Chapter 20: Three's a Crowd

Betty and Jennifer, one on each side, accompanied Paul as they headed toward their next class. With their schedule, it was to be history. But then they heard running footsteps and Josie came up behind them. "Master Paul, Master Paul, wait for me." Paul turned around. "What are you doing with us?"

"I want to be your slave too."

"But don't you have someone already?"

"No, I was out when they assigned the boys and they ran short. They said I'll get one in a few days. But can I be with you, at least until then?"

Betty and Jennifer gave each other a look. For once they were on the same page. It was enough that they were rivals. They didn't need someone else complicating things.

Josie could read those two like a book, but she was entranced with Paul and had no intention of giving him up. She had an inflated sense of her own beauty, feeling that once she was Paul's slave, he would dump these other two and keep her for his own.

She smirked at them when Paul looked away to check for the principal to make sure the arrangement was acceptable.

"What do you think you are doing?" Betty hissed, always ready to get into a tussle when she felt someone was trying to put one over on her.

"We are going to be Paul's slaves," Jennifer added, "But I guess it wouldn't hurt for Josie to be here for a day or two."

She had no intention of Josie staying any longer than that, her eyes met Betty's in perfect agreement once again.

Josie shrugged. "We'll see what Master Paul has to say about it," she said confidently. Because the other two girls suffered from low self-esteem, they were quick to buy into her implied assurance that they would be replaced by her.

They stirred uneasily, trying to pretend they thought she was not right.

Unknown to them, Paul had no intention of keeping Josie. Still, his ego was flattered to have yet another girl just for a day. He spotted Mr. Burns in the hall and told the girls to wait while he checked. The principal was aware of a very few of the students not having partners and was agreeable to Paul taking Josie for the day. When he returned, he told the girls that Josie would be his slave too. He neglected to mention it was just until tomorrow.

They headed for history class. When they got there, Mr. Windsor explained that they were going to be talking about the history of slavery and how it was changed. He said, "Economic slavery is not the same as modern female slavery." He explained, "Deep in the belly of every woman is a desire more ancient than the caves, to be forced to yield to the ruthless domination of a magnificent, uncompromising male, a Master. Deep within them all, they wish to submit to total enslavement. This is completely clear in their fantasies. Our previous culture, of course, gave little scope to the blood needs of the beauties of our race; accordingly, these needs, frustrated, tended to express themselves in neurosis, hysteria and hostility. Now things are changing. Women are being made into what they really want to be, slaves to men. Only the woman who has utterly surrendered -- and can utterly surrender -- losing herself in a man's touch --can be truly a woman, and being what she is, is then free.

"You girls are not yet fully women but you are close enough and so you are here to learn to be slaves. You boys are not yet fully men but it is time for you to learn to be Masters."

The students listened, rapt with attention. They had a sense that they were in the forefront of a social revolution, which they were.

Mr. Windsor asked, "Which of you young men would like to talk about your experience now with your slave and how it relates to history?"

Paul volunteered. He stood up and said, "I have three slaves now. You three, come up and kneel in the front of the room."

Jennifer and Betty looked at each other and quietly went up and knelt by Paul. They were both more subdued than they had been, something Paul didn't seem to pick up on at all. Mr. Burns saw trouble brewing however, and resolved to say something to the boy.

Josie waited until the other two girls were settled then slowly went up to the front, wiggling her bottom as she walked slowly past the staring boys.

She stood in front of Paul then slowly lowered herself to her knees, sliding down his front suggestively before kneeling with her head level with his crotch.

"Yes Master," she breathed in her best sexpot voice.

Jennifer and Betty both lowered their heads, sure they would be sent to some other boy to be his slave, knowing they could never compete with Josie. For someone who had just given her first blowjob, she was very adept at playing experienced. But then again, the word around school was the Josie was all show and no action.

Paul looked at Mr. Burns, unsure what to do now. Should he punish her for doing what he had told her to do? Suddenly, he didn't feel like the experienced Master he had felt like 5 minutes before. He looked at Jennifer, the one who usually propped him up when he needed it, only she wasn't meeting his eyes. Betty wasn't either. He didn't know what was going on. Only 5 minutes ago he had been in charge.

Dammit, he thought. What was going on? He took his time, looking at all three girls. He was beginning to feel like a smacked ass himself. He wanted to blame Josie but he knew he couldn't. She was just doing what he told her. They all were. This wasn't fair. What was he supposed to do?

"These girls are mine," he started. Then he had an inspiration. "I am responsible for them." He looked back at Jennifer and Betty. "And in accepting that responsibility, I also love them." His voice got softer as he continued, "Jennifer was first. She is First Girl. I read about that. I made Betty First Girl just for today because I think it's important to keep any girl from getting too secure. I read that too.

"Jennifer has been incredibly wonderful to me. I don't think that historically, slaves were the way they are today. They were taken to do the work that had to be done but today slavery is more about service." Paul's voice trailed off.

Mr. Burns happened to be in the classroom observing and saw Paul struggle. He stepped up. "Mr. Windsor, do you mind if I help out?"

"Certainly not," replied the teacher.

"Paul," said the principal, "we are getting a bit overcrowded here so we may not be able to let you stay in the school."

Paul looked at him shocked.

"How does that make you feel?"

"Very uncomfortable. I was really getting into what you were teaching me."

"Do you think your slaves feel the same way?"

Paul turned to his girls and the proverbial light dawned. He drew Jennifer up to him by her arms and put his arms around her. "I love you and I will never let you go."

Jennifer smiled and returned his hug, feeling better but far from secure in her place in his life. It would take more than a few words to do that, but she did love Paul and wanted what was best for him.

She didn't embarrass him by speaking about her feelings though, knowing there would be time later at home when it was just them, and maybe Betty.

Then he turned to Betty and drew her to him as well. "I don't know how I could get along any more without you too. I know it gets difficult sometimes but you are so special to me and so wonderful, I want you too."

Betty of course noticed he didn't say he loved her like he had told Jennifer. But she could live with what he was willing to give. She loved him and as much as she was reluctant to admit it, she was coming to love Jennifer as well. But it was more than loving them, it was like she loved the combination of them, the Master Paul/slave Jennifer unit that was her focus and had won her heart.

She returned his hug and knelt back down, her thoughts whirling in her head. The realization that she really wanted this, that she would be devastated if either Paul or Jennifer left the relationship was a huge thing to wrap her mind around.

Finally he turned to Josie. He smiled at her. "You are with us for a day and then I promise we will find you a Master who can appreciate you and give you the love and security you deserve as well." He turned back to the class. "I can't be too greedy and hog all the wonderful slaves."

Josie smiled graciously, although inwardly she was gritting her teeth. She wanted Paul to herself. She wanted those two cows gone and herself installed as the slave to the best Master in the school. She didn't want to be played with and then handed off like an old shoe.

She knelt with the others, her head bowed submissively, her mind whirling with plots and schemes.

The class cheered.

Paul continued on thoughtfully. "My mother told me that love is like a candle. You don't lose any light by lighting another one, you get more. She said the more people you love, the more love you have. I want my girls to welcome someone else in, just for a short time, knowing that she will take nothing away but our love."

"The addition of another candle will also strengthen the flame from the others," Mr. Burns added, when Paul was done.

Paul looked at Josie and for just a second it was as if she had a pane of glass that let him see inside her head. He realized that he just might have gotten in over his head. But then he thought of having three lovely girls waiting on him hand and foot, doing whatever he wanted and he decided that whatever happened, happened. It was too delicious to resist for just one night. Paul had never heard of the male problem of not enough blood flowing at once to supply both the big head and the little head.

Jennifer felt like her heart was breaking. Paul had seemed like a knight in shining armor at first, wanting to protect her and take care of her against the world; or at least the world of their high school. But now he seemed to be more interested in being recognized as the number one Master in the school. It was like the number of slaves he had and the number of girls who were gazing at Jennifer and the other two jealously had made him forget everything about why he had wanted this in the first place.

Even though he had just said he loved her, that adulation from the boys in the class seemed to put a window between her and Paul. It was like he saw her, but didn't see her; he saw something that made him look good, like a new shirt or Paulet, not as a person who wanted to make his world perfect for him.

Jennifer bowed her head and waited for the class to be over. She just wanted to go home now, she had no interest in school or anything at the moment.

Betty noticed that Jennifer was upset. In her new state of awareness about her feelings for the duo of Paul and Jennifer, she moved closer to Jennifer and put her hand on her arm, offering her silent support for whatever was bothering her. Josie was oblivious, covertly raising her head to look around the room, trying to find a boy who she could manipulate as her Master.

Mr. Windsor stepped in. "Why don't we add a touch of historical accuracy to this?" He rummaged in the storage closet in the classroom and came out with some strange hardware. He had been saving it for a class project but now was a perfect time for it. He held up one piece. "This is a reproduction of a slave collar. Slaves used to wear them to be transported." He motioned to Jennifer and when she came over, he put the metal collar around her neck. Closing it, he put an old fashioned looking lock on to hold it shut. Then he got another one and put it on Betty. Finally he put one on Josie. Then he took out what appeared to be a heavy iron chain and ran it through a ring on each girl's collar. He clasped another lock that fastened each collar to a link on the chain. The girls realized the chain was a mockup and made of some light metal. Still, it was an eerie feeling to be locked together on the chain.

Jennifer felt like the actual weight of real chains were pulling her down. She only had to look at the delighted smile on Paul's face to realize that he was completely taken with the chains.

Betty didn't care one way or the other about the chain and collar. She was naked, she had been spanked, fondled and made to come in front of everyone in the school; what was a collar compared to that?

Josie posed demurely in her collar, pulling the chain so it suggestively rubbed between her legs, entertaining the boys in the room with her antics.

Mr. Windsor then gave one end to Paul. "There, you now have what is called a slave coffle. At one time, slaves would have been taken to be sold this way. Here is the key for the locks. You can unlock them as you wish or keep them locked up until tomorrow.

He turned back to the girls. "Your assignment is going to be talking about what it is like to spend time on a coffle. Share it with the class tomorrow."

Paul looked at them and felt a thrill. Then the bell rang and he headed out with the three girls in tow.

Jennifer didn't know what her report would be about. She barely registered being led by Paul, who was reveling in the attention his line of chained slaves was garnering him in the hallway.

Betty stood protectively near Jennifer, taking the touches and pinches meant for her onto her own body. Something was bothering Jennifer, that much was obvious, and it was equally obvious that Paul was totally oblivious.

Josie pranced at the end of the chain, accepting the caresses and strokes of the boys in the hall as a tribute to her beauty and charm. She still had hopes of being Paul's only slave, just look how mopey Jennifer was!

Paul was having the time of his life until he noticed how subdued Jennifer was. He had no idea what was wrong but hoped he could find out. They had English next but perhaps he could get away with being late. "Jennifer, I don't think you are looking well. I want you to come with me to the nurse's office. Josie, Betty, you go on to English without me. I will be there in a few minutes."

Betty was glad to see Paul had gotten himself at least a little bit together. She took the chain that still held her and Josie together and gave it a yank.

"Come on you," she said harshly. "Play your games some other time."

Josie glared at her, then had a brilliant idea. She would get Betty in trouble while Paul and Jennifer were gone so she herself couldn't get blamed!

As they went into the classroom, Josie squeaked and her hands flew to her collar. "Not so hard Betty," she wailed, making sure her voice could be heard over the buzz of talk from the other students. "I can't breathe when you pull like that!"

Betty turned to look at her and Josie used the slight tug on the chain to throw herself forward and fall to the ground.

The teacher stood up and frowned. "What is going on here? And where is Paul? Why isn't he controlling you Betty?"

Meanwhile, Paul led Jennifer off toward the nurse's office. As the halls emptied and the kids went into the classrooms, he ducked aside, gently dragging Jennifer with him. He went down the steps to the basement. He knew of a place where the janitor kept supplies that was rarely visited.

He took Jennifer by her upper arms and held her before him. "OK, tell me the truth, what's going on?"

Jennifer looked around the supply room with distaste. "This is where you want to talk? In this dirty room, late for class, without Betty to share in the discussion?"

She shook her head and told him, "Nothing's wrong that I am going to talk about here. I don't care that you are my Master and I'm the slave, my thoughts are my own and they are my own until we are at an appropriate place to discuss them. I'm not having this conversation in a quick 2 minutes."

And, she realized, especially when every minute they were late was more stripes across her bottom while he got off scot-free.

Paul gritted his teeth and growled in frustration. Then he turned without a word and headed back to the class with Jennifer following him. He decided the only thing he could do was talk to the principal as soon as the class was over.

As he walked into English, late, the teacher, Mr. Windsor, asked why they were late. Paul told him, truthfully, that Jennifer hadn't been feeling well and he wanted to see if she was alright.

Mr. Windsor asked Jennifer if she was OK and Jennifer sullenly replied that she was. The teacher silently debated a moment and then let it go. With half the girls in the class naked, Jennifer found she wasn't the object of attention and the class, while a bit dull, was uneventful.

Josie found herself forgotten when Jennifer and Paul returned and she sat and stewed. She was going to get what she wanted. She was afraid to act up while the class was in session so she schemed about how to get Betty in trouble. Then it dawned on her. She now had a history of Betty abusing her. Mr. Windsor would back her up the next time. She grinned. Just wait.

As the class ended, Paul picked the chain up from under his seat. Somehow, all the fun of leading a chain of slaves through the hallway had disappeared. He looked at the three girls; Jennifer quietly waiting for him to tell them to get up, Betty anxiously looking from him to Jennifer and Josie, plotting something from the look on her pretty little face.

He sighed and decided not the chain them up again. He had to remove the chain so they could sit in the chairs for class. He had a quick thought of them sitting on the floor but then remembered they were naked and the school floors were filthy so he changed his mind.

"Paul," the English teacher called, as he stood and gestured for the girls to rise, "Mr. Burns wants to see you in his office."

Paul nodded and thanked the teacher, turning to the girls. He had to admit, having them naked with the collar on was quite a sight. It was something he would keep up, even if he never used the chain again.

Maybe he could get them fancy collars for when they had pleased him. He headed to the office, deep in thought.

Jennifer followed along, just wanting to go home. At that point, she didn't care if Mr. Burns was going to put her up on that horrible cross to be whipped, she just wanted it over with. She wanted the special feeling she had when Paul was first picked to be her Master, back when taking care of her was the most important thing to him.

Betty chewed on her thumb anxiously. Something was wrong and she couldn't fix it. Of course, she was sure it was something to do with her, that's the way she was wired. She wanted to be part of the threesome, not someone to be discarded and sent to some other boy.

Josie managed to trip going into the office, saying, "I'm sorry Betty, please don't be mad!"

She was a little ticked that Betty didn't even pay her any attention, in fact no one seemed to notice but the secretary, who merely shook her head and called back to Mr. Burns that they were here.

Mr. Burns came out and was very cordial. He immediately assured them that no one was in any trouble and asked them to come into his office. They followed the principal in, getting a surprise. Kneeling by his desk was Miss Ternsley, dressed only in a body harness with collar and cuffs. Paul admired the pretty young teacher.

Mr. Burns took his seat behind his desk. He told the girls to kneel beside Miss Ternsley and offered Paul a seat. He looked at Paul thoughtfully. "Paul, you are doing spectacularly well at this new experiment. But you are young and have a lot to learn. You seem to have acquired three slaves now."

Paul stammered and said, "No sir, Josie is just with us for overnight. Only until tomorrow morning."

The principal glanced at Jennifer. "Jennifer, let me ask you something. You have had a bit of time to experience slavery. What do you think about it?"

Jennifer looked at him and decided that she would tell him what she thought. It was time that Paul heard a few home truths anyway. "In general," she began, "I think the Master/slave idea is a better one than the NUDEP plan. It has more depth to it and more interaction between two people instead of a group of people."

"I can see that I was a spoiled brat when I first started in the NUDEP program. It took a lot of discipline and soul searching on my part, but I realize the experience was a good one for me. And I loved the fact that Paul was ready to be my protector, even before I was assigned to him."

Paul smiled when he heard that. He was proud of her and of their relationship.

"When I became his slave, I was happy. It was a relief, to be honest, to forget about the stress and problems of the outside world and focus all my attention and being on one thing -- Paul. Even though I wasn't pleased when Betty was added, I adapted and now find her a welcome addition that I could not do without in our group."

Now it was Betty's turn to smile proudly. She wanted to say she felt the same but didn't want to interrupt.

"But I think that the boys are not ready for the responsibilities being thrust upon them. They are still boys, instinctively programmed for this or not. Baby turtles are instinctively programmed to find the water after they hatch from their eggs, but nothing protects them from the predators waiting for them to emerge. There is a danger in simply putting boys with girls and not doing any kind of psychological profiling to see who needs what and who can give what. Some people need more and some need less as slaves." Her eyes flickered to Josie at this point, but she continued talking.

Josie didn't miss the look and she flushed. She started to say something when Mr. Burns told her to hush.

Jennifer continued, "Real damage could be done to both the boys and the girls if some kind of program isn't implemented," she said then added, "if it hasn't been already. And I am not counting Paul, Betty and myself out of those who might have been harmed."

Betty was nodding during most of Jennifer's speech, knowing she felt the same way about things but unable to put it as clearly as Jennifer was.

Josie was busy trying to catch Paul's eye while Jennifer droned on, trying to let him know without words that she would never bore him to tears by lecturing him.

"I agree with you, Jennifer. That's why I called you all in here." He hesitated and looked thoughtful. "I want you to understand something about slavery. It is about being selfless. You are growing and developing because you are putting your Master first. I know it is uncomfortable for you to share him with other girls but this is his choice. You are not yet bound to him for longer than a few days."

Jennifer's heart sank. She hadn't really thought about what would happen when the program ended.

"Nevertheless," said the principal, "while you are his slave, it is your job to please him.

"Marilyn, I want you to help me here."

The submissive teacher said, "Yes Master. Girls, this is an experience which will change you. It is difficult for a girl not to esteem a man who does as he pleases, even though it is to her that it be done. A woman admires strength, especially if it is used to dominate and control her." She smiled. "And you are women now. It is, it seems, for men to command and women to obey, for men to dominate and women to submit, for men to claim and for women to yield. It is, it seems, the way of primate nature. Its test is enactment; its proof is joy; its evidence is love. We cannot afford to lose this part of ourselves any more. We must accept and embrace it."

"Thank you, dear," said Mr. Burns. "Now girls, I know I am asking a lot of you. I want to see you work together on one thing and one thing only. You are to make Paul as happy as you can. Tomorrow Josie will be given to someone else. For tonight, however, you all belong to Paul.

"Jennifer, he wants to see you focus on him. If you can do that, nothing else will matter, right Marilyn?

Miss Ternsley said, "Yes, Master."

The principal next turned to Paul. "You have three slaves for now. Think about what you would most like to do with them. Don't hold back at all. They will respect you for it more if you push them to their limits."

Paul looked serious and said, "Yes Sir. I do understand and I will do my best. And thank you for your help."

Then he turned to the girls. "I am taking you all home on a chain. So line up and I will chain you together again."

Jennifer felt her eyes fill with tears. Not only had Mr. Burns totally disregarded what she had said, all anyone cared about was Paul. She wanted to scream out, "What about me?"

But she stood quietly and let Paul chain her up. She did not feel special, she did not feel protected, she did not feel anything but discouraged. She could see herself being Paul's slave for the rest of her life but not if nobody wanted to listen to her.

The problem was not that Paul had more than one slave. It was not that she did not put Paul first in everything. It was that Paul was a boy, and acting like a boy. He was not a man. Girls matured faster and earlier than boys, and to put someone who wasn't mentally and emotionally ready to handle the responsibility of a slave was just wrong. But what she thought didn't matter apparently.

"How long is this program going to last Mr. Burns?" she asked while Paul chained her up again. She didn't think she could handle waiting for him to grow up.

The principal looked at her in surprise. "It is over for you at the end of the day after tomorrow if you don't wish to continue." He looked at Paul. "You need to have a talk with her."

"I will as soon as we get home," Paul promised. He knew something was wrong but he had no idea what.

Josie was not happy. She was determined to get Paul for herself. She would make him want her so much, he wouldn't give her up. She felt herself get wet as Paul's fingers brushed her, putting on the chain. She would have him eating out of her hand when she was done.

Paul led his little coffle out of the school toward the bus. He got envious looks from the other boys. He was sure that he could deal with whatever was bothering Jennifer. Now he was starting to think about the four of them and what he wanted to do. Josie needed to be spanked, long and hard. And so did Jennifer. He didn't like her moody attitude. What was wrong with her anyway? He would find out when they got home.

The bus ride was uneventful. As before, they went back to Jennifer's home. Paul thought she would be more comfortable there and he could get to the bottom of things. Besides, her father was really supportive. He led them all in and released them. Then he told Josie and Betty to stay in the living room and he went with Jennifer up to her bedroom.

Paul said to Jennifer, "OK, now this is the most comfortable place I can think of for you to tell me what is going on with you. Why are you acting like this? If you want Betty to join us, I will call her. Just tell me what's going on."

Jennifer hesitated. "I want Betty here," she admitted, "But I don't want to leave Josie alone. Is my Dad home? He'll know how to handle her."

Jennifer's father might have let her get away with a lot growing up, but once he had decided enough was enough, his natural dominant tendencies had sprung forth again.

Paul nodded and said, "That's a good idea. I'll go get him and fill him in."

Paul went downstairs, leaving Jennifer in her room. He waved to Betty and Josie as he went into the den to find Mr. Wilson. "Sir? Excuse me, could I talk to you?"

Mr. Wilson looked up. "Sure," he said, "Come on in."

"I'm having a problem with Jennifer. She seems very moody and down and I have no idea why."

Jennifer's father smiled and said, "She is developing into a young woman, I see. Did you ask her?"

"Yes but she wants Betty there and she doesn't want Josie left alone."

"Josie?"

Paul explained.

"Send Josie in here and she can stay with me."

"Thank you, sir." Paul left and went back to Betty and Josie. "Josie, Mr. Wilson wants to talk to you. Betty, come upstairs with me."

Josie went into the den alone, as directed by Paul, and Betty eagerly went upstairs with him. When the two of them got back into the bedroom, Paul said, "OK, Josie is with your father, Betty is here, you're in your own room. Now please tell me what is going on."

Jennifer had been sitting in her room, trying to get her thoughts in order for when Paul came back.

She was upset that Mr. Burns hadn't even listened to her; instead he just gave her the stupid "this is for your own good" speech and had Miss Waters tell her about women being naturally submissive to men. She sighed, wondering why they had ignored her.

She would have felt better if she could have known what was really going on and seen Mr. Burns and Miss Waters sitting in his house, her at his feet, working on student interviews and questionnaires designed to bring a Master and slave together who would be compatible with each other.

Betty came into the room, followed by Paul. She took a seat at Jennifer's feet, rubbing her leg in comfort.

Paul continued, "Start talking Jennifer, I'm not going to put up with this attitude much longer."

Jennifer sighed and said, "Yes, Paul." She supposed she was lucky, Paul at least was willing to listen, some boys would have just punished her until she had stopped acting so gloomy.