Prologue: Never Been Happier
The video begins with a static shot of a young woman with wine-red hair. She is sitting on a plush couch, a small coffee table before her. Sitting beside her is an older man, looking to be in his 50s, with salt and pepper hair. The woman is wearing a simple blue dress, with a knit shawl over her shoulders. A black leather choker adorns her throat.
The two are sitting close together, the man's arm over the woman's shoulders. For a few seconds, they stare at the camera, seemingly to make sure it's on, before the woman gives a wide smile and begins to speak directly into it.
"Hello. My name is Renee Sullivan. My Citizen Identification code is 135018117. I am recording this video to serve as my official testament to rescind my personal human rights, under the ordinance of the Self Determination Act, 69 US Code 101901-A. I am hereby giving up all claim to my legal rights, and submit myself to the title of Permanent Slave. I can affirm that I am of sound mind and body, and make this choice willingly and without any external duress."
She pauses for a moment to look at the man beside her, a look of adoration obvious to any watching. She turns back to the camera.
"Furthermore, I hereby offer myself as legal property to Professor Arnold Cavaldi, Citizen Identification code 789348870."
The man rubs her shoulder, returning Renee's adoring look, before facing the camera and smiling as well.
"I, Arnold Cavaldi, hereby accept Renee Sullivan's offer. Under the ordinance 68 US Code 101901-B, I attest that I am free of any felony criminal charges or social credit demerits. I recognize that I must submit the official paperwork for approval within 30 days of this video's release, and that I will only gain legal ownership of Renee upon receiving an official Deed of Ownership after federal approval."
The pair both visibly relax as the man finishes speaking. Renee wraps her arms around the man's torso, and they lean in to share a brief kiss. Arnold strokes a lock of hair back behind her ear, before she turns back to the camera.
"Now that that's out of the way, I have a message for my friends and family. I'm sure this is probably going to come as a shock to you. I've always been fiercely independent, and I know I've spoken very poorly about others who chose to enter enslavement. I honestly never thought I would ever want to submit myself to the control of anyone -- that I'd always be my own woman."
She again turns to Arnold, and continues speaking.
"But then I met Arnold, and as I fell in love with him, I started realizing the romance of truly giving myself to another. I now believe there is no truer form of love than to devote myself to him, completely, for the rest of my life. Please trust me, and know that I have never, ever been happier."
Her gaze returns to the camera once more.
"This is what I want, and I can only hope that all of you can respect that, and be happy for me. I love you all. Bye!"
The couple cuddle close together. Renee leans her head onto her owner's chest, and sighs contentedly as the video ends.
* * *
The video ended, and all five women sat in silence. They were all seated in a living room, each one focused on the tablet sitting on the cluttered coffee table in the center. For many long seconds, they were quiet, avoiding eye contact with eachother. Finally, one of them spoke.
"So, I suppose we'll need to find a new roommate," Diana said matter-of-factly. Her face was stern and unreadable as she brushed back a strand of dark brown hair from her face. "I don't imagine Renee will be paying rent anymore."
"
That's
what you're worried about?" Maria responded. The blond was curled up in her seat, knees to her chest, looking terribly distressed. "Your friend announces to everyone on the internet that she's throwing away her life, and you're concerned about rent?"
"What else is there to say?" Diana retorted. "She's signed the paperwork and released a public statement. As far as the law's concerned, she's property now."
"But this is crazy! She disappeared for two days, wouldn't answer her phone, and then the first thing we see from her is...this!"
"What's the big deal?" Yvonne interrupted. She was sitting next to Maria on the couch, one leg splayed shamelessly over the arm of it. She nonchalantly twirled a lock of her platinum blonde hair, and seemed more preoccupied with her phone than the conversation. "Girl got herself a sugar daddy and sold herself for the bag. Lots of chicks are doing it lately."
"That's exactly why we can't trust this!" Maria shouted, practically in tears. "Haven't you heard all the stories about women being -- being taken? They say men are kidnapping women and doing something to force them into submitting."
"Those rumors have been around for years, ever since the laws were passed in the first place," Sheena interjected. The diminutive goth girl barely took up any space in the plush recliner she was sitting in, but her stern posture made her intimidating in spite of it. She crossed her arms under her chest and gave an exasperated look to Maria. "You really have to stop believing every conspiracy theory you read online."
"Oh go to hell!" Maria stood up, hands balled into fists, and stormed out of the room. She shouted over her shoulder: "You can all get kidnapped and brainwashed then!"
"God, that girl is way too high strung. Just cuz she's allergic to dick she thinks every guy's out to molest her." Yvonne immediately took the opportunity to lay herself across the couch.
"Even so, I do find it strange that Renee of all people would do this. I didn't even know she was seeing anyone," Diana said, ignoring the other girl's dig at their roommate.
"Yeah, who is this old dude she's with in that video, anyway?" said Sheena.
"Um, I think he's her old psychology professor," Hannah said sheepishly. The mousy brunette was nervously picking at fuzz from her oversize sweater, and spoke so softly the others had to strain to make out what she was saying. "She was in his class Freshman year, and I thinks she's been uh, seeing him for career counseling stuff this past semester."
"Huh, I never heard her mention it," said Diana.
"She only told me a little about it." Hannah glanced up, before looking back down at her own lap. "But I don't remember her ever saying she was dating him or anything like that."
"Why would she?" Sheena asked like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "If word got out she was fucking a teacher they'd both be in serious trouble. They're only coming out publicly now because she'll be dropping out."
"I'm almost jealous, honestly," Yvonne snarked. "You know how hard it is to get a guy to commit these days? A slave collar's way more secure than a wedding ring if you ask me."
"It's just...I can't believe she'd do this," Hannah whispered. Her hands were shaking and she looked on the verge of tears. "She said all the time that those laws were awful and misogynist. I just can't-"
