Prompted by an overheard phone conversation at Shadow Lane's fall 2006 party.
Okay, so part of what's triggering this entry my classic anxiety about what Pablo could possibly get out of the disciplinary end of our relationship. I mean, it seems to me like work he's having to do keeping me from drifting off onto circular or self-destructive paths. When we've talked about it before he's generally made a bit of a joke in his dry English way, answering that what he gets out of it is "a quiet life."
It's a cute comment but didn't really tell me much. Not what this bit of eavesdropping and subsequent conversation (with me, not eavesdropping) did.
Anyway, so Pablo and I were sitting in the lobby of the Stardust drinking coffee (okay, only I was having it, but it's important enough to my ability to function that it's a priority for Paul as well), chatting with Ian (AKA The London Tanner) when his phone rang. He took the call and the two of us continued chatting. I didn't even think I was listening until I heard something along the lines of "you'd better be, because you don't want to know what will happen if you're not."
Wow. I sure heard that part.
Um, that high pitched ping was something of a collective ear perking. Ian, being a charming and perceptive man, must have noticed this and understood. So when the conversation was over, he started talking about what he'd accomplished in this disciplinary relationship -- how he'd helped provide the structure and discipline for her to turn her life around. I wish I didn't have a brain like swiss cheese and could remember more of his exact words, but it was very cool to listen to.
And it stayed in my mind for the rest of the day and through our drive home. Because this young woman (who isn't the first he's helped in this fashion) isn't his partner/wife or lover (at least as far as I know). That didn't seem to be the point or what he was getting out of it. He was proud of her accomplishments and pleased (I think) with himself for helping her make good changes in her life.
And besides that, I suspect Ian liked spanking her too. But maybe that wasn't entirely the point either.
Of course, it did give me something new to feel anxious about. After all, I tend to repeatedly do things I've already been punished for. That probably keeps Pab from feeling quite so much job satisfaction. :( Then again, maybe the tawse he bought from Ian will help (!!!).
