Well, someone has to provide transport

The remaining days drag far too slowly for the two women, but the over their education and careers the lessons of the cost of letting distraction have an impact on their performance have been well-learnt. Few who did not know could tell something was on their minds - and none just from their work performance. They even have started preliminary work on a new (and arguably a more ambitious) project, which hopefully would see increased funding for wind energy.

Needless to say, on the day of their punishment beginning the two women arrive with plenty of time to spare. Being late was never a great start to one's punishment; it is seen as doubly disrespectful and the woman in question would likely find herself in tears before the punishment for the original misconduct even began. Sarah and Lydia, however, decided it more prudent to wait in a nearby cafe by the edge of the square instead of marching straight to the podium; an awkward conversation with colleagues, rivals and simply participants was the last thing they needed. Despite their nervousness and the need to keep an eye on the clock, they even somewhat manage to enjoy the (very nice) coffee. They also use their chance to use the bathroom; punishments have been known to take long enough to make bladder desperation a major part in its own right.

They emerge with minutes to spare and head straight to the small podium this time. There is an object the size of a small car or thereabouts covered with cloth by its base and the two councilwomen make their way past it, trying to guess the shape underneath. They have little doubt they will see it, whatever it is, in action very soon. In fact they would be lucky to only see it. The woman and the man who will be punishing them are not around, likely planning for a dramatic on-the-second entrance.

They indeed make such an entrance, pulling up on modest (and very green energy-wise , to drive the point home) bicycles, clearly having chatted together on the way. They are right on time so Sarah and Lydia only had a couple of minutes of awkwardness to endure as they stood on the podium alone but in everyone's full view already, trying to chat quietly and ignore the comments and guesses on what will happen to them from below.

The punishment route begins as they usually do. The disciplinarians take their places and make a short introduction. The two women strip in front of their voters; neither is particularly horrified of her body, but neither feels anything but burning shame. At least the punishment itself does not take away their chances on the next election, but now that might as well be a lifetime away. The two women then read their apologies sincerely; they both know they did screw up after all, but it does not mean they want Councilman Lampard to do something about it. Only when they expect to be told how many strokes and with what implements they will be getting the routine is broken.

"These two ladies..." Sarah the party "whip" (well, not quite, but Lydia always thought it an amusing pun) announces "... will not be corporeally punished per se. Instead, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome their repentance tool." The cloth is pulled away by two forewarned local citizens... to reveal a small cart, enough to sit perhaps four. From its front dangle two easily identifiable harnesses. Lydia's idea of a small car was not that far from the truth, after all.