Strictland Academy by Breanna Hayse, Carolyn Faulkner Page B

have assured your families that you
will be well taken care of for the rest of your lives in exchange for complete
absolution from your crimes.   See
how kind we are?"
    The
girls dumbly nodded, unable to comment.   The attendant continued with her tour.   "This is the school room.   In the mornings, until the bell for
lunch, you will be given instruction in practices of etiquette, conduct, and
home economics.   We believe this
curriculum is more than adequate for any young woman to learn how to be
obedient citizens, wives and, eventually, mothers.   You are not here to become captains of
industry or gain an advanced education.   That being said, if any of you had hopes of 'becoming something', it is
time to abandon them.   Take a few
minutes to look around and accept what your future holds for you."
    Slowly,
the girls raised their eyes to study their environment.   The room was free of furnishings, other
than a large teacher's desk and several elementary desks which where clearly
too small to be used by any of the girls in the facility.   A pommel horse was located in the far
corner, equipped with cuffs attached to the legs.   The wall was decorated with implements
of various sizes and shapes, and a plain, white-faced clock.   A single glance upwards revealed a
windowed enclosure tucked into the rafters above them.
    Attendant
Hazel snapped her fingers and the trio followed her into an attached building,
where the inmates were hard at work doing various light chores that included
sewing and mending.   Once again,
there was no sound of chatter.   Sitting on high stools along the wall were two black-garbed supervisory
attendants, who appeared to be directing the punishments administered by the
room's prefects.
    "This
room is for those ladies who have proven themselves trustworthy to work alone
or have sustained some type of injury preventing them from engaging in more
menial tasks.   They do various
piecemeal assignments and have daily quotas to fulfill.   It is considered to be a place of
privilege, and assignment here is dependent upon your performance and
behavior.   Do not try to get
yourselves hurt so that you are transferred here, either.   We have ... other places ... for girls
who have attempted such deception.   As newcomers, you three will be working in the laundry room."
    Patricia
grabbed Molly's hand.   "Do you
think they will let us eat soon?   I'm hypoglycemic."
    Molly
bit her lip and shrugged, glancing briefly at the faceless watchers
overhead.   The words the matron used
... stating the prospective husband would 'acquiring them' ate at her. The only
monetary exchange that was required by the State was for the future husband to
provide support to his new wife ’ s
family. Did the headmaster receive a finder ’ s fee? That was
impossible! It sounded too much like flesh peddling …

CHAPTER
5
    The
next room they entered was smoldering hot and suffocatingly humid.   The pungently acrid air hung heavily
around the workers, as though it were weighed down by an unseen force.   Each girl inside was red-faced and
covered with perspiration with hands that were raw from hand-scrubbing laundry
in steaming water and lye soap.   Four attendants were positioned comfortably in front of fans and
carefully watched for anyone to falter at her post.   The girls came to a halt in front of one
of the older women, who swung a short doubled leather strap from a loop on her
wrist.
    “ Since
you have almost a full half-day left, there's no reason why you can't start
now.   Attendant Rachel, these are
the three new miscreants.   They're
all yours."
    They
were rapidly separated and assigned a station consisting of a clamshell
contraption into which an article of clothing was placed.   Once done, the lid was closed, steam
applied, and the garment removed.   This mundane routine was to be their life, filling every moment when not
in 'school' and all day on Saturday.
    “ Your
normal quota will be three hundred