Restraining/ containing

In my story, I've got a number of scenes where characters are tied or handcuffed to things, and I've gotta mix it up a little. The methods can be as high (or low) tech as needed, access (ie, military stuff, law inforcement equip, bondage, chemical) and money are pretty much unlimited. I've already endulged in a nice tasing, so that's retired. Considering a souped up dog shock collar. Any other ideas?

One character doing the restraining is the good guy. He's rich as hell, but is still trying to figure out how the microwave works. The other is just regular rich, and is completely diabolical.

I need to restrain characters 1) into the passenger seat of a Bugatti Veyron (no real trunk to speak of), 2) in a run down apartment, 3) in the living room of a mansion.

I'd like the detainees to remain conscious, present, and preferably verbal (for the most part). I love ridiculous (like Harvey Corman bound to the garage door opener in 9 to 5) for the Bugatti and the apartment, and precise and efficient for the mansion. But, I can get jiggy with the ideas myself. I'm just a little stuck on the mechinisms.

Cyia said:

How about a chemical bonding agent? That could be made "ridiculous", but believable at a stretch for a diabolical and rich person, I think. Something like a quick-set epoxy type of compound that's inert until both parts of the reaction touch, maybe?

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And think of all the interesting places I could stick him. Fun, thanks!

Not in the Veyron, though. Oh, man. I told my husband I was contemplating a scene where my MC kicks the side of his car, and he flipped out and made me swear on wine and chocolate I would never do anything so criminal as to letting my MC kick that car, no matter how upset he was. I mean, the man likes cars as much as the next guy, but he's hardly a fanatic.

Ooooh! I like! The baby's priceless.

I am a huge fan of duct tape. Sadly I risk becoming a bit of a one-note if I use it. In the book my agent is shopping now, the hero and heroine meet when she robs his pawn shop with a gun duct taped to her hand, then duct tapes him to the counter of his shop as she works. It's even in the hook.

I heart duct tape.

I could call it my signature, I suppose, but I think my agent will prolly just chuck the ms back with a stern look and then withold all LOL catz until I come up with some manner(s) of maintaining the upper hand that doesn't involve taping, tying, or handcuffing anybody to anything.

Le Sigh.

Thanks, Quicklime and Cyia!

Dragon Lady said:

I seem to remember a drug that's used in surgery to effectively paralyze the patient, and is separate from the anesthetic. something like that could be interesting.

Also the flexi-cuffs used by law enforcement, or cable ties, a nail gun to nail the person's clothing to the wall with them still in it, a chain around the neck fastened to an eyebolt in the ceiling, a cage made of electrified bars...

DL

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Mmm. I've already got somebody murdered by puffer fish poison after lying in a paralytic coma, but I LIKE the nail gun. Especially if it was done in the heat of the moment (the captive in this scene is *very* annoying).

Tasmin21 said:

There was always the story of the woman who safety-pinned the top sheet of the bed to the mattress, thereby imprisoning her husband...

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This is interesting too. I like the visual. Oh, or fold him up in a sofa bed and secure it closed with something (maybe the agent will let me use duct tape for just this one little detail...)? Again in the heat of the moment?

Hmm.

RJK said:

There's always super glue. I used that in an earlier novel. A convenience store robber saw a display of super glue on the counter, squirted some on the counter and ordered the clerk to place his palms in it. He made him stay in that position for the few seconds it took for the glue to set up, then went behind the counter and yanked the guy's pants down to add insult to injury.

The clerk was helpless. After the robber left, a group of intoxicated customers came in the store, saw his condition and walked out with several cases of beer and cigarettes.

Eventually, a good Samaritan found him and called the cops.

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You're my kind of guy, RJK, just maybe nicer. I prolly would have had the poor guy lit up with Christmas lights and set up at a tourist photo stop for $5 a pop by the kid who works at the skateboard shop down the street by the time the night was through.

*adds superglue to the list*

jaksen said:

Who are you people???

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Shhh! I love them!

ETA: PS, I really, really do! That draft's finished, but revisions continue until agent tears it from my clutching fingers, and I'm still looking to mix it up a little more...