Illustrationed by Tarsis

Originally Published in Bondage Life No.  24

Story Codes: M/f, F/f, cons, reluct, bdsm, toys, disp, video, X

IX. Trading Places

"No gift is complete until it has been delivered.  After I unlock the door, carry her into the house."

"An impressive demonstration," said Robyn, "but you'll still have to carry her upstairs."

"For two or for three?"

Gaylord was right about Von Dreck, who hopped comically up the stairs and waited for Robyn to lead her into the extra bedroom featuring the big brass bed.

"Any particular subject, or do we play twenty questions?"

"That's one of Gaylord's little jokes.  My real name is Doris Schultz."

"No, I thought that one up myself.  After you carried on about the scene on the roof, he was ready to boil me in oil.  I thought that this little gesture might get both of us off the hook."

"Then it must have been Herbert who told him."

"That seems like a safe assumption.  Spying for Gaylord is one of his favorite activities."

"Only about Herbert.  Tell me about Doris Schultz."

"You should ask Gaylord for a raise."

"How did you hook up with Gaylord?  I don't suppose you answered an ad."

"How long have you been into bondage?"

"Don't tell me," said Robyn sarcastically.  "You had brothers who tied you up."

"Okay, I give up," said Robyn, Remembering what was left of the cord stashed in Gaylord's tool box.  "I'm going to change your bondage.  It's good, but it isn't mine."

Gaylord's knots were so tight that Robyn had to get scissors.  Von Dreck neither resisted nor complained as Robyn retied her arms even though marks still attested to the strictness of her previous bondage.  Peeved at Von Dreck's indifference, Robyn pulled the elbow cords extra tight.  "I thought they would touch," she said, before running a line from the cords just above Von Dreck's knees to a ring on the front of her collar.  Several more turns of cord, connecting ankles to wrists, had to be routed around Von Dreck's now intervening buttocks.  "Now, open your mouth," said Robyn, "so I can put back your ball gag."

"My God!" thought Robyn, "I'm getting as bad as them," When she returned with the water, there was no time for guilt.  Von Dreck sat grinning on the bed, completely free of all cords.

There was one more surprise for Robyn.  Only a few minutes later, she found herself flat on her stomach, hands roped behind her back.  "You damn little bitch!" she exclaimed.  "How did you manage that?"

"You'd gag me before I could scream."

"No, but I'm sure that you have many times."

"That doesn't sound like the girl I've grown to know and hate."

"I thought so ten minutes ago."

"I thought that's what I had been getting."

Robyn shrugged, sat down on the bed, and compliantly offered her wrists.  "Doesn't Gaylord ever get tied up?"

"Gaylord will do fine," said Robyn, her wrists by this time neatly corded.

"That's what I was afraid of."

"Exactly," said Von Dreck, "and no bondsperson worth her salt leaves knots within reach of teeth.  After I tie your legs at the ankles and above your knees, I'll tie your wrists to your ankles."

"Of course.  Tuck you knees under your chin so I can secure your arms." Von Dreck secured Robyn's arms with cords running under her knees.

"Just until I pick out a dress.  I may try on three or four, and I don't want to get them all soiled.  I'll have to put you on the floor to make more room on the bed."

"You'll have to be gagged.  A resourceful subject might be able to gnaw on the cords."

"No, this is your first formal lesson, and I don't want to be unprofessional.  Good, now roll over on your back and I'll tie your ankles to the crossbar."

Understandably hampered by stiffness, Robyn gathered up all the loose cord and deposited it neatly on the bed beside the discarded dresses.  "I don't know about you," she said, "but I'm in the mood for a steak."

X. What's In A Name?

"The meeting will be short," said Gaylord.  "I have an appointment at the bank."

"The one scheduled for yesterday," said Von Dreck.  "As you may recall, we were busy breaking in a new slave."

Von Dreck flipped through her notebook.  "Tonight is my bondage class, and the movie club meeting has been set for the last Thursday in the month.  I mailed out the invitations to the Sweet Gwendoline party.  I'm expecting about twenty-eight."

"Of course not," said Gaylord.  "Only special members get invited, and Von Dreck has an uncanny gift for screening out creeps and phonies."

"It may not be much longer," said Von Dreck, "unless he starts delegating more authority."

"Let's get on with the meeting," said Gaylord.  "Have we shot any new layouts?"

"You can't show him those," said Robyn, snatching them out of Gaylord's hands and starting to rip them up.

"I don't know why not," said Gaylord, "but I'll have Von Dreck check the bylaws."

Wrist tied in a way that locked arms in a folded position did not prevent untethered fingers from launching another attack against what remained of the photos.  "Immobilize her hands," said Gaylord, "before she wrecks the whole studio."

Gaylord contributed to the bondage by handcuffing Robyn's ankles, then proceeded with the meeting as if there had been no interruption.  "Anything new from the publishers?"

After thumbing through the first 30 pages, Gaylord paused to study the center fold.  "Their bondage hasn't improved, but they sure have upgraded their models."

"She's not posing for Vogue," said Gaylord.  "I'd say her dimensions are just right."

"Apparently, not very much.  Theridion is very successful.  It even buys some of our photos.  Still, it's more in the spirit of Klaw."

"He still is.  He took bondage out of the closet.  He published Willie and Stanton.  He immortalized Betty Page, and Lord knows how many others.  His legal fees must have been staggering, yet the price of a bondage photo never rose above 40 cents.  He's a monument to the free enterprise system, and his bondage wasn't all that bad."

"Let me try to explain," said Von Dreck.  "Gaylord agrees with John Savage that it takes a personal interest to turn out a top-notch product.  Willie had a personal interest.  Klaw was essentially a merchant."

"Huh?"

"That's very imaginative, Said Gaylord.  "I may use it in our next bulletin.  Actually, the initials are a carry-over from my former mail order business."

"This is all very interesting," said Gaylord, "but if you ladies don't mind, I declare this meeting to be over."

"All in good time," said Von Dreck.  "Just like you said last night, it's time we had a little talk."

"You know about what, and I know about what, so why don't you drop the act?"

"That depends on your story."

"So you decided to become a bondage model?  You'll have to do better than that."

"Did you?"

"What was the slave thing all about?"

"How did you go about that?"

"So what did you finally learn?"

"That's how bondage sometimes goes Here, let me untie your wrists."

Von Dreck pinched Robyn's bottom and winked.  "If you really must know," she said, "I never forget a tush."

XI. Returning A Favor

"Thanks for not telling Gaylord."

"It must be some favor if Madame de Sade has to ask."

"If you thought it up, I'm sure it's a lalapalooza."

"What makes it so special?"

"No, I suppose not.  Is there still time to change my will?"

"Any particular costume?"

"Then it's agreed.  Turn around and cross your wrists behind you.  Good!  Now for your arms.  Your elbows will not have to touch."

"You did a good job," said Robyn, her ankles now also corded, "but I've been tied up a lot worse.  Maybe that's why your author is little known."

"Are you crazy?  I can't get a whole doorknob in my mouth."

"I've tasted better," said Robyn, after confirming the fit.

"Can't you cover it first with a handkerchief?"

"How long is this going to take?

XII. Putting On A Happy Face

"Mrs. Smith, I presume," said Robyn.

Slowly recognition dawned.  Under the makeup and wig were strangely familiar features.  "Get hold of yourself," said Robyn, unable to stifle a grin.  "As soon as I figure out how, I'll get you out of that box."

"Alright, already," said Robyn, unstrapping Herbert's gag.

Robyn found several screw drivers, succeeding with the second one she tried.  More difficult was helping Herbert raise himself clear of the box.  Besides being stiff and numb, he was simply, but effectively, bound.

"It's not like you think," said Herbert, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"You think I like wearing this shit?"

"Von Dreck made me wear it," said Herbert.

"She put it on.  Once I was inside the box, I didn't have much of a choice.

"I can explain," said Herbert.

"Aren't you going to untie me first?"

"When Von Dreck ties you up, there isn't much point in struggling."

"This was all her idea," said Herbert.  "She said female models were no challenge and that, if I had no objections, she'd like to practice on me.  When I said okay, she said there was just one more thing."

"Of course I said no.  Then she said put them on or find yourself another job."

"Where else would I find another job like this?"

"The way she was laughing, I was glad to get in the box."

"You're worse than Von Dreck," said Herbert, more in frustration than anger.  "Is it fun to humiliate me like this?"

"I don't think I can walk in these shoes."

Herbert's bondage did not thwart compliance with Robyn's pending request.  His wrists were efficiently tied, but the cord connecting his ankles allowed him to take short steps even though it was further coiled to insure that the skyscraper pumps remained on his size ten feet.

"Not unless you want me to fall down."

While Herbert was doing his laps, Robyn was forming a plan.  "If you're through sulking," she said, "I have a few simple questions.  Do you think you could handle Von Dreck?

"I mean tie her up no matter how hard she fights."

"Could you tie her so tight that she couldn't escape?  She's a wizard with ropes and knots."

"Then it's settled.  She usually comes in around eight-thirty.  Tomorrow morning, we'll come in by eight.  I'll pick you up myself."

XIII. Sitting Pretty

Von Dreck arrived at the studio at almost exactly eight-thirty, unlocked the outer door, and, with no outward sign of surprise, acknowledged her welcoming committee.  "Your work habits are improving," she said coolly.

"Do you know why we're here?" asked Robyn.

"I have a pretty good idea."

"Then take off you jersey and jeans.  Herbert deserves to enjoy you in a more natural state."

"All he ever had to do was ask."

"Okay, I've done my part," said Robyn, directing her words to Herbert.  "Show me what you can do."

Herbert started with a length of cord, which, as nearly as Robyn could tell, was about 30 feet in length.  He fashioned a knotless loop, a technique now familiar to Robyn, and tightened it around Von Dreck's arms and body at a point just below her breasts.  Next, he wound almost all of the remnant along the same path as the loop.  Finally, he split what was left into two separate lines and made use of the subject's right arm to reverse the direction of one line and execute an anchoring knot.

Robyn was openly critical.  "That doesn't look very tight."

"It will be in a minute," said Von Dreck.  Robyn withheld further comment, respecting Von Dreck's opinion on this one particular subject.

Herbert hammer-locked Von Dreck's left wrist and, with her apparent cooperation, connected it to the strands encircling her arms and body.  The right wrist received the same treatment except that it also was corded to its hammer-locked counterpart.

The closer Robyn studied the bondage, the more her appreciation grew.  Even less efficiently tied wrists would find it difficult to escape.  Cords circling the subject's body preventer her from spreading her arms, and any attempt to spread them or even to lower her hands, would tighten the encircling cords.

"The Japanese thought up this one," said Von Dreck.  "Maybe that's why they make such good television sets."

"You're taking this calmly," said Robyn, miffed at Von Dreck's nonchalance even in the strictest of bondage.

"Have you forgotten so soon?"

"Forgotten what?" asked Robyn.

"What a good sport I am."

Robyn threw up her arms in disgust.  "Get on with it already, Herbert.  There's more of her left to tie."

"If I'm not mistaken," said Robyn, "this was a John Willie favorite.  He was particularly fond of rocking his models back so as to enhance the view." Robyn demonstrated on Von Dreck.  "Well, Herbert, what do you think?"

"Is that all you think?"

Robyn tried another tack, first rocking Von Dreck so far back that she finally came to rest much like an overturned turtle.  "What do you think of her buns?"

"Just very nice?  I think they're terrific."

"Look, Herbert," said Robyn impatiently, "you can't go through life just looking.  If you think her buns are terrific, the world won't come to an end if you give one little pinch."

"It's the same thing," mocked Robyn.

Herbert produced the gag, which Von Dreck uncomplainingly accepted and which Herbert buckled in place.

In her folded position, Von Dreck was not easy to lift even for someone like Herbert, who had above average strength.  Eventually, however, he managed to get her up on the table in a sitting position.

Von Dreck began rocking gently, perhaps, only to demonstrate that no ropes could ever defeat her completely.

"Yes, if you are as hungry as I, you'll go out with me for some breakfast."

"I haven't the slightest idea."

After a suitable interval, Robyn opened the door.  "Are you Robyn?" asked a curly haired lad, no more than twelve years of age.  "A lady gave me a dollar to make sure that you got this letter."

Dear Robyn,
By the time you receive this message, I expect to be in no position to perform my usual duties - or even to tell you what they are.
However, the Studio must go on.  A list of the items that need immediate attention can be found under Gaylord's calendar.

XIV. In The Black

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Robyn.  "It's been almost two weeks since you did something rotten to mean."

"I haven't taken over," said Robyn.  "Gaylord is still running the studio.  I'm just looking after things until he gets back."

"Of course, he's coming back.  He's just taking a little vacation."

"You know where he is?"

"Then how about sharing it with me?"

"You know how stubborn he is.  He must have found out that I personally guaranteed his loan.  Now tell me where he is."

"Ingrid?"

"She's certainly a beautiful girl.

Robyn shook her head sadly.  "Gaylord ought to love that."

"Let's get back to business.  Since you mentioned the Chateau, what's this thin on the schedule for next week?  I thought Gaylord hated S&M."

"What's in it for the Chateau?"

"Who pays the modeling fees?"

After thinking for a moment, Robyn asked another question; "Have you lined up the models for the next week?"

"Do you think you could line up Ingrid?"

"I'll expect you to take care of it.  Now tell me about tonight."

"What do they do, talk about movies?"

"Since you don't make it sound like you'll have very much to do, this should be an excellent time to try out some new equipment."

"This chain set," said Robyn, opening a drawer of her desk and extracting four matched steel bands for wrists, ankles, neck, and waist, all linked by appropriate chains.

"Now that we're making a profit, it costs less than you may think.  It depreciates over five years, and we get a ten percent tax credit.  Aren't you going to try it on?"

"I'll tell you what, if you honestly believe that the club would prefer you without the chains, we'll pretend that I never brought it up."

XV. The Movie Lecture

A manacled harem girl convened the movie club meeting; "Tonight, one of our members is favoring us with some highlights from his unpublished book.  We'll get to that in a minute.  First, let me introduce our vice-president and general manager.  She wants you to call her Robyn."

As Robyn tried to remember what she had agreed to contribute, Von Dreck read from a slip of paper, "Many leading ladies have been bound more than once in the same motion picture.  Name one who was tied up both by her lover and her father." Almost every hand in the room went up.  "I think you were first," said Von Dreck, pointing to a sandy-haired man in a turtleneck sweater.

"We have a winner," said Von Dreck.  "We also have a minor disagreement.  Robyn offered $25.  I thought that allowing the winner to tie her to a chair would be a more appropriate prize.  Knowing her as I do, I'm sure she will go along with whatever the members prefer." Calls from the floor make it clear which prize the members preferred.

Fred Glubman, a thin, balding man, maybe still under fifty years of age, launched directly into his subject: "The frequency of bondage in movies is proof of bondage awareness; yet rarely is bondage acknowledged as an erotic activity.

"If you will excuse me for digressing, the last word on the 'Black Swan' goes to Steven H.  Scheuer, author of 'Movies on Tv': 'Great for the kids and plenty for adventure minded adults.'"

"To the best of my knowledge, a french film called "Trans-Europe Express", is the only movie in which the sexual power of bondage is the principal motivation factor.  With a kind of clinical detachment, it tells the story of a man whose bondage fantasies lead to a tragic bondage experience.  Eventually, he is apprehended because someone is perceptive enough to know that he will be certain to attend a theatrical performance by a so-called bound woman."

"I'm glad that you asked," said Glubman.  "'The Collector', like 'The Black Swan' is a quality movie with liberal doses bondage.  however, as in 'The Black Swan', the bondage purportedly is practiced for wholly practical reason.  In the celebrated bathroom scene, Miss Eggar is promptly untied when the nosey neighbor departs.  And, as some of you may recall, when the unfortunate captive tries to have sex with her captor, she first asks him to untie her hands.

"An even more outrageous line further demonstrates bondage awareness.  'How come I'm tied up?' asked our hero when, like his two female companions, he finds himself roped to a chair.  One of the bad guys replies: 'I love you in my own way'."

"How far Hollywood will carry the pretense that bondage is not erotic is illustrated by...  "

XVI. Dressed To Kill

"I brought you something to wear."

"Nothing," said Robyn.  "But, since we're going to the Chateau, we might as well go in style."

"You'll put on this evening gown, and I brought you a tailored fur cape."

"She's in the storeroom with Herbert."

"Don't be ridiculous.  A few leather items will suffice.  Herbert's lacing her in the thigh boots now."

In addition to the thigh-length boots, Ingrid wore just a bra and panties, the latter of the briefest variety.  Herbert's outfit was more surprising.  "It isn't a costume," said Robyn.  "Tonight, he will be our chauffeur."

Robyn's final instructions were for Herbert, "As soon as it's dark, carry her out to the loading dock.  I'll pull up the Mercedes myself."

Mistress Mona had seen better days.  To Robyn, her most striking feature was a pair of imposing thighs, of which, over her long leather boots and under her short leather skirt, ample portions were clearly visible.  "Welcome to the Chateau," she said.  "I was expecting Gaylord."

"Follow me," said Mistress Mona, leading a strange entourage into a high-ceilinged room featuring a hard stone floor, a pulley set in the ceiling, and various frames and platforms.  "Okay, do your thing," she whispered.  "Tonight, I get to relax."

At a signal from Robyn, Herbert deposited Ingrid at a point underneath the pulley and connected her ankles to the rope that accepted the force from the wheel.  Robyn took over from there.  First, Ingrid's ankles rose; next her hips cleared the hard surface and her shoulders slid slowly forward; finally, only her hair made any contact with the floor.

Robyn call on Herbert one more time.  "See that platform with the four-foot post?  Slide it over here by Ingrid." While Herbert was moving the platform, Robyn was lowering Ingrid, but only for the limited purpose of retying her booted ankles, this time in a crossed position.  Soon Ingrid was dangling again, this time six feet above the floor.

"Okay, shoot some more pictures," said Robyn, "and then we'll get out of this dump."

"Why so glum?  asked Von Dreck.  "I think they'll invite us back."

"Ingrid would like to talk to you."

Taking her cue from Von Dreck, Ingrid timidly crossed the room.  "I know you're busy," she said, "but there's something I'd like to say."

"This will just take a minute," said Ingrid.  "I've been a model a long time, but I've never had a session like this.  The next time you need a model, I hope you will think of me first."