously blew out the smoke after she
inhaled, but instead slowly held the smoke in briefly to get the full effect
of the nicotine. Her exhales were long and slow. She was now fully enjoying
the smoking experience, savoring every drag. During the third week, she
started to have two cigarettes to start the day, as one just didn't seem to
satisfy her. And the more she spent time with Danielle, the more she smoked.
It was now very common for Giselle to smoke four or five cigarettes in a row
during their morning soap opera. Unconsciously she began to reach for a
cigarette more and more often. She realized that now she had the need to
light up. Since she had the whole day to herself, she continued to satisfy
her ever-occurring desire to smoke. She was actually starting to have
cravings, especially at night, when she only had one cigarette after dinner
and another one before she went to bed.

By the end of the fourth week, that Sunday night she was totally taken aback
when she realized she only had five cigarettes left in her last package from
the carton. Had it really been only four weeks. That couldn't be possible,
she thought to herself. She was a bit concerned that Serge might catch her in
her little white lie about the number of cigarettes she had been smoking each
day.

She then reminded herself that Serge was going to be away on his annual
business trip to see clients in a couple weeks. He was leaving Monday
morning, and would not be back until the following Thursday afternoon of
Thanksgiving Day. In the past she had always been a bit lonely during these
times, but realized that with Serge gone she would have a bit more freedom to
smoke whenever she wanted. Suzanne would be arriving in about four weeks, and
as planned Serge would expect her to smoke. She had had no other choice but
to buy another carton and not tell Serge. She told herself that she must
continue practicing. With a bit of trepidation, she decided that she would
have to go to the grocery store to replenish her supply the following morning
after Serge left for work.

The next morning, as she hurriedly left the house, she realized that she had
not taken her cigarettes with her. She paused a moment. Maybe she should go
back in the house to retrieve her package. The cravings began to influence
her. She knew what she must do. She quickly walked back to the house, and
found her cigarettes in the kitchen counter drawer. She opened the package to
see that there was only one cigarette left. She felt slightly desperate to
see the lone cigarette, but somehow also relieved that there was still one
left. She knew that somehow, she did not want to be without her cigarettes.
As she proceeded out of the small subdivision, the persistent yearning began
again.

"What is wrong with me? I just can't seem to get having a cigarette out of
my mind. She recalled that she had had her last cigarette at Danielle's place
about two hours ago. That morning she had already smoked four cigarettes, but
again she felt somehow deprived at that moment. As she came to the red light,
she reached into her purse and retrieved her package and lighter. She rolled
the window down, and after nervously looking around, she lit up the last
solitary cigarette from her package, trying to keep her eyes on the traffic
signal at the same time. Oh, the relief- and the satisfaction, as she
fiercely inhaled the long first drag deep into her lungs. She held the smoke
in for five seconds. Then she slowly exhaled, directing the smoke out the
open car window. She felt the calming effect as her body was again at peace.

Danielle's previous words came to mind, "I just love each and every
cigarette." She now knew what Danielle meant. She was actually relishing this
cigarette. Her fear of being seen was now overtaken by her need to smoke. She
inhaled again deliberately. Her previous anxiety about going to the grocery
store was now replaced with the need  to reestablish her supply. She knew
that she wanted them. She would not admit to herself that she had become
desperate when she knew she might run out of cigarettes. She continued to
take long drags as she drove the fifteen minutes to the store. As her car
entered the parking lot of the grocery store, she took an extra long last
drag on the nearly spent cigarette. She casually flicked the cigarette out
the window as she had seen Danielle do many times. As she exited her car, she
exhaled the long plume of satisfying smoke into the air. She somehow felt
fortified, as the nicotine had now engulfed the pleasure center of her brain.

She casually strolled through the store picking up some odds and ends until
she located the customer service desk, where she could see the display
showing the rows and rows of cigarettes. Ironically and unbeknownst to her,
working at the desk was the same blonde girl who had sold Serge her first
carton only four weeks before.


As she approached the desk, Giselle could see the young attractive clerk
chatting on the phone. Giselle waited a moment and then said rather
impatiently, "If you're not too busy talking on the phone, could you please
help me?" The clerk looked over the new customer, noting that she was dressed
in rather expensive clothes. The clerk turned away, and raised her eyebrows,
making a face showing her irritation for having her telephone call
interrupted. She reluctantly said goodbye and hung up the phone.

"Yes? What can I do for you?" she said, trying to hide her resentment.

Giselle boldly responded, "I'll have a carton of VS 100's menthol please"

The girl paused a moment, and then asked, "Full flavor or lights?"

Giselle was taken aback. "Just a moment please," as she reached into her
purse removing her lighter and placing it on the counter. "Like these," she
said, motioning to the pack in her hand.

The girl smiled, "Oh, the full flavor." She said, trying to hide the
incredulity that this woman didn't know what she kind of cigarettes that she
smoked. The girl quickly returned with the carton cradled under her left arm.

"Could you please put them in a bag?" Giselle said with a snobbish tone.

"Sure, no problem." The girl responded. The young girl started to recall the
lighter she had just seen. She casually said, "That's a lovely lighter you
have there. Was it by any chance purchased here by a tall slim man with brown
hair in his late 30's; maybe a few weeks ago?"

Giselle was taken a back at her description of Serge. "Well, yes it was," she
said curiously.

"Are you his wife?" she said, smiling.

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"Oh I was just curious. Your husband was so nice, and I helped him pick out
the lighter and that brand of cigarettes for you. How are you enjoying
smoking?" she said, knowing what the answer would be. Giselle was somehow
very embarrassed, acknowledging that her secret was now out in the open.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I was very surprised, but I am really enjoying
it. I would have never believed that I would ever hear myself say these
words, but I really like it. I started to find it very relaxing. I like it a
lot," she said with commitment.

"Do you like the brand I selected for you?" she said, continuing to question.

"Oh, Yes. These are good. Of course, these are the only ones I've tried,
except for Misty's which my friend smokes."

"The VS are my brand too and I just love them. They taste so minty and
smooth." the blonde girl said, winking.

"By the way, my name is Tammy Williams," she said, extending her hand.

Giselle reluctantly extended her hand, "Giselle Leblanc."

Tammy broke the brief pause after the cool handshake. Curious to see if
Giselle had really learned how to smoke, Tammy said, "I'm about to go on my
lunch break. Would you care to join me across the street at the restaurant? I
could use the company if you have some time. Plus I hate to smoke by myself,
if you know what I mean?" she said smiling.

Giselle was taken aback by the girls offer, but her friendly air overtook
Giselle's caution. Unconsciously she knew it would be another opportunity for
her to smoke a cigarette. She finally agreed that she would meet her after
she had checked out her purchases. As she walked to the car, she carefully
held her carton close to her, feeling somewhat relieved that her supply
problem was now solved. She quickly delved into the carton, and placed an
unopened package in her purse.

As she entered the small restaurant, she saw the young girl, already seated.
She joined her at the table, where a clean ashtray had been strategically
placed.

Giselle was a bit nervous, as she sat down. She had really never smoked in
front of anyone except Danielle and Serge. Tammy immediately pulled out her
package, and offered one to Giselle.

"Oh, thank you," Giselle said, gratefully pulling out her lighter.

Giselle quickly offered Tammy the dancing flame. She watched as Tammy took a
drag that seemed to last for more than five seconds. Amazingly, Tammy seemed
to be holding her breath before she exhaled. Giselle unconsciously counted as
the seconds went by waiting for her to exhale. It seemed like four or five
seconds. Finally it started to escape. The volume of smoke from Tammy's lips
was incredible. The exhale was the longest that Giselle had ever seen. This
girl made Danielle look like an amateur.

Giselle somehow felt challenged. She deliberately hollowed her cheeks, as she
sucked as hard as she could to mimic the length of Tammy's drag, and then
inhaled deeply. She paused, then exhaled a long plume of smoke upwards in a
nearly an endless stream. For the first time in her smoking career, Giselle
experienced the true rich tobacco taste from the long drag of an experienced
smoker. She blushed slightly at the pleasant and satisfying taste in her
mouth, immediately feeling the effects of the larger amount of nicotine
coursing through her body.

Tammy smiled at the display. "Giselle, are you sure you just started
smoking?" she said giggling. "You sure look like you know what you are doing
for being a beginner."

Giselle knew that she had done well. "Well, I try-" she said smiling, despite
feeling a little embarrassed about being called a beginner.

Tammy took another enormous drag. Tammy's mind was starting to plot. "I'm
glad to see that you have learned how to inhale properly. I often see so many
women who take tentative little puffs and shallow inhales and almost look
guilty as they exhale their almost invisible puff of smoke. They think they
are smoking, but they really aren't. In my opinion, they are really missing
out on the true enjoyment of smoking. The great tobacco taste when you take
that long drag. That wonderful warm feeling in your lungs and that
satisfaction as the smoke does its magic. If you are going to smoke-smoke...
that's what I always say. I don't mean to rant, but working at the cigarette
counter, so many people seem to be almost apologetic when they buy their
cigarettes. Saying they should quit, stuff like that. Hell, they never ever
really started in my opinion. I wish I could show them the real way to smoke.
Then, they would be guilt free, and simply enjoy smoking for what it is, pure
relaxation and satisfaction."

Tammy continued on her rant. "Another thing that really gets to me is that a
lot of people ration their smoking. You know, they say, well I'll smoke 5
cigarettes a day, that's my allotment. Get a life. If I want a cigarette, I
smoke a cigarette. I'm not going to set myself some kind of arbitrary limit
on something I enjoy. In fact, when I first started I actually made a
commitment to myself to smoke a pack a day. I knew that way that I would
fully enjoy the smoking experience.

Giselle again took a rather long drag, holding the smoke in longer than she
usually did.

Giselle finally had a moment to interrupt the ranting lunch partner. "You
mean there is a difference in your smoking enjoyment, if you smoke like a
pack a day as opposed to less than that?

"Absolutely! A pack is the minimum. Giselle, why do you think that when you
ask a smoker how much he smokes, what do most say?"

Giselle thought for a moment. "A pack a day?"

"Exactly!" Tammy said, smiling. "That is the minimum level for true smoking
pleasure. It is just so satisfying. Ask any smoker. I always start my day off
with a coffee and a cigarette, a nice double pump to get me going."

"Yes, I like a coffee with my morning cigarette too, but what is a double
pump?" Giselle said embarrassingly.

Oh! You've never tried that? It's a real good way to get a large amount of
smoke, especially when you haven't smoked in a while, or you are in a hurry.
Here, let me show you." She proceeded to execute a deep double pump, as the
tip of her cigarette burned brightly. "I wouldn't try that yet as you're
still a beginner," she said smiling.

Giselle watched in awe, as the thick smoke left Tammy's lips. Giselle was
slightly miffed about the condescending way that the girl had spoken to her.
After all she was old enough to be her mother. Giselle let the beginner
comment pass, realizing that it was not the time to challenge her new
acquaintance.

As the food arrived, both girls stubbed out their cigarettes.

As Tammy's eyes scanned the large rings on Giselle's hands, it bothered her
that she would never be able to dress in expensive clothes or have expensive
jewelry. She was uneducated and didn't have a rich husband to take care of
her. She realized that the only thing she really did with enthusiasm and
experience was smoking. At least she was better at smoking than Giselle.

As they continued eating their lunch Tammy asked casually. "Giselle, how much
are you smoking a day now?

Giselle did not want to sound too much like a novice to her new young friend.
"Oh about 10 or 12 a day."

"If you want my advice, get it up to a pack a day. Dive in. Let yourself get
into it. That's the only way to achieve true smoking pleasure. Take it from
me I'm an expert. After all, I sell cigarettes for a living," she said,
laughing.

Giselle thought carefully about her young friend's idea. She wanted to be
able smoke like a real smoker when her daughter visited and she knew that she
was smoking a little more each day, but a pack a day seemed to be impossible.

"I'm not sure if my husband would let me smoke that much?" Giselle said
sheepishly.

Tammy was taken aback by this comment. She saw her opening. "I can't believe
that any woman in this day and age would have to ask permission to do
anything. You mean you would have to ask for his permission?" Tammy said with
a challenging and amazed tone in her voice.

Giselle became defensive. "Well, no. It's not like that at all. It's just-he
might not like me to smoke that much."

Tammy's mind began to spin and she knew where she would go next. She
interrupted. "Listen Giselle, I'll make you a deal. How many cigarettes do
you have from your last carton?"

"They are all gone; I just have the carton I just bought." Giselle said
feeling somewhat relieved to know her supply had been replenished.

"That's perfect. It's 12:00 noon on Monday today. You have until noon, next
Wednesday to finish the carton. That's ten days. I'm going to rely on your
honesty here, but if you can finish that carton by next Wednesday when we
meet for lunch, the next carton is on me. That's a pack a day. If you don't
agree with me that you are enjoying your smoking more or you don't finish the
carton, then at minimum, I'll buy you lunch. Sounds like good deal to me. You
can't lose?" she said, smiling. "Are you up to my challenge?

Giselle was hesitant. "Why would you make me such a generous offer?" she said
cautiously.

"Well, consider it a product endorsement. If you enjoy your smoking more, and
I am sure you will, then you'll buy your cigarettes from me at our store. But
the real reason I want you to this is that most people don't really know
about the true enjoyment of smoking. I'm a bit of a crusader that way. I just
want you to get the most out of your smoking. We don't have to ask permission
from anyone. Am I right?" Tammy paused then said, "Do we have a deal?"

Giselle thought carefully, as she continued to chew her last bite of her
sandwich. She knew that with Serge away, she would have total freedom to
smoke. She unconsciously knew that she had been having periodic cravings.
This of course would be a way to guiltlessly satisfy her growing frequent
need to smoke. And over the last week she was really enjoying her smoking.
Could smoking more frequently make it even more enjoyable? The frugal side of
Giselle thought, "After all $35.00 was $35.00." If this young girl wants to
challenge her to a bet like this, then why not accept. She could only win a
whole carton of free cigarettes. She really didn't want to quit or cut down
on her smoking anyway. Her eyes twinkled. It was a perfect solution. Plus,
she was curious to see what it would be like to smoke without restriction.
Could smoking get any better?

As Giselle placed her napkin down in the middle of her plate to signify the
end of her lunch, she paused and looked up to see Tammy's eyes fixed on her.
Giselle slowly raised her right hand offering a handshake. As their two hands
clasped Giselle said, "You've got a deal."

Tammy smiled as she said, "Great! Care for a cigarette Giselle?"

Giselle laughed, "I thought you would never ask?"

The two girls lit up nearly simultaneously. Giselle reprised her performance
by matching Tammy's 5-second drag. This time she deliberately held the smoke
in her lungs as long as Tammy did. They both exhaled into the air, happy as
two Cheshire cats. Giselle thought to herself, I wonder why Danielle never
showed me how to smoke like this. It tastes so good and you really got a nice
feeling. It felt wonderful.

Tomorrow morning, she would try her first double pump, she thought. She was
reminded of Tammy's comment. "Well, little lady, I'm nearly twice your age,
and I am not a `beginner'. I'll show you, you little whippersnapper!" she
thought to herself.

As the lunch ended, Giselle decided that the only appropriate thing to do was
pick up the tab. She thanked Tammy for the luncheon invitation, and
reaffirmed that they would meet there again next Wednesday. Tammy wished
Giselle good luck for the upcoming week and emphasized that she would not be
disappointed. Giselle smiled as she walked to her car. She had ten days of
smoking freedom ahead of her and she was going to make the most of it and it
wasn't going to cost her a dime.

Tammy knew after seeing Giselle smoke for the first time, that she only
needed a little push to get her over the hump to becoming a smoker. She knew
that by suggesting that Giselle show her independence from her domineering
husband, that Giselle's pride would provide the motivation for her to take
the bet. The permission remark that Giselle had made had given her an
opening. Tammy would help her along. Tammy knew that it was inevitable that
Giselle would become totally hooked if she followed her instructions and kept
inhaling the way she did at lunch. And after all, when the bet was finished,
she would have yet another carton to smoke. She looked forward to losing her
bet. The cost of the carton was well worth it. In the process, she would soon
be a member of Tammy's club - "The Hopelessly Addicted Smoker's Club."
Because of Tammy, Giselle was about to lose control over her perfect little
life. Wouldn't that be sweet?

As Giselle got into the car, she quickly retrieved the pack of cigarettes
from her purse and expertly removed the cellophane. She lit up deliberately.
The inhale was deep, long and satisfying. She had smoked 4 cigarettes in only
an hour and a half. At this rate, meeting her goal was going to be breeze.
One down and 199 to go, she thought to herself as she dragged a second time,
inhaling even deeper than the first. Hmmmm-. this cigarette is tasting soooo
good. She continued to inhale the way Tammy had unknowingly shown her. She
started to plan the rest of her day. After doing some mental calculations,
with ten hours to go, she could easily smoke her "required" 15 cigarettes.
Maybe she would see if she could get together with Danielle tonight. It would
be more fun to smoke with someone, she thought, as the smoke escaped her
smiling lips. Yes, she would call Danielle when she got home. She inhaled
deeply one more time as her car slowly exited the parking lot.

Meanwhile back at the cigarette counter, it had only been half an hour since
Tammy had finished her last cigarette. Already she was starting to feel a
craving set in. Oh well, it would only be another hour and a half before she
could take her break and satisfy her body's need for nicotine. She knew she
would double pump the next cigarette, and then smoke another right after. She
could easily smoke 2 cigarettes in 15 minutes as she always did. She knew
that she needed to smoke every hour or so. Otherwise she would be climbing
the walls. Smoking was wonderful, wasn't it? She mockingly thought to
herself. Her new friend Giselle would soon find out what it was like to
really need a cigarette. Very soon, that snotty woman who thought she was
better than everyone else was about to become a regular customer at her
cigarette counter, hopefully for the rest of her life. Sweet revenge would be
hers. She would be hooked for life.

Previous part | Next part