Untitled

From The Editor
We are Pro Doms. We are healers, mothers, destroyers, perverts, prostitutes, gangsters, objects, Goddesses, actors, directors, set designers, writers, editors, creators, disposable and keepers of the flame. We are that spark of energy that transforms the mediocre man in the dress code suite, complete with shit stained underware and bad breath into a sensual instrument played by our hand, a conduit for the energy that we make flow from our fingers and spark off his body. Energy that we can conjure, truly, in the palm of our hand. Oh, so we are not healers, not prostitutes? Well whose energy is it? Some would say that the intense, trusting play performed for pay goes against their morals. Only a 'partner' should be entrusted with those secrets. Some would say those hot hands that tie rope and swing whips are stealing energy that should go into massage, into painting, piano and other forms of appropriate creation.

We are not appropraite. We keep the flame, we call it forth and seduce, destroy, build our clients up again according to our own whims, the universal blueprint of the moment. We are that moment when the scene flows, disbelief is suspended, and the fantasy is palpable. Some of us live it 24/7, some of us go back and forth, but we all are keepers of the flame, our collective magic.

Satellite
Etymology: Middle french, from Latin satellite-satelles attendant
a: a celestial body orbiting another of larger size, b: a manufactured object or vehicl intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body.

Our satellites are our slaves, friends, brothers, mothers, husbands or wives, pets, and lovers. Some fall into the category of celestial bodies orbiting our own, many are our attending, subordinate dependents, while a few qualify as independent entities. I do not mean that we are the center of the universe, and all around us bow down to our magnificent presence (although if that's how you feel, go for it!)

As Pro Doms are often leading double lives, we are often the common factor linking a stunningly varied group of people; corporate executives, exotic dancers, babysitters, law students, avant-garde artists, musicians, pta moms. Some Pro Doms are out to everyone they know, others must cross from bdsm play into the 'real' world of 9-5, motherhood, institutional education, in-laws, political activities and religion. How do women who spend much of their time invested in creating their own fantasy lives, as well as orchestrating the fantasies of others, keep the flame burning?

Well, honestly we can't say for sure, but Mercy Magazine is our attempt at refueling the flame. In this, our premiere issue, we profile those who inspire us, party with us, support us, document us and soften those hard edges between 'scene' and 'life'. Photographer Misa Martin goes under the Lens, Nightlife Goddess Abby Ehmann tells all, Theater Curator Anita Durst shares plans, plus we give you the heads up on Photographer Barbara Nitke's controversial Ashcroft lawsuit. Of course, none of these women are actually Pro Doms, but they could sure as hell play one on TV! Our interviews and articles, photos and illustrations are here to inspire your transitions, however kinky or vanilla they may be. We encourage you, who give so much energy to others, to grant yourself some Mercy.

Carrie Coakley - Editor

About the editor...
Carrie has been involved in the NY bd/sm scene for over 13 years. She was told not to start her own dungeon with Leda in the early nineties, as 'it will take over your life, it's like having a child'. Having problems with the word, 'no', Carrie did it anyway, and after a few years of stray cat mothering, has gone on to have two beautiful actual children. Those two are actively helping her resolve her limit-setting issues, and bringing her to an even fuller understanding of the word 'no'. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Black and Blue Ball, started by Carrie and Leda in 1994, and marks the birth of Carrie's latest 'child' Mercy magazine....