The People v. Eleanor Warwick

Lisa scurries into the large, plush bedroom.

Small metal rings adorn the black leather straps around her neck, wrists, and ankles for easy attachment. The rings jingle as she frantically moves through the room.

It’s her job to keep a hold of her Mistress’ reading glasses in case she needs them, but once again, she failed in her duties. Hopefully, she can find them before Mistress misses them. She never liked to see Mistress displeased. It typically didn’t end well for her.

Searching the nightstand and along an oak desk yield nothing. Starting to panic, Lisa drops to the floor and looks under her Mistress’ bed. The soft carpet feels nice against her skin, which is covered only by a gold latex bra and panty set. She finds not a single dust bunny. Not surprising considering the staff of willing servants at her Mistress’ disposal. Sadly, there are no glasses either.

Hopping back to her feet, Lisa races over to the antique vanity where her Mistress sits when she brushes her lovely burgundy hair. It’s one of her favorite things to do for her Mistress. The Mistress is usually fresh out of the bath. She smells of vanilla and lavender. Mistress Penelope’s locks are so shiny and perfect. Not like the dull, wavy brown hair on Lisa’s own head.

Lisa would give anything to be more like Penelope Morneau. Anything. She watches her Mistress closely whenever she allows her near. Lisa studies every movement she makes and word she speaks for eventual replication. It’s a tad obsessive, she admits, but one has to be a little obsessed to spend their days serving another.

Putting a stop to her mind’s wandering, she focuses on the vanity and immediately spots the Mistress’ glasses. Snatching them up, she flees the room quickly, hoping to make it back to her place before Penelope notices her absence. Hurrying through House Morneau’s carpeted corridors, she nears the club area when Jeremy steps into her path.

Lisa comes to a quick halt as Penelope’s right hand man adjusts his tie. He glances toward her with an air of disinterest. “Forget something?”

“Um, yes, Jeremy. Mistress’ glasses.”

To her surprise, he only offers a slight nod. Lately, he’s very quick to scold and, in the process, reinforce his position of authority over the others. “I doubt she’ll need them tonight. Still, better get back to her.”

“Yes, sir,” she answers with a slight bow of her head.

Before she can resume her pace, a soft ringing sound comes from Jeremy’s jacket. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieves a phone. Not his, but his Mistress’. He is responsible for taking her calls when she’s entertaining. Jeremy checks the I.D. and a sneer forms on his face. Pressing a button silences the ringing. Instead of returning it to his pocket, he thumbs through the smartphone’s touchscreen.

Lisa doesn’t realize she’s staring until he looks up at her. “Is there a reason you’re still here?”

“Who was that?”

“That’s not your concern. Get back to your duties. Now.”

The authority rising in his voice, her lengthy and intense training takes over and she lowers her gaze. She starts to move along but stops herself. “It was Eleanor Warwick, wasn’t it?”

The host’s eyes flares. “I said it’s not your concern.”

“And you didn’t just hang up on her.” Lisa’s voice wobbles. In the back of her mind, she’s screaming at herself to shut up. That she’s overstepping her bounds. Something that is not at all welcome in House Morneau. “You erased the call from the log, didn’t you? So Mistress will never know she tried to call her.”

Reaching out with startling speed, Jeremy seizes her by her arm. She winces slightly as he yanks her toward him. “You better remember your place, Lisa. And quickly.”

The man’s breath is hot on her neck as he speaks, his face threateningly close to her’s. Jeremy is not a physically intimidating man. In fact, Lisa is fairly confident she can take him. But his position above her more than compensates. Still, she locks eyes with Jeremy. “I could say the same to you.”

Jeremy only stares back, bewildered by her forcefulness. When he speaks, much of the intensity drains from his voice. “Mistress doesn’t want to talk to her.”

“Then there’s no harm in telling her she called.”

It’s clear to her the host is choking back some very unpleasant words. After a sigh, he answers calmly. “If you feel you need to tell her, Lisa, I won’t stop you.”

Before she can carry on, Jeremy snatches the glasses away from her. “Hey!” she exclaims as he drops them on the floor. Lisa gasps. Jeremy stomps down on the eyewear. Her mouth hangs open as she stares down at the crushed spectacles.

“Of course, I’m not sure she’ll be interested in hearing anything you have to say.” Releasing his grip, he finishes tweaking his tie and heads back out into the club area.

Lisa kneels and turns the shattered glasses over in her hand. Jeremy damaged them beyond typical repair, but Mistress Penelope has magical powers. She could surely fix them. Regardless, she would be displeased.

Rising, Lisa takes a deep breath and enters the club.

Dancers and players alike thickly populate the dimly lit hall. Several of her fellow submissives, each with their own set of leather restraints, buzz around serving drinks, cleaning tables, and otherwise catering to their Mistress’ guests.

Lisa’s heart beats faster as she approaches the velvet rope that separates Mistress Penelope’s private sitting area from the rest of the club. She’s relieved to find the Mistress’ throne empty. At the very least, she may get away with forgetting the spectacles. Mistress Penelope could be unaware of her absence.

“Lisa”

The familiar voice causes her to start. She spins around to find her Mistress standing in front of her. Dropping to her knees, Lisa stares at the floor.

Her Mistress’ voice is at once enticing and intimidating. “Where have you been?”

She knows. Of course she does. She’s brilliant with an impeccable attention to detail. On top of that, she’s magic. “I...I forgot your glasses, Mistress.”

“I see. That’s what I get for expecting you to do something as horribly difficult as keep track of a pair of glasses.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress.” Her hand shakes as she offers up the spectacles.

Penny gingerly lifts them from her submissive’s grasp and looks them over. “Lisa. Lisa. Lisa.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress. I...Jeremy...he-”

“Lisa, look at me.”

The servant lifts her gaze, following Mistress Penelope’s black vinyl thigh-highs to the gold catsuit. She pauses for a moment to admire the circular opening that shows off her Mistress’ impressive chest. Her hair is pulled back into a tight, flawless ponytail. It’s as if not a single strand dares to defy her.

“Are you about to tell me that Jeremy broke my glasses?”

Starting to confirm the assertion, Lisa stops herself. It would just be his word against her’s. She knows whom Mistress will believe. Instead, she returns her eyes to the floor. “No, Mistress.”

With a chastising click of her tongue, Penny steps closer and softly strokes her sub’s hair. “You’re a sweet girl, Lisa, but you’re always full of excuses. And you’ve picked the worst possible night to be so foolish.”

“Mistress?”

“I promised my guests a little demonstration.” Taking a handful of hair, Penny pulls Lisa’s head back and glares down at her. The submissive’s eyes are wide with fear. “And you just volunteered.”

First comes the slapping thud of multiple leather straps meeting skin. A painful yip and a smattering of applause follows.

Penny twirls the flogger. The numerous tails flutter about until she gathers them in her free hand. House Morneau’s guests gather along the stage watching the Mistress at work. Cell phone cameras snap pictures and record video. Two more quick strikes bring cheers from the group. She smiles at her admirers. Everyone enjoys the show.

Everyone but Lisa.

Lisa grits her teeth as she stands pressed against a St. Andrews Cross, a large wooden X. The leather cuffs hold her wrists and ankles to each leg of the apparatus, leaving her incredibly exposed. She pulls on her restraints, but there’s no give. Her back already stings, and her Mistress is just warming up.

“It’s important to start slowly.” Penny tells her audience. “It’s better for you and for them.”

It’s hardly her first time on the rack, but in previous instances, she did something to deserve it, or Mistress Penelope was simply using her for her amusement. She can accept both. This time, she’s there because of Jeremy. Before she can regret not telling her Mistress about the phone call, a sudden, shrill squeak escapes her as another lash lands on her backside.

“The idea is to hurt without injuring, so accuracy is key. You want to avoid the small of the back. Aim higher, to the shoulder blades or lower, to the ass. Beginners always want to hit as hard as possible, but these little devils are going to hurt no matter how hard you swing them. So be slow and careful. Always sacrifice speed and power for accuracy.”

When another and another and another fall in quick succession, it’s clear to Lisa that Penelope’s done getting loose and is ready to let it fly.

“Of course, when you’ve had enough practice,” Penelope offers her students a devilish grin, “you won’t need to. Then it’s all a matter of having a submissive who can take a beating, and my girl here certainly can. Isn’t that right, Lisa?”

“Yes, Mistress,” she answers with a slight crack in her voice.

Taking several deep breaths, Lisa prepares for the full force of her Mistress’ sadistic talents. They are often more than she can take. From her view in between the two top legs of the X, she sees Jeremy lean against the far wall of the club. Crossing his arms, he stares at her and shakes his head. Completely forgetting her circumstances, she glares back at him, an angry scowl forming on her face.

A hard strike across her body snaps her back to her situation. She forgets Jeremy immediately as Penelope’s lashes increase in frequency and intensity. Lisa closes her eyes. Fists clenched tight, her knuckles turn white as her back turns red.

When she screamed, it’s in spite of herself. She prefers to take her punishments stoically with some measure of dignity, but Mistress Penelope is showing off for her adoring public. The strikes slow and eventually stop like an engine winding down. The crowd cheers as Penny hands her flogger off to another submissive.

Lisa hangs her head, drawing labored breaths as she tries to overcome the pain. Her aches are soothed slightly as Penelope’s latex-clad figure presses up against her. The material slightly cools her burning skin. A soft moan escapes her as her Mistress runs her hands up and down her body.

“Are you all right, Lisa?” Penny whispers into her ear.

The submissive’s head lifts with renewed energy. “Yes, Mistress.”

“Good,” she answers, backing away from her and turning back to the group. “Now, who wants to give it a try?”

As numerous volunteers speak up, Lisa’s head drops back down with an audible whine.