Olivia had to walk with her feet far apart to prevent tripping on her own massive snow boots. The tunnel vision created by her thick hood made walking even more complicated.
"You see, the hot box is such a delightful and secure device. We put at feisty camper inside, and we know she'll behave. We'll she has no alternative as you will soon find out," Ms. Gadai said as she and Azra guided me outside the sleeping quarters and to the three metal boxes standing in the middle of the courtyard. They had to guide me as I could barely see out the two tiny holes in mask area of my thick suit.
In the years te camp had been open, only one pupil had suffered a heatstroke while being disciplined inside the hot box. The staffer responsible for monitoring the pupil was place herself in the hot box to ensure all of the staff understood the severity of the situation. Ever since, all new staff got experience the hot box for didactic purposes during their induction to camp procedures.
Regular "refresher" stints for the staff ensured that hot boxes were utilized even when campers are not being disciplined.
But right now, hot box #2 was Olivia's personal hell.
From the outside, the three hot boxes looked identical, but we're in fact three different sizes, to ensure a snug fit if the girl being tormented inside, regardless of her weight loss progress. While crude looking, the boxes were surprisingly high tech. They had multiple sensors in the inside, measuring temperature, humidity, and CO2. Those sensors, coupled with a high efficiency HVAC system ensured that the atmosphere inside was uncomfortably hot, but not dangerous. Hidden infra red cameras were used to further monitor the subject.
But how's the experience for the girl trapped inside?
The inside is bare, except for a small bench where the girl will sit (the ceiling is low enough that she can't stand up). The walls are lined in metal, and once the door is closed, there's no way to open it from the inside. The door is heavily insulated just like the walls. Once closed, the hot box is hermetically closed. Many girls panic in a fit of claustrophobia at this point, as they feel like they will suffocate, which they would if it wasn't for the HVAC system that is hidden under the bench. The sense of isolation is enhanced by the thick walls, two metal plates sandwiching six inches of isolation. The girls don't even hear the heavy padlock when it shuts closed. Other than the bench, the only discernible features, are four straps attached to the sides of the box. Two are around waist level and were used to secure the girls hands out of harms way. The other two straps were closer to the floor, and we used to secure the ankles. Thus secured, the girl had nothing to do but swelter inside her prison. Of course no girl was ever put into the hot box unless they were wearing the very demanding black fat suit. The thick down padding of the suit provided a level of protection for the girl. On top of this, each girl was outfitted with a soft foam helmet, to reduce the risk of a head injury. Needless to say wearing the helmet on top of the suit's full face hood was very uncomfortable, but the hot box was not a place of relaxation.
Some girls would would futily fight their restraints. Even if she somehow broke free of her restraints there was no way to open the door from inside. Some cried. Some girls had hallucinations. Some girls tried unsuccessfully to thrash around. But in the end the ordeal would cause all to lose their spirit and just quietly sit there, in the dark, with no notion of time. Sessions in the hot box rarely lasted more than three hours. However all girls claimed to have been trapped in the box for far longer. It goes without saying that it was the most efficient discipline tool at the camp.
How did Olivia fare inside the hot box? So far she has refused to talk about her experience inside the box. But needless to say it had the effect that Ms. Gadai expected.
The black fat suit became the staple of Olivia's daily atire. Even during the infrequent trips to town, her legs pressed firmly together by the long and thick coat or jalbad and all of the layers underneath, they were sure that Olivia wouldn't run away. It was hard, but Olivia had lost her will to rebel, just trying too keep herself out of the hot box again. Even breathing was a struggle through the small breathing holes.
The long hot days went by, and Olivia's life turned into a whirlwind of trying to keep up with her routine while being constantly exhausted by the physical demands of the daily guided hikes and helping in the kitchen. All made more difficult sealed inside the black discipline fat suit. If the blue suit was a portable sauna, the black suit was a portable furnace.
Olivia's wool undergarments were always soaking with sweat, and she was given copious amounts of liquids to prevent dehydration. In fact liquids (though a straw) were the only thing Olivia could consume through the small hole of the fat suit.
The monotonous routine was broken one morning after her daily morning weigh in, when Azra commented: "you have made good progress, you are on track in your weight loss!"
Olivia's eyes lit up: "does that mean I can wear the regular fat suit?"
"I'll show your numbers to Ms Gadai. But for today I have no option but to put you in your black suit."
Olivia's face sombered a little with disappointment, but there was still a tinge of pride for the progress she had made in her weight loss. She couldn't wait to wear her regular blue fat suit again.
Coming out of the international arrivals gate at Heathrow, Olivia looked like a new person, thin and standing tall. Smiling and radiant.
She was wearing one of the lighter pink down jackets worn by staff and by the campers that are making good progress in their weight loss. It was warm in London, but Olivia felt secure in her pink down jacket, even if a bit sweaty.
"My dear, you look great!" Margaret exclaimed as soon as she saw her daughter.
"... Thanks Mom."
"But why are you still wearing that jacket? Aren't you hot?"
"Yes it's a little hot, but I have gotten used to it, it's somewhat comforting. And it's not just the jacket, I'm wearing matching down pants under this skirt."
"Well I can see how making you wear something like that will help you loose weight!"
"Ohh this is nothing, this is worn by the staff and by the girls that are well on track on their weight loss! The fat suit I had to wear was much thicker and warmer! Plus this one doesn't even have locks." Olivia's mom face showed her shock at her daughter's ordeal. "But it's ok, I eventually got used to wearing my down suit. Plus I figured if I keep wearing this one, it'll be easier when I go back in the fall, they actually offered me a job at the camp!"
The end.
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