[This story will make more sense if you take the time to read the earlier instalments. There's a lot of severe discipline and a good deal of focus on all bodily functions, so if inclusion of those bothers you, please read no further. All characters are over 18.]
Eleanor came home from work and her sister Meredith greeted her warmly as she arrived at their apartment. "You have a very heavy embossed envelope that is postmarked from the capital," Meredith gushed and obviously had great interest in Eleanor's correspondence.
Eleanor took the cream-colored envelope and opened it carefully. It was an invitation to a ceremony at the capital the following week. From the text of the invite it appeared that Annette was now going to be installed as Chief of Staff for the Corrections Service and Eleanor was invited to attend what sounded like a small ceremony preceding a major assembly of much of the Corrections Service of the Women's Republic.
She decided to email Annette, to whom she was formally engaged, but the two had put off dealing with getting married because of their separate work locations. Eleanor was slightly surprised that Annette had not bothered to tell her ahead of time about this major promotion but she put that out of her mind for now while drafting her note:
"My dearest Annette,
"It was wonderful to read the invitation and learn that you are being promoted to such a major position in our Republic. I do look forward to attending and hearing all about this from you.
"Fondly,
"Eleanor"
She was not surprised but still pleased to receive a response within the hour.
"Dearest Eleanor,
"I of course owe you an apology for not letting you know about this ahead of time. Please allow me to arrange your transportation and accommodations here (You'll be contacted about all of this.). Plan on leaving a week from Wednesday and staying with me through the weekend. We do have so much to discuss and also need some time to get up close and personal.
"With much affection,
"Annette"
When Denise and Linda came back from work, Eleanor quietly informed them of the news and her invitation. They were amazed that she had heard about this development, as they themselves had not received any official announcement, although they were in the Corrections Service, serving as sergeants with experience at Re-Education Camps and Centers.
These were placesβthe centers located in cities for short-term programs and the camps were placed more remotely for longer staysβwhere women could send their spouses or partners when they believed that tendencies or behavior that connotated any form of disrespectful behavior needed to be dealt with and corrected. Almost all those referred to these services were men, but occasionally the dominant partner in a female-female marriage or partnership would refer the other.
"So Annette now will have the top position in the Service," Denise said with some interest based on Eleanor's connection.
"Eleanor, what will this mean for you?" Linda asked.
Eleanor frowned and responded, "My dears, I'd be the most successful creative thinker in the Republic if I could answer that question. You probably know that we are still engaged and that we have deep affection for one another. Where that will lead is not clear now. But it will certainly be fun to see her installation. I expect I should likely be treated like a real V.I.P. which is a switch from how the government has treated me not so long ago!"
Linda chuckled at Eleanor's wonderful sense of humor about such serious things. She chose this moment to thank Eleanor again for going to bat for her with Annette when Linda's future in the Service was in doubt because of her indiscretions at a dinner where she had drunk too much.
"Eleanor, this makes me realize that I owe you more than ever for what you did for me," Linda stated with great seriousness in her voice.
"Linda, I wouldn't have been a friend if I hadn't tried to help you then," Eleanor answered, "so please don't think you owe me. You and Denise have been a joy here and I can't thank you both enough for everything you've done for me, especially moral support."
"Didn't think we were such moral girls, Ellie," Denise intervened, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. "We can be just so naughty ourselves, as you well know."
"Yes, and I love you both for it," Eleanor joined in the merriment.
Just then the phone rang, and Eleanor reached over to answer it. Her face lit up. It was Annette.
"Yes, darling, I'm so delighted for you," Eleanor let herself begin.
She then listened. Annette told her that she wanted her with her and she would be picked up at her home Wednesday next. She would then be taken to a special Corrections Service flight to the capital and then met when it landed to be taken to the best hotel there where Annette would be staying too and would meet her.
"You are going to0 be with me the whole time, assuming that is o.k. with you," Annette said, feeling a tiny bit afraid that Eleanor might be put off by all of this royal treatment. But she needn't have worried. Eleanor had reached a state of mind where she delighted in the idea of being treated, however briefly, like a major player. She assumed Janet would be invited to the ceremony and would attend, and she also concluded that Janet was fair enough not to be envious of anything Eleanor was to enjoy at this occasion. Knowing Janet, she would not be treated shabbily either.
Eleanor thanked Annette and congratulated her on this incredible accomplishment. She then heard from her fiancΓ©e that Annette, who had been previously promoted to Colonel, would be commissioned a General at the ceremony.
"My gosh," Eleanor exclaimed, "you are going into the stratosphere, sweetie!"
"You mightn't believe me," Annette answered calmly, "but were it not for my constant thinking of you, it never would have happened."