Looking at the four officers standing buck naked in the almost dark room brought back memories of my own initiation, and, of course, of my own introduction to Rule 136.
"Brothers, adjust your bodies to the plane of wisdom." These words were right out of the initiation ritual, and the officers had no trouble figuring out what they meant. Each of them leaned forward and braced his hands on his thighs, so that his butt stuck out behind him. We each took a spot behind a target. I maneuvered to stand behind Chad. When we were all in place, Frank turned to us, "Brothers," was all that he said.
In unison, the four of us began applying the paddles to the backsides of the officers. Frank set the pace which was not too slow or too fast. Perhaps one slap every ten or fifteen seconds or so. I could tell that Frank was counting silently to himself, and after about twenty pops, he began counting out loud. The backsides of the officers were taking on a decidedly crimson shade and I could hear Chad beginning to whimper lightly each time I connected with his butt. I knew from my own experience that I would be hearing him a lot more before the night was done.
When Chad got to "Thirty four," he stopped. The officers began to straighten themselves up, obviously thinking their punishment was over. I remember the feeling well. And I had a good idea of what was going through their heads when they heard Frank yell out.
"Brothers, you have not been released. The first step of the journey is mindfulness. Now you are mindful. But no journey is complete after one leg."
I thought I heard some muttering, but the officers were smart enough to figure out that they need to get back in position and they did. "Brothers," Frank said to us, and we shifted positions.
I was now lined up behind Chris. His backside was in bad shape already. I had not put all my weight into the strokes on Chad, and knew I would have to pull back a little more with Chris, or that he would never make it through the evening.
At Frank's lead, we started in again. He picked up the pace again, and before long, Howie, the treasurer, began to yell out at each lick. Soon, Chris joined him, though I thought I was really holding back.
When we reached 34 again, we stopped and Frank spoke.
"The second stage of the journey is hardship. Now you know hardship."
This time the officers were afraid to stand. They were nothing if not fast learners.
"You can stand." They pulled themselves up.
"Turn and face your brothers."
They turned and we could see that each of them had been crying hard. Chris was still sobbing pretty loudly. And each of them sported a massive erection. Chuck I notice was uncut, something that would have been unheard of in my day as an active.
"Brothers, your journey is underway, but you must steel yourself if you are to complete it with success. Stand now and stretch."
They reached up to the sky. I remember how foolish I felt in that situation: crying, angry, in pain, reaching my hands over my head and feeling my _c_o_c_k_ thrust out, hard in front of me. I also remember being at a point where I just didn't care, of just wanting it all to be over.
"Brothers, let us continue on our way. Nothing of value was ever gained without suffering. All learning comes with pain."
Slowly the officers turned and braced them hands on their thighs. We rotated positions and before long, Frank started us off on another set of 34 licks. Before we got too far into it, Howie gave up all pretenses of control and began wailing uncontrollably. I noticed Chuck reach out and try to steady his shoulder. This time, Frank really speeded the pace, as though he was as anxious as the officers to get it over with. And if his memories were anything like mine, he was. When we had finished the set, he spoke.
"The third stage of the journey is acceptance. Now you know a cceptance and you are on your way home." He turned to us.
"Brothers, let us lead these our brothers home."
And he started the count, and again we set off. Each lick now set of a chorus of howls. I was on Chuck this time and I really held back, afraid that I would draw blood. Once Chuck fell and Howie had to help him back into position. Soon, mercifully, we had reached 34 again.
"Brothers, stand." They did. "You have received the full complement, 136 lessons in how to be a man, in how to lead men. The fourth leg of the journey is maturity and from the beginning of our brotherhood, 136 has been the number of maturity. Only those who have fallen low can climb high. Turn and face your brothers." I remembered this part of the ritual vividly. When they turned, each of us had his hand held out. The officers seemed a little startled, but quickly reached out and shook them. I reached my arm around Chuck and gave him a hug. The other men were doing the same with the other officers. Finally, Frank spoke.
"Brothers, you have regained your rightful places. No longer are you pledges. You have regained the right to lead, to be leaders of men. Will you accept your places?"
"Yes," the officers moaned through their sobs and tears.
"Then there remains only one task to finish this session. Earlier you promised to come to the aid of this fraternity in the future if you are so requested. Now is the time for you to seal your word and give evidence of your willingness to serve." Frank turned and looked at us.
"Brothers." This was the most moving part of the session. Like the others, I quickly undid my belt buckle and dropped my jeans. My briefs quickly followed. I turned and braced my hands on my knees. I had not been in this position for fifteen years and it felt strange and great at the same time. I had a huge erection that felt as though it was made of stainless steel.
"It is up to you now to lead us, who stand in the place of all the brothers, present and future, who will need the maturity you have gained back this night."
I felt the paddle come down hard on my backside and despite all my good intentions to keep my composure, I yelped. Beside me I heard Greg moan loudly and saw him shoot a massive load across the darkened room. That was all it took and quickly I felt myself shoot what must have been a quart of my spooge.
I remembered that this was an awkward part of the session, since the officers had no idea how many licks to give. In my day, it was three. They got to five before I saw Frank snap up and begin to pull up his jockeys.
Since the night was still pretty warm, Frank suggested a running plunge into the lake. In no time, there were eight of us, buck naked, bobbing in the waters and my mind was caught up in a time fifteen years ago, when we had ended by rolling our aching asses in the snow, and then it jumpedpushed forward, who knew how many years to some future night, when Chuck and Chris and Howie and Chad would initiate four more men into the pain and the wisdom of Rule 136