Several hours later Jen found herself in the opulent lobby of Chesterton Heights Obedience Training School. She had read the pamphlet during the drive up. CHOTS was *THE* elite training school. Every rich family in the state sent their pampered pooches to receive the best training that money could buy. Jen didn't know how her mother could afford this. Their family was well off, but this place was for luxury yacht owners not upper middle class suburbanites. She gazed up at the expensive oil paintings that adorned the mahogany paneled walls and shivered. Something felt... off. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was a strange feeling of anxiety roiling in her gut. She wrote it off as some type of new-school jitters.
The receptionist kept glancing up at her with an odd look on her face. She had seemed confused when Jen's mom had indicated that the second 'student' she was checking in was Jen. She was clearly a professional though, processing the paperwork without losing her bearing though she seemed to be stifling a laugh at times. Finally she had asked them to take a seat and another staff member would be out to see them shortly. They had only sat for a few minutes before a young man in a polo shirt and khakis came and took Rex. He had also given Jen an odd look before disappearing back into the depths of the facility. Jen asked if she needed to go with him as well, but he just shook his head. The receptionist answered the unspoken question.
"We keep unneutered males away from the, ah, bitches." she stammered out awkwardly, "To prevent any unwanted... activity. Another trainer will be out to see you shortly."
Jen looked at her mom, who shrugged. So much for keeping Rex company to help him adjust. That anxious feeling was growing again. After another few minutes had passed the inner door opened again and a middle-aged woman strode in. She wore a similar outfit to the trainer that had taken Rex, but she wore it as if it were a tailored suit. She approached the two women and introduced herself.
"Hello." she said sharply, "My name is Amelia Lockehart and I am the director and head trainer for this facility. You must be Tracy Smith and... Jennifer?"
"We just call her Jen." Tracy said, extending her hand to shake. Amelia ignored it.
"We have had some strange requests in our time," Amelia continued brusquely, "but I must say that this one is quite a bit different from anything we have been asked before. We do often have classes for both owner and dog, but never on this... level. We have had to make a number of last minute accommodations but I believe we can fulfill your request. Since this is such an unusual arrangement I have taken it upon myself to waive the usual fees."
"Oh! Why, thank y-" Tracy stammered.
"I will also be overseeing Jen's training personally." Amelia interrupted. "Chesterton prides itself on the quality of its training and I feel it prudent to not leave a special case such as this to any of our lesser trainers. In one month your daughter will be the pride of this school or I will close its doors permanently and retire in shame."
Both Tracy and Jen just stared, dumbfounded at this final statement. Amelia seemed to be the type of person to take everything well beyond where a reasonable person would call satisfactory. She exuded an air of perfectionism that made Jen feel inadequate, she wanted to please this woman more than anything. The anxiety was growing heavier in Jen's gut.
"Now then." She said to Tracy. "All of Jen's paperwork is in order. You may leave her in my care now. I will see you in exactly one month's time and not a moment sooner. Jen, COME."
Jen found herself rising to her feet as if pulled by invisible strings. The forcefulness of Amelia's command seemed to bypass her brain and energize her limbs directly. Amelia began walking back to the door just as rapidly as she had entered. Jen found herself jogging to keep up. As she passed through the door she turned and got one last look at her mother. Tracy gave an awkward wave as the door shut between them.
"Keep up!" Amelia barked.
Jen jogged to catch up to the woman who was now halfway down the long corridor. Amelia waited in front of a large steel door until Jen had caught up. Without acknowledging her, Amelia turned and pushed the door open while signaling for Jen to enter. The room was just like the vet's office that Jen and Tracy had taken Rex to when they had first adopted him, but it also had all the fixtures from the groomers as well. A steel-topped counter stood in the middle with a large adjustable light fixture looming over it, one wall was taken up by a steel tub with several hoses dangling from above, and everything had attachment points for harnesses to hold the dogs steady while they were groomed and cared for. A young woman in a lab coat and scrubs greeted them enthusiastically.
"Good day to you Ms. Lockehart." the woman said deferentially. "I take it this is Jen then?"
"Yes Betty." Amelia said, only slightly less sharply than she had with Tracy. "She is to have the full workup, modified to suit her situation of course. I assume you received my instructions this morning?"
"Yes Ms. Lockehart. I have everything prepared already, we can begin whenever you like."
"Good. Then I shall leave her in your care for the time being. Call me when she is ready and if she gives you any trouble just call security. I have added a new code for her, #137 on the keypad will summon the special team."
"Oh I don't think all that will be necessary." Betty soothed, looking Jen up and down. "Jen seems very well behaved."
"Even so, it is available if you need it."
Amelia turned on her heel and marched out the door, leaving Jen alone with Betty.
"Now then," Betty said cheerfully, "Let's get started. If you would come over here please."