Playing (more traditional) school

It is not about the reward anymore. Ellie knows there is a catch and she cannot possibly risk being spanked by this monster (it is not the pain she is scared of, but placing herself into such a position at all), but she just has to show them. The impossibility of leaving with an "F" (however meaningless that grade is) wins the short but violent struggle in her mind against all her better senses screaming at her to grab her clothes and leave the rigged game. She has to show them.

"Deal", she says, in what she thinks is a loud and clear voice. "I want a comfortable seat, a minute per question and legal assurances that the A and B options are truly random". She does not ask about the consequences, whether financial or in case of failure. Partly this is because she overlooks it in an attempt to sound mature, dignified and rational; partly, however, she is just too focused on proving she can do it, consequences be damned.

"Absolutely". The host nods solemnly and gets up. "You can have this chair. A minute per question. And I do guarantee the computer-generated randomness of any process declared random; you may make a request to verify this later". He knows she will not. Moving carefully not to expose more than necessary in her underwear, Ellie makes her way to the throne-like chair, into which she all but sinks when she sits down. The barely visible IT staff at the back are quickly changing the settings and moments later they signal their readiness. "All ready to begin then", the host states rather than asks, but Ellie says "Yes" loudly nonetheless to assert herself... Also confirming her consent to participate in the next task. "You may be interested to know that the penalty for each wrong answer will consist of six strokes with a cane. The reward will have a fixed and a bonus compo..."

Forgetting all self-control and manners, Ellie cuts right in. "Six strokes?! For each? WHAT?!" For the first time, her mind allows the possibility that the spanking will actually be painful. Maybe to the point she cannot bear and where her pride will mean nothing. She can barely imagine what one mistake's consequences would be like, never mind more. "You cannot do this, it's ridiculous!" She is trying her best to keep her voice from trembling.

The host's calmness is not even dented by the girl's outburst. He mentioned the severity of the spanking before rather than after the test for a reason, after all. "I absolutely assure you we can, Ellie", he says. "You are legally committed to completing the task now as you well know. There will be no risk to your health; our medical expert has reviewed your pre-show questionnaire and in any case, she will monitor the process, ready to stop it should the need arise. Furthermore, such a punishment used to be quite standard for young ladies failing their examinations; it is reasonable, I believe, to apply it to a university student such as yourself. Did you not say a minute ago you will score ten out of ten anyway? Each individual mistake then constitutes a failure on its own. Each would suffice to make you fall short of the target".

The host is well aware of the turmoil and fear he has planted in fidgeting half-naked girl's mind (in fact, he even overlooks some aspects of it, such as the sting of betrayal resulting from the knowledge a female doctor is participating in this; somehow the show's psychologists missed this so far). His best guess is that Ellie will go on with a task, albeit in a much more distracted and anxious state. Some girls, however, began to beg for a way out before even trying. Well, he would certainly be willing to be flexible if this one follows that particular path too.