In Love With Shakespeare

Corporal Punishment

Now I have to admit that those words had some kind of electrifying effect on me that I wasn't expecting. I mean I'd say my tastes are pretty normal and I've certainly never been into the S and M scene or anything weird like that. But somehow, on this particular occasion, on this November evening in an opulent and learned study where the only sound was a clicking heel and a ticking clock, the prospect of being bent over my beautiful professor's knee, the idea that she might gaze down with those fiery eyes on my pert little behind, lifting my skirt and then feasting her eyes on the now-sowet pink of my snug undies.... Oh my! It was like someone was pouring hot sweet liquid through every part of my body. I was literally quivering, even shaking, with delicious anticipation.

I swiveled my legs down from the sofa's arm-rest and placed my feet on the floor in front of me, so that I was sitting normally, just like my professor.

Try to keep calm, I told myself.

Gathering all my composure, I said "I don't know what you have in mind, professor. But I hope you realize that this is 2015 and corporal punishment has been abolished even in schools, never mind in universities."

There! I felt pleased with my contribution – cool, informed, dignified. And putting corporal punishment right there squarely on the agenda!

"Unfortunately," Professor East replied quickly and smoothly, "there are some remarks that simply cannot be allowed to go unpunished. And yours, Sally dear, yours falls right into that category."

"But what about the rules, the regulations, the college authorities...?" I pleaded.

I mentioned that I was excited. I was also actually quite scared at this point, if I'm honest. I think it was the calmness in Professor East's voice that terrified me the most. I mean if she'd been shouting, it would have been easier.

I felt like my heart was almost literally in my mouth.

"I think you showed contempt for rules and for authority when you made your remarks," my professor said coolly.

Her voice sounded like velvet. Part of me wanted to run. And part of me wanted to wrap myself in that velvet and never come out.

"Please approach me!" she added softly.

My head was swimming and I actually very nearly fell. Just don't panic, I told myself. Don't make a fool of yourself! I tried to retain my composure by focusing on Professor East's interesting use of language. But even that was making me swoon a little. I mean who actually says 'Please approach me!', rather than just 'Come here!'. No normal person would speak like that. I felt like I was in another century. I didn't know if that was good or bad, but it was certainly exciting.

I took three deep breaths and did as I was told, walking gingerly towards my professor, teetering on my heels, their 'clip, clip, clop' a kind of distant echo of her own. I remember I had my hands together in front of my skirt in a gesture of modesty and even a little supplication. My knees were wobbly and suddenly my mouth felt like I hadn't had a drink for days.

"Stand here," my professor said, gesturing to the right of her knees. "Stand here and face my lap."

Her lap?! I really couldn't believe where this seemed to be heading.

"Shouldn't we be discussing Julius Caesar?" I suggested in a weak voice.

"Oh now you want to discuss your work. Well it's a little late for that, young lady! Now stand just where I have asked!"

I nodded and complied. I could feel my face flushing red as I moved alongside my professor, standing where she had indicated and staring down at the tightness of her black skirt.

"Could I have another sherry?" I said suddenly. I think I was playing for time. I also needed a drink. "Not right now."

"Maybe just half a glass?"

"Sally!" My professor's voice was really severe now. "This is a very serious matter!"

I really plucked up my courage at this point before adding quietly, "Maybe a quarter?"

"Right! RIGHT!! I've totally run out of patience with you!"

Professor East was almost shouting now and part of me considered that to be some kind of triumph. I had really riled her up good and proper!

"Over my knee! NOW!"

Did she really just say that?!

Now that my professor had actually lost her temper, I felt weirdly empowered. Something inside me wanted to rile her up some more.

"I hope your intentions are honorable," I said calmly.