I had my O-levels, but flunked my A-levels. Thanks to dear uncle Alfred, who was a senior investment executive, I was hired by his bank, and trained as an IT assistant. I was quite surprised to be successful.
He passed away and made me his sole heir. I now have my own apartment and enough money to start a business, but I don't feel up to tackling the ruthless business world. I have just about lived as a recluse with my computer. I shied from all social functions, and haven't had a boyfriend since my 6th form, when I wasn't as chubby.
Before departing, my dear old uncle had said. "Sophie my girl, you have to pull up your socks, return to school, retake your A-levels and graduate from one of these high-tech universities since you are quite good with that techy stuff."
I had mulled over that, and after having met the bank's manager of private accounts, I realized that I had a choice. Stop working, watch telly, eat ice cream and remain a spinster, or follow uncle Alfred's advice. The choice was simple, but once back home, I was again in front of the telly with a bucket of ice cream, and feeling ashamed of myself.
A few days later at the supermarket I saw on the newsstand a psychology magazine with encouraging headlines as. 'Dare to realize your dreams!' or 'Be all that you can be!' I was intrigued and bought it. Later, again in front of the telly, I learned about coaching services. "Restoring your self-esteem, building confidence, dealing with procrastination, developing study skills required to succeed academically."
I was quite surprised to also read, "Some participants to such programs may require the benefit of old-fashioned discipline." Although I hadn't received more than a few spankings at the hands of my parents, I knew what old-fashioned discipline meant. I imagined that it could be more severe than the spankings I had experienced.
I had quit my job, lazed around the house, gained another pound, felt depressed, and one sleepless night, I finally decided to pull up my socks. Next morning, I pushed the door of New Life Coaching and Discipline Service.
It looked like a small temporary employment agency. The receptionist gave me a form to fill up before indicating a free cubicle. The first questions about my identity, schooling, work experience were expected, but the questionnaire soon dug into more intimate details. I felt like skipping a few questions, but at the bottom of each pages it was written in red that incomplete forms wouldn't be entertained.
The third page was titled, 'Discipline and accountability' I wasn't too surprised as I had pushed the door of a Coaching and Discipline Service. I read. 'As adults, we are all responsible and accountable of our actions. Do you feel that you could profit from old-fashioned discipline?'
There was only two boxes, yes or no. There was no way to escape the question with a maybe box. I imagined being spanked as a lazy teenager. I skipped the question and the next one brought me right back to my lack of answer. 'If you have answered no, it means that you don't feel accountable for your failures, therefore we can't help you.'
I answered yes, and shivered as I further read. 'Old fashioned discipline means that you will be punished for your shortcomings at your coach's discretion.'
Please check-mark the boxes of the following implements to be informed that your coach may use any of them.
Spanking :
Belt :
Tawse :
Cane :
I was quite anxious when I ticked the tawse and cane boxes. I discovered that tawse word for the first time, and couldn't imagine a cane as an implement of discipline.
I returned my questionnaire to the receptionist with a blush. She made sure that I had answered all the questions, before telling me to return to my cubicle and wait for my would be coach.
Five minutes later a tall athletic middle-aged woman dressed in a dark tweed like trouser suit introduced herself as Miss McFearsome. "You will address me as Ma'am and I will call you Sophie. You should have stood when I entered. Next time, you will remember to remain standing till I invite you to sit down."
"Please take that multiple-choice quiz to ascertain your level and educational needs. I will be back in half an hour to decide if you have enough potential."
There were at least one hundred questions about general knowledge, literature, history and math. It was impossible to be done in half an hour. I refrained from checking boxes at random.
She returned thirty minutes later on the dot, and I remembered to stand. She corrected my work. "Not great, but not bad. I should be able to help you."
"Thank you Ma'am."
"I will be visiting your home tomorrow morning at 8:30 am. Be prepared! Remember that cleanliness is next to godliness. I will register you with a reputable adult school where I already have two young ladies preparing to retake their A-levels."
"Yes Ma'am."
Sophie
To be continued...
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