A young woman moves to the big city for a job and gets ensconced in a family's corporate hedonistic dystopian environment.

Excerpts:

“We have a problem, Miss Cally Callahan.”

“We do, Mrs. Devereux?”

“Mrs. Jones had her diamond wedding ring on her bathroom sink this morning. You came in to clean. When you left, it was gone. The police have been alerted but are busy and ask that we try to resolve the issue before involving them.”

“I didn't steal anything. I'm a very honest person. I swear.”

“We will need to do a strip search.”

- - -

“Mrs. Devereux, I have an addictive personality. It can be something as simple as chocolate. At one time I was an alcoholic. Later it was opioids, then assorted recreational drugs. I can't get along without my iPhone. I'm addicted to Social Media. And now I fear it's BDSM.”

- - -

“The Playroom is similar to a torture chamber, but it's merely significant torment. Getting in is voluntary, getting out is not. Normally there is a safeword in such places, but not with her.

Mrs. D has absolute rule in The Playroom, similar to at work but much more so. The stick is she will torment us. The carrot is we may get to torment each other. It's what I told her I wanted to do with you, bind you in a contorted position, then abuse you, inflict pain and prove it really does enhance the sexual experience. It will, trust me. We'll probably switch roles later, but anything can happen. No rules. Are you up for it, Allison?”

“Yes! And excited! How about you?”

“Mixed emotions. I am starting to get really psyched up for it, girlfriend. I could barely stand or walk afterward last time.”

“I'm going to so fuck you up, girlfriend.”

“You're too big a wus to do too much damage, Allie.”

- - -

“What are these two cages for and why are they here in the Penthouse?”

“Miss Wesley called the larger one a devotion cage. If someone wanted to express their loyalty, they could get inside.

“The other taller cage is different. It is too small to move around, but tall enough to stand, and intended for punishment. There is barbed wire lining the inside of the bars.”

- - -

“Lots of changes to discuss. First is the new dress code. All female employees will wear short plaid skirts and knee socks.”

- - -

My late husband came from a medical background specializing in hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. The former deals with the subconscious mind, the latter the conscious one. It's behavior modification, reprogramming the thought process. He offered self-improvement sessions such as stop smoking, reduce anxiety, then added a few things such as compliance, an overwhelming need to be obedient.

- - -

We came up with a game we call Puppet Master. The PM rules, we commit to doing whatever he or she says once they get voted in, unquestioning obedience. The game's goals are getting you to do things you would not do otherwise, using domination, submission, humiliation, exhilaration, and sexual titillation. Control can be delegated. Anyone of us might be temporary master or slave of another player.

- - -

She unlocks the heavy metal Playroom door and all dozen of us wander in. Mrs. Devereux speaks.

“Coming into The Playroom is strictly voluntary. Once that door closes, you may only leave with my blessing. Those who stay will be subjected to embarrassment and humiliation, then things will get worse. On the flip side, you will at times be allowed to be Master, inflicting your will and suffering as desired. Pain is an integral part of sexual pleasure. Embrace it. Some of you have already made your fantasies known to me, most will happen.

In three minutes, the heavy metal door will close and lock. You are free to leave until then, after that, let the games begin.”

- - -