"Sir, I was just hoping that I might be able to add my boots and socks to my current state of undress as you call it. It would still be as humiliating and revealing, sir, but it would cut down on sores and blisters. I'm sure that you wouldn't want to look at blistered, ugly feet for so many weeks." Hannah suggested. "But, sir, if I could just have that one request then I'll comply completely with this traditional punishment and not say a word to anyone about it afterwards. You have my word."

Kathleen, alone among the three women, really was cut out for this. Breathing in deeply, she opened the vent and allowed the water to spill out under the assumption that such a thing was hardly a bother in the emergency that seemed to be going on. She began to crawl through, soaking herself through her uniform in the process.

Dinah continued to bang on the door. "Somebody help me out in here! The door is stuck!"