The Training School - chapter 1

As William drove Lucille down the tree lined driveway towards an attractive white wooden, two story house she tried hard to process what William had told her. He would be gone a month and would be unable to see her but he would visit her when he got back from his business trip. He wanted this time to be a useful learning experience for her; one where she would grow and learn more about herself. He asked only that she do as she was told and to always remember that whatever she was asked to do by anyone at the house, it was at his command.

William had given her no warning of what was about to happen. She tried to suggest that she had appointments to keep and things to do but he was prepared for this and told her that his secretary would attend to her commitments as they appeared in her daily appointment book and that he had appointed a cleaner and gardener to take care of the house whilst she was away. Her phone calls and emails would be directed through to his secretary and Anna would advise people that Lucille was at a retreat and handle all issues that came up. She need not worry about anything.

Not especially comfortable with surprises and being unable to do her usual planning, Lucille became flustered. Her mind immediately went to what she should pack and she told William that she would need at least an hour before she could be ready. He had thought of that as well.

“I have already packed your bag. They asked that you packed lightly since there is a dress code there. Darling, they will provide everything for you. Just gather your makeup and toiletries. Quickly now!”

William’s announcement was not entirely surprising to Lucille. She had entered into a power exchange relationship with him from the outset and understood that he was on the top. She had responded quite naturally to his assertive approach with her and their affections for one another were evident to anyone who saw them together.

However, William had been caught up in a number of major deals that soaked up his time and he was frustrated that he had not had the time to progress Lucille as he would have liked. There was so much hidden potential inside of her. He was sure of that. But, she was secretive about her thoughts. When he heard of the training school, sent for the brochures and finally met the man who had set it up he was convinced that this was the sort of opportunity for Lucille that he could not pass up.

Nicholas, the Principal of the Training School had been scrupulous in working with William in the past few weeks over every minor detail and he now had a long list of goals for Lucille. It was impossible to achieve them all in a month, or even two months, he cautioned William, but Lucille would be welcome to return periodically to achieve a new goal, if that was what he wished. That said Nicholas gave his guarantee that much could be accomplished in a period of four weeks, working with her day by day, and that he should not worry. Lucille was in safe and caring hands. They had been doing this work for many years now.

Of course, William asked for letters of recommendation and to telephone other husbands and owners who had sent their girls to the Training School. He was truly astonished to hear such words of praise and acknowledgement of a “life changing” experience. He listened to stories of how girls were now “liberated”, “had embraced their true nature” and how the couples were “blissfully happy” and became more convinced, minute by minute, that he was doing the right thing.

When the car stopped outside the front door, Nicholas was there to greet them. He opened the door for Lucille and once she was standing he kissed her on the left cheek, on the right cheek and then again on the left cheek. He had a wonderful, engaging smile and she could not help but relax in his company.

“Welcome, Lucille. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

William had come around to join them and both men put out their arms confidently and shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

“Won’t you please come inside for some refreshments?”

William and Nicholas had already agreed that William would say his goodbyes to Lucille at this juncture. William feared that Lucille would make a scene and beg him not to leave her there and he wasn’t sure that he could resist her pleas.

“That is very kind, but I must get back to the city.”

Nicholas took from William the small suitcase he was holding. William turned to Lucille and held her tight; kissed her passionately and looked deeply into her eyes as if he were transmitting to her his strength and resolve.

“Remember darling, this is my gift to you. Do as they tell you. Remember that everything that happens here is with my consent. When you obey Nicholas and his staff, you obey me. I love you very much. Goodbye.”

She could feel the tears welling in her eyes and she did not want to cry when they were parting for such a long time and under these circumstances, so she said the least she could.

“Goodbye, William. I love you very much, too.”

He gave her a final squeeze and got in his car and drove away, whilst Nicholas escorted Lucille into the house. The bright sun of the day was a stark contrast to the cool interior and it occurred to Lucille as she followed Nicholas down the hall that she was going from the light into the dark, to a situation that frightened her but also excited and enticed her. Her curiosity beckoned her forward.

The Truth

This weekend I rented the movie ‘Revolutionary Road’ with Kate Winslet and Leonardo diCaprio. I loved it! I can’t say that I really enjoyed it, but gosh, I loved it.

At the outset, when I was writing for Janus nearly every day, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I just did my best. I have never taken a writing class and so I just wrote. I had a tendency to want to tell my reader all about my characters. I wanted to tell them right away that Janet loved this or Janet wanted that. Janus would tell me to do it again. He would say something like,

“Tell me about her with dialogue or an action. Don’t just tell me facts about her.”

Eventually, I got the hang of that. When I get back to writing, when I finally get back to doing what I should be doing, I think I might even have that nailed.

I applaud the screenwriter of ‘Revolutionary Road’ for his ability to tell us so much about these characters through such carefully crafted words.

When they meet, Frank and April, it is immediately apparent why it is that Alice has fallen in love. By her own admission, she has never really been anywhere. Frank has been to Paris and can’t wait to get back there.

“Well, I’ll take you with me,” he tells her.

A girl whose passion to live life on her own terms oozes out of every movement, April pays close attention to Frank’s words.

“All I know Alice, is that I want to feel things; really feel them.”

That’s all it took.

“I think you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met.”

But, Frank isn’t exactly the man he portrays. He takes his responsibilities seriously and he looks for the approval of his peers. We see April bloom at his agreement to move to Paris and we see her fade when he takes that option away.

It is not for her; a life lived according to society and her peers. That means nothing to her.

“Who made these rules, anyway?” and then “Look at us...this idea you have to settle down, resign from life...”

But, Frank doesn’t get it.

“I support you, don’t I?”

And, then her plea...”We can’t go on pretending.”

It is so painful to watch, but there it is on the screen, her truth, his truth; two different truths.

My truth is that I want to write half that well.