You have an appointment with the French lectrice

Remembering that you've arranged to meet Léa Dupond at lunchtime, you hurry back to the SCR, getting there just in time to see her arrive with a tall, dark-skinned young woman whose thick brown hair is gathered into several long plaits. You walk over to greet them and Léa introduces her companion as Ayesha, one of her teaching assistants. You invite them inside for lunch and decide to wait until after you've all eaten to explain your plan.

The canteen is much busier at midday than it was last night and the three of you end up squeezed onto a table no larger than the one at which you and Léa ate yesterday. You find out that Ayesha, whose deep brown eyes regard you inquisitively from behind a pair of thick round spectacle lenses, is only twenty-two, but has shown great aptitude as an educator, so Léa thought she would be perfect for the mysterious job you have devised.

After the table has been cleared, you adjourn to the lounge, where it's considerably quieter than the crowded canteen. There, you finally enlighten your companions.

"In life," you begin, "it is the responsibility of older men to discipline younger women. In certain institutions, however, it is necessary for people in authority, of all ages and both genders, to administer corporal punishment on occasion. This university is one of those institutions, where students must be able to rely upon all their tutors and supervisors for appropriate chastisement, not just the older men.

"Now, it has come to my attention that some of our less experienced staff, including Mlle. Dupond, here, lack confidence in administering that chastisement. Of course, the university already provides training to all staff members in various areas including discipline, but I understand that when it comes to corporal punishment, it is more theoretical, rather than practical in nature and spanking is one skill where practical application is, I believe, essential to improve.

"I have discussed this with the President of the college and we have decided that selected teaching assistants will be given the opportunity to give extra training to lectors, lectrices, career development fellows, tutorial fellows and possibly others. That is where you come in, Ayesha. I would like you to train Mlle. Dupond in the use of all the implements employed within the university and at the end of term I'll give you an exam of sorts, to check that your lessons have borne fruit."

Both women are nodding enthusiastically. Clearly, your idea is popular, so you continue, this time addressing Léa.

"What I propose is that I will choose three or four implements and have you demonstrate spankings of varying severity upon Ayesha. If you manifest sufficient confidence and control, then the experiment will be a success and we can start rolling out the programme throughout the college." You turn back to Ayesha. "However, if Mlle. Dupond falls short, then I will have to conclude that you failed in your duties and punish you appropriately."

Léa gasps at that and protests, "Oh, but Jaques, surely it is unfair for Ayesha to be punished for my failings?"

"Don't worry, Léa," you reply, "I'll punish you, too, if the situation arises." For some reason this news doesn't seem to reassure her very much, so you add a little more. "If it turns out that the two of you don't succeed, you can both try again next term, with a different trainer and trainee."

"You mean another tee-eh would train me and Ayesha would have to train another lectrice?"

"Or a lector, or career development fellow, or whatever. She'll just keep going until she does succeed in bringing someone up to the required standard."

All through this, the studious brunette has remained silent, but now she speaks.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I've never given a spanking. I don't know how much use I'd be teaching the mademoiselle."

"No, but you've taken quite a few, I expect." She nods in confirmation. "So you know how a spanking is supposed to feel. After Mlle. Dupond practises with a particular implement, you can tell her how it differs from normal and between the two of you, I'm sure you'll be able to work out what she's doing right or wrong. If you ever need a demonstration of correct technique, I will be happy to demonstrate."

"Wait, you mean the mademoiselle is going to practise spanking me with every implement in the university?"

"That's right. Practice is the only way to perfect one's technique and I suggest you both work very hard, because I have exacting standards, as you will find out in your end of term examination."

Ayesha looks like she's going to burst into tears, but Léa seems quite positive about her prospects.

"Thank-you, Jaques. This will be very helpful, I'm sure. Ayesha and I will arrange a training schedule and I will keep you up to date as regards our progress. Ayesha, thank the professor for this opportunity."

"Yes," she pulls herself out of her sudden attack of despondency to reply," thank-you, Professor. I won't let you down."

Standing up, you say goodbye and leave them to discuss the next steps, pleased with your good deed. You still have a couple of hours to kill before your intermediate tutorials this afternoon and consider your options.