The Hanover House

Sophie looked at the clock. It was 3:30 leaving just enough time to wash her face and hands, fix her make up and hair, and change clothes. Grabbing what she needed she went into the bathroom only to find Tom on one of the toilets. In contrast to his nonchalance, Sophie felt awkward invading his privacy while he grunted and groaned, and his bowels rumbled. To her horror she found she had to pee and having no alternative put her toiletries in a sink, dropped her skirt and underwear and mounted the other toilet. Tom ignored her. She emptied her bladder and looking around for toilet paper she found none. Tom had a roll between his feet. Mortified, she asked him if she could use his roll. He leaned over and handed it to her outstretched hand. He told her next time to make sure she took a roll out of the cabinet first. Wiping herself she pulled her clothes up and returned the roll.

Walking to the sink she noticed the bidet and gave it a moment's thought before she removed her dress and underwear, again. Now naked below the waist she retrieved a towel and soap from a locker, and sat on the bidet, unsure how to operate it she asked Tom for help. Finished with his business, he walked over and explained the bidet's operation before passing into the shower. While cleaning herself she recollected how his penis swung as he walked toward her, and how close it was to her when he bent over to explain the bidet's operation. She had felt an urge to reach out, and grab and pull him into her mouth. Things were quickly becoming bizarre.

Urinating and using the bidet took unplanned time. She was now falling behind. She put her clothes back on, gave herself a superficial touchup and returned to the sleeping area a few minutes before 4. Max entered as she was catching her breath. "Hello, Sophie. Welcome to Hanover House. From this moment forward I am your Master. You do and say nothing except at my invitation. Understood?"

"Hi, Max. There must be some misunderstanding. I was told that I was to be the Concierge's sub and that I would live in one of the House upstairs apartments."

"That is inappropriate form. You shall address me as 'Master' and only when I give you permission to do so. At no time shall you ever look at me, another Master or 'gold button' in the eye unless directed to do so. Proper form is to look at an imaginary spot on the floor three feet in front of you with your arms at your side.

"Regarding the Concierge and your living arrangements, you may someday earn those privileges, but not today. Further, you are never to seek out the Concierge without my permission. Should you find yourself addressed by him you will only answer direct questions put to you and nothing else. Is that understood? Is that really understood? Good. That is the last time I will repeat myself. You will mind everything your Master says very closely. I am the most important person in your life. No one and nothing else matters. The other Masters and I are far too busy to waste our time repeating instructions to our subs.

"First things first. Your bed is not made. You will sleep on a bare mattress until I give you permission to use linens. Your bed shall always be made whenever you are up and about. That includes when you get up from sleep to use the bathroom before returning to bed.

"Keep yourself clean at all times. If at any time you are not you will take first opportunity to do so. If I have to tell you to clean yourself Brian will assist you with a brush. Prepare yourself to meet the other Masters and their subs. An afternoon gathering is planned for them in the dining pavilion, the one where dinner was served the last time you were here.

"Get rid of those clothes. As a novice sub you have no privileges, including the right to wear clothes. After you clean yourself up you will wear this collar (Brian stepped forward and put a worn leather collar on her mattress.) and nothing else. You will wear it at all times except when showering.

"Should you need to use the bathroom you will use this one and no other.

"I should also address sex. You are not allowed to engage in sex on your time with anyone above your status. 'Silver buttons' and anyone wearing a collar enjoy the same sex status as you. Don't worry. You'll have little enough time for that. On my time you will have sex with whomever and in whatever manner I direct.

"You are not allowed anywhere without escort. Brian provides that service at my direction. He will be your shadow until further notice. Because of the nature of his duties he is given permission to speak to you. When he does you will respond as if he is your Master. I should tell you he's not happy with this assignment. In recognition of his sacrifice he is granted sexual privileges with you at times and places of his choosing. Should you choose to thank him with sex you may do so with his permission but only on your time. Every time you have sex with someone regardless of whom, where or when you will inform me the next day. Are you on birth control? Good. Remain on it until further notice.

You will receive physicals from an internal medicine physician and gynecologist this week to record your medical history and prescribe a regimen for your diet, an exercise circuit and pharmaceuticals as required. You will not engage in sex nor have physical contact with anyone until your examinations are complete and passed by the physicians. At that time a medallion will be attached to your collar similar to a dog tag alerting those you come in contact with that you are physically fit and sound, and free of any sexually transmitted disease.

"Finally, the only personal freedom granted you is the privilege of styling your hair and using makeup as you wish. In time you may use the grooms we have here for that purpose. It is now 4:15. You have until 4:55 to make the changes I've outlined. Brian will bring you to me in the pavilion at 5 sharp. Any questions? Yes, what is it?"

"Master, how am I to present myself when menstruating?"

"If you don't use a tampon, start. Yes?"

"What about the tether string that allows removal?"

"What about it? Sophie, the purpose of your immediate training is to remove any reservations or inhibitions you have about yourself. Remember, you are mine to do with as I please. All your thoughts and actions should be viewed through a lens focused on me. If it pleases me it pleases you. While on my time that shall be your sole concern. Consider yourself on my time until further notice.

Max turned and left without asking or receiving acknowledgements from Sophie or Brian assuming they understood his orders and would be followed. To do otherwise would bring embarrassment to him. Nothing was worse for a sub than to embarrass his or her Master.

Sophie quickly undressed and hopped in the shower. Tom was there but showed no interest in her nakedness. Her toilette generally took an hour; she only had 40 minutes. It was going to be tight. Brian instructed her to remove her jewelry (beside her rings and earrings she wore the outline of a heart pendent in her pierced outer labia), and removed the styled pubic hair she wore above her clitoral hood. Naked meant naked. Her last visit to Hanover House caused her to spend a lot of time naked so this was not so much a departure from that to cause her problems. She had noticed earlier that Tom was clean shaven, as well.

Her hair and makeup took the most time. She had many options but went with her standard look. It was the one she could do the fastest. Many of the little movements and adjustments needed to apply, fix and arrange it were automatic. The collar was last. It had a tricky buckle that caused her to fumble but eventually closed. Looking at herself in the mirror she was disappointed to see that its shabbiness took something away from the careful preparations she had taken with her appearance. She missed her 'heart.' Doug had given it to her as a necklace on their tenth anniversary. He was delighted with the way she chose to wear it. (He got excited when she told him she had herself pierced by a man. He had inserted a stud to use until the healing was complete.) 'Oh, well. This is what Max wants so this is what he'll get.'

She put her toiletries away and caught her breath with a few minutes to spare. She used those minutes to meditate and keep her mind off what she was going through. At 3:55 she presented herself to Brian. They left together, her padding behind him in bare feet.

Brian presented her to Max at precisely 5 o'clock. Max was pleased with his punctuality and Sophie's appearance. She was a model of what a novice sub should look like. He guessed her age to be 30ish. It is not uncommon for someone to join the BDSM lifestyle later in life. Many weren't aware of their interests until something happened to propel them into it as a safe haven, or a deep-seated desire finally surfaced. Often subs are unaware of their needs until overwhelmed by them.

The gathering was an informal opportunity for Sophie to meet other Masters and subs. She recognized many of them from her previous visit. A few said they remembered her but she couldn't place all of them. Most subs were clothed, only a few were naked like her. She was glad to see a few male subs. One, Tom was naked. She looked for other novice male subs and found none, save Tom. She assumed all those in her situation wore a shabby collar, too. His and hers were the only ones. The Concierge made a brief appearance and gave a few general remarks, leaving shortly thereafter. She expected him to acknowledge her and was disappointed when he did not.

The gathering broke up as dinner was set out. Diners could choose to serve themselves at a buffet or place orders from their seats. Novice subs were not allowed to place orders. As the room filled up with diners Sophie noticed that some subs sat cross-legged on the floor or standing up to eat. She wondered what her fate would be. "Sophie, save me a place at the table over there. When the server asks, tell him I want the fish dinner this evening. Wait there until I am seated."

Doing as she was bid, Sophie dutifully waited for Max. When he arrived she seated him and snapped his napkin onto his lap without being told. He thanked her and told her to get her dinner. Returning to the table with her dinner he told her to squat on the floor in the corner, away from everyone and eat her dinner facing the wall. "Return to me when you're done."

Her meal was excellent, as before. She enjoyed it savoring the pleasure it gave her on an otherwise unpleasant day, unpleasant but exciting. After dropping off her dishes she returned to Max's table and found his seat empty. She quickly scanned the room to see if he was standing elsewhere. Not finding him she more carefully scanned the room looking again at everyone standing, and those seated. With his shaved head he should be easy to spot. After looking a second time she knew he wasn't in the room. She started to panic when it occurred to her that Brian had to be somewhere. Maybe he could help? She spotted him a few tables away and made eye contact. He nodded and looked away after she nodded back. Excusing himself to his dining companions he pushed his chair back, rose and left the room. She followed him into the main residence to a doorway on the main floor. Brian knocked quietly before opening the door and passing through. Sophie followed. Inside were the Concierge and Max. Brian stood to the side with his hands clasped in front of him. Sophie advanced to the two men and stood in front of the Concierge with her eyes downcast, arms at her side.

"Sophie, you're embarrassing your Master. I didn't summon you. He did." Sophie slowly turned, advanced toward Max and assumed her submissive position. "Don't be upset, Max. It is an understandable mistake for someone so new to the Hanover House. Don't be too hard on her. We have much to teach her, and she'll need all her strength and wits about her to succeed."

"As you wish, Concierge."

"Sophie, I'm sure things aren't as you imagined. Before I inspire you I want to share information to help you make sense of what you've experienced today. Max, I've changed my mind about withholding this information. I think her training can benefit from it. Sophie, you represent a new vision for the Hanover House. We are using you as a test case to create a structured submissive development program. Until now, Masters trained their subs according to their needs. As a result, subs came to the Hanover House strong in some areas and weak in others.

"Your training will progress according to a curriculum the resident Masters and I developed to ensure subs are strong in all areas. To make sure we got it right the curriculum was reviewed and critiqued by other Houses. Hanover is loosely affiliated with Houses around the world. There are approximately two-dozen of them led by other Concierges. So, you see you are an experiment the whole world is interested in.

"Now for your inspiration, your potential is great. If you are as good as I think you are, or can be, your success will know no bounds. Your future is bright. You can go as far as you want. Listen carefully to those instructing you. They are experts and at the top of their fields. Each enjoys a well-deserved international reputation, carpe diem.

Turning to Max he said, "Thank you, Max. Please continue as we've discussed and keep me posted on Sophie's progress. That will be all."

"Yes, Concierge."

With that Max rose, put his drink on the side table and left. Sophie hesitated a moment and followed him out the door. Brian followed last closing the door behind him. The Concierge leaned back to consider what just took place. She was quickly learning and adapting to sub protocols but, after all, it had not yet been a day. We'll see how the rest goes. If first impressions are lasting he saw nothing to diminish his hopes for her.

After his initial discussions with her husband to plan a celebratory weekend the Concierge retained a private investigation firm to develop dossiers on Douglas and Sophia Warren. His real interest was Sophie. It was clear from the reports that on the surface she is utterly normal and unremarkable. Though attractive that gave little insight to her potential. A heterosexual, there were no known instances of extra-marital affairs with men or women. She was vanilla through and through.

A closer examination was revealing. She was a woman of no small accomplishment. Graduating Magna Cum Laude and as Valedictorian for one of the more prominent Ivy League schools her academic credentials were impeccable. While earning her undergraduate degree she met Doug. He was finishing his law degree and by mutual agreement they waited until she completed her degree program before marrying.

She went on to a career in management consulting with one of the Big Three. As expected of all new hires, she was to return to school for her MBA after a few years. She chose, instead, to walk away and become active in community affairs by joining several charitable organizations. She ran for and won a seat on the school board. Disaffected by the politics of these organizations she let her memberships lapse and did not seek re-election. More recently she has been taking coursework in writing, solitary work that is its own reward.

It would be easy to conclude from her history that she was still casting about trying to find her niche, her purpose. Sophie's enthusiastic participation in the after-hours House parties during her birthday celebratory weekend suggested that Hanover House, or more precisely what it represents was what she was looking for. It is always a joy to see someone unabashedly avail themselves of the pleasures that BDSM can give, and avail herself she did. After the first night he extended an offer to train her to be a submissive. She accepted and the rest is history.

While she was an experiment of interest to an international audience her training at Hanover House had more immediate import. If Sophie were a success he would give the credit to Max. He was the principal designer and author of the curriculum. He defended the finalized version before the assembly of Concierges in Hong Kong earlier this year.

After close questioning by all it was accepted as the orientation, indoctrination and training blueprint for novice subs. The Concierge claimed privilege for bringing the concept to the Board of Houses and was allowed to recruit the first candidate. He was given until the next annual meeting of the Board to do so. Failing that the Board would throw it open to all Houses to bring candidates forward for the Board to consider when making its selection. That was six months ago, so far so good.

If Sophie succeeds as he fully expects her to, the program would be rolled out at the other Houses. The Concierge planned for Max to head those operations at the Hanover House and, with a little politicking, would make the case that he be made the International Director of Training and Development (a position that did not currently exist) reporting directly to the Board. Such a posting would solve many needs, not the least of which would be a career opportunity for Max. It would also increase the Concierge's influence on the Board having a protégé in such a visible and important position.

There was more advantage to be gained from Sophie's candidacy. If Max were elevated to a Board staff position he would need to be replaced at the Hanover House. This would give opportunity to one of several budding submissives to become a Master. In addition, and for his work with Sophie, Brian would be made a 'gold button' after she completes her novice sub training in recognition of his many talents and years of dedicated service.

The pieces were falling into place nicely. All that was needed was for Sophie to perform to his expectations and do so quickly. He had been diagnosed with a debilitating terminal disease the past year that added some urgency to his plans. She had a long hard road ahead before she could replace him. He had to be sure she would be ready. However, he would not allow compromises in order to achieve that end. She had to be the best that ever was when it was time for her to step forward.

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Sophie's training started at the lowest level in the Hanover House. She was assigned to Housekeeping. Housekeeping staff employees had no association with the BDSM lifestyle. They were mostly minimum wage hourly workers that enjoyed uncommonly generous benefits. They came to work Monday morning to find a naked woman in their ready room. That plus her collar tipped them off that she was from the 'Other Side,' the BDSM side of the House. All their reactions were the same, 'She must really have pissed someone off to be sent here.'

Marcel was their supervisor. Having come up through the ranks he knew every aspect of the job. "Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Work assignments are posted for the week. Each section is fully staffed this morning so there'll be no excuses why we can't do our jobs. You'll notice we have a new employee. Her name is Sophie. She will work with you in the mornings. Any questions? Yes? I'm glad you brought that up. Anyone taking advantage of her in any way will be terminated on the spot. This is House policy approved by the Concierge. Enough said. Dismissed. Agnes, give me a few minutes.

"Agnes, Sophie is new to the 'Other Side.' They're trying something different with her to see if it works. I don't know what that means, either. Anyway, if it does it will mean more help like her in the future. She is off-the-budget help, free help. If we don't fuck this up we can count on getting more free help. Enough said.

"I want you to give her the dirtiest, nastiest jobs we have and make sure she does them right. Get me after she leaves for training at noon. I want to inspect her work. If it's not up to snuff your section will bring it up. Enough said? Good. Get to it."