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Fundamentals
"John, you shouldn't be up. The doctor said to take it easy, no stress, and keep off your feet."
John frowned as he stood up. "That was weeks ago. I'm not so old I can't heal, Anna. If I don't get some exercise I'm going to wither away. Besides, we have a full schedule today and it's time to get started." He sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up one of his boots.
Anna bit her lip, looking worried. "Well, if you feel up to it. I'll drive though. You don't need the aggravation."
John dropped his boot on the floor. The unexpected thump made Anna turn around to face him. "Is something wrong? Can I…"
"Yes there is something wrong. Come here Anna, stand right there." He pointed to a spot on the floor. "Now, you stay there, don't say a word, and listen to me. Am I clear?"
Anna heard the steel in his seemingly calm tone. She cut off her response and did as he ordered.
"I think a review of a few fundamentals is in order." He leaned back and folded his arms. "Strip. Right now, everything, throw the clothes anywhere, but get them off right now. I don't want to see you wearing anything but what you were born with."
Hesitant and puzzled Anna started slowly to unbutton her blouse but sped up quickly when she saw the clouded look on his face.
"On the floor. Kneel before your master. Hands behind your neck, back straight, head up, knees wide, you remember."
It had been a while but old habits can come back with surprising speed. Anna knelt down, never taking her eyes off him, and sat back on her heels. Chin up, and fingers laced together behind her head she stared at John. She spread her knees as far as she could, exposing herself to his unrestricted inspection.
"Good, at least you remembered something. Now listen to me. This is how it is going to be today. When we finish you will get dressed. I will drive us to the clinic, where you will make a sincere apology to the nurse who helped save my life. After that, and assuming I'm convinced you were sincere, we will go to the Records building, where we will renew the ownership agreement. It will be the last time, because this one will be permanent, without any conditions or limitations. You will sign it as is, without any modification. You will not read it.
"If you don't apologize to my satisfaction we will not be going to Records. Instead I will put you in the car, in the trunk if need be, and drive directly to the gates of the Facility. There I will turn you over to them for an indefinite period based on a complaint of willful disobedience. You know what that means."
It felt like a cold icy hand had grabbed her heart. Anna couldn't breathe. Willful disobedience, that's about as bad as it can be. She studied his face for any sign he was joking. John would never be a poker player, because he could not bluff. Anna could see it now. She could very well be an inmate at the Facility by nightfall, and no fixed length to her sentence. Disobedience suspended the expiration on the existing agreement; they could keep her for years.
"Yes, sir" was all she could manage to say.
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