The Interrogation

by Robin Roseau

"Nor is the issue of the lies she told me," Henry said. "Magdalena. Get out. Now. You are banished from my events for a period of one year. If the young lady spinning over our heads forgives you, I will reduce that to six months."

  "I am expected to beg an apology from a slave?"

  "Or stay away," Henry said. "I find her choice of words quite apropos. Slave, what word did you use?"

  "Answer him," Katrina said immediately.

  "Harridan, Sir," I called out. "I called her a harridan."

  "Yes, quite apropos. Magdalena, get out!"

  I heard the woman depart in a snit. The room remained quiet for a moment longer, and then conversation began again. I couldn't hear any of it, and I didn't care for the spinning, but I smiled. I had won.

  Furthermore, Katrina had defended me, and she had believed me. And finally, she had trusted I would be okay.

  I tried opening my eyes a few times, but I could tell right away it would make me sick, so I kept them closed. It wasn't so bad closed. I knew I would be horribly dizzy when they let me down, but I didn't think I was going to get sick.

  I think Katrina knew I'd end up in here, but she had let it be my decision to accept. She hadn't given me much to eat or drink. This would have otherwise been much harder.

  I don't know how long I stayed in the cage. I grew bored, but that would only have taken a few minutes. If it weren't for the spinning, I could have watched everyone, and that would have made it easier, I thought. At least I could have watched Katrina.

  I heard her voice from time to time from somewhere below me, and I thought perhaps she was being intentionally loud so I could hear her.

  There was a motorized sound coming from above me, but I didn't realize it until it stopped. The spinning stopped, and then I began to spin slowly the other way, and then back and forth a few times.

  That was the worst, and I was almost sick from that. And then the cage began to descend. I snuck a peek but closed my eyes again. I had stopped moving, but the world seemed to still be spinning. I tried very hard not to be sick.

  And then I heard Katrina asked me, "Are you all right, Belle?"

  "I don't know," I whimpered. "I'm afraid if I move I'll be sick."

  The cage settled on the ground, and that was bad, as it tipped slightly to the side. I let out a small shriek.

  There was a clang, and then I felt Katrina's hands on my shoulders. "Deep breaths, honey," she said.

  Then there was another voice. "Is she all right, Katrina?"

  "Who is that?" I asked.

  "Lila," Katrina said.

  "Dizzy?" the woman asked.

  "Yes," I said. "Badly."

  "If you move too fast, you'll be sick," Lila said, and her voice was gentle. "Deep breaths help, and we'll help you climb out when you're ready. There is no rush."

  "By the way you looked at me, I was sure you wanted to see me punished," I said.

  "I'm sorry. I believed her version of the story, but as soon as I heard Katrina, I knew she was lying. So did Henry. He almost squished my hand. He was very angry."

  "At me?"

  "No, not at you."

  I opened my eyes cautiously. The world was still spinning, but not so badly. I held my head very still, then slowly tried to stand. I felt two pair of hands helping me. They helped me out of the cage, and then Lila asked, "Do you have her?"

  "Yes," Katrina said.

  Lila closed the cage then disappeared, and a moment later the cage began rising to the ceiling. I clutched Katrina, not willing to risk a step, and then Lila was back at my other side.

  "It helps to sit down," Lila said, "but keep your head still. Do not lean back or you'll be immediately sick. And do not nod."

  I smiled weakly. "Thank you."

  The led me to a sofa at the side of the room. It was occupied, but as we approached, the people using it got up as if they had suddenly decided to leave, but I thought it was for me. Katrina set me down onto the sofa, sitting next to me, and then Lila sat on the other side.

  "Have you eaten?" she asked.

  "Mostly fruit."

  "Katrina, I am not allowed to retrieve food without a direct order."

  "Lila, please retrieve a plate, whatever you think I might enjoy."

  "Yes, Katrina," she said, and then the girl moved away.

  I turned to Katrina. "You believed me."

  "Of course. And you took punishment you didn't deserve."

  "I was rude."

  "Yes. And if you are ever facing a similar situation, I expect you to be equally as rude."

  I smiled.

  I glanced up at the cage, my former prison.

  "So, your first time in a cage?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you enjoy it?"

  "I didn't like the spinning."

  "It needed to be punishment," Katrina replied. "Do you want me to get one?"

  I turned to her. "I won't be here to enjoy it."

  She smiled and caressed my cheek.

  "Did I embarrass you?"

  "No, honey. I am proud of you." She cocked her head. "Will your stomach settle?"

  "Yes. Fifteen minutes and a little food and I'll be fine."

  Lila returned, handing a plate to Katrina. She also had two glasses of water, handing one to each of us.

  "Drink carefully if you're still dizzy," she said, sitting down next to me again, her hands on my leg as she turned to me.

  "Thank you, Lila," I replied. "You are very kind."

  "It's nothing. Henry puts me up there all the time. I like it, except I get so bored. He won't let me bring a book. He says punishment shouldn't be reading time."

  "You looked angry earlier."

  "I was mad at myself, that's all. Henry put me up there to cool off. He should have spun me, but he has to turn it to a ten, and then I'm worthless for an hour."

  "A ten? Oh god." I turned back to Katrina. "I'd have been sick at ten."

  In response, she handed me a dinner roll from the plate, and I ate it slowly. She fed me a little food, and then ate a little herself and asked Lila what she might like.

  "A strawberry would be lovely," she said, and Katrina stuffed a strawberry into the girl's mouth.

  She wasn't really a girl, but she was young and small, although well-curved.

  I thought I would be jealous at Katrina feeding her, but I found I wasn't. It would be hard to be jealous after the kindness Lila had shown me. But I wasn't sure if I could handle it if they kissed.

  "Better?" Katrina asked when the food was gone.

  "Yes. Can we walk outside?"

  "Of course." My leash was draped over her belt. She clipped it to the collar then helped me stand. I was steady, mostly, but I needed some walking around before I'd be one hundred percent again. "Lila, can you dispose of the plate and glasses, then would you care to join us?"

  "I would like that, Katrina," she replied, and she scampered off.

  Katrina turned us to the doors, wrapping an arm around my waist. I leaned against her, and she kissed the top of my head.

  "Will you be up to play in a while?"

  "Don't tip me upside down," I said. "I will not be responsible for my reaction."

  "Important safety tip," she said. "I was going to tie you very decoratively. You will swing a little."

  "I've seen pictures of that." I turned to her. "Oh yes please. Just keep my head raised."

  "Will you allow Lila to be involved?"

  "Will you kiss her?"

  "No, and there won't be any sex for this, either."

  "Then yes, she seems sweet."

  We stepped outside, and the fresh air felt good. "I have more questions. I want honest answers. I am deciding what I want to do."

  "All right."

  "Do you mind if Lila touches you?"

  "Do I need to ask what you mean by touch?" I looked down at my crotch, and Katrina laughed.

  "Not there." But she began caressing me. "Here," she said. "And here." And then she touched my breasts. "And here."

  I tu
rned to face her. "Katrina?"

  "I am not asking you to decide for me. I am asking you to answer for yourself."

  "I-" I thought about it. "If you order me to accept it, I will. I would rather only you touch me intimately."

  "I would like to tie the tie of you together. Do you think you would have fun, perhaps in a lover's embrace?"

  "Will it be pretty?"

  "Oh yes," she said. "It will be very lovely."

  "Then you may do what you want, Katrina." I smiled. "Will you be able to get pictures?"

  "I have my phone. I do not know the quality."

  "Please take pictures," I said.

  "I will."

  She led me further outside, and we walked around the pool. A moment later, Lila joined us, stepping up to my other side.

  "Lila," Katrina said. "You may decline if you wish. Would you like to experience a little rope art?"

  She began smiling immediately. "Yes, Katrina." Then she looked at me. "If you won't mind."

  "No, Lila," I said. "I am looking forward to it. I wasn't when we came, and I wouldn't have been if you hadn't been so kind. But you seem very sweet."

  She smiled. "Thank you. I like you, too. You kicked that bitch's ass."

  "Lila!" said Katrina firmly.

  Horror crossed Lila's face. "I'm so sorry, Katrina. I'm sorry!"

  Katrina studied her, then relaxed. "Well, she was a bitch," Katrina said. "But please don't put me in this position again."

  "I'm sorry. I won't."

  The three of us walked around, Katrina steering us through a less intimidating conversation for a bit, and I realized she was helping Lila and I to become acquainted. Finally she steered us back to the house. We roamed the house until we encountered Henry.

  "Ah, Katrina," he said. "I see your Belle has survived her stint in my cage." He looked straight at me. "Tell me, what did you think of the experience."

  I glanced at Katrina. The last order from her had been to not respond to anyone but her, and she hadn't rescinded it. She turned to me expectantly, waiting, and then smiled. "Oh, you may answer him."

  Henry raised his eyebrow, and she explained.

  "Ah quite proper," he said. "But now she may answer me."

  "Yes."

  "It was very intimidating, Sir," I said. "I was not prepared to spin. I can not imagine spinning faster."

  "And have you learned your lesson?"

  "I am sure I have, but I do not believe I could tell you what lesson I have learned."

  He cocked his head, puzzled. "Katrina, I believe your property just told me she didn't learn a thing."

  "Sir," I said, then waited for Katrina to gesture I should speak. "I learned a great deal. I learned yet again I can trust Katrina. I learned what it is to spin in your cage. I learned Lila is very kind. I learned being in your position is perhaps not as easy as I would have expected. I did not, however, learn what I should do if ever I am presented with a similar situation."

  He laughed at that. "Quite so. Perhaps you could manage to extricate yourself without name-calling."

  "Perhaps. Would it have changed anything dramatically if I had?"

  "Yes. It wouldn't have remotely been as entertaining."

  "Katrina, was I supposed to let her hit me?"

  "Absolutely not," Katrina and Henry said at the same time. Katrina turned to me. "We can discuss it further later."

  "Yes, Katrina," I said immediately.

  "Do you know why she became so incensed?" Henry asked. "Magdalena is, indeed, a harridan, but she risked much, and she lost badly."

  "In her eyes, I was not properly submissive," I said. "Katrina becomes vexed with me if I do not look her in the eyes, and if I am to look her in the eyes, then there is no one deserving of greater submission from me. I refused to kneel to her, and I refused to be cowed."

  "Well," Henry said, "I think I understand the rest. Perhaps if there is a next time, you will show a more submissive attitude, even if it is feigned. It can defuse a situation."

  "I understand, Sir. Are you saying this was my fault?"

  "Not in the slightest." He turned to Katrina. "Well, are you to bless us, Katrina?"

  "If you still wish," she said, "I thought perhaps I could attempt a show of Kinbaku. There are others with greater skill, but with your blessing, I thought I could produce something not entirely unpleasing."

  He smiled. "Said in a good Japanese facsimile of modesty."

  "May I borrow Lila as well?" Katrina asked.

  "Oh most definitely," he replied. "Do you require anything else?"

  "A location and supplies."

  Henry smiled. "Everything is waiting for you in the theater. I am so pleased I did not have to twist your arm. Do you wish an immediately audience?"

  "This is a new experience for Belle," Katrina said. "I would prefer to take my time, but we would welcome any audience who wishes to attend. I only ask for their respectful silence until the end."

  "Of course," he said. "Lila can show you the way, and you will find everything waiting for you. I shall perhaps casually mention your activities to a few chosen people."

  "Thank you, Henry."

  "I must ask. Would you like me to film it?"

  She stared at him. "Would you be willing to do that?"

  "For you, my dear, of course."

  Katrina turned to me.

  "I am missing something," I told her. "You aren't going to put it on Youtube, are you?"

  "Oh no," Henry said. "Rest assured. Katrina, I do not believe your Belle knows who I am."

  "I may have failed to mention that," she agreed. "Belle, thank Henry for his kind offer and I will explain."

  "Thank you, Henry," I said immediately. "Will I receive a copy?"

  He smiled. "Katrina will receive a copy with permission to make a copy for you. You are to make no additional copies. Nor will you post it to Youtube or anywhere else. Unless you wish to pay my standard fee."

  "Standard fee?"

  "She won't make any copies," Katrina said with a chuckle. "Thank you, Henry."

  "I will be down shortly," he said. "Do not get too far ahead without me. I do not like to begin filming halfway through the performance."

  "Perhaps a body harness for each of them?" Katrina said. "It takes time."

  "No," Henry said. "A body harness for Lila only. I wish to film as you prepare your Belle."

  "Very good," Katrina said immediately. "You are the artist."

  "We are both artists," he disagreed, "and we must both practice our art. Go on now."

  "This way," Lila said, turning away. Katrina tugged on my leash, I think only because it amused her, and I followed along, third in line.

  Lila led us through the house, and at the opposite end, we entered into a theater complete with a stage and seating for perhaps fifty.

  "Wow," I said.

  "Henry likes private showings of his movies," Lila explained. "Have you figured out who he is?"

  "No. I'm sorry."

  "Henry Banks," Lila said.

  "That name is familiar."

  "You are so lucky he isn't here to hear you don't know who he is," Katrina said. "He is a little vain. Please don't tattle on her, Lila."

  "If you don't tattle on my little slip earlier, I won't tattle on her," Lila said with a grin. She led the way down the theater aisle, to the right, and up a set of stairs onto the stage. "Do you need another hint, Belle?"

  "He's a movie producer?" I asked.

  "Close," Katrina said. "Cinematographer."

  "What has he done?"

  "Sixty-seven movies," Lila said, "although he was Director of Photography for only twenty-four of them. Perhaps you have heard of Red Ridge Diaries."

  "Oh my god!" I said. "That movie was beautiful!"

  "Now that! I will tell Henry," Lila said. She turned to me and cocked her head, and I knew I was missing something.

  "You were in that movie!" I said.

  "It was a small role," she said. "I wasn't supposed to be in it, but they
had a last minute actress hissy fit, and the director asked Henry if I could handle it."

  "I thought all the movies were made in Hollywood. Why does Henry live up here?"

  "He likes it here," Lila said.

  "And he's going to film us?" I asked.

  "Now you know what I was so pleased," Katrina said. "It might be a few weeks before I'll have a copy for you."

  "Naw," Lila said. "Later this week. We've got nothing planned, and I do all his editing now, at least for things like this." She smiled. "Don't worry. You'll look great."

  I stared at her, not believing what was going on. Katrina and Lila both laughed at me.

  "All right," Katrina said. "Belle, you've seen pictures, but never watched this done?"

  "Yes," I agreed.

  "All right. I am going to go slow and explain what I am doing." She looked up. "Oh, we're all set. Lila, can you lower those?"

  I looked above, and I saw a set of shiny metal hoops suspended from the same equipment that held all the theater lights. Lila stepped away, and I heard her flip some switches. More lights came on, then there was a motor, and some of the hoops began descending. As they drew closer, Katrina held her hand up, and as soon as the hoop touched her hand, she yelled, "There!" The motors stopped, and a moment later there was another set. Katrina yelled when they were low enough, and a moment later, Lila reappeared from behind the edges of the stage.

  "We have a whole cart of rope," she said, pointing. "And more if you need it."

  Katrina eyed the cart. "How patient are you both tonight?"

  We both smiled at her.

  "We'll need more rope, Lila, and white blindfolds if you have them. Something lacey. If not, anything you have."

  Lila disappeared then called me to help. I followed her voice, and she began handing me coils of rope. I carried them out to Katrina, who gestured to the floor at one corner of the stage. I set them down then turned to see if Lila needed more help. She didn't, but appeared carrying a variety of strips of gauzy material.

  "Those will be lovely, Lila. Do you have a favorite?"

  "This one, Katrina," she said, picking one out. I couldn't tell a difference from the others.

  "All right," Katrina said, taking it from her and draping it over Lila's neck. She selected one more, draping it over mine, then took the rest and set them aside. "I may want more later."

  Katrina set the cart where she wanted it, off to the side, then frowned. "That is unsightly."