Notes From The Underground

"What exactly are you wearing?" she asked.

"My school clothes" said Kourtney matter-of-factly.

"Hmm" said Cathy touching the folds of her skirt with the tips of her fingers. "I see, but what exactly do you have on under there?"

Kourtney blushed again and said "You know…the usual."

"I see" said Cathy. "I presume that includes these bloomers?"

"Yes, of course" said Kourtney looking mortified.

"Can I see?" said Cathy, pulling up on one of the folds of her daughter's skirt, lifting the hem slightly and exposing an ankle.

Kourtney gasped and took several steps backwards, her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide. To Cathy she looked as if she had been slapped across the face.

"What's wrong dear?" said Cathy becoming worried.

"You, you…", stammered Kourtney.

"What?" Cathy said.

"You lifted my skirt" said Kourtney.

"So?" said Cathy very confused.

Kourtney's shock at her mother's unexpectedly provocative behavior turned to confusion. "Because…because…Headmistress Echo said good girls don't expose…themselves."

"Oh" said Cathy still more confused than ever, but also becoming angry at the mention of Echo's name. "And exactly what else did she say?"

It took awhile, but once Kourtney opened up, Cathy found out more than she could have ever imagined. It was hard to follow her daughter's diatribe as it was filled with not only unfamiliar words and strange ideas, but concepts and a context that Cathy could only begin to guess at. It was like her daughter was from another planet. It soon became clear that more than years divided them. They were from a completely different culture, one that Cathy could only begin to fathom. Worse, it became clear that Kourtney regarded Echo as the definitive authority on everything. In the days that followed, matters became even more perplexing and worrisome as Cathy, for the first time, realized the true extent of their cultural divide.

Within a week it became clear to Cathy that her daughter would need to be re-educated in order to function any where near normally in society. However this presented a problem in itself. She could not simply bring Kourtney to school or even a psychtech. This would involve too many questions; questions Cathy was not prepared to answer. On the other hand, Cathy knew that she lacked the expertise (not to mention the time) that would be required to help her daughter adjust to her new situation. After pondering the problem for almost a week, she hit upon the idea of asking Del to help her. After contacting the defunct Varinia's psychtech and explaining the problem she said "Do you think you can help her?"

"No" said Del. "At least not in any realistic timeframe. It's not clear what behavioral models have been used to mold her current psyche. Finding this out will be difficult and take time and that's something both of you don't have."

Cathy felt defeated but she managed to maintain control of her emotions. Perhaps Del's refusal to help was a result of her anger over Cathy's betrayal of Erin and then others. "Please" said Cathy, I'm not asking for myself."

"I know" said Del. "I would help if I could."

"What do you suggest then?" asked Cathy.

"Have you thought of asking Echo?"

Cathy was taken aback. The idea had not occurred to her. However after a moment's reflection she had to admit that it did make sense. Although she disliked Echo and what she had done to Kourtney, the woman was a qualified psychtech, and in a unique position to undo what had been done.

"Thanks" said Cathy. "I'll try and contact her."

"Good luck" said Del.

However Cathy hesitated for a few days before contacting Echo. Not only was it awkward to ask the person responsible for her daughter's current problems for help, but it also required involving Zax again in her life. However in the end, with no other realistic options available to her Cathy was forced push aside whatever reservations she had and act. Aside from Zax, she thought, the worst that could happen was that, Echo would refuse to help Kourtney, in which case they would be no worse off than now. Much to Cathy's surprise Echo was eager to help both her and Kourtney.

"Yes?" said Echo looking surprised when Cathy contacted her.

"I was reluctant to call you" began Cathy. "It's about Kourtney."

"Is she OK" asked Echo, concerned.

"Yes she's fine, at least physically" said Cathy.

"I see" said Echo. "I take it that she is having problems adjusting to her new situation."

"Yes" said Cathy.

"How are you doing?" asked Echo sympathetically.

"I'm having a difficult time, as you might imagine" said Cathy surprised by Echo's emphatic attitude. "Thanks for asking."

Echo nodded and said "I am sorry about Kourtney. Prudence did not consult me about returning her to you. If she had, I would have advised against such an abrupt transition."

Cathy looked at the psychtech and frowned.

Echo sighed and continued. "I see that this must have left you in a rather awkward position. I appreciate your dilemma and, as such, I would like to help you, if you are willing."

Cathy was not sure whether to be angry or to cry. In the end she did neither. Taking a deep breath she said "Yes, thank you."

That had been a week ago. Echo had provided Cathy with invaluable information regarding Kourtney's upbringing. "She has been brought-up in a manner that enhances the Venkatesan Modification. However, in the end, she is no different than you or I. As such, her conditioning can be ameliorated over time by simple exposure to her current environment." Echo had then proposed a program to slowly acclimate Kourtney to her new life. "I suggest exposing her to common situations one at a time. Don't overwhelm her with multiple experiences all at once."

"But just brining her shopping or out to eat risks doing that" said Cathy.

"Keep her home and have her watch vids then" said Echo. "They remove her from the actual physical experience while still providing exposure to new ideas and concepts."

"OK" said Cathy.

For her part, Cathy had spent most of her time researching the historical period known as the Victorian Era. What she had found left her both angry and fascinated. Cathy found herself simultaneously admiring Echo for her brilliance and hating her for her lack of principles. However in the end, her intellectual side took over, and she began to take a more detached view of the situation. And that's where things stood. Fortunately Kourtney enjoyed watching vids and she consumed them for hours on end; everything from fantasy to dramas to documentaries. Her daughter could not get enough. Of course Cathy had been forced to censor what she watched.

"You'll need to be careful in the beginning" cautioned Echo. "Start out with dramas depicting common social situations and historical documentaries. Avoid explicitly sexual and socially complex subject matter. You can add these later when she has developed the necessary intellectual and emotional context."

Cathy had followed Echo's advice and after a few days Kourtney began to ask questions about what she had seen. "How come everyone works? Doesn't anyone stay home?"

"That's the way things are" said Cathy. "Almost all women have jobs and careers. For example, I'm a professor at the University. Echo is a psychtech. Life is too interesting to just stay home."

"But what about being a wife and a mother?" Kourtney asked, confused.

"What about it?" Cathy said.

"Well…I mean…how can…"

"You mean how can a woman do both?"

"Yes" said Kourtney.

"Quite easily" said Cathy. "They are not mutually exclusive…"

And so it went. Once Kourtney started asking questions, a floodgate of inquires opened and Cathy found herself discussing everything from common colloquialisms to the latest fashions and more. Kourtney seemed to absorb it all matter-of-factly, filing the information and insights away, making correlations and extrapolations.

"Dinner is almost ready" said Cathy.

"OK" said Kourtney, I'll be there in a minute."

A chime went off indicating an incoming communication. Cathy sighed. Echo always seemed to call when she was busy. Still, she had to admit the women had been very helpful. "Yes" said Cathy.

To her surprise Prudence's persona flashed into existence before her. "Mistress…I wasn't expecting…" stammered Cathy.

Prudence waved her virtual hand dismissively through the air and said "Yes, I know. Echo has been in contact with Erin. As you might know her Judicial Investigation is coming up soon."

Cathy was taken aback at the mention of Erin and the fact that Echo had been talking with her former friend and lover. "Yes I know" said Cathy cautiously. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Erin has requested that you and Kourtney attend her humiliation."

Cathy was stunned. She had not seen Erin since that fateful night of their raid on the storage facility. Afterwards it had taken several days for Cathy to come to grips with what she had done. In truth, she still had not yet fully come to terms with her role in the events of that tragic night or her betrayal of her best friend. Instead, she had let Kourtney occupy her entirely, choosing to push aside all thoughts of Erin till some later time when she might better deal with both her emotions and her shameful actions. Even now, several weeks later, Cathy was not prepared to deal with seeing Erin, little lone witnessing her humiliation.

"I'm sorry" said Cathy "I can't…I don't wish to see her…not now."

"I've talked to Echo" said the virtual Prudence "she thinks Kourtney would benefit from attending the humiliation."

"I see…" said Cathy processing the implications of Prudence's statement. Clearly Prudence knew Echo had been helping her with Kourtney.

"I would hate to see her…education…be incomplete or even interrupted" added the persona.

So that was it. Prudence was threatening her with the withdrawal of Echo's help, if she did not attend Erin's humiliation. Cathy knew it would be impossible to replace Echo and worse, without her help, it would be difficult if not impossible for Kourtney to assimilate into society. The only question that remained was why. But Cathy knew that she was unlikely to get a satisfactory answer from Prudence. Clearly something as afoot, but she as probably better off not knowing.

"I understand" said Cathy, swallowing hard.

"I knew you would" said the virtual Prudence.

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It had taken Erin till after breakfast to regain her composure. Even so, the vivid memories still haunted her mind, just out of reach of the reality of actual experience. Erin did not have time however to contemplate the matter further. When she was done eating the guard escorted her back to her cell where Evelyn was waiting for her.

Pointing to a neat pile of clothes on the bed she said "I brought those for you to wear."

"Thanks" said Erin.

"I'll wait outside while you dress. Your investigation starts in 30 minutes, so you'll have to hurry."

Erin nodded as Evelyn stepped outside, closing the cell door behind her. On the bed, lay a conservative gray business suit, silk panties, bra, and stockings, and a pair of black shoes. Erin recognized her clothes immediately. She had not worn them in years however they were clean and pressed and looked almost new. Dressing quickly, Erin noted that her hands were shaking slightly. The events of the previous night and morning coupled with her nervousness over the impending Judicial Investigation were taking their toll. When she finished dressing, Erin smoothed her straight black hair with her hands and knocked on the door.

Opening the door, Evelyn looked at her and flashed a brief smile. "You look great!" she said.

Erin smiled back, but said nothing. The reality was, that it didn't matter how she looked. The investigation was a formality, its conclusion predetermined. There was nothing she could wear, do, or say that would change anything.

They walked to the chamber in silence, escorted by the guard who barely glanced at them. When they arrived, Erin and Evelyn were escorted into a large room containing a heavy wooden square table surrounded by nine chairs. The two women sat down at one end of the table and the guard positioned herself by the door.

"It's still not too late to change your mind" said Evelyn.

But Erin merely shook her head.

Evelyn sighed but said nothing. Six women wearing black formal business attire entered the room and took their seats in the remaining chairs around the table. After they did so, the guard by the door announced, "Catherine Wells, lead Judicial Investigator", and another door opened and a blond woman who appeared to be about fifty and wearing a black robe with a red border, entered the room and sat in the chair at the head of the table. Erin knew that the six women seated to her left and right were also judicial investigators, but acted as a sort of jury. The blond woman who had just entered acted as a judge, mediating the proceedings. Together they would hear the facts and decide her fate.

Catherine Wells began by saying, "Judicial Investigation of the State versus Erin Brooke is now in session. Are all parties present and ready to begin?"

"Yes", said Evelyn.

"I understand that no contest is being made to the claims of the State" said Catherine.

"That is true" said Evelyn.

Catherine looked at her fellow investigators, as each woman nodded her head. "Then the investigative committee pronounces Erin Brooke guilty. Would you like to make a character summary?" asked Catherine.

"Yes" said Evelyn.

Erin closed her eyes, relaxing back into her chair. That was it. Although she appreciated Evelyn's efforts she knew they were futile. The investigative committee would listen to her counselor attentively and respectfully as was their duty, but it would make no difference. She had been found guilty and her punishment would be the same no matter what her Evelyn said in her behalf. As Evelyn droned on, Erin thought about what awaited her. The long walk to the preparation room where she would be stripped of her clothes and dignity; the embarrassing physical transformation of her body from a proud free woman to a diapered slave; the cacophony of the public humiliation; and the disorienting flight to Zax Island. At the end of it all, Erin knew that she would be sitting diapered, in her own mess, humiliated and shamed fighting in vain to control her own body and overwhelming urges wracking it. Strangely just thinking about what was going to happen excited her and Erin could feel her pussy getting wet. Sitting up in her chair, she opened her eyes and cleared her mind just as Evelyn finished speaking.

"Do you wish to add anything else" said Catherine, looking at Erin.

"No" said Erin.

Looking at the investigators again, Catherine watched as each women nodded her head. "It is the judgment of this investigating committee that you, Erin Brooke, spend the rest of your natural life in diapered servitude. This judgment to be carried out immediately. This concludes these proceedings."

With that, Catherine and her fellow Judicial Investigators stood and left the room. The guard approached Erin and Evelyn, positioning herself a few feet away from the two women.

"A moment please" said Evelyn to the guard, who nodded and backed off to wait by the door again. "I'm so sorry, Erin. I tried my best."

"I know" said Erin. "There was nothing you could do. The responsibility is mine."

"I'll talk to Cassandra. Maybe there is something we can do…"

But Erin shook her head grimly. "No, please. There is no going back or undoing things this time. I knew that going in. I suppose this is my fate, and I accept it along with all the consequences."

Evelyn looked at her for a long moment and then said "OK. But I want you to know, I will not forget you or Kelly or Stacy for that matter. I don't understand why you chose to do what you did, but I think you have not been treated fairly or justly."

"Thanks" said Erin.

The guard had approached them again saying "It's time."

Erin and Evelyn stood up and both women hugged. "Bye" said Evelyn, tears in her eyes.

"Bye" said Erin "and thanks for everything."

Evelyn sat down again as the guard led Erin away. As the door swung shut leaving her alone in the large room, Evelyn wiped the tears from her eyes and said "damn!"

As the word echoed off the walls, the irony of her words were lost in the empty chamber.

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Krystyn and Krystal sat on the stone bench in the Schoolhouse garden. The weather was sunny and warm and birds chirped in the surrounding trees and bushes. India sat between them on the bench and both girls giggled with delight as they listened to the latest antics of their eclectic aunt.

"But enough about me! I didn't come here just to ramble on and on about myself. What have you two been up to?"

The two girls stopped laughing and looked at the ground, their jovialness suddenly gone despite the bright cheerfulness of the day. Sensing the sudden change in mood India said "Is there something wrong?"

"No…nothing" said Krystal "everything is fine."

"Then why the sudden gloom?" said India.

The two girls remained silent then Krystyn said "I guess it's just that there's nothing to do anymore."

"I see" said India. And she did. Now that Kathryn's and Karolyn's weddings were over (along with all the excitement such events created) and Kourtney was off to the City, things around the Schoolhouse had quieted down considerably. In addition Headmistress Echo had been largely absent lately off doing who knew what, essentially leaving Krystyn and Krystal alone to fend for themselves. In fact, the last time both girls had seen her was on the trip they had made off-island several days ago for their adult exams. Since then neither had seen the Headmistress. Although the girls still had some work to do, it only occupied a fraction of their time, leaving most of their day free. To make matters even worse, the Headmistress had not found either girl a suitor yet (presumably because of her preoccupation with other important matters). The whirlwind romances that had swept through their lives had come to a sudden and abrupt end without so much as the promise of a flirtatious breeze. In short both Krystyn and Krystal were in the dead calm grip of total boredom. India could not blame them either, for although the schoolhouse and its surrounding gardens and parks were beautiful and charming, a day or two in such a placid setting was enough to make anyone crave for a puff of excitement.

India patted both girls on the knee and said "I see. You're bored out of your minds sitting in this old Schoolhouse all alone for weeks on end!"

"Exactly!" said Krystal so matter-of-factly that all three began to laugh.

"Well, will have to do something about that!" said India.

"Really?" said Krystyn.

"Yes, most definitely" said India.

"But what can we do?" mused Krystal. "Headmistress Echo won't let us leave the Schoolhouse and there is nothing to do around here; at least nothing that we haven't done a thousand times already."

"Krystal's right about that" confirmed Krystyn.

"Hmm" said India thinking. "Then I guess will have to find something new to do then."

"But what?" said Krystyn.

"That's the question" said India still thinking. After a few moments she said "Hmm, let's see. I was at a small party recently; there were just three of us there, just like today. One of the women there showed us a new game…"