





               THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR 

                           by  

                      Joe Whatever

 
Seventy-two hours of observation in an approved psychiatric 
facility was the standard procedure in such cases.

But nothing about this case was standard.  Everyone knew that 
the vengeful former mental patient had put the LSD in Dr. Rachel 
Lynn's coffee.  And the police would have been happy to wait 48 
hours for the lab results.

But Rachel was the head of the state licensing board, and she insisted that the rules applied to everyone; she demanded 72 
hours of observation.  And she selected the women's wing of 
Oak Psychiatric hospital.

		******************************

Rachel sat on the bench and stared down the long, white, empty 
hallway.  The wooden bench was unyielding, and she found herself 
squirming in her restraints.

The door at the end of the hallway marked the entrance to the "Reception Area."

Reception, indeed!

The last time she had walked down this hallway, she had been in charge and in control.  Her critique of the facility had been merciless.  She had been particularly incensed by their punishment 
of "disrespectful" patients.

But Oak Psychiatric Hospital was a politically connected 
institution, and her protests were quickly swept under 
the rug.  Oak remained the perfect place to dispose of 
an unwanted wife or a difficult mistress...for a price.

At last the gleaming white door opened.  Rachel felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as the craggy nurse marched towards her.

"It's nice to see you again, Rachel," the nurse cooed, her voice dripping with insincerity.  "I see they have you all nice and 
snug."  Rachel bit her lip in nervous anticipation as she stared 
up at the woman who would rule her life for the next 72 hours.

"Not so sassy now, are you?" the nurse taunted.  "That's good.  
You know how I handle sass, don't you?  I paddle sassy girls' 
naked little fannies until they dance around the room."

She winked.

"That's a pretty blazer, dear," the nurse said as she appraisingly 
ran Rachel's lapel between her thumb and forefinger.  "Cashmere?  
Of course I'm going to have to take away your fancy clothes and 
clip your nails, girl.  I'll have to shower you, and delouse you, and cut your hair, and examine that dirty little snatch of yours 
for contraband.

"I'm sure all of the fellas are going to love seeing the great Dr. Lynn prancing around in the short-short hospital gown I 
picked out for you.  You'll be cute as a button.

"Now you just wait here, dear," the nurse said condescendingly.  
"I have to go find my rubber gloves for your examination...and 
the paddle, of course."

Rachel watched the laughing nurse stride down the sterile white corridor and back into her lair.

Rachel's heart raced.  Her palms were sweaty and her face was 
flushed.  Above all, the hot, wet stickiness between her legs 
was driving her crazy.  

On this side of the door, she was a DOCTOR -- strong, independent, 
and answerable to no one.

But, on the other side of the door, the paddle was waiting.



Edited by C. Lakewood
		

