Chapter 8. The Task at Hand

"Kim, it's your turn."

She was already blushing deeply as Kim snapped back to the present. Thinking back on that last spanking gave her something of a plan for this one. She determined that she would learn her lesson from this spanking too. She would not rebel; she would use this as a catalyst to "straighten out and fly right."

With that determination came the realization that she didn't really need this spanking; she had already learned her lesson and changed her attitude. However, she was quite obviously not going to be let off... yet. Like last time, she figured her best strategy would be in total cooperation, complete and sincere contrition, and perhaps just a touch of the dramatic to emphasize how severely she was being punished.

Kim was dressed to be noticed. She was just wearing a plain skirt and blouse, with white stockings, but the deep-blue-and-white combination worked well on her, and the simple lines emphasized the contours beneath. After all, she had been out shopping, and always dressed the part.

Kim stood up, slipped off her shoes and zipped her skirt down the side. She stepped out of it and folded her skirt on the couch--just like this was an everyday occurrence. Without pause, she smoothly continued to slip off her stockings and panties, placing everything on top of her skirt.

Kim walked over to Tom, with a slight swing to her hips as if she had on a bikini swimsuit or something. She bent right over his lap, settled into the proper position and asked, "How's this?"

"This" was fine. Kim's loose blouse slid up to her shoulders. Kim pulled it back down (up, actually) and returned her hands to the floor.

The blouse was of loose, slippery material, and was obviously not going to stay in place. Kim would just have to live with it, wishing she'd chosen a more substantial brassiere that morning.

Seeing as how this was not his daughter, Tom decided to get this task over with as quickly as possible. He picked up the paddle and gave two slow medium-hard slaps, one to each side of her bottom. Each got a loud "Ouch!" Yes, that paddle looked small, but it still seemed pretty effective!

Tom had the range, now, and proceeded directly to the hardest swats he could manage. Just two of them had the woman kicking and squealing.

Barbara came over to hold Kim's hands, and Dianne was quite happy to hold her sister's legs. Six more swats seemed to be adequate. Kim was nearly uncontrollable in her contortions and begged to be let off. She had learned her lesson. Amy remained standing next to the couch without comment.

Tom returned the paddle to the floor; Barbara and Dianne released the victim. Kim stood up, still sniffling, and smoothed her blouse back into place. She returned to pick up her skirt, leaving panties and stockings on the couch.

"Wait." Barbara had spoken up. "I'm not buying those crocodile tears. Kim might be able to convince Tom she's sincere, but she's not fooling me. Kim, can you stand there and tell me you didn't exaggerate the least little bit?"

Oh, oh! The tears started flowing again. "I learned my lesson, really I did. I decided I would change even before he finished with Amy. I knew you wouldn't let me off completely, but wasn't that enough? Please? You really did make me cry."

Tom glanced at Barbara. She wasn't buying it. Tom knew to trust her judgment when it came to other women. Tom pronounced the new sentence.

"Kim, a girl being spanked is *always* sure she's learned her lesson without the necessity of actually going through with the spanking. By time the spanking is half over, she's sure she's had more than enough.

"Back across my knees, please. You're getting the same spanking all over again, only a little bit longer this time. I want to make absolutely, positively sure that your tears are sincere this time, and that you're not trying to pull one over on me. So I will just keep spanking until I am *sure* you're sorry." The obvious implication was that Tom would not be so easily convinced.

Rather more slowly this time, Kim cooperated. Tom could not help but note that having such a beautiful 23-year-old woman laying across his lap was quite enjoyable. With her blouse riding up, and that wry joke of a brassiere Kim was wearing, she might as well not be wearing anything. Tom knew there would be plenty of twisting, kicking, and struggling this time. He would definitely need to keep himself under every bit as strict a discipline as he was placing on Kim.

Tom wielded the paddle with a steady rhythm this time, as hard as he could manage but with only five or six seconds between swats. He let Kim kick and buck all she wanted to. He paused the first time she brought her hands back, to catch them and hold them in his left hand behind her back. He held her by the middle of each forearm, so that each hand was touching the opposite elbow when she relaxed. This far up her back, she had no leverage available to struggle with her arms. While gripping her arms tightly, he let her twist as much as she wanted--the view was delicious.

However, Tom was not paying enough attention. Rather, he was paying attention to the wrong things--Kim managed to twist herself right off his lap. She crouched there on her hands and knees, sobbing most sincerely. Before she could think of what to do next, Tom dropped the paddle, picked her up by her hips, and placed her right back on his lap. He motioned his wife over to help by holding Kim's hands out of the way. Tom took a firm grip around Kim's waist.

The paddling continued. Kim began wailing most sincerely now; she had had enough and was afraid the punishment would never end. She had nothing left to promise, and no thoughts of modesty as her legs flailed the air.

Enough was enough. Tom lay the paddle down on the floor once again. He quickly invited Kim to rise--she wasn't even done kicking, and she couldn't hear him over her own crying. He asked her again, and began to help her up; he daren't spend too much time admiring his handiwork.

Amy had remained standing quietly by the couch, observing the proceedings. She glanced down at herself--she was still only wearing the blouse--and blushed again, deeply. She knew she had made just as much a spectacle of herself as Kim had. When she was little, she had always been too busy crying to worry about such things. But with Kim demonstrating what she herself must have looked like, she became even more deeply embarrassed. No, she did not want to go through that ordeal twice!

Barbara offered Kim some Kleenex to wipe her eyes. Kim's makeup was hopeless, but at least she could keep from staining her blouse. Once her face was back in order, Kim carefully replaced her skirt. Like Amy, she opted to remain standing.

Dianne had a little bit of that trapped-animal look in her eyes. Tom spoke. "Now, Dianne, isn't it because of your activities that Kim and Amy just got the spankings of a lifetime?"

Dianne was obviously in for a bad time. She had started crying, a little, before Kim had gotten her second spanking. Still, she knew that she, of the three, deserved the worst. She had gotten her friends in deep trouble indeed; she wondered if they would even continue to talk to her after this.

"I'm really sorry Kim and Amy got in such trouble because of me. I hope they will forgive me. I guess you'd better give it to me worse than you did Kim. But... would you consider allowing me to keep my panties on? It's my time of the month."

Both of Dianne's requests were granted. Dianne retained her panties and laid down across Tom's lap, but with her head to Tom's right. Using both hands to hold Dianne in place, Tom invited Barbara to "do the honors."

Barbara's hands were small enough that she could grip the handle with both hands. From a standing position, she made a strong impression on Dianne. Dianne tried to cooperate, but could only stay still for the first four blows. After ten of Barbara's two-handed swats, Dianne was frantic. She begged to be let off. She tried to struggle off Tom's lap; she tried to put her hands in the way. Tom kept her back side in place, and Barbara was relentless.

Dianne started cussing and swearing--neither of the older girls had-- and managed to kick Tom in the head. Dianne, though frantic, was obviously far from repentant.

At Barbara's request, Kim held her sister's shoulders down, with her hands wrapped behind her back; Amy took time to replace her panties with a grimace, and then took a strong grip on Dianne's flailing legs. All Tom had to do was keep Dianne from squirming past his knees onto the floor; the women had taken over the rest of the work.

Barbara appeared to be full of righteous indignation on behalf of her husband. Kicking him in the head indeed! And the words Dianne used! (As if she had never heard them before? Ha!)

Barbara might have been driving a fence post with that paddle. Down it came, Whump. Whump. Whump. The panties absorbed part of the sharp smacking sound.

Dianne's foul language was swallowed up in her sobbing, rising shriek. She assured all of them she was very, very sorry. She continued to struggle frantically.

Tom had Barbara pause. Dianne gave a shudder of relief. Tom rolled Dianne's panties down to the base of her bottom. With her back side so high in the air, the panties were now completely out of the way.

"Please continue, until both Kim and Amy are convinced she's been spanked harder than they were."

Oh, no! Not over yet, maybe not over for a long time! "No, please! I'm sure you already paddled me harder than both of them!" Dianne wailed.

Nevertheless, Barbara resumed her task. Each swat was heavy, but gave forth a much sharper Crack! than before. It looked like the panties *had* made a difference.

It only took half a dozen swats on the bare before Amy agreed Dianne had been punished much harder than she had. Kim insisted on a round dozen, which Barbara duly provided.

Dianne leaped up, standing there with both hands on her bottom, trying to keep from hopping up and down from the smarting pain. Neither of the other two had done more than briefly rub their bottoms, but Dianne didn't care at this point if she was acting like an adult or not. Her bottom *hurt*!

After a few moments to calm down and repair the damage to Dianne's face, all agreed the punishment had been adequate all around. None of the three were interested in a repeat performance, and renewed their promises to make things right before the end of the week.

Tom offered to drive the two sisters home. Upon returning to the living room, they found Lisa nonchalantly reading a book! Her wide-eyed look showed she must have heard much of what went on.

Indeed Lisa had heard both Kim and Dianne getting it. Her big sister had red eyes and a face just as puffy, so Amy must have gotten it too. A college senior herself, Lisa obviously had no intention of getting involved in *this* mess. Of course, if her sister ever figured out that Lisa had helped her get caught...

Chapter 9. Wedding Day

Amy's wedding day finally arrived. Kim and Dianne had made their lists, and checked them twice, and Dianne had sought counseling. The desk sergeant had been assured that all three were fully repentant, and was informed of the progress made to date. Because of this progress, all charges against the women had been dropped. Tom's bail money was returned.

Amy had made her list also, but with one thing and another, Tom had not followed up with Amy to see if she had kept her promises to the letter. Actually, Tom and Barbara *had* checked, but they checked with the shopkeeper rather than Amy. They knew Amy had not kept her end of the bargain, but decided not address the problem on her wedding day. They decided to address the problem in far more dramatic fashion.

But now Tom was wondering if he had made a mistake in not pressing the issue, even on her wedding day. Amy was so nervous and tense that she was driving everyone to distraction.

But Tom would *not* have her ruin her own wedding day. They were still at home. Tom called Amy to her room and explained to Amy what she was doing to everyone else. Tom asked Amy to bend over, placing her hands on her own (former) bed, taking care not to wrinkle her wedding dress. The train on her dress was so long, however, that Tom decided not to approach her for fear of stepping on or otherwise scuffing her gown. Tom had been married a long time, and knew his limitations when it came to feminine garments.

Leaving her there a moment, Tom found Barbara and asked her to lift Amy's skirts carefully so as to expose her panties without wrinkling anything. Tom had never seen *those* panties before. Jeff was in for a treat. Pressing on her tailbone, Tom delivered six salutary slaps. Amy just stood there bent over, saying not a word. Those slaps hurt, but not enough to force any tears. The hand prints showed around and even right through Amy's lace panties. This spanking stuff was suddenly getting to be a habit. Amy would be glad to be married and out of the house!

With that reminder, Tom asked Amy to stand up, and Barbara helped her straighten out her skirts. Tom suggested a couple of deep breaths to calm herself.

"Relax and settle down. All the plans have been made; everything's under control. Just enjoy the day, and try to be nice to everyone!"

Amy got the message on the first try. For the remainder of "her" day, she was the gracious and blushing bride.

Chapter 10. Mysterious Wedding Presents

During the wedding reception, Tom and Barbara spoke to Jeff and Amy together. They gave them an envelope (it looked like a standard wedding card) and explained that the card *must* be opened before any of the packages from them. The three packages were numbered, and *must* be opened in order. Each one had instructions to follow before opening the next one, sort of like a treasure hunt. The first package, they pointed out, had the inscription, "read the card before opening this." "The card" was that which they had just been handed.

Tom and Barbara wanted to make this perfectly clear, so there would be no misunderstandings that would ruin the surprises. Did they understand?

Yes, they did. Card first, follow card's instructions. Package marked "First," follow instructions. Then second package and instructions, then third. It was all very mysterious, but they would play along. Should they open the card right away? Yes they could, but they would want plenty of time and privacy when they opened the packages--the packages could easily wait until after their honeymoon trip.

Jeff and Amy discovered the wedding card to be exactly as advertized. It contained the usual best wishes, along with hopes they enjoyed their honeymoon trip (the trip was a joint gift from both Jeff's and Amy's parents).

The card also contained the following note:

The three presents, marked "first," "second," "third" are to be opened in that order. Each will contain a note with instructions or explanation. The intent may well be obvious without recourse to the enclosed note, but each note should make things perfectly clear. If there's any confusion, work things out for yourselves--you're on your own now! Before opening the first package, be sure you have plenty of time before you and no other pressing commitments. Take time to enjoy, discuss, and explore the possibilities! You'll want some privacy, of course--a hotel room just won't do.

After this build-up, Jeff and Amy speculated many times as to what might be in the boxes. They all seemed to be of equal size and weight, and shaking produced no insight. As suggested, they left the boxes home until they returned from their trip.

Chapter 11. The First Mysterious Present

The first box seemed a bit anti-climactic once they opened it. It was wonderful, and its purpose obvious. Hidden among the packing material (weighted to disguise the contents) was an electric-blue "baby doll" night gown with matching silk panties. The promised note read:

Barbara, Lisa, and Jeff's sister picked this out. They are confident, between them, that you will *both* like it. Amy, please change into (only) the attached clothing, privately. Use jewelry and makeup of your choice. Take your time; take a bath if you wish. Don't worry

about leaving Jeff waiting--just so you make it worth his while. Jeff, while Amy is dressing, make sure the room will remain warm enough that she will be comfortable. Give some thought to your task when she returns bearing our gift. When she returns, spend at least twenty minutes having her pose for you according to your instructions, or perform any reasonable task. (Yes, mopping the floor on hands and knees is reasonable in this context.) Look, but don't touch. At your convenience, after the above instructions have been completed, and with this first present still in place, you may open the second package.

Amy kept Jeff waiting over an hour. She knew, from the note, that Jeff would soon be taking advantage of *her*, so she first tried *his* patience. She decided to dress as if going out to a formal dinner (except for the actual clothing). She plaited her hair into an "S" braid, pinning the whole mass on top of her head. That would give Jeff something to occupy him. Jewelry, makeup, perfume were for a formal indoor evening. She decided to cheat a little bit and wear white high-heeled shoes. They felt a little bit different to her--she had never worn them without stockings before.

Amy gave some thought to her Grand Entrance. After keeping Jeff waiting so long, this couldn't exactly be put across as spontaneous. She could walk in and strike a pose, but he was going to make her pose anyway. Okay, she would appear briefly and go do something in the kitchen. Let him come to her. If he didn't, she could make up a snack and some soda. *That* would be a good entrance--bearing something juicy and sweet.

And so it was. Jeff saw Amy just long enough to make his eyes pop out-- and then she was out of sight, in the kitchen. Jeff called out petulantly, "Hey! That's not what the note said! You should be coming out here!"

Amy remained silent, doing something in the kitchen. If she didn't come out soon, he was going in after her. Amy spent another fifteen minutes in the kitchen.

Amy came out bearing a tray of apple slices and warm caramel sauce. With a smile, she spoke. "I thought you might be wanting something warm and sweet, and something tart and juicy."

Jeff laughed. Both newlyweds relaxed a bit. Jeff hardly saw the tray-- both eyes were burning on Amy. "Look but don't touch," the note had specified. Ha!

There was just enough room on the sofa for them to both sit down with the tray between them. Jeff and Amy fed each other. Amazing what one can do with apple slices and caramel. And when Amy leaned *way* over to wipe Jeff's face (with one hand to keep the night gown out of the food) she had to remind him again, firmly, to not touch.

Then Jeff gave a rapid-fire series of instructions, requiring Amy to display herself to advantage. Jeff was obviously liking what he saw, but Amy was feeling a bit put out by the one-sidedness of the adventure. But there were two more packages to open. Surely Mom and Dad would instruct her to even the score?

A few hot minutes later, Amy was just completing her ten "jumping jacks." Jeff had allowed her to first remove her shoes, lest the heels snag on the carpet. Breathing deeply, Amy remarked, "I think I've done everything except stand on my head for you. Can we open the next box now?" Amy, of course, was hoping the next box would allow her to "turn the tables" on Jeff.

At Jeff's startled speculative look, Amy clapped both hands over her mouth in consternation. He wouldn't! Of course he would! In high school, Amy had been fairly good at gymnastics. And Jeff knew that.

Stand on her head she did, her night gown laying on the floor in a ring about her. The thing had seemed so transparent when she was on her feet, but now it completely obscured her vision. And she knew that Jeff knew she could stand on her head for quite some time. My, how she regretted *that* bit of showing off last year!

Even though she could hardly see a thing, Amy was intensely aware of Jeff's close-up appraisal. After a long minute or two, Jeff asked her to keep her hands and head motionless, but bend forward and put her toes on the floor, keeping her knees straight. It wasn't too comfortable, but she could do it. Oh, she would get him back later! The night gown still lay puddled on the floor, obscuring nothing but Amy's arms and eyes.

As Amy was released to stand up, Jeff was unsure whether her red face was entirely due to the time spent upside-down.

Chapter 12. The Second Mysterious Present

Jeff and Amy again sat on the sofa, with the second package between them. Amy had replaced the white formal high-heeled shoes and taken a few minutes to "freshen up" her appearance. Jeff was still fully, but casually, dressed. Next to his elegant wife, he looked something of a slob at the moment. Amy, dressed as she was in the short night gown, looked sexy and vulnerable. Their clothing was so mismatched, it was hard to guess who looked more out of place. Jeff looked the comfortable young husband relaxing at home, and Amy looked the sexy new bride showing off for her husband.

The requirements having been met, the second package was duly opened. Amy was eagerly awaiting her turn to put one over on Jeff. From the outside, all three packages appeared to be identical. What could they have picked out for Jeff that was equivalent the suggestive lingerie she was wearing? Hmm...

The second package had likewise been packed and weighted to disguise its content. Its purpose was rather less obvious, but vaguely suggestive. The package seemed to contain two silk scarves, in a deep red that sharply contrasted with the first "package." The scarves, judging by their color, were obviously meant to go with the night gown in some way. The box contained two notes this time, both sealed in envelopes. One was labeled "Read this note first" and the other was labeled "Follow the instructions in the other note before opening this note." As Tom and Barbara had promised, their expectations were perfectly clear.

Jeff took the two scarves and opened them up. They were identical, long rectangles. Jeff asked, and Amy assured him that she never wore a scarf on her hair. In fact, she didn't even own a scarf. He hadn't thought so.

They opened the first note from the second package. It read:

We hope you'll continue to play along, and we hope you like the game. Take one of the scarves and fold it in half lengthwise, and then fold it again lengthwise. Amy should still be wearing the blue "package," so that the scarf will look its best.

Amy, hold your arms out with your wrists crossed. Be patient while Jeff gets the following instructions worked out. Jeff, take the folded scarf and lay it across Amy's crossed wrists. Bring the ends around so that you have wrapped her wrists once. Pull the scarf snug but not in any way painfully so. If any jewelry is in the way, you may need to remove or adjust it. Now you should be holding one end of the scarf in each hand, pulling up, with the center of the scarf at the top of Amy's wrists. Take the end in your left hand and pass it down between her forearms (through the middle) and bring it up around the outside. That is, it goes over her left forearm and under (and around) her right forearm. Do the same with the other end of the scarf, in the other direction. Both wrappings should be close together, so everything looks like one neat package. Aesthetics are important here. Tie off the scarf with a surgeon's knot as follows: Make an overhand knot, but wrap it around twice, rather than once. Pull it snug, and make sure there's no slack anywhere in the scarf, but don't make things tight enough to cut off circulation. Then make a second overhand knot above the first one, like you would a normal square knot. (We recommend you take a moment to practice tying and untying the scarf at this point. You do *not* want the victim to be able to get loose at the wrong moment, but you'll want to be able to untie the knot in a hurry later on.) You should have enough scarf left over to (fairly loosely) wrap the ends down below her wrists and tie them off with a second square knot. This second knot is so she can't undo things with her teeth. You should have a pocket knife handy (also enclosed, if you haven't found it yet) to release her from the scarf in case of "emergency." Don't worry, silk scarves are easily replaced. Now take another twenty minutes to let Amy (try to) escape from the scarf. Jeff, think of ways to motivate her to *really* try to escape. Again, please take time to explore the possibilities. Amy, if you should escape within twenty minutes, you are to tie Jeff up in the same manner. Continue practicing back and forth until someone can be kept tied for twenty minutes. Jeff, we have confidence you can keep Amy tied the first twenty minutes. Unless you *really* work at it, the silk scarf should leave no marks. Take a break if you need to, but then with Amy well-tied, you may open the second note. Sure enough, there was a small pocket knife hidden in a corner of the packaging. Jeff placed it nearby, with the blade closed.

With such detailed instructions, and Amy's cooperation, Jeff had no trouble binding his wife's wrists together. Jeff took the hint and practiced tying and untying. Now that he understood the concept, he was sure he could make her helpless without any particular cooperation on her part.

But, to comply with the instructions, he retied Amy's wrists in front of her exactly according to instructions. Twenty minutes later, Amy was breathing heavily from exertion, frustrated, and still bound.

With a grin, Jeff handed Amy the second note to open. "Your parents must have some pretty interesting times together. Where do you think they thought all this stuff up? Do you think *they* actually tie each other up?"

Amy had been wondering the same thing. She'd had no idea. She was certainly going to have an interesting chat with her mother the next time they met. Her parents were obviously trying to make a point here, but she wasn't quite sure what it was. She said as much to her husband.

They were both curious about what was to come next, so Amy tore open the envelope. The second note, from the second package, was short. It read:

Try out two or three (at least) ways to use the second scarf, leaving the first scarf, and the first present, in place. Then remove the second scarf, leaving it readily available. Leave the first scarf and the first present in place. Spend a little bit of time getting each other warmed up. You may then open the third package. Amy tried to use the second scarf, but had very little success with her hands tied. She turned it over to Jeff. Jeff, she discovered, was quite up to the task. Amy found the scarf worked well as blindfold, or for binding feet, toes, ankles, or knees, or ankles to thighs, or wrists to ankles. Amy suggested that this was enough; only two or three ways were required. But Jeff was enjoying himself too much! Jeff insisted on tying her wrists behind her neck and having her pose. Then he looped the second scarf around her wrists and tied it around her waist, behind her back. Jeff spent some time taking advantage of her, with her hands immobilized. He found he could achieve the same effect by tying her elbows together behind her, but Amy found that far less comfortable. Jeff then discovered the scarf need not be used for tying, but could be drawn back and forth across sensitive areas.

What with one thing and another, Jeff and Amy were soon qualified to open the third package. Amy was still hoping to turn the tables on Jeff. The first two packages had given her husband the decided advantage.

Chapter 13. Explanation

Jeff and Amy were again sitting on the couch with an unopened package between them. Both newlyweds were now a bit out of breath. Amy's hands lay in her lap, still bound. She looked slightly disheveled, with her hair unpinned, the braid snaking across the front of one shoulder. Both were intensely curious as to the content--and intent--of that package between them. Would it finally be time to put one over on Jeff? Amy was afraid not--she couldn't do a whole lot with her hands bound like that. Jeff opened the package.

The third package contained something wrapped up and labeled "third," something wrapped up and labeled "second," and an envelope labeled "first." The second and third items were in plain brown wrapping paper, like what is often used for boxes sent through the post.

Jeff opened the envelope. The now-to-be-expected note read:

This third package represents somewhat of a change of pace. But first, we're guessing it's time for some explanation. We hope you've played along with us so far. Amy should be still wearing the clothing we presented, and well-bound but not uncomfortable. We trust both of you are warmed up and interested in each other.

Jeff and Amy looked each other over. Yes, the note was quite accurate so far. By unspoken mutual agreement, they read the note out loud, one reading a paragraph and then the other reading the next paragraph. They continued reading:

Since you've just become married, we assume it's worthwhile to carefully spell things out for you. If we are simply restating the obvious, so much the better. Within the context of marriage, you can invent many games, and have a *lot* of fun. If you don't both like the game we showed you, invent another. Thus far, we have placed Jeff in the dominant role. Within the context of fun and games, of course, you may mix and match roles--anything to stimulate your imagination and interest. Marriage takes a lot of work, so we want to show you ways to have a lot of fun, too. Your relationship need never slip into a rut. (Well, it probably *will* slip into a rut now and again, but there are interesting ways to shake each other out of that deadly comfort zone.) Now for the change of pace. The second and third items in this package are to go together. Please store them together some place where you will both see them periodically. Every time you see them, we hope, you will be reminded to act as ever-more-mature adults. Marriage has room for lots of childish play--so indulge--but marriage requires each of you to continually grow in adult maturity. We hope the enclosed items will remind you to put childish ways behind you--but we hope the first two packages have shown you that married life need not all be serious business!

Go ahead and open the second, then the third, items. There is a final note (marked "fourth") tucked in with the third item. Go ahead and open the fourth as soon as the second and third have been unwrapped. Once you have opened the final note, you're on your own.

The notes had all been in Barbara's writing, but it sounded like Tom talking to them. Tom was always so extremely careful to make everything perfectly, painfully, clear. Yes, this evening had been carefully programmed out. But both Jeff and Amy were willing to play along. Things had been fun so far, though a bit naughty. But they were married now, and that kind of naughtiness was now to be encouraged.

Once husband and wife had both read the note, Jeff turned to the second item. They saw no need to reflect on philosophy and deep meaning at this point--packages remained to be opened.