Island IV – Meetings · Part 3 (3/21)
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He leaned forward. “No, that's not quite right. Line up your hands so they are even. I like symmetry.” He took hold of Penny’s hands to demonstrate. She didn’t, couldn’t resist.
“Good, that’s what I want to see. Now, despite what you were told there isn’t going to be an interview. I’ve already made up my mind about the pair of you. There will be no further discussion as to your future.” He reached into the laptop bag and took out two boxes. Checking the labels he placed one in front of Penny, and the other in front of Sheila, between their arms. “These are for you,” he announced. “I’ve notified the Director about my decision. He concurs. From this point on the two of you belong to me.”
When he opened the boxes Penny’s eyes went wide. In front of her was that brassy, golden tinged collar commonly worn by graduates of the Facility. It wasn’t really brass, but oxidized titanium that gave it the unique golden color. There was a number stamped on the side. My registration number, she realized. It’s happening, it’s really happening. After all the time spent in the Facility, she had begun to doubt this day would ever arrive.
“Listen carefully; I won’t repeat myself. Your training is over. This is the real world, the one where you belong to me, and me alone. You don’t answer to anyone else. You will face forward, head up, and whatever else, those hands will remain exactly where they are.”
Penny was transfixed by the sight of her collar, sitting in the box. This might be the last time she saw it, except as a reflection in the mirror. Virgil stood up and came around the table to stand behind them. From the corner of her eye, she saw him pick up Sheila’s collar. A moment later there was a tiny clicking sound.
Then he was behind her. He drew back her hair, behind her back, with both his hands. Fascinated by what was about to occur she watched as he picked up the collar. Then there was the cool touch of the metal circle around her neck. Another click of the lock and he was finished.
There was enough weight to notice; she’d never forget it was there. It wasn’t uncomfortable, though that really didn’t matter. The moment she heard that lock engage her whole world shifted. The Facility, for all it had prepared her, was old history now. Her life was entirely vested in the man who returned to his seat across the table.
“This is what you need to know. The Director is completing your paperwork as we speak. His agenda was for me to meet with you first. However, I am a man of limited patience when it comes to needless indecision. The Director and I reached an agreement while you two were talking privately. I’m not interested in the results of your discussion. In any event it’s irrelevant now.”
He was right about the relevance. How does he do it, make decisions for a lifetime in a matter of minutes? Penny and Sheila would have spent days trying to figure out if he was the right choice; their new owner took only five minutes. That kind of confidence made him very attractive.
“One more detail you need to know.” He pointed to Penny. “Your spot is on the left.” He then pointed to Sheila. “And your place is on the right. Whenever you’re together, Penny will be on Sheila’s left, and Sheila will be on Penny’s right. That applies whether or not I’m in the middle.”
Virgil leaned back in his chair. “I think a short break would be helpful. I believe there’s a bathroom behind that door in the corner? Why don’t the two of you see if there’s a mirror in there?” He waved his hand. “Go. You have permission.”
Penny practically jumped out of her seat. Sheila was right behind her. At the end of the table Penny came to a sudden halt. Sheila nearly ran into her. “What?” Sheila asked.
“Left and right, remember?” Penny whispered. “You have to be on my right side. That’s the way it must be.” They lined up, side by side.
“Wait a minute,” Virgil called to them. Both stopped and turned to face him.
He pointed down with a finger and spun it. “Face the other way.” They went back to facing the bathroom door.
Virgil came around the table and stood in front of them. “Early days, so I’m going to help you out. Penny, right hand out. Sheila, left hand out.” Reaching behind his back he produced a set of handcuffs. One side went on Penny’s wrist, the other on Sheila’s. “There, now you won’t forget.”
He stood to one side. “Okay, go ahead.”
In the Mirror Sheila got the first turn at the mirror. There wasn’t much space in the tiny bathroom, so Penny had to stand partially outside the door. She watched impatiently while Sheila ran her right hand around her collar. “Can you believe this? When I woke up this morning this was the last thing I expected. A new home, and on North Island! I’ve read the stories about that place…”
Penny decided to put a quick end to any speculation in that direction. “Our new castle, complete with a lord of the manor, what more could a girl ask for?” They both laughed. “Seriously, those stories are pure fiction. I don’t believe any of them. I doubt it’ll be much different from living here at the Facility.”
Sheila stepped back. “Okay, your turn. I think I can fit in here if I turn sideways. This right and left thing is going to be complicated.”
There it was, neatly framed by her hair on either side. Penny lifted up her chin and swiveled her head from side to side. “So, what do you think? Fashion accessory or symbol of oppression?”
Sheila shook her head. “Definitely sexy, that’s what I think.”
Penny looked over at Sheila. “Can we make this work? Share the same home, the same man, and not kill each other over some petty jealousy?”
Sheila shrugged. “We don’t have a choice. Take another look in the mirror. You’re property now, his property. Both of us, we’re owned, his possessions. We have to find a way to co-exist.” She held up her left hand, linked to Penny. “Like it or not we have to get along.”
Penny studied the collar around her neck, lost in thought at its implications. It wasn’t a question of if, but of how; how the three of them could find a way to live together in harmony. The Facility had delivered on its promise; she now belonged to what she hoped was a decent, thoughtful man. What she hadn’t anticipated was sharing her dream with her best friend.
Penny backed up to the doorway, giving Sheila another opportunity to use the mirror. Glancing over her shoulder she saw the Director and their new master in conversation, going over some papers in the Director’s hands. At that moment Virgil happened to look up and caught Penny watching them. He shook his head while pointing down with one finger, once again twirling it in a circle.
Penny got the message: turn around, this doesn’t concern you. When she did as ordered Sheila tipped her head to one side. “So, what was that?”
“Master and the Director are reviewing paperwork. I assume it has to do with us. Master indicated he doesn’t want us involved, so back to the mirror.” Master, the word seemed to come easily, as if she’d been using it for years. It must be the collar; it’s changing how I see myself.
“Those papers, do you think they’re…” Sheila suddenly halted, with a worried expression reflecting in the mirror.
“What?” Penny asked.
Sheila slowly shook her head. “No, better I let it drop. We have to think this through. Our position has changed; we have to be very careful from now on.”
Sheila was the deep thinker, the intellectual of the pair. Penny was more of a “live in the moment” type. “Okay, you lost me. What did I miss?”
Sheila stepped back so she could grab Penny’s arm and pull her further into their tiny room. “Remember our training? As our owner he has an obligation to decide what’s best for us, even if we don’t see it that way. Our job is to support him in whatever direction he points us. That includes avoiding areas that are forbidden, regardless of our curiosity. What’s going on out there? That’s off limits for us. We don’t discuss it, we don’t speculate, we do our best to forget whatever we weren’t supposed to see.”
Sheila’s warning brought back all of Penny’s Facility training. Absolutes, that’s what Mrs. Yates always said. It’s what sets us apart. There is no gray area; everything is a clear black and white. “You’re right.” Penny laughed. “Maybe master was prescient in assigning you the right side, and me to the left. You always get it right, and I’m left behind.”
Leaving the Facility Penny and Sheila sat in the back of the car, still cuffed together. Virgil, their new owner, was in front with the driver from the Facility. He leaned over the seat to face them.
“Here’s the plan for this afternoon. After landing on South Island, the car will take us over to the Channel ferry terminal. We’ll have about an hour before the cross-Channel ferry leaves for North Island. Our car is parked at the North Island terminal. We’ll stop for lunch on the way home.”
Our car, home, it felt strange to hear those terms. Penny glanced over at Sheila. A new beginning, for both of us, and a shared one at that. For all the training they’d received, nothing had prepared either of them for belonging to the same owner, or living on North Island.
Virgil turned to face them again. “In case you didn’t know, there’s a South Island law concerning all females who cross to North Island. You have the option to refuse to board the ferry. If you do, your status as property is immediately revoked. You will be free to go your own way. South Island has an agency to assist you if you make that choice.
“That’s the standard regulation text. How it applies to you is complicated. Being Facility graduates you cannot be set free. I’m not sure what happens if you decline to go.”
Penny knew about the law but didn’t think it applied to Facility women. Sheila beat her to the obvious question. “Sir? I don’t understand. As you said, we are Facility, a lifetime commitment. I thought we were exempt?”
Virgil grimaced. “Normally you’d be correct, except there are two of you. South Island doesn’t recognize multiple ownership, so only one of you falls within the regulation’s exemption. The other one has to decide, in private, to go or stay.”
Penny saw the problem immediately, for once thinking faster than Sheila. “Which one, sir?”
Virgil shrugged. “That’s my dilemma. This is one of those occasions where I can’t treat you both the same way. I don’t like it, but I don’t have a choice. Unless one of you can offer a better alternative, I’m going to flip a coin.”
“Sir? If I may?” Penny didn’t want to see him agonizing over what wasn’t all that important. At his nod she continued. “Please, sir, don’t flip a coin. Pick one of us and let it stand. We both,” she glanced at Sheila, “understand the situation. This isn’t favoritism. Pragmatism, sir, sometimes you’ll be faced with situations like this. We, and I’m sure Sheila agrees, will accept whatever you decide allowing for the circumstances. I assure you, if you pick me, I don’t see it as a slight in any way.”
“Sheila, what’s your opinion?” Virgil turned to face her.
“The same goes for me, sir. You choose; we follow you. That’s what we anticipated when we entered the Facility. Either one of us, there’s no bias.”
The trip on the ferry from the Facility to South Island was uneventful. Penny and Sheila, free of the handcuffs per safety regulations, sat near the stern, watching with a twinge of nostalgia as their previous home faded into the distance. Virgil had gone to the snack bar to get them soft drinks.
“Think we’ll ever see the place again?” Penny asked.
Sheila shook her head. “I doubt it. Same goes for South Island. No, I think we’re going to become very familiar with North Island, at least the parts Master takes us to see.”
Virgil returned with the drinks. Penny saw him first and immediately sat up, hands carefully folded in her lap. Sheila copied her without thinking about it. He came around to the front of their bench and stopped. Penny could feel his eyes sweeping over the both of them, a move they would grow to accept as normal in record time.
All those long hours of practice, all the yelling from Mrs. Yates every time she got it wrong, it all paid off now. He could stare at her all day but he wouldn’t find a single mistake in her presentation. The same went for Sheila; they both knew the one right way, complete with all the tiny details.
Penny began to worry when his scrutiny didn’t stop. What did I miss? Is it me or Sheila, and would that make any difference? He hadn’t said anything yet, but she had a distinct feeling that both of them would be held equally responsible if either one misbehaved. She was relieved when he finally nodded.
“Excellent, exactly what I want. No one will ever doubt you earned that Facility collar.”
Penny’s relief took her by surprise. Only a few hours and already she was preoccupied with not disappointing her master. Did Sheila feel the same way? Would that be a point of contention between them in the future?
Leaving South island The driver pulled into an unloading-only parking spot. “It’s nearly full today. This is as close as I can get to the Channel terminal.”
“Thanks! I appreciate your driving us here. We’ll wait in the terminal, so you can return to the Facility.”
Virgil got out and opened Sheila’s door. The two women slid out and stood by the car. He led them on to the sidewalk. “There’s a bench. You two sit down.”
Removing a key from his pocket he unlocked the handcuffs. “It seems I’m the one getting a fast education. Okay, this is what we will do. Inside the South Island terminal, I’ll drop off Penny for the exit interview. After they check your registration, Sheila, I’ll take you to a bench in the waiting area. Then I’ll come back for Penny. Any questions?”
Virgil left Sheila on an unoccupied bench. Her wrist was cuffed to a convenient ring on one arm of the seat. “If anyone tries to talk to you, tell them you aren’t allowed to respond and to call me instead.” He reached into his back pocket, took out his wallet and handed Sheila one of his business cards. “Here’s my cell phone number.”
“Yes, sir, I understand.” She took the card in her free hand. Virgil noticed she looked anxious at being left alone, but he was sure no one would bother her, especially in such a public place.
It was Penny’s turn to look worried when they reached the exit interview office. Virgil squeezed her arm softly. “Relax, this shouldn’t take very long. They’ll ask you a few questions, you answer, and that will end it.”
“Sir? What should I say?”
Virgil shook his head. “I can’t answer that. My advice is to listen carefully, think about the question, take your time before you reply. They can’t rush you, so if you feel pressured to answer immediately just say so. They’ll back off. That’s the law here on South Island.”
The actual interview was anticlimactic. It started with a short lecture on the law of refusal and what would happen if she chose not to travel to North Island. Next were a few questions on if she was being pressured to go across the Channel.
The man conducting the interview didn’t seem too interested in the proceedings. It struck Penny as a bit odd considering the consequences for any woman crossing over. Then she realized, in her case, the outcome of this interview wasn’t all that important. She wore a Facility collar, which meant she’d never be on her own even if she chose to stay on South Island. At best she’d be returned to the Facility under less-than-ideal circumstances. Though Virgil had been her owner for less than one day, he seemed to be a nice guy. Better the devil you know, she concluded.
The Land Unknown When Penny stepped off the ferry onto the entrance to the North Island terminal, she was prepared for anything, except for the stares. Virgil stood between them, a hand on each arm. “The car’s out in the parking lot. We’ll head home today. Tomorrow we’ll go sightseeing.”
“Sir?” Penny whispered. “Why does everyone look at us? Surely, we aren’t that unusual?”
Virgil smiled. “Well, actually you do stand out. Not that you’re a pair. What’s different is both of you have Facility collars. That’s a rare sight here. One is notable, two are remarkable. Whenever you are in public, remember you represent the Facility, so act accordingly. I insist.”
Penny straightened up. That was clearly an order that required immediate, unquestioned obedience. From the side she noticed Sheila did the same. They trained us well, she thought.
Right away Penny noticed a glaring difference compared to South Island. Every woman, without exception, wore a collar. The men here do take that property thing seriously. When they walked out the terminal entrance she spotted the sign on the door, a warning that all females must be escorted when entering. If there was a point of no return, she was well past it by now.
Penny exchanged a sideways glance with Sheila as they exited the terminal entrance. Sheila smiled and shrugged, as if to say that whatever happens next is far beyond their ability to influence. Virgil was behind and between them, still with a grip on each of their arms.
“Sir, may I ask?” The Facility had not prepared them for a life on North Island. Aside from what little she’d learned from local TV the place was substantially different from South Island, though Penny had no idea about the specifics. There were the ever-present rumors, but then the Facility was also subject to the same gossip mill so those whispers hinting of a brutal regime where women were subjected to daily abuse weren’t likely to have any truth to them.
Virgil pointed to the right. “The car is down this lane. Go ahead, ask whatever you like. I’ll let you know if it’s out of bounds.”
“Sir, we weren’t educated on North Island regulations. We only know about South Island laws concerning women like us. Do we need some kind of permit here to be out in public?”
“Normally, yes. It’s no different from South Island. But as long as you’re with me you don’t need to be concerned. The Director warned me about the gap in your training. We’ll make sure both of you are ready before venturing out in public on your own. There are some differences, plus a few extras I’m going to add. All that’s for later. Right now, I need to get you two in the car and on the way to our home.”
Our home, Penny liked the sound of it. Their surroundings might be unfamiliar for now, yet this was her town, her neighborhood, the place where life begins again. Superficially it could be any small town, anywhere in the world. People passed by, no doubt headed somewhere on some sort of business.
There were also crucial differences, starting with the handcuffs linking her to Sheila. Anywhere else that would turn heads; here it was nothing out of the ordinary. The ironic part was that their collars garnered more attention than the fact they had to walk to the car hand in hand.
“Here we are. You two will ride in back.” He opened the left side passenger door. “Sheila in first, then Penny. Wait for me to fasten your seat belts.”
It was a bit on the awkward side, with Sheila having to slide over to make room for Penny, and then holding up their arms so Virgil could put on their seat belts. It would have been much simpler if he had removed the cuffs, but that wasn’t going to happen. He had to go around and open Sheila’s door to fasten her belt. In the few seconds between closing her door and going back around to the driver’s side Sheila quickly whispered, “Think back, our trips to South Island.”
Penny caught her warning immediately. The few times they had earned a reward with a trip to a theater to watch a movie, all the trainees had been hooked up in pairs. Facility rules were especially strict concerning their behavior while on those trips, since they were in public. Copying Sheila, Penny straightened up, carefully lined up her feet and legs with Sheila, placed her free hand in her lap, and rested the cuffed wrist on the seat. Some things you never forget, Penny thought.
When Virgil opened the driver’s door he suddenly halted before sitting down. Leaning forward he looked over both his women. Penny didn’t miss the flash of a smile and the slight nod before he got in. While his head was turned, she squeezed Sheila’s hand in silent thanks.
“Prim and proper,” Virgil chuckled. “I like it.” He turned to look at them. “You both did well. I assume that’s from the Facility?” He turned back to starting the car. “By the way,” he said over his shoulder, “from now on that will be mandatory when you’re in the car.”
Penny glanced over at Sheila, who shrugged but gave her a thumbs up. Prim and proper, what an odd expression, she thought. If it was a clue to his personality then it fit well with their Facility training. She stared at the back of Virgil’s head. I…make that we…need to understand what goes on in there, and quickly.
The Drive Home In terms of scenery North Island didn’t have much to offer. It wasn’t exactly prime real estate, being mostly composed of hills and rocky beaches. The only town on the island, North Harbor, reflected the small population. South Island wasn’t far away, a short ride on the ferry, but for Sheila and Penny the Channel separating the islands was an impassible barrier.
Penny held up her right hand, dragging Sheila along. “Sir? If I may ask, will this be a common practice? It’s a matter of practicality, sir, so that we can be prepared.”
Virgil glanced back at the two women in the mirror. “A good question, though I don’t have an answer for you right now. It appeals to me, but as you say, there are practical concerns. Let’s do this for now. Outside, in public or in the car, yes, I want you hooked together. At home, or inside a building, that will be on a case-by-case basis, which means whenever I have the urge.”
When Virgil turned his attention back to driving, Sheila jerked on the cuffs and frowned in disapproval. A shake of her head stopped Penny from asking what was going on. They’d have a conversation about Penny’s question in private, later on.
She had a good idea of why Sheila would object to Penny’s asking. This wasn’t the first time they’d disagreed on the propriety of questioning their owner’s actions, except this time it wasn’t theoretical.
When Virgil slowed down to turn into the driveway the two women got the first glimpse of their new home. From appearances it was a good neighborhood, well-groomed lawns and the rows of single-family houses, though of a modest size, were all relatively new and in good shape. No mansion full of servants, but that didn’t fit at all with their initial impression of Virgil. Upper middle-class US suburban, professionals, white collar, if Penny had to put a name to the overall style.
The garage door rolled up, allowing Virgil to park in the attached garage. As the garage door started to drop back down, he turned in his seat to face Penny and Sheila. “Before we get out of the car you need to know the boundaries here at home. The garage, basement, attic and front yard are off limits unless I’m with you. During the day you have the run of the house, except for my office, which is always off limits. You can use the back yard until curfew. You will not leave the house without my permission. Any questions?”
Penny spoke up again. “What about emergencies, sir? The house catches fire, or the police come to the door to order an evacuation?”
“Your personal safety is paramount. When it comes to emergency situations like that, use your own judgement and don’t be concerned about the consequences. That applies anywhere, any time. I can’t foresee every possibility; do as you think best to stay safe. You two are Facility trained; I think I can rely on you not to abuse what might look like a blank check for improper behavior.”
Facility trained, Penny sat up a bit straighter, full of pride in knowing he trusted her. She glanced over at Sheila, who smiled and nodded. She feels it too, Penny thought. Are we really something special? Mrs. Yates often took the time to pound that into their heads, along with a warning not to get carried away with some kind of superiority complex. Would a Facility collar generate resentment here on North Island?
Penny mentally shrugged off the worries. Their acceptance in local society was Virgil’s problem now. He brought them here; he had to deal with the consequences.
“Okay, you wait until I open the car door. By the way, that’s a rule from now on. Always wait for me to open or close the car door.” While Virgil got out of the car Penny exchanged a quick look with Sheila. The smile and nod were enough to confirm she had remembered the training classes too. Virgil definitely had a streak of the control freak, which he would satisfy with a growing number of small, almost insignificant rules that added up over time. Both of them were well-prepared for just such an occurrence.
