Chapter 15: The Schlossherrin

The Hausmeister didn’t reveal much about my expected duties for the next six months. I presume from this morning’s instructions, that I’m to keep fit and to continue practising my dancing. I find the stairs that take me to the basement level. At the bottom, I notice that the stairs continue downward. There must be a lower basement level, although nothing was shown on the map in the kitchen annex. A locked iron grill across the stairs discourages any exploration of the lower basement.

I step into the basement passage. The area by the stairs is lit, but there are no lights along the passage. Fortunately, I correctly guess that there are motion sensors that trigger the lights. I walk along the passage with lights switching on before me, and off again about ten seconds after I pass. The gymnasium is relatively small with only three pieces of equipment. The stone walls and hanging manacles decorating the edge of the gymnasium give the impression that this was once part of a dungeon. Creepy.

There’s no changing room although the gymnasium at least boasts a flushing toilet and washbasin in a small side room. My hope that there would be a suitable leotard or outfit to change into are dashed. I don’t want to ruin my uniform by exercising in it, so I strip down to my bra and suspender belt. Five minutes later I even remove those as I begin to sweat. It’s not the first time I’ve exercised while naked, although the previous time it was for a dare.

I run on the treadmill until it records that I’ve covered five kilometres. That’s the usual distance I ran on the treadmill at the academy. I’m pleased that I feel no ill effects from not doing any exercise yesterday. Next I move to the weights. I make the necessary adjustments for my current exercise programme. I pace my exercises as I’ve been taught at the academy and periodically switch to other exercises. I’ve always appreciated the thoroughness of the gym instructors at the academy even if they obviously enjoyed torturing their students with seemingly impossible goals.

I take a break after an hour or so to refresh myself and take a drink from the water cooler tucked in the corner of the gymnasium. I’ve no means of telling the time, and I’ve seen nobody since breakfast. Suddenly my bracelet pulses, and the message ‘KBA’ appears on the screen. It’s my signal to go to the small ballroom.

On the map the passageway leading to the staircase looked straight and uncomplicated by junctions. In reality there are several side passages that weren’t shown on the map. With limited sensorcontrolled lighting, I can’t see very far in any direction. For anyone who suffers from claustrophobia, navigating the passageway would be a nightmare. Fortunately the bottom of the staircase I’m heading towards is constantly lit, so I see the glow of my destination long before I reach it.

As soon as I reach the small ballroom the display on my bracelet goes blank. It’s a clear sign that my location is being tracked, although whether that is done via the bracelet, or the numerous security cameras around the Schloss, is unclear. The room is big enough to accommodate a hundred guests, so I can’t imagine the size of the large ballroom. Bea arrives a few moments later.

“I’m so relieved that you found your way here,” says Bea. “I didn’t fancy having to go looking for you in the basement. Those passageways give me the creeps.”

“I checked the map on the kitchen wall at breakfast,” I reply. “Even so, there are a lot of passageways and rooms not shown on the map.”

“Yes, Most of the basement area is unused. There are all sorts of rumours about what might be down there. Fortunately, Vertragsmädchen rarely need to venture down there. You are one of the unlucky ones.”

“How did you get here?” I ask. “The only green or blue zone access I could find on the map was through the basement passage.”

“I came around the outside and through the west door. Now, let’s get you changed. Your trunk should be in the annex over here.”

We locate my trunk, and I use the adjacent ‘powder room’ as a changing room. I select my favourite costume which I used for my graduation performance. Bea helps me to change and make the final adjustments to my costume.

“Where’s the audio equipment?” I ask when I find the USB stick storing my performance music.

“Oh! There’s nothing like that in here. Can you dance without music?”

“I’ve trained with finger cymbals ... zills ... at the academy, but I’ve only performed using them a couple of times.”

“Hmm. It looks like you’ll get another chance to do so today. I presume you have a set of zills.”

I rummage through the accessories in my trunk and find the set of four tiny metal cymbals that I wear on my thumbs and forefingers. Aaliyah used to compliment me on my ability to make an acceptable tune with them as I danced, but I’m more critical of my skill with them. However, it looks as though I’m not going to be given a choice.