Your Master Requires Your Obedience · Part 4 (4/4)
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“Our standard, our rules, they have to come from without. It’s our nature; we must have an ordered, structured life imposed by others. The men who control us, they aren’t sadistic psychos. In my time here I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of them. No, not in here, on the other side of the Center, the living area. You might not see it, but they act in what they believe to be our best interests. You choose to see only the worst,” Lenora pointed at Maria.
“I see the same as you, but I accept all of it as what we must be prepared to endure, to prove to our masters, future or current, that we are worth the effort they invest in us. I have no reason to doubt their motives in bringing us here. They ask much, but they give far more. You are missing so much, Maria, by fighting them. I hope the day will come when you find real happiness instead of conflict.”
Lenora went back to her bed to sit down and cool off. None of the women made a sound. Across from her Trina sat, in position, but with her mouth open in surprise. “You’d do well to keep your mouth shut too, unless you have permission to speak,” Lenora advised her. Trina couldn’t help herself when she burst out laughing.
“Maybe I need one of those burqas, or at least one of those Middle East style veils,” Trina added, pretending to pull a hood over her head. “Ever speculate on what it’s like, wearing something like that all day long? I’ve seen pictures, but that’s all. It would sure be handy on those bad hair days.”
Even Maria laughed at Trina’s joke. “Yeah, that would work, until you get home and Master orders you to take off the veil. Then you’re busted.” Lenora shook her head. She didn’t like conversations where the topic turned to ways to sneak around obligations.
“I would wear a veil, and the other clothes that go with it, if my master gave permission.” Yoshi was normally the quiet one of the group. It was rare for her to speak up. “I think it shows respect toward men. When we lived in Okinawa my father took us on vacation to visit the new Disneyland that opened in Hong Kong. I saw several of the Muslim women from western China there. I think most were on the liberal side, since they wore bright colors, blue, yellow, though they were completely covered except for face and hands. There were a few who stayed with the traditional black, and a small number that wore a veil and gloves. I wasn’t that old but I found it fascinating. My father had to warn me about being impolite by staring.”
“Dressing like that wouldn’t be my first choice,” Lenora explained, “though if my master wanted it I wouldn’t hesitate. Fortunately he seems content to settle for dresses, and he lets me pick them out, so nothing hideous.”
“He dictates what clothes you can wear?” Lenora was surprised to hear Maria joining in, even to the point of sitting on the edge of her bed in the proper form.
“Of course he does,” Lenora answered. “He controls every aspect of my life. That’s what I want. I may not like some of his rules, but I still get a thrill when I keep to them, especially when I see that glint of approval in his eyes. One of those rules is that I will only wear a dress, sleeveless, and not too short either. Sure, I’d like a little more variety but that’s what I have to live with. Why only dresses? I asked him once. He told me I don’t need to know the reason why. Sound familiar?”
Trina stared at Lenora, eyes wide open. “Just like that? A few words from him and your whole life is rearranged?”
Lenora nodded, “yes, that’s all it takes. That’s the power he has over me. I can’t tell you if I gave him that power, or he simply took it. It just happened. I can’t go back though”
Explanations Jerry Halprin sat across from the Center’s Head of Research, listening to his description of the FastTrack program. He wasn’t exactly sure why he’d been singled out for a briefing on the experimental program, other than he was peripherally involved as one of the Wardens in charge of the test group.
“Why are you here?” the scientist was explaining. “It has to do with Katerina, Trina, in the group you supervise. Those levels I described? We believe she’s at the top of the list, a level five. Now this is only a measure of genetic predisposition, nature rather than nurture as we say. Given that, and an encouraging environment like the Center we’re seeing her natural talents start to bloom. Therein lies an unexpected problem.”
Jerry was well aware of Trina. Even though as a Warden he was supposed to be distant, dispassionate, she had caught his attention. He was finding it increasingly difficult to be impartial. She wasn’t making it any easier in her obvious willingness to please him.
“A problem?” Jerry asked. “Trina? She would be the last one I’d expect for any negative reports from other Wardens. I’ve yet to see any hint of bad behavior on her part.”
“Oh no, not that kind of problem,” the Head sighed, a wry smile on his face. “If only it were that easy. No, this was a failure on our part. That level five I mentioned? When we started, we thought we had it identified, as to characteristics. It’s an old story in empirical studies, mistaking cause for effect. We were positive it led to a sort of extreme loyalty. We called it the “fanatic” gene sequence. We were half right; except we’re now sure it’s only a side effect.”
Jerry was still lost. The Research Head must be leading up to something, but Jerry had no clue how he fit into the team’s conclusions.
“You recall how we asked you to put her in the cage if and when she volunteered? That first night we put the probability she’d be the one at eighty percent, after you laid out the conditions for the group. That we got right. What we got wrong is the trigger.”
The conversation was heading straight down the rabbit hole for Jerry. “The trigger?”
“We wanted to see if she’d show any reluctance when you put her in the cage. As you know she didn’t hesitate, and she sat quietly while you all but ignored her afterwards. We were still within the parameters of our little experiment. It was more of a confirmation, really. We didn’t expect what happened next.”
Jerry thought back to that night. He’d followed the plan as it was handed to him at the start of the shift. He had been surprised when Trina volunteered, as the plan predicted. It was a bit strange, though he hadn’t given it much thought afterwards.
“Okay, I’m sure I kept to your instructions. We’d all been given an earful at the shift meeting about how important the FastTrack program is. What did I miss?”
“Nothing, it wasn’t you. Once we spotted the changes in Trina we had to work back using surveillance recordings. Best we can tell, it was the moment you let her out. Remember, you started it by letting her stretch her legs.”
Jerry nodded. “Sure, those cages are uncomfortable, on purpose. They need a little relief every so often to avoid muscle cramps.” He went over that night in his mind, looking for anything that was unusual. “Oh, the part about running my hand down her leg. As I recall, it was supposed to be a flinch test, to see if there was an unguarded moment in her reaction. I did expect something, but she never moved.”
The scientist shook his head; an apologetic expression crossed his face. “We think that was the trigger, when you touched her. That’s the point where our research found the start of the deviation from predicted behavior. In simple terms, we now believe that gene sequence leaves her predisposed to fixate on one man, you in this case. Once that happens, she’ll do anything for you, and I mean quite literally anything within her abilities. Did you notice how she seemed to suddenly become Miss Perfect when you’re around? She is desperate to please you, looking for the smallest hint about what you might like.”
Jerry leaned back in his chair, unsure what to do if everything the research Head was telling him was true. “Assuming you’re right, how do I turn off this trigger?”
“That’s the real reason you’re here. See, based on case histories with other known level fives,” he paused, hesitating. “Um, you can’t turn it off. The research team has a duty of care for the women in the test group, including Trina. We admit we’re the root cause of this,” again a pause, “situation. We can’t remove you from her group; it would be traumatic now. At the very least we have to warn you to be extremely careful about what you say or do around her. She’s hyper-sensitive to any hint of criticism, real or imagined. One careless word from you can send her into a tailspin of depression.”
“I’ve never had to deal with something like this before,” Jerry began. “Sure, as Wardens we’re exposed to women who are attracted to us, but nothing like what you describe. Basically, you’re telling me I own this woman, body and soul, whether I want it or not.”
That was a question by itself, Jerry thought. Trina was a tempting prize; he wasn’t so sure the idea of owning her was out of the question. Technically, according to the rules she was supposed to be off limits since he was a Warden, but this was a special case. “Suppose I do take her on. How soon can this take place? What about FastTrack?”
The Research Head looked relieved when Jerry hadn’t outright rejected the idea of owning Trina. “She can be discharged to your custody immediately. We’ll transfer her registration to you. As for the program, there’s really nothing more we can hope to accomplish with her. Any further training is at your discretion.”
Jerry’s first impulse was to say yes, but the research team had already proved itself wrong once. It would be best if he reached his own conclusions about her first, before making what would be an irrevocable decision. “For now I want her to stay in the program. And I want full, unlimited authority and access to her, starting today. That includes her history and any other information you have on her. If what you tell me is true, and I see it for myself, then we’ll talk about her future.”
The Announcement Trina looked at her reflection in the mirror. One elbow was still too low, and she had to get those shoulders back further. Lenora knelt next to her. She makes it look so easy, Trina thought. Practice and the determination to please her master, that’s her secret. There’s no reason I can’t get to the same place.
She didn’t even know his name. It didn’t matter. One day he’d be standing in front of her instead of the mirror. This is what I want him to see, Trina told herself, raising that elbow so it was properly lined up. In her mind there was no question he would be her master, however long it might take.
Cathy, their new instructor, was pacing back and forth behind them. Why she had replaced Lenora was still a mystery. The prevalent rumor hinted Lenora had lost her temper with a Warden and was being punished. The more she talked with Lenora the more she doubted the credibility of that particularly vicious bit of gossip.
“Keep your head up, don’t be distracted.” Cathy was standing behind Trina. “You need to pay very close attention to your lessons from now on. Before class started, I was given permission to pass on some news about you.” Trina tensed. A Warden must have turned in a complaint about her. The only question now was how severe the punishment would be.
“Trina, your behavior to date is being personally reviewed by those specifically tasked to evaluate your progress. I don’t know what they are investigating, or how long it will last. In my experience a negative report will set you back by months, maybe even result in a transfer out of the program. But if it’s positive…” she stopped. “If it’s positive you should prepare yourself for the possibility you will soon have a new master. If that’s the case he might be watching you at any time, day or night. Keep that in mind.”
It took all of Trina’s willpower to hold her position. She had to believe this was good news. Cathy was right. Her future master might be watching her on one of the cameras at this very moment. The real question was the identity of her owner. She had to believe it was him, the Warden without a name. She’d seen his expression when he touched her leg. He wanted her, all of her, control over her body and her mind. She’d never forget that moment, when the entire universe shrank to the two of them.
In the mirror she saw the rest of the group staring at her. It was strictly forbidden to speak while in display position. She couldn’t respond to Cathy’s news without permission first. Or did it go further? Did she need his permission too? The news left her unsure and confused over who exactly was in immediate control.
“I’ve also been told to pass on to you some instructions while you’re under review. For the moment you are still part of this group and will act as if nothing has changed. If there is a change in your status you’ll be notified in due course.” Cathy was still standing behind her, as if she were expecting Trina to break her position.
On the other side of the two-way mirror Jerry sat in the darkened alcove, studying Trina’s reaction to the news. None of them were aware he was so close by. The existence of the tiny room behind the two-way mirrors was restricted to Wardens only. Not even Cathy and the other instructors were aware of it.
There were cameras, and they didn’t require sitting quietly in the dark for the entire classroom session. Jerry preferred the up close and personal point of view, with Trina facing him. Other than the mirror only the wide blue stripe on the classroom side separated them. Some distance and the bright overhead lights ensured the two-way mirror worked properly, concealing his presence.
Today marked one week since the conversation with the research Head. Jerry had set a one week deadline to decide on his course of action, and his time was up. Fish or cut bait, the old cliché about deadlines, he reminded himself. He knew as much about Trina as the Center did, plus he’d had a week to study her either behind the mirror or on camera. He’d listened to every word of her unguarded conversations, especially those with Lenora. His due diligence was at an end; time to choose his, no, their future.
The similarities between Trina and Lenora were obvious once the research Head had informed him they were both at what he’d referred to as level fives. A frank conversation with Lenora’s owner had been an eye-opener as to how much work was involved. High maintenance, that was the phrase Steve had used.
One word from him could send Trina into wild mood swings, good or bad. As Steve had explained, it wasn’t all bad, because she also reacted immediately to the slightest order. It didn’t take too much effort to bring those mood swings under control, as long as he knew what to do.
Unquestioning obedience, Steve had also warned him about that particular trait. She would take anything that sounded like a command in the most literal, and sometimes unpredictable, sense. What bothered him most was the necessity of holding her to nearly unattainable standards of perfection. It was critical she had to earn his approval, not just the first but every time no matter how trivial a rule or command might be.
Behind the mirror he could see that particular facet of her personality in action. Trina was kneeling in front of the mirror on her side, knees wide, and hands behind her head, elbows out. She was constantly making tiny adjustments, almost too subtle to notice. Lack of guidance, Jerry thought. I show her what I want, and then there’d be no more uncertainty.
Jerry now understood how it would really be grabbing the tiger by the tail. There would be no letting go, not for a single moment. If he went ahead both he and Trina would have to face major changes in their lives.
The Last Day Finished for the day, the group sat on their beds in the dorm cell. The only topic of conversation was the news about Trina.
“You have no idea who he is? No hints?” Joan asked. “Do you think it’s one of the Wardens?”
Trina shrugged. “I really don’t know. It’s all speculation anyway. Like Cathy said, it’s a general review, so I could be in for some real trouble if they don’t approve of my progress. And what if it’s a total stranger, someone I’ve never met?” She stopped, lost in thought. “There was someone. I hoped….”
Her reply was cut short when the outside cell door swung open. Lenora was already in her sitting position. Trina joined her, as did the rest of the group. That was the way it was supposed to be; when a Warden entered, he deserved everyone’s undivided attention.
Lenora recognized the Warden. Steve worked with him but they weren’t close friends. Jerry something, she couldn’t remember his full name. He often supervised the group after lights out, sitting at the table on the other side of the bars.
Lenora didn’t miss the way Trina tensed when she saw him. That had to be significant. Was he the one Trina wanted to be her new owner? If she’d set her sights on a Warden it wouldn’t be easy.
“Trina, stand up and approach the gate.” Lenora watched her jump up and rush to him. Not exactly on the run, Lenora observed, none of us can manage much more than a crawl. It was too early for lights out; there must be something else going on.
When she finally reached the cell gate, he unlocked it to let her out. On the other side he immediately grabbed her arm and dragged her against the wall. “Stay there, face the wall and don’t move,” he ordered in a gruff voice.
While he was locking the cell door Lenora saw Trina turn her head to look at his back. No, no, don’t do that! She wanted to scream out the warning but all Lenora could do was sit and watch the impending train wreck, sure that disaster was about to strike.
And it did. The Warden suddenly turned around, catching Trina in the act. Stupid girl, Lenora thought. There are cameras everywhere. Surveillance was sure to see her and notify the Warden through his earpiece. That’s how they have eyes in the back of their heads. Trina had been caught disobeying, without any reason or excuse. She deserves everything that’s coming to her. Lenora turned her eyes away in disapproval. She had no tolerance for such a blatant act of willful disobedience, even if they had become friends.
How It Is The head cage closed with a loud click from the lock under her chin. Trina could see the other four cages, dangling from the ceiling. The orientation room was empty except for her and the Warden.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, Trina kept repeating to herself. I know better, why did I have to turn my head? The ache to see him, to be near him was so strong it pushed out her common sense.
He went to the other side of the bars, picked up the chair next to the table and brought it back to where Trina was standing. He sat down, arms crossed, studying her. “Why?” he asked. “Why the sudden change? You’ve never been disobedient like this before. What’s going on?”
How could she explain? He was a Warden, out of bounds, off limits. Even worse, she now had a new master. Anything she said to him would be a betrayal of the rules which had become so important in her life. “Sir? I cannot answer you without permission from my master.” Maybe that would work.
He stood up, curled two fingers under her collar and jerked it forward. He slowly read off the digits of her registration number while entering them in his phone. “It says here your registered owner is one Jerry Halprin. If I were to call him now, would he confirm what you just told me?”
Who was Jerry Halprin? Trina had never heard that name mentioned, and it wasn’t anyone she knew in Los Angeles. Trina couldn’t continue digging herself into a deeper and deeper hole. “No, sir. That is, I don’t know. I’ve never met him. I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“Does that bother you, belonging to a stranger? Maybe you expected the Center to hand you a catalog; you can thumb through it and pick your master? Trade him in if someone else looks better?”
“No, sir.” He was acting ridiculous, or maybe sarcastic. Trina was all too aware she was not qualified to select the man who would own her. The mysterious “those in authority” were responsible for that task. For whatever reason they’d picked this Jerry Halprin.
“No, it doesn’t work that way. You did give the correct response, in case you were curious. You do require your master’s permission to answer a question like that. Even though you didn’t have explicit instructions to that effect, you understood it was the right answer. And just to confirm the news, you have been claimed by your new master. The Center is no longer responsible for you.”
Trina had come up with it as an excuse, but when she thought about what she’d said, he was right. It might have been unintentional, or maybe her subconscious at work, but she was accountable to her master first, not a Warden.
“You are wrong about not meeting Mr. Halprin. He’s not a stranger. In fact, he knows you quite well. That’s why you’re wearing that head cage now. You see, your master, not the Center, is punishing you for your disobedience. You are going to stand there for as long as he deems it necessary for you to learn your lesson.”
That hurt, even though Trina knew she deserved it. The other part, about not being a stranger, she didn’t understand what he meant. “Sir? If I may, I wasn’t trying to deceive you. I truly don’t know this Mr. Halprin.”
He put his hands on her shoulders, holding her in place. “Yes, you do,” he told her. “My name is Gerald Halprin, Jerry for short. From this moment on, you belong to me.”
The First Dinner “No, that’s not right. Knees do not touch. I want to see those shoulders pulled back. Your hands should be at an exact right angle. The tips of your little fingers should overlap.” Jerry paced back and forth. “Knee to ankle, I want to see a straight line with those legs.”
This was Trina’s first night at home with her new owner. Dinner was on the table, but she couldn’t touch it until he was satisfied with the way she sat in the dining room chair. Everything had to be done his way or she wouldn’t eat tonight.
“That’s much better. Now, lift up that chin. I want to see my collar around your lovely throat.” Trina liked the sound of that. It was an eerie feeling, knowing she was owned. Legal or not it didn’t make a difference. She belonged to him with all her heart and nothing would get in the way.
While one of her Wardens he’d seen her in all her glory. She expected he might give her some skimpy dress, if she was lucky enough to be permitted clothes. Instead, he ordered her, in his non-nonsense, statement of fact way, that from now on she was to “dress in a modest manner.” Rather than the too-short club dress, she now wore a long flowing skirt that nearly reached to her ankles. Her top revealed nothing below the ring around her neck. The long sleeves of the blouse ended at her wrists. If he took her out it might as well be to church; she was certainly dressed for it.
“Perfect. That’s what I want to see from now on.” Jerry sat down at the table, facing her. “Okay, let’s eat.”
Perfect. That one word made her feel so proud she could barely contain her joy. Trina stole a glance across the table at the man sitting there. Anything, she promised herself, whatever he wants from me. Obedience and perfection, he deserves all I can give.
She picked up her fork and started in on the vegetables. A new life had started, one with untold obligations but ironically no responsibilities. The obligations she welcomed; the responsibilities she gladly left behind.
New Changes The sun was low on the horizon. Lenora closed her eyes and leaned back in Steve’s arms. The waves were getting louder; the tide must be coming in. Santa Catalina Island was idyllic; only twenty-six miles from Los Angeles but a world away.
“You haven’t had a chance to try out that new swimsuit yet. There’s still time before the sun sets.”
Lenora shook her head. “I’ll pass, Steve, if it’s okay with you. You remember my friend Katerina, Trina? From the secure area? Turns out she studied to be a marine biologist. She described in gory detail how the Great Whites prowl around all the Channel Islands this time of year, looking to make a snack out of an unwary sea lion. If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d rather not be dinner for a shark.”
“Then we can watch the sunset before going back to the hotel. How’s that sound?”
“I’d like that, sir.” She was silent for a moment. “Steve? There’s something bothering me. Can we talk about it?”
Steve had a premonition he was about to grab that tiger’s tail again. He’d seen little signs there was still something going on since she had been sent back to the secure area, but he couldn’t figure out why she seemed to be moody. “Go ahead. You know you can always bring your problems to me. That’s my job; tell me and I’ll work out what’s best for you.” He sounded more confident than he felt.
“You’re very good to me, Steve. Maybe too good, or I should say lenient. It bothers me when I do something wrong and all I get from you are a few words of correction. Sir, I need more than a short reprimand from you. More rules, sir, and stronger punishment if I violate even one of them. If I misbehave don’t hesitate to send me to the secure area. I don’t break easily. Keep me there for weeks if I need it, not a day or two. It eats away at me, sir; I need you to force me to be everything you desire.”
There it was, Steve thought. Another massive guilt complex with only one solution. This was not something he could ignore or solve by talking. He had to act, immediately and decisively. Anything less and he risked losing her.
“You’re right. I’ve been neglecting you. Starting now that’s going to change. The first new rule, I’m not going to allow you to use my first name, at all, when we get back to the Center. We have to respect those around us, so it’s still allowed while we’re on vacation, but only in public. Once we’re home, every time I hear it you wear a gag for 24 hours.”
“Yes, sir, I…” she began.
“I’m not finished. Starting tonight, and every night afterwards, at a time I choose you will strip and present yourself to me. You’ve practiced the procedure many times. You even taught the class. I expect it to be perfect every single time. First time I’m not satisfied, you wear the chastity belt for two weeks. The second time, it will be two weeks in the secure area. The third time you disappoint me, you will be sent to the secure area indefinitely, with the leg shackles, and a sign attached to your collar informing everyone why you are there.” He felt her flinch when she heard the last part.
“There will be more instructions when we get home. Don’t expect any more mercy on my part. You deserve my apology for my being easy on you. That won’t happen again.” Left unsaid was the need for time so he could work out tougher rules for her.
It was harsh, approaching outright cruelty. “You will obey me, to the letter and spirit. I won’t stand for anything less than your very best, every time, and you can be assured I will be watching. We will have the discipline you deserve from now on. If you fail, know with certainty you will now be punished for it. Am I clear? Any questions?”
Lenora leaned back in his strong arms. “No, sir.”
Your Master Requires Your Obedience · Part 4 (4/4)
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