Four

Applause rolls around the audience as Ellie tensely waits for feedback. She has to remind herself to breath, as the prospect of a public caning looms in her mind. How did she get herself here... The optimistic part of her tries to tell her there is a decent chance to get away with it still. Also, petty as this thought is, she is getting paid for being here. And quite a lot too. Granted, she probably would not have accepted it if she knew the cost in advance, but now that she is here anyway, she might as well enjoy the income. Her scholarship only goes so far. Speaking of money... The host announces that the results are ready and her reward will now be updated.

The figure on the screen jumps from 10,000 to 15,000 credits as the host narrates that this is the fixed part and Ellie will also get 1,000 for each correct answer. With a fanfare the number changes to 16,000. 17,000. The number keeps climbing. Ellie actually breathes out with relief when it hits 21,000, thinking she must have done decently after all... But that is where the count stops and her heart sinks. 6,000 bonus. Six correct answers. She got four wrong. She will not get away with six strokes. Or twelve.

"This was an improvement, but unfortunately four answers were incorrect", the host confirms what she already knows. "This is the failure we must now address." Any glee in his look is carefully hidden, but Ellie is not looking at him anyway. The frozen girl's expression is fixed on the bench being rolled out, complete with wring and ankle restraints and a line of hooks housing spanking and BDSM gear. The assistants bend down to put safety breaks on the wheels of the bench before retreating.

The host walks to the bench, picks a cane from its hook and swishes it through the air, making the girl shudder. "I must confess something", he says calmly, as if about to reveal a liking to a poorly received film. "I am not actually that big a fan on this bench. Would you prefer to be caned over this armchair instead? If it turns out you need to be secured, we can always move to the bench later". Ellie nods, not really knowing why. Being consulted on the exact method of her **** should have struck her as the highest degree of mockery, but she finds herself caring relatively little about it. The girl is terrified to the degree of being all but numb emotionally.

Without really knowing it, she is hoping for a sign from the host that there is a way to get out of this. She does not know if she will take it, because it will probably be even more horrible in some other way, but she desperately wants there to be one. She suddenly remembers being outraged when her now-ex boyfriend suggested spanking her in bed; now she kind of wishes she agreed. At least she would know how it feels. Maybe it will not be as bad as she fears and she will be able to take it, Ellie tries to tell herself... But she knows what the chances of that are.

The host also suspects she will not last the entire ordeal, unless, of course, she is secured and given no other options. If she does, however, it would not be as big a win as he hoped for, but neither would it be a loss. He naturally would prefer her to beg, **** herself and denounce her views to get out of physical pain, but completing her caning and praising her bravery and dedication is also a viable outcome. A semi-naked sore-bottomed crying but defiant feminist - what is not to like there?