DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, and all the characters.
Warning: Discusses spanking
Point of View: The entire chapter is from Carlisle's POV in a first person perspective.
Security Dilemma
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
One stroke of the enter key, and the program should run. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, and watched as the first sequence ran through. 'Come on!' I silently cheered it on, and then it ended in an error. Once again the blasted program would not run. What was wrong with it? Everything looked correct, and I have checked it over many times. I see no typos, or anything of the sort. I closed all the brackets, and the comments were well-marked. What did I miss?
Once more, the words of my family suggesting a tutor ran through my mind, and maybe they were right. I put too much effort into this program, and I could feel the other courses closing in on me. I went to the student services building last week to enquire about a tutor, and overheard a few of the guys laughing at people like me. One of them joked about his kid brother having completed the project in grade three. I listened to their comments, and could not force myself to request help. This is something I will have to do on my own.
So far, I have managed well enough, but I have a term paper due in three weeks that I have yet to start. I cannot imagine how difficult my schedule would be if I had to study for my other courses. Despite the pressure and frustration of this one, it is a welcomed challenge and I do not feel as if I have completely wasted my time. Normally I would not bother with a pre-med degree, but I require this physiotherapy program to advance into the higher levels of training. It is difficult to fake a degree from the institution you wish to attend, and thus I find myself partaking in unchallenging courses.
Without further hesitation, I logged off the computer, and packed my things. This program will have to wait, as I needed to focus on my other priorities. I will finish that term paper, and then return to this assignment. I completed the other ones weeks ago, but I started work on my computer project before the professor assigned this one. Otherwise, I would have completed it already. The paper sounded easy enough, and all I really needed were the required references. I already knew everything about the topic.
I made my way to the medical library, and browsed the shelves until I found the books I needed. A quick glance at the clock informed me I had an hour yet before lab, and so I made my way to one of the available computers and e-mailed myself the required information for the electronic references. With twenty minutes to spare, I made my way to the front desk and signed out the books. The librarian scanned each one, and handed them to me. I quickly placed them into my briefcase, and moved through the security gate when annoyingly loud beeps sounded all around.
Did I set that off? I pivoted to face the gate, and noticed no others nearby. That had been me. I looked up and saw the security guard approaching me. Those things are humiliating, and yet I knew there was an error. I offered the guard a warm smile and explained, "I have no idea what caused that."
The guard actually smiled to me as he admitted, "don't worry about it, as it happens all the time. These things are very sensitive." He glanced at me and requested my briefcase, which I quickly handed to him. He walked that through the gate, and nothing beeped. He gazed to me inquisitively, and then motioned to my coat as he enquired, "May I see your jacket please?"
"Yes, by all means," I offered to the man and quickly removed it. This was not what one can call a strip search, but I began to feel like a criminal. I handed him the jacket Alice just bought me, and watched as he waved that through the gate. To my horror, the jacket beeped, and the guard then did a quick pat down search of the pockets. Thankfully, he found nothing, but he did not return the jacket to me.
He handed the jacket to the librarian and said, "Please run this coat through your scan. It is likely the jacket itself." The librarian chuckled, and proceeded to do just that. By this time, people were staring at me, and I felt humiliated. The guard returned my jacket to me and explained, "This happens all the time. It is fortunate that we caught the jacket here, and not while you were out shopping."
I gave him a puzzled glance and he explained, "The clerk forgot to deactivate the security chip when you purchased it." He opened my coat, and thumbed the size tag. There was nothing there, so he moved to the washing and care tags and motioned to a tiny pouch sewn in it. "That was the problem, but we deactivated it for you." I thanked the guard for his help, and silently speculated on how many people thought me a thief.
I walked briskly to the lab, and found myself actively engaged in the chemical experiment. I greatly appreciated my lab partner, as she showed a tremendous level of dedication and organization. I gathered the components we required for this section of the lab, and she retrieved our experiment from the previous week. We both came ready for the lab, and knew in advance what we had to do. We shared the tasks, and mixed the right chemicals. I heated the one, and watched as she applied ice to the other. The fluids reached the right temperatures, and we mixed them together with our beaker from the previous week.
We filled in our lab books while awaiting the results, and celebrated with relieved sighs when it worked as expected. We called our professor over to receive our completion grade, and then nearly effortlessly cleaned our equipment, capped our experiment, and locked it away for next week. We finished nearly an hour early.
My lab partner turned to me enquiring about the computer assignment, as she struggled with it. I admitted my difficulties with the project, and she mentioned a book that someone recommended to her. I thanked her for the advice, and we agreed to help one another once we figured out how to work the program. We both received the same error, and that in itself was puzzling.
We departed, and I briskly made my way to the bookstore in the hopes of picking up the required text. It felt like the search for the Holy Grail, and a surge of excitement coursed through my veins when I found it. This book held the answers to the miserable computer assignment. It was an older text, and looked very similar to the one I had. However, I was not fussy at this point and took what I could get.
I paid for the merchandise and headed for the door, when once again the security gates beeped at me. I stopped and waited patiently for the guard to approach. He waved my briefcase through the gates, and then had me remove my jacket as the security agent before him did. He waved that through, and to my surprise, nothing beeped. His gaze fell upon me, as he studied me curiously. He motioned for me to wait.
The man came back with a wand held in his hand, and said, "I need to scan you, please lift your arms out to your side while I do so, and keep your feet shoulder width apart." An audience now gathered and watched every second of my mortification, as he waved that wand around my body. It beeped near the waist of my pants, and again at the back of my neck. I attracted more attention today, than I had the entire time I have attended this university. The guard spoke as he mentioned, "there is something odd here, and we need to check this more closely. Please follow me, as you will want privacy."
I gaped to the man in horror, and swallowed deeply. He was no rogue vampire, but at this moment, I feared him just the same. He led me to a back office, and requested, "Please remove your shirt." I stared at him in shocked silence as he offered me a relaxed smile and mentioned, "I suspect the trouble is your clothes. Either way I cannot allow you to go until we find the problem. I apologize for the humiliation."
I nodded my head to the security guard and placed my briefcase on the floor. I then added my jacket to that, and removed my shirt. I handed that to the guard, and he waved the wand over the neck. "Yeah, that is just as I figured. You need to remain alert to this when you go shopping, as some cashiers don't give a damn about their work. It looks like they failed to deactivate the security. I'll return shortly."
This never happened before, and is not something one expects from the high-end retail stores Alice shops at. I folded my arms over my now bared chest, and waited for the guard to return with my shirt. He handed it to me, and I quickly put it on. He then motioned to my pants, "now we'll take care of those. For your sake, I hope the underwear is not the problem." My eyes widened in horror at those words, causing the man to laugh heartily. "I'm just kidding you, as that is not likely the case." I glanced at the door, and then removed my shoes. My pants soon followed, and I handed them to the man. He waved the wand over them, and once more, it was the security in the tags.
I waited patiently while he ran off with my jeans. If I were human, my skin would glow about now. He returned shortly and gave my pants to me. I quickly redressed. In a calm voice I mentioned, "You have my appreciation for granting me the privacy of this office during the ordeal." He chuckled in response, and I felt strangely at ease with him while he led me back to the security gate.
I swallowed deeply, and stared at the gates fearfully before stepping through them. Nothing happened when I walked between them, and I welcomed the silence. I offered the man a warm smile of gratitude for his efforts, and opted to leave the campus. I had enough fun for the day.
I returned to the apartment, but my children had not arrived. We ran to school today, and I would need to wait for them so we could travel together. I desperately needed to speak with someone, and pulled out my cell to call my wife. She answered immediately, and suddenly the problems of the world seemed to melt away. "Esme, I just had to hear your voice."
My wife sounded concerned as she enquired, "Carlisle, I can tell that something is bothering you. Can you speak of it?"
I shook my head out of reflex, and then added for her sake, "Esme, I had a humiliating day. The clothes Alice bought me set off security alarms throughout campus, and I eventually had to strip off my clothing to rectify the problem. It was mortifying, but at least the situation is under control and the chips were deactivated."
Esme sucked in her breath as she agreed, "I can imagine how embarrassed you were. Carlisle, are you alright? I ran into a similar situation the other day. My clothes did the same thing while I was shopping, but they managed the situation without my having to remove anything. Thankfully I had no audience and they were rather nice about it."
Upon hearing of my wife's experience, I released a deep sigh. "Esme," I began with a sense of defeat clear in my voice, "were these the clothes Alice bought for you last Monday when she drove me to school?" I waited for the expected response, and uttered quietly, "Esme, I think we have a problem."
"Carlisle, what are you saying?" Esme asked me anxiously, and I knew at this moment that Alice would soon receive a premonition. Esme's voice lowered as she enquired, "You don't think she stole the items, do you?"
"What else could it be," I asked wearily of my wife. "Esme, I hope that is not the case, and that Alice has a perfectly logical explanation for everything." I took in a deep breath and stated with a calmness I no longer felt, "Esme, I need to ask a favor of you. Alice likely realizes what we now know, and she..."
"She may take action to hide whatever evidence she has," Esme finished for me. "I've got it Carlisle. Hurry home and I will take the children out hunting while you are out. I will not let Alice out of my sight. What are your plans," she enquired of me curiously.
"At the moment I do not know what options I have," I admitted. I pinched the bridge of my nose and contemplated the situation before me. Finally, I stated, "I need to call Charlie and see if he can suggest anything. If possible I would like to examine the rest of the clothing she purchased for us, and then look through her closet." Esme agreed with my suggestion, and we ended the conversation.
I immediately called Charlie, and explained the situation to him. This was even more humiliating than my strip down at the bookstore, as Charlie knew my family. I explained what happened with my clothing, and that Esme had a similar experience. I enquired if he had any devices to pick up these chips, and fortunately his department had a wand similar to the one used at the bookstore. He promised me discretion, and we agreed to meet at our home in a few hours. I would rather scan the items myself, but I understood his concern and welcomed his help.
Edward and Bella arrived shortly after my call to Charlie. I placed my briefcase on the floor as they entered, and folded my arms over my chest as I gazed hard to my son. He dropped the book in his hand, and froze on the spot as he gaped to me fearfully. Bella had no idea what happened, and she looked from Edward to me curiously.
I motioned for my son to approach me, and waited while he slowly made his way to where I stood. He lowered his gaze to the floor, and refused to look at me. I asked Bella for her shield, and waited until I felt it cover me. I placed a finger under Edward's chin, and waited until his eyes once more met mine. "Edward, were you involved in any way?"
Edward winced, and looked ready to cry at any moment. He shook his head in the negative and said, "no, Dad. She asked me not to tell on her, and I promised not to." He lowered his gaze once more, and this time I could see he glanced at his mate before turning his gaze to the ground.
"Edward, why do you feel you deserve a spanking," I asked firmly, as I tapped at his chin once more directing him to look me in the eye. I stood firmly, and with Bella's shield on me I knew he was unable to read my mind. He attempted to look me in the eye, but my gaze to him was hard.
"Dad, please can this wait until we get home?" He glanced up to me with watery eyes, and motioned to Bella as he continued to plead without answering my question. I cleared my throat impatiently, and in whispered tones, he said, "Because I deliberately kept information from you."
I sighed patiently, and calmly explained, "Edward, your gift is not a tool for me to abuse." He swallowed deeply, and now gazed to me with a confused expression. "Son, I will not force you to tattle on your siblings. The relationship and trust you build with them is more important, than having you play the role of informant for me.
I realized I needed to explain further, and so I continued. "I demand that you tell me of a situation or action that will bring harm to the family or person involved. On occasion, I will ask your help in interrogation, but the family will know beforehand. I would abuse your gift to have you use it to betray your siblings. Yes, that would make my life a great deal easier, but at what cost to you and the family? That is something to consider Edward, and for this reason, I do not believe that you deserve any kind of punishment. Your actions are not at fault."
Both he and Bella looked greatly relieved by that bit of information and I offered them a smile. Edward turned to me in confusion, so I explained, "I watched your expression as you read my mind, and guilt overcame you. I began to wonder exactly what your role in this fiasco was, and wished to find out. Did you find my method effective?"
"Dad, you terrified the heck out of me. I really thought you were going to spank me with Bella standing here, and it was horrifying. The shield prevented me from realizing you were just BSing, and I nearly panicked." Edward stated in all seriousness, "Your method was very effective."
"Indeed," I admitted while picking up the briefcase. "I apologize for having frightened you so badly. I need to meet with Chief Swan at our home in a couple of hours, are you two soon ready to go?" They moved to their desks, and picked up the books they required for the night. When satisfied we locked up, and headed back to the reserve.
Charlie pulled up as we arrived, and I noticed Esme and the children had not yet returned from their hunting trip. Bella enthusiastically greeted her Father, and after they exchanged terms of endearment she and Edward ran into the house. I greeted Charlie with a slight wave of my hand, and mentioned, "It pleases me to have your assistance."
Charlie scratched at his chin with his thumb and index finger in contemplation, and then walked to the back of the patrol car and retrieved the wand from the trunk, "not sure what good this will do, but I'm happy to help. What is this about Carlisle?"
I motioned toward the house, and he followed me inside. Instead of stopping in the main area, I led the man directly to my bedroom. I can only imagine what he thought of that. Turning to him I admitted, "Charlie, I need you to believe that it is my intention to get the full story, and to make restitution to all affected parties." He nodded his head to me in understanding, and so I continued, "I asked you hear today, as I suspect one of my children of having committed the crime of shop lifting. I know she will admit to the problem, but I need your wand to help me determine how large a situation I am dealing with."
"It isn't Bella, is it," Charlie anxiously asked of me, to which I promptly shook my head. Bella's voice rang clearly from their room as she scolded her Father for even thinking that of her. Chief Swan did not seem to mind, as he only looked relieved.
I showed him to my closet and explained, "Alice purchases most of my clothes, and some for Esme. Would you mind using the wand in our closet to find any item that still has an active chip?" I opened the door to the dressing room, and then proceeded to open the drawers and cabinets holding my things. He scanned the wand over everything, and we pulled out each offending item. He then did the same with Esme's items, and neither one of us appeared comfortable as he moved it over her unmentionables. Maybe I should have waited for her to join me.
Charlie motioned to the pile of clothes as he admitted, "those are the only ones the wand picked up. Carlisle, do you honestly suspect her of stealing?"
I shrugged my shoulders helplessly as I admitted, "I truly hope that is not the case, but if it is I need to know. I cannot have my children disrespecting another's property, and it is something I need to deal with immediately." Charlie glanced at me knowingly, and I motioned for him to follow me further. I led him to Alice's bedroom, and he moved his wand over her things. Fortunately, for her the only items of interest were those picked up the other day. Curiously, I turned to Charlie and enquired, "Is it possible for the store to not have deactivated anything?"
Charlie rubbed at his chin as he considered the questions, "yes, it could very easily be the case if their computer wasn't working properly. Ah heck, those things are so technical I can imagine there are a thousand reasons for them not to work."
I glanced at the items, and mentioned, "I would like to deactivate them myself." I returned to my room, and before Charlie arrived, I used vampire speed to squish every tag I could see. I completely crushed the little chip inside, and then asked him to wave the wand again.
He looked at me in surprise, and with a shrug of his shoulders admitted, "Now they don't register at all." He gave me an amused look as he enquired, "How did you do that?"
"I crushed them," I admitted in all honesty. "Charlie, I will find out what happened here, and you have my word that I will make right whatever wrongs she committed.
"I know you will Carlisle, and I wish you the best in whatever happens. I understand your concerns, and I appreciate that you took action when most parents these days would rather shove the matter under the carpet. I'm just glad it wasn't Bella," he admitted once more. Charlie needed to return to his duties, and I thanked him as I escorted him out. He called loudly over his shoulder as he turned to leave, "Love yah Bells, see you later!"
"Bye Dad!" I heard Bella reply with an equally loud shout.
I watched as the man pulled out, and contemplated taking a seat on the porch to await the return of the family. Instead, I dashed to my study, and attempted to sort through the references needed for the upcoming term paper. Esme and I have much to discuss when she and the children return from the hunt.
