Fuck the Rules Read online

  She kicked out, planting her foot in his stomach. His breath blasted from his lungs in a choking rattle and his eyes popped. Not waiting to see the results of her attack, Mia raced towards the framed list of rules and wrenched it free from its mounting.

  The first line screamed out at her – Safe. Sane. Consensual.

  Her safety was no longer assured; his sanity had departed and there was nothing consensual about what he wanted to do to her.

  Mia clutched the heavy frame to her breasts and walked back to where the gasping man lay. She paused and glowered down at him. “I have lived by these fucking rules for three years and I have never complained. I chose this life, and I have loved this life. I have been happy to serve, love and to please you.” She sniffed back her tears. “But you’ve destroyed my trust in you. I’m scared of you and I’ve never been scared before. And now there’s someone else to consider.”

  “You’re going to pay for this disobedience, sub,” he growled.

  “I don’t think so. You wrote these rules and I agreed to follow them. But guess what, Sir? Rules are meant to be broken.” She raised the frame high above her head. “I’m sorry, Sir, but fuck. Your. Rules. I release you.” She brought it crashing down. The wood splintered and the glass shattered as it smashed into his head. A clear shard pierced his left eye and gelatinous, bloody fluid slithered down his cheek. A chunk of wood scuttled across the floor, dropping matted hair and a trail of blood in its wake. Sobbing, she picked up a length of loose frame and smashed it again and again against her Master’s skull until he was completely silent and still.

  Mia collapsed to the floor at his side. “I’m sorry, Sir,” she sobbed, “but you left me no choice.” The printed list of rules had slipped free of its mount and lay blood-stained next to his body. Mia reached out and plucked the sheet from the mess around her. Most of the words were now illegible, blurred by the glutinous splattering of blood and hair, but one rule was unscathed.

  Always respect your Master.

  Patience

  Skip Novak

  The past was dead, the future was unimaginable.

  George Orwell, 1984

  A man that studies Revenge keeps his own wounds green.

  Francis Bacon

  To: Jodi Muellar

  From: ?

  Subject: Your questions answered

  My name is unimportant and my actions shall speak for themselves. Over the past ten years I have assisted in creating a world of information, technology and communication under the guise of helping mankind. In truth, this has all been a ruse to destroy RL Industries and the man who destroyed, not just my family, but the families of countless others.

  If you are reading this file then I am either dead or I have succeeded. In either case, my whereabouts are unimportant and unnecessary to this tale. Enclosed you will find articles, tape recordings, text messages, emails and letters that span almost ten years of treachery performed by one person for the sole sake of feeding his ego.

  I’ve been told that revenge, once fulfilled, leaves a person feeling empty, alone and without direction. I find this to be untrue. I am now free of my past and looking toward a future that I can be at peace with.

  New Harbor Ledger, March 29, 1986

  Fire Destroys Local Deputy’s House

  By Jodi Muellar

  NEW HARBOR – The New Harbor Volunteer Fire Department was called out to the home of Deputy Randolph Fitzgerald in the early morning hours. When the fire fighters arrived at the home located at 601 Aspen Road, in the Waterview neighborhood, the house was already engulfed in flames.

  “Right now, I can’t really say what caused the fire but it looks as if it may have been electrical in nature,” said Volunteer Fire Chief Raymond. “We will be contacting the State Fire Marshall’s office to do a complete investigation.”

  “We have not been able to determine if anyone was home at the time of the fire or the whereabouts of Deputy Fitzgerald or his son, Edward,” said Sheriff Brian Skelton. “Frankly, I find this surprising since he is one of the best deputies I’ve ever had the honor to train.”

  At the time of the fire the home was occupied by Deputy Randolph Fitzgerald and his son, Edward. The father and son haven’t been seen since attending the New Harbor High School Open Track Meet Friday evening.

  Attempts to speak with Ms. Layla Fitzgerald about the whereabouts of her former husband and son have been unsuccessful.

  If anyone has seen or heard from Deputy Fitzgerald or his son, please contact the sheriff’s office as soon as possible.

  —

  New Harbor Ledger, March 31, 1986

  Community Saddened by Loss of Family

  By Jodi Muellar

  NEW HARBOR – Two bodies were discovered in the burned-out remains of the Fitzgerald home on Sunday. The State Fire Marshall’s office is not revealing the identities of the bodies until they can be properly identified.

  “At this point in the investigation we can only speculate that the bodies are of the home owner and his son,” stated Sheriff Skelton. “We will be sending the remains to the state forensics lab in Richmond for identification.”

  “They were great neighbors, always willing to help a person in a storm or even with yard work,” said Mrs. DaSilva, an elderly handicapped woman who lived next door to the Fitzgeralds. “This neighborhood won’t be the same without them.”

  “Edward will be missed,” said New Harbor High School principal, Markus Smith. “He was captain of the Chess Club, and as a freshman, he was one of the founding members of the Computer Club. This is a sad day for all of us.”

  “Eddie taught me why the Spanish defense is so helpful against the Ruy Lopez opening move. He also analyzed my games,” said Nick Thornton, a fellow Chess Club member. “He was always reading about new strategies and ways to improve his game. Even though he didn’t always win, he always tried his hardest.”

  Deputy Fitzgerald was a highly decorated veteran officer of the New Harbor Sheriff’s Department and is best known for generating interest in the growing homeless population of our city. He played a key role in getting corporate sponsorship from RL Industries in building the two homeless shelters we now have. He was also responsible for starting the local chapters of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

  “He [Deputy Fitzgerald] was tireless in his requests for our assistance in making our city safe for all the residents,” remarked R.E. Liles, Sr., CEO of RL Industries. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen a person so passionate about making his community a better place. I just wish I had people like him working for me.”

  A memorial for the Fitzgeralds is set for Friday, April 4 at 3:30 p.m. in the high school’s new gymnasium.

  —

  New Harbor Ledger, April 2, 1986

  Missing Heir to Local Fortune

  By Jodi Muellar

  NEW HARBOR – R.E. Liles, Sr. has notified the Sheriff’s department that his son, R.E. (Rodger) Liles, Jr. has been missing since Monday, March 31. Rodger was last seen on Friday, March 28 when he packed his Ford Bronco and went to the family cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

  “He [Rodger] was supposed to have arrived home early Monday morning,” said R.E. Liles, Sr. in a phone interview with this reporter. “When he didn’t come home after a weekend in the mountains I sent the company helicopter to our cabin with one of my assistants, who reported back to me that it was empty.”

  This is not the first time Rodger has gone missing. In 1984 he faked his own kidnapping only to be found one week after he went missing. This event brought national media coverage to the city. “I really hope this is not a repeat of 1984,” Sheriff Brian Skelton said. “I would really hate to have the FBI here again, only to have another false alarm.”

  R.E. Liles, Sr. will be activating an 800 hotline for anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of his son.

  —

  New Harbor Ledger, July 31, 1986

  Closure at Last

  B
y Jodi Muellar

  NEW HARBOR – On July 30 the Virginia State Forensics Laboratory in Richmond released the identities of the bodies found in the March 30 fire in the Waterview neighborhood. Forensic scientists state they are certain the bodies are that of Deputy Randolph Fitzgerald and his son Edward.

  “We are going to rename the gymnasium Randolph Fitzgerald Gymnasium, in honor of our fallen hero,” said Principal Markus Smith. “In addition, we are going to name the new computer lab, provided to us by RL Industries, in honor of Deputy Fitzgerald’s son, Edward.”

  “The impact of this tragedy will be felt for years,” said Sheriff Brian Skelton. “But now, at least, the community has some closure and can move forward.”

  —

  MIT Faculty Newsletter, October 1986

  The head of the Mathematics Department, Professor Iounut Karpova, as well as Professor Martin Tages of the Computer Technologies Department, have been nominated for the Abel Prize in their work for both theoretical space navigational systems and for the communications technology sector. Both professors are humbled by the honor and credit the hard work of their assistants. One of the assistants, Jonathan Scott Ward of Anchorage, Alaska, is a member of both professors’ teams. Both professors are confident that Mr. Ward has a very bright future in the scientific field.

  —

  Scientific America, October 1987

  Smaller World Through Cellular Communication

  With the recent government regulations enforced on portable phone technologies, companies are scrambling to find an easier way for people to communicate to each other by using “Cellular Technology”. The new system is based on mathematical formulas designed and invented at MIT late last year.

  “From what I can tell,” says MIT mathematical professor and Abel Award winner Iounut Karpova, “the technology is pretty open-ended and has limitless applications. I foresee, within the next twenty years, everyone in America will have the ability to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world.”

  In a phone interview, RL Industries CEO R.E. Liles, Sr. commented, “We here at RL Industries believe that investing in cellular communications can only be beneficial to everyone. We are in the midst of recruiting some of the brightest minds in the world to help build the infrastructure of cellular communication in America.”

  —

  RL Industries Interoffice Memorandum

  To: Computer Technologies Department

  From: The Desk of R.E. Liles, Sr.

  Date: February 3, 1988

  We are moving forward with the Cellular Technology division as well as investing in the research and development of internet technologies.

  I’ve sent out several scouts to locate and hire the best in the business. Make sure you are all up to date on the latest information regarding these two ventures. I am calling a meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Be prepared with any and all of the latest information.

  R.E. Liles, Sr.

  Cc Marketing Department

  Cc Research and Development Department

  —

  Handwritten postcard from R.E. Liles, Jr to R.E. Liles, Sr., dated November 18, 1987 and mailed from Tucson, Arizona:

  Father, I have decided, after all this time, to put your mind at ease. I have not been kidnapped nor have I been abducted by aliens. I have decided that I cannot stand being your son anymore and live a life of lies. Instead, I am going to make my own way in this world and try to end the history of lies our family has perpetrated through the course of history. Do not try to find me or contact me in any way.

  Your ex-son,

  Rodger Emmett Liles, Jr.

  —

  From the answering machine of Jonathan Scott Ward (tape is time-stamped 8:23 a.m., March 4, 1988):

  “Hi, you’ve reached Jonathan. I am unable to take your call right now but please leave your name, number, date and time of your call and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a great day.”

  BEEP

  “Jonathan, R.E. Liles, Sr. here. I understand your eagerness to finish your education at MIT but to turn down my offer in an emerging field with unlimited possibilities for growth seems unwise. I want you working for me in either my R and D sector or my Computer Sciences division.

  “As for your salary, name it and it’s yours. You have my number. I expect an answer by the end of business Friday, March 6th.”

  —

  From the answering machine of Jonathan Scott Ward (tape time-stamped 1:28 a.m., March 5, 1988):

  “Hi, you’ve reached Jonathan. I am unable to take your call right now but please leave your name, number, date and time of your call and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a great day.”

  BEEP

  “Jonathan, R.E Liles, Sr. here. I’m pleased you decided to come and work for me. I’m sending a helicopter to pick you up on Sunday, along with two personal assistants to help you get packed. You start Monday and I’ve got a team of scientists working around the clock to make sure you have everything you need. I look forward to seeing you early Monday morning.”

  —

  RL Industries Interoffice Memorandum

  To: R.E. Liles, Sr.

  From: J.S. Ward

  Subject: Research Trip

  Date: July 5, 1988

  Sir, I have been in contact with Mr. Berners-Lee of CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. He tells me they are making remarkable advances in Internet Protocol and requests that I visit to aid in their research. As an added bonus, RL Industries will obtain partial rights to the discoveries we make. This trip should last no longer than six months.

  Also, on the Cellular Communications front, there is an association being formed in California. I believe we should get a few men on the panel to make sure we maintain control of the flow of information and data that’ll be used. After all, it is our mathematical formulas they are discussing.

  One last note, I’ve spoken with our contacts within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IEFT), and the US Data Defense Network (DDN) and they both assure me our formulas and programs are ready for launch next year.

  Sincerely,

  J.S. Ward

  —

  BBC World News Radio Report

  November 9, 1988

  The scientific community received a stunning body blow yesterday when a CERN Scientific Transportation bus ran off the motorway and into Lake Geneva. All thirteen scientists were lost, as well as the driver.

  Inclement weather and faulty equipment were blamed for the accident.

  —

  From the answering machine of Jeff Prettyman (time-stamped 4:45 p.m., December 21, 1988):

  “Hi, you’ve reached Jeff. Tell me a secret.”

  BEEP

  “Jeff, dude, what were you thinking? You know you can’t take company property even if it is just a game program. The Old Man found out and sent a team of techs to your computer station. You better get your ass back here with those disks ASAP! I’m not covering for you this time.”

  —

  New Harbor Ledger, December 26, 1988

  Local Man’s Body Found in Elizabeth River

  By Jodi Muellar

  NEW HARBOR – The body of Jeffery James Prettyman was found floating in the warehouse district of New Harbor, Virginia in the early morning hours of December 25. Jeff was somewhat of a local football hero with the New Harbor High School Fighting Minutemen. He played wide receiver.

  Upon graduating, he skipped college and got an entry-level position at RL Industries as a computer data entry clerk. “Jeff was a great employee. He received Employee of the Month twice,” said Wadsworth Crenshaw, Mr. Prettyman’s supervisor. “He never complained about the work load, even volunteering for overtime. He will be missed.”

  Sheriff Skelton believes alcohol may have been a factor in Mr. Prettyman’s death. “After all, it was the holidays and he was seen at several local bars before going missing. I don’t think foul play is an issue here,” the sheriff stated.

&nb
sp; —

  Wall Street Journal, January 27, 1989

  FCC to Investigate Monopoly of RL Industries

  By Martin Weaver

  Not since the mandatory breakup of “Ma Bell” in 1984 has the FCC been so adamant about one company owning the proprietary rights of communication in America. The Capitol has been full of talk of how RL Industries seems to hold ninety percent of all patents that pertain to how information is transferred through Cellular Phone technology as well as Internet Technology.

  Some companies, mostly based either in or near Seattle, Washington, believe there is a bias to RL Industries because of their proximity to Washington, D.C.

  “This is nothing more than a witch-hunt because other companies didn’t have the forethought to plan for the ever-changing future of communications,” stated R.E. Liles, Sr. in a phone interview. “My company has done more to help advance technology, not just in America, but the entire world. This has been done via sharing information between people. Our communications division is the largest in the world because it is the best, and I’ll die before I let anyone try to break it up.”