V
My physical training started that very evening
My Controller, dressed in a white lab coat, led me back to the room with
the table.
I saw for the first time that it was equipped as a medical examination
room.
She placed me on a scale, adjusted it, and then frowned in displeasure.
"You are overweight M - 5. The change in your diet will remove a
certain amount, but not enough to suit me.
"You will be exercised twice a day until I am satisfied with your
weight."
She continued her examination with the same care as lavished on a side
of beef being inspected. And actually both were for the same purpose.
The results of the blood pressure check also annoyed her.
"Your blood pressure is higher than it should be. Obviously exercise was
not on your list of priorities."
"Controller, " I ventured timidly, "perhaps my blood pressure is higher
in response to you."
"Perhaps it is."
She slapped me across the face.
"You were not given permission to speak. And if I want your opinion I
will ask for it. Is that very clear."
I nodded, feeling the sting in my face.
"Good. You do understand. Now stand there quietly while I finish
checking you."
I stood and waited while she checked my eyes and ears, then the fabled,
"open your mouth and say Ah".
She finished taking notes and walked to a cabinet. When she turned back
she was carrying a hypodermic syringe.
My knees started to buckle, and I started shaking.
"I see that I have found one of your fears M - 5. You fear needles.
Interesting. However I will now take a blood sample from you. I will bind you to
the table if you do not cooperate willingly. I will give you one chance only."
I stood still except for my shaking as she approached. The fear grew and
only the fear of being punished kept me in place.
In one swift motion she tied the arm and slipped the needle into a vein.
As she withdrew the needle, I collapsed on the floor.
She placed the sample on a counter and returned to my side. She stroked
my head and held me until the shaking stopped.
She wiped away my hot tears, and told me that she would help me with my
fears.
After a few moments she helped me to my feet and led me to a treadmill.
Attached to the side rails of the treadmill were a set of restraints on a short
chain. Next to the head of the treadmill was a medical monitor and a set of
medical sensors.
She ordered me onto the treadmill and attached the restraints. Working
quickly she attached the sensors to my arms, legs, and torso.
"Now you will start out walking. After a short time the treadmill will
speed up. Ultimately you will find yourself running. If you slow your pace I
have ways to speed you up. Each day the running time will increase and the
walking time will decrease. The sensors will record your performance."
Before I could react she had set the machine in motion.
At the beginning it wasn't too bad, but as the speed increased it became
more and more tiring. I slowed my pace once and was rewarded by a slash across
my ass with a buggy whip that I had not noticed her taking out.
The torture continued for what felt like an hour, but couldn't have been
that long. Suddenly the treadmill slowed to a stop.
I stood panting and sweating, heart pounding wildly.
"A good start M - 5. Tomorrow morning we will work a bit longer."
She freed me from the restraints and tangle of sensor wires and walked
me to the bathroom and shower, locking me in again.
She returned after a few minutes and was waiting for me when I exited
the shower. She toweled me dry and started rubbing an ointment into my aching
legs. After a few minutes she stood up and pronounced me fit.
"I do not wish you to stiffen during the night in your pen. The ointment
will prevent that from happening."
I wanted to thank her, but I remembered the slap.
She smiled at me.
"You have already thanked me M - 5. I can see it in your eyes. You must
be properly taken care of. Any injury would reduce your ability to serve us."
With that she returned me to my pen and covered it for the night.
When we began again in the morning, she attached the restraints and
sensors and started the treadmill again.
" I shall return in a few minutes with your morning ration."
She left me to the tender mercies of the machine. I kept up the pace
then got tired. I decided to slow down.
ZAP! An electric shock ran up my leg. It threw me off balance. I
staggered and felt another shock.
I picked up the pace and the shocks stopped.
The treadmill increased in speed. Another shock as I slowed. Faster it
moved and faster and faster the shocks came as I failed to keep up.
The shocks stopped as the treadmill slowed to a halt.
I stood panting as my Controller returned to the room with a tray of
food. A full tray of food.
Bacon, eggs, toast, juice, even coffee.
She looked at me and then looked at the strip of paper that had recorded
the session.
"I told you that I had ways of encouraging you to perform. You have just
found one of the more unforgettable ways. There are also more enjoyable ones you
may discover in time. You disobeyed and were corrected. You have however
forfeited your meal for this morning. You may however watch me eat."
Releasing me from my bonds she ordered me to sit at her feet and watch
her eat. She took her time, savoring every bite of it.
At one point she toyed with a piece of bacon and teased me with it,
waving it under my nose. Then with great deliberation, ate it.
She patted her lips with the napkin and sighed in satisfaction.
"Perhaps you will do better this afternoon. You may lick the plate
clean."
And I did.
