First things first, "disappointed" is simply NOT a word that applies, at all
I am seriously enjoying each and every part of this, and as I start to work through my rather large story backlog, I have an eye on your authors page on gromet's plaza, so many more of your stories to discover and explore!
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After my last reply I remembered a rather terrible, from my point of view, experience with "tree climbing". Simply not something I enjoyed at all, but the way the safety harnesses work came back to mind. Basically it was a "double lock". In order to release side A, you had to secure something to side B before side A could be released. This way the customer was guaranteed to always be secured, via the lock and harness, to the safely line. I don't remember very well how it worked, but the mechanism was fairly simple, and without a spare "key" you could not get out mid way round.
It occurred to me that something like this would aid as a fairly simple security measure for Jackie, while she is being kept in one building or one area. Something simple while the shock collar is looked into
This would require some extra form of "control", something external to hold over Jackie to make sure she didn't go running off when at her classes, and outside of direct supervision. I know and accept that to submissive Jackie the very idea is unacceptable, but after she ran away as a puppy, everyone is going to want some extra safeguards in place. It can start with something as simple as no cash, no money, no extra clothes and not learning how to drive. Harder to run away then, but only a start point... something may come to me in a bit.
The closest to "disappointment" this is coming is missing returning to the mystery and interest of the "deserted" mental health hospital, a venue that seemed so very full of promise, and also its own mystery or two that you teased me with some parts ago. Of course, once based at a local college then it is within reach once more, if and when a change of venue becomes useful.
Looking at the deepening and changing relationship between the girls, it's sometimes hard to call them women, I do think a change of direction is required, making this into something deeper, more meaningful and longer lasting! Simply one summer of dares and it is over... this no longer fits, not with the changes that are taking place, and the looming reality of having to hire your own maid, or horror of horrors, do the work yourself for her two entitled friends!!! Much as their parents look after and indulge them, it seems unlikely that they would be sent to college with a live in maid to tend for them! At least not thanks to their parents.
The clues for the historical setting are all there, especially once listed, I just never really picked up on them, being much more focused on other things
Certainly society in general seems / looks much less accepting of their differences than it seems today. Of course, society tends to be more accepting of rich people doing "eccentric" things, so this is another point of control for the friends, and another line of social control, as Jackie is expected not to act up around her "betters", at least in some social settings.
Given the very strong focus from Gregory on pet play, and the fact that both Jackie and her friends are drawn, to a degree, to this, says that some form of dog control is going to be needed. Given Gregory is well established inside a good sized (they have shows) pet play culture, there is plenty of scope for him to have contacts who have looked into a shock collar, even if this isn't something he is going to develop entirely on his own.
A related thought, if he starts developing this, but Jackie's friends are able to come in as business partners for his fledgling idea, they bring the money and some contacts, he the technical skills, Jackie the test model and test case... This could help to tie things together a little more neatly.
Yes, Jackie as a dog escaping seems "to easy", but down on all fours, obstructions are very different than they are to an upright human, especially one not looking to wade through mud, thorns, slippery banks, etc. The sort of terrain dog's love to disappear into, which are a total pain to follow on two legs! Plus, how can Gregory not have been somewhat distracted, and had his mind on other things? *evil smirk*
The idea of Dana's older brother, and "payment", it raises an obvious question and thought. One form of payment is obviously Jackie offering up some form of sexual services, we are already showing clear movement in this direction. BUT, also, anything that happens has to be done without invoking to much jealousy from her friends, even as her friends are happy to use sex to bribe and manipulate a boy they fancy having a three way with.
This actually, in a way, leads me back towards pet Jackie, since having "pet Jackie" in a sexual setting is much less "threatening" than "here is our friend, another woman, competing with us for sexual attention and interest".
ps - how do I encourage you to revisit "dumped by the side of the road" one of these days?