The first thing Cathy saw when the door opened was her clothes, on a hanger attached to a hook mounted on the wall. Next to them were a table and chair. Her shoes were underneath the dress. Something isn't right , Cathy thought, I can't be leaving this soon . After what she had just done the punishment had been too mild.

"You have an appointment with the Director, in his office. While in the administrative area you will be allowed to wear these clothes. Do not speak to anyone unless you are asked a question. Do not make eye contact with anyone. Keep in mind you are being granted a rare privilege, do not abuse it." He removed her handcuffs and gestured to her clothing. "You may dress now." He sat down in the chair by the table.

Cathy was surprised. It was indeed unusual. During her first visit she knew of no one taken to see the Director. The only possible explanation was that it had something to do with the real reason she had been sent here. Although Robert had been adamant that she would tell no one, he had worked out the plan for her visit to the Director. She took the dress off the hanger and slipped it on, reaching behind her back for the zipper. No underwear, she noted. This was for the benefit of anyone who saw her, not to help her own self-confidence. She finished by slipping on her shoes.

"Sir?" she asked, "I had a belt with the dress."

"I have one for you. Turn around, back to me." She heard him open a drawer under the table as she turned. A moment later she felt him threading two ends of a belt through the loops in the skirt, working from the middle of her back. "Turn around, face me, hold your hands out to your side," he ordered. She watched as he finished with the ends of the belt, and then pulled it tight. Satisfied it was a snug fit, he pushed in a small button on the closed buckle. The warden tested it to make sure it wouldn't open.

"Turn around again, this time with hands behind your back." Cathy had already figured it out. A locking belt, there had to be something on the back to hold her hands. Sure enough, he placed her wrists in handcuffs held close to her back by a ring sewn into the center of the belt. "Don't move." She heard him taking something else out of the box.

The lights went out a moment later as he covered her eyes with the blindfold. A simple and very effective way to make sure I don't stray , Cathy told herself. Or there is something in that area she wasn't supposed to see. Maybe an emergency exit, some way to get out of this place . She hadn't thought much about where the wardens and teachers lived, or any of the other people who had to exist to keep this place in operation. It was off limits and inaccessible under normal circumstances.

"Let's go." He took hold of her arm and walked her out the door. Cathy was grateful he took it slow. She didn't like not being able to see. It made her feel clumsy, as if she was about to walk right into a wall.

They went through two security gates before Cathy realized the surroundings had changed. She was now walking on carpet, and the sounds reaching her were muted compared to the brittle sounding echoes from the corridors. A few times she heard voices, as if they were passing open doors. Once she even heard music.

They must have reached the Director's office because her guard stopped, and then opened a door. A real door, as Cathy could tell from the sound of the door knob. He led her inside and closed the door behind her.

"Catherine Kincaid, to see the Director," he told someone. Cathy was surprised at hearing her full name, but it made sense since they would have records about her. She heard the sound of a keyboard as the receptionist typed in something, probably Cathy's name.

A short pause then the receptionist answered. "He will see her shortly. Sir, the Director indicated I should inform you that you are welcome to have lunch while waiting. We will take responsibility for her while she is in the office. He asks that you return in one hour's time."

"Alright, I'll be in the cafeteria if the meeting ends early and you need me back." There was a rustle of paper. "If you could sign this receipt? She is all yours."

The warden took Cathy to one side and used his hands on her shoulders to position her. "There is a couch directly behind you. You may sit down." Cathy felt the edge of the couch against the back of her leg. With some idea of it's location she sat down. He leaned close to her and whispered in a low yet ominous voice. "Don't try any of your stunts here. Remember where you are, and keep in mind you won't be leaving any time soon. Act up in front of the Director and every single one of us will personally take the time to make your stay one long bad memory. Understand?"

Cathy had no intention of attempting anything but her very best behavior but even so the warning from the warden scared her. She had no doubt he wasn't bluffing. And if Robert kept getting reports on her poor progress he would assume she was doing it deliberately, to stay and help Laura. "Yes sir, I understand," she answered. Her throat fell dry. Behind her back she clenched her imprisoned hands into fists and pulled at the bonds holding her, frustrated at her helpless condition.

It was all she could do to keep from shaking in fright. The past few days she had been so intent on helping Laura she had forgotten about her own situation. She might have played the part of troublemaker too well for her own good. Robert wasn't here to protect her. If she earned the special attention of the wardens they would see to it she had plenty of their particular brand of discouragement. She would be isolated and unable to help Laura in any way. By the time Robert found out it would be too late to do any good.

And he would not be pleased she had failed. This was important to him, so she had to do her very best. She didn't want to think about facing him and explaining what had gone wrong. He might even decide to leave her here for real. Her attention returned to the office as she heard the door close. It must have been her warden leaving, she thought.

She leaned forward and shifted position, trying to get comfortable on the couch. "Stay right where you are, dear. I may be the same size as you but I'm not wearing handcuffs. Just sit there quietly like a good girl and wait till he's ready for you." The receptionist's condescending tone irritated Cathy but she bit her tongue and said nothing. She never had a problem responding to a man controlling her but she hated the idea of a woman telling her what to do. This isn't the time or place , she told herself.

She could hear the receptionist working on a keyboard but didn't hear anyone else. Either there was a partition blocking any other sounds or they were the only ones in the office. Undoubtedly the warden had brought her early so she would have plenty of time to worry in advance. Always at a psychological disadvantage, that's how those dominant personalities liked to operate. It works too , a nervous Cathy realized.

After a while, it seemed like hours, she heard a door open and someone enter. "This is your next scheduled appointment sir, Catherine Kincaid." From the way the receptionist was so polite and deferential Cathy was sure it had to be the Director himself. The door must have been to his office. The blindfold forced her to listen for any clue as to what was going on around her.

A strong grip on her arm raised her up off the couch. "Come with me," he ordered her in a gruff tone of voice. She heard the office door close behind her. Still holding her upper arm he guided her to a chair and helped her to sit down. She heard him sit down across from her and pick up some papers from his desk.

"Now then Mrs. Kincaid, my name is James Polson. I am the Deputy Director of this establishment, filling in for Director Harfield, who is not available at the moment. I apologize for the restraints but as you are currently enrolled here there is nothing I can do. I'm sure you understand about our policies.

"I have been reading this report of your difficulties in adjusting to the school's rules. It is especially troubling when your prior attendance is taken into consideration. There is no question that you are aware of all the regulations, in particular the sleeping arrangements and the necessity of rising in a punctual manner. The justification for your actions that you communicated to the warden is not satisfactory either. Now that you have had time to reflect on the matter, would you care to offer a better explanation for your lapse of judgment? Take your time." His chair creaked as he leaned back in it.

Cathy thought fast. He doesn't know the real reason or he wouldn't be asking about the sleep in. Only the Director knows. And she was forbidden by direct order from telling this man. She couldn't disobey Robert but she had no other story to offer. The fact she was here meant it was being viewed as an extremely grave matter. What could she say to him?

"I have no excuse for what I did sir. It was foolish and I promise it won't happen again." Even to Cathy her statement sounded like an insincere formula response.

"As you wish. I gave you a chance. You must understand that a returning student reflects poorly on this institution and the staff. We do not like failures. On the rare occasion when one does return, we hold that person to a higher standard than first time attendees. If this incident had happened to anyone else we would have taken the usual steps to discourage a repetition. However, in your case the standard procedures will not suffice. You are already familiar with the operations here, which tend to diminish the effectiveness of normal corrective measures.

"I think the best solution may be to transfer you to a program where you can focus on achieving your goals without the distraction of other people about. A program where you will receive intensive personal instruction every moment of the day. I'm sure after three or four months we will see a substantial improvement in your attitude."

Cathy was horrified. It couldn't get any worse than that. It meant solitary confinement and teachers or wardens jumping all over her if she even blinked without permission. Robert would be so mad at her he'd probably leave her there. And all because she had thought it would be a good idea to act up so no one would be suspicious. "Please sir, I promise, just let me have another chance. I'll prove to you I can do better." She was desperate, reduced to begging as she had no other option.. There had to be some way to persuade him. If only she could see his face. With the blindfold in place she had no visual cues to go by, only the sound of his voice.

"Quiet! Will it be necessary to call in your escort to gag you? You will speak only when asked a question."

Cathy stopped. She had no hope now. His order had effectively blocked the only way she had to try to avert the worst. If the warden was called in he wouldn't hesitate to carry out his threat. She hung her head in failure. She could feel the tears running down her face from under the blindfold. The Deputy Director said nothing as she silently cried.

"There is one other possibility." Cathy raised her head, confused, not sure what he meant. "You arrived with another woman, one Laura Ferren. Her husband is a leading member of the oversight board for this school. While he has not asked for special treatment, he did ask that we do anything possible within the regulations to make her adjustment to life here as uncomplicated as is possible. I'm sure you know her. The two of you arrived here together.

"I see a notation here in your records that on your arrival you intervened on her behalf and were able to talk her through a stressful moment. The warden overseeing your processing was impressed by your skill in handling the situation. If you are willing to continue assisting her in reaching her goals while she is staying with us, and in the process demonstrate to my satisfaction that you are working toward a more positive attitude yourself, then it will not be necessary to transfer you to another program. I believe a more favorable report to your master would be appropriate as well, though you do understand he will have to be told the details of the incident today. If we give you this second chance, do I have your solemn promise there will be no further problems like this morning?"

Cathy couldn't believe her good fortune, from complete failure to success within minutes. She could see it was a classic carrot and stick approach; the carrot of a good report if she agreed, and the stick of being dumped into solitary if she declined. The report to Robert didn't concern her too much. He would know she was acting to stay in character. No need to conceal her relief and gratitude for his offer.

"Of course sir, I can assure you it will never happen again. And whenever I have the opportunity I would be happy to provide Laura with the benefit of my experience. I know all too well how confusing it can be." In other words , Cathy told herself, you go easy on me and I'll help you look good for your board . It was a simple trade. He didn't need to know it was the only reason she was here in the first place. Nor did he need to know she had no real bargaining position.

"I'm glad we were able to work this out, Mrs. Kincaid. I don't like to resort to extreme measures. I will be reviewing your progress on a timely basis to confirm those measures will not be required. Please take this in the proper spirit, but I hope we shall not have to meet like this again. I will see to it that your assignments will correspond to those for Mrs. Ferren. Naturally you will not be together at all times but I will adjust your schedules so that the potentially difficult areas for Mrs. Ferren will be those times you have the same classes.

"Your escort will return you to the secured section. You can wait in the outside office until he is ready. Here, let me assist you." He took her arm and helped Cathy stand up. As they went to the outer office he helped her sit down on the couch before addressing the receptionist. "Miss Wu, could you inform the warden that he can return Mrs. Kincaid at his convenience?"

"Yes sir, I'll see to it right away." She was on the phone before he had even closed the door to his office. Cathy listened as she called the cafeteria. For the first time since her little act of defiance she was able to relax. She was still stiff and sore from wearing the straitjacket all day, but the worst was now over. In less than five minutes Cathy heard a door open and someone come in.

"Let's go," he ordered, a familiar voice now, as he took hold of her arm and steadied her as she stood. "Any problems with her?" He directed the question to the receptionist.

"No sir, her visit was normal in all respects," the receptionist answered. Cathy was relieved to hear her say it. The warden said nothing as he took hold of her arm again and led her out the door. The walk back to the secured section was uneventful.

Cathy knew she was back in her area when she heard him start to use a key to unlock doors. They went through several. After the last door, he stopped her in the middle of a room and removed her blindfold. Blinking at the return of the bright lights, she saw they had returned to the same dressing room. The empty hanger for her dress was still on a hook on the wall. She watched as he used a small key to open the belt buckle. Then he went behind her and opened her handcuffs. "Arms at your side," he ordered. Cathy wanted to stretch and rub her wrists but she did as he commanded. He finished by taking off the belt.

"Remove your shoes and clothing, hang up your dress." With a silent sigh of regret Cathy reached for the zipper and pulled the dress over her head. She placed it on the hanger and returned it to the hook on the wall. Her shoes went underneath. Once more in regulation uniform, collar, chastity belt, and nothing else, she turned to see what the warden wanted next.

He was sitting at the desk, reading something on a sheet of paper. He looked up at her. Seeing she had finished, he pointed to a line painted on the floor in front of the desk. "Stand there quietly, facing the desk." A few steps and she was in front of him, about three feet from the desk. He returned to the note he was reading.

A noise from the corridor distracted her. She started to turn to look but a sharp "eyes front" from her guard stopped her. He continued to read, making notations every so often. This went on for several minutes before he stopped and looked up at Cathy.

"You are a problem," the warden spoke suddenly, startling her. Her attention had been wandering as she stood in front of him, apparently being ignored. "We are not stupid, you know. What you did this morning, you know better. So we have to conclude it was willful. For some unknown reason you have decided to test our resolve, even though you know fully well games like that are not tolerated here. There are no mitigating circumstances to take into account on your behalf."

Cathy opened her mouth to try to offer some explanation, but stopped before uttering a word as the warden held up a hand. "No, don't say anything. It won't make a difference. You have the experience and training to do better. You have also learned from your last time here that actions have consequences. I'm sure you expected something to happen, even if you weren't sure what it would be. I assume you are also smart enough to figure out your quiet time today was not the sum total of the penalty that would be exacted."

He stood up and took out a set of handcuffs from a holder on his belt. "Stand still, hands behind your back," he ordered. Here it comes , Cathy thought, I knew this was too easy . Her hands went behind her back in a well-practiced move as he walked around behind her. Swiftly he applied the cuffs, rendering her virtually powerless to resist whatever was to be her fate. Please don't hurt me , she prayed silently.

He led her out into the corridor and through a maze of hallways and gates. By the time he stopped she had no clue what direction or how far they had walked, or if he had deliberately run her in circles to heighten her anxiety. When he did stop her mouth was dry from fear, and her knees felt so weak that she might collapse at any moment.

At the door Cathy could see some kind of elaborate fixture beyond the bars. Inside the cell she saw it was some kind of wooden stocks, similar to those in old drawing from centuries ago. At about shoulder height were two wooden pieces, hinged together, with cutouts for hands and neck. This one differed from others she had seen in that there were stocks at the bottom with cutouts for ankles. She knew it would soon hold her prisoner.

He unlocked the cell door and forced her to the front of the device. Bending down he opened the bottom portion. Cathy could see the oval shaped holes cut into the wood were padded, and the stocks were raised off the floor several inches. "Step forward, ankles inside the keepers," he ordered. She placed her feet against the fixed part, legs spread beyond the usual standing position. He closed the ankle stocks and used a padlock to secure the hasp.

Standing up, he opened the top part. Reaching behind her he removed the cuffs from her wrists. With her ankles already secured Cathy had no chance to make a dash for the open cell door. She rubbed her wrists while looking at the warden. He gave her a moment to stretch her arms before gesturing to the open stocks. Resigned to an unpleasant afternoon she leaned over, placing her hands and neck in position. He quickly closed the top part, again using a padlock to secure the hasp.

Standing sideways, immobilized in the stocks, she couldn't see the door but could see part of the corridor to one side. She heard him walk out and go past her view as he walked along the hallway. Oddly he had not closed the door. Alone, she tested the limits of her new prison. The stocks were not uncomfortable but she had virtually no freedom of movement. Nor could she see behind her. The worst drawbacks were the wide spread of her legs and being forced to lean forward. At the moment it didn't bother her but she could feel the strain on her legs, back, and shoulders.

She heard footsteps behind her as someone came into the room. Shoes, so it must be another warden. He came up close behind her but she couldn't see him. The sudden sharp pain as he grabbed her hair and pulled up her head made her gasp. A stifled gasp as a stiff spongy foam filled her mouth. He held the gag against her face with one hand while he took hold of some straps attached to it with his free hand. Bound in the stocks she couldn't dislodge it or pull her head away. She felt a wide strap go behind her head, securing the gag. More straps went over her head and under her chin, making it impossible to remove.

Finished with silencing her, the warden walked around and stood in front of her. Cathy froze as she recognized him. He had been the first one to speak to her that morning, the one who asked her why she hadn't got up with the others. The one she had told off.

"You were not pleasing this morning." His hand tightened painfully in her hair. "You earned some quiet time in the straitjacket for sleeping in, but for talking back you earn a different penalty. You are going to stand here while considering the wisdom of making the same mistake in the future. Ponder who you are and why you are here. You had better consider how to explain this to your master as well." He let go of her hair and walked away. She heard the door close and lock behind him.

The spongy material in Cathy's mouth was expanding, turning into a tight fitting soggy mass. She tried to push it out with her tongue but the harness held it firmly in place. She tried talking, even yelling, but only garbled incoherent sounds came out. Her hands were too far away to reach her head. Once again she tried to slip a hand out of the stocks but the fit was too close. Around her ankles the boards left little room for her to lift a foot. The height of her neck and wrists was just enough to be uncomfortable. Even though it had only been a few minutes her legs and back were starting to protest their unnatural position.

This is going to be a lot worse than the straitjacket , she realized. No wall to lean on now. The height and spacing of the stocks were designed to be unpleasant, deliberately. Cathy had hoped the worst was over when she was taken to the Director's office. Instead it was only beginning.