A.N Photo - Actress/Model Aisling Serrant in case your wondering from the cast list
Strange how something so small can make you do something so big. The case in question started with a lack of benches in the queue to take the obedience practicals.
Joe, Kayla and I were feeling upbeat. We had just passed our written obedience tests. It wasn't much but we all got certificates and badges with the slogan 'I obey' on them. I mean, it wasn't difficult, it was multiple choice. For example:
WHEN SHOULD YOU SPEAK IN FRONT OF A SUPERIOR BEING?
A) WHEN SPOKEN TO.
B) WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT.
C) NEVER, EXCEPT SUNDAYS.
"People actually fail! No really, I've heard," promised Joe.
I'd been glad that Cortona, on my collar, had been turned off during the exam so I had actually had a little peace and quiet for forty minutes. Now we were sitting on benches, ready to be called in to take the practical exam. We sat around tensely. I was trying to distract myself.
"You're not still trying to remember the Terms and Conditions? It's a waste of time," said Kayla.
I looked up from my three-ring binder to see that '88 and her gang had also arrived, fresh from their paper test. There was a ripple of giggles from '88's posse; no guesses as to whom they were talking about. Unfortunately, '88's gaggle started to giggle again. They talked loudly enough to make sure we could overhear them.
"Do you think user #221 is re-staging Cinderella and is in need of three ugly sisters?" said '88 to her friends. Her highest bidder had changed recently and she was making the best of it. Her gaggle slowly diminished as their numbers were called.
"Don't sink to their level," said Kayla to Joe. He was quite clearly fuming. I tried to change the subject but then the doors opened and '88 was called in.
"What I wouldn't do to that woman," said Joe.
"You know what my dad once said? He said that he never had enemies just future victims," I told Joe.
All of '88's gaggle was slowly called for their practical test.
"What's the next class?" asked Joe.
"Why are you asking me? I'm not a collar," said Kayla.
"He's asking you because he knows exactly what the class is; he just doesn't want to go," I said.
"It's a seminar on 'Faking It for Your Owner', big deal," said Kayla.
"I'm so rubbish at it," complained Joe straightening his chest.
There was silence. 88' now disappeared into the test leaving only one of her tutees behind.
"It's about being appreciative to your partner, which you would find difficult," said Kayla straightening her silicon, second skin.
"You're as bad as '88," Joe said, standing up and walking away, as his number was called.
"What's up with her?" said 1220, sitting down with us. I was a bit suspicious. 1220 was one of '88's group of friends, the last one left to be called.
"I heard that you want to hear about a certain Rockwood." said 1220. Then her number was called.
"Maybe," I said.
"If you do, then be on Level 42 an hour before lights out," 1220 whispered and then left.