Following my last posting 'Summertime75' posted the comment that: “Having just seen the illustration at the top of the page I immediately thought of Lavinia, talk about an extreme make over ”.
Well, that was exactly the impact it had on me when first I came across that particular illustration. I thought; “Hhmm, how cruel, yet how subtle”. As you can imagine the very last thing that popped into my mind was any connection with any notion of 'forced feeding' – not my 'bag' at all, that. No,no; I immediately conceived of something far, far subtler than that. After all, once in an institutional situation – no matter under what pretext – all sorts of possibilities open up. All sorts of methods of coercion and manipulation may be brought into play – the outcome, most dispiriting for any young lady with aspirations to becoming a dancer, actress or catwalk model! Of course there are also certain approaches that may be just as applicable within the domestic environment where the discipline of a pretentious, sullenly pouting young thing is paramount. I can say no more without giving too much away.
Talking of the domestic environment: the home can very soon, under the right circumstances and guidance, become worlds away from the usual interpretation of that term 'domestic' as the short piece written by an anonymous contributer and appended to my last update illustrates. Here I am talking about the piece dealing with his view of a 'Teenage Trollops Mentoring Program'. Although I am not generaly fond of the apparent involvement of officialdom, as alluded to by the visit of the police representative - preferring instead to conceive of situations beyond the potential scope of public or official scrutiny – I applaud the scenario he conceives of, if it might be achieved through some more private means. The only part I disliked was the section wherein he envisages a toilet seat being “embedded all round with sharp tacks and broken glass”. While I am all for it (the seat, that is) being fixed firmly in place, imagine - if you will - two narrow concentric rings of an electrically-conductive material embedded withing the plastic of the seat and carrying an electric charge between them capable of delivering a harmless yet stinging, jolting electric shock.
Now, I have to say many, many thanks to all those that left messages of support on my last update or that emailed me with encouragement. I have to say the response really surprised me and was incredibly heartwarming. Particularly sobering have been the messages I have received in my email inbox from those others of you out there in similar circumstances sharing your experiences. A problem shared is a problem halved, someone once said (probably) and it helps tremendously to be reminded that I am not alone in my lower moments; it's that sense of community.
'Imreadonly' made the point that depression can be a really tough disease to fight!” Ain't that the truth! It can also be rather difficult and strange to understand. For example; Friday was particularly bright, cheerful and sunny here in London, with a bright blue sky. I was up in front of the computer typing away within minutes – almost - of opening my eyes and glimpsing the shafts of sunlight filtering past the curtains and I got a whole chapter rounded out and placed within the book per se (the whole thing pretty much exists now but is fragmented). Saturday, although overcast, was filled with various chores which filled the time and got me through. Today is overcast too, very dull and nondescript, but the knowledge of having made a significant step forward towards publication of the new book on Friday seems enough to have motivated me to create this update. Added to the latter is the feeling that any progress I might make tomorrow will likely hinge on my achievements of today, even such a modest posting as this – hardily of any creative merit. So I guess what I am saying is that today's posting, though not saying much, is actually quite important in terms of getting the new work finished – does that make any sense.
While I have been writing this 'Desert Island Disks' has just started on the BBC featuring Alice Cooper, which I have to say has brought a smile to my face – quite surreal, really. But I guess to appreciate this you need to be familiar with that program and its long history. Bye for now!
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Talking of the domestic environment: the home can very soon, under the right circumstances and guidance, become worlds away from the usual interpretation of that term 'domestic' as the short piece written by an anonymous contributer and appended to my last update illustrates. ... The only part I disliked was the section wherein he envisages a toilet seat being “embedded all round with sharp tacks and broken glass”. While I am all for it (the seat, that is) being fixed firmly in place, imagine - if you will - two narrow concentric rings of an electrically-conductive material embedded withing the plastic of the seat and carrying an electric charge between them capable of delivering a harmless yet stinging, jolting electric shock.
Ah, Garth, you are a very clever and very wicked man!
What an excellent idea! Much better than my crude effort of tacks and broken glass. Many possibilities arise – a few of which I will throw out.
There ought to be a random element to the treatment. When she sits down she never quite knows what is going to happen. Of course it will be to her master to make the setting, deciding whether she should be shocked nine times in ten, or only one time in ten.
A variant on this would be to have a random setting on the force of the shock. Most times she would experience a pleasurable tingle – she might even look forward to it -but once in a while POW!!
Then again the system might not be set off by contact with the seat. Perhaps sensors could be concealed in the porcelain of the bowl, that detect the rush of urine. This has two advantages – one she has just settled comfortably when –AAAGH!! Two, she can exercise her ingenuity in trying to avoid the sensors, although she has no idea where exactly they are. Her first thought will be to straddle the loo facing the cistern, but we certainly won’t fall for that one. Some are lace at the back as well.
Finally – in an institutional, rather than a domestic setting – a ward or cell block, rather than administering a shock the device could set off a loud announcement on the PA system “Attention. Subject X is now urinating.” This humiliation might be worse punishment for many than the sharp shock. However, perhaps she is undergoing a course of bladder-control and must take six of the best for each visit. I think a random element should be built in none-the-less. If sometimes the announcement does not happen it will encourage the inmates to risk an extra go.
Just some ideas to be going on with.
Hi Mr Anonymous
"Just some ideas to be going on with." Yes; and rather wonderful too - certainly got me thinking! The randomness thing is a great way to induce so-called 'superstitious behaviour' which might at a later date be interpreted as symptomatic of some sort of underlying psychological pathology thus opening up all sorts of posibilities for extending her incarceration.
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