SHADES OF MISSY The Image of the Mistress stepping slowly across the training room floor towards the helpless and frightened new recruit has been in my mind for many years now. Often this is how a story starts - with one strong image of a character and setting. This leads the imagination into the realms of the new story. Over the years other strong images of Missy and her MadHouse came to me. I collected these images lovingly - sometimes writing scenes for them - but I never told anyone about Missy or this story idea. I honestly believed a tale of an emotionally locked up Madam and the adventures of her workers was far too confrontational to ever be published. But like my gender fluid, male/female nature, Missy refused to be ignored. Missy and her MadHouse were never far away. She intruded into my dreams and fantasies, almost building herself without need of my imagination or help. It wasn't until I began writing explicit sex back in February 2018 that Missy began screaming to get out. I was confined by the restrictions of heterosexuality as well as some other social stigmas and when I wondered how to write a story that represented every minority that Missy began to whisper. Her Nordic looks and snappy fashion sense were cemented in my mind. But where did this idea of an ice cold queen come from? One of the first inspirational women was sub zero Nell. She had the look, not just physically but in her fashion choices. Her image, her reputation as an ice queen is everything and gained so much clout she was able to terrify other lawyers and business people. Sub zero Nell and her cold, dismissive manner are certainly a shade of Missy. Her professional image. Balalaika from the 'Black Lagoon' anime was next. The pale hair and icy blue eyes made me think of Missy immediately. The cut of her suit and her calm, calculated steps enhanced the image of Missy further. Truly though the cementing factor was her attitude. Balalaika is brutal. An ex soldier with an army of loyal...