Janet in Training 12

The entire world had shrunk to the confines of the library. Janet sat behind
the desk, a pitcher of coffee in front of her, a pile of Journals there as well.
The television set was tuned to the financial channel, and Janet watched dumbly
as the ticker scrolled across the screen.

‘I’ve lost,’ Janet thought to herself, ‘it’s the end.’

Now there was nothing to do except watch the clock tick away her last few
remaining hours of freedom until the meeting with Blanca in Manhattan, which
would decide who would inherit Erica’s estate.

Just a few days ago, Tiffany and Lauren had visited the house together. Tiffany
had dropped enough hints that she was ahead, that Janet would be the loser.
Janet remembered the horrible way that Lauren had looked at her, and it had
chilled her blood.

Had all of this happened to her in just two years? Slave, Mistress, and now
slave again?

“Janet?” called Stephanie as she opened the library door and burst inside,
followed by Tina.

“In here,” Janet answered, too tired to even stand up.

“What the hell is going on?” asked Stephanie.

“I didn’t call you over here,” recalled Janet, “what are you here for, Stephanie?”

“You didn’t call me. Tina did,” answered Stephanie.

Stephanie rushed over to Janet, and placed her medical bag on the desk before
she peered in her eyes, felt her pulse. She frowned in response.

“Tina, how long since Janet has slept?”

“Three, four days, Mistress.”

“Is this Mistress Tiffany’s doing?” demanded Stephanie.

“No, Mistress,” Tina answered. “How has she kept herself awake?”

“With pills and coffee, Mistress.”

“Has she had any stimulants in the last eight hours?”

“No, Mistress.”

“Good.”

Stephanie had ceased to carry her medical bag over the years since she had
stopped practicing, but ever since the two incidents at Janet’s house, she would
always take it with her. She opened the bag, and withdrew a hypodermic needle
and a vial of liquid. Stephanie then upended the vial, and filled the syringe,
with Janet watching, not comprehending what Stephanie was doing.

“Is Mistress Tiffany around?” asked Stephanie.

“No, Mistress. She will return tomorrow morning,” answered Tina.

“What are you watching, Janet?” asked Stephanie.

“Doomsday.”

Stephanie suddenly swabbed Janet’s arm with an alcohol patch and then injected
her with the needle. Janet was so weak, she didn’t even attempt to resist.

“What the?” asked Janet.

“Nighty night,” answered Stephanie.

Janet was swallowed up by a sudden tide of darkness, and peace for the first
time in days. Her head slumped to the desk, and the world receded from view.

* * * *

When Janet awoke, she found that she was in one of the first floor bedrooms.
The same one that she and Stephanie had carried Tina to, that horrible night
when she had been left alone in the cell by Tiffany.

“Good evening,” greeted Stephanie.

“What did you do?” asked Janet.

“You needed sleep, Janet. You were exhausted, so I knocked you out for a few
hours. Do you feel better?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Janet rubbed her eyes, and saw the contents of her purse lying on the dresser,
next to the binder where she had catalogued all of Erica’s documents, one year
ago! Including the cell phone that had saved her life six months earlier.

“You know, don’t you?” accused Janet.

“Yes, after we put you to bed, I went through your purse and I found these
papers,” indicated Stephanie.

“I must have forgotten to remove them when I saw Blanca three months ago,”
said Janet.

“Then I found Erica’s book in the desk. Very interesting reading. I never
knew that Erica could be so devious,” observed Stephanie.

Janet was relaxed, and finally at peace for the first time in days. She could
talk to her closest friend, and finally explain what she had been subject to
for all this time.

“In two days,” Janet began, “a limo will arrive in the morning to take Tiffany
and myself to Blanca’s office. She will read the codicil to Erica’s will, which
will say that the winner of the stock market contest will inherit Erica’s estate.
Which will include the loser, who will become the victor’s slave.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” demanded Stephanie, “now that I know what all this
has really been about.”

“Because if you would have read the documents fully, you would have found
that I had to keep it a secret. That’s why I’ve been under such a strain, Stephanie.
Because I couldn’t tell you, or anyone,” answered Janet.

“I’m sorry, Janet. I didn’t understand the pressure that you were under. I’m
amazed that you haven’t broken under the strain until now,” observed Stephanie.

“Maybe I finally did,” Janet answered, “Tina?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Could you get me a drink, please?” asked Janet, stirring under the sheets.

“Icewater, Tina,” Stephanie ordered, “no stimulants of any kind.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Janet waited in silence until Tine returned from the kitchen with a pitcher
full of icewater. She poured a large glass for Janet, who first propped herself
up in bed, resting on two pillows. Janet’s mind was clear, her body partially
rested. Now she had to do something that would be very difficult.

“Leave us, Tina,” ordered Janet.

“Mistress, please, I want to stay with you,” begged Tina.

“Does she know?” demanded Janet.

“I didn’t read all of those documents myself,” Stephanie answered.

Janet exhaled, and tried to decide what to do next.

“All right, Tina, stay. Because now Stephanie and I have to discuss your future,
not mine,” said Janet.

“Janet?” cried Tina, “what do you mean?

“If Tiffany wins tomorrow, then not only will I become her slave, but you
will be also. Tiffany associates with Mistress Lauren, who believes that the
only way to get total obedience from her slaves is to punish them past their
breaking point. You saw what she did to my back.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“One of her slaves, a girl named Myra met me in Greenwich, and told me that
Tiffany was being advised by Lauren, and that she was ahead. Myra begged me
to buy her, crying in public. That’s when I asked Jessica to help me as an investment
advisor, and not just a slave. She’s been doing so for the last three months.”

“Is that why you ordered me out of the Dungeon, Mistress?” asked Tina.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I was just jealous,” cried Tina.

“If I lose, and I don’t really know who may be ahead, then you’ll be Tiffany’s
slave. I can’t let you become the property of a dangerous and cruel Mistress
like what Tiffany has become. I can accept my own bondage, but not yours. Therefore,
I release you Tina, long before your contract to me expires,” calmly explained
Janet.

“No,” cried Tina, “I want to stay with you always, no matter what.”

“No, you stupid fool. I release you and all your obligations to me. If you
won’t leave, Tina, then I give you to Stephanie. She will be a far better Mistress
to you than Tiffany or Lauren,” ordered Janet.

“Yes, Mistress,” tearfully answered Tina.

“Tonight, both you and Stephanie must leave, so that I can spend tomorrow
alone with Tiffany. Just as we started one year ago. The next day we shall go
to New York, and then we shall know who will be the Mistress in this house,”
lectured Janet.

“You’ve become a far better Mistress than Erica could ever have imagined,”
answered Stephanie.

“That’s just exactly why I have to release Tina. You don’t deserve a Mistress
like Tiffany, and especially Lauren,” said Janet.

“I don’t want to leave you, Mistress,” cried Tina.

“You saw what happened to my back, and the scars that I still have? Do you
want to be a slave to a Mistress that can inflict that kind of punishment, Tina?
I don’t think so. So go, both of you. I came into this thing alone, and that’s
the way I’ll have to face it in thirty-six hours,” said Janet.

“You shouldn’t be here alone with Tiffany,” cautioned Stephanie.

“Why? She wouldn’t hurt me now. She’s just a few hours from possibly getting
exactly what she wants, namely the House and me. If she did something now, it
would endanger that chance. Everything is now out of our control, and in the
hands of the gods,” added Janet.

Stephanie and Tina both sat on Janet’s bed, staring at her.

“Now go, damn it! Both of you! One year ago, Tiffany and I started in Erica’s
house alone, and that’s the way we’re going to finish. Whatever happens in Blanca’s
office is our respective fate.”

“If you win, Mistress Janet, I’ll be back,” said Tina, tears in her eyes.

“Keep your fingers crossed, both of you,” ordered Janet, “because hope is
the only thing that I’ve got left.”

After they had both departed, Janet allowed herself a single small sherry.
She tried to relax on an easy chair back in the library, wishing that she had
not sent Stephanie and Tina away after all.

On the footstool was the newspaper, which she had not read for days, even
though Tina faithfully put it on her desk each morning. Janet opened it, hoping
that it would get her mind off her situation. A red advertising insert fell
out, and Janet had to pick it up from the floor. On the cover was a sale of
board games, including Conquest.

“Oh, god!” screamed Janet, her voice echoing through the house.

Suddenly, everything returned in a flash of memories. Erica’s death, Janet
with Tiffany in her apartment. Knocking over Conquest in the closet, then Janet
bragging how good a player she was when they picked up all the pieces off the
floor. Six months later at Lauren’s house, her little “game” of Conquest to
decide who would use the slave.

Myra, already used past her safeword. Lauren wanting to continue, and Janet
taking Myra’s place. Whipped nearly to death, then the horrible drive home,
and the painful recovery.

“I was set up,” sobbed Janet in the empty house, “Tiffany wanted me to die,
with Lauren’s help.”

Her night was mostly sleepless, filled with nightmares of death and suffering.

* * * *

Janet spent most of the next day waiting for Tiffany. Incredibly, her companion
did not return until shortly before dinner.

“Greetings,” said Janet as Tiffany entered the foyer.

“Hello. Where’s Tina?”

“Gone. You can put your jacket in the closet yourself,” directed Janet.

“Where is she?” asked Tiffany as she hung her jacket in the closet.

“I released her from my service, and gave her to Stephanie,” Janet answered.

“Why did you do that?” asked Tiffany.

They were both interrupted by the sound of a bell from the kitchen.

“Dinner is served,” said Janet.

It wasn’t until they were both seated at the table before a roast beef that
they could continue talking. Tiffany had helped Janet bring everything to the
table, and did not question her further until the dinner was on the table.

“Why such a grand meal?” asked Tiffany as she sipped at a red wine.

“Last meal, and all that,” answered Janet, “one year ago, you called me to
your apartment and cooked dinner after Erica’s death. Now it’s my turn.”

“Thank you,” said Tiffany as she speared a piece of meat and placed it into
her mouth.

“I thought that we should have one final dinner, together alone by ourselves.
I hope that you haven’t asked someone to join you here tonight,” said Janet.

“No. I wasn’t sure just what I’d find here, so I came alone,” Tiffany answered.

“Good.”

“Why did you send Tina away?” asked Tiffany.

“Because I didn’t want her to fall into your hands or Lauren’s, that’s why.
She doesn’t deserve to have a cruel Mistress like you’ve become,” stated Janet.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything, from that first night we inherited the
estate to today.”

“Tiffany, we have to take responsibility for our actions. Your being sorry
doesn’t absolve you from the scars on my back or placing Tina in danger either.
That’s what being a Mistress is all about, not just using slaves for our own
sexual gratification,” lectured Janet.

“I guess you’re right,” Tiffany answered.

“No, you know I’m right,” said Janet, “now let’s finish eating, do the dishes,
and get some sleep. I’m exhausted, and I want to have a clear head tomorrow.”

Somehow, Janet had expected that Tiffany would join her in her bedroom that
evening. Instead, she remained alone, listening to the sounds of the night.
She placed her arm behind her back, feeling the scars that Lauren had placed
there. In her dreams, she wondered if others would soon join them.

The next morning, Janet took a hot steaming shower, almost at sauna temperature.
She had seen home saunas, and had whistled at the price. Janet resolved that
if she should win, she would spend the five figures and have one installed in
the house.

The hot water washed away the fatigue, and made her sweat away the tensions
that had developed in her body for several weeks. Finally, she knew that this
little respite had to end, so she stopped the water, and exited the tub. She
toweled herself off, and decided that now wasn’t the time to give her an orgasm.
No, it was time to be serious.

After her shower, Janet walked to the bedroom to dry herself off. When she
removed the short terry kimono robe, she saw the scars on her back reflected
in the mirror. The stigmata of her encounter with Lauren. It seemed incredible
that she had been nearly been beaten to death and survived the nightmare.

Janet dressed, and chose a conservative business suit, one that she had worn
to work before. She set her hair, wishing that she had Tina’s help this morning.
Still, she had done it all of her life before she had a servant, so why should
she become a helpless fool now?

When she entered the kitchen, Janet was surprised to find that Tiffany had
chosen to wear a suit also, except that Janet’s was blue and Tiffany’s was black.
They looked alike.

“I ordered out for croissants,” said Tiffany, “I didn’t think that a heavy
breakfast would be such a good idea.”

“Thanks.”

They ate a simple breakfast of juice, black coffee and croissants in the kitchen,
like two high powered female executives on the go. They both stared at the clock,
watching the time tick away towards 9 AM.

Tiffany stowed the dishes in the sink, just before the limo arrived. They
both carried leather briefcases and Janet reflected that hers had been a gift
from her firm for good service. She looked at the battered black leather as
she placed hers by her feet.

They were driven into the city on time, after rush hour had ended. The large
Cadillac had been expanded to contain a TV and bar, and could seat several on
leather upholstery. Instead, it was used just to transport the two women to
Blanca’s office.

“Thank you,” said Janet as the exited the limo.

“I’ve been told to wait to take you back to Connecticut,” said the female
chauffeur.

“Thank you,” said Tiffany, also.

They rode the elevator up in silence, and were ushered in Blanca’s office,
each taking a seat. Blanca hadn’t arrived yet, though it was already 10 AM.
Janet fidgeted uneasily in her seat, the tension building up her.

“Good morning, ladies,” greeted Blanca when she entered her office.

“Good morning,” both Janet and Tiffany said in unison.

“Coffee?”

They both nodded.

“Three black coffees, please,” ordered Blanca after she pressed the intercom
switch.

Her secretary shortly dropped off a tray containing three cups, and placed
in on Blanca’s desk. Janet now noted a wedding ring on the third finger of her
left hand.

“Georgie, please make sure that we’re not disturbed, period. Short of one
of the senior partners calling, I’d like to be left alone with these two clients,”
Blanca ordered.

She then departed, closing the door behind her. The atmosphere in the room
was electric, and both Janet and Tiffany were seated like statues. Blanca passed
around the coffee cups, and took a seat in her leather chair.

“I’ve known Erica Riken a long time,” began Blanca, “as a good friend, a Dominant,
and a client. It was Erica’s wish that if she should die, a competition was
to be held between two of her slaves to decide who would inherit the estate.
And the loser would become the victor’s slave.”

“We know all that already, just get on with it,” interrupted Tiffany.

Blanca then removed four envelopes from her briefcase, displaying them to
her two clients.

“This is the codicil to Erica’s will, and three identical statements from
the brokers you were ordered to use. Even I don’t know the contents, as Erica
had instructed the information to be collected and sealed before I picked up
the envelopes this morning. Which is why I’m late.”

Blanca tore open one of the envelopes, and proceeded to read its contents:

“I, Erica Riken, being of sound mind and body, do reaffirm the conditions
that I specified in document 423 for a competition between my heirs Janet Davis
and Tiffany Gray. Whoever has the greater value in their portfolio shall be
the sole inheritor of my estate, and all my possessions. Signed Erica Riken.”

“Would you like to see it?” asked Blanca.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” said Janet softly, “please proceed.”

Blanca then handed out identical manila envelopes to both Tiffany and Janet,
and all three occupants of the office sat, staring at each other.

Tiffany tore open hers, and that was the signal for Blanca and Janet to open
theirs. Inside were two reports, with a cover sheet, and a complete listing
of their portfolio, containing every transaction that they had made over the
previous year. All three leafed through the reports, finally coming to the last
page.

“NO!” cried Tiffany, “NO! I was ahead. Far ahead!” sobbed Tiffany as tears
fell from her eyes.

“You were,” said Blanca, “Except that you got greedy.