The Analyst
Copyright© 2025 by R. E. Bounds
Chapter 18: A Modern-day Bettie
“I thought it would be bigger,” Becca said as we stood at the bustling intersection, alive with the energy of an artsy district. People from all social classes filled the streets, weaving in and out of eclectic storefronts. The area buzzed with the hum of conversation and the clinking of dishes from nearby restaurants.
“Yeah, me too,” I agreed. “The photos on the website had such diverse backgrounds. They looked so vivid.”
“Maybe those were just background images?” Becca offered, clearly unsure about the situation.
We were staring at a gallery 10 by 10 feet in size, its sleek, modern facade contrasting sharply with the historical charm of the surrounding buildings.
“Do you still want to do this?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Becca nodded.
Once inside, the gallery opened up into a pristine white space adorned with striking artwork of women in glamorous and occasionally provocative poses. The walls showcased high-fashion elegance and bold artistic interpretations, creating an atmosphere that was both chic and daring. The contrast between the lively street and the serene, curated interior was intense, setting the stage for the experience ahead.
We weren’t there long when a man emerged from the back. “Rebecca?” he asked, a broad smile spreading across his face.
“Yes,” Becca replied, extending her hand. “Sebastian, I presume?”
“Yes,” he said, shaking her hand warmly. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” Becca said, her grip gentle but firm. “This is my boyfriend, Ben.”
“Hi,” I said, offering my hand.
Sebastian nodded. “Great to meet you, Ben. If you’re ready, we can head to the back. Michelle is already there. I’ll introduce you, and we can go over the shoot details.”
We followed Sebastian into a spacious studio bathed in natural light, giving it a bright and airy feel. The room was impeccably organized: one wall was lined with shelving units filled with clear bins of gear. At the same time, nearby racks and shelves displayed a diverse selection of clothing and shoes. The eclectic items contributed to the studio’s unique and professional atmosphere.
Michelle greeted us with a warm smile as we entered. “Hi, I’m Michelle, Sebastian’s wife. It’s so nice to meet you both.”
“Hi, Michelle,” Becca and I said in unison.
Michelle led us to a sleek, modern table where a large, bound book lay open. “Here’s a collection of some of Sebastian’s work,” she said. “You’ll probably recognize some of the photos.”
Sebastian smiled. “Each page features a conceptually different approach. And as Michelle said, some are on the website.”
Becca flipped through the book, her eyes widening at the striking images. “The artistic expression is stunning,” she said. “Just the details alone are incredible.”
“Thanks,” Michelle said. “We put a lot of effort into them. Sebastian mentioned that you and he briefly talked about ideas for today’s shoot but left things open?”
Becca glanced at me before turning back to Michelle. “Yes, there are a few photos that really spoke to me. But we’re open to ideas.”
She described the images that had caught her eye, and Sebastian quickly pulled them up on the large screen. As the photos appeared, they were discussed with the same enthusiasm and thoughtfulness one might use when critiquing art in a museum.
Sebastian offered insights into each image. “This one,” he said, pointing to a dramatic shot, “focuses on contrast and tension. We used lighting to create a play between shadow and highlight.”
Becca nodded thoughtfully. “I love how the shadows enhance the mood. It feels dramatic.”
“And this one,” Sebastian continued, pointing to another photo, “is more about elegance and minimalism. The restraint here is subtle but powerful, conveying a different kind of strength.”
Michelle chimed in, “We can definitely incorporate elements from these photos into your shoot if you’d like.”
Becca turned to me, then back to Michelle and Sebastian. “The dramatic elements and elegance could create something really special.”
Sebastian grinned, clearly impressed. “We can definitely do that,” he said, his eyes reflecting his admiration for her artistic perspective on his work.
Meanwhile, Michelle’s gaze lingered on Becca, and suddenly, she seemed to snap back to the present. “I’m sorry,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I didn’t mean to stare, but you’re stunning. Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a modern-day Bettie Page?”
Becca’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she smiled. “It’s come up before,” she replied, looking a bit uneasy at the compliment.
Michelle’s eyes lit up with genuine admiration. “It’s true. You have that same captivating presence. I can see why my sister gave you one of our business cards,” she said, referring to the flight attendant who had first made the introduction.
Becca blushed slightly, her smile widening. “Thank you. But I’m not a model. I’m doing this for personal reasons.”
Sebastian nodded in understanding. “I mentioned your concerns to Michelle.”
“We understand where you’re coming from,” Michelle added, looking thoughtful and sympathetic. “And I agree, wearing a mask might help you feel more comfortable. It could also add an intriguing element to the shoot.”
Becca smiled appreciatively. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Sure,” Michelle said in a caring and soft tone. “We know this isn’t about the money or about propelling your modeling career, but instead a personal journey for you.”
Becca nodded, her discomfort evident. I could sense her anxiety rising, and a quick glance at Michelle confirmed that she had noticed it, too.
Michelle looked at Sebastian with a subtle signal to pause, then turned her full attention back to Becca. “It’s okay,” she said delicately. “I understand how you’re feeling. I’ve been there too.”
She glanced at the photos on the screen, then suggested, “How about we start by letting you pick out some of the items from the photos that resonate with you. We’ll use those as a starting point and go from there?”
Becca looked at Michelle with relief and gratitude. “That sounds nice. Thank you.”
Michelle then turned to me with a reassuring smile. “I’m going to help Rebecca get ready. We’ll be back in a little bit. Feel free to relax and make yourself comfortable in the meantime.”
I nodded as I watched Michelle gently lead Becca into a private dressing area. The door closed softly behind them, and I took a seat, giving them the space they needed while reflecting on the thoughtful approach they were taking to make Becca feel at ease.
As I surveyed the space around me, Becca emerged, clad in a sleek leather bustier that accentuated her features beautifully. With its attached garter, the bustier was paired with leather panties and black sheer seamed stockings. She walked out on her toes, a trademark of her graceful style.
She smiled at me as she stepped into the room. “You look breathtaking,” I said, genuinely impressed.
Becca nodded, a hint of discomfort in her voice. “Thank you. This corset is really tight, though,” she said, placing a hand on her stomach as if trying to adjust it.
While Becca and I spoke, Michelle busily arranged an assortment of items on one of the tables. She picked up a pair of six-inch single-sole stiletto sandals and handed them to Becca. “Hmm, I’m guessing you’re a size seven?” she asked, unsure.
Becca glanced at the shoes and replied, “I’m a six and a half, but all my heels are a size seven.” She smiled as she accepted them.
Michelle, having noticed how Becca had walked out of the dressing area, asked, “Do you always walk around on your toes?”
“Yeah,” Becca replied with a chuckle. “I guess it’s just a habit of wearing heels since I was a teenager.”
Standing up, Becca immediately noticed the height of the heels and adjusted her stance. “Wow, these are really high,” she remarked, a surprise and curiosity in her voice.
Michelle, observing the situation, said, “I saw how well you were walking in your Louboutin heels. With your tendons shortened, I thought those stilettos might be a bit more comfortable.”
Becca looked up at her, now even more surprised. “How—?”
I turned to Becca and asked, “Your tendons are shortened?”
“I didn’t want you to worry,” she replied. “I’ve been this way since college—It doesn’t bother me.”
I nodded, but it was clear to both Becca and Michelle that I was shocked and concerned.
“Don’t worry, it’s not permanent,” Michelle said soothingly. She then turned to Becca and explained, “When you’re ready, you’ll need to gradually switch to shorter heels to carefully stretch your tendons. It’s painful and will take time, but it’s manageable. Just remember to reduce the heel height by no more than half an inch at a time.”
Becca smiled in acknowledgment. Michelle then asked, “How are they?” referring to the Pleaser Domina heels.
“High, but surprisingly comfortable,” Becca replied, sounding a bit surprised.
Michelle nodded thoughtfully. “The height helps alleviate pressure on your tendons, which is probably why they feel comfortable,” she said. “Are the Louboutin stilettos easier to walk in than the four-inch heels you usually wear?”
Becca nodded in agreement. “They have been.”
Michelle smiled. “Just make sure you continue wearing the four-inch heels as well until you’re ready to start working your way back to flats. While five-inch heels do make your legs look amazing, you don’t want to end up having to wear them all the time.”
As Becca adjusted to the height of the heels, Michelle picked up an armbinder from the table. The armbinder was a sleek, black leather piece designed to encase the arms and restrict movement. It featured a padded interior for comfort and multiple adjustable straps that wrapped around the arms and shoulders, securing them in place. The leather was supple yet sturdy, with lacing and metal buckles that allowed for a snug fit. The design was both functional and stylish, with a smooth finish and a polished sheen that complemented the rest of the studio’s sophisticated aesthetic.
Michelle held up the armbinder and explained its use. “This can be quite challenging to tolerate if you haven’t worn one before. If you become uncomfortable at any point, let me know right away. Okay?”
Becca agreed, and Michelle proceeded with the process. She carefully guided Becca’s arms into the binder, making sure the fit was comfortable yet snug. Once Becca’s arms were in place, Michelle laced it up, pulling it tight but not overly so. She then crossed the belts across Becca’s chest and shoulders, ensuring everything was aligned and stable. Finally, Michelle tightened the remaining belts, checking in with Becca frequently to ensure her comfort.
Becca stood with her arms held tightly together behind her back, her shoulders slightly pulled back due to the snug fit of the armbinder. Feeling the binder’s firm embrace, Becca said, “It’s definitely snug. I can feel my arms pressing together, but it’s not too painful yet.”
Michelle smiled. “Your elbows touch. Not a lot of girls can do that,” she said. “You’re definitely flexible.”
I watched as Becca walked around a little, experiencing the single glove. As I watched her move, she looked at me and smiled.
Michelle then motioned Becca to come over to the table. Pointing, she explained, “I have this leather harness panel gag. I’ll also add this leather blindfold. It’s designed to cover your entire face and is held in place by a nose opening, which might provide enough concealment so that no one would recognize you. If it doesn’t work, we can try this leather hood.”
Becca nodded in agreement. “Okay,” she said.
Michelle then showed Becca a locking leather posture collar and explained that it would be put on last. Becca scrutinized it with her eyes, observing its height with a look of surprise, but agreed. “Okay,” she said.
Michelle added, “I’m hesitant to cover up your entire head. With the muzzle and blindfold, at least we get to see your beautiful jet-black hair.”
As she said this, Michelle picked up the muzzle and showed it to Becca. “There’s a red ball,” she explained. “It’ll go into your mouth, which means you won’t be able to talk—at least not well. So, we need to discuss how you’ll let me know if you’re not okay—I need to know if I need to take you out of everything.”