"Good luck. Remember: it's just one week. See you next week!"
"Bye," Steve turned, wiping a tear from his eye as he left the waiting room, passing through the double doors and onto the next room. There he entered what seemed to be a locker room. The 26 other men who had registered before him were sitting along the benches, some chatting, some looking at their phones, others shoving their bags in the lockers aligned along the walls. Steve followed suit and stuffed his rucksack and jacket into an empty locker.
"So what are you in for?" A gruff-voiced man sitting on the bench beside him asked. He was white and looked in his late 40s.
"Sorry?"
"I'm Paul, or number 14 as I've been assigned," he shook hands with Steve who gave his own name and number. "I was just saying you're quite young compared to everyone else here; you must have a reason for signing up." Steve looked around. The guy was right. He seemed to be the youngest there. There was a mixture of men from their 20s, 30s, 40s, and possibly early 50s with all different body shapes and shades.
"Oh, yes. I was finding it hard to get a job. I graduated a few ago and nothing was happening so I joined this sub internship programme at the company my husband works for -- or I will be joining it if I pass this week."
"Husband eh? What does he think of this?"
"We were both a bit apprehensive but he's supportive. If it gets me a job, we'll be happy."
"Yeah, it's tough what you young people have to go through to get your foot in the door. It's not easy with these financial crashes happening every decade."
"True that. So, what about you? What has you doing the programme?" Steve asked as the last few applicants came into the locker room.
"Bit of a late bloomer myself. I only discovered I liked being submissive a few years ago. Checked out some fetish websites and it opened this whole new world for me. Unfortunately, my wife found out and she flipped. But she soon came around and is fully supportive. As long we keep it in private behind closed doors, she's ok with it."
"Aw, that's lovely. It's great you discovered this new part of you," Steve smiled. "I'm glad your wife is supportive."
"She's my rock, for sure. This accreditation as a sub, fingers crossed, would mean the world to me. Belonging to Ann, my wife..." Paul sighed and smiled.
Steve was taken aback by Paul's explanation. He had never really thought of people wanting to be a sub as part of their nature. Sure, he knew some people sometimes leaned either one way or the other into submission or domination, but Paul seemed quite passionate about it. Steve had only considered the financial and employment benefits of completing the training; it was purely something to be ticked off for bureaucratic reasons. Sure, he'd roleplayed in the bedroom, but he never thought it'd expand beyond that. Would this week change things and draw something out of him like it had with Paul?
Steve's musings were interrupted by a speaker over the intercom. The chatter in the room ceased. "Applicants, once you have stored your personal belongings including phones, keys, and jewellery in the lockers, please proceed through the blue door for your induction." Everyone rose to their feet; made sure they had put everything away and then shuffled through the blue doors. They came through the other side into a large hall. It had concrete floors, black walls, and had an industrial feel to it. There were a number of men at the end of the top of the hall peering at the 30 applicants as they filled the open space. They seemed quite militant: serious, muscular, and dark clothed. They gave off an air of superiority.
One of the men came forward. He was tall and well-build. "Welcome applicants to the sub training programme," his voice broadcasted throughout the room, demanding attention. "I'm Strike, or to you, Master Strike," he smirked. "This is Master Joe," he gestured to a burly man with a mohawk and crazy eyes, "Master Rick," he moved on to a heavily tattooed man with a noticeable bulge in his trousers, "and Master Bryce," he nodded to a man who gazed at the applicants like the cat that got the cream. "We will be overseeing your training programme this week, and of course we have our other Doms here to keep you in check," he gestured the other men standing in line behind the four head honchos.
Master Rick stepped forward, "Throughout this week we will be developing you into the perfect subs. Some of you will make it to the end of the week, others won't. And of course you will need to pass the final test to be legalised subs." Master Rick looked around at the applicants, "it is important to note that that should you wish to quit the programme, you are free to do so at any stage. And if any of us Doms feel that any applicant is not fit to continue the programme, we will be terminating the applicant's journey for their own safety and well-being. Aside from that, from this point forward, we own you." Master Rick left that last bit hang in the air. "You will be used, you will be punished, you will be obedient."
Master Bryce took up the helm, "Each day will be dedicated to a different part of sub training. Day 1, today, we will be focussing on humiliation. Day 2 you will learn about punishment. Day 3 will be about sexual submission. Day 4 will explore objectification. Day 5 we will be about pet play. On Day 6, you will learn about serving. Day 7 we will have a review of the week with your mock test, and Day 8 will be your test day and hopefully your accreditation." The applicants took in all the information. It was a lot to process. Steve never knew 8 days could be so daunting.
Master Joe bounced around on his feet, "Can we just fucking start? All this talk is boring!"
"Master Joe, there is a process we must follow. Calm yourself," Master Strike gave him a look. Master Joe sighed but relented.
Master Rick brought forward a large black briefcase. "During your stay here, you will be collared. Each of you will receive your own individual collar with your assigned number. This is to show temporary ownership. It is also good practice as subs in real life are more often than not collared, so this will help you get used to your attire should you pass this week."
"But first things first," Joe rubbed his hands excitedly. "Subs should be naked," he smiled around at the crowd of applicants. "Well, what are you waiting for? Clothes off." Steve and the other applicants hesitated. Joe raised his voice, "When a superior gives you a command, you obey. Take your fucking clothes off now." His roar echoed around the room. The applicants tore off their clothes, pulling off their shoes and shuffling out of their underwear. Steve followed suit. He removed his t shirt, runners, pants and stepped out of his underwear, cupping his genitals for privacy like most of the other men. He could feel the cold of the concrete on his bare feet. A good number of the men were in good shape, Steve noticed.
One applicant hadn't removed any of his clothes. He appeared to be around the same age as Steve. He was shaking nervously and looking around. "I-I-I can't do this," he stuttered and ran out through the door they had come through.
"Ah, our first drop out. There's always one who drops out at the beginning. Don't forget, no refunds!" Master Strike yelled to him as the applicant left. "Who was that?"
"That was number 3," Master Bryce confirmed, crossing a line across a sheet of paper.
"Some are just not able to stomach the training," Master Rick explained to the applicants. "You might not know it yet but there will be more of you dropouts. You have to be built a certain way to become a sub, and that's ok. Not all of you worthless excuses for men have it in you. But hopefully, we'll make subs out of some of you."
Master Rick popped open the briefcase. "When I call your number, come forward, you will be collared and then move to one of the red X's on the floor." He gestured to the red X's that were painted along the concrete floor across the room. You will forget your real names. Subs don't have names, only the names their owners have given them. In here, your number is your name.
"Number 1," Master Rick called. A pale gangly red-head in his early 30s walked forward. He bowed his head once he got to Master Rick. "Ah, a bowed head, he knows his stuff, very good submissive behaviour, you've got promise, boy," Master Rick rubbed 1's head. Steve noticed 1 smile slightly. He must be enjoying this, Steve thought. He picked up the collar. It was a silver-coloured metal with "#1 PROPERTY OF SUB TRAINING PROGRAMME" inscribed on it. He opened the metal collar; it swung on a small hinge. He closed it around 1's neck and slipped a padlock through the holes in the front, locking it in place. It looked secure but not too tight around 1's neck.
"What do you say to Master Rick?" Joe asked, lilting his voice in sing-song manner.
"Thank you Master Rick," 1 answered, looking down at Master Rick's leather boots.
"You're welcome boy; now, over to the X." 1 turned and moved to one of the markings.
Master Rick continued down the line until he 7 came forward. He was a beefy south-east Asian man in his 30s. The Doms were smirking as 7 was fully erect. "Well it's good to see we have some gays amongst our ranks," Master Rick playfully slapped 7's cock. "Us gays really know how to have fun."
"Though there is something enjoyable about breaking a straight into submission," Master Joe said with mischief in his eyes.
