Bernard and Doris
By Mistress Rana (Reprinted with permission)
If you've ever wondered what it’s like to serve a Mistress like me, from the Old World ways, who wants a service-oriented slave, you need to watch the new movie on HBO titled “Bernard and Doris.” This unique movie about Bernard Lafferty and Doris Duke is one I shall purchase and add to my Mistress collection along side “The Secretary” and “9-1/2 Weeks.”
The movie is about tobacco billionairess Doris Duke and ten years of her life with a hired butler, Bernard Lafferty, who serves her as butler, friend and companion until her death. The movie takes us through the twists of their relationship, the let downs, the tender moments and most of all the loyalty and service which lasted to the end.An article in USA Today, by Gary Strauss, states, “Though Lafferty's homosexuality eliminates any potential romance, their cozy relationship is more one of platonic siblings than employer/employee. They share gardening tips, drinks, fashion tips and personal anecdotes in a series of scenes that show the growing strength of their bond. ‘It's really a love story between two people who have a lot of reason not to trust anyone,’ Sarandon says. ‘It's an odd little piece, but people are responding to it and are moved by it.’
It’s not such an “odd little piece” to me, but rather a dream come true for Mistresses. I think the best part of the movie is in the garden house as they repot some of her favorite flowers. Ms. Duke asks Lafferty why is he with her, what is he after? He replies, “I just want to take care of you.” Ahhhh! That is a Mistress’ dream answer. It truly is what most of us seek – a slave who “wants” to “care” for us. My own current long-term slave gave me a similar answer, “I just want to be loved for myself,” he said.
Many Mistresses select sissies or TGs to serve them because in addition to a slave it gives them a female-like companion for which to share their lives. Ms. Duke’s friends and partners did not understand this bond with Lafferty or approve of it. Thankfully, she was not the type who cared what others think.
Over their years together, we see more than a Mistress-slave relationship develop between Duke and Lafferty. We also see Duke take Lafferty to new levels of self expression, exhibitionism and delight in his personal sexual choice. Duke cares. She asks Lafferty about his man-on-man dates, albeit they few. She encourages the sissy in him by having him wear make-up, dress more casual, dress more colorful, and even cross-dress for her when they dine alone.
And like any relationship, they had their problems. Lafferty was an alcoholic. He came to Duke right out of rehab, and spent many years serving her devotedly, caring for her home, guiding the staff to perform appropriately, but alas, he succumbs to his alcoholism again. Rather than dismiss Lafferty, she puts him back in rehab and fires the staff member who reports the loss of many of her prize wines to his disease. One might wonder why she dismissed the staff member, but I think I understand. The drinking that dragged Lafferty back to rehab could have been stopped or treated earlier if the staff had not hidden or ignored the problem. Plus, the wine Lafferty drank was theft, clean and clear, and the staff member let it go on for months without report. I, also, believe the staff hoped Lafferty’s drinking would get him fired, so they ignored and maybe, possibly even encouraged it. None of them were happy with his tedious, precisionist control of their jobs. Many Mistresses encounter this type of jealousy among slaves, especially if a slave finds a place close to Mistress’ heart with his service.
Ms. Duke did not fire Lafferty for his disease but she did ban him from her presence and her home until such time as she could trust him again. Just like any Mistress might punish a disobedient slave. Lafferty was heartbroken, shamed, and ready to make amends for his terrible error. He understood his need to be with his Mistress and the devotion it was going to take to regain her trust. This woman was the one who opened his heart and mind and let him be the person he so wanted to be. Without her, he felt he had and was nothing. Lafferty had found a joy with Ms. Duke – a joy in expressing himself openly to someone who delighted in each step of his expression.
Of course, when Ms. Duke had a stroke, Lafferty was the first one beside her at the hospital. He paced, comforted, and took over many of the medical chores surrounding her. When she retuned home, he nursed her, fed her, dressed her and loved her. He was still earning back the trust. Duke’s business partners and staff found this devotion unnatural and tried to make it seem tainted. Ms. Duke found it strangely comforting and although she could not justify his need to “take care of her,” she accepted it, loved it and rewarded it.
In USA Today, Gary Strauss writes, "The rich lady and the drunk, they were so different from each other," Balaban says. "But they found something in each other they weren't able to find in anyone else: love."
I certainly agree with that. I believe no love in the world compares to that of a Mistress and slave. I believe the bond is unique and more satisfying than any vanilla relationship because it is based on a different degree of trust and devotion. But, it is rare. If you watch this movie, you will see why some Mistresses choose service oriented slaves or sissies to serve them.
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