THE INDUSTRY

BY THE ONE

[ part 4 ]

NOTE: ‘The Industry’ is a series of 11 chapters. It will only make sense if you read them in order!

First Night

After returning from their dinner, Nicole noticed the girls fluffing up pillows.

“What’s going on?” she asked, “Are we going to bed?”

“Yep! Finally…” said Amy, yawning, “When you’re tired, it feels like it’ll never come!” Her eyes looked heavy with sleep.

“But you said you didn’t get picked last night.”

“It’s the stress that gets you,” Amy said with a little smile, “The waiting game; wondering if you’ll be chosen, and if so by whom? Will you be tortured or loved? Made to dress up or undress? It puts a lot of strain on your mind. You’ll see soon enough.”

The far doors opened again and two guards entered. One started walking down each row of cells.

“What are they doing?” asked Nicole.

“They’re here to unlock the corset collars of those of us who weren’t chosen, so we can get cleaned up and go to bed! Now, when he comes past, just press yourself up against the bars, lean your head back, and close your eyes. And make sure to give a sexy little smile. It’ll earn you brownie points with the guards, and that’s always good!”

When the guard came past with the key, Katrina went first, glaring at the man the whole time. Amy was the image of sexy perfection as she leaned back and closed her eyes while she was freed. Nicole imitated her, and felt the man take hold of her lock, then stop. She opened one eye.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before, have I?” he asked. He looked at her clipboard. “Well, Nicole, how do you like it here so far?”

Nicole didn’t know what to do. Should she break her posture? She gave Amy a sideways glance for help.

Amy stepped up to the guard. “She’s loves it here, don’t you Nicole?”

“Sure!” Nicole replied, “It’s great!”

“Good girl. That’s what we like to hear!” The man unlocked her corset and moved on to the next cell.

“Always answer when you’re asked a question,” Amy instructed.

“Thanks. I’ll remember that.”

“Okay. Now we shower, throw our uniforms down the laundry chute, and get into bed.”

Katrina had already claimed the shower, so Amy and Nicole waited and talked, Nicole always listening for more of the Industry’s rules. Finally, Katrina emerged. It startled Nicole that she was naked. Despite her constant bad mood, she was very beautiful. She glanced at her roommates with disdain before climbing up to her bunk.

“Do you want to go next?” Amy asked.

“No, you go ahead,” said Nicole. She wanted a little time alone.

While Amy showered Nicole took the time to reflect back on everything that had happened to her, but she found she couldn’t without upsetting herself all over again. She was tired of crying. There was nothing that could be done to change her situation, so she may as well make the best of it. Look on the bright side: she had made a new friend.

The bathroom door slid open. Nicole’s eyes were drawn to Amy’s naked, curvy body. She was the prettiest girl she had ever seen!

“Wow!” Nicole gasped.

Amy immediately blushed. “Oh, stop.”

“No, I mean it; you’re amazing!”

“Thanks, I guess,” said Amy, looking at the floor. “Let’s not make this weird. It’s your turn.” She avoided Nicole’s eyes as she crawled into bed.

Feeling a little bad that she had embarrassed Amy, Nicole went into the bathroom. It was surprisingly big. She took her corset and thong off and breathed in relief as her chest returned to its normal shape instead of being lifted and squeezed. She dropped the uniform down the laundry chute and turned the shower on. The water was nicely warm, and it relaxed her shoulders and neck, which had tightened up from stress. After washing, she stepped out of the shower and dried off. She brushed her teeth and hair and moved to go back out into the cell. Then she remembered she was naked. Nicole wasn’t exactly comfortable with displaying herself to all these people, but she couldn’t stay in the bathroom forever. Besides, everyone else was naked by now too. Reluctantly she went back out into public view.

Amy wasn’t asleep yet, and she greeted Nicole with a smile.

“Doesn’t that feel better?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess,” Nicole said. “It kind of relaxed me.”

“Yeah, it does feel good. We should get some sleep now. Tomorrow will be your first business day, and you definitely want to be ready.”

“But where should I sleep? There are only two beds.”

“Oh!” Amy thought for a moment. “I can use a chair. You take the bed; you need it more than I do right now.”

“Really?”

“Of course! I don’t mind.” Amy settled in one of the overstuffed chairs and curled up.

“Well…all right…” Nicole crawled under the covers in the bed. As she lay her head down, she watched Amy squirm in the chair to find a comfortable position. Then she did it again; again; and yet again. She was never going to get any rest.

“Amy, come over here,” said Nicole, moving over so Amy could have a space in the bed.

“No, really, I’m fine,” Amy insisted.

“Amy, come on. You’re not fine. Get into the bed with me.”

“With you?!”

“Sure!” Nicole hated to admit it, but she was turned on by the thought of Amy being in bed with her. “There’s room enough for both of us.”

“Okay…if you don’t mind…” Amy slowly rose, then apprehensively slid under the covers, trying not to touch Nicole. As she was getting in, a voice called from the hallway, “Goodnight, ladies,” and the lights went out.

Now in total darkness, Nicole decided to help Amy along. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. She felt an instant rush when their naked bodies touched. Amy squealed in surprise, but didn’t resist.

“Oh! Hi, Nicole…” Amy stared into her friend’s eyes.

“Hi, Amy,” Nicole smiled, “See? That didn’t hurt, did it?”

“No.” Amy was starting to relax into Nicole’s embrace. She hadn’t been held like this at night since her last night with her old boyfriend. She had forgotten how safe it made her feel, even if it was a girl this time.

“Sleep well,” Nicole yawned, closing her eyes and letting the warmth of Amy’s body lull her to sleep.

“You too,” Amy said as she nuzzled against Nicole’s chest. Her eyes fell closed as she drifted off…

The lights turned on with a soft buzz. They pierced Nicole’s dreams and forced her to wake up. She hoped she would see her own room and her own bed, feel her own soft pajamas around her body, and hear birds chirping outside her window. She opened her eyes and her heart sank.

It hadn’t been a dream. She was still in this horrible place. The only good thing was being able to see and feel her friend Amy sleeping peacefully, curled up against her. Her soft breathing calmed Nicole enough that she didn’t start crying again.

She must have moved a little too much, because Amy awoke and caught Nicole staring at her. She didn’t seem to mind, though, and lovingly greeted her friend.

“How did you sleep?” she asked.

“Okay, I guess,” Nicole shrugged.

“Even so, you did better than me. When I first came here, I couldn’t sleep for two days! It took me weeks to get used to the cycle here!” Amy’s constant smile and cheerful manner could always help Nicole’s mood.

Just then a voice boomed out, “Wake up, girls! Breakfast in half an hour; doors open for business in two hours! Be ready!”

Amy groaned and rolled out of bed. She stretched her naked body and went to go in the bathroom for a shower, but Katrina had gotten there first.

“Oh well,” Amy shrugged and returned to sit on the edge of the bed. She noticed that Nicole’s eyes had closed again and her breathing was deep and rhythmic. She had gone back to sleep.

“Hey! Wake up!” she said gently, stroking Nicole’s hair. She made a noise in protest and tried weakly to swat Amy away. “Wake up, Nicole!” Amy shook her friend’s shoulder.

“I don’t want to…” Nicole mumbled, “Just a few more minutes…”

“We don’t have a few more minutes!” Amy said urgently, “You have to get up now or somebody might punish you!” She was afraid of seeing Nicole get hurt.

“What? Why?” Nicole’s eyes were open and alert now.

“If you’re not awake, they chain you to the cell bars and you miss breakfast. It’s really embarrassing!” Amy knew from experience.

Nicole almost jumped up to get out of bed. “I’m awake, I’m awake!”

Katrina emerged from the shower wearing a fresh corset with its collar locked on.

“Next,” she said flatly and returned to her perch on the top bunk.

Nicole was next. She went in as before and showered, and when she stepped back out there was a fresh corset and a padlock waiting for her. She assumed they came from the hatch in the wall that was locked from the outside. Someone had unlocked it and shoved the clothes through. It was much too small for a person to fit through, so all hopes of using it to escape were lost.

She pulled on the uniform and winced as her breasts were once again lifted to look even fuller than they were already. She pulled on the thong, brushed her hair and teeth, and went back out into the cell. She felt much more at ease with something covering her body, even if it was uncomfortable.

A few minutes after Amy was finished, guards came to take the girls to breakfast. They filed into the cafeteria like they had last night, but this time they were served fresh eggs and sizzling bacon. While she ate, Nicole thought about how things worked in the Industry. There were a few points that didn’t match up: why didn’t anyone ever get pregnant? Amy had said once that no protection was required during sex with the girls, so how was that possible? Also, if they were served food like this every day, why did they all look so good? Any normal person who ate like they did would be a little heavy, to say the least. She voiced her questions.

“Oh,” Amy laughed, “They load the food and drink up with chemicals. They have chemists and scientist people working for them; making metabolism boosters, fat burners, STD immunizations, and sterility drugs that have no bad side affects. It’s incredible, really. The money they could make by selling their creations instead of selling us every night…”

“Wait, sterility drugs!?” Nicole cried.

“Yep. From the first bite of food you ate here, you’ve been a hundred percent sterile. That’s why nobody’s ever pregnant.”

“But…” Nicole was very troubled, “…I’m never going to be able to have kids now? Ever?”

“Oh, of course! The effects only last about a day. Don’t ask me how it works, but they don’t last.”

“And it’s a good thing, too,” said a dark-haired girl sitting across from them. “Hey, you’re new here, aren’t you?” She was examining Nicole.

“Yeah,” Nicole sighed.

“Don’t feel bad,” the girl comforted, “You get used to it. It’s better than being a hooker on the street, like I was. At least here I got to break my crack addiction. Food’s better, too!” she said with a smile, “By the way, my name’s Caitlin. What’s yours?”

“Nicole.”

“Wow! That’s my sister’s name! I always liked it; it’s pretty.”

“Thanks,” Nicole replied. She liked Caitlin.

Their conversation attracted attention. Nicole told her story several more times to the girls sitting around her. Besides Caitlin, she met Leanne, Kristin, Jennifer, Samantha, and Becky. They all felt sorry for her, but couldn’t really relate. None but Jennifer had come from caring families, and most said they were happier here, except for the sex part. They all seemed very friendly, and she enjoyed their company. It took her mind off everything else.

Too soon, the bell sounded to return to the cells and prepare for the customers’ arrival. Nicole said goodbye to everyone as she and Amy walked back to their cell. When they went in, they saw Katrina already there. She barely looked up upon their entrance. Before Amy and Nicole had a chance to sit down, a large figure lumbered through the double doors. It was the evil-smelling, shark-eyed man with the liquid-metal voice who had greeted Nicole when she’d first come to the Industry.

“Who is that guy?” Nicole asked Amy.

“That’s Smith,” Amy said. There was fear in her voice. “We try to stay on his good side at all costs.”

“Why?” Nicole whispered.

Amy said shakily, “He controls everything that goes on around here. If we break a little rule here and there, he doesn’t care, but big stuff like trying to escape… A few have tried it. He takes them down that elevator,” she pointed to the far side of the warehouse, “and they don’t come back for hours. When they do come back, they’re never the same. It happened to one girl while I was here. She came back and didn’t say a word to anyone. It was like she had lost her mind. Then finally, she woke up in the middle of the night…the middle of our night anyway… screaming like she was being killed! After that, she was just a nervous wreck for weeks. We think her roommates were the only things that kept her sane during that time. She’s gone now; her time was up last year.”

“Whoa…” Nicole’s voice trailed off, “That sounds pretty weird…” The image of Smith’s black eyes came into her mind and she shivered.

“Yeah. Just don’t make him mad and you’ll be fine. We don’t try to escape or cause trouble or anything like that, and if you value what little innocence you have left, you’ll do the same.”

The seriousness in Amy’s voice shocked Nicole. If cheerful, smiling Amy got that scared about something, it was bad.

The whole room fell silent as Smith spoke in his voice like oozing liquid metal, “Alright, girls. As usual I expect perfect little angels to greet the customers. If you’re chosen you will be eager, courteous, obedient, blah, blah, blah. The real reason I wanted to speak to you today is that we have a newcomer among us.”

Nicole wasn’t listening. All she could think about were Smith’s black, alien eyes.

“If you’ll direct your attention to cell number 119, you’ll see a girl with dark, medium length hair. She has a rather sad face, but is beautiful nonetheless. Her name is Nicole.”

Nicole jolted out of her reverie at the mention of her name. Everyone was looking at her. She felt her face flush bright red. “Um…hi!” she said and gave a little wave.

“I hope you will all do your best to make her feel at home with us. She’s a little unfamiliar with our operation, but she’ll learn fast. Alright! Customers will be here in an hour. Be ready!” He left the way he had come.

Nicole’s heartbeat returned to normal as attention drifted away from her. She could see Jennifer and Leanne waving and smiling from across the hall and down a few doors. She waved back, trying to look calm, but inside she was dreading the arrival of the customers…