[There is some discussion of bodily functions so if that offends you, read no further. This story was inspired by a scene in the classic novel, The Discipline of Odette, by Jean Martinet, describing how a service similar to the one featured in this story operated in a French milieu many years ago. All characters are 18 or over.]
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Katherine Larson had had it up to here with her two daughters, Miranda and Stacy. They were now 20 and 18, respectively, and were a constant trial. Living at home, they never cleaned their own rooms and expected their laundry to be done without their involvement. Katherine decided that steps must be taken.
She was just discussing her travails with her manicurist at the nail studio. "It's funny you should mention this, Mrs. Larson," Laurie, the manicurist, said brightly. "We've heard about your kind of problem so often lately that Petra, who's our day manager, has started a new service of which you may be interested in availing yourself."
Katherine looked up as if startled. "A new service?" she asked, with a very questioning tone to her response.
"Yes," Laurie continued brightly, "and I will be involved in it. Let me tell you about it."
"Petra recalled reading about a service in France that provided women on call to respond to mothers who needed help in disciplining their disobedient offspring, especially those that were of age and were still living at home, as so many do these days," Laurie said.
"She has set this up so that we provide you with a phone number and if you live anywhere near here, we will have two young women who are well trained as disciplinarians come to your home immediately or at a set time and take charge of your situation," she added. "They are quite accustomed to dealing with young ladies of the ages of your daughters."
"So, how do they take control?" Katherine asked, as she wondered how on earth some young women could come into her home and solve this very nettlesome problem for her. "What if the girls resist?"
"Marie and Brenda exude authority," Laurie said. "They dress very conservatively, wearing grey tailored suits and seamed hose with smart burgundy pumps. If you want, I can set you up with an appointment. They are training me so I may come along with them."
"Sounds quite good to me," Katherine responded with alacrity. "I can assume this will be on my monthly bill?"
"Yes, it will," Laurie replied, "and they do charge $250 for the first visit. After that, they will explain follow-up charges."
"Can you fit me in late this afternoon when Miranda and Stacy get home from work?" Katherine asked.
Laurie pulled the schedule up on her computer and saw that there was an opening from 6:30 p.m.
"They will arrive promptly at the specified time," she said, "and stay until the assignment is completed. I know you will be satisfied, Mrs. Larson."
Katherine left the salon feeling quite giddy that her two recalcitrant charges were about to experience something they had not known for many years. Katherine's husband had no interest in her problems with the two, expecting her to take control of the situation, which, she thought, would now be exactly what she was doing.
When her daughters came home, throwing their coats on the sofa without thinking about hanging them properly in the closet, Katherine sat them down.
"I have arranged for two women to visit soon who will be making you aware of your need to keep your rooms and persons clean and tidy," she said. Miranda started to protest that they didn't need any help and Katherine stopped her mid-sentence.
"You both have been asking for this and you will not enjoy the discipline involved, yes, discipline, of the physical kind," she said sharply. "You of course may leave but if you do, don't even think about returning."
Recognizing that she was serious, Stacy asked her in a gentle voice why they couldn't do what she wanted without this awful intervention. "After all, Mom," she said, "we both work and are responsible at our jobs."
"But that's just it," Katherine answered. "I've been trying to get you two to act like grown-ups to no avail, so you best just get ready to be in for some embarrassment."
Soon the doorbell rang and the two women, clearly in their late 20s, arrived just as Laurie had promised. Laurie followed but quietly stayed in the background.
"Madam," Marie said, "I'm Marie and this is Brenda. I think it would be best if you absented yourself while we discuss the programme with your daughters."
"Yes, Marie," Katherine said, as she saw the two girls become nervous in a way she hadn't seen before, "this is Miranda and this is Stacy. I think they understand that you will be putting them through some embarrassment and discomfort but you have my complete permission."
She went into her bedroom to relax and Marie, still standing as was Brenda, said to Miranda and Stacy, "You need to understand that we are not here to negotiate with you. Your mother has been very upset by your failure to behave in a manner befitting your age. So she has retained our services to discipline you in order that you will learn to act as she has a right to expect. Now, both of you will stand and face us here," pointing to a spot on the living room floor.
"Please be aware that if you do not follow my instructions, your discipline will be extended until I am convinced you have learned to obey," she continued. "Your mother has called us in to show you the need to behave like the young women you are, but she has not been satisfied with your behavior and your attitude. So get up and stand here."