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Speaking with a Master

A slave normally does not speak to a Master unless spoken to or otherwise invited to speak, as by a nod, a word, a look, or other gesture. When he feels the need for a Master's attention, he comes into the Master's awareness (see “PRESENTING/CONTINUING” below) and waits to be addressed. Exceptions, of course, are made for emergencies (fire, a life-threatening injury or illness, and so on), but otherwise the following protocol for addressing a Master assumes that the slave has already come into His awareness and has been invited or ordered to speak.

Once a Master invites a slave into conversation, it is not necessary to ask permission before asking questions or making comments, as long as the slave frames his remarks respectfully, does not interrupt the Master (or any other Master Who is speaking), and does not impose on the Master's time or attention. A slave should not, however, change the topic of a conversation without asking first if the Master wishes to discuss something different.

How to begin and end. Every statement or question a slave addresses to a Master Who follows this protocol should begin and end with “Sir” (multiple statements or questions may use only a single “Sir” between them). “Sir, Master, Sir” is the default form; “Sir, my Master, Sir” is to be used only when addressing the Master to Whom the slave has pledged service. (Note that not all Masters encountered at Butchmann's — let alone out in the world! — follow this protocol, but slaves should assume that a Master here does follow it unless told otherwise, and all Masters and slaves in the house will normally follow it during formal training weekends.)

How to ask a question. The proper form for questions regarding any possible action by a slave is, “Sir, do You wish me to [description of action], Sir?” It is immaterial if the word “wish” is replaced with “want,” “desire,” “intend,” and so on, or whether the action is simple (like taking a piss), complex (like getting ready to go out to work), or a prelude to further conversation (asking if the Master wishes the slave to tell Him something). What matters is that instead of the slave expressing his own desire and asking the Master to approve or reject it, the slave presents a possibility, without investing himself in it, and waits for the Master's instruction. Living in obedience goes beyond just doing as you're told; it means that you also want only what your Master wants.

Calls of nature. The normal form for questions pertaining to any use of the bathroom, taking prescribed medication, and other personal hygiene or grooming needs is, “Sir, do You wish me to take care of myself, Sir?”

How to make a response. Since, as noted above, a Master's response to a slave's question is in effect an order, the standard response by the slave to any instruction, acknowledgement, correction, explanation, or information conveyed by a Master is, “Sir, yes, Sir! Thank You, Sir!” The same form is used whenever a slave answers a question in the affirmative. If the slave's answer is negative, he says, “Sir, no, Sir! Thank You, Sir!” Occasionally these forms may be varied by inserting “Master” or “my Master” (“Sir, yes, Master, Sir! Thank You, Sir!” or “Sir, yes, Sir! Thank You, my Master, Sir!”), but the basic form is invariant — life can be wonderfully simple when almost everything calls for the same response!

Extended questions or comments. If the slave feels the need to ask an involved question or one that will require more than a yes/no response from the Master, he asks, “Sir, do You wish me to ask a question, Sir?” If the slave feels the need to make a comment, he asks, “Sir, do You wish me to make a comment, Sir?” In both cases, the slave awaits the Master's response, says, “Sir, yes, Sir! Thank You, Sir!” whether the response is affirmative or negative, and, finally, if the response was affirmative, asks his question or makes his comment (beginning each sentence with “Sir” as usual and ending the last sentence with “Sir” as well).

No arguments. A slave is never wrong to ask for clarification of orders given him or to offer to inform the Master of something that is troubling him — or something that is giving him joy! — but leading questions and argumentative expressions of opinion must be avoided. Masters and slaves may discuss any matter at all, at the Master's discretion, but they do not debate !

Apologies. “Beg Your pardon, Sir” is how a slave expresses regret for an accidental mishap. A slave never says “Sorry” or “Excuse me,” as these forms imply that the slave acted of his own will