Until the Sky Falls

The unfairness of the real world

Wednesday 14th March, 2007

Montreal

Guild of Dominants & Submissives

9 AM

"So, what do you suggest we do?  Take her away from him?  That would not be feasible.  She is a free woman now." 

Jake Angel was sitting in the Guild Panel chambers discussing the Bouvier case.  He was attempting to draw the panel away from making a decision that would have a negative impact for both Pierre and Marly; yet he was not having much luck. 

The Panel Chair was an older man who was very rigid in his ways and believed that any law that was in place before 2005 was still relevant.  He believed that the laws were still punishable if broken, before the new rules applied.  And he had a vested interest in this particular case.  After all, there was a whole lot more to the case that Jake didn't know about. 

"That's not the issue at hand, Mr Angel.  If you had bothered to read the documents you would know that Mr Bouvier professed his love for the subject when she was still his property and that is clearly a breach of the law prior to October 2005 stating that no man may love their slave." 

"So, we charge him with what then?  What exactly is that?  Soliciting a relationship with his possession?  His own property?"

The Panel Chair sighed deeply.  "It doesn't matter what it's called.  He broke the law.  But it is not practical to punish him.  At least not by removing him from society.  He is in a famous band, and they can't afford to lose him."

Jake twirled a pen absently in his hand as he replied as steadily as he could.  "He'll fight to keep her with him.  You realise that don't you." 

The Chair nodded sagely, even though in his mind he knew that what he was saying was hypocritical.  "Oh, we do, Jake.  However, they cannot stay together.  Look, we are being as reasonable as is humanly possible.  We want to give the woman the best chance at a new life.  If she is removed from Mr Bouvier's charge she will have an even better chance.  After all, she has only ever known his attentions."

"So, what you're saying is that if you take her from Pierre she may meet other people...men in particular and make a life with one of them?"

"Exactly.  See, Mr Angel, it is possible the only reason she fell in love with Mr Bouvier, is because she spent all her life with him." 

Jake looked down at the cup of tea he had made himself before sitting at the panel.  "I can't agree with that.  She's doing a college course...she'd meet plenty of guys there...she probably already has."

"Perhaps so, yet she's still being influenced by Mr Bouvier.  As long as she stays with him..."

Jake cut in reluctantly.  "I must concede I see your point." 

The Panel Chair sat back in his chair, and smiled evenly.  "Rest assured, we are not trying to ruin her life." 

Jake nodded again.  "Of course not." He hesitated before asking another question that he thought was extremely important.  "What will happen to Marly?  Where will you send her?"

"I was thinking Australia." 

"Pardon?"

"Australia.  I've heard pretty wonderful things about that country."

Jake felt sick to the stomach.  "You're going to make her leave the country?"

"You have a problem with that?"  The expression on the Chair's face was severe.