Traditional Values
By: Randall Austin
(© 2012 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 10

The following morning as Martin, Barbara, Flora, Quince, and Alban ate breakfast, Martin told the boys that after they unchained, bathed, and fed Bradley, he wanted to see them in his study.

The boys were apprehensive. "What's going on dad?" Martin wondered. "Why do you boys always act as if something is 'going on'? This is a family, and I'm simply gathering Bradley and you two, as his chief overseers, to see how things are going. I hope you boys are getting more comfortable in your roles as Bradley's temporary supervisors. And I hope you took in some of the things Jason said about the importance of firmness, and of indicating to Bradley in some way that you intend to follow a course of firm, even strict, discipline if he isn't respectful of both his position and your position. Self-respect is especially important for Bradley at a time like this, and if you see him slouching or acting depressed, you need to let him know it's because of a lack of self respect, and let him know, as well, that you are not going to allow it."

As Alban's cock twitched excitedly under the table, Flora was beginning to feel left out. "Why can't I help out with Bradley, Dad?" Martin smiled at little Flora, so eager to help out. "Actually I would let you help out eventually if Bradley were going to be staying with us as our own social servant. But for the first couple of weeks things can get pretty 'hairy' helping a new social servant learn the ropes."

Barbara suggested that Flora could probably assist in overseeing Bradley after he was sold. "When Bradley comes home to visit us for a couple of weekends each year, he will then, doubtless, be a lot easier to control, and your father and I will be very happy for your help."

Barbara then remembered that her sister wanted to visit Bradley. "Oh, Martin, Karen wants to visit Bradley later today. I told her it would be alright."

Martin was forthright. "Of course it's alright. But I just hope she doesn't go on as she has before trying to make you feel guilty for allowing Bradley to be indentured."

Barbara knew Martin had to bite his tongue whenever the subject of Karen came up, but appreciated his forbearance. "I've been telling Karen some of the positive things we have learned, and she seems to have dropped the judgmental attitude."

Martin let out his breath. "I sure hope she has!"

Martin and his three sons all entered his office at the same time, and as they were taking their seats Martin asked Bradley. "How are you doing son?" Martin didn't wait for an answer because he knew Bradley wasn't answering such questions with too much enthusiasm, so he quickly asked another one. "How did everything go with helping Steven and his friends yesterday?"

"It went okay Dad" Bradley answered.

"Steven told me that you were very well behaved and helpful yesterday, so after the moving Steven let you join him and his friends for snacks. That sounded like fun. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, Dad."

"How did they treat you, son?"

"They were very nice to me, Dad. They treated me like I was a normal person."

Martin chided. "Now Bradley, you are normal, and that is the treatment you can expect from people all the time if you behave and do as you're ordered."

Martin then looked at Alban and Quince. "How is everything going with you boys and Bradley? Are you treating him respectfully and is he doing everything you tell him?" They both nodded 'yes'. "Did you boys have any trouble chaining him down to his bed last night?" They both nodded 'no'.

Martin continued. "One of the things we all have to do is maintain our respect for ourselves and for each other. Alban and Quince, you both have to realize that you are not any better, not by a hair, than Bradley just because he is a social servant. What he is doing for us is going to reward not only himself in the long run, but also all of us, as well. You need to be ever aware of that fact, and grateful to Bradley for his sacrifice. And you Bradley, since you have so graciously agreed to this, you need to keep reading the social servant's manual, learn all the rules of conduct, pay attention to what experienced overseers such as Steven and Jason can teach you, continue to read all the self help guides provided for you by Social Services, and learn the social service mantras, so that this whole thing can be successful for all of us."

"Now about this matter of respecting one another, I need to ask you, Alban, what was going on with you yesterday out in the yard during the round-robin yard exercise." Alban sank in his chair and turned red. It did not stop his father from expressing concern. "Alban, are you masturbating a lot?"

Caught off guard by his dad's embarrassing question in front of his brothers, Alban gave a stupid answer. "No Dad. I never do that!" As soon as he uttered his response everyone knew, and Alban knew everyone knew, that he was a big liar. Dad was silent; Alban turned even redder, and then stuttered and mumbled something which sounded a bit like the start of a sobbing fit. But he stopped and looked down at the floor, trying to hide his red face from everyone.

"Son, are you telling me you never masturbate?" Alban fought back tears of shame. "Dad... why... why here?"

"Alban there's nothing wrong with masturbating. Why are you lying to us?"

"I'm not Dad." Alban's face scrunched up and he wanted to cry.

"You're not lying to us? You mean you don't masturbate?"

Alban started to cry. "Dad, please."

"Quince told me he walked in on you doing it just a few weeks ago."

Alban looked a horrified look at Quince and tattled. "Yeah? Well I walked in on Quince doing it too, just a few days ago! And to pictures of naked social servant girls from the Social Services website!"

"Listen Alban, I'm not trying to embarrass you by revealing your masturbatory habits. I mean here to address the issue of what you did in front of all of us yesterday, of what is appropriate public behavior, and the need to control one's self in public. But you interrupted me by starting off with an outright lie. And if you're lying to me about something about which there is no need to lie about, then I have to wonder if you are in fact able to control not only your lying, but control yourself in other ways as well. Son, are you having a problem controlling yourself from ejaculating in public?"

Alban was squirming. "No Dad. No. I didn't know it happened. I don't know what happened. I think I was just feeling so sorry for Bradley."

"We were having a fun exercise yesterday. That's why your behavior was so strange. Why were you feeling sorry for Bradley?"

"Well, you know, he was like getting tawsed by everyone."

"Son, we were having a family training exercise. The flexi-tawse is a humane tool. You heard Jason say so. I want to know what's going on with you ejaculating in public."

"Dad, I didn't know I did that. I mean, it didn't feel good or anything. Not at all. Dad I didn't feel a thing, that's why I didn't even know that it happened. It wasn't like I was feeling good down there. I didn't know it happened."

"Alban, should I make an appointment for you with Doctor Conrad?"

"NO!" Shouting 'no' to such a question had Alban thinking everyone would now think he had something to hide, so he quickly changed his decision. "I mean, what I meant to say, was 'yes', dad."

Martin looked at Alban for a bit, then said. "I'm taking Bradley in for a physical tomorrow to our family doctor at the request of Social Services, so you can come with us and I'll have Doctor Conrad check you out as well."

Alban closed his eyes, frustrated and shamed, and wondered if he needed to be concerned that he was going to be examined along with a social servant. He looked at Quince, and Quince was silent, not wanting to get involved in the issue.

"Alban, I'm just concerned because you'll be in charge of Bradley for about another week and I don't want you around Bradley if you are finding this too stressful."

Alban was now even more concerned and apprehensive. "What do you mean, Dad, just one more week. What's happening then?"

Martin shifted. "I meant that it's likely Bradley will be sold in a week, and..." Quince interrupted him. "But how can you say that, Dad? There hasn't been a single call for an interview yet."

"My broker at social services screens all requests for interviews. Remember, I have some very firm requirements of any future owner of Bradley, and that can severely limit the number of people who request interviews."

Dad thought further about the physical thing, and looked at Quince. "I'll tell you what, Quince, you can come along with us and get a physical too."

"Dad?" Asked a worried Quince. Martin explained. "This would be a great time for you to get a physical as well. You'll be entering the job market soon, and, son, if you can show on your resume a recent physical that declares you in good condition, that will just get you one step ahead in your job search."

Not really certain why he should object, Quince nevertheless voiced his unwillingness to having a physical. Martin put his concerns aside. "It'll be a fun family thing, my three boys getting a physical together!"

"And speaking about fun things, Bradley, why don't you call up your friends and have them come over for a visit?"

Bradley was glad his father brought the subject up. He was determined to let his father know that by accepting a term of social servitude, it had cost him friends. "I have called Jeremy Rickers, my best friend, and he spoke on the phone with me briefly. He said he was busy at the time, but that he would call me back. He never has. And I made a call to Ginger last night and her mother said she wasn't in. Ginger has heard what's up, I'm sure. She's avoiding me, just like Jeremy. They're both through with me, Dad."

Alban and Quince felt for Bradley, and looked at their father for an answer. Martin felt the worst of all. "Son. I think some people just need some time. And some, of course, do not, and they make up their minds outright that they are uncomfortable or unwilling to socialize with social servants. There is nothing I can do. I am very sorry this has happened."

Bradley was not completely sorry. "I am glad to find out about Ginger. If she would shun me or anyone because of this, I want nothing more to do with her. But Jeremy and I were real friends, and he and I thought alike about things. Or so I thought." Bradley looked down, there was silence, and tears were seen falling from his eyes. Martin indicated the meeting was over. As Alban and Quince left the room in silence, Martin got up and went over and sat on the couch next to Bradley, and gave him a strong fatherly hug. "Bradley, I'm so sorry. There are lots of painful things that happen to folks, not just social servants. I love you son, so much. Please believe me, I am so, so, proud of you. You are our family's hero. I mean that!" He kissed Bradley below the ear, tenderly messed his hair, and told him Aunt Karen was coming to visit him later in the day.

They sat together for several minutes. When Bradley had collected himself, Martin told him that it was time for him to check in with Quince and Alban and get his list of chores for the day from them. "Remember to do as they say. If you just do what they say, with no hint of balking or being contrary, and show a willingness to obey at the outset, you will feel really good inside. Give it a try. I think you'll like it."

Later in the day, as Bradley's family sat in the living room watching the fashionable and hugely popular sitcom, 'That's My Binky!', about a fiercely loyal, lovable, but antic-prone, slave, while Bradley was finishing up washing the dishes of the family's evening meal, his Aunt Karen and her husband, Stuart Bledsoe, made a noisy entrance into the living room. Bradley heard everyone laughing it up in a big way. He always had a fondness for Aunt Karen, a big-hearted and, in contrast to her sister, Barbara, open minded woman. She and her husband, both lawyers, let it be known to Barbara, when they heard of their plans for Bradley, that they felt she was making a big mistake.

When she came barging into the kitchen moments later looking for her favorite nephew, Bradley saw why the family was laughing. Karen was wearing the standard green social servant fatigues with buttons down the side, and sandals. And she had her hair pinned up to look like the short hair of a female social servant. Bradley smiled inside and outside when he saw her. They hugged, and she gave him a big sloppy kiss.

She and Bradley went into a sitting room just off from Martins study, and closed the door. They had a talk that was frank and loving. As they spoke, Bradley was fully at peace for the first time since being indentured.

In the living room the family chatted with Stuart. Seeing that the family was watching 'That's My Binky!', Stuart let the family know that he considered the sitcom to be trash. "Americans watch this crap, and think that this is the way slavery is. It is typical of the way American's get what they think is news and form their values; from the mass-media pop-culture."

Stuart had a way of making people think that he was rather critical of them. Fortunately the chilly air that had overtaken the living room was quickly warmed by the sound of Jason's Mustang pulling into the driveway. He knocked a couple of times, and before anyone could get to the door he let himself in. "Surprise! How's everyone tonight?"

Martin introduced Jason to Stuart. "I don't think you know Karen's husband. This is Stuart Bledsoe." Jason's warm smile and firm handshake appealed to Stuart. "And who is Karen?" Asked Jason.

Martin was amazed. "Karen is Barbara's sister. I guess you never met her since she grew up on the West coast. Amazing!" Martin shook his head in surprise and asked. "It's great to see you. What brings you here?"

"When I got off work I was thinking it would be rather selfish of me to go home and hang out with the guys. I thought I could better use my time by stopping in and see if I could help you out in any way with Bradley."

Martin was pleased. "That sure is swell of you! Bradley is visiting with Stuart's social servant right now in the sitting room." Martin gave a wink and a smile to Stuart, who smiled back. "I'm sure he'd love to see you."

Jason nodded at Martin and Stuart and made his way to the sitting room. The door to the room was closed, so he opened it and entered. Karen and Bradley were sitting on a couch at the far corner of the room wrapped in conversation.

Jason smiled on seeing Bradley. "How's it going, big guy?" Karen was annoyed at the intrusion, and shot an angry glance in Jason's direction, and turned back to Bradley. Jason, used to interrupting social servants engaged in conversation, was caught by surprise at being cut off, and continued. "Okay Bradley, why don't you and I go into your room so I can check out how you're doing?"

Bradley was momentarily confused over what he should do, and Karen was concerned that he was upset, and spoke harshly to Jason. "Look! Can you see that we're busy?" She gave him a hand gesture ordering him to leave the room.

Jason was on Karen in an instant, pulled her up off the couch, grabbed her arms and forced her down to the floor, and shouted. "You slippery assed, horse-fucking, cunt! Down on your knees." Karen let out a piercing scream. Jason slapped her hard across the face. "Where in the fuck were you trained?" Just as Martin, Stuart, Barbara, and the free boys rushed into the room, Jason slapped Karen again. "If you don't shut up I'll ram something down your throat that'll gag you for good!"

Martin and Stuart rushed to Jason and pulled him away. Stuart was furious. "You goddamn thug! Martin, call the cops!"

As Barbara and Bradley comforted Karen, Martin explained to Jason and Stuart what the situation was. When Stuart found out that Jason was a state certified trainer with Social Services, that made him even more determined. "I'll sue you, and I promise you that you will pay big time! I'm going to make a lesson of you and everyone like you!"

When Jason countered that he was acting in a legally correct fashion, since she was wearing the social servant uniform, Stuart asked Jason if he had seen a collar on her, and if he had seen a state ID number on that collar.

Jason, not as dumb as Stuart first thought he was, countered back by telling Stuart that although he should have checked for a collar, Karen, as a lawyer, should have known better than to risk wrongful identity, and therefore was acting irresponsibly.

Martin walked Jason out to the kitchen, and commiserated as Jason explained how hard things were. "I'm so fucking tired of being considered the bad guy. And it's folks like Stuart and Karen who lead the good life and make all the trouble. It isn't fair!"

Martin assured Jason that a heartfelt apology would go a long way towards cooling everyone down. Jason made the apology with considerable skill, pulling out the 'gosh I messed up big time' act, the good charm that he had in spades, a note of genuine sincerity, and a dazzle of teeth that reminded Barbara and Martin, at least, that he was a good kid after all.

Jason went into the backyard with Quince and Alban and tossed a ball around with them for about an hour. The three of them knew that everybody in the house was talking about Jason, but Jason wanted to wait it out. He had to see Bradley.

Bradley and Karen finished their conversation, as Martin and Stuart talked about the need for top quality employees in the Social Services agency.

When they left, Martin tried to assure Jason that Stuart and Karen had cooled down, somewhat. Jason said he wanted to comfort Bradley, and apologize to him. So he took Bradley to his room and closed the door, and apologized.

Bradley sat on the bed and Jason sat next to him, and declared his love. "Bradley, something happened to me. I've never felt this way about anyone before. But I love you. I love you. Love you like I have never loved another human being. You are in my thoughts all day long." Tears came to Jason's eyes. "I adore you, man. I adore you." He fell to his knees, sobbing, and put his head in Bradley's lap.

After a minute, Bradley touched his shoulder. He let Jason cry in his lap, but offered no returned affection. When he was cried out he sat back on the bed. "Bradley, do you feel anything for me too?"

Before Bradley could answer there was a tapping on the door and Jason said. "Come in" Then Martin entered. He asked to see Jason alone. In the kitchen he told Jason that he just got off the phone with his lawyer, and although his lawyer told him that probably nothing would come of the incident with Karen, it was important that he no longer let Jason have any contact with Bradley, as it could suggest that he, Martin, encouraged and approved the use of such tactics as Jason demonstrated on Karen.

"Can I just go in there and say goodnight to Bradley?"

"No Jason, I'll tell him you said 'goodnight'."

In his car on the freeway back to Addison County, with the windows rolled up, Jason cried out loud as he never did before in his life, and shouted out loud. "Bradley Forestman, I love you. I love you! I love you!"

To be continued...

Posted: 03/02/12