The Property of Edward James

by Paul Preston

  Magdalena: I understand. Let me be of service to you.

  Brother William: Be of service?

  Magdalena: I shall comfort you now.

  In the dark, Magdalena kneels directly in front of Brother William. The camera focuses on the monk’s reaction as Magdalena pleasures him with her mouth. He shuts his eyes, raises his eyebrows and starts breathing deeply, periodically opening his eyes to watch her. After a long moment of being stimulated, he tilts his head back, moans out and releases his semen in several bursts into Magdalena’s mouth. After sucking out the last drops, Magdalena rises up on her knees to kiss and embrace the monk. After his breathing returns to normal, Brother William casts his eyes downward in shame.

  Brother William: Oh my Lord, what have we done? What have we done? I had sexual intercourse with you. I released my seed inside of your mouth.

  Magdalena: We have only given each other a modicum of pleasure in this sad life. That’s all. Is that such a bad thing?

  Brother William: We have committed a sin before God. The sin of adultery.

  Magdalena: Please don’t fret about it. I didn’t mean to upset you, Brother William. You’ve given me so much pleasure tonight; I feel like I can go on with my life and face my responsibilities to my husband and child. You’ve done more for me in one night than the prayers of a thousand monks. Despite the fact that you think it was wrong, I will remember this as the most beautiful night of my life.

  Brother William: It was beautiful to me too. I’m sorry I am unable to control my sexual desires.

  Magdalena: I overheard the story you told to Father England, William. I know that wench you were talking about. She is the biggest flirt in our town and teases all the men. You needn’t feel ashamed about falling under her spell. Every man does. Even my husband looks at her in a nasty way, not that I care.

  Brother William: No, I should practice more self-control. I’m not fit to wear the monk’s robe.

  Magdalena: Please don’t feel bad about what happened. The truth is I took advantage of you, my beautiful boy. If anyone has sinned before the Holy Trinity, it was I.

  Magdalena gives Brother William a sweet kiss on his lips.

  Magdalena: I’m sorry, Brother William, I hate to leave you like this, but I have to go. My husband will be expecting me and my baby will wake up soon. Please remember, you promised to keep what we spoke of in confidence. Will you, Brother William?

  Brother William: I will.

  Magdalena: I wish you pleasant dreams, my beautiful boy. Please don’t be troubled by this. Sleep well, Brother William. If you dream tonight, I hope you dream about me.

  Brother William watches Magdalena slip out of his bedchamber. He picks up the Bible and tries to study the scripture. After a moment he closes the Bible and puts his hands over his face. He blows out the candle on his bedside table, removes his robe and goes to sleep.

  Scene 3: Am I dreaming, Father?

  The camera closes in on the candle and the flame lights up again. Brother William wakes up, puts on his robe and ties a rope around his waist. William’s hand is seen reaching out and picking up the candle holder next to his sleeping mat. He carries it out of the room. The camera pans up to reveal William’s face as he walks down a dark corridor. In the flickering shadows he sees a slightly opened door and goes in. Magdalena is kneeling on a pillow on the floor, hands together in prayer, head bowed. Her cheeks are streaked with tears. Father England towers above her as Brother William enters the room.

  Father England: Ah, Brother William. Good evening.

  Brother William: Good evening, Father. Why is Sister Magdalena crying?

  Father England: Why indeed....

  Brother William: Why is she here in your bed chamber in the middle of the night?

  Father England: A fair question, young man. Magdalena has just told me quite an interesting story about the events that occurred earlier this evening between the two of you in your room. Perhaps you can tell me if what she says is true.

  Magdalena: I’m sorry William. I tried to keep it to myself, but I felt I had to tell Father about it.

  Brother William: About… what?

  Father William: Brother William, even if our Sister never confessed to her sins of the flesh, God knows all. God sees all. Let me ask you then, before Our Father in Heaven. Earlier this evening, before you fell asleep, did Sister Magdalena seduce you, offering the milk from her breasts to suck? Did she kiss your penis and swallow the issuance of your body?

  Magdalena: Please don’t tell my husband, Father. I beg you.

  Father England: Is this true, Novice? Have you allowed yourself, on your very first night in our monastery, to be led away from the path of righteousness? Did this wicked woman provide you comfort in your bed chamber?

  Brother William bows his head and folds his hands in front of him.

  Father England: I respect your desire to protect the young woman, but your silence is the only answer I needed.

  Brother William looks up to see a large cracked mirror hanging from a nail on the wall. In the reflection he sees his sleeping body on the floor in the corner of the room.

  Brother William: Am I dreaming, Father? This is just a dream. I’m asleep. Aren’t I?

  Father England: Would that it were true. No, Brother William. This may seem like a dream to you and that you are fast asleep, dreaming of God’s Glory in Heaven. But unfortunately, this is not a dream. Even though we are protected in this sanctuary, we cannot close our eyes to the evil in this world. The Devil has entered our monastery tonight. A sexual act has occurred within the sacred walls of our abbey, for the first time in 500 years. Sister Magdalena, needless to say, I am quite disappointed in you. We have entrusted you to enter our monastery in service to the monks here and you have broken that sacred trust by your actions here tonight.

  Brother William: It’s not her fault, Father. I… I wanted her to kiss me.

  Father England: Again, that is noble of you, Brother, to protect the Sister, to take her transgression upon yourself, as Jesus did, when He died on the cross for the sins of mankind. But Magdalena was present in the room when you confessed to your particular weakness regarding the attraction you felt to the wife of your neighbor, and it is my belief the Sister used this vulnerability against you. Didn’t you, Sister?

  Magdalena: It’s true. Please forgive me, Father. I seduced him. I did. Please don’t tell my husband. I don’t know what he’ll do to me if he finds out. I fear for the poor monks here. I’m sure he will no longer be willing to donate food to the monastery if he finds out about my indiscretion.

  Brother William: Please God, wake me up. Allow me to wake up now. I fear I’m… I’m going mad… Please help me, Dear Lord.

  Father England: Sister, Our God is a Just and Merciful God, but also a vengeful one. Perhaps we can keep this indiscretion as you say, within the walls of the monastery for now. But your deed cannot go unpunished. Take off your dress, Sister.

  Magdalena: My dress, Father?

  Father England: Of course.

  Magdalena: But, I’m ashamed.

  Father England: Perhaps you should’ve thought of that before you seduced this innocent young man. It is fortunate for you that he lost his seed in your mouth and not within your womb, thus preserving his virginity. Stand up and remove your shift, Sister, or I shall remove it for you.

  Brother William: I’m dreaming. This is just a dream. Will I be punished for my dreams?

  Magdalena stands in front of the two men. Looking down, she peels off her dress and covers her breasts with her hands.

  Father England: Place your hands at your sides please, Sister.

  Looking into Brother William’s eyes, she uncovers her breasts with her hands.

  Father England: Hand me your candle, Brother William.

  Brother William hands the candleholder over and Father England moves the light closer to illuminate the creamy skin and sensual curves of Sister Magdalena’s body.

  Father England: While it’s true the Sist
er has an exceedingly beautiful body, a work of art really, I find myself unmoved and not tempted by her in the least, nor are any of the other Brothers here. I know you have just given birth and your breasts are swollen and sore, your nipples overflowing with milk for your child. I understand you must wear light, loose clothing to provide your babe access to suck and therefore are not modestly dressed. But our novice here is new in Christ. His spirit may be willing, but his flesh is weak. I can see how he struggles with himself not to look at your womanhood. Sister, I believe the Good Lord has sent you to this young monk as a test, to see if he is truly qualified to commit to our Holy Order. Brother William, if after forty days, you can look upon this specimen of female beauty and not feel that youthful stirring within, you will be ready to commit yourself to Christ. So it is my judgment we should go on as before and not tell your husband about what has happened here earlier this evening. Sister, you shall continue to wear the same loose-fitting dress and carry on just as before. It is my hope Brother William, through prayer and fasting, that you can rise above your lustful desires. Magdalena, your confession is accepted in the eyes of the Lord. Go and sin no more.

  Magdalena drops to her knees, kissing the hand of Father England.

  Magdalena: Oh thank you, Father England, you are as kind as you are merciful.

  Father England: Stand up, girl. God has forgiven you for leading this young man astray, but a punishment is still in order. Brother, please untie the rope around your waist and hand the whip to me which I have placed upon the altar… Brother William? Did you hear what I just said?

  Brother William: Yes, Father.

  Father England: Then do as I command.

  Brother William unties the rope around his waist, hands the whip over to Father England.

  Brother William: Why do you need the whip, Father? I don’t understand.

  Father England: In order to absolve her from the mortal sin which would otherwise condemn her to hellfire, the Sacrament of Penance must be performed. Now, Sister, hold out your arms, palms up, wrists together.

  Magdalena: Yes, Father.

  Father England: Young monk, tie Magdalena’s wrists together with the rope you’re holding in your hands.

  Brother William: Why? What are you going to do to her?

  Father England: Please do as you are instructed, Brother William.

  Brother William wraps the rope loosely around her wrists. They look each other deeply in the eyes.

  Father England: Bind her wrists tighter with the ropes please.

  Brother William does as the Father requests. The camera focuses on Magdalena’s breasts. As he tightens the ropes around her wrists, Brother William watches as droplets of breast milk seep out of her swollen nipples. Brother William shuts his eyes and moistens his lips with the tip of his tongue.

  Father England: Follow me please.

  They leave the room. Brother William follows Father England down the dark hallway, holding Magdalena by the ropes. Magdalena leans in and whispers to Brother William.

  Magdalena: It was kind of you not to make the ropes too tight. You are a good and merciful man, William.

  Brother William: I am dreaming this, aren’t I?

  Magdalena: If you are, I am happy to be a part of your dreams, young man…

  They enter an empty candlelit room.

  Father England: Please affix the end of the rope to the iron ring in the opposite wall.

  Magdalena faces the wall and Brother William ties her wrists above her head to the ring.

  Magdalena: I’m scared, William.

  Brother William: This is not really happening. It’s just a dream. It can’t hurt you, if it’s just a dream.

  Magdalena: You give me courage to face the whip, William.

  Father England: Stand back please, novice. Sister, do you admit to leading this young monk into acts of depravity?

  Magdalena: I do, Father. I ask forgiveness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for my sins.

  Father England: He has forgiven you already with His Loving Grace. Are you ready to face the whip as penance for your sins?

  Magdalena: I am, My Lord.

  Father England: Then prepare yourself, Sister. Hold fast to the rope as I lash you three times.

  Magdalena breathes in and grips the rope with her fists. As Father England raises the whip overhead, Brother William lunges toward him and stops the whip from lashing Magdalena’s back.

  Brother William: Stop it, Father! This is barbaric! She’s done nothing wrong!

  Father England: She has fornicated in the House of God! I know you are a sensitive young man and this may be difficult for you to watch, but the lashing she receives will purify her soul. She in fact desires to be whipped for her transgression, do you not Sister?

  Magdalena: I do, Father. I need to feel the lash on my skin to be absolved of my sins.

  Father England: Please do not intercede in her punishment any further. Stand back.

  Brother William: Father! Wait. Let me… administer the punishment. I was the one she led astray, so I should be the one who wields the lash.

  Father England: Are you sure, my son?

  Brother William: I am.

  Father England: I will leave you to administer her punishment, then. I am proud of you, novice. You may yet become a loyal monk of our Order.

  Father England hands over the whip and leaves. Magdalena looks over her shoulder at Brother William. The camera captures Brother William’s point of view, panning down over the curvy shape of Magdalena’s hips and back side.

  Magdalena: Has the Father left?

  Brother William: He has, Sister. You are safe now.

  Magdalena: Thank you for saving me, William.

  Magdalena turns away from the wall to face Brother William, her arms crossing into a sexy X-shape above her head. Her swollen nipples continue to leak a white creamy fluid, sliding down her areolas and dripping over her rounded flesh. Brother William watches as a droplet slid off of her breasts and follows its path in a wet shimmering streak down her torso. He licks his lips.

  Magdalena: Are you thirsty, My Lord?

  Brother William nods his head.

  Magdalena: My body is yours now William, as is my heart. Take and drink…

  Brother William drops the whip and kneels at Magdalena’s feet, embracing her. He kisses and sucks upon the folds of her sex. The camera focuses on Magdalena’s face as the monk brings her to a trembling orgasm with his mouth.

  Magdalena: You beautiful boy. I like being in this naughty dream of yours.

  His cheeks wet from the moisture of her body, Brother William stands up to follow with his tongue the droplet of breast milk, up her torso to the tips of her breasts. He suckles upon her nipples, swallowing her milk and kissing her with tenderness.

  Brother William: I love you, Magdalena.

  Magdalena: I know you do, young man. Turn me toward the wall and squeeze my breasts.

  Brother William presses her against the wall and pumps himself into her. He holds her breasts and continues thrusting until he lets go and loses his virginity inside her. Breathing deeply, he pulls himself out of her.

  Brother William: Oh Lord, what have I done?

  Magdalena: Don’t feel guilty, it’s just a dream.

  Brother William: It seems so real though… I am no longer a virgin… Am I?

  Magdalena: I’m honored to be the first woman you ever made love to, even if it is just a dream.

  They share an intimate post-coital kiss.

  Brother William: How am I to control my lustful thoughts for you if I am asleep?

  Brother William reaches up to untie her from the wall.

  Magdalena: Wait, William. Before releasing me, there is the matter of the atonement for my sins.

  Brother William: I refuse to punish you. You’ve done nothing wrong. I allowed myself through my own weakness to become involved with you. If anyone should be whipped, it is I.

  Magdalena: William, I feel so close to you now. Please don’t be upset
by what I’m about to tell you, but it is just as Father England said.

  Brother William: What do you mean?

  Magdalena: It’s hard for me to… I don’t want you to think badly of me.

  Brother William: I would never think badly of you, Magdalena.

  Magdalena: May I be honest with you then?

  Brother William: Of course, I would never judge you, Magdalena.

  Magdalena: The truth is… I desire it. When I misbehave, I desire to feel the whip, lashing me, gently, from your loving hand. And only from your hand, My Lord.

  Brother William: But… what about your husband? You said he beats you.

  Magdalena: When my husband is angry he tries to hurt me. But I know when you hold the whip; the velvet lash will kiss my skin lightly and make me feel only pleasure. I trust you will wield the whip in love, but not in cruelty.

  Brother William: I… I don’t understand why you would…

  Magdalena: William, it’s hard to explain but, I want to give myself to you, completely. I want you to feel like you own me… to mark me as yours… your property... Will you do this small thing for me so I can feel closer to you? I need you to do it to me, William. I want you to.

  Brother William: You… want me to...

  Magdalena hands Brother William the whip.

  Magdalena: I submit myself to you for your pleasure, My Lord.

  Magdalena turns to face the wall. Brother William raises the whip above his head with a wild look in his eyes. The scene jump cuts to William’s bedchamber and he abruptly wakes up from his dream, sweating and breathing deeply.