RELUCTANT PRESS

other way, for the sum of twelve thousand dollars a year, you will agree to become his slave!"

"Slave? What do you mean by 'slave'?" I couldn't believe what they were proposing.

"Exactly that," Mr. Devon stated. "S-L-A-V-E, thrall, vassal, bond servant, chattel, slave. You will be my property. You will do whatever I tell you to do, dress in the clothes I tell you to wear, and act and behave in any manner that I dictate. Is that clear enough?"

"Well, yes... but..."

"No! No buts"!" said Mr. Devon forcefully. "That's the deal. I am buying you just like a new car or a suit of clothes. For reasons of my own, I wish to own a slave, and if you wish to avoid twelve years at hard labor in prison and all that implies, you will sell yourself to me for four years, only onethird of the time you would have to spend in prison, and I can assure you that my plans for you will be far more pleasant than your life behind bars would be."

My head was spinning. This was madness! Sell myself? Go to prison? Four years versus twelve years? What a

choice!

"Might I have some time to think it over?"

"What is it that you have to think about?" he demanded sarcastically. "Do you want to go to prison for twelve years?" "No."

"Perhaps you are afraid that I might hurt you. Well, I shall punish you if you are disobedient, but I want to enjoy your services, not harm you in any way. Are you afraid of me for any reason?"

him!

"Well... no... I guess not..." Except that I was afraid of

"Then I don't see your problem, Petti. It's an even trade. Think of yourself as an object of value. You sell your self to me in exchange for the money you embezzled from the company. The only other option open to you is prison. So, choose!"

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