This short story is an entry in the 2003 Soc.Sexuality.Spanking Summer Short Story Contest and is copyright by the author and commercial use is prohibited without permission. Personal/private copies are permitted only if complete including the copyright notice. The author would appreciate your comments
Category: Period (Late 1800's)
Simplicity
By
Courtney <Courtenesca@aol.com>
"You! Nothing better to do than lollygag in the library?"
"Sir! I-I'm waiting...."
"We're all waiting, girl. It only behoves us to wait well. Leastwise, you've a book.....Don't s'pose you read? The weaker sex wouldn't be weaker if you learned to read between the lines, eh?"
Simplicity glanced from the precious book. "Sir, I can read. That's why I'm here, in hopes of a teaching position." She noted his incredulity." Or...assistant? Clerical work?"
Professor snorted. "Your name?"
"Simplicity."
"You've seen the Headmaster, girl?"
"...Several times, sir. 'Wait,' he said."
Wonder how long? Bloody HM would tell Christ himself to wait.... "Simplicity, your people? I mean, where do you go when you're not waiting?" The wan coloring pasting her features bespoke hardship.
"I-I'm...." Simplicity stuttered. "I-I've no real place...to go, sir." Her young shoulders shook, battling laws of gravity to yank them down any further. "See, I'm waiting...."
"Blast! Never waste time repeating yourself!" He looked about the library. Professor sighed. Not a single youngster taking advantage of certain knowledge, but here's a girl daring convention to be here.
"Your situation...? You seek gainful employment, shelter?"
"I wouldn't presume...."
"Dash it! I asked, you answer!" Simplicity nodded.
"Sir, I-I'm destitute. But I work hard, can read, write, do sums. Handy with a needle, too."
"No family?" His brusque tone softened as her chin lifted with staunch pride.
"They've passed; two years now. I'm twenty, and strong. Do you know of a position, sir?"
"Happens I do. Every term I take on a student assistant. Bosh! Never works, does it? However, if you can read, help about the house, I'll provide room and board, and the...uh...odd salary, eh?
"I'm a tenured professor, and one of the founders here. Pleasure to meet you, Simplicity." He whispered, "This library is one of my favorite haunts, too!"
Simplicity smiled shyly in answer to her new benefactor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Simplicity blended into the Professor's household. While she performed her homey chores with diligence, they agreed her most valuable talent was as research assistant. A great thirst for knowledge was shared between them. Sometimes causing a lapse in normal routines....
"We need another discussion....Did you eat lunch today? You're looking thin again!"
"Professor, I might've skipped.... But HG Wells caught me – I had to read it!"
"Simplicity, you feed me till I'm stuffed. You shouldn't forget to take sustenance. We've discussed this...."
"Y-Yes, sir." Simplicity, shamed, voice a-tremble. "The cane? S-Shall I fetch it?"
He hid a smile: she was so anxious to please.
"No.... A good spanking should suffice in reminding to feed yourself. Assume the position, Simplicity!"
She curtseyed, dropping face-down over Professor's lap. He'd warned her of his practice of corporal discipline. Simplicity accepting all – except the cane. Her happy circumstances were marred only by that fear.
He lifted her skirts. Bare girl-bum winked up, and his ink-stained palm smacked down.
...Many such nights followed: Simplicity over his knee, bottom flushed from a thorough spanking. It became part of their lives as tea, or recording daily research data.
It was a duty neither seemed to mind.
The End
© Copyright Courtney, 30 August 2003
Reviews
Sassy <sassy_jolene(at)hotmail(dot)com>
I enjoyed this story, though it needs to flow better. It is original, the overall idea fairly fresh. Some more minor details need to be dropped maybe, like why the Professor felt he could approach her in this way. Something more than «The wan coloring pasting her features bespoke hardship.» I do like the basic story though and I think there is great potential for it. It seems like we were only given pieces of a longer story. I wonder about those missing pieces.
Jessie <imbolcmoon(at)juno(dot)com>
This is well-written and has a nice sense of who the characters are. I think the time would have been a bit hard to place, if it had not been noted; perhaps something could be done to highlight late 1800s better within the story itself.
Kessily
Hmmm I wonder if the professor and the girl will fall in love. I can see this piece moving right into a wonderful love story. The Man comes across as a Chauvinist at first, typical of the times, but later establishes himself as a wonderfully caring gentleman! I really enjoyed this piece.