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Chapter
1
Carl and I had driven
for hours through the Fourth of July holiday traffic to get here.
The sun was setting as we pulled up to the front gate of the resort.
Perhaps "resort" is the wrong word. Resort conjures up the picture
of a pool, golf course, lounge chairs, and hot and cold running
waiters. This was nothing like that.
The only thing Carl
would tell me was that we were going to "rough it" and to pack accordingly.
Well I've always liked the outdoors, and I remember fondly the campouts
I used to go on with the girlscouts. From what I could gather, this
was going to be something like that, sort of a summer camp for adults
where they could get away from the city, away from the job, away
from the house and kids, and away from the boredom of everyday routine
life.
The more I thought about
it, the more I liked the idea. I was looking forward to a retreat
where I could get in touch with my feelings. For one thing, I wanted
to recharge my sex batteries. Carl and I have had fantastic sex
over the seven years we were married, but lately it seemed to be
getting a little stale. I didn't know if the austere facilities
would allow for conjugal pleasures, but I was a strong woman, I
could hold on until we got back home.
Besides I had to admit
it. I needed the rest. I had a problem adjusting to the big promotion
at my job, and I was getting just a little to bitchy, even for me.
I had a hard time leaving the job behind, and barked at Carl, trying
to order him around as if he were one of my reluctant summer hires
at the plant.
We drove into the parking
lot, and I immediately spotted the Jenson's car. Jim and Betty Jenson
have been our good friends since the days before we got married.
In fact, it was at their suggestion we came to camp together.
Camp! That was he word!
As Carl went into the registration center to sign us in, I surveyed
the surroundings and became aware that this was once a military
reservation. Most of the buildings were of World War II vintage,
but seemed in good repair. I later found out that this place was
a small communications site chopped from active status right after
the war, and an enterprising GI bought it for almost nothing. It
now sat on some of the most sought after real estate on the Oregon
Coast. The military built it to be secure, so fences guarantee privacy.
The camp was now run
by the investor's son, George. George booked retreats, camp outs,
meetings, and all manner of other affairs at the camp. However,
for one week during the year, he ran a special camp for invited
guests only. I felt honored that Jim and Betty were able to get
us an invitation.
Carl came out smiling.
He pointed to a row of barracks and said, "You'll be in number 6.
I'm in number 3." I couldn't believe it, I was going to bunk in
with a group of women rather than my own spouse. I told myself,
"Aw what the heck, I'll pretend I'm 13 again, and having a sleepover.
It could be fun."
Carl gave me a hand
picking up linen from the supply hut and brought them to the deck
outside my barracks. We then trudged back to the car and picked
up our suitcases. I felt funny lugging all my belongings up the
steps. I had a feeling I wouldn't be needing the dresses and heels
I brought.
There were 25 beds in
the room, fortunately only half of them were occupied. I found the
one with the "Joy Benson" tag on it, and plopped my stuff on it.
I went outside and met Carl.
We took a walk around
the facility in the twilight, and I had to admit, it was a very
pretty place in spite of its rugged living conditions. Carl and
I wandered until we found a secluded spot surrounded by high grass.
We might as well have been the only two people on the planet. The
only sounds were the hissing of the wind over the grass and sand,
and the constant, calm churning of the surf.
We sat on a sand dune
looking out over the Pacific and held each other until the orange
glow of the already-set sun faded and was replaced by purple, populated
with stars. It was so romantic; I didn't want to leave.
Carl shook me from my
dream. "Dear, we've got to get back. It's an early day tomorrow.
Breakfast is at 7 AM, and you don't want to miss it. I reluctantly
joined him as we strolled back to the barracks area. We stopped
in front of number 6, facing one another, holding both sets of hands
and looking at each other. Carl closed his eyes and leaned forward.
I did the same, and we kissed.
It was the most simple
and innocent kiss that we had exchanged in a long time, yet it set
me on fire. God, I wanted this man! I felt like a teenager again,
kissing on the front porch after a date.
We broke loose. I smiled
and said, "Good night."
Carl smiled back and
said, "See you tomorrow, dear. Be prepared to have some fun."
I climbed the steps
into the barracks to unpack.
-=o=-
"Joy!" I heard from
across the room. It was Betty as she came running towards me. She
flung her arms wide, and we embraced. We weren't normally this demonstrative
in our affection for each other, but there was something about this
place and this atmosphere that intensified emotions and feelings.
Betty took me around
and introduced me to the other women. I eventually got to know the
other 10 women, but this first night, I spent mostly with several
of Betty's friends from last year: Claire, Sally, Glenda, and Arlene.
We eventually became fast friends, and soon became to be called
"the six pack" by campers and counsellors alike.
Betty helped me unpack
and helped me arrange my clothing on the sparse rack and into a
footlocker in the order that it would be most needed. I expected
I'd be living in shorts, a top and sneakers for my whole stay, but
Betty made sure some of my short skirts were also within reach.
I was about to throw the heels back into the suitcase to put them
back in the car when she said, "Wait! You'll need those. We get
to put on a couple of fashion shows of sorts out here. We aren't
completely uncivilized."
I turned to her and
asked, "What goes on around here? Carl's told me almost nothing."
Some of the other women within earshot giggled. I looked at them
uneasily.
Betty reassured me,
"Don't worry dear. We'll have a meeting right after breakfast, and
everything will be explained. Generally we start each day with some
exercise, breakfast, and some 'educational lectures.' They'll have
plenty of activities for us to do. You'll have fun, you'll see.
You'll even get a chance to work on your tan."
I made the bed, disposed
of my suitcases, snuggled under the covers, and read a magazine.
I listened to what was going on around me and soon the womanly chatter
died down as one by one we fell asleep. The woman at the end turned
off the light. I laid in bed feeling the cool sea-breeze coming
through the screened window, smelling the salty air and listening
to the relentless shuffling of the surf. I drifted off with the
feeling of Carl's arms still around me, holding me.
-=o=-
I was awakened rudely
by, of all things, Reveille, played over a loud speaker. I looked
at my clock. It was 6 AM! Wait! Wasn't this supposed to be a vacation?
My next shock came at the latrine. I thought sharing a bathroom
with two sisters was bad enough, now I had 11 sisters all clamoring
for the same half dozen stalls, sinks, showers, and mirrors. Luckily
I was only going for "presentable" instead of my normal, serious-business,
drop-dead gorgeous. (Any woman in business has to look her best
at every moment in the office).
As we lined up outside
the chow hall, we each matched up with our respective mates. I got
to meet Dave (Claire's husband), Pete (Sally), Hal (Glenda) and
Sandy (Arlene). I looked at Carl. He was was wearing a tank top,
shorts, and and running shoes. He was already covered with sweat.
That bastard! He'd already put in his five-mile jog! Looking at
the sheen of his perspiration on his tanned and muscled body did
nothing to abate my horniness. He read the look on my face, and
smiled broadly.
There is something about
sea air that always gives me a ravenous appetite, be it for food
or for sex. I looked at Carl sitting opposite me and I wanted to
sneak off back to the barracks with him to show him just how much
of a woman I was this morning. Instead I had to settle for eating
a hardy breakfast with gusto.
After breakfast, George
and his wife, Hanna, welcomed us. It was the most unusual welcome
of my life. First we were separated into two groups: the men in
one group, and the women in the other. Each group was formed into
two rows of six people each.
George centered himself
on the women's group, "Some of you have been here before and think
you know what to expect. Well, forget about it. Hanna and I have
changed the program and you are not going to get away with breaking
the rules without us knowing about it. Those of you who are caught
will pay the price. We have some new equipment this year, and we
are just dying to try it out."
"What was this?" I asked
myself. I would have asked someone else, but so commanding was George's
demeanor that I was afraid to open my mouth. He sounded like a drill
instructor. I was never in the military, but I watched Jack Webb
in "The DI" and Lou Gosset, Jr. in "Officer and a Gentleman." It
feels a lot different when you are in the movie yourself, and the
gale of words are aimed at you.
George continued, "For
you newbies, let me explain what is going on. You should be honored.
You have been nominated by your peers, and have been selected by
Hannah and I to receive special training. This training will consist
of physical conditioning, mental activity, spiritual meditation
and discipline -- especially discipline."
"The rules ... are simple.
The schedule is posted outside the chow hall. Be on time for formations.
There will be no talking in formation. Listen up to your instructors
at all time. Be alert at all times and maintain mental agility.
Obey commands at all times."
"From time to time you
will be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in learned skills.
Failure to perform tasks properly will result in disciplinary action."
"And you," George said
strutting towards the men's group, "will learn to take command and
administer this discipline. If you are not serious, if you are not
committed, if you think this is a game, then leave right now."
Nobody moved and George
continued, "Good. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have rules in this camp.
These rules are for your safety, and for your education. They are
not flexible, and neither am I. Obey the rules and you will leave
here a better person. Disobey the rules and you will pay the price.
Do I make myself clear?"
Silence.
"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"
George repeated.
"Yes, sir" came the
discoordinated response.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
"YES, SIR!" much clearer
and louder this time.
"That's better. You're
learning. From now on you will address me as 'Sir' and my spouse
as 'Madam.' That goes for everybody, even the men. Do I make myself
clear?"
"YES SIR!"
"You women will not
address the men by their first names. You will not even address
your spouse by his first name. You will call them by their proper
title, 'Mister.' Do I make myself clear?"
"YES SIR!"
"Good. Next formation
is right here in 30 minutes. Fall in as you are now. I suggest you
get your quarters in order. Do a good job; they *will* be inspected.
Dismissed!"
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