Jo and Lucy could not believe how well their business was going. Karen was now employed every weekend and got fifty pounds per day and was happy with it. After all, she had been sitting around at home complaining she had no money.
Jo thought she was not trying very hard to find work either. After all, Karen had finished college eighteen months ago and had a diploma in Business Studies. She had graduated with honours as well.
When Karen arrived for the fifth weekend, she spoke to the girls.
"You have got about five and half thousand pounds here," said Karen. "I had to take some of that money and go and buy a little safe to keep it in and then keep it locked up. I have also been keeping a record of every person who comes here, their offence, wherever it was their first offence and date, that sort of thing. A computer though would be far better, then I can give you a print out of each person before they come if it was their first offence, what they have been found guilty of and so on. You have a number of repeat bookings as well."
Both the girls stood there wide-eyed and their mouths hanging open.
"We have got how much?" said Lucy.
"I said about five and half thousand pounds," said Karen.
"I thought that was what you said," said Lucy. "I just did not think I had heard you right. So, what should we do with that money? I mean it can't just sit around here. I did not realise we had that much."
"I think you should open up a bank account for what you take here. Also, I would suggest that you get a card machine, so people can pay like that. Banks are always happy to put one in for you, it means possible more business for them," said Karen.
"Now, your advert," Karen continued. "I suggest making it a bit bigger, putting your hours of business in. One flat rate for the role-play and caning, your restrictions, like no under twenty one and no sexual activity. Then underneath it, put a picture of a person holding a cane, ready to swing it. How does that sound? The current advert is due to expire this week, so I can go down and make sure it goes in again and is changed," she added.
"You seem to know a lot about running a business," said Lucy. "Is this the kind of thing you learnt at college?" she asked.
"Yes, it is," answered Karen.
"Is there anything else you need to make this business run well?" asked Jo. "Come to think of it, some of our canes are looking a bit the worse for wear already, a bit brittle and some splitting," she added.
"Are you keeping them moist?" asked Karen.
"Well no," said Jo. "Should we?"
"Well, you must," Karen said. "You see if you do, they will stay flexible for much longer and won't split as quickly. I suggest you get something like antiseptic wipes, to wipe them off after each time, and a sterile solution to keep them in overnight."
"Oh I see," said Jo. "How do you know all this?" she added.
"I know from watching and learning from porn channels," said Karen.
"KAREN! Really," said Lucy horrified. "You are just like your sister, you say whatever is on your mind, never mind if other people want to hear it. I mean, watching porn channels is one thing, many people do, but learning from those disgusting things and then admitting it, is quite another."
Jo, by now, was laughing out loud.
"Oh, there goes Lucy," she laughed, "showing her prudish side!!!"
So, the girls went shopping. Lucy went with Karen as she had a lot to carry. They came back with a computer, a small printer, and various bits of stationery. Also, they had changed the advert and made sure it went in again for five weeks. Karen had a lot of good ideas for making the business better.
Once Karen had set up, she handed Lucy a printout.
"This is your first customer, a Ms Davenport," said Karen. "She has been sent here by her Matron for bullying a junior nurse. While she is thirty, the junior nurse has just started, he is only eighteen and one of the few male nurses. The Matron has suggested five strokes of the cane, but we are welcome to use our discretion. The Matron has stressed that Ms Davenport must be taught a lesson."
"Right," said Lucy. "Very interesting. Ms Davenport is due here in fifteen minutes, so I suggest we go and get changed."
Ms Davenport arrived and Karen took her through all the formalities and what would happen. She told her to get herself undressed in the bathroom. She told her that only two people would be in the punishment room, Matron Armstrong and Sister Little. Karen stressed that she was only to speak when spoken to. She then led her into the punishment room.
"I am Sister Little and this lady here is Matron Armstrong, who will give your punishment," said Jo. "You have been sent to us by your Matron, because off your continued bullying of a junior male nurse is that correct?"
"Yes, it is," Ms Davenport answered.
"I see you have been making this poor nurse do all your running..." said Jo.
"Oh, come on, this is a joke," said Ms Davenport.
"Excuse me, but did I ask you to speak? Did our receptionist not tell you only to speak when spoken to? Would you like me to add an extra stroke for speaking out of turn? This is your first and only warning, next time I will be adding to your punishment," said Jo.
"Right, I shall continue," said Jo. "You have been making this poor nurse do all your running around, told him he risks his job if he doesn't and making sexual remarks to him. I believe he is not the most confident of people as well. You say things like and I quote, 'hey babe, get me a coffee, unquote, when you are on a break and sitting next to the coffee machine and he is working and busy. Also, and I quote again, 'Oh big boy, what is it you have down your trousers? Wouldn't you like me to bend for you so you can lose your virginity?' unquote. You have been shouting at this nurse, using and abusing him, until he is in tears. There is plenty more as well and this has been going on for about ten months.
Ms Davenport butted in, "This has now gone beyond a joke."
"Excuse me," said Jo, "Did I ask you to speak? I have not warned you before about speaking out of turn and what would happen in future if you did. It seems you took no notice of that warning so I will add a stroke on."
Se continued sternly, "I sentence you to six strokes of the cane, to be given with a medium adult cane. Your Matron recommended five strokes but said we are welcome to use our discretion. I have added one stroke for speaking out of turn. Your Matron has said that you are to report to her when you arrive for your shift tomorrow, with proof that you have been here and the punishment was carried out. We will provide that proof."
Ms Davenport looked at the spanking bench and the row of canes and suddenly did not feel so confident of herself.
Then she started to think. 'I was never caned at school, but plenty of people I know were. They all said, sure it hurt at the time and you had to be careful sitting down all day, but it was really nothing to be scared of or worried about.'
"Now, come with me over to the spanking bench, and I will strap you down. The person who is going to give your punishment is Matron Armstrong. You will address her as Matron at all times. Is that understood Ms Davenport?" said Jo.
"It is, Sister," said Ms Davenport, who by now was getting nervous and unsure of herself.
Jo asked Ms Davenport to bend over the spanking bench so she could strap her down.
"Ms Davenport is strapped down firmly, Matron," said Jo. "The punishment can begin."
Lucy fetched the cane and flexed it twice as well as giving it a few good swishes through the air.
She gave Ms Davenport's bottom two taps to get her aim. The cane came down, swish, thwack.
"FUCKING HELL!" shouted Ms Davenport, "That hurt."
"Excuse me," said Lucy. "We do not accept any foul language here. Next time I will be adding another stroke of the cane on to your already growing list. This is your first and final warning. Is that all understood?"
"Yes Matron, it is understood," said Ms Davenport.
Swish, thwack, as the cane hit.
"No, please I won't bully anymore," Said Ms Davenport.
"Four to go," said Lucy.
Swish, thwack the cane came down and hit Ms Davenport's bottom.
"FUCKING HELL! Shit, that hurt like hell," said Ms Davenport.
"Did I not warn you about that foul mouth of yours a minute ago, young lady, and what would happen if you opened it again? You don't seem to listen. So seven strokes it is then. Is that all understood ?"
"Yes Matron, I understand," said Ms Davenport.
"Good, four strokes to go then," said Lucy.
Each further stroke was met with cries of, "no please, I won't do it anymore," and, "I promise not to bully anybody again." The tears and Ms Davenport's mascara were now running down her face like rivers.
"One stroke to go," said Lucy.
When the last stroke came, Ms Davenport was past screaming, as her tears and mascara were running down her face.
"Sister Little, please unstrap Ms Davenport," said Lucy.
"Ms Davenport," said Lucy, "please go and get changed now.".
"Sister," said Ms Davenport, "you said that you would provide evidence that I had been here, that I could give to my Matron?"
"You have that evidence," said Lucy, "it is the seven stripes across your bottom. They will still be there for a while."
"Karen," said Lucy. "Phone Matron Taplow at Collingford hospital and tell her Ms Davenport has been here. Tell her we took her advice about the five strokes, but because of continual speaking out of turn and very bad language, it was increased to seven. Tell her also that we did warn her on both accounts before increasing the number of strokes."
~~~
"I wonder how Jo and Lucy are getting on with their business?" said Dave, one day as they were sitting in a bar having a drink. "We have not seen them for two weeks now, because of our bloody shifts."