Kehshathria Chapter Thirty

Kehshathria Chapter Thirty



                                    ***Jerry***


                              Thursday went by in a sullen mood.  The air was dead. Diana worried about if George was  going to sell her out. She kept with the meditation orders, didn't clean that corner, didn't clean the coffee pot and so forth.  George seemed to have a grip on his situation, and pretended that this was a normal day. And it was, except the  air was void of connection between each of us.   Mistress was again off before dawn.

                           I lingered over my breakfast this morning, and I maintained the flaws I had systematically set  during each day of the week.  George, now finally able to stand was catching a bit of fates hell trying to maintain the lawn.  He was grumbly, then mute most often in deep thought. And I let him go again with a deep exhale. As I did, I noticed that I had just finished dusting the chandelier.  I was three steps away when I cursed about it. Well consider that my flaw of the day Mistress. I chuckle to myself and go about my work.

                         When she inspected all was good, but she said to me "Jerry one of your flaws is missing." I replied "It was always there I just forgot Mistress." and she smiled at me and laid her hand on my shoulder and said "Well done, now serve the dinner." 

                         "Mistress, I am starting to wonder if you are trying to leave us.  You haven't eaten breakfast with us all week.  Things aren't the same."    We tried to engage her in chat but she simply said she was preparing an event at the school, some visiting dignitaries.  There was also a new class of Reform Students that needed accommodations planed for.  She did look exhausted. 


                                       *** George****
         Right after Reformer left for the school I was tracking my way thru the fence like over growth of her back side yard, to an abandoned house about two streets over form Us.  I had been at this task for a couple months now and I started to wonder why I was not getting any comeuppance from Diana for this. She's been writing to her sister and I have been taking all the risk. And did she offer any help while I was being humiliated?  I scoff to myself while gassing the lawn mower.

         Seems to me... I mean why am I doing this for her anyway? My thoughts meander. Because she flattered me? Because I wanted to challenge the house and Carol? Well guess what,  I know damned well what I am doing will get me whipped if not screw everything up. But on the other hand, being skilled at evasion could be useful in some later situation. Who am I kidding, Reformer already knows, the house told her. But she hasn't told me, so there is a purpose to keep doing it.

        Maybe that is the flaw in my daily work. I made sure to inspect the hedge when I returned, wondering if perhaps I had even been careless and had it ever looked trodden? The edges of my consciousness darkening with realization that I was trapped in certain paranoia, and I needed to share the burden with D.


        She started to beam as she viewed the new letter in my hand and I felt the pride in the task diminish.  She noticed and asked me what has changed? I jeered that there ought to be fresh pies for every letter day while I brushed past her.


        
        

                                      ****Jerry****

                        We ate in relative silence, we cleaned up, we watched a little T.V.   At some point it was like the air turned back on. I saw MsC, suddenly look at D, and then to G.  During commercial she paused the TV.  " I have just thought of a game, George. I have found an opportunity to give you a training exercise.  And Diana you will be involved too.  I have a riddle to solve.
                        " The trouble with mental telepathy is that I can only hear distressed thought, lucid thought and questions. The only place your thoughts are absolutely private is in your bedrooms, by design of Peter.  I don't hear day dreams, or reasoning, or worry. That should be a little help full tid bit you might consider for the game. "  They glance at each other, and assume defensive postures while MsC continued.
                     " You might well wonder what  I have been hearing.  Just a moment ago, I heard Diana think. "what if he tells."   And I am saying Don't tell. Please don't tell. If you do the consequences will backfire both ways.  You see George has to learn he will not have the advantage to manipulate you,  and you need deal with yourself.  George  you have a secret, and you must protect it, I want that secret from you, but it will cost you double what ever is justice for Diana. And I am about to unleash hell upon you , that will not let up until you confess.   Diana if you confess, he gets half of what is justice for you, and you get to join him in hell. "

               George's eyes dart back and forth and he intelligently asked, ' and if no one confesses Reformer?"  And she replied. " That seldom happens. But then Diana can consider herself forgiven. So that she has an interest in you not telling. Try pondering the possible backfires a while longer, boy."

                Our evening passed more slowly and no retreat was given to either one to retire early. This ordeal I thought was particularly evil but I kept my mouth shut, I mean if D did something wrong then MsC can handle it any, but to use it against G for trying to use it against her, was it so wrong in a good way or just wrong? 
  
                Then there was Friday. The morning quiet, the Mistress gone early,  the other two up and alert with me which was practically to the reverberation of MsC's baracuuda peeling out.
At some point D asked G what was was gonna do;  and he told her try putting it out of her mind. He went on explaining how there is no trouble at all for her. MsC turned it all around on him. She protested that was only if he could take it.  G winked at her and said you have nothing to worry about tonight D, I really shouldn't have tried it anyway. I was just pissed off, but not anymore.
"You where going to use me?" she asked stunned. He ruefully nodded.  "I thought I would be able to solicit you for help with my work. Heaven knows why I am telling you this except, that I am not going to do that anymore. I don't want to see you get punished for ...it.  I am sorry, Diana."  Then she smiled slightly and we ate in acquaintanceship. 

               The list was the same. We went about our details. D and G maintained the set standard of the week. I felt differently, so I did nothing but polish a decorative plate from the dinning room, and lounge around. Come inspection time MsC said everything was good with them but she pointed out my perfect plate. I picked it up and told her " No Mistress, it was not flawless until you looked at it. Now..." and I dropped it.  She grinned at me with her eyes sparkling, and said "Sir, you are invited to my den.  You two serve dinner while we're out.

                                ****George****

                Jerry has not really had anything to say to me since , well since my story. His eyes have turned grey on me and I miss him more than I thought I would. I am more sorry that I thought I would be, here watching mutely as our friendship fades.  It was my fault. I made him a liar. When he was always so much better at life that I was. Before all this.... insanity.

              They really should not have put us in together. They really should have seen his innocence. The innocence that I see now as he stepped away from the broken plate, and now steps away to the unknown den. I love my friend but I was a bad friend.  

              "Jerry" I spurt , he turned his head toward me before following her into the den." I apologize  that I dragged you down."  He shot me an asymmetrical grimace, "You didn't take me any where I didn't want to go, man."  "Forgive me for making it fun then."  I said. 




                            ***Jerry***

             Her den was dark oak paneling and wood furniture inter mediated by a double picture window,  a deep green rug,  a red desk blotter set, a high backed executive desk chair, and two low backed coordinated pieces in front of the L-Model executive office desk.  There where many law books and manuals, and general curriculum books lining the shelves, and there was the old slate grey filing cabinet.
                        
             She pulled my file out of the cabinet, and my stomach trimmered, she made an entry then spoke. " Jerry you are released today. Tomorrow I will have your transport arrangements organized and have this officiated. "  "May I speak?"  I timidly asked, she smiled "Of course you may, Jerry."   I continued, telling her about my plan to go to the local school. "Would I be able to stay here a while till I get my self set up?"

 
             "It is somewhat unprecedented but I can serve as a half way point. But you will not be permitted to interfere with the others. You are a free-man, things change. If you feel the need to talk with me about anything that concerns them you must ask to conference in the den. You may have general conversation but you may not advise them. It would  be a professional courtesy. I will have the funds allotted for your travel and start up allotment converted to you tomorrow afternoon.  You can apply it to the school you choose." And she blushed at me, apologizing for still giving orders.

Then she went to a  locked cabinet in the wall and handed me a small jar of  ointment, and sat back down.

        " You are no longer in reformation,  your fate is no longer decided by anyone else. And your scars are your choice."

            She shook my hand and we went into the dinning room together.  

 
            D and G kneel and stand and Mistress...I mean Carol announces my parole, and as a free-man they where to kneel to me when I enter a room where they are an no other time. 

 
           And we ate, I was a guest and when I did settle to sleep I intended to get started in the morning, learning what being free for myself was gonna be about.


            
               
             

              



              




                        

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Nine





                                                  *** Jerry***


                      While G went upstairs to clean up and dress, D and MsC went back to the kitchen, I could smell that Popcorn was in the works.  I stole a moment to grab a smoke in my car.

                    My brain was tired, my emotions hurt.  Sitting before me was the realisation that George was not my friend, but I somehow I still cared about him. I still counted our times together as the good ole days. But I also realised that those days where stolen by him, or worse.  I just didn't know what I was giving away.  I somehow let George go. I started making plans for when I was released.  I didn't want to be shipped back to my hometown.  I didn't want to go back to my father fresh from prison still needing a job, still needing a diploma, still not much removed from messing around with ...'that george guy' . 

                  In fact the more I thought of it the more ashamed I became of going home. And I made a goal this when I am ready. All I want is to write a letter to my parents so they wont worry that I am still  screwing up.  There was a very nice college about 30 miles away from here that takes boarders, and I'd be able to get my science degree there.  I am 19 now, by next year, I could be finished, if I worked twice as hard. And the degree would give me better rank and choice of military job placement.

               But then if I haven't much time left to graduation, they might let me sign a student waver to put off my military service.   Then I'll go and see about some kind of instructor work  so I can go straight onto  Science Professor after service.   I will be 25.  Sure my folks won't see me for another 5 years.  But I have lost time to recover.  And then George will have five years to get his shit straight.  Maybe then I can see him, see who he is. But not right now.

             I slowly gather my thoughts in and join George in the living room as 'the snail' rolled opening credits, and 'the girls' where still in the kitchen about to join us. We stood. we knelt, we sat, we watched and George looked intimidated and frustrated, but he was quiet.

            See tonight's episode opened upon a salt and pepper haired gentleman, surround by  his family at a picnic. Kids running around, a child identified as a cousin marched up to the man tugging along a younger boy identified as the man's son. " Uncle Frank,  Josh doesn't believe me. I told him that you did time. You did didn't you?"  The boy accused, proud that he won some measure of power.  Frank took the boys to sit under a tree.  " Bobby, It is not your place to tell secrets. But if you want to know about it. Yes, Josh I did serve time when I was 17. It was a long time ago, in 1949.  I am  convicted of robbery, and accessory to murder."  The boys sat back stunned.  Josh started to cry in confused shame.  Uncle Frank continued. "Hey now. I didn't kill anyone, but if I was not there, the Old man would have lived.

          I had a friend, Ruby.  He was a tough guy, I was also tough  it was a rough time. Jobs hard to come by, didn't much care about anything important.  We where thugs, and one night as we where robbing a random house we where startled by an elderly couple. The woman was frightened and clung to her door frame with the telephone, while the old man took after Ruby with a bat down the hall.  I was on the far end of the hall, the old lady was feet from me. I was stunned, I shakily set the stereo down and held my hands out.  I wasn't going to rough up an old lady.  I started to try to escape anyway and inch toward her, scurrying along the far wall.  She let out a whimper, and I said I just want to get out of here.  But the small sound from her mouth made the old man hesitate. He had landed a powerful blow to Ruby's right shoulder, and was rearing back to deliver a finishing touch, but he hesitated, and Ruby tackled him against the wall ,wrested the bat from the old man and drove a strike to his chest. 

        The lady shrieked and ran to her man as we bolted down the stairs and out the door. We made it home, and hide for three days.  But the woman remembered my face well. And they came for us. Oh boy," the man laughed as another cousin settled into the  shade of the tree. 

        "Master Peter Gregg, when you are capable of speaking,  are the first and last words out of your face.  " Announced a raven haired man of 29 years as we where delivered to his front door, which was at the end of a long hall.  Ruby sneered and we both where punched in the stomachs and  then pounded down to the floor with a blow between our shoulders. " That is the position you will assume until I deem you worthy enough to stand. And trust me boys are are far from worthy.
Welcome to hell. "  The man backed up  to look over our files. He didn't even know what we where in for yet, and boy neither did we.  Ruby kicked in his foot and pushed a lunge tackle at the man, who clotheslined him and picked him up by his throat and chin. "Ruby, is it?  You killed that old man, you son of a bitch. I don't think that was very nice.  And you are attacking your Reformer. I don't think that is very smart, Ruby.  See, you need to remember that I am authorised to use lethal force should I feel threatened.  Ruby should I?  Feel threatened?"  And he tensed his grip, milking the color from Ruby's face. "master peter g'g regg no threat mas-ssssttt   ptter Gg....uhg" As the man tossed him down, and  told him to get back in place next to me. 

           And Master Gregg spent the next month running us, drilling us, we hardly got sleep.  We paid day in and day out for the life of the old man. One day we where scrubbing the third floor with a bucket and tooth brushes, it was  master's chamber.  He had us drag sleeping bags up there, said we weren't worthy of bedrooms yet. We heard his summoning bell chime this meant that we had 20 seconds to crawl  down to him, or it was 20 lashes and  10 more for each second after. 
         We thudded simultaneously on our hands and knees at the foot of the front stairs, where Master Gregg had just invited a Girl Scout child into the foyer.  Our heads where especially ashamed, palmed planted into the floor.  He started speaking.
        " As I was telling you Miss, I knew two persons who would be very interested in your story. Would you do them the honer?"  The young girl wide eyes took in the sight of us, and stared up into the face of Master Gregg with shock. He smiled at her and stood with his arms crossed and motioned with a hand for her to address us.  She became a bit prouder, and adjusted her merit ribbon infested brown sash.
       "Our local troop has heard about the devastation of the Jenkins Couple of Fairmount Abbey. A charity chain was started in their local chapter 889 because after the Old man Died of heart attack while fending off two burglars. With him dead,  Mrs Jenkins is about to lose the mortgage on her house.  And there  is no where for her to go and be able to support herself without his income.  So the troop decided to do a charity drive to see if we could gather enough in money donations and donations of good saleable items, that we might reach our goal of setting Mrs Jenkins up for life.  We estimate that we need at least 60 to 100,000 dollars.  The idea went viral and all the troops  in the tri-state area that I know of are participating.   I am with troop 335 and that is what I am doing now.  Going door to door, giving  out flyers, and seeking  help.  The ladies at the axillary are organising raffles and social events  to honer the drive if anyone is interested the number is on the flyer." and she nervously curtsied and stepped back, gazing up at Master Gregg.
           He winked her her then addressed us.  "Isn't that interesting boys? Are either one of you  desiring to make donations to this cause?"  And it was at the point that I cracked, children, I suddenly felt every emotion I ever knew of guilt for my life.  I realised the consequences for my stupidity where more than I could bear and I dropped  prostrate on the floor weeping.  Ruby wobbled stoically and drew his shoulders tight and flat, grunting ' I thought I was donating already.'   Master Gregg sneered at him, muttering 'indeed you are, and that severely.' but the bent himself down and laid his hand on my shoulder softly. "Frank, you are worthy to chose a room and to stand.  But first I want you to give this young lady a good donation of  anything you see fit in my house.  And you might as well fill her cart up and help her carry it down to the axillary, I am going to need some time alone with your friend. You my rise, Frank." 
          And so I did, and serving time when a whole lot smoother for me than Ruby. And I learned a valuable lesson about the friends you choose, and the friends you keep. "

        

         ..... and the television faded to black and we all retired for the night.


      




       

        
  




           

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Eight




                                    ***Jerry***

                                On Wednesday the note just said "Maintain former instruction." I gave a roll of my eyes, and made the coffee too strong.  Mistress left before 4 am again.  I wondered about what she had to do so early at the school.
Then I thought to myself, ' wonder if 'former instruction' means do the flaw thing, or get back on track, or maintain the flaws we made yesterday?'  

                             To remind myself of a normal home, I remember Master Robert ran his home like a coach on steroids. When he introduced himself to me I knelt.When he spoke I just listened. He was a good man, and by and by I worked more as a Butler/servant for him and his wife. they where both  in their late 40s, and never had children.   I missed George, but I was also happy about being away from him at the same time.  Rob encouraged me to study. And I was settled and happy within weeks.   I seldom got in trouble there, until six months in,  the powers that be put George back with me.   I mean, at first it was good times.  Just like when we where kids. We hung out , he gave me attention. Master Robert was a man of action not affections, very stern. But George and I had fun and that was nice.  But I just don't see it anymore , now.

                           I was 15 that summer when George had an idea brewing under the facade of  our garage auto shop.  He was angling for a particular "client".  We hid the car, claimed it was stolen from the shop and got the auto insurance and the business insurance to pay out.  Some kid that knew the "client" remembered seeing the car being towed out of town, and it wasn't long before the cops arrested us from my dad's living room.  Tried and convicted of accessory to commit grand larceny, four years reform.   I was terrified.  George was stone faced, and cock sure. I was not. I needed George, but I ...  resented him.  

                      I was going to save up the money we earned and use it toward my college.  I wanted to be a Science teacher.  And now I was  sitting in a cold grey cell, being medically examined, and passed on to the next cell where I was psychologically evaluated, and a next cell to be  interviewed about the Reformee Placement procedure.  George was my last bit of normal, now that my world had flipped upside down.  I... I forgot that I was ever a boy who chased a dieing duck.       

                     Diana came shuffling in.  We didn't have happy faces this morning.  " I hoped she wasn't going to say anything about it?" Diana muttered out loud, drawing my curiosity. She looked at me. "I mean we where having a talk in the car when I slipped up and was all 'wow' about him becoming an investigator. In a way isn't this back lash my fault?" She rued.
                    "Don't blame yourself D, he started it himself. She even gave him time to think himself over when she told him to play a guessing game.  Woman's crafty, it is more like you telling her was a que for Carol to work on the problem at hand."
                    " Jerry, you sound like you know Mistress pretty good.  But she's gone insane just a bit don't you think?  Tormenting him? I mean things around here where settled and life was good, now she is going after him hard. I don't like it."  I let myself laugh at the young Diana. 
                   " Well look at it like this, you know you will be going to military service, right? So you will have to go through training camp. You think they will play nice?  Mistress Carol has to intensify on George, because he needs to build physical and mental endurance.  You can build your own up just by observing  what is going on between them."
                 " Jerry, I think your stoned, but I guess so. But isn't she purposely trying to intimidate us by not taking their business to the chamber?  Why do I have to watch him crawl around?"
                 "I am thinking, I mean for myself anyway, That no matter how I may feel threatened, George is the one taking it.   A. Her attention is divided away from us. Which mean we are doing well.   B. It is worse for him.  C. She is his reformer.  And I think we just have to try to make sure we keep out of trouble. I don't mean to sound hard but, I think he is getting what he deserves now. And it is just a taste of what he's getting himself into. "    And we served breakfast, George was very slow coming with his thump-slighter decent of the front stairs he didn't join us for breakfast. 
                 We sat in the kitchen literally holding our breath, as we listened to the front door struggle open and slam shut.  Then we saw him five minits later crawling  underwear clad into the shed to get window washing equipment.  The sight of it was unproud.  He was a well build boy not hairy, besides hair doesn't grow on scars, his back was crossed with over 100 old streaks ,and he kept his stomach and legs toned and well cut.  The remains of  last night stained them nearly down to his knees.  Yet he struggled to drag the pail, squiggy,  soap, towels and some tape and poles, to the front yard where the water hose was.
               "Did he hear us?" She whispered. I reached out my mind, and told her no. George was on his own trip today.  He didn't feel right to me today. And we went on our chores in silence.

               The windows on the first floor had billowing streak marks that reached the grand height of less than half of the bottom pane.  That took him clear until lunch, which he joined us for.

              "Hows that working out for you G" Diana could barely help herself, as she spyed his tired slumped frame devour his lunch. He shot her a sharp cold glare, which set her back.
              "I didn't think it would be you D. Jerry is the one I thought would have something smart to say, but not you. After all that we have been thru, you know."  She started to stammer. And I smelt his manipulation and watched her iris' narrow.  And his digestion seemed to improve. And I .... think I hated him.  
            " So that's how it is going to be George, you catch a little hell and then you start to fink out? I don't know what you have on Diana but it has nothing to do with what is going on with you." I defended her.  He looked defensively in my general direction. "Hey, I am just saying that I didn't think it she would have made the remark.  Why are you so touchy anyway?"  He lied.

    ' He's a fucking liar. But he wasn't always.  Well we used to talk about everything, I knew his darkest secrets, he knew me.  We laughed, we worked together, we drank together.  He wasn't always like this. I swear. The George I knew, is not this George. That George was  my brother.  This George was a liar.  And my mind twisted and churned and I spent the rest of my day rearranging the living room not much giving a damn about making flaws.

      Mistress came home as usual, and inspected as usual, and we ate dinner, she told us our work was good and let George recover.  There was an interesting episode of "the lives and times of the snail"
            
               
               
              






                  





                       

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Seven

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Seven



                                      

                                          ***Jerry***


                            Tuesday Morning the note read " Try again today and if George walks down those stairs he is to strip to his underwear."  And I waited to see what was going to happen, and cooked breakfast.


                                       ***George***

                           I pondered all night over leaving a flaw. I am not sure why, perhaps it was to avoid thinking about......I am not reformed but close.  How would she know really any way? But I settle myself on the value of her integrity.  I mean she has a point or two about the types of people I will be dealing with. The types of situations. 

                        Imagine, going into into a Reformer's home and suppose I have a mock up that I am a stuttering manic depressive  35 year old, whose crime was aggravated assault of an officer during a bungled armed robbery. Whamo, three years time.   I will have to be that person, at least until I secured evidence of  abuse or incompetence.

                       Or if the home investigation reveals no malpractice after a certain time frame unknown to myself the state will send for a transfer.  Which sometimes happens for varying reasons that do not concern the reformer.   I will have to study personality profiles and confrontational techniques.  I begin to drool over the possibilities to save the day.  But of course I most likely won't be going to homes like Carol's.  It will be homes like MsT. And worse homes. Homes of conniving bastards.  Where if I break I may die. 

                       If I ever act out of character with even the fellow prisoner, I would be found out.  there could be no slips, no flaws.  She's right it is time to be more serious, cause frankly MsT was child's play.  * I grin to myself*

                    And so what's this shit now? My head can't be above her knee?  She thinks going hard core is gonna break me. I been to Rob's house, I can do hard core.   I raise up to get dressed for today, and walk down the back stairs to the kitchen.

                    Greeted with snickers from Diana.

                    "No fucking way." I protest, slamming my knee into the table as I scooted my chair in to eat. 
                    " Don't be an idiot, you know that will get you no where fast."
                    " I don't care."  And I told everyone to shut up and let me just regroup myself.
                    " Gawd knows it George, just do it no big deal. Don't make her take TV again tonight." D whined in my general direction. "Fuck your TV, D" I bit my tongue as I spoke. " I am not going around in my underwear,  god be begged, I have to mow the lawn today! What, on my hands and knees too?  What the....freak!"
                  " He's got a point Diana with that image in our heads, who needs TV tonight?" Jerry mocked.   But in the end learning the lesson seemed better to me than going to chamber. 


                             *** Jerry***

                   
                       Diana played the 'do my normal work', card, but made notice of the flaws. Some where inside the item, like the bread was stale, that we had for toast. And others where missed details like she didn't sweep the corner of the floor as well as the rest. Diana didn't go about on purpose to make flaws she just looked for the natural ones.  George's work was hideous.  He was scuffed and bug mauled, sore and the lawn was a patchwork of errors.

                     And I just went haphazardly about, nearly artistically , I left a creases undone in the curtains,  I actually did forget to dust the Chandler, and I left the books on the shelves nonuniform and dusted them without taking them of the shelf.  I knew I might not be quite right, but I also knew that resting on my job was not an option.  And I hated it.  I could spot the screw ups instantly.  Like big sore thumbs mocking me. Just before her arrival I found myself gently correcting the flaws, or moving them around... 'No,  not this book but let's tilt the light shade instead.'   We lined up in the foyer, George on hands and knees waiting, he had also cleaned himself up.


                   The car's engine purred to a halt out side. She entered.  She asked Diana to show her what she had done. And remarked that this was good.  In the dinning room,  she told me to work on it.  Just that much information but  to George  she had more to say in the living room.

                  " George do I possess my knees at all times? Silly question I know, but I just  can't think of any good reason you would start your day in disobedience, except that you forgot that I had knees all of the time.  They are approximately 2 feet from the floor.  George, how high is the bath tub?  Do you begin to see where this is leading young man? Speak your mind." And she paused. Georges red face hanging between his shoulders, he rested himself back on his calves, and propt his head up on his bended arms. 

                  " Yes Reformer. But in my defence I did assume you meant only in your presence."
                  " Are you being genuinely dense, or awe struck? That is not a defence. If the others chose to leave the room they may return in 30 minits, George retrieve the twase and bring it to me. You will have one more day to practice simple obedience."

                  But we didn't leave. I was detached.  Mistress turned on the TV an  Diana said that she felt she shouldn't have to leave, she was all wound up in yarn and tough do do for him. I smirked.

                 In the pit of my stomach I was simply morbidly curious about seeing him take it, but I couldn't really bring myself to look at him. Each strike seemed to release my anger toward him. 

               I was  13 when we met. I was a geek Gia's child wanna be. Yeah I saved the bird, His uncle gave me a lift home and George asked me about myself.  I was into nature and science, wanted to be a teacher.  He told me that he didn't know what he wanted to do yet, he liked doing odd jobs.  We found out we where going to have school together, and he started hanging out.  He taught me card games, and alittle sports, and auto work.   Over the next few summers we where trying to start up little summer businesses.  We went around doing yard work the first summer, he did all the wheeling and dealing, and I ended up with most of the detailing. He's sometimes try little scams and I had to play along.  He introduced me to pot.  Told me it would connect me with Gia, ... told me..  lies.

               And I sympathetically flinch with satisfaction.  After his ordeal he was told to not be disruptive, and join us for television.  She had better not see any kind of reaction of defiance, she warned. 

and there passed evening, and there was pensive meandering, it had been Tuesday.


                   



                 
                  















                     

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Six

Kehshathria Chapter Twenty-Six




                                        ***Jerry***


                               Monday, MsCarol left extremely early, before wake up even. I found her chore list on the kitchen table, as we shuffled in.  "Alrighty kids,  looks like I have to polish everything again, only I have to leave one flaw in everything I do today.  Whats more is, I am to make sure each of you leave a flaw in your work too." I laughed over my coffee, and toast. 'That will be easy enough' George said seeking a permanent marker while Diana's eyes hardened with defiant incredulousness. " No George." I responded." Leave a Flaw, work around that one flaw." To which his eyes brightened. 
                            " She can't mean in 'everything' we do?  That can be unsanitary, or well how to you flaw something without messing it up, like with cooking? Maybe it means counters, floors and what not.?" Diana offered.   George sipped his coffee slowly, while I stared out the  sun washed  window. Mentally echoing the words 'flawless'.... 'that is impossible as you  know' ....'dipshit ran in front of the car'.... I began to observe George anew... this time I pondered 'how long since I have been that dipshit?'
                          "She told me once that she could find flaws in her own work. Talk about hypercritical." Diana whines.
                          " If that's the case, " George offered " then the answer is, let's just do our work the normal way. And we all hummed apprehensively.  See, with Mistress's work-meditations there were penalties for misinterpretation. Hence the coolness in out foxing her. But this time I was not down with George's answer. 
                         " No offence toward Diana, but come on G.  Do you think that first level thinking is gonna cut it with Mistress Carol?  She's like  A " real master" , " I emphasize with finger quotes. " She'd see that play a mile down the road." and we laughed, Diana laughing slowest.  Silent crunches of deep thinking and sips of contemplation.


                           You cannot possibly imagine how difficult it turns out to leave a flaw.  I polished the silver tea set in the dinning room, tried to leave a spot un done but it kept getting marred up, or buffed up oh I don't know. I set them back on the serving board with the flaws hidden from view.
George Left weeds in one of the plots of the front garden and Diana burnt dinner. 
 After MsC was home, George and I set the table incorrectly, and Diana was feeling brave enough to put a hair in the mashed potatoes.  We thought we dun good enough. MsC's eyes where amused, and she concealed her judgements from us, and we dared not ask.  By TV time we where feeling deflated, obviously we didn't get it right or she would have said something. Oh shit, I rolled my eyes as the television clicked off and Mistress' presence shined.

                     " You have not understood this week's exercise, children. There will not be television this evening.  We will do nothing, put your yarn down, young lady. " They looked at each other.
"What part of everything did you not understand?"    Diana moans "but  Mistress, how do you mess up the food?  I can't like, leave a dirty spot on each fork, or put sugar instead of salt. "
"You can learn to not over-correct.  A flaw, one error or oversight.   Seems you all went quite far in elaborating in schemes.  Jerry, why did you hide the flaws?" She looked at me.
 
                   "Just because it is flawed , doesn't mean it has to be put out front, Does it, Mistress?"
"Hum, But the exercise is not about that. You don't need to be a smart ass.  We have already had a few lessons about what hiding things does for you. How could you imagine that my lesson for you would be to hide what you are ashamed of?  You will stand in the corner until dismissal." And my stomach dropped as I mutely complied.

                  She let the air hang a heavy blanket a while as George sweated his verdict.  Being last was not always the most pleasant. "Why didn't you leave all the weeds?" 

"I am afraid Reformer that is because I was being ficsious.  Why do we garden? Except to remove flaws. "  He answered and she grinned. "Then you have given me the wrong answer George. You should have taken the day off instead.
"knowing you Reformer that would have still be the wrong answer." 
"Well you can bet it will be the wrong answer tomorrow, George.  Tell me why you told Diana about your career training?"  Diana gasped, and crossed her arms.
"I- ..Reformer, thought that, it would be harmless. What happens in the house stays in the house, right?"  George pandered.  MsC took a slow moment to process, and grin.
                           "I am growing less accepting of your arrogance George.  Bragging and pride are your weakness. You wanted adulation's from Diana to give you charge. But I mean to teach you that your drive must come form a stronger place. You are not reformed George, but you are very close.   And you are at the mere door frame of becoming a Reformer in training, above all else, Special Ops is a secretive thing. Already you want to blow your cover, if you catch my meaning. I mean to teach you that your cover must be deeper. Your reactions and plays far more stable and congruent. But first let us deal with your pride and bragging.  " I could feel George's spirit shrink into the couch as she tore into him another 20 minits concerning the requirements of his career.  She finally began to conclude.
                         "I know I have seemed abusive George, but you must be able to keep your mission thru all ordeals in order to trap the perp. You will have to assume personalities and identities to work your craft and protect the prisoners without giving yourself away at all.  Are you quite certain that you envy this employment?"
                        "I do Reformer."
                        "We will come to see about that shortly." She responded. "My punishment for you is that all your discipline will be public, and you will overcome yourself thru humilities. Since you want to let your buddies in on all the cool stuff, let us begin your training early.  I am sure Diana will love to see it.  You may sit for this evening but tomorrow you will not be allowed to have your head above my knees."
                         " So be it Reformer."

And there passed evening,  and there was silence, it had been Monday.
                                              



                        
                        


                            








                            

                           

Keshathria Chapter Twenty Five

Keshathria Chapter Twenty Five





                                              ***George***

                     One the next night I was too excited to stand it.  I rushed everyone during dinner.
"Yeah yeah the flags are so pretty, and oh darn the ground otter saw his shadow I guess it will be another month of war.  Ok ok OK,  Jer we had some good times.  Humm? what Reformer? ...yes I am quite excited this evening, shall we?" And we entered the living room, I stood in the middle of the room.

        " Ok.... so.  She was giving an important demonstration on grooming.  There where about 6 people with their pets there for her instruction.  And Mike and I were detailed with helping the people.  I thought, as she pandered and waxed charming, that it might be interesting if... ah yes...

"She was speaking " It is very important to keep the fur slightly damp and pull the comb through slowly." She reached for her spray bottle. "And..." Skirt, skirt...gasp "what the fuck?" She sucked as purple dye  absorbs into white fur. Her eyes harden, lips tighten and part to speak a word. And as soon as she might have, her eyes darted back  to the dog in  angry disbelief. But they found nothing. No spot, just fur.  Disappearing ink.   She sorta smiled but then saw the crowd, which stared back, stunned by her behaviour. And her eyes became glassy with the lie.

"  That was ....*whew* a tough one, something like hell. "  I stammer, as my mind flashes back to my blooded ass... lets see that disappear.... and my reformer flinching.  I regained my mind after a mere moment. " Anyway, that is neither here nor there, but I sure did enjoy the trick.

" There had been a couple others over the next two months.  I build a false step, about an  half inch lower then the true floor and made a trip trap. Mike and I trained the dogs  how to step  and miss the false step during the  routine but well Some one I know wasn't so trained. And she broke a heel and stumbled and lost , like 20 points.  She could not pin it on us, after all ' we didn't build the track' she hired a contractor.  And believe me;  my little flaw, was done very well it didn't point fingers to anyone. So all to be expected was her usual childishness.

"But my last trick.." I grin deeply as Diana's needle slipped slowly from its loops unnoticed. " I got some knock out drugs, and put Mistress and the dogs to sleep.  Mike and I tened to all their personal requirements but other than that he and I stayed up  three days straight, weaving the dogs furry strands into each their own personal afghan.  Beautiful afghans, mind you....*snickers* prize winning.

"Exhausted, weak, running on adrenalin and fear, we hatched this up. He knew that she would take me first, and if she didn't just kill us out right, he would shave the dogs fur off and send the prizes off to my uncles house. I know he did, yadda yadda ' nuf said.

"So we wake her  up like it was simply the next day.  Greeted her as customary, waited while she dressed, gave our  nearly honest opinions, always in favor of her falsie doubt.  See, it was like she would test us  to see what kind of day she wanted to be in the mood for.   All so far looked like a pleasant one.  Until we came to the stairs, poised ever so cutely where  Kashish, and Kakhisa  with a new hair style. Mind you we did not wake the dogs, that would have been cruel. 

"She flew down the stairs, screaming. Mike and I took the advantage to get ourselves on solid footing before she could throw us down them. She seethed.   She grabbed at her dogs and she cried. She muttered.  She snapped.

"YOU fucking cock sucking little bastered, I am gonna fucking take you to ....." And she flew at me and we where.....  in hell.  She layed forty lashes, I felt barely alive, my feet slipped on the floor, I was held up by my wrists  chained to an over head beam.  She grabbed the back of my head, and stared down in to my face with her power, I could hear the pounding whoosh of my blood in my ears, I kept breathing.  "Now I am quite fucking certan things are going to change now, George.  Aren't they? "  

"My lips parted, my eyes glazed ...  "Mistress my back itches, give me some more."  And she fucking OBEYED me. She gave me five more.  Legal limit is 40.   She grabbed my head again, seeing that I was loosing consciousness, and smiling about her finished vengeance said " what was that George?" I mustered all i had left in me to lock my eyes  on her and smile.

"Mistress, you might want to ask yourself , how many days you have been sleeping."  and as my lights faded the color of her face drained ghost white, the whip feel out of her hand, and she went to the phone.  The last I heard was; "

"Remove this prisoner from my home immediately." 

Keshathria Chapter Twenty four

Keshathria Chapter Twenty four




                                  ***Jerry***

     We sat in the living room in an altered mood.  While George was more then willing to continue, the floor was open for random comments and questions instead.  "OH , the soul tearing out part" He whimpered taking a plunge for the best part of the couch.

                      "I don't seem to feel as thrilled with George's story."  I speak. " Diana is musing over the contrast of homes.  And I think of his decent into the macabre.  I mean , He goaded her for lashes. He fawned to her with flattery. He bragged at breakfast  this morning that flattery was one of  her weakest points.

"I had never seen George relish over any mark like this.  Even when we played jokes on Ms.Sam, he did not dive into such an intricate plot.   He was in an abusive reformer's home and he had never been treated badly.  His parents where good, gave him any opportunity they could.   He just had a knack for getting in trouble.  Nothing truly direct, he used his influence and persuasion, his plans, to maneuver himself where he wanted to be.  Street smart, if you will. 

I laughed out loud,  " of course going to MsRagina's would threw him over the edge. It was during our stay at MsSam's that he said to me, 'This is going to be a smooth gig, Jer, this one couldn't whip butter.'  Well she quickly showed George and Me her chamber for um....dusting the house.

"He himself was a manipulator, playing any system he was in.  And it didn't even matter to him if he had a low rank or was in a position of authority. I think he preferred to be the low man he said there where too many conniving bastards like himself  under the top man.  I guess what I wonder first is, well does he like pain?" I ask. " I mean, seriously why did you play her like that?" I asked.

               " Wow Jer didn't think you cared so much.  No, it was not because I  liked being abused. It was because I had this strange sense of  'I had her'. I had had her eating out of my hands.  I provoked the whipping, not her. I said the right thing at the wrong times and ruined her when I wanted to not when it was convenient to her imagination.  It was not pain that drove me, it was power.  That opposing power.  I was disconnected with my body anyway.  All I wanted was to work a way out of that house, and perhaps into a parole all the same.  Knowing that she was my enemy made it easier to focus.  But don't ask me to explain that."  George answered.


      "Well I just don't know George. I think you are crazy." Diana offered.
      " Yeah? Well whats the worst you have ever done?"  George challenged, drawing  our amusement. "You always there, hiding behind  your ...what IS that?" His lip snarled.
      "A sweater" she grunts defensively. " Well at least  I didn't....well I did tell my dad "to give up his pathetic attempts to rule me".  She blushed when George went into hysterics.  "Let's see, how did that turn out for ya D?"

      "Tsk tsk George." MsCarol interjected.  "I have two counts against you right now. Care to play a guessing game?"   George sat back down to think. MsCarol smiled coyly at  me  for a lingering moment then continued speaking toward Diana.  I knew inside myself that some lesson was being orchestrated just for me, so I became habitually mindful. There where bonus points when you could out fox MsC.  George continued sitting, counting to himself, trying to conceal that he had self discovered four possible marks, occasionally he would shake his hands out as if to erase his consciousness, because each time he counted more than two MsCarol would grin in his general direction. "Diana, Really? Pathetic Attempts? What brought that reaction on?" she asked.

Our blush-faced one set her knitting aside to speak. " It's just that he never let me be myself.  He bought all these nice cloths for us, but they where one kind of style. I would just ware my cloths under them and change out on my way to school.   It was like I was always in trouble.  Then I fell in with the youth counter culture, and became a Gia's child." 

" As angry as you have been, I wonder how your really took to all the peace, love and enlightenment stuff." MsCarol said. Diana rolled her eyes slightly then continued.
"Well ok, I didn't get all the flower vibration and visualisation stuff.  But my friends where open minded.  And we had an idea that I liked, I guess because it meant that I didn't have to take crap from my old man.  Before I was arrested, I ran away to  my friends love-camp.  That was the night I told my old man off."

"Why? What was it that set you off?" MsC asked.
"He was preaching at me about how  I had responsibilities  to this family now, and how He had certain details to take care of.  I suppose he was trying to tell me that he needed me to step up, but I just couldn't take it.  I was only 15 for gods sake, Selina was only 11, he not only made me like  a full time babysitter, he expected us to keep the house too.  Mistress, I just didn't want to anymore."

"What do you suppose might happen if you just didn't want to anymore, here? "
"Well, isn't this situation quite different?  With dad I would buck the system, with you well not so much. "
" Not completely correct, Diana.  It is the exact same situation, I have a standard that I expect to be kept.  How pathetic are my rules? "
"Mistress don't turn this into one of  your power trips."
"Diana, everything is my power trip.  I want you to ponder over  your power trip. "  MsC left her to gracefully retreat.  Many times during an evening discussion we where relieved to hear the word "ponder", for it meant that we could stop digging ourselves into  our graves, metaphorically speaking , for a few days or weeks.  It also offered the relief of  reining in our thoughts and emotions and narrowing our self reflective focus.


" How did you two meet?" Diana asked George in deflection. He grinned.
" I went to live with my uncle when I was 13.  Just because, I wanted a change of pace. My uncle was taking me on a drive around, and as we where making a turn, this dip shit come running out into the intersection... on foot. He ran up to our truck, and started dashing all around it. My uncle tried inching forward but  the boy just screamed ' No wait...you'll KILL IT. We thought it was a puppy or something, but this freak boy come from around our rear tires holding a young duck. He said that he saw it run  into a tree and injure itself and ran after it as it started to lose flight control."  We laughed I blushed, Diana shook her head, and Mistress starting to don her deep thought look...


And she relieved us all by clicking on the television. 















      

  
                   







                                 

                               

Keshatrhia Chapter Twenty Three

Keshatrhia Chapter Twenty Three


                           ***George***


         Everyone expected something, no one wanted to watch tv, no let us watch George rip his soul out and ...oh.....so I get up and face  my peers with trembling and grinning, because boy did I have a good one.

        " Mistress Talmeurn raised champion angora hound dogs., you know, those kind with the very long straight fur.  Pain in the ass to groom, and she was a literal slave driver." I pause...

"Umm.... on tonight's bust up ole life of a snail we have George Edward Wisenburg, ..." pause.... breath.....pathetic plead to the reformer to just let me go on with the highlights, she clears her throat and I begin.

" When we left her basement she was a different person. "Now that that's cleared up, Mike take him to his room,  and get cleaned up. We are going to have alot of fun, but of course there is also work. I am going to teach you how to be hard working and socially presentable.   So that when you go back out in the world no one will be able to say that Ragina turned out some trash.  They'll say my boys are doing very well.  I like to have fun now, don't think I am all about the work. I believe in rewards ..well go to the amusement park, movies, you will get to earn extra privileges."   I noticed my reformer flinch.

"Then she showed us her Dogs, and demonstrated their talents. In my efforts to assess my mistress and be "fun", I made jokes about dogs. I mean all we did was care take and train them. We also had to preform domestic work.  Mike and I developed a code of sorts. You remember Jer?  Private language, well I made one with Mike.   Look there isn't much to dig into, she liked the jokes and even soft jabs at herself when socially appropriate, but god be begged if you slip up and embarrass her.  And it isn't like she didn't go out right to embarrass us.  Everyone knew we where in reform, she even had our uniforms a variation on the dog's costumes., while she always looked welld ressed and colorful.  But yes, we did get pizza when we did a good show, and we got prizes when she was very well pleased.  We where tournament achievers and her career show pieces, if we made it in this world we are ready for the real world. She claimed was doing her level best to give us opportunities....."   I shrugged haplessly.

 " Reformer, it was blinding hell for two months before I did break,  I mean I tried to obey but not matter what I did it was wrong.   This one time, She had us out socialising which often meant that we visited other reformers homes, a "friend" was showing off some home remodeling.  As punishment for burning the dinner the evening before we where denied food that whole day.  And  time was added, for any infraction in the mean time.

 "Her friend noticed that I was woosy, and suggested that my blood sugar was low and I ought to eat a cookie.  Misstress Talmuren's eyes got glassy with the smiling lie, and she put her hand on my chin and judged my health for herself.  She smiled at her friend " Well there was nothing in his file about hypoglycemia, Those doctors really should do a better job inducting prisoners, don't you think?"  " Yes I am sure they do as fine a Job as they can, but your reformee needs a cookie."
And the friend gave it to me. When I finished Mistress T instructed me to pick up the crumb from he floor, saying to clean up immediately was the only way to keep things new and I bowed doing so.  I was taken by a strange unrebellious calm, by that time.

"MsT goaded and flattered her friend to continue the tour, while I carried that crumb until I could spy a waste can. No no DON'T put it in my pocket, don't eat it, don't smear it on the light switch. God be begged, she'll take you to school about decorum. In the Hallway, We spotted a millipede and amusingly all stood shell shocked watching it. MsT said ' George, kill that.' I told her I couldn't have death in a new house. 'Well, go flush it down the toilet then.'  ' No I need,'  I said to everyone ' to take it out side where it will live.'  And I bowed down in disobedience to gather the millipede and release it." I sit  back down. " Pause, and now for a commercial break."

       " I am sorry to hear about that." Jerry remorsed. "MsSam was a genuinely kind person. She let us play and have humor.  We played pranks on each other.  Like this one time, we ordered a dirty magazine for her but gave the address of the old man across the street.  And he hand delivered it.?"
We all laughed, " Oh  Jer;  the Look on her face.. she went beet red and it took her like, two hours to figure out if that was a good joke or an infraction. " I added with relish.  " I mean that one is in response to the one she pulled when she reversed the hot and cold water spikets. She knew something was gonna happen.  But yeah we where over the line.  But at least we knew it Jerry.

 "At least  that, but Ragina was slippery.  I mean,  let me say I was scared of her,  I had to handle her delicately because she did hold my possible early release  over my head. "  Jerry studies me with keenness, knowing that I could not possibly have been broken. And asked me what I meant by that. "I mean that I snapped Jerry, I saw through her with sudden clarity.  But I felt different.

 "It was not about me getting one over on her anymore.  It was no longer about preserving my control thru petty rebellions.  Her treatment of me drove me to preserve myself.  She always told stories of how she drove herself thru the most terrible of situations, and she had to ignore many life altering moments. For example how when her father was dieing of a long sickness, she did not allow that to interfere with an important dog show. And that I was not going to be given  my customary four days  of solitude and mourning.   Because she knew the importance of  her responsibilities."  I noticed my reformer flinch again, and continued.
" And then all she did was work us, display us and beat us.  I saw her deeper motivations.  She always had to win, and she always had to look good.  She always had to have face and grace. It was all a show to her. Her real self was ruthless, and manipulating, crude and classless. 

"She took pleasure in intimidation. For example; most of the time Mike and I worked alone. Most of the time she was too busy to bother with us or her dogs. She come in and we would casually banter about ideas for the show. What tricks to coordinate for the talent act.  Here was where we where allowed to be fun, except for when her visit was a silent reinforcment of her presence and domination.  And I was suddenly bored with trying to avoid her lash and started to use my own." I grinned and my reformer's eyes twinkled, and I continued.

" Oh yes, those examples.... Clip show."  We share a moment of laughter.  " IF we started getting stressed out or like we wanted to say something back to her it went like this she was evilly more than happy to let us try to talk to her.  One on occasion she had been working very hard getting a show ready, She was over excited about it she was going on constantly about how well we where going to do. She had a chance to get  publicity, a magazine had offered a photo session and a story. But we where exhausted, and alittle grumpy and sleepy the morning of the show. She greeted us at breakfast  at first bubbly Miss Ragina, we tried to smile, but she asked us if we are starting to take her kindness for weakness again. and said " Look I want you to be excited this is an important opportunity. You never know who is going to be there, and who will remember you and you might just make a contact for work after you get out of reform.  I am trying to prepare you for getting back in the real world.  And Look at you two! I am disappointed already. "

 Mike was starting to shake, and he said " No Mistress, it isn't like that.  I want to do this show, I think your doing a great thing for us , but I just got to bed late is all, but we are ready , I won't let you down today.  Just you come in here and make us nervous about it, like and we aren't even there yet. We need to go on the same page Mistress."

    She became all glassy eyed with the sternness and dramatically closed  the door, sitting down and demanding, "So you have a problem with me?"  Staring hard at me.  I said "No Iam not the one, I am supporting Mike. I didn't want to bring anything up, but it is just that we are so concerned with putting on a good show Mistress Ragina."

 She looked hard at Mike. and he continued , telling her that we didn't let her down just because we where sleepy or grumpy just that we where tired from get it all ready.  He assured her begglingly, that by the time of the show we would be  just right. I jeered, "Yes Mistress wait for the result"   She locked her eyes on me again, standing. "Look, I don't need to carry anyone along that doesn't want to be there. If you really don't feel like it then you can stay and I will go myself and you will both be sorry.  " And I Stared blankly at her, and suppressed my grin. " No one said they didn't want to go Mistress, besides we put alittle something in the act as a surprise for your  birthday.  It  will be so cute. " And Mike chimed in with talking up the fun, and Ragina started to relax, assured within herself that she was indeed in control. " I noticed my reformer chuckle, and She spoke.

" George, fascinating.  But I think we need intermission, it is getting late. "  And she dismissed us to bed.