Notes From The Underground

"It's true" said Del without looking up.

"But why? How?" said Pam.

"It's a long story" said Cassandra. "And I'm afraid rather an ugly one…"

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Erin woke up to the sound of her cell-door opening. Sitting up on her small bed she rubbed her eyes and shook her head to help clear her mind. "Follow me" said the guard standing just outside the door.

Erin stood up and followed the guard down the corridor. After a few twists and turns they entered a large room with a table in its center and shower heads, toilet stalls, and sinks occupying the remaining space. "Remove all your clothes and place them in the container on the table" said the guard. "You may then take a shower."

Erin nodded but did not say anything. Going over to the table she stripped and put all her clothes in the container on the table as the guard had instructed. It had been very late the previous evening when the captain had escorted them into the detention center, and as a result, Erin and her companions had been allowed to remain in their 'street' clothes (although they had been forced to empty all their pockets and surrender all the items therein). It was now time Erin knew to finish this process by exchanging her clothes for the standard detention center garb. She had been through this procedure many years before when Zax had framed her for financial malfeasance. After she finished undressing, Erin walked over to the wall containing the shower heads and stepped under the nearest one and immediately felt warm water cascade over her head. The water felt good and Erin welcomed the chance to wash the dried sweat and grim from the night before off her body. When she was done, she walked back over to the table, and taking a towel from a large stack that had been placed at one end, dried herself. When she was done, the guard handed her a small collection of neatly folded clothes: white panties and bra, grey-green pants and short-sleeved shirt, and black slippers. The uniform was loose fitting and comfortable and Erin dressed quickly.

"Follow me" said the guard when she was done.

Again Erin followed the guard and after a few more twists and turns down identical looking corridors, she found herself in a large room filled with tables and benches and perhaps a dozen or so women dressed in the same grey-green uniform she was wearing. This was the detention center's general-purpose or rec-room. It was here that the detainees took their meals and spent the majority of their waking hours mingling with their peers while they waited for visits from their legal counsels, judicial investigations, or final dispositions after sentencing. Looking around the room, Erin spotted Stacy and Kelly standing against one wall, grim-faced, and talking quietly.

Walking over to her companions she said "Hear anything?"

"No" said Stacy, "we just got here a few minutes before you."

Erin nodded but remained silent, pondering their situation.

"I suppose we will hear something soon" said Kelly. "What do you think they are going to do to us?"

Erin said "Throw the book at us and quickly too. You can count on that! I suppose we'll get a chance to consult with legal consul, but it will just be a formality, given that we are forced to plead guilty."

Kelly and Stacy looked at each other and then Stacy said "You don't suppose there is anything we can do? Perhaps Cassandra might be able to help us."

Erin shook her head. "I very much doubt it, although I would very much like to talk with her before we enter our final plea."

"I still can't believe Cathy betrayed us" said Kelly clearly exasperated. "I was sure that India was Zax's agent, but it was Cathy all along. How could she do that to us, to you?"

But Erin only shook her head, and looked away.

"No point in worrying about that now" said Stacy. "What's done is done. But perhaps Cassandra might be able to use Cathy's involvement to help us."

"I very much doubt it" said Erin.

The three women spent the remainder of the day discussing their situation and the intrigue that had brought them where they were now, but in the end their speculations did little to elevate their spirits or lighten their mood. Erin was especially grim and solemn and she said little other than to reiterate how their 'deal' with Katrina left them with few, if any options. After their mid-day meal, a small troupe of guards appeared and cleared the room, escorting everyone back to their cells.

Erin was not unhappy to be alone in the small room. She felt guilty and angry at herself and found it difficult to be with Kelly and Stacy, especially knowing that they would be punished for her arrogance and mistakes. That evening, Erin refused to accompany the guard back to the rec-room for supper. Instead she took her food in the small cell, although she did little more than pick at her meal. By early evening, she was tired and she lay down on the small bed hoping to fall asleep and thereby escape from her troubles. But sleep did not come quickly or easily and Erin found herself tossing and turning as she replayed and re-examined the events of the last several months in her mind. When she finally did fall asleep, troubled and fog-shrouded dreams plagued her mind, causing her to wake up sweating and tired. When the guard opened her door in the morning, Erin was exhausted both physically and emotionally.

The guard led her though the same routine of the previous day: shower, fresh clothes, and then back to the rec-room for breakfast. Kelly and Stacy were again waiting for her and the three women ate their breakfast quietly. When they were finished a guard appeared and walking over to Erin said "You have a visitor."

Erin looked at Stacy and Kelly and said "I'll talk with you later". With that she got up and followed the guard, who took her back to her cell. The room was empty and Erin was forced to wait, locked alone inside the small chamber, as the guard went for her visitor. After what seemed like a very long time, the guard returned and unlocked the cell door. When the door opened, Cassandra greeted her with a grim and stony face.

"So here we are again" said Erin trying, but failing to lessen the gravity of the moment.

Cassandra shook her head and sat down on the chair next to the table.

"I guess your right" said Erin. "You've been right all along."

"Unfortunately yes" Cassandra said, "though believe me it brings little pleasure to say so."

"I know" said Erin. "But I am very glad to see you."

Cassandra looked at Erin, her face even more grave than when she had entered the room. "I am afraid that you will not be after you hear what I have to say."

"More bad news" said Erin "well I can't say I'm surprised. Let's have it."

"Prudence contacted me yesterday while I was out at your 'Ranch' breaking the bad news to Pam, June, and the others. She called to dictate the details of your 'surrender', though she didn't use those terms."

"I see" said Erin. Pam and June must have taken the news hard. Everyone had worked long and diligently to make their plan a success. Its total failure must have been devastating to everyone at Varinia. "How are they taking the news?"

"As you might expect" said Cassandra. "In any event, it seems that with the details India has supplied, as well as various recordings taken of your 'operation' the other night, Zax has more than enough information to implicate everyone involved, including Pam and June, and the others at the Ranch."

"Yes, I had no doubt of that" said Erin.

"Prudence gave me a copy of everything, and I can assure you, that it's quite damning."

"Yes" agreed Erin.

"Zax has decided to have the three of you charged with conspiracy to assist in the escape of government prisoners and convicted criminals. Prudence has agreed to forego the other charges and not pursue any action against Pam, June, and the others provided that the three of you plead guilty. However, she has also demanded that Varinia be dissolved, the Ranch sold, and that its current residents make no attempt to contact you or each other now or at any time in the future. They will, of course, be required to enter into a formal agreement stating as much."

Erin nodded and said "I expected as much."

There's more said Cassandra. "In addition, all attempts to change or reform the Servitude Laws must be immediately and permanently abandoned. Public statements must be made by every member of Varinia acknowledging the effectiveness and fairness of these laws and admitting the error of your past efforts."

Erin swallowed hard. It seemed everything she had worked for her entire life was about to be swept away. Prudence was making sure that Varinia would never again be a threat to Zax. "And if I refuse to make such a statement?"

Cassandra looked at her in the eyes and said coldly "The charges brought against you are among the most serious of criminal offenses and as such carry the most severe penalties. Prudence is prepared to have all of you charged. That includes Pam and June and the others. She has even threatened me and Del, though I doubt she could actually implicate either of us."

Prudence was definitely playing tough. "But if she does that, then of course, everything will become public" said Erin.

"True" said Cassandra "but Prudence said that although she would like to avoid publicity, she was prepared accept the consequences, if necessary. In my opinion, she is not bluffing. In fact, you were wise (if not unfortunate) to have made a deal with Katrina when you did."

Erin remained silent for a moment, her lips pressed tightly together. "So you think our case is hopeless?"

"No" said Cassandra. "However, it is weak at best. I've reviewed the evidence and although the publicity resulting from your judicial investigation would prove quite sensational, and perhaps even damaging to Zax, ultimately, I think it unlikely that you would win. The law is clearly on Zax's side and their evidence is overwhelming. In fact, you may not even get that much buzz out of it, as Zax is likely to attempt to quash some of the more lurid details as irrelevant. In the end, it's a high stakes gamble with the odds not even remotely in your favor."

"So what do you suggest?" said Erin.

"I don't know. None of your options are good. Pleading guilty at least saves some of you from servitude and you might request and obtain leniency. However, I must caution you that such a course of action is both final and irrevocable. By admitting guilt, you preclude any possibility of ever having the matter reconsidered in the future, as was the case last time."

"Hmm" said Erin.

"However there is more" said Cassandra.

"More?"

"Yes" said Cassandra. "Although I am sure that there is no concern on your part for Cathy, Prudence has threatened to have Cathy charged as well and to reclaim her daughter Kourtney. It seems that Cathy was not in the best bargaining position when she made her deal with Zax and there is some question about her custody of the girl. In any event, the child could very easily end up back on Zax Island, and in the dungeon whether you are found guilty or not."

"Wonderful!" said Erin. Prudence was leaving no card un-played.

Cassandra looked at her grimly. "My only real suggestion is that you weigh the matter very carefully. I have contacted a good criminal consular, Evelyn MacMann. She'll be here tomorrow to talk with you."

"You can't help me?" asked Erin.

"I'm afraid not. I'm well into retirement and Zax has already indicated the need for me to recuse myself due to personal involvement. But even if I was able, Evelyn is one of the best and will do a much better job than I could."

"OK" said Erin. "I need time to think things over."

"That I'm afraid you don't have much of either" said Cassandra.

"How so?" said Erin, surprised.

"Prudence wants your answer by the day after tomorrow."

"Or?"

"Or the deal's off".

This just kept getting worse and worse thought Erin. Prudence had her cornered and was pressing in on her. Zax was leaving nothing to chance, not even the possibility that she might change her mind. "Great!" said Erin finally.

"Yes, great" said Cassandra.

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The next day Erin was escorted back to her cell after breakfast; she found herself seated across from a tall thin woman dressed in a green business suit and a white blouse. "Evelyn MacMann" she said extending her hand. "Cassandra sent me over to act as your consul".

"Yes" said Erin, shaking Evelyn's hand. "We spoke yesterday and Cassandra said you'd be by."

Evelyn looked at Erin coolly, studying her new client's face for a moment and then said "I've reviewed the material Cassandra sent and the charges against you and your two companions. They are quite serious, and I must say, unfortunately, very well substantiated."

"Yes" agreed Erin.

Glancing at Erin again, Evelyn continued "I've also looked into your personal history both public and criminal and I see that this is not the first time you've been under investigation."

Erin nodded but said nothing.

"Although you were convicted, I see that you were later exonerated and pardoned. However you did spend time in servitude."

"Yes" said Erin. "Does that matter?"

"Yes and no" said Evelyn. "The pardon prevents the previous conviction from being used directly against you, however if a connection can be established between the previous case and this one, then it is possible to introduce the facts into the investigation."

"Hmm" said Erin. "I can't see any direct connection, but I suppose it won't matter anyways, as I, as well as my companions, intend to plead guilty."

Evelyn looked at Erin again, her face serious. "I can't recommend that you plead guilty. Although the evidence against you is quite damning and may be impossible to overcome at your investigation, by pleading guilty you give up your right to mount a vigorous challenge to the charges and evidence. In addition, you forfeit the right to appeal or have your case re-examined in the future. Worse, it precludes the possibility of a pardon or a re-evaluation of your sentence. In short, once sentence is passed you are stuck with whatever penalty is assigned to you. Unlike your previous case, where a challenge was presented, you would be unable to obtain or even accept a pardon or a reduction in sentence, no matter what efforts were made in your behalf in the future. There can be no reprieve."

Erin nodded grimly. "I see" she said. "Still I wish to plead guilty."

"May I ask why?" said Evelyn.

Erin shook her head and said "It is what I must do. You can talk with Cassandra if you wish, but it won't make any difference."

"Your only other option then is to present a character summary. Under the circumstances I highly recommend this approach."

"What is a character summary?" said Erin.

"When someone pleads guilty they are allowed to present a personal history at their investigation. The idea is that there might be unique or unusual circumstances in a woman's life that mitigate her guilt. If so, this can be taken into account during sentencing and a more lenient term of servitude assigned. In your case, you can expect the harshest sentence possible. However a lighter sentence might be assigned if it can be established that such mitigating circumstances existed. In any event, you have nothing to loose by presenting a summary. In essence you will be asking for mercy."

"OK" said Erin. Her agreement with Prudence only required that they plead guilty; it said nothing about begging for mercy. Erin doubted that it would make a difference, at least for her, but perhaps for Kelly and Stacy it might afford a chance to escape the worst.

"Alright" said Evelyn "I'll get busy then. Your investigation is set for next week, but I can probably get it postponed for another week. I assume your companions will also be pleading guilty?"

"Yes" said Erin. "You can talk to them, of course, but I think you will find that we are all like-minded."

Evelyn nodded and said "OK. If you change your mind, please contact me immediately. I'll do my best for you."

"Thanks" said Erin.

Evelyn stood up and moved towards the door, which opened, revealing a guard on the other side. "I'll be in touch in a day or so. Again, let me know if you change your mind."

"I will" said Erin.

When Evelyn left, Erin lay down on the small bed and sighed. It was going to be a long week or so. She still felt guilty about Kelly and Stacy, but it appeared there was nothing she could do. Zax had won and she had lost. It was that simple. Now it was time to pay. And pay she would.

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Karolyn stood before the mirror holding the clear tube in her hand. The sun had just set, its dying light filling the bridal chamber with a warm red-yellow afterglow. India had just left and she was finally alone for the first time that day. Looking at herself in the mirror Karolyn sighed. Her cheeks were blushed and her hair arranged in a crown about her head, braided and twisted and adorned with small white flowers and ribbons of tulle. She wore a white stain slip and stockings; her wedding dress neatly draped over the chair behind her. Karolyn was still captivated by the woman that stared back at her in the mirror, for she could not believe that the lovely reflection belonged to her.

The wedding had gone perfectly and now she was finally married to Laura. Her only regret was that Kathryn and to a lesser extent, Kourtney, had not been present but Headmistress Echo had reassured her that she would be seeing Kathryn again very soon. Still, Karolyn had missed her closest friend and wondered why she had not been present. However, she did not have time to dwell on the matter now. Soon India and the others would return for the evening festivities and she needed to prepare for her wedding night.

Approximately a week ago she had mustered the courage to talk with India about her problem. It had not been easy and even now Karolyn blushed remembering their conversation. Fortunately, her famous Aunt lived up to her reputation of being kind and sympathetic. In fact, Karolyn had been both surprised and delighted by her response. "Don't fret dear" she had said patting Karolyn on the knee. "I have something that will solve your problem. The only thing is…well you need to be careful."

"Oh?" said Karolyn. "Is it…dangerous?"

"Well, not exactly. It won't harm you physically anyways. However, strictly speaking it's illegal. But don't worry, you won't have any problem."

The word 'illegal' gave Karolyn pause and she looked at her aunt skeptically. "Exactly what is it? And why is it illegal?"

"Well it just a cream. You need to stick it up your pisshonie. After you do, Laura won't be able to tell you're not a virgin any longer. However, although the cream is not dangerous, it's illegal for exactly the reason that you're using it for. But don't worry, its undetectable once it's inside you."

Karolyn blushed deep red at the mention of her pisshonie, but she was still skeptical. She could not see any difference in her pisshonie, but perhaps there was something she was overlooking. In any event she could not take the risk. Still, it seemed odd that a simple cream could help. "OK" she said finally. "When can you get me some of this cream?"

"Getting the cream is not a problem" India had reassured her. "The thing is its effects are temporary; it lasts only for a few hours. "You'll need to apply it just before your wedding night."

"But how can I do that?" said Karolyn becoming dismayed.