Stories of Tie Up Games

“Miss Blake is it? Please, come in and make yourself at home”
The young woman in the smartly tailored business suit and thick rimmed glasses greeted her latest client warmly at the door. 
To a fashion writer such as Daphne, the office looked like it had been furnished using only the blandest aisle of a Swedish flat-pack department store.
There were two, seemingly identical sofa chairs in the centre of the room. Daphne stared for a moment trying to work out which one was designed for the patient and which the therapist. She began to wonder if this was some kind of test,..

“Just sit wherever you feel most comfortable” Dr Booth offered kindly.
Where Daphne felt most comfortable was in the business class section of an executive airline being fed an obscene amount of champagne and truffles, but since this was not one of the options currently available to her, the statuesque red head lowered herself, with as much grace as the furniture would allow, onto the seat nearest the door.

“So, what brings you here today?” She asked, taking the seat opposite her client

“Urm, I guess, I'm feeling a little unfulfilled in my job” Daphne said, toying with the ends of her purple scarf.

“In what way?”

“I don't know, it just feels like no one listens to me,..”

“You feel your contributions aren't valued? Almost like you don't have a voice?”

“Often literally,..”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, I'm often gagged”

“Gagged. You mean symbolically? Like they can’t hear you?”

“No. I mean gagged, like I've actually got something tied over my mouth, or sometimes between my teeth” She said miming the actions with her own purple silk scarf “It usually happens whenever I get tied up”

“My goodness” Jennifer Booth replied, sounding flustered “And who is responsible for placing you in this state of physical bondage? Your co-workers?”

“Oh, Goodness me no,.. It's the ghosts!” She explained.

“I'm sorry. The ghosts?!” Dr Booth replied, struggling to keep up.

“Sure. Like Red-beard, Mr Hyde, or the zombie and the Witch. I've been tied up by them all”

“But,..” She began, unsure what subject to focus on first “Ghosts aren't real”

“I know that. Although the ropes certainly are. No, you misunderstand me, the creatures we deal with are almost always small time crooks wearing a disguise, pretending to be an un-dead spirit in order to frighten people away”

“I'm sorry. What is it exactly that you do? I understood you write for a fashion blog”

“I DO write a fashion blog. Maybe you've seen it 'Purple is the new everything!' but in my free time I, along with four of my best friends, solve mysteries through a series of madcap antics and comic missteps”

“I see,.." She said (which was untrue) "Maybe it would help if you began by describing your group,..?”

"Well, there's Fred, he's our leader/ dreamboat, Velma, she's the brains, then there's Norville “Shaggy” Rogers and his 6'3 Great Dane called Scooby-Doo, they're the comic relief”

“The comic relief?” Jennifer found herself struggling to stay afloat amid a sea of nonsensical plot points.

“Something for the kids to enjoy” Daphne explained

“And I suppose you're going to tell me this 'Scooby-Doo' is some kind of talking dog?” She asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm,..

“Oh, so you've met him?!” Daphne replied happily

"I’m afraid, I haven't had the pleasure" Jenifer said correcting her, but Daphne appeared not to notice,..

“..I've never seen anyone eat food like those two. I once watched them consume an entire wheel of cheese without chewing. Yet strangely they never seem to put on any weight. It's like they share the metabolism of a Pac-Man,..”

Dr. Booth decided that, if this was all some fever dream she would just as soon wake up now,..

“Okay, you've described everyone else in the group but you’ve neglected to describe your role in the team dynamic?”

“Oh, me? I'm the Damsel in Distress. Aka- Danger prone Daphne” She said proudly

“And by that you mean,..?” She asked in the vain hope she could find something familiar to latch onto,..

“Exactly what I said. My role is literally to get kidnapped by the bad guys”

Unable to locate another thought Jennifer could only respond with “Really?”

“Oh, yes. In fact almost every adventure seems to find me tied up, or in some way restrained by a masked villain or two”

“That sounds terrifying”

“I guess it was,.. I mean, at first. Now I find myself offering tips”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, sometimes these crooks don't have the first clue about kidnapping a damsel. They know that I'm their hostage but they're not quite sure what that entails.  They might have a gag and they know they need to tie me up somehow. Sometimes they put it in my mouth, but nobody bothers to tie it. Then they go off to make their dastardly plans, and leave me sitting there with a sock hanging out of my mouth. When I think they're not looking I pull my hands out of the ropes and tie the gag on myself—I figure, if you're going to be kidnapped, you might as well do it properly”

“Masochist" Jennifer snorted derisively.

"What was that?'

"Nothing. Just clearing my throat. So, you were saying, sometimes you like to offer to share the benefit of your experience as a kidnapee?

“Why not? It feels good to help”

“You make it sound like being held captive is actually,.. quite fun?”

“It certainly can be” She said with a beaming smile “But, I guess the hanging around waiting to be rescued can be quite tedious,..”

“I imagine” Jennifer replied, doing exactly that. Suddenly the collar of her blouse felt a little tight,..

“It's just that I think my part sometimes gets maligned, like what I do doesn't matter. I'm just the red head who gets abducted at the close of the 3rd act. Just a piece of eye candy to be ogled”

“You would like some form of acknowledgment?”

“Exactly! I think my role as the leggy princess who pretends to stumble into the villains traps is just as important as the one who ultimately unmasks the villain”

“I'm sorry. You said 'pretends' to stumble into the traps?”

“Well, yes. I mean, I've got a PHD in advanced Criminology (having trained under Dr Everett Scott) and I've got an IQ of 154. All things being equal, I should be the one in charge. But instead I'm cast as the attractive hostage for hire simply because I happen to look better in a skirt”

“It sounds like you might have some mixed feelings about your position within the group?”

“Maybe I just want someone to acknowledge how demeaning it is waiting out most of the adventure bound and gagged in the basement of an old riverboat casino, when you've got a doctorate in applied physics”

“And I wonder, how does that feel. Having to play the victim role? The girl waiting to be rescued. Especially, when it seems evident that you are so eminently qualified to solve the case on your own?”

“It's difficult. I mean it's not like I don't enjoy being tied up, and I certainly don't hate it when Fred arrives to cut me free of my ropes,.. I mean, the best part of the job is the moment he takes off my gag and kisses me. He is sooo dreamy,,. (There followed a pause so large you could drive an army of articulated trucks through,..) “,..even if he is a bit of a dolt at times”

“How do you mean?”

“Well he seems to believe he's in charge (largely because me and Velma let him) but in reality he's at Coolsville High on an athletic scholarship and couldn't think his way out of a wet paper bag”

“So, what’s the attraction?”

“You should see him in a sweater vest” She said disappearing into a moment of revelry.

“So. To summarize, Fred Jones likes to portray himself as the leader, the Alpha-male if you will, whilst you and Velma conspire to conceal your abilities in order to protect his ego?”

“Kinda' yeah. I mean sometimes, it's almost like he can only see me when I'm bound and gagged”

“You mean he only sees value in you as a hostage to be rescued?”

“That,.. and I've seen his internet browser history,..” She said with a wry grin.

“Hmm, So you feel an obligation, a duty if you will, to play the part of the heroine in peril, tied to the train tracks in perpetuity, waiting for a knight in shining armor, in this case Fred, to ride to your rescue?”

“Pretty much.”

“It sounds like it might be a complicated relationship”

“That's just it. I only wish that it was. Sometimes it feels like I'm a three dimensional character in a two dimensional world”

“Okay. Well, usually I refrain from giving advice, but I was wondering,.. how would it be if you switched roles?”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, have you ever wondered what it would be like if you went on the adventure whilst he was the one who played the part of the helpless hero?”

“You mean I’d be the one to rescue him?” She said excitedly

“Why not? Is that really so inconceivable?”

“And he'd be the one who got tied up?” She asked, even more excitedly.

“If necessary, yes.”

“Hmm, I guess that sounds like it might be fun,..” She replied, silently imagining the infinite possibilities,..

“Okay, I see that our time is almost up. Would you like to arrange another appointment for next week? Maybe you can tell me how it went?”





Two hours later Dr. Jennifer Booth was sat opposite a tall, impossibly blonde high school student dressed in a pair of neatly ironed slacks and an ascot.
“So Mr Jones. What would you like to talk about today?

“Well Doc.  I want to know how to persuade my girlfriend to tie me up,..”
Fin.

So dear readers, would you like to hear more from our resident damsel in distress therapist Dr. Jennifer Booth? And if so, which fictitious character from books or TV would you like to see walk into her counseling rooms? As ever all feedback, suggestions, gratefully received.

It's well past time for Daphne to rescue Fred for some sort of evil clutches and apparently he agrees, so well done!

As for suggestions, it's not exactly a DiD situation. In fact quite the opposite. Does the good doctor ever deal with troublesome adolescents? It seems a certain young Germaine might be in need of some... counseling.

MaxRoper wrote: 7 years ago It's well past time for Daphne to rescue Fred for some sort of evil clutches and apparently he agrees, so well done!

As for suggestions, it's not exactly a DiD situation. In fact quite the opposite. Does the good doctor ever deal with troublesome adolescents? It seems a certain young Germaine might be in need of some... counseling.

Ha, ha! An excellent suggestion and one that, I'm ashamed to say simply that hadn’t occurred to me.

Whilst I agree completely that Germaine would make an absolutely fascinating subject for intensive therapy (and possibly a peer reviewed paper) I fear for the health and well-being of anyone brave enough to suggest it to her.
That said, I am really warming to the notion of Germaine being forced to see a child psychologist because she had been torturing her babysitters (presumably before I was delivered, bound and gagged into her lap,..)

Well I suppose April O'Neil and Penny Gadget are key characters with a,similar occupational hazard.

Gaggedgeekgirl wrote: 7 years ago Well I suppose April O'Neil and Penny Gadget are key characters with a,similar occupational hazard.

Ha, ha! Definetly! Maybe the three should rent space in a church basement and form a support group for reluctant damsels in cartoons?
Actually that might be a fun idea for a future story,.. Hmm,..

Penelope Pitstop would be another good one.

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago Penelope Pitstop would be another good one.

Hmm, it's funny you should say that,.. http://www.tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1186

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago Penelope Pitstop would be another good one.

Hmm, it's funny you should say that,.. http://www.tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1186

I think it'd be interesting to see you write an actual Scooby-do fan-fiction with this sassy version of Daphne.

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago Penelope Pitstop would be another good one.

Hmm, it's funny you should say that,.. http://www.tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1186

I think it'd be interesting to see you write an actual Scooby-do fan-fiction with this sassy version of Daphne.

That sounds like it could be a really fun idea. I’m certainly open to suggestions for possible storylines,..

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

Hmm, it's funny you should say that,.. http://www.tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1186

I think it'd be interesting to see you write an actual Scooby-do fan-fiction with this sassy version of Daphne.

That sounds like it could be a really fun idea. I’m certainly open to suggestions for possible storylines,..

Rip off a Scooby-Doo episode of your choosing and alter it to your heart's content.

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

I think it'd be interesting to see you write an actual Scooby-do fan-fiction with this sassy version of Daphne.

That sounds like it could be a really fun idea. I’m certainly open to suggestions for possible storylines,..

Rip off a Scooby-Doo episode of your choosing and alter it to your heart's content.

Ha, ha! With or without Scrappy-Doo?

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

That sounds like it could be a really fun idea. I’m certainly open to suggestions for possible storylines,..

Rip off a Scooby-Doo episode of your choosing and alter it to your heart's content.

Ha, ha! With or without Scrappy-Doo?

I HATE Scrappy-Doo.

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Rip off a Scooby-Doo episode of your choosing and alter it to your heart's content.

Ha, ha! With or without Scrappy-Doo?

I HATE Scrappy-Doo.

Ha, ha! I believe you are not alone in this. That said, he might make a great villain,..

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago
Ha, ha! With or without Scrappy-Doo?

I HATE Scrappy-Doo.

Ha, ha! I believe you are not alone in this. That said, he might make a great villain,..

LOL no

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

I HATE Scrappy-Doo.

Ha, ha! I believe you are not alone in this. That said, he might make a great villain,..

LOL no

Ha, ha! Ok, ok, but just imagine the comic possibilities of Scrappy-Doo, Brain from Inspector Gadget and  Eric from Dungeons and Dragons teaming up to form the League of Misfit (forgotten) sidekicks.
Sick of playing second banana to their more famous/ glamours co-stars they decide to team up in order to take control of their respective TV shows (and perhaps earn themselves a better parking space into the bargain)

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

Ha, ha! I believe you are not alone in this. That said, he might make a great villain,..

LOL no

Ha, ha! Ok, ok, but just imagine the comic possibilities of Scrappy-Doo, Brain from Inspector Gadget and  Eric from Dungeons and Dragons teaming up to form the League of Misfit (forgotten) sidekicks.
Sick of playing second banana to their more famous/ glamours co-stars they decide to team up in order to take control of their respective TV shows (and perhaps earn themselves a better parking space into the bargain)

Why do you think Velma and Brain always made these boneheaded mistakes that got Daphne and Penny captured? Penny though was really a snoop with her fancy Game Boy computer book.

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

Stiletto Amore wrote: 7 years ago

AlexUSA_99 wrote: 7 years ago

LOL no

Ha, ha! Ok, ok, but just imagine the comic possibilities of Scrappy-Doo, Brain from Inspector Gadget and  Eric from Dungeons and Dragons teaming up to form the League of Misfit (forgotten) sidekicks.
Sick of playing second banana to their more famous/ glamours co-stars they decide to team up in order to take control of their respective TV shows (and perhaps earn themselves a better parking space into the bargain)

Why do you think Velma and Brain always made these boneheaded mistakes that got Daphne and Penny captured? Penny though was really a snoop with her fancy Game Boy computer book.

Ha, ha! I love the thought that Brain was too busy playing TETRIS to prevent Penny from getting kidnapped by M.A.D and bundled into the back of a van (bound and gagged - naturally!)

[mention]AlexUSA_99[/mention] and [mention]Stiletto Amore[/mention] How do you guys hate Scrappy Doo? Albeit he was not the best character but he wasn't hateable, at least in my opinion. Also, I don't know if your joking about the Scrappy Doo joke of him being a villain or not, but if you didn't see the Scooby Doo movie in 2002, he was the villain in that movie. Just something to note here, I grew up on Scooby Doo mainly because I am a huge dog lover, so I take my Scooby Doo movies/knowledge very seriously.