Readers,
Here’s a great entry to the Sin City Spanks story contest : “Chapter Twelve” by miss Randy Lee. Enjoy!
– Dana
CHAPTER TWELVE
by Randy Lee
It was seven o’clock in the evening. The bright desert sun was still showing plenty of strength on this May evening. The congenial group of four women strolled down the sidewalk of the Las Vegas Strip leaning close to whisper humorous snippets in each other’s ears. Their laughs and giggles blended into the conversations and loud laughter of other groups on the sidewalk. Dotty, Hope, Lynette, and Pam had just graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in their home state of Texas and had come to Las Vegas to celebrate. Having spent four years preparing to take their places in society, focusing on different subjects before concentrating their efforts in their various major fields of study, it was agreed that this was a time for letting their collective hair down, figuratively speaking. Since their high school days, each girl’s educational pursuit had demanded a regimented life both inside and outside her classrooms. Now that their respective scholastic goals had been achieved, they were here to paint the town red! Hope began moving a little ahead of the others and approached the door of a Las Vegas business establishment. On it were the letters SPA in elaborate script style.
She turned to her friends, regarded them with a wide grin, and gestured toward the door. “This is it, girls,” she announced.
The other three women froze in their tracks, their faces showing disbelief. “Wait just a dadgum minute,” Lynette protested. “We’re supposed to be going to a casino. You know, as in gambling? We can go to a spa back home anytime we want, without shelling out all those bucks for airfare.”
“Okay, calm down, Lyn. This is a casino, I promise,” Hope assured her.
“So you’ve been here before?” Pam asked.
“Twice,” Hope confirmed. “My ex-boyfriend brought me here near the end of our junior year, and I came back last Christmas vacation to do some exploring by myself. I had a blast! I’ll bet y’all are gonna love it.”
“Oh, yeah?” This from Pam. “Whatta you bet?”
“We’ll discuss it later,” Hope replied, a hint of mystery in her voice.
“Hmmh!” Pam grunted skeptically.
Dotty, the quiet member of the group, and Lynette were unmoved—literally—from their positions alongside Pam.
Hope decided some coaxing was in order. “Awww, c’mon, y’all! What’s life without a little suspense and drama?”
“Oh, all right,” Pam conceded. She turned to her skeptical buddies and suggested, “Let’s go see what this ‘spa’ is all about.”
Hope pulled the door open and held it for the other three. They trooped in for a distance of about five feet and again were brought up short. Hope watched the three newcomers take in the room’s beautiful decor. There was furniture of rich, dark hardwood and upholstery in equally rich red and gold velvet and brocade. Satin treatments adorned mock windows. No source of water was evident, and no scent of either chlorine or massage oil rankled the nose. No people were evident, either. Not another soul occupied the exquisitely appointed room.
Dotty murmured, “This isn’t like any spa I ever saw before.”
Lynette echoed her observation and added, “Or casino, either.”
“It’s different, I’ll admit,” Hope acknowledged. “Well, come along. Let’s get this party started. I’ll show you the fun room where the gambling happens.”
She led her companions in the direction of a door which bore the letters NKO. As they approached, the sound of a ball hopping on a spinning roulette wheel could be heard. There was also the distinct click of a cue ball striking racked balls on a pool table. Hope pressed a button on the wall beside the door. The four women heard no sound, but a voice from a speaker above them said, “Identify.”
Hope spoke plainly, “Hope M. 7239.”
“Enter,” the voice said. A buzzer sounded, and Hope pushed the door open. A tall man wearing a red polo shirt tucked into black trousers stood guard at the door. He motioned the women to come in, glanced quickly beyond them in all directions, and closed the door. He gestured to an electronic scanner next to him and ordered, “Handprint.” Hope laid her right hand flat on the glass surface of the machine and held still. A light moved back and forth under the glass twice and then went out. A beep sounded, and the man said, “Okay.” Hope looked at him. He nodded, she removed her hand, and he indicated with a slight movement of his head that the four could move about the room freely.
As they walked farther into the room, Pam noted sarcastically, “That guy’s a real chatterbox.”
“Irving is a man of few words,” Hope agreed. “He’s quite athletic, though. And he carries a .38 caliber five-shot Colt revolver in a holster in his boot. He also has a third degree black belt in martial arts. He can take care of himself and us.”
The women took inventory of the gambling opportunities. They stopped near the roulette wheel and pool table they had already heard, which were in the approximate center of the room. A casual survey revealed a blackjack table, two poker tables, and a second roulette wheel near the wall opposite the door through which they had entered. There was also a small stage in the corner farthest from the door, and a number of straight-backed chairs were close to it. On the stage were a few more straight-backed chairs and two twin beds.
“This all looks weird,” Lynette observed. “I’m thoroughly confused.”
“Don’t worry,” Hope again assured her friend. “We’ll be gambling in a few minutes.” She looked up as a man in a white polo shirt and black pants approached the foursome. “Hi, she said to him. “I’m Hope. I’ve been here before, but my friends are new.”
“I thought I recognized you. I’m Ed. Weren’t you here between Christmas and New Year’s?”
“Yes! I had on red jeans and a green and white sweater.”
“And adorable blue paisley panties, as I recall,” Ed offered.
The other three women stared at Hope, shocked. Trying to ignore them, Hope replied, “Yes. What a memory you have!”
“You’re quite memorable,” he countered. “As are your panties. So, do you gals want to gamble?”
Hope spoke for the group. “Yes, indeed, we do. I think it would be fun to start with Blackjack.”
“Good choice,” Ed agreed. “Come along, ladies, and we’ll get you staked.” He turned and started to walk away.
“Staked?” Dotty asked nervously. “What does he mean ‘staked’?” Her face began to pale slightly as Hope formulated a reply.
“It’s not anything bad, Dot. You’re the shy type, and I know this is a little scary for you In most casinos, a customer goes in and trades money for chips to play games with. This casino is different. Each customer pays a certain fee to come in, sort of like a cover charge. Then the cashier stakes the customer with chips representing a set amount of currency.” Hope noticed that Ed had turned around and was patiently waiting, attentive to their conversation in case his assistance was needed.
Pam and Lynette spoke at the same time. “How much is the fee?” Pam asked.
Overlapping, Lynette asked, “Then they give you the same amount in chips?”
Hope put her hands up in a “hold on” gesture. Then she took a deep breath. “I’ll answer your questions in order. “For us, $15 each. No, they give us $500 in chips.”
Lynette, Pam, and Dotty looked at each other, incredulous. Then they looked at Hope. Lynette broke the silence. “Why would they do that? It doesn’t make sense. Wait a minute. You said, ‘For us.’ What does that mean?”
“It means,” Hope explained, “that female customers pay $15. Incidentally, male customers pay $40.”
“That doesn’t sound fair,” observed Dotty. “Why do men pay more?”
“It pretty well ensures that there will be an adequate number of women customers,” Hope replied. “That situation is considered to be ideal by those who set the fees.”
“Who sets the fees?” Pam asked.
“You’ll find out later on,” Hope answered, with the same mysterious tone she had exhibited earlier. She shifted her gaze toward Ed, and then back to her friends. “Now, let’s get ready to play!” She waved for them to join her in following Ed.
Their host led them to the cashier’s cage, where each of the women paid the requisite fee. Each was also given the standard quantity of chips with which to have a grand time playing whatever games she wanted to play. Ed also asked the cashier for a locker key, which he gave to Hope. “You might want to lock up all your other money and purses for now. Chips are all you’ll need for the rest of the evening.” He then led them to the blackjack table.
Hope turned to the others and said, “Okay, Ed’s suggestion to lock up our purses and money is a good one. Everything will fit in one locker. Who’s in?” The other three women handed over their purses, and Hope walked away in the direction of the cashier’s cage. She went through a doorway and to the left, out of sight. Within 20 seconds, she reappeared, unencumbered, and rejoined her friends. “One of you want to be in charge of the key?”
Pam, who was wearing blue jeans, volunteered. “My jeans are pretty snug. A pickpocket would have a hard time getting it away from me!” she ventured, grinning.
Hope passed the key to Pam, who shoved it deep into her right front pocket. “Okay, it’s time to play!” Hope declared.
Due to the early hour, there was room at the blackjack table for all four of the women. Each of them stacked her chips on the table, and the dealer dealt two cards face up to each. Dotty’s cards were an ace and a king, a hand totaling 21 points, which automatically wins unless the dealer also has 21. She didn’t, and Dotty won! She modestly explained, “I always have beginner’s luck.”
The women continued to play for 20 minutes, with each of them celebrating wins and incurring losses. Engrossed in their game as they were, they didn’t pay attention to the entrance of a number of other customers. By the time they tired of blackjack and went in search of another exciting game, they had been joined by 35 other gamblers.
“How ’bout tryin’ roulette?” suggested Dotty, whose success at the blackjack table had been short-lived. She had won two games and lost the remainder.
“Roulette sounds like a good idea,” Lynette agreed. “And not just because it rhymes with my name.” She smiled, and the others laughed. They made their way to one of the roulette wheels. Hope placed a bet, and the others watched her and two more players in order to learn the basics of the game. Then they, too, began placing their own bets. As with blackjack, there were some wins and some losses.
After a while, the women again sought more excitement in the form of a different game. “Anyone up for pool?” Lynette challenged.
Dotty raised her hand. “Me-me-me!” she exclaimed.
Lynette asked, “You mean you shoot pool?”
“I’ve killed a few,” Dotty bragged, to the amusement of the group. “You game?”
“Let’s get it on!” Lynette countered.
Hope chose a different activity. “While you two are duking it out on the felt athletic field, I’m going to try my hand at poker. Pam, you want to join me or watch them or do something else?
“I’ll be Lynette and Dolly’s combination referee and cheerleader. We wouldn’t want the contest to come to fisticuffs!” Pam followed the pool players.
Hope went to join the poker players at their table. Of the other three players—all women—besides the dealer, she noticed that two of them had less than $100 in chips left. Even Hope’s coffers were dwindling. As she sat down at the table, she remarked on the low level of the players’ reserves. “Looks like y’all are going to be out of cash soon.”
One of the other women players responded, “Yep, I’m soon going to be flat busted. Right, Anne?” She laughed heartily.
Anne, who was apparently her companion, agreed, “Yeah, your butt’s gonna be busted. That’s for sure!” She joined in the glee.
Hope smiled, remembering her last visit here. It had been so much fun getting spanked by several different people. Thoroughly spanked! She had loved it and she loved them. She had kept up correspondence with most of them through E-mails or on kink sites. One particular top had said he would be here tonight. She couldn’t wait to see him again. At that moment, Irving was opening the door to someone, and it was Frank! There was a woman with him, who was probably his wife. Frank had told Hope about her, that she liked to come to the Spa. The couple moved into the room, and the man searched the faces of the women already here. When he was looking toward where Hope was sitting, she waved her hand. He spotted her, smiled, and said something to his companion. She looked in Hope’s direction and began to smile. They walked toward the poker table and Hope stood to greet them. Frank reached down to hug her and then said, “Honey, this is Hope, the Texas girl I told you about. Hope, this is my wife, Carolyn. She goes by VegasScarlett when she’s here.”
Scarlett also reached out and hugged Hope. “Hello, Hope. I’m so glad to meet you. Frank has told me a lot about you, and I always think it’s fun to meet someone I’ve heard a lot about.” Scarlett surveyed the table briefly. “Hmmm. It looks as though someone is going to lose her shirt soon,” she said, smiling. “Or maybe her pants.”
“Yes, Anne and her friend—” she looked at the other two women expectantly.
“Evie,” Anne filled in.
Hope continued, “Yes, Evie, were just talking about Anne’s being ‘flat busted,’ at least parts of her.” They all laughed. Hope continued, “And I’m not far behind her, no pun intended.” Everyone laughed again.
Changing the subject, Frank asked, “Didn’t you say you were bringing some friends with you tonight?”
“Yes,” Hope confirmed. “They’re over at the pool table vying for the billiards title.”
Frank mused, “I think I’ll go over and make a little wager to liven things up a bit.”
Hope grinned. “I’m sure they’ll like that. However, I haven’t broken the news to them yet. Maybe you can take care of that little item of information.”
“Oh, sure,” Frank replied. “I’ll be glad to clue them in.”
“Frank, now don’t bully the poor girls,” Scarlett warned. “You know how heavy-handed you can sound with a newbie before you even touch her.”
“Yes, dear.” To Hope, he said, “Tell me which ones they are. There seems to be quite a group enjoying pool in one way or another.”
Hope looked around and between people to get a good look at those gathered at the pool table. Dotty and Lynette were still playing, and seven or eight people besides Pam were watching the game. “Two of them are playing, and the third has dark blonde, shoulder-length hair, a light blue top, and blue jeans and is standing on the far side of the table. Her name is Pam. I’ll finish the next hand here and then come join you.” Frank and Scarlett left to walk toward the pool table.
Hope sat down at the poker table again. The dealer was beginning a new game. “You in this round?” she asked. Hope answered that she was. The dealer shuffled the deck once more and then distributed the cards almost faster than the eye can see. Hope picked up her cards, glanced toward the pool table, and waited for the betting to begin. At the end of the hand, Hope gathered her paltry supply of chips, excused herself, and went to the pool table. She got there just in time to hear Frank challenge Lynette, who was shooting, “I bet you’re going to miss. It would take an expert to make that shot.”
Lynette stood up straight and asked with a smirk, “How do you know I’m not an expert, and how much are you betting?”
Frank paused a few moments and then said, “Maybe you are an expert, but I’ll bet you ten swats with a paddle over my knee that you’ll miss this shot.”
Lynette’s eyes got big, and she exclaimed, “What??!! Surely you didn’t say what I thought you said.”
Frank answered, “Oh, you heard me right. I’ll bet you a spanking over my lap, ten swats with a paddle, that you’ll miss.”
Color began to creep up Lynette’s neck until her face was a deep pink. “I don’t think I’m interested in your bet.” She returned her attention to the cue ball and the object ball involved in the shot.
Frank persisted, “Chicken, huh? Perk-perk-perk-per-r-r-r-k.”
“All right, Mr. Smarty Pants,” Lynette said forcefully. “What do I get when I sink this shot?”
“Same thing, or, well, opposite. I’ll take ten swats from you with the paddle. On the bare.”
“You’re on, fella,” Lynette reached out to shake the intruder’s hand. His hand met hers, and the bargain was sealed.
Lynette again sighted the cue ball and took a few deep breaths. Her cue stick hit the cue ball and drove it at nearly the precise angle to engage the 13 ball, the operative word being “nearly” The orange-striped ball hit the side cushion the smallest fraction too soon, so that the ball missed the pocket and hit the end cushion, which caused it to begin a slow roll back toward Lynette. She didn’t move. The audience around the pool table began a chorus of “Uh-oh,” “Oooh,” “Tsk-tsk-tsk,” and “Poor thing.” Frank reached around Lynette and gently took the cue stick from her hand, laying it on the table. He turned her around to face him. Tears ran down her cheeks. He held her to his chest. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and walked beside her toward a chair at the far wall. He looked at Hope and held out his hand toward her with his index finger beckoning her to come with him and Lynette. Hope followed them silently. She could hear the crowd behind her beginning to resume its good-natured rivalry, taunts, and challenges. Half a minute later, the distinct sound of a cue ball smacking a rack of pool balls rang out, and the pool bets were on again.
Hope looked behind her and saw that Dotty and Pam had joined the procession. Then she saw Scarlett catching up to them. Scarlett was walking faster than Hope and soon passed her, nearly reaching Frank’s side by the time he arrived at the farthest group of chairs. He guided Lynette to a chair, gently pressing on her shoulders urging her to sit down. He brought another chair for himself and sat next to Lynette, and then motioned for Hope, Pam, and Dotty to do the same. Scarlett also brought a chair in close and sat on Lynette’s other side.
Seeing Lynette’s tears, Scarlett put her arm around the young woman’s shoulders and scolded, “Frank, what did you do to this poor girl? What did he do to you, Sweetie?”
Lynette looked up at the older woman and said, “He didn’t do anything to me. It’s something else. I don’t know what, but it’s something else. It’s about me. Something in my past. I don’t even know what it is. Something to do with spanking. I feel so ashamed.”
Scarlett told her, “You have no reason to be ashamed. You haven’t done anything to be ashamed of. Maybe that’s a memory from your past, too.”
Frank looked at Hope and mouthed, What’s her name?, in answer to which Hope said, “Lynette, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
Sitting beside Lynette, with his arm around her other shoulder, Frank began to rock her ever so slightly, in such a way that he and Lynette and Scarlett were all rocking together. “Lynette, I’m not going to spank you. No one gets spanked here unless he or she wants to. This is supposed to be fun. Maybe some dares, maybe a little smart-mouthing, but we’re here to have a good time. Besides, I wouldn’t spank someone who’s already crying. That’d take all the fun out of it.”
Lynette looked up at him and tried to smile.
Hope said to her friend, “Lyn, I’ll take your spanking. You can even watch.”
Dotty chimed in. “No, me-me-me! I want to!”
Hope, Lynette, and Pam all looked at Dotty. Pam voiced what the others were thinking. “Dot? Has something come over you? Are you ill?”
Hope reached over to place her hand on Dotty’s forehead. “Nope. No fever. Maybe it’s mental.” Everyone burst out laughing.
Dotty said, “As well as we’ve known each other these past four years, as close as we are, y’all never knew I was into spanking and punishment. I used to think I really was ‘dotty’ until I found out there are plenty of other people who like spanking, too.”
“Yeah, and I’m one of them,” Hope admitted. “but I never knew it until a year ago.”
“Oh, I’ve known it since I was 11 years old,” Dotty said.
Pam said, “I feel like the Lone Ranger here. I don’t think I like spanking at all. ‘Course, y’all know me. I’m willing to try almost anything.”
Hope answered, “Pam, remember when you asked, ‘Whatta you bet’? I bet you ten swats with Frank’s paddle that you will like them.
“I’m confused,” Pam said. “You’ll bet me ten swats that I will like them. Like what?”
“The ten swats,” Hope explained.
“Suppose I don’t—like them, that is.”
Hope answered, “Then I’ll take ten swats just like yours, and you can tease me if you want.”
In an effort to change the direction of the conversation, Hope asked Frank, “How about spanking me? I’ll take Lynette’s spanking for her.”
Frank replied, “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Lynette interrupted, “Hold it. I’ll take my own spanking. I have it coming. I lost the bet. Hope, you can take your own spanking.” To Frank, she asked, “Where’s that paddle?”
Frank answered, “It’s in Scarlett’s purse. It’s a relatively small paddle. But I’m not going to spank you. I want Scarlett to do it. You’ve had some kind of trauma that may involve a man. That’s not an uncommon occurrence, believe me. I think it would be better if a woman spanks you. Is that okay with you?”
Lynette considered it for a moment. “Yes, that would be okay.”
Frank offered a disclaimer. “You may be sorry. Scarlett does pack a punch.”
Scarlett added her two cents’ worth. “That I do, but it won’t be too bad, Sweetie. I hit hard, but if it’s too traumatic for you, I’ll stop. You may need to ease into this, even if you wind up enjoying it.” She fished the paddle out of her purse and asked, “Who’s first?”
“Me-me-me!” Dotty insisted.
“Her-her-her!” the other three young women chanted in agreement.
Frank moved his chair away from the two adjacent chairs and motioned for Dotty to put herself over his lap. She dutifully assumed the position, letting her hands touch the floor. Frank began to swat her bottom with the paddle, not too hard.
Dotty said, “I knew what kind of activity goes on here as soon as I saw NKO on the door. What do you mean it to stand for?”
“No knee overlooked,” Frank replied.
Scarlett said, “I thought it was ‘Neverending knee opportunities.”
“That, too,” Frank agreed. “Same thing, actually.
With a puzzled look on her face, Pam asked, “Dotty, how did you know what goes on here when you saw NKO?”
Dotty explained, “Simple. S-P-A-N-K-O. Spanko. SPA is on the outside door, and NKO is on the door to this room.”
“Oh. Well that’s as clear as mud. Thank you. What does spanko mean?
Dotty replied, “A spanko is someone who likes spanking, either getting or giving.”
After applying a couple dozen swats to Dotty’s backside with the paddle, Frank asked, “Had enough?”
“For now,” Dotty said. “May I have more later, Sir?”
“Sure thing, young ‘un. I can’t expect that little bit to keep you acting right.” Frank helped her off his lap and stood up to give her a hug.
Lynette asked Scarlett, “May I be next? I don’t want to have to wait and watch. I’m too nervous.”
Scarlett said, “Yes, Sweetie, you can be next. Frank, the paddle please?”
He handed the paddle to his wife. She took the implement and laid it on her lap and said, “Come here, Lynette.”
Lynette stood and walked over to face Scarlett. The older woman hooked her thumbs in the waistband of Lynette’s pants and gently pulled them down. Tears again began to trickle down Lynette’s cheeks. Scarlett looked up at her and gently wiped the tears away with her fingertips. She picked up the paddle and tapped her lap with her other hand. The younger woman moved to Scarlett’s right and started to lie across her lap. Scarlett stopped her and motioned her to the other side, explaining, “I’m left-handed.” Lynette, hobbled by her own pants, stepped out of them, moved to Scarlett’s left side, and draped herself across her lap.
Scarlett began to rub Lynette’s bottom lightly and then spank lightly with her hand, first on one side and then the other. She increased the intensity of the spanks and continued for a minute or so. Then she began with the paddle. After the first swat, Scarlett asked, “How does that feel?”
“Okay,” Lynette answered.
“How does it make you feel?”
“Strange.”
Scarlett swung the paddle a second time, and then a third. Each smack of wood against nylon produced a spank sound and a gasp from Lynette. Scarlett tucked the paddle under her arm and hooked her thumbs in the waistband of Lynette’s panties. The young woman elevated herself with toes and hands to cooperate with the removal of her underwear. Scarlett again took the paddle and delivered the remaining seven swats. Lynette reacted but made no sound. She thought to herself, This is a new chapter in my life.
Scarlett gently rubbed Lynette’s bottom. “It’s kind of warm and pink back here. That wasn’t too rough for you, was it?
“No, it wasn’t too rough, even though it was pretty hard. It feels sort of good. I didn’t expect that.” There was a note of wonder in Lynette’s voice.
Scarlett smiled. “Surprise!” She applied a gentle spank to Lynette’s bottom. “Okay, up you go.” She helped her stand up, pulled the girl’s panties up, and stood to hug her. “Welcome to the exciting world of spankophiles. You did very well.”
“Thank you,” Lynette said softly.
Hope then challenged, “Well, now. Pam, are you ready to do the necessary investigation for your bet with me?”
“I guess so,” Pam answered timidly. “Everyone seems to have survived so far.”
Frank directed Pam, “Okay, little lady, over the knee, what we call OTK.”
Pam lay across Frank’s lap, but then asked, “Do I have to have my pants down, too?”
Hope answered, “I don’t think you should have to. After all, it was a bet with me.”
“So if I don’t like it, I win the bet and you have to take ten swats?” Pam asked.
Hope agreed, “Yes. And I’ll take them on bare skin.”
“Hot dog! You’d better get ready. I don’t think I’m going to like this.” Pam said, anticipating regret.
Frank laid the paddle on Pam’s jean-covered backside and began to rub back and forth, and then in random directions. After about a minute, he said, “Here we go.” He lifted the paddle and then brought it down on Pam’s left cheek with a sharp smack. “How’s that? he asked his victim.
“Fine,” Pam answered. “It didn’t really hurt.”
Frank put the next swat on the girl’s right cheek.
“That didn’t hurt, either. Is it going to get harder?” Pam asked, almost complaining.
“Yes,” he assured her. “Try these.” He applied the next two swats harder.
Pam flinched slightly but remained quiet and still. “I think I need my pants down to get the full effect of this,” she said.
“Your wish is my command, my princess.” Hop up so we can get your jeans undone. Her helped her stand up and then unbuttoned and unzipped Pam’s blue jeans and slid them down her legs. He helped her back into position across his lap. He again placed the paddle on her bottom and moved it around in a caress. Then he raised it and again brought it down on Pam’s left cheek in a sharp smack.
“Mmmh,” Pam said, flinching. “That’s more like it. That hurts!”
Frank repeated the motion on the other side, with the same reaction from Pam. He delivered the remaining four swats in the same manner, on alternating sides. After the last one, Pam lay still. Then she breathed deeply and exhaled. Frank asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay, but I think I’d like you to repeat the first four with my panties down.”
Frank smiled and looked around at the others. They looked back at him and then at each other. “Sure, we can do that,” Frank agreed. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of her panties and began to slide them down. Pam helped by shifting her weight to allow him to pull the garment down to her knees. Frank placed his left hand lightly on Pam’s back and laid the paddle on her bottom again. Then he lifted it high and smacked her left cheek a little harder than before. She tensed but didn’t make a sound. Frank repeated the action on her right side. As before, she tensed but was quiet. When she relaxed, Frank announced, “Now for the last two.” He raised the paddle and brought it down with more force than he had used all evening. Pam let out a small yelp but made no other sound. The last swat was just as hard, causing Pam to tense, momentarily frozen. Then she breathed in deeply, breathed out, and relaxed.
“Hope?” she said.
“Yeah, I’m right here, Pam.” Hope leaned down close to her.
Pam smiled at her friend. “You win.”