An experiment into the relative efficacy of surgically implanted electrodes

"Mr. and Mrs. Whymper, pleased to meet you." The middle aged man in the bespoke suit shook their hands warmly, social distancing apparently forgotten. "I am Doctor Grey and you must be Rebecca." He looked the ginger college student over from head to toe, with a level of scrutiny usually reserved for much prettier girls. She tried not to embarrass her parents by squirming under his gaze, but was understandably apprehensive about what was due to happen today.

"Please, sit." The doctor (of philosophy, not medicine, despite the fact they were meeting in a hospital clinic) indicated three chairs across from his desk. Two had padded seats and armrests, whilst the third was made of hard white plastic, with no concessions to comfort. Rebecca took this one without conscious thought.

"We're so happy you're able to offer our daughter a place in this experimental trial," said Mrs. Whymper. She and her husband were busy people and had found it more efficient to discipline Rebecca by ordering her to connect a pair of clips to her labia and set the pulse generator for a specified number of shocks, rather than going to all the trouble of stripping and spanking her themselves. They had been interested in surgical implants when they first became available, but decided the cost was too great. Then, a few months ago, Mrs. Whymper saw an article about the experiment, which offered free implantations to volunteers willing to take part. It had taken a couple of medical examinations, but Rebecca had been accepted and now here they were.

"And we're happy to have her," Grey replied. "It is generally accepted that shocks administered through internal electrodes are much more severe than those received externally, but until now there has been no scientific attempt to quantify exactly how much more severe. Rebecca and our other volunteers will help answer this question through rigorous experiment, rather than anecdotal evidence." The Whympers had read all this in the prospectus, but nodded attentively as it was explained again. "Now, before we sign the contracts, do you have any questions?"

The parents shook their heads, but the girl tentatively raised her hand.

"You don't need to put your hand up, young lady. Just ask away. I'm here to clear up any concerns you may have."

"I'm sorry," she licked her dry lips, "it's just, nobody's explained how the experiment will actually work."

"Ah, it's actually quite simple. Twice a day, you will receive two sets of shocks, one through your new implants and the other using a more traditional device. You will then tell our researcher which was more distressing for you. To make sure your answer is accurate, the less distressing set will then be repeated, so you have a real incentive to make the right decision. Your responses will be added to all our other volunteers of different races, ages and body types, to produce an average baseline, allowing for variation between individuals."

"So, she might get three shocks through clamps on her labia, then two through the implants and would then have to choose between getting the three again or just two, probably more painful ones?" Mr. Whymper sought to clarify.

"Yes, although the numbers will vary much more widely than that. We aim to find a ratio where volunteers are split right down the middle regarding which is worse."

Rebecca clenched her thighs together. This sounded awful. She already knew the experiment was scheduled to last three years, although the scientists had the right to reduce or extend it indefinitely without her consent, depending upon the interim results gathered. Even three years, though, amounted to over two thousand sessions of what she could only think of as ****. Technically, it was her decision whether to take part or not, but refusing at this late stage would mean answering to her parents, who would undoubtedly do everything in their power to ensure she regretted defying them.

She realized Doctor Grey was still talking and tried to pay attention while he went over the details of the contract again, although her parents and their solicitor had already checked it over. Basically, ElectroDiscipline Services Limited (EDS) would pay all the costs related to the implantation procedure and in return, Rebecca would agree to take part in the experiment run by the psychology department of Imperial and City University (IaCU). If she wanted to drop out, she would have to pay back all costs and also pay compensation to the university, as well as submitting to a punishment determined by EDS and IaCU, which she assumed would be worse than just completing the trial.

Grey opened the folder on his desk and placed the contract from it in front of the gangly student, taking a pen from his pocket, removing the lid and offering it to her. Rebecca took it with a shaking hand.

"If you will just sign here and here to agree to the terms and then also here to confirm that you understand what you've just signed, then I will take you to the nurse who will prepare you for the procedure."