John and Tracy continued to go to the club. It was working. Tracy continued to maintain her adorable figure and John continued to lose the weight. From time to time they would see other members take that fearful trip down to the basement led by one of the beautiful and fit instructors only to emerge sometime later flushed and tearfully rubbing their well heated posteriors.

The couple was careful to make classes because in view of the fact that a miss would be the third within a year, the next "session" in the basement would mean a blistering 25 licks with that hard paddle that hung on the wall. But good intentions don't count for much when you are young and in love and have other things to do. Eventually John and Tracy managed to put together three misses in a row. Thus they were not surprised by the summons they received from no other than the club owner, Victoria Tannen. This was a little unusual, however, because typically, discipline was meted out by the instructor in charge of the last class that they had missed. In this case that would have been Chrissy, a stunning statuesque blonde with a cheerful face and hair that was styled in ringlets that fell to her shoulders. That wasn't good news because despite her cheery demeanor, Chrissy was an avid tennis player with a strong right arm and a no-nonsense lady when it came time to administer a paddling for slacking off.

Thus it was that John and Tracy were not surprised to see Chrissy when they answered the summons in Ms Vicky's office.

"I understand from Chrissy here that you two are down for a little discipline for slacking off again." said Vicky. "Yes ma'am" chimed in Chrissey, and I'm ready to administer it."I do believe its 25 good solid swats with the big paddle this time", she added with an evil grin.

"We both have tried really hard", pleaded Tracy. "Can't we be let off just once?" "Yeah", added John earnestly, "we just got caught up in other stuff"

"'Fraid not kids," said Vicky shaking her head. " If I let you off, everyone will want to plead extenuating circumstances----the whole program will collapse. " But there is another option". "Yes....?" said both John and Tracy hopefully.

"I'm hosting a charity auction for a number of charities and causes that I support. Its a unique affair every year given for a select group who support the same causes that I do. Each year I try to think of some interesting and novel way to auction some things that are donated by benefactors to raise money".

"But what does that have to do with us and our ...er...problem?" said John.

"Well, this year I am not going to auction off things.....rather, I have in mind a kind of 'performance', if you will. I am going to present a series of tableaus or little skits depicting scenes of chastisement for the enjoyment of this somewhat unique crowd. The scenes will be acted out by the instructors on my staff and by club members, such as yourselves, who have sort of landed in hot water and are due for a major discipline session with an instructor. Participating in one of these little skits will square you with the club and as an added incentive you will each get a year's membership free. So, what do you say?"

"Just what kind of 'skits' are you talking about?" said John

"There are several and they will be assigned by lot. For example, if you are female you might have to act the part of a naughty schoolgirl who has been sent to the principal's office. You will be on stage in a little pleated skirt and knee socks, saddle oxfords and a white blouse. Let's say Chrissy is the principal----she is holding the school paddle. What is offered for bid is the number of swats the girl will receive with the paddle. Lets say each swat is two hundred dollars. The bidding begins at three swats and goes up from there, that is assuming that some bidder wants to see our naughty girl get a good paddling. And depending on the implement each stroke could be more expensive or less costly. Obviously a birch rod would command more per stroke than a little paddle or a hairbrush."

"And are these swats on the bare?" asked Tracy.

"My dear, at my auction, and at these prices, yes, bottoms will be bare!"

"Can we talk for a minute?" said Tracy.

"Go right ahead. Step outside and come back when you decide."

"What do you think?" said John when they were alone. "It can't be as bad as a 25 swat paddling down in that room," said Tracy, "and think...a free years membership" "Yeah and at two hundred bucks a lick and up you'd have to bid thousands to get the count up high....lets go for it. Anyway we don't get paddled today if we take the deal." "Ok lets do it...I can't take 25 licks with that paddle today...brrrrrrr" said Tracy.

"Ok", said John, as they walked back in, "we're in"

"Wonderful!" said Vicky, "and just remember, the brief pain and embarrassment will all be for a good cause. You two are plucky kids, you can handle it."

On the way out Chrissy pulled John aside. "I'm disappointed that I didn't get to paddle your cute butt today" she said chuckling," but I'm a stern governess in one of the scenes and I get to pull a naughty boy across my knee and spank his bare toddyside with a hairbrush. I hope it's you and I hope the bidding is hot and heavy". She gave him a pat on the bottom and a wink and turned and walked away.

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Two weeks before the event all the participants were called together in Vicky's office. There were the club's staff including Chrissy and Sandra, and 8 club members who, now that the day of reckoning was fast approaching, looked a little glum. Vicky, however was as cheerful as could be.

"Well, I'm excited. I know we're going to have a great event and raise lots of money for charity! Now we are here today to draw lots for the skits and to measure everyone for costumes. Our staff already have their assigned roles so after today you will know who is going to 'do' you, so to speak. Now each of you draw one slip of paper from this bowl, please."

Nervously, each member stepped up and drew a slip. The slip contained a brief description of the scene and the implement of correction. Matt, a sandy haired young man drew a stable scene with the riding mistress in command. He was to be bent over a trestle to receive the riding crop. Jane, a pretty and slender young woman with long straight chestnut brown hair would be tied to a whipping post and given the martinet in a medieval type of motif. Mary, a slightly plump strawberry blonde was down for a prison strapping. Tina, a redhead with athletic legs and a prominent ass would be birched in the pillory. Jim, a slightly juvenile-looking young man would get the school paddle.

By contrast, John and Tracy got off lightly, or so they thought. Tracy was to be a naughty daughter due for a spanking with a novelty store paddle from a 50's mom to be played by Carol, a sandy haired 30ish woman who looked the part of a June Cleaver type. John drew Chrissy and her hairbrush, to be administered by a Victorian governess to her charge for persistent misbehavior.

Chrissy grinned openly at John and Carol gave Tracy a wink. When everyone had been measured for costumes, the meeting ended. "Be at my residence at 6:00pm on the 17th," admonished Vicky, "and don't be late!"

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For the unfortunate club members the two weeks had gone by all to swiftly and they found themselves at what turned out to be a mansion that was the home of Victoria Tannen on the appointed Saturday night. John and Tracy had marveled at the house as they drove up. It was a stately manor, well out of town, at the end of a long driveway and out of sight of the main road. A large hall was set up with buffet tables covered with food at one end and a raised stage with a curtain at the other. Next to the stage was a podium where Victoria herself would hold forth as the mistress of ceremonies. There was a door behind the stage where props could be brought on and off stage.

Tracy and John and the others were dispatched to upstairs bedrooms to dress. John's costume turned out to be highly embarrassing. It was a little boy's sailor suit with short pants that were a bit tight, and white knee socks. Tracy wore tight 50's style pedal pushers that displayed her cute hiney to perfection. "My, but you're cute "said Tracy with a laugh. "You won't think its so cute when your tail is getting spanked", growled John. "Oh don't be such a baby," said Tracy," it's for a good cause. Did you see those people downstairs? I've never seen such gowns and jewelry. These people must be loaded!" "Yes and that worries me. They have money to burn and what they will burn it with is our rear ends!"

The participants were assembled in the room behind the stage. Everyone was in costume. John especially noted Chrissy in her long governess dress and crisp white blouse. She was holding a wide oval shaped flat-backed hairbrush.

"Hello, John", she said, meaningfully tapping the hairbrush on her palm. "I understand you've been a bad boy," she laughed , "and in such an adorable outfit too. I just know the female patrons are going to bid like crazy when they see your cute buns in that sailor suit. And when the bidding is done I'm going to peel down those little shorts, put you over my knee and give you the tanning of your young life."

John could only gaze at the stern vision of loveliness presented by Chrissy and gulp shamefacedly while his hand crept back absently rubbing his bottom. At the same time he became aware of a tightening in the front of his shorts that he hoped was not noticeable.

Meanwhile Carol approached Tracy and said," My but aren't you the bratty teenager tonight? I can't wait to get you over mama's lap and tan your little fanny with mama's paddle. See", she said brandishing the little paddle, " it says 'for the cute little dear with the bare behind'. That's you". Tracy just stuck out her tongue, getting into her role. "OOH...just you wait young lady", laughed Carol. But then she said more seriously, "you know, we are going to have to give these folks their money's worth. I have to make it real-we all do. No hard feelings?" Tracy shook her head, OK, but she wore a grimace.

The place was beginning to fill with people dressed in expensive evening wear mixed with younger men and women in costumes that mimicked those worn by the "condemned" backstage. Later John and Tracy would notice that some of these in costume were other club members.

The richly dressed crowd was milling around the bar and buffet when Vicky took the podium.

"Attention everyone, we are ready to start. This year we have a very unusual treat for you. I know you are all staunch Republicans and church-goers so I know you have a special interest in retribution . So tonight The Health Club presents some very naughty members of our club who need to atone for their misdeeds. And it is you my dear patrons who will decide their fate. Each of these young men and ladies have been paired with an instructor at my club. Each pair has been dressed and equipped to enact a scene of well deserved chastisement. But how severely will each be punished? That is what you will decide. You will bid against each other to determine the number of strokes, licks , spanks or lashes each of these naughty lads and lassies will get. The dollar amount of each one will be based on the severity of the implement. So, lets get started. The winning bidder will be entitled to sit in this chair or stand if they wish, right in front of the stage to closely observe."

A hush fell on the crowd as Vicky continued: "First up is Mary, a prisoner at the Badham County Women's Farm. It seems that Mary has tried several times to escape." The curtain opened to reveal Mary in tight denim and a work shirt knotted under her ample breasts standing by a T-bar which is a padded cylinder on a post at hip height, and Marcy, a tall brunette in an abbreviated "prison guard" outfit standing behind her holding a leather strap. "I think what we have here is a failure to communicate " said Vicky. "We call the strap that Marcy is holding 'the persuader' . We are going to pull down Mary's jeans, bend her over that bar. So how many licks with 'the persuader does she get? Each lick will be priced at $300. What am I bid?"

"$900" shouted a voice from the back. "$1200" countered another "Am I bid $1500?" said Vicky. "$1500" said a wealthy looking silver haired gentleman.

The bidding continued until it reached the outrageous price of $2700.Poor Mary was in for 9 licks of the heavy strap. There was cheering and applause as the winner came up to the podium. Vicky turned to Marcy. " Deputy, carry out the sentence".

"Allright, Mary," she drawled like a Southern sheriff, "drop those britches and get over the bar."

Nervously, Mary skinned down her tight denims and bent over the bar, causing her ample bottom to bulge obscenely. A pair of brawny "attendants" fastened her hands to a ring at the bottom of the bar and tightened a strap behind her knees. Marcy stepped up behind Mary and peeled down her panties to reveal a full, fleshy bottom. Taking her position to Mary's left, Marcy hefted the strap and brought it down with a loud CRACK! that caused a distinct ripple in the proffered hind cheeks and left a band of red. Mary howled. Another CRACK! a few seconds later had the same effect. Marcy was an excellent whipper, taking her time to deliver each stroke that landed flat against the crowns of Mary's bottom. The crowd was strangely silent as for the next few minutes the strap smacked the wobbling rear cheeks and Mary yeowled in pain. As the ninth stroke was delivered the crowd broke into cheers and applause. Mary was released and stood furiously rubbing her rear while to the delight of the crowd Marcy took a bow. Once Mary had regained her pants Marcy tucked the strap under her arm and taking Mary by the hand , led her from the stage.

The next participants were Matt, as a negligent stable boy and Amanda as a severe riding mistress. Amanda was dressed in jodphurs and black knee high boots. Matt was bent over a trestle, his pants removed and given 11 sizzling licks with a riding crop which had gone for $350 a piece. Once again the crowd turned silent for the SWISSH.....CRACK! of the crop and Matt's yells of distress.

Following Amanda and Matt were Tina and Sandra. Sandra was a puritan garbed town beadle and Tina was a maid sentenced to the birch for failing to attend church. A pillory was wheeled on stage to set the scene. Prior to the bidding Tina was stripped down to a short camisole and white bloomers that fit snugly, outlining her delicious figure. The birch also went for $350 a stroke, but the crowd was getting loosened up now and a wealthy looking matron drove the bidding to 12 strokes--$4200. Tina let out an anguished "nooo..." as the "sentence" was pronounced: "For failure to properly attend the Lord's Day ye shall be locked in the pillory and given 12 strokes of the birch rod upon your naked bottom", intoned Vicky solemnly. This time the crowd cheered as Tina was fastened into the pillory and her bloomers lowered to her knees. The birch was a freshly cut bundle of thin willow switches bound in twine. Sandra took up the birch and swishing it once or twice delivered a full swipe to Tina's quivering hiney. Tina let out a screech as the rod swished and thwacked against her nubile fanny. Each stroke was given in a slow and deliberate cadence. SWISSSH......THWACKKK! SWISSHHH.......THWACKK! Locked in the pillory, Tina could only wiggle her bottom lewdly in a vain attempt to alleviate the burning sting. For the audience it was an utterly captivating sight: an ancient pillory holding an attractive 22 year old redhead, her bloomers around her ankles, voluptuous nude bottom jutting out as a result of her bent-over posture, and a tall amazonian redhaired "beadle" swishing the birch against her defenseless rear. When the 12th stroke had been administered, Tina's buttocks were a hot shade of red. The yoke of the pillory was lifted and a tearful Tina was allowed to rise. Tina was escorted off the stage by both Sandra and the attractive matron who had paid to have her whipped.

But still to come were John and Tracy.......