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Two weeks later there was another Community Service. This one was the woman that Pete went out with the day we went to Evan's Peak. She had come back to Riverton after living in the outside world. Apparently she had not changed much from the unpleasant teenager who left to get married except to get worse. I don't know why her husband divorced her but her actions since returning gave me a good clue. She was pushy and obnoxious to most everyone in Riverton and acted like we should all be honored that our Queen was once again in our midst.
Things came to a head on a Wednesday afternoon when George gave her a speeding ticket. It was the forth time he had stopped and warned her but this time was just as the kids were getting out of school. She was furious and tore the ticket up as soon as he finished writing it. According to court testimony she said, "Get off it George. You were a wimpy little twerp when were in high school. That's why I never went out with you and now you think you're the big stud in town. The fancy uniform doesn't change a thing. Get out of my way so I can get to the beauty parlor. I'm late for an appointment."
When he recommended that she slow down or someone might get hurt she said, "Who do you think you are to lecture me?" Then she slapped him. That's when he arrested her.
I happened to stop by the police station to say hello and heard the commotion down the hall as she was being led into the courtroom. Agnes saw me and said, "Oh, Hi. We're sort of busy right now but members of the press are always welcome to observe the court proceedings."
This representative of the fourth estate was less than professional as she shared a hug with the court clerk and accepted an invitation to dinner on Sunday night.
In the courtroom I heard the details of the arrest. Judge Olsen takes a dim view of anyone assaulting an officer of the law and wasted no time in sentencing the woman to a Community Service. The change in her demeanor was instantaneous. She fell to her knees and begged for forgiveness and mercy but the judge was unmoved. Instead he moved onto the original charge of speeding in a school zone. Again she was found guilty. Most traffic tickets result in a fine but the court has the option of immediate and less costly payment. He said, "Susan, thirty miles over the speed limit on that street is very serious. I could give you multiple Community Services. I've done that in the past but that was for an outsider. Since you are a native of Riverton I'm going to show you a little of the mercy you asked for and treat it as a normal traffic violation. You've seem to have an unlimited source of funds so I don't think the fine of five hundred dollars will make a lasting impression. So we'll try the alternative. Thirty strokes ought to do it. Bailiff, secure her."
She cried and pleaded as George uncovered the thing. It was off to the side of the room and firmly attached to the floor. In essence it was a vaulting horse with straps. Larry had to carry her and plopped her on it face down. Her entreaties were falling on deaf ears and the two policemen affixed her hands to one side. Then Mrs. Olsen lifted the girl's dress and removed her undergarments. She stepped back and the fellows put her ankles in more straps and one more over her waist. She was totally immobilized and in a very vulnerable position. While Judge Olsen approached her Larry left the room to get him the strap from cell three. Without further ado he swung it forward and it was a solid contact. She yelped and twisted but neither did her any good. Another twenty nine times we heard the crack of leather against flesh and the resultant cries, yelps and occasional screams.
When he was done he announced a recess of fifteen minutes but she would remain on the horse. Then he asked if there was any fresh coffee.
When we reconvened she was allowed to stand and face the judge. He said, "I remember you as a girl and thought you were a bit too headstrong even then. I expect you felt life here was too restricting and that's why you moved out. I have to wonder why you came back. Perhaps part of you missed our old-fashioned way of life. Riverton has a lot to offer that you don't find in the outside world. I think you realized that and that's why you returned. With a little attitude adjustment you might find you and the community can get along. I hope the punishment you received and are going to get next Friday will do you some good. In fact, I'm going to make sure you don't run away again. I've confiscated your car keys and your checkbook. I also called the bank and they will not allow you to withdraw any money without my approval. You have from now until Friday night to consider whether that will be your farewell appearance or the beginning of a new and respectable young woman. Now I suggest you put on those panties before you leave or you'll have a violation of the decency code added. Court's adjourned."
The young woman struggled to put her clothes to rights and left the building. Back at the Journal office I wrote up the incident and gave it to Mr. Denner to review. He chuckled as he read it. I'm afraid I let some of my feelings show. She had been rude and insulting to me a number of times so my narrative gave a very detailed account of how Miss High and Mighty reacted to her strapping. Of course, my boss and editor thought I should be a little more detached as a reporter and not gloat so obviously. Still, he left some of my description of what happened in the courtroom to include the charges and the sentence handed down from the bench. He wouldn't let my narrative say she had her bare rear end whipped and cried like a banshee. The part where I said her bottom glowed like it was on fire was cut out also. He was laughing and shaking his head as his red pencil did it's work. My final statements really got him. I wrote, "Be sure to attend on Friday at 7 O'clock to see a real bitch get the punishment she so richly deserves. It will be the social event of the season."
He changed it to "The judge also sentenced her to one Community Service."
I playfully pouted and then said, "I had a feeling you wouldn't like that so here's the real copy for the paper."
He took it and replied. "I thought as much."
It was remarkably similar to the way he changed the original and he put his arm around me. "Remind me to send flowers to Agnes Olsen tomorrow. I want to thank her for sending you to me."
Then he looked at me sternly. "Go and wash your hands."
I drew back in confusion and he explained. "That is a legitimate word but in the context of your first paper it borders on inappropriate language. If you had said it I would have to wash your mouth out but since your hands wrote if they need to cleansed. Also the pen leaked a little and you have ink on your fingers."
I punched his arm and he yelled, "Elder abuse, elder abuse."
During the next two days I heard rumors that Susan seemed to be a different person. She was polite and downright obsequious towards store clerks and people she met on the street. The prevailing opinion was that it was an act to gain sympathy and that as soon as the Community Service was over she would return to her old ways.
My green bean casserole was such a hit last time I made another one. I had to laugh. Maybe this was going to be my signature dish at these gatherings.
Most of our little gang was sitting together and I joined them. Since George was going to do the paddling he was not part of Susan's preparations in the police station. He had the Community Service paddle and showed it to me. It was the first time I saw it up close. It was quite visible during my Community Service but I had other things on my mind. It was beautiful as well as very functional. The flexible material that gave it such a powerful sting was imbedded in a nice wooden handle. I was not surprised when George said, "Howard made this when the old one finally cracked. Didn't I tell you he could do wonderful things with the simplest piece of wood?"
Howard almost blushed at the compliment but he caught my eye. We were both thinking of the dowel he drilled a few weeks ago. I shyly smiled back.
He cryptically said, "By the way. You know that wood thing I made for you? I'd like to have it back for a day or two. It was done in a hurry and I'd like to work on it some more so it will be really special. Then you can have it back."
I was speechless for a moment. The others were looking at me and he saved me. "I made her a device she can use to hang her stockings to dry. I hope you found it useful."
I had to fight the smile that was about to burst and said, "Oh, that thing. Yes it has proven to be very useful. You can pick it up anytime."
Further conversation ended as the door opened and Susan was escorted to the cable. The short little steps she took were due to the cuffs at her ankles but there was something about her deportment that was not expected. I didn't think she would show the bravado we had seen from Richard but I had almost counted on her strutting like the Queen she thought she was. Instead it was a meek and submissive young woman who kept her head down. The part of me that was looking forward to her comeuppance with smug satisfaction was starting to crumble. Then I thought, "Of course she's scared. I know I was. She's about to get a good paddling and it's probably long overdue."
As she was attached to the cable Mayor Olsen gave his speech about the nature of her crime as if there was anybody who didn't already know about them. When the cable pulled her arms up the loose fitting top she wore went higher. It was barely long enough to cover her breasts when she was walking and now it was almost up to her nipples. I had to admit, she was beautiful stretched out like that and I wondered if I had looked so provocative.
The mayor stepped away and her first twenty minutes of waiting began. There was quite a crowd that surrounded her and the typical comments of how she was getting what she deserved were plentiful. When she saw me she said, "I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I ran away from here and when I saw you and the way people respected you as if you were born here. I was jealous and acted abominably. Thank you for the way you wrote about what happened in the courthouse. I figured you would want to tell the world how I acted when Mayor Olsen strapped me."
I felt ashamed and admitted authoring a version like the one she feared. Then she smiled and said, "When this is over I'd like to read it if you don't mind."
I said I had kept it and she could stop by the office on Monday.
We ended our conversation when she said, "Well. Here goes. I hope George doesn't remember when I stood him for a date in high school."
We all returned to our seats as George took his place behind Susan. The mayor help the stop watch and said, "Begin."
The crack of the paddle echoed through the room and she yelped from the first swat. I looked at my watch and noticed that her swats were between the ten and fifteen second limits. I wondered if he practiced to get his timing right. Anyway, by the two minute mark had yelps were screeches. He was getting his message across and she still had a long way to go.
Maybe it was the short conversation we had but I was really feeling sorry for her as the paddle continued it's unrelenting rhythm. When the mayor said the time was up she hung lifeless on the cable. She was such a pitiful sight and there were only a few people who took the opportunity to add comments to increase her shame.
As she was led from the room she stopped at the door and turned towards the townspeople. "May I have your attention."
I heard a woman near us whisper, "Now it comes. She's going to tell us what she really thinks of Riverton. I bet she's gone within the week."
Both of her assumptions were wrong. Susan said, "I want to apologize to all of you. Especially the ones I was rude to or insulted. I'll be coming around to apologize to them individually but for now let me say this. I was stupid to act the way I did. Riverton is a wonderful place and I intend to stay here forever. I do not want another Community Service so I'm asking you to help me. If I start to go back to my old ways please remind me of this night. Thank you."
Even the most adamant adherent to severe punishment was willing to give her the chance she asked for. As she turned towards the door she was stopped by the rising applause and demands that she be allowed to use the lotion and rejoin us. I was sitting close and could see her. The tears running down her cheeks were not tears of pain. I jumped up to join the group of women taking her into the station. Someone got the key to her apartment and ran off to get suitable clothes while a few of us applied the lotion and helped her wash her face.
When we went back into the firehouse she ate a quick little supper and then went around the room to speak with the people she had hurt. I was pleased to see her give and receive many warm hugs. During the dance she had a few partners and I guess Pete was willing to give her second chance too since he seemed to whirl her around the floor quite a few times. As things were starting to break up they came up to us. Pete said, "I'm taking her home with me." And Tony said, "Don't spank her too hard."
Pete smiled. "Her bottom has had enough for one night but there other parts of her that are in dire need of a lot of attention."
I also spent some time on the dance floor and didn't have to try very hard to convince Howard stop by my place and pick up the dowel.
I got it from it's hiding place in my closet and said, "I don't know where to hang my stockings now."
I handed it to him and he put it to one side saying, "I'll bring it back in a few days. It was very useful and I hope it will be again but not tonight. Should I stay?"
I kicked off my shoes and said, "That's your decision. Think about it while I get undressed."
For some reason, he decided to disrobe also.
After he left in the morning I rubbed my bottom. He put the lotion on before we went to sleep but the memory of his slow spanking with the good swats before impalement made me smile.
Susan came to the Journal office and read my sarcastic account of her punishment and laughed at it. She said, "That was wonderful. Nothing less than I would have deserved if you had published it. You're a good writer."
I thanked her and gave her an advance copy of the afternoon paper. She winced as she saw the pictures of her on the cable and then commented, "I'm surprised. Old man Denner is usually much more scathing in his articles about Community Services. Did you write this?"
Her question was answered but not by me. My boss came out of his office and said, "I should say not. Writing about a Community Service is my job. But if you must know, I had some help editing it down from what I really wanted to say. Old man Denner indeed."
He harrumphed back into his lair. After a little quiet laughter Susan and I agreed to meet for lunch. In time she became one of my closest friends.
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