Glimpses of the Island

Interview's End

Ben studied Elise, reviewing in his head the events of the day. She sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. In his estimation she had done well, as he had expected. She was attentive and obedient, but didn't act like a robot. Once she had relaxed and gotten over the anxiety of the first moments she had proven to be articulate and charming. Every one of his questions, some embarrassingly intimate, she had answered to his satisfaction. Her own hesitant inquiries were cleverly designed to draw him out without portraying herself as demanding or presumptuous. The specific test he wanted to see, how she would react in his presence, how well they got along together, convinced him his first impressions were accurate. It was time to conclude.

He picked up the phone and dialed the extension written on a slip of paper taped to the desk. "Hello? Would you be so good as to join us?" She didn't know it but the extension went to the Facility Director. He would know who had called and what was about to happen.

"Please stand up, Elise. I must ask you to remain silent for the next few moments." She rose to stand next to him, puzzled as to what was happening. "Don't be concerned," he told her. "You did well today."

At that moment there was a discrete knock. Ben went to open the door.

Elise's eyes went wide as the Director, Clancy Yates, came in. He had been the one who had sentenced her to that miserable night in the punishment cells. He exercised the ultimate and essentially unlimited authority over her and the rest of the trainees. She had never spoken to him directly. The Director came into the room and offered his hand to Ben. "I trust everything has been to your satisfaction?" He had a box tucked under one arm. When he looked at Elise she did her best not to tremble.

Ben shook his hand and answered, "I'd like to thank you for arranging this meeting. Everything has been just as I expected. However, I won't be needing your services in the future."

Elise was near to panic when she heard his last words. She wanted to run out of the room and hide. He wasn't coming back. He didn't want her; she hadn't been sufficiently pleasing to him. It must have been her questions; she should have been more circumspect and not pried so much.

The Director continued, "Glad to hear that, Dr. Jaffe. My best wishes to you in the coming years."

Now Elise was more puzzled than panicked. Why wasn't the Director angry? She expected to see him glaring at her in disgust instead of a beaming smile of satisfaction. Not only had she failed but she had driven away what must be a valued client.

Confused and lost in thought Elise didn't notice at first when Ben turned to her. Only when he reminded her where she was with a simple "Elise?" did she come back to the men in the room.

She looked as Ben. "Yes, sir?" she answered in a bewildered tone.

He held out his hand to her. "Are you ready to go home now?"

Home ? She couldn't concentrate. What did he mean? Was he taking her back to the Facility? That didn't make any sense. The guards would do that. His home? Was he asking her to come home with him? Or was he telling her to come home with him? She stared at his outstretched hand. When her own hand found its way into his she was more surprised than Ben.

She looked up, meeting his eyes. She saw that he hadn't asked her a question. He had chosen her. I belong to this man now , she realized. Both men were looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to answer. But the question was not what he had asked, not really. When the "yes, sir" came out, in a voice so low she could hardly hear it herself, she knew the answer had been her agreement to accept him as her master.

"There is one detail before the two of you leave. Dr. Jaffe, I believe you'll need this. We wouldn't want our Elise to go out in public improperly attired." Clancy handed Ben the box under his arm.

Elise felt like she had just walked off a cliff. This morning she had woken up in her bed at the Facility, looking forward to a quiet Saturday afternoon after room inspection. She had fallen into a routine at the Facility, one where the idea of finding the man who would be her master was an abstract that might never happen, but was far in the future if it did come to pass. A few hours later he was holding her hand. Events were moving too swiftly for her to comprehend what was happening.

Ben let go of her hand so he could take the package from the Director. When he opened it and took out the object inside she didn't even realize what it was at first. Elise was so wrapped up in the enormity of the changes in her life it took Ben two tries to get her attention. She missed her name the first time but came back to the room the second time he spoke her name.

"Sir? I'm sorry, I… I'm a little overwhelmed."

Ben smiled and squeezed her hand. "That's understandable. But I need your attention for a moment." He held up his other hand. "This is for you."

In Ben's hand was a polished metal band, slightly oval in shape. Elise finally realized what the Director had given him. It's a collar , she thought. She didn't make the obvious connection that it was for her.

Ben did something to open it and turned to her. "Face me, hands at your side. Look at me."

His eyes locked with hers as he slid the collar around her neck. His hands, behind her head, fastened the lock but none of it registered with Elise. She was absorbed with his eyes, the way they seemed to peer deep into her soul.

"There is some paperwork, Dr. Jaffe." Clancy put two sheets of paper on the desk. "The first is your agreement with Elise. We'll register it with the Records Office. The second is her transfer from the Facility to you. That's for our records only." Ben looked over both documents and signed them. "That's it. Elise? All of us wish the very best for you. Remember what you've learned, do your best, and take care of Ben. He's the top doctor on the Island; we can't afford to lose him."

The walk from the interview room to the driveway outside the building was a blur. She didn't react until Ben opened the rear door of the waiting car for her. Still in shock at what had just happened she didn't get in until he told her to sit down. He closed her door and went around to the other side. When he got in he patted the seat next to him. "I want you to sit close to me."

Elise scooted across the bench seat to be next to him. She looked down at her lap, nervous and uncertain as to what she should do next. He answered that by taking first her left then her right wrist and closing the handcuffs around them. She had forgotten all about the restraint belt and cuffs, and even the chains on her ankles.

He put his hand under her chin and turned her to face him. "Listen carefully, this is what I want you to do." He let go of her chin and put an arm across her shoulders, on the seat behind her. "Lean your head on my shoulder and close your eyes. I want you to sit quietly and listen while I talk on the way home. Okay?"

"Yes, sir." She was exhausted, drained emotionally from the constant tension of the interview. His shoulder felt good, as did his arm around her. She was even grateful he had restrained her. In some odd way the chains helped her to relax. As he had ordered she closed her eyes and listened. He talked while the driver took them somewhere, his home she assumed. What he said on the way she had no idea. By the time they got off the ferry on the main island the low deep tone of his voice had lulled her into a drifting sleep.

"Wake up, sleepy." He gently shook her shoulder. "We're home."

For a moment Elise was disoriented. She wasn't at the Facility. Then the day came back in a rush. She wouldn't be staying in her room any more. She had a new home now, with the man sitting next to her.

He was her master, for as long as he wanted her. And she had fallen asleep while he had been talking. Afraid of what he might think she stammered out an apology. "Oh sir, I dozed off. Please forgive me, but I didn't hear what you said." She studied his expression, anxious to determine if he was angry or disappointed. Mentally she kicked herself. Within minutes of acquiring a master she had fallen asleep, ignoring him. Mrs. Yates would have chewed her out for hours.

"Shush," he told her, holding a finger to her lips. "You didn't miss anything. I could tell you were tired after being grilled all day long. I wanted you to take a little nap on the way here." He opened the car door on his side. Before he got out he put a hand gently on her arm and told her, "You stay right there."

He got out and went around to her side. Before he opened the door the driver handed a package to him through the driver's side window. He tucked it under one arm. Elise wondered what it could be.

She didn't have much choice except to wait for him to open her door. With her hands bound close to her waist she couldn't reach the door handle. She looked up at him out of her window as he said a few words to the driver before opening her door.

The Facility had promised her a new life, though not without some catches. She had to trust their judgment, good or bad. From what she had seen so far this Ben Jaffe seemed to be different than any man she had met before. He didn't hesitate in telling her what he wanted. She liked that. Thinking back she realized at every critical moment during the day he had quietly yet emphatically told her what to do; stand, sit, wait, she never once had to guess at what he expected of her.

She couldn't make out what he was saying to the driver as the rear compartment of the car was separated from the driver's seat by a partition. Undoubtedly he was thanking the driver for taking them home. She was struck by how polite he was, even to her. That had been her problem in the past, men who treated her as nothing more than a piece of furniture. She hoped her new master wasn't like that.

He opened her door. Elise looked at him expectantly, waiting for his next instruction. She would need his help to get out of the car, at least with her dignity intact. He must have sensed her uncertainty as he spoke. "Now Elise, I want you to slide over to the edge of the seat first." That wasn't difficult for her. "To get out of the car you turn to your side, put your legs out first, and then lean forward. I'll make sure you don't bump your head." She followed his orders, but remembered her training as she kept her legs together while placing her feet on the driveway outside. He put a hand behind her head and took hold of her arm to help her stand up.

As he helped her out of the car it never occurred to Ben he could have simply released her hands first. The ride home with her asleep next to him had triggered something inside. He wanted to protect and shelter her, but he didn't want to let her go either. Ben knew it was a contradiction but he didn't care. He was determined to see that she had a good life with him, but it would be on his terms. At the moment those terms included her being attractively vulnerable and helpless. Besides , he rationalized, she doesn't seem to mind the inconvenience .

Holding onto her arm he led her toward the front door. Behind them the car from the Facility pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Ben had intended to drive himself, but now he understood why the Facility insisted on picking him up and taking him home. They had no way of knowing he would decide on the spot she was the one for him, but the Facility seemed to be talented at anticipating events.

They stopped at the front door. He let go of her arm to get out his door key. "Elise, this is your home too. I know it's all new to you, but I want you to get used to living here. Do not refer to this place as my home, but our home. I insist on it. Understand?"

"Yes sir. Thank you for taking me to our home." She smiled at him. The phrase seemed odd even as she said it. My home, our home. He's right though, this is my home now. She watched as he held the door open for her. The pressure of his hand on her back told her she was to enter first. She walked into the foyer.

It didn't look to be a large house, but it was clean. The decoration was sparse: the walls bare, plain carpet and only a few items of furniture. Her immediate impression was that it lacked warmth. Instead of a home it felt more like a hotel suite. When she felt comfortable, she'd bring up the idea of some changes.

Standing quietly out of his way she waited for him to close the door and put down the package he was carrying. Idly she took hold of the cuff on her left wrist with her right hand and moved it back and forth. She knew it had to be significant that he had not released her before she got out of the car. I'm learning about him already , she thought. He likes physical control; I'll have to remember that .

During the early lessons at the Facility the same subject, control and bondage, had been discussed. Elise had been concerned that she wouldn't be able to handle it, but as it turned out it was very easy for her. Being confined, or bound, had a calming effect on her, almost like meditation. There was a certain flavor of fatalism when she was helpless. Whatever happened was beyond her ability to influence, which gave her a sense of freedom to open up and enjoy the moment without the nagging fear of failure.

Ben dropped the package on the entryway table and turned to the new addition in his life. He didn't see any signs of distress or upset. No doubt she wasn't too impressed with his interior decorating skills. He wasn't either. That was one task he would gladly turn over to her. He had intentionally done as little as possible, knowing that once she made some changes it would become her home in a tangible way.

Though he was tempted to leave the chains on her it was time for more important items. These first few hours together would be crucial, so he had to be pragmatic about indulging himself. He watched her as she stood calmly waiting for him. In one sense she had it easy. He hadn't planned this evening as carefully as the interview because he hadn't expected to bring her home. He needed a little time to plan out the next steps. The best way to do that was a short tour of the house.

First he had to free her from the confines of the handcuffs and shackles. This would be a good time for him to establish a set way, something that would develop into a habit. It took only a moment for an idea to come into his head.

"Elise, I'm going to remove your chains. I want you to pay attention, because this is how we will do it from now on. First, I want you to turn and face that wall." He pointed behind her. She turned around, but looked over her shoulder to see what he wanted next.

"Good, next I want you stand right here." He placed his hands on her shoulders and moved her a few inches to one side. "Remember this spot. Now, when you are wearing shackles on your ankles I want you to stand with your legs apart, so the chain doesn't drag on the floor." Elise widened her stance, but the short connecting chain didn't allow for much movement.

"That's right. Exactly what I want. Don't move." He took out the keys to the restraints and knelt down. He unlocked the cuffs on her ankles and removed them before he stood up again. "Now I want you to face me." She complied, chancing a glimpse of his face as she turned. He unlocked her handcuffs and removed them from the retaining ring on the belt around her waist. "Hands at your side, face the wall again. We're almost done." She let her arms hang loosely at her side as she turned to the wall again. She felt him unbuckle the waist belt and take it off. She hadn't realized it was so tight until it was gone. He opened the hall closet door and placed the belt and set of chains inside on hooks.

For Elise it was a relief to be able to move freely again. Her shoulders were stiff from inactivity. He must have read her mind because his large hands were massaging the sore muscles in her shoulders. "I'm a doctor, remember? I know enough about physiology to figure out where the aches are."

"Yes, sir, it does feel good." And it did, though she would rather be massaging his back.

"We'll take a quick walk through the house so you know where everything is, then we'll sit down and talk for a while. Is there anything you need first? Or anything I should know?"

She took a moment to consider his question. If they were going to talk later he must be referring to something immediate. "No sir, I'm fine. I'd like to see where we will be living." The we still sounded awkward, but she would get used to thinking in those terms.

"Alright, we'll start with the kitchen, through there. Oh, one more thing." She stopped and turned back to him. "When we are alone you are not permitted to wear shoes in the house. Take yours off now and place them in the hall closet. The right side is for your things."

She hadn't expected that but it was an order. She reached down and slipped off her shoes. Opening the closet door she saw a place for them on the right side. On the left hung the restraint belt and leg chains and handcuffs dangled from pegs in the wall. She placed her shoes neatly on the lowest shelf and closed the door. "Sir? May I ask a question?"

He nodded. "Sure, Elise, unless I specifically tell you to remain silent you may speak up at any time."

"Yes, sir. You said, when we are alone. Does that mean your rule does not apply if we have guests?"

"That's right. If we have visitors or we're entertaining, I expect you to be properly dressed. We'll go over all that in more detail later. Okay, ready to see your new place?" He held out his hand.

Shyly she took it, marveling at how his large hand seemed to engulf her own small one. He led her through each room in the house, pointing out where things were located. The last room was the master bedroom. There was a small bathroom to one side, and a walk in closet for their clothes. She entered with a slight sense of unease. The source of that unease was the large king size bed. A bed she would be sharing with her new master.

Ben noticed her mood change immediately. He put an arm around her and pulled her close. "Don't worry," he whispered in her ear. They went back out to the living room.

Sitting on the couch he took her hands in his own. "I'm going to start by giving you some idea of what I see for us. If you have a question, or you don't understand, or even if you want to add something, go ahead and interrupt.

"I want the best for you, Elise. It's important to me that you are happy here. I know about the Facility and what was promised to you. I intend to fulfill those promises. Not because I have to, but because I want to.

"I intend for us to be together for a very long time. For that to happen I need your cooperation. You must work with me Elise. Tell me what is in your mind. Help me to understand your feelings. I promise you I'll try my best to do the same for you."

"I'll try, sir. I'm sorry, but this is all so new. I don't know what to say…" She felt lost, unsure what he wanted.

"I know you will." Ben held her hands in his. "I want you to stay at home the next few days, give you some time to make the transition from Facility life. We'll go out together until you feel comfortable getting around the neighborhood. When you're ready I'll allow you to go out on your own. For now I'll keep your travel card."

"Yes, sir." Without that card her world shrank to the house and yard. His restrictions did sound reasonable. She'd be lost a block from the house, and a little time to mentally shift gears from Facility routine to focusing on Ben was a good idea. She studied his face, looking for any clues to what he was thinking.

"Once you've adjusted, and you find your way around town, I'll leave your card here at home, so you can go out during the day. I will expect you to tell me in advance where you will be going and when you get back. You are not allowed to leave the house before 9 in the morning, and you have to be back by 4 in the afternoon. Also, you may not leave the house without my permission when I'm home. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir, I don't see any problems. What if there's an emergency?" It was an odd feeling for Elise, listening carefully to the man who was now her master and owner, as he put restrictions on what she could do. She'd have to write them down later, so she wouldn't forget anything.

"I trust you, Elise. Use your own judgment if something unexpected happens. If you have to break a rule, tell me why and we'll discuss it. I'm serious about the time though. I want to know where you are, day or night, even if I'm at work."

She could see from his expression the curfew was important. She would have to be very careful about scheduling her time. That was another clue to his personality; he was a stickler for being punctual. "Yes, sir, I'll remember the times." Did he have a basement room like the one they had learned to dread at the Facility? Something in his eyes told her not to expect leniency if she misbehaved.

"Good. Now, when you've settled in we'll talk about how you will spend your days. For starters, I want you to think about doing something with the house. Make a list of ideas, things you'd life to do, then we'll go over it. And Elise? Don't worry about upsetting me. I'm not the temperamental type. I can promise you, the only thing that makes me mad is deliberate disobedience. Remember that and we won't have any problems."