Glimpses of the Island

Signing Off

"One last chance, are you sure about this?" Mark asked Cathy as they were getting into the car. This was the day they were to formally complete the paperwork and register their ownership agreement. Once the signatures were on paper there was no grace period to back out. Mark would be legally obligated to take care of her for the next year, and in turn Cathy would effectively become his property, equally obligated in the legal sense to obey his orders and faithfully keep to his rules.

He held open her car door as she sat down. "I'm sure Mark, as sure as the day I married you. Maybe I should ask you the same question. Are you ready to take on all this responsibility? Am I going to be too much of a burden for you to handle?"

"No, you aren't going to be a burden. I'm looking forward to the challenges, and the privileges that go with it too. Yes, I'm ready." As she buckled her seat belt she looked up at him, still holding the car door. Mark hesitated just a moment before closing the car door, enjoying the sight of what would be his possession by the end of the day.

He opened his door and got in. Before he started he looked over at Cathy once more. She had picked out one of his favorite outfits to wear, a long sleeved white blouse with a dark wine red skirt that ended a few inches above her knees. After today I can tell her what to wear, any time I feel like it , Mark thought to himself. He knew she would happily change her wardrobe to whatever he wanted anyway, but somehow being able to dictate it appealed to Mark.

He must have stared too long because Cathy noticed. "Is something wrong?" She brushed off her skirt, looking for a spot or wrinkle.

"No, no, you're okay. I'm just daydreaming. Ready?" Mark made a mental note that he would have to do something about her being so self-conscious. And something about her hands too. He grinned as a possible solution came to mind, one he could easily institute after today.

"I'm ready, let's go, umm, that is if you are ready, master ." Cathy giggled as she spoke that last word. The realization it wouldn't be a joke much longer made her stop to think. "Mark, what am I supposed to call you? After today, I mean."

Mark considered it as he drove. "I confess I haven't thought much about it either. I tell you what; you can use either my name or the title master , whichever you want according to your mood at the time. Bear in mind if you are in a crowded room and call out master , you may have several heads turn. How does that sound?"

"That's a good idea. There are times I think I'd like to use the title, but I'm so used to your name it wouldn't feel right to drop it. Unless you want me to use something else?"

"I've always been partial to Grand High Exalted Poobah, but that's too long. Kind of sounds pretentious too. To tell the truth, I don't even know what a Poobah is."

Cathy started giggling again, "Yes sir, oh mighty Poobie sir."

"What's this? The first day and already I must contend with a disrespectful tone?" Mark said in mock seriousness, before joining in on the laughter. Good , he thought, some humor to lighten things up. She has to be nervous . He continued with the lighthearted joking and bantering while they headed downtown.

The Records office was a nondescript single story building in the area zoned for professional services. The sign out front, Public Records and Document Registrations , gave no clue as to what type of business was transacted inside. Mark knew it served several purposes. He had been to the agency before to research some building plans for a minor company project on the Island. An online archive of all public records was kept there, from birth certificates to marriage registrations, to ownership filings. Originals he knew were kept in a storage vault somewhere underground in the interior. Legal claims still had to be backed up by certified copies of the paper documents.

Mark held open the door for Cathy as they went in the entrance. In one hand he held the envelope full of forms they would need. There was no one in line ahead of them at the counter. Mark placed the envelope on the counter and slid it toward the clerk standing there. "We are here to register an ownership agreement. I believe this is the paperwork you need." Cathy stood next to Mark, watching quietly.

The woman behind the counter took out the documents from the envelope and looked them over. "If you would care to have a seat, this will take a few minutes to process." She gestured to a small waiting room off to one side. Mark and Cathy went over to a sofa and sat down.

"From what others in the class have told me this doesn't take too long. They have to verify the program steps have been completed and that we are residents." Mark could hear a little nervousness creep into Cathy's voice as she spoke, but she seemed to be calm. He arched one eyebrow, an unvoiced question. "Yes Mark, I'm still sure." She smiled as she shook her head.

"Okay, no more questions. We've both done all the preparations. Now we'll have a year to make sure it's what we expected." Mark took her hand.

A door opened and the female clerk came out. "Mrs. Sturgis? Could you come with me, please?" The woman held the door open as Cathy stood up and went with her. Mark wondered if there was a problem.

Almost immediately the door opened again. "Mark Sturgis? My name is James Horton, a supervisor here." He offered his hand to Mark. "Not to worry, this is a routine procedure. Could you follow me?" Mark followed him through the door into a small meeting room.

"Please sit down. Now then, you are here to file an ownership agreement. Pursuant to regulations, each of you must be asked, separately and in confidence, if this agreement is being made under duress." He held up a hand as Mark started to protest. "Bear with me, it's a pro forma requirement. If for any reason you feel you are being coerced into this agreement you may file an amendment in secret right now. At a future date, after a discrete investigation, the agreement can be annulled. We will still proceed with the paperwork but the information will be turned over to investigators, who will contact you privately later on. Your wife is being presented with the same information. Do you wish to file the amendment? If you do, your wife will not be informed."

"No," Mark said. He hadn't known about this procedure, but it made sense.

"Very well, that's all." He looked at his watch. "We have to wait for a few minutes. Another policy, the separate interviews have to be precisely five minutes long. Everything will be ready when we're done. So, I understand you are a recent arrival, what do you think so far?"

For the next few minutes he and Mark talked about Island life. When the time limit was up, he stood and opened the door. Mark followed him out and back to the front counter. Cathy was waiting for him, along with the original clerk. Cathy looked at him and gave a reassuring smile. He was sure she hadn't filed an amendment either.

"Here is your basic one year agreement," the clerk began, pointing to a form on the counter. "Mr. Sturgis, you are listed as the owner. You agree to be responsible for Cathy and abide by the clauses listed here." She pointed out the relevant clauses, waiting for Mark to read them. Mark has seen the agreement before and already knew the contents.

"And you Cathy, will acknowledge him as your rightful owner and master. Your obligations are listed in this section here." Cathy had also seen the contract before. In class they had reviewed every line. She read the place the clerk indicated one last time. "If both of you agree to the terms you may sign it now, at the places indicated. The agreement will be in force for one year, expiring at 6pm on this date next year. It takes effect immediately. Mr. Sturgis, your signature goes here." She pointed to a line on the left side at the bottom.

Mark looked at Cathy for a long moment, and then signed his name. He handed the pen to her. Without hesitation Cathy signed her name where the clerk indicated. The clerk filled in her own name as witness.

"Congratulations, and my best wishes to you both. You will receive a certified copy with seal in the mail in one week. Please store it with your other important papers. Cathy, as of now he is your master for the next year. Your status is now owned and you are subject to all applicable laws and regulations, as I'm sure you are aware. Mr. Sturgis, she now belongs to you. You are subject to the laws and regulations governing masters." She handed Mark a laminated card with Cathy's picture on it. "Here is her travel card. You can obtain a transaction card for her from any bank.

"Cathy, you must be in possession of this travel card whenever you are outside of your home and not accompanied by your master or someone he has approved to act in his place. You may not use the travel card during curfew hours. You are also no longer allowed to handle or possess money, in the form of coins or currency, in public. If you have any bills or change in your purse be sure to give them to your master before you leave the building." The clerk picked up the signed contract and took it back to her desk.

Mark stared at Cathy, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. "You are no longer properly dressed. Look at that bare neck. Nope, it will not do, especially in public. Good thing I came prepared. Stay right here while I go out to the car." She knew what he intended, answering with a nod. While she waited Cathy checked her purse to make sure she hadn't missed any stray coins when she had cleaned it out earlier that morning.

He went out to the parking lot and got a small box out of the trunk. She hadn't seen it yet, but for the next year she would become intimately familiar with the contents. He went back into the office where Cathy was waiting. Setting the box on the counter he opened it and took out the slim metal band. Everyone in the office stopped to watch.

Mark had made sure it was unlocked before it went into the box. The key was in his pocket. He didn't intend for Cathy to ever see it or even know where he kept it. "Turn around" he ordered. Eyes wide, she slowly turned around, her back to him. Mark gathered her hair and pushed it to one side before sliding the collar around her throat. Slowly he closed it, making sure it wasn't too tight. Satisfied it was a perfect fit, he took out the key and placed it in the lock at the back, turning it several times to secure the collar. He dropped the key back in his pocket before turning her around.

Tears of joy were streaming from her eyes. "Go ahead, you can touch it." She reached up with both hands, checking the fit. He noticed how she tried to pull it open. "No, it stays closed." Mark held out his arms to her.

In a flash Cathy was in his strong embrace, kissing him. "Master" was the only word she managed to get out. They stopped, embarrassed, when the office workers started clapping in approval.

"I don't think this is the proper place to celebrate, let's go home." Mark took her hand in his and headed for the door.

Out in the parking lot he went to her side of the car first. He let go of her hand and opened the door. After she sat down he went to his side and got in, but didn't start the car right away. "Cathy, from now on when you are with me you will need permission to enter or leave the car. Normally you will wait for me to open your door, but any other time I expect you to ask first. Is that clear?"

Cathy nodded in agreement, "Yes sir, I understand. Mark? Is there anything else you want me to do?"

"Be patient. Yes, I will be making some changes but not all at once. We both have to get used to this, so I plan to do a little bit at a time to start and see how it works out. I expect you to speak up too, especially if something bothers you."

"I will, I promise. But I'm not a fragile porcelain doll, so you don't have to hold back. Tell me Mark, tell me what you want. You are my master as well as my husband now. For my own peace of mind I have to hear you tell me, not ask me." Mark could see by her expression and the tone of her voice that she was serious. He started the car.

"Careful what you wish for," he told her while doing a poor impression of an evil leer. He pulled out of the parking lot into the street. "Now that you mention it, there is something else. Place your hands in your lap, palms down, left hand crossed over right." As he stopped for a red light he glanced over at her, and nodded in approval as she held her hands in the precise manner he dictated. "That's right, just what I want. Anytime your hands are idle, not just in the car but whenever you are sitting down, I want you to hold your hands that way. And if you are standing up I want the same too. Hands in front, properly crossed. Do you see any problems with that?"

Cathy thought for a moment. "Can I stretch? My arms will get stiff and sore if I don't move them around once in a while."

"Yes, that's a good point. I don't mean it to be uncomfortable. You can move around as needed. And Cathy, I told you I would usually explain my orders, but not every time? This is one of those times I won't tell you the reason why."

"Yes sir, no discussion. You will correct me if I forget, about my hands? Habits are hard to break so I'll need some time to work on making the change."

"I'll see to it you remember." He already had an idea on how to remind her, in a way she couldn't ignore and he would enjoy seeing.

Cathy stared at him as he drove, unsure as to how to take his last remark. He deliberately avoided elaborating as he wanted it to be a surprise. I could easily get used to this , he told himself. To Cathy he added, "There really is a difference now, between us. Not for the worse, at least I hope it won't turn out that way. I know I could have asked you to do this for me before now, and I'm sure you'd have been happy to do it. The difference is now I don't have to ask. I like it. Maybe you've awakened the sleeping dragon."

She looked down at her hands, then over to Mark. "If I have there are no regrets. The difference is freedom, Mark. You are free to be yourself, and in my own way so am I. We've been together long enough for me not to worry about what's going to happen. I don't know what you have planned for me but whatever it is I'll be there, ready, willing, and eager. Not only because I have to, even though that's part of it now, but also I want to serve you, to please you any way I'm able. It sounds silly, but the need is inside me and I don't want to hide it any longer. I'm free to devote my whole life to you now. That's what I've always wanted, from the first moment we met."

"And I promise you will have all the opportunity you could wish for, maybe more than you really expected." He laughed. "I love you with all my heart Cathy, and I'd never intentionally hurt you in any way. But, and I'm serious about this, you will obey me no matter what I tell you to do. We've talked about this before, how you should speak up, but my word will be final even if I'm wrong. I'm going to set some rules, your daily routine, how you are to behave, what I want from you. I trust you to keep to them even when I'm not with you."

"I will, sir. Mark, this is what I've dreamed of for so many years. I want it to be your dream too." She glanced down at her hands, folded in her lap. "I hope you will tell the reasons for some of the changes you will make, but I know you have to judge if it's appropriate. If you think it's better I don't know then I'll accept it. When you do tell me it helps me to better understand, and that I can use for new situations. I want to please you, my master, any way I can, any way I can anticipate.

"If I fail to obey to your satisfaction then do whatever you think necessary to correct me. I may not like it, make that definitely won't, but no matter what happens please don't hesitate. Do what you think is right, regardless of what I might say. I won't pretend that the idea of being punished doesn't scare me. You are a good man though. That's why I don't worry. Be strong when you must, trust your judgment no matter what I might say in some fit of anger. I count on it, so don't let me down."

Mark drove home thinking about what she had said. Can I trust my judgment all the time? What if I get angry? She would be the one who suffered if he ever lost his temper. John had mentioned one of his favorite quotes from the Bible during one of their lunchtime conversations: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. He could see how well it related to the present day. Even if the accounting was to no one but himself, he had to be able to hold up his head with pride if ever called to explain his treatment of Cathy. It was a fine balance, too much would be abusive, too little would deprive her.

He glanced over at Cathy. She was looking out the side window, her hands still carefully placed on her lap. He could see the gleam of the collar on her neck through the fall of her hair. She must have seen his reflection in her window for she immediately turned back to face him. "I'm sorry, master. I was distracted for a moment. Did you say something?"

"No, just enjoying the scenery during a pleasant drive home." She smiled and looked down, warmed by his compliment. He turned off the main road into their neighborhood. "It's still hard for me to comprehend exactly how few limits I have. My command is literally your law now. Are you sure you can handle all the restrictions? Not even being able to leave the house without permission?"

"Oh Mark! You know very well that doesn't bother me at all. You have to keep track of me. Remember, that's in the agreement, you are responsible for me? The best way is for me to make sure you know where I am at all times. The card makes sense. I can't afford to forget to ask permission or I'll be stuck at home. It makes it that much easier for you to control me."

He had to concede she was right. Without the card now sitting in his shirt pocket she couldn't leave their house unless he was with her. John had made a point about the travel card and how its use was rigorously enforced. Cathy had mentioned it during her classes too, how important it was to have the card visible if she was on her own.

They would be home in a few more minutes. Mark pulled to a stop at the last traffic light. While waiting for the light he turned to Cathy. "There is one thing, something I'd like you to do from now on." He paused, "No, make that something you will do from now on." He put a hand on her knee. "You are an attractive woman Cathy. I like to look at you. From now on you will wear only skirts or dresses, unless there is some reason not to do so. I'll leave it up to you to pick the style. But whatever you choose, you will keep in mind I expect you to accentuate your femininity. Men and women are different; your appearance will emphasize those differences." The light changed and he turned onto their street.

Caught by surprise Cathy blinked before answering. "Yes, sir. Master? That will be an easy order to obey."

As he pulled into the driveway he answered. "It better be, because if you forget the penalty is being restricted to the hijab dress code. A month or two covered from head to toe and I'm sure you would be extra diligent." He opened his door and got out.

Mark saw her start to reach for the door handle before suddenly returning her hand to her lap. Good , he thought, she remembered . He walked around to her door and took hold of the handle but didn't open it right away. Cathy turned her head to look at him through the window, waiting patiently. I like this , Mark admitted silently, I really do. Power is a turn on. A turn on for her too, I have to keep that in mind. He opened her door.