Present?

Lynn's mind raced. "What the hell is happening to me?!" she thought.

She had always prided herself on being strong-willed. She had stood up to her mom, who didn't want her to work and be a cheerleader as it would mean less time for study and family. She had refused the advances of her last two boyfriends, never letting them get past second base. She had never given in to pressure to drink, smoke, do pot, X, or anything else illegal, but Ms. Cooper had a strange hold on her. Lynn could not figure it out. What was it about Ms. Cooper? Why did she have absolutely no will power around her? Why did she immediately submit to everything Ms. Cooper told her to do, no matter how humiliating or embarrassing?

All the other employees acted the same around Ms. Cooper, but for some reason never discussed it amongst themselves. Was she doing something to them? Why couldn't Lynn just walk out and quit?

Ms. Cooper handed a paper bag with handles to Lynn. "Here, it's yours. Open it."
Lynn opened the bag and pulled out a strange, black hard rubber object. It was about 5 inches long and tapered with a slight bulge in the middle. She didn't know what it was.

"You are sooo naive," said Ms. Cooper. "It's a butt-plug, and not just any kind." She smiled and reached into the bottom of the bag. She pulled out a tiny remote control. She smiled again.