The elevator car came to a stop. From the time it took to descend, Laura knew they had to be deep underground. The door opened to another barred gate, which her guard unlocked. The two of them were taken down a featureless corridor to yet another barred gate. Cathy's guard opened that one, and then both women were led into a nearly bare room.

The room was sparsely furnished, consisting of nothing more than a small table and chair to one side, with two cardboard boxes underneath. There was only the one entrance, and that had a gate of metal bars in place of the door. Their guards took Laura and Cathy to the center of the room, turned them to face the table, and then removed their handcuffs.

The moment her hands were free Laura brought her arms forward and began exercising them while rubbing her wrists. She could see red marks where the cuffs had been. Best of all was the relief from the persistent ache in her shoulder. She glanced over at Cathy, who was also rubbing her wrists but otherwise appeared to have suffered no other effects from the prolonged use of the restraints.

One of the guards left, closing the barred gate behind him. The other one walked around the table, pulled out the chair and sat down. "Eyes front," he ordered. Both women fixed their eyes on him as they faced the table. He placed one set of handcuffs on the table then folded his arms and leaned back in the chair.

"We have certain rules here, for security purposes," he began. "One is that you are not permitted to wear street clothes. There is a box for each of you." He paused to push the cardboard boxes out from under the table with his foot. "Remove your clothing, all of it, fold each item neatly then place it in your box. Shoes and belt too. Everything will be returned when you leave. You may begin."

Strip in front of a strange man? Laura froze, not wanting to expose herself. Next to her Cathy kicked off her shoes and reached for the zipper behind her back. The dress fell to the floor, quickly joined by Cathy's underwear. Cathy knelt to pick up her garments and folded them, placing them carefully in her box.

As Cathy finished and stood up again, she saw Laura watching her, eyes wide. Scared , Cathy thought, I'll have to talk her through it . She turned to the guard. "Sir, may I talk to her for a moment?" Seeing Laura's hesitation he had started to rise from the chair, but stopped at Cathy's request. He waved his hand in a gesture of approval and sat back down.

She turned back to Laura, who was holding her hands together to keep them from trembling. "Laura, look at me." Laura raised her eyes, a silent plea on her face for help. "You have to do this. This man is one of the wardens here. They must be obeyed, immediately, no matter what they tell you to do. If you don't take your clothes off, right now, they will force you to do it. Then you will be punished. Please, do as he says. No matter what you do they are coming off anyway. You have to do this, right now. Don't make it any harder on yourself."

There were tears in Laura's eyes but she began unbuttoning her blouse. "That's it," Cathy encouraged her. "Here, blouse first. Now your shoes, then your skirt." Laura stepped out of her shoes and reached for the zipper on the side of her skirt. It fell in a pile around her feet. "You're almost done," Cathy whispered to her. Laura opened the catch on her bra and slipped it off her shoulders, exposing her breasts to the guard. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she finished by pulling down her pantyhose. Straightening up, she started to cover herself with her hands but Cathy grabbed them. "No Laura, don't do that. Keep your hands at your side." Cathy knelt down again and gathered up Laura's clothing, folded it and placed it in the box.

"Thank you for your patience sir," Cathy told the guard, "shall I put the boxes on the table?"

"Leave them where they are," he answered while standing up. As he walked around the table toward Cathy he picked up the cuffs from the table and opened one side. "Hold out your left hand," he told Cathy. "Now you, the right hand," and he closed the other cuff around Laura's wrist, linking the two women together. He took a moment to ensure the cuffs weren't too tight before he used a key to double lock them.

"I gather you've been here before?" he asked Cathy. "How far back?"

"It was about two years ago sir."

"Good, for the most part the rules haven't changed. Explain them to her," he pointed to Laura. "Go to the far wall and stay there till I return. You may sit down after I leave. Now, back up to the wall."

Looking over her shoulder Cathy started to step back. Laura said nothing but copied Cathy, slowly backing up but not turning away from the man in front of them. They stopped when they reached the wall, watching as the warden tucked the boxes under one arm and went to the door. He pulled out a key chain attached to his belt, selected a key, and opened the door. On the other side he closed and locked it, then walked down the corridor.

Both women visibly relaxed after he had gone. "C'mon, let's sit down," Cathy said as she lowered herself to the floor. Laura joined her, leaning her back against the wall. Cathy stretched out her legs but Laura sat with them together, raised so she could rest her chin on her knees. With her free hand Laura moved the handcuff on her other wrist, examining the metal bracelet.

"I've never seen handcuffs close up, much less worn them. Just the pictures on TV. I don't suppose you know how to open them without a key?" Laura looked over at Cathy.

Laughing, Cathy shook her head. "No, afraid not. I've had the pleasure of wearing cuffs many, many times, but my master has never seen fit to give me a key. You get used to it. After a while, you don't even notice them. It's like wearing tight clothes or high heels, uncomfortable but something you have to do."

" Master ?" Laura asked, "what do you mean? I saw how easily you got around even with your hands behind your back. You mean someone makes you wear these things?" She shook the cuff on her wrist.

"Master as in the man who owns me. And he's my husband too. Sometimes he likes to remind me who's in charge, so he takes away my hands for a while. It can be fun, especially when he finds ways to point out how helpless I am.

"Listen Laura, we may not have much time, so I want to explain the rules here before anything else." Cathy held up her hand as Laura began to say something. "I know you have a million questions, but right now I have to teach you the basics as fast as I can. Let me finish before you start." Laura nodded in agreement.

"This place is a school, but attendance is mandatory. You've seen the security here. No one gets out unless they release you. Don't even think about running away, it's impossible. Even if you could escape we are at least fifty miles from the nearest road, across the empty desert. You wouldn't make it, none of us would. No one has ever escaped from here.

"You are here because someone sent you. In my case it was my master, the first time and now once again. You will have to stay until the person who sent you decides you can return home. I don't know how long it will be, none of us are told until that day arrives.

"The guards are called wardens. In here their authority is final. When one of them tells you to do something, don't even hesitate or think about it, just do it. They are men who know how to handle women and won't tolerate any disobedience. If you don't cooperate they can make your life miserable. They are fair but strict and do not bend the rules for anyone. No matter how strong you think you are, you won't get the best of them. I learned that the hard way the first visit here."

"What happened?" Laura interrupted.

"I can't tell you. We are forbidden to discuss any kind of punishment, what they like to call discouraging improper behavior. But trust me, you don't want to learn for yourself. You came very close a few minutes ago when you didn't begin taking off your clothes immediately. I think he was lenient because you didn't know the rules yet. You won't get away with that again though, so be careful."

"Do we wear some kind of uniform? Did he leave to go get them?" Laura looked at Cathy, obviously concerned.

Cathy knew the answer. There would be a uniform, but not the kind Laura was thinking of. She could explain, but it might take too long. Cathy decided to forego an answer and concentrate on what Laura needed to know immediately. "We'll talk about that in a moment. I don't know how much time they will give us, so I have to tell you about the rules here. Let me do that first, then I can get back to your questions.

"Above all we must do as we are told. I can't stress that enough. Never, ever defy a warden. Don't tell him you can't do it unless it really is impossible. Don't make excuses, they won't accept it. And always treat them with respect. No swearing, no sarcasm, no snide remarks, they won't stand for it. Oh yeah, they will come across as distant and unapproachable. Don't bother trying to start a conversation or get to know one. They won't even tell you their names."

Laura nodded, showing she understood. "Cathy," she asked in a low, almost frightened tone, "will they take advantage of us?"

"No, that you don't have to worry about. Even if you think he's cute they would decline an invitation. Being guys I assume they like the job, they get to look all they want, but one hard and fast rule is the wardens do not get involved." Cathy did not add that there would be another reason the wardens didn't make use of them, but she knew Laura would be discovering that one soon enough.

"Ok, next we have to talk about position. Whenever we are in a room like this, and a warden comes to the door, you must stop whatever you are doing and present yourself in a certain way. Let me show you." Cathy rose up and gathered her legs under her, in a kneeling position with her knees together. She kept her back straight and head up, but lowered her eyes to look at the floor in front of her. Her right hand rested lightly on top of her right leg, palm down and fingers spread slightly. The left hand, handcuffed to Laura, she held to one side.

"See if you can copy this. Knees together, sit back on your heels, back straight, head up, but focus on a point on the floor directly in front of you." Laura studied Cathy's pose for a moment before attempting to imitate it. "No, put your free hand halfway down the top of your leg, like mine. Keep your palm down and fingers apart." Laura made the changes as Cathy pointed them out. "Good, now if our wrists weren't hooked together then both hands are to be in the same relative place. For now put that arm to your side and we'll keep the handcuffs halfway between us." Both women knelt side by side, practicing their presentation.

"You will learn when to present and when you can relax by watching the others. For now just do what I do. One thing, please try your best while we are hooked together. If either of us makes a mistake we are both held accountable."

Laura looked confused and angry. "Why would you be punished for something I did? That isn't fair. None of this is. They had no right to bring us here either. I don't think any of this is legal."

"No it isn't but there isn't anything we can do about it. I can't take this off," Cathy raised her wrist with the handcuff, "and I can't open that door. I'm not going to overpower a man twice my size, somehow escape out of here, and run stark naked in bare feet for miles across the desert. It isn't going to happen. What I do know, what I am sure will happen, is that they can force me to do whatever they want.

"I also know if I cooperate I have a chance to get out of here. Both of us are here for a reason. I have problems I need to overcome, and this place, this school, will teach me how to do that. If you make the effort you can learn too."

"I don't have any problems," Laura said defiantly. "He has the problem. I have a life too. He has to lighten up and…" Cathy held up a hand to interrupt.

"This isn't the time or place. You are here, he isn't. Yeah, we've been abducted in the middle of the night and imprisoned against our will, but right this minute neither you nor I can change that."

Laura was unimpressed with Cathy's argument but couldn't deny the fact that she was in no position to resist. "Alright, I can see your point. Anyway, I don't want you to get in trouble because of me. What else do I need to know?"

Cathy breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Laura was adapting to the circumstances, even if it was with reluctance. No question she was submissive; she was trying to get along, making concessions instead of being confrontational. Real progress, and for Cathy some personal relief that there was now a chance she herself wouldn't be dragged off for a lengthy session of "discouragement" in the next few minutes.

"Okay, some more obvious rules. We aren't allowed to argue or fight with each other. No raised voices or shouting. Nothing physical either. Don't hit anyone no matter how mad you are. No talking in classes, or while you are being escorted by a warden. Whenever they are around you sit or stand quietly, speak only to answer questions. When in doubt, wait to be told what to do.

"We eat and sleep according to their schedule. No matter how tired you are, don't fall asleep until you have permission. And when it's time to get up you do it right away. No extra five minute snoozes.

"We aren't allowed outside a room unless a warden is with us. Get used to handcuffs, because they won't unlock the door unless you have them on. Security rules here are rigidly enforced. You saw the corridor outside? The entire place looks the same, not a mark on a door or wall anywhere. It's like a maze. Even if you get a door open you'd get lost in a few minutes. And there are those barred jail cell doors everywhere, always locked."

"Has anyone ever escaped, or even tried?" Laura asked.

"No, there's no place to start. No chance of an outside rescue either. No one knows we are here. No one even knows where this place is located." Actually quite a few people knew where this place was, people like Robert. None of them were likely to be of help.

"Another rule has to do with what you asked about, the uniforms." Here we go, Cathy told herself, if she can handle this we will survive the night. "We are in what is known as the secured area. Later on you will see the sign. We are not allowed to wear clothing. That's why it was taken away. We aren't going to get a uniform to wear. What we do get is a collar," Cathy's free hand went to the band around her throat, "like this. You will have to wear one too. They can't be taken off.

"We get one more charming item of apparel. We are required to wear what they call a control belt at all times." Cathy paused, to see if Laura would figure it out.

"What do you mean? I thought you said we won't be given any clothes. Why would we need a belt?"

Cathy sighed, she hadn't understood. "It's a chastity belt. It's made out of metal and locks around your waist. There's a shield in front that fits tight against you, between your legs. It goes around and up the back, snug. You can't take it off, and you can't get underneath it. It has a narrow slit in front so you can pee. As long as you have it on you can't have sex, or at least not where you can feel it." There was no other way to explain it; she had to be blunt.

Laura said nothing at first. She sat back, staring at Cathy, absorbing what was coming. They were going to be locked up, in the most intimate way. Her first reaction was apprehension, mixed with curiosity. She would no longer have control over her own body.

Cathy heard a door and footsteps out in the corridor first. Quickly she assumed position, with Laura following awkwardly. "Someone's coming," Cathy whispered, "remember what I told you." Both women knelt on the floor, side by side, linked by the chain between their wrists. Cathy risked a quick look to make sure Laura had it right. Close enough, she thought.

The sound of the key in the door was loud in the silence, but neither of them looked up. Cathy could see at least three guards enter the room, two of them carrying cardboard boxes, larger ones this time. Cathy knew what was inside. The third warden came over and stood in front of the women, but said nothing. Inspection, Cathy told herself, and if we don't pass I'll be the one to blame. She dare not look at Laura now but hoped she wouldn't do something stupid, like jump up and demand to be taken home.

Focus on that spot on the floor , Cathy said to herself. Even breathing, don't move, sit straight. Wait for him to say something, don't look up or to the side. Maybe Laura was new to this, but she wasn't. She knew she had to be perfect in every respect. The warden wouldn't accept anything less. And maybe he would be distracted from any imperfections on Laura's part.

It felt like hours as they knelt under his scrutiny, but it lasted only a moment. "Very good, a quick learner," he spoke to Laura before turning to Cathy. "And your lessons were not wasted." Simple words but Cathy still felt proud in being able to pry loose even the faintest praise from him.

"Both of you stand up," he ordered. Cathy got to her feet first, with Laura behind. He reached down and took hold of the handcuffs joining them together. With a key he released Cathy's wrist but left the cuff on Laura. "Both of you, turn and face the wall." They both complied. From the corner of her eye Cathy watched as the warden grabbed Laura's wrists and locked them together behind her back. A moment later Cathy's own arms were pulled back and she felt the cool steel close on her wrists. Standing behind her the warden put a hand on her shoulder. "Spread your legs." She widened her stance. "Farther," he demanded, pushing against her ankles with his shoe. Satisfied, he repeated the same procedure with Laura. "Stay right where you are and don't move."

Cathy heard a box being opened and footsteps as another warden approached. She didn't have to see to know what was about to happen. They began with Laura, using a cloth measuring tape, first around her neck, then her waist and between her legs. As one guard called out the numbers another wrote it down. Cathy feared Laura might react, but she stood facing the wall, enduring the indignity in silence.

Cathy couldn't turn to look but she heard the clinking sound of hand tools. She knew what they were doing, making adjustments, most likely to the waistband. Sure enough, as one warden came into sight again she saw him placing the waistband around Laura. Smart, they chose to do her first so she wouldn't see what was coming , Cathy thought, I've worn one before so they don't worry about me .

She could see the warden take the belt off, to make another small adjustment. Then it was back on Laura. It must have fit because he reached around and pulled up the shield. That seemed to fit precisely because he placed a cover plate over the front and locked it shut with an oddly shaped round key. Cathy tried to get a look at Laura's face to gauge her reaction, but couldn't see well enough.

Another sound, as if someone was looking through a box, and then Cathy saw the warden return, with a metal object in his hand. He closed it around Laura's throat, fastening it in the back with some type of tool.

Cathy felt the measuring tape around her own waist, above the hips. As with Laura they were quick and efficient in taking her measurements. A short delay, then once again she felt the familiar wide metal loop go around her body. Apparently they decided no adjustments were needed because he immediately pulled up the shield and locked it shut.

She had to close her eyes for a moment at the feather touch of the metal resting between her legs. Unlike Laura Cathy was no stranger to the grip of a chastity belt. In the years since her first visit Robert had ordered her to wear one many times. They would go to a party, or out to eat, with him often slipping his hand under her dress to touch it. Then when they got home he wouldn't open it, to her great frustration. When she would beg him to use his key, he would laugh and say "convince me."

The warden behind Cathy turned them both around to face him. "If either of you have any problems with the belt, chafing, bruising, sores, you have permission to speak up. There will be regular checks on the fit." He turned back to the other two men by the table and gave them a nod. They gathered up the now empty boxes and left.

Turning back to the women he spoke again. "As a matter of policy you will be kept in a separate area for a period of time. This is to ensure you have no contagious diseases, colds, flu, before you mix with the rest of the visitors here. It is for health reasons only and is not meant to reflect on your status in any way. Your processing is finished for the moment so I will take you to your room in the quarantine area."