Agreeing to go into service is easy. No harder than signing up for the Marines. He's spent so long serving his country, it's a comfort to know he'll be acting in service again.
Trusting, then. But such good instincts. It is obvious what Ken sees in him.
Chris stands, leaves the room, and returns with a binder. "Take your bags to the first room on the left. You will find a chest; the chest is for your things. Unpack and organize your belongings in some reasonable way. Return to the table and memorize the contents of this binder. Take particular note of any positions you think you will be unable to do with your knee. I will see you at dinner."
"Yes, Chris."
He goes to the first room on his left. He unpacks; clothes on this side of the chest, everything else on that side, organized more for space efficiency than in any particular order. He returns to the table and looks over the contents of the binder.
It is actually not possible to memorize this in one afternoon.
Chris can't possibly be unaware of that.
He looks at the section divides and get started on reading over the first section. He can't have the entire thing memorized by dinner; if he tries he'll forget nearly everything he's read within an hour. But he can start.
The contents say:
Section I. Virtues of a Submissive
Section II. Protocol.
1. Physical preparation.
2. Body control.
3. Forms of address.
4. Positions.
5. Voice commands.
6. Voice training.
7. Basic service.
8. Personal attendance.
9. Public attendance.
10. Escorting.
11. Lending out.
12. Mindfulness.
13. Awareness of others.
14. Self-discipline.
15. Personal care and fitness.Section II. Service.
1. Fundamental skills.
2. Housework.
3. Home maintenance.
4. Yardwork.
5. Laundry.
6. Cooking.
7. Shopping and errands.
8. Automotive.
9. Travel.
10. Secretarial.
11. Computer/electronic.
12. Financial.
13. Health care.
14. Child care.
15. Animal care.
16. Art.
17. Companionship.
18. Personal grooming and body service.
Alright. He reads section I and section II.4, making mental notes of any position he can't do with his knee and at least considering how it might be altered so he could do it, and if he has time he reads sections II.1-II.3.
Section I informs him of the importance of honor, integrity, truthfulness, humility, courtesy, loyalty, self-denial, and achievement.
Section II.4 is devoted to extremely detailed and precise descriptions of how to enter a room, kneel, carry things, follow your master around the room, and so forth. There is a reference to a position called "open" that is not present in the text. II.1 is devoted to grooming; II.2 to the fact that he is not supposed to fidget, bite his nails, or in general make any movements that are not calculated, deliberate, and graceful; II.3 to the appropriate forms of politeness when addressing a superior in various circumstances. (They are very complicated.)
Chris unpacks the bag.
"When you are in service, depending on your master's preference, you may serve him at dinner, eat separately, eat with the other slaves, or eat sitting on the floor. But I shall have you eat with me. Tell me what you learned this afternoon."
"I was able to read through section II.4 —" and he summarizes the sections, includes the notes he'd made on which positions he probably won't be able to do; he mentions a potential alteration once, and gauges Chris's expression to see if he should continue to do so.
"It is an important aspect of service to take initiative when you think your master wants something."
He'd been half-expecting to be told that was presumptuous. He's glowing, just a little bit, at Chris's smile.
He looks softer after that, more relaxed; his voice is less clipped.
He's mirroring Chris in terms of formality; he gestures marginally more when he's relaxed but mostly he's still. He has a habit of covering his mouth when he opens it.
"Yes, Chris."
He keeps lifting his hand and putting it back down again; after the fifth time he does that he looks visibly annoyed at himself for a second before his face clears.
"Count."
Chris punches him in the meaty part of his shoulder. Not hard; it won't be painful, it will just knock the breath out of him.
He hits him four more times in quick succession, aiming for different parts of Marlo's upper back.
"After you are punished, you say 'thank you, Chris.'"
"Eat." Chris sits and follows his own instructions. "I am in charge of disciplining you. I will punish your faults when I see fit. I do not appreciate having to interrupt my meal because you cannot control your annoyance at your imperfections. Are we understood?"