Joe was with another man dressed in a doctor's coat similar to the one who had implanted the necklace. He was giving him explanations and finally held out what looked like an electronic device and said goodbye to him, leaving through an adjoining door. Joe then turned his eyes to me, that was approaching led by the policeman. I unmistakably noticed the shock on his face when he saw me. Evidently seeing someone you know, with whom you have shared many moments, naked, completely bald and shaved and with that necklace around his neck, would be shocking for anyone, and Joe was not going to be an exception.
Before reaching him, the policeman who was taking me stopped me and quickly and with the skill that comes from a lot of practice, he put my hands behind my back and cuffed them again. Once this was done, he took me to where Joe was waiting and when he arrived he made me kneel down violently. The blow against the floor caused a deep pain in my knees.
-KNEEL BEFORE YOUR MASTER, SLAVE! AND KISS HIS SHOES! SHOW HIM YOUR RESPECT! -he aggressively shouted at me.
Feeling his truncheon on my back and filled with fear, I could do nothing but bow my head and kiss my former friend's dress shoe. When I looked up at him I could see the satisfaction on his face. The policeman handed him the key to the handcuffs, while saying:
-The slave is now in your custody, Sir. Do not hesitate to come to us if you need help in training him or if he causes you any further trouble. We know how to deal with unruly slaves.
-Thank you, Constable -Joe replied-. I don't think that will be necessary.
The policeman turned and walked away. Joe helped me up from the ground and led me to the gate leading to the compound's parking lot. It was already late afternoon. Fortunately it was summer and my nakedness was only embarrassing, not cold. As soon as we got out and we were alone, I told him:
-Joe, how could you...?
He cut me off with a gesture and said:
-Slave, it seems to me that you are not yet aware of your new situation. You and I used to be friends, but that is over forever. Now I am your master, you owe me total obedience and, of course, absolute respect at all times. So I am no longer "Joe" to you. From now on you will address me as Sir or Master, understood?
-Joe, you can't be serious, I... -suddenly the collar on my neck activated and gave me a painful shock, which doubled me over in pain.
-Are you going to go on that way? -Joe asked me-. I think we are going very badly. As I told you, you owe me absolute obedience, and one of the rules of a slave is that he never, NEVER, speaks unless asked.
I was going to answer him, but when I saw his angry face I restrained myself. I didn't want to get another shock. I realized the power of the infamous collar. It left us completely at the mercy of whoever wielded it, even if they were weaker than us. It wasn't my case, anyway. Joe was two inches taller and much bigger than me.
He led me to his car and made me get in the back. He then said to me:
-I was going to uncuff you, but seeing your attitude I don't trust you and I don't want to risk you doing something foolish.
My attitude? Was he crazy? what did he expect, that I would accept that willingly?
Joe got into the car and drove home. It was almost dark. When we arrived I remembered the times I had been there, in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere, and it seemed incredible to see myself in that situation. Joe helped me out of the car. As soon as we got out I said to him:
-Joe, listen to me... -I tried to make him reason. Another painful prick from the necklace.
-What's wrong with you? Are you stupid, don't you listen or what? -he said angrily.
-Please, Joe... -I begged in pain. Another shock, now bigger than the previous one.
-Well, I didn't want it to come to this, but it's clear that I have to do it -he said, and I saw him take out his cell phone and operate with it. When he finished, he looked at me and said: -I just programmed the collar to automatically activate every time you try to talk, and the more you try to talk, the bigger the shock. That will teach you to be quiet.
Stunned and terrified at what I had just heard, I wanted to protest, but as soon as I tried to make a sound, the collar shook me violently. I tried again and the shock was so strong that it knocked me to the ground. I couldn't believe that my heretofore friend was doing this to me. My expression of panic must have been such that Joe seemed to take some pity and said in a softer tone, as he helped me up:
-Well, well... if you behave I will deprogram it, don't worry. It is not my intention to mute you forever. Now I'm going to uncuff you. I hope you won't do anything foolish.