Working Bears Beginnings: Warrant

 

My name is Warrant. I’m a brainwashed slave, belonging to my Master, Dr. Bernard Thurman, and part of the staff of his Working Bears Club. That might sound bad, but don’t go worrying about it, it’s a life I well and truly love.

In fact, it’s a life I am very lucky to have. Things could have gone so much worse for me if Master Thurman hadn’t been merciful and given me a chance. And I would have deserved whatever punishment he saw fit to bestow upon me.

Because the truth is, before Master Thurman came into my life, I was not a nice guy. Far from it, I was actually quite a nasty guy. You see, I was a police officer, and while I still am these days, back then, I was not a good cop…

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I swaggered my way along the street, a hefty polar bear in a police uniform, the large electronics store I was headed to coming into view ahead. It had only opened recently in my neighbourhood and I’d only visited it once before, to make my intentions clear. Today was going to be a good day as I was either going to collect payment or have a little fun causing the owner some trouble.

Of course, the money would be the preferred option. I did have a retirement fund in need of money. I mean, yeah, my activities during my years as a cop had already seen a large amount of cash paid into that secret account of mine, but more never hurt. It just meant the day would come all the sooner when I had enough to quit the police force and go live somewhere nice and luxurious and exotic, far away from the pathetic losers with their inane pathetic problems that I had to deal with on a daily basis.

But if the store owner didn’t pay up, that wouldn’t be too bad. I’d show him just how much trouble I could make for him. Mess up his merchandise a little, vandalise the premises, find any little thing to write him up for, maybe even go as far as to put in a call to the building inspector at city hall. I know he’d find all kinds of problems to fine the owner for, because I would cause them.

And I’d do it all while making it clear to him that no one would believe him if he tried to report me. I’d even used some of my retirement fund to pay off the right people in the right departments of the police force to make sure that was true. Provided I didn’t cause too much trouble and attract too much attention, I was untouchable.

I arrive at the store and rapped on the door. The ‘closed’ sign was up and the shutters were down, just as I’d told him to do before my visit today. It would be bothersome to have customers around while we discussed business.

It didn’t take long before the door was opened by the store’s owner, a lanky fox, to allow me inside. I entered the store, letting the door close behind me. The fox watched me warily, carefully stepping back behind the counter.

I shot him my best smug grin. “So, are you going to be a smart fox and pay me the protection fee we discussed?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes flitted to over my shoulder. I was suddenly aware of movement behind me and heard the click of a lock.

Instinct and training kicking in, I pulled out my gun and span around with it raised. Was I being ambushed? Had I badly under-estimated the fox? Had he hired some help to deal with me?

Standing beside the door was a tall brown bear in a tight-fitting business suit. He was just withdrawing his paw from the door, which he had apparently just locked. When he saw that my gun was pointed at him, he raised his paws, but didn’t look at all frightened or intimated. The bastard was actually smiling.

“Who the fuck are you?” I demanded.

“I am Bernard Thurman.” He answered, watching me closely. “I am here to discuss the threats you made against this business I own.” He gestured to the store around us.

I nodded to the fox behind the counter, who had also raised his paws. “Then who the hell is he if he’s not the owner?”

The brown bear grimaced a little as he tried to explain. “Technically, on paper, he is the owner of this branch of a series of electronics stores that are owned by a subsidiary company of my larger corporation… Look, it’s all very complex legal and business stuff that I don’t want to bore you with.”

He locked his eyes on mine. “Suffice to say, I do own this place, and you made threats against it. That was a mistake. I don’t like people messing with my things. When word of this situation reached me, I decided I wanted to handle it myself.”

The sheet arrogance of this asshole, I could hardly believe it. But there was something about his eyes, something almost relaxing. I found I couldn’t… I didn’t want to look away.

“Lucky for you, I saw an opportunity here.” Thurman said. “If I hadn’t, your life would be getting very unpleasant right now. As it is, there’s only a chance it will turn out unpleasant.”

“The only unpleasantness is what’s going to happen to you if you don’t pay up.” I tried to be menacing, but was finding it difficult under his intense gaze. The smooth, somewhat entrancing tone of his voice seemed to be washing over me, making me feel relaxed.

“Mr. Gray, why don’t you leave the two of us alone to talk?” Thurman said, never once taking his eyes from mine.

“Yes, Sir.” The fox said, heading to the door at the back of the store.

I was certain I should move to stop him. What if he called for help? But… I still couldn’t look away from Thurman’s eyes, and that silky voice…

“Don’t worry about him.” Thurman said, his words reverberating around my mind. “He’s no threat. Just focus on me and listen to what I have to say. It’s so much easier and feels so much better, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does.” I admitted. It really was. I almost instantly forgot about the fox, giving the bear my full attention. He was the important one here, the one I should be listening to…

“In fact, that gun must be getting heavy.” Thurman said. “Why not put it away? You know I’m no threat to you and you don’t really need it…”

He was right of course. I hadn’t noticed how heavy the gun in my paws was starting to feel. I silently returned it to the holster on my belt.

“That’s very good…” Thurman said, soothingly, his tone relaxing me, eyes still holding mine. “This is going very well… But now, you should rest a little… Sleep!”

As soon as he said the word, everything went black as my conscious mind switched off…



It was some time later when I blinked awake. I found I was on my knees in front of Master Thurman, who was glowering down at me, cell phone in one paw. He did not look happy.

I instantly knew things were different now. Now, when I looked at this bear, I didn’t see someone to be extorted, a potential threat. I saw the great and powerful Master Thurman, a bear to be respected and obeyed, and every fibre of my being knew it to be true.

Shame washed over me at the way I had behaved towards him before he had… hypnotized me? Yes, I realized, that was what must have happened. Somehow, I just knew the bear was an expert hypnotist, able to dominate and control the minds of others as he saw fit…

For the first time, I noticed just how handsome Master Thurman was, strong and attractive, a real superior male compared to the likes of me. I felt a stirring in my pants, my first ever arousal caused by the sight of another male. I wanted so badly for him to take me and use me however he liked, but I felt utterly unworthy of him, like I would have to be very lucky to even have the chance of devoting myself to serving such a magnificent Master…

“You are a real piece of work, aren’t you?” Thurman said, the disdain in his voice towards me was like a dagger to my heart.

“Sir?” I said. It was all I could think of to say.

“While I had you under,” Thurman explained. “I had you make a full confession of your crimes. I even made a video recording of it for use as evidence should I decide to turn you in…” He waved the cell phone in his paw. “It’s rather shocking. Violence, extortion, bribes. Even taking payments from organized crime! You’re a real piece of crap. And all for your own personal retirement fund…”

I felt lower than I had ever felt in my life, having this amazing bear Master view me as a piece of crap, especially as it was true.

Thurman shook his head sadly. “Maybe I should just turn you in. Perhaps you’re not suitable for a life as one of my slaves.”

That caught my attention. “One of your slaves, Sir?”

“Yes,” Thurman nodded. “I have this club opening soon, and a slave bear who is also a police officer would be a great addition. But I wonder if you’re worthy of serving me!”

The fact that there was a chance, however small, that I could be a slave to Master Thurman, filled me with joy. I prostrated myself before the big brown bear.

“Please, Sir!” I begged. “Whether or not I am worthy is your decision, of course, but I would love nothing more to devote my life to being owned and enslaved by you!”

“Of course you would.” Thurman let out a wry chuckle. “I just hypnotically programmed you to want that more than anything.”

That should have been obvious, yet it wasn’t to me at that point and took me by surprise. But I didn’t care. “I can change, sir!” I pleaded. “I can be a better, more worthy bear, if you’ll allow me a chance! I’ll do anything!”

Master Thurman glared at me, folding his arms across his chest. “Anything?”

“Yes, sir!” I nodded vigorously. “Whatever I have to do to prove myself worthy, I’ll do it!”

“Then listen carefully.” He said. “Because if you fail to do any of what I’m about to tell you, the video I made will be sent to the police commissioner and the press and you will never see me again and have to live the rest of your life knowing you are unworthy of being my slave…”

I listened as he gave me my instructions, intently memorizing every word. I was determined not to let Master Thurman down…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, the fact that I am a slave bear of the Working Bears Club should tell you I didn’t let Master Thurman down, despite the difficulty of his commands.

In order to prove myself, I had to track down those I had wronged during my police career. Innocent people I had beaten, business owners I had extorted, citizens I had demanded bribes from to avoid trumped up charges. I gave them a sum of money from my retirement fund as compensation and offered to do them a favour to make things up to them. If I refused any of those favours, I would fail. I won’t go into details, but to suffice to say, some of the things I had to do were unpleasant, degrading, humiliating. Sometimes all three at once.

And all this while maintaining my police career and being a better cop. I became more helpful and caring and focused on doing what was right. I worked hard to abandon my old ways and become a fair-minded, dedicated police officer, serving the community. I even managed to earn a few public commendations.

Eventually the day came when my retirement fund was empty from the compensation payments. And it was then I was contacted by a representative of Master Thurman, informing me that I had successfully proven myself and would be allowed to serve him by becoming part of his Working Bears Club.

I had to transfer to a new precinct and move to a new apartment to be closer to the club, but that was a small price to pay. I was soon fully brainwashed and mentally reprogrammed and spending every off -duty day I could working at the Club. It quickly became more a home to me than my apartment, and my fellow slave bears there became as close as family. These days, I love and adore the club and every bear that serves there with me.

And not a day goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars for how things turned out. And for giving me a chance to be his, for making me a better bear as well as his slave, I will always be grateful and utterly devoted to my wonderful Master Thurman…

THE END


Raging Tiger/Kuman the Barbarian/Mitchell and Michael/Going Under/Beware the Transformer/That Day/Working Bears/Heart of a Hero

The Art Gallery/The Library/The Comic Store

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