It is only fitting that he join us!" the others nodded in agreement. One pressed a loose tile on the wall and the wall moved aside reviling a large go...den ring and a pedestal. The chains immediately pulled John and tied him to the ring with his arms and legs spread wide, a fifth chain held his head in place, he could not move any part of his body.One of the women who John didn't recognize walked up to the pedestal. "Fellow women," her voice was very commanding "this man has come into our. The stew was every bit as delicious as the aromas had promised, and the room was silent as the two of them tucked in with enthusiasm."Seconds?" James asked as Iris scraped the last bit off the plate."Hmmm, yes please."She enjoyed the second helping as much as the first and used her last bit of bread to mop up the gravy left on her plate."That was absolutely wonderful!" she sighed as she pushed the plate away, and sat back."Yes, Alice is a marvellous cook – it was one of the reasons that I hired. If you forget, or count wrong, I start again. Is that clear, Girl?’ ‘Yes, Mast… OW!!!’ she yelled as the first blow fell. The stinging pain sank in, and finally she whimpered, ‘One!’ ‘Just in time! You need to be quicker with your counting, or I start again!’ ‘Yes, Mast… OW!!!’ The second blow fell on her other buttock. ‘Two!’ ‘Better!’ A third blow fell with increased force. She began sobbing, bewildered at her vulnerability. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she remembered to continue counting.. .. The company had a nice tradition of giving a dozen roses to secretaries on their birthday. On my eighteenth birthday, in November, my roses were accompanied with an invitation from Robert Turner, a vice-president, to lunch at one of the nicest restaurants in town. Nervous but so easily impressed, of course, I accepted.The restaurant was on the top floor of a downtown hotel. As we were walking to the elevators, Robert led me aside to a seating alcove in the lobby. We sat down and he gently.