This is the seventh story in "The College Years" series about the corporal punishment regime endured by a university student - me, Martin, living in an elite, men only residential college, which has strict rules. At the end of the last story I was recovering from a day of extreme punishment - taking 45 very painful strokes of the cane, for screwing up during my college probation, by not having a tidy enough room and missing a lecture. I had vowed - no more screw-ups. Still I had one more week of probation to survive, including the first Rugby match of our season.
I had a busy Thursday - although my mind kept wandering to the game coming up on the weekend. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself for having made into the Second XV in my Freshman year. The only other thing on my mind was keeping out of trouble - my butt was still throbbingly sore from the canings from earlier in the week.
I was so busy that I hadn't talked with my friends in College as much as in earlier weeks. I knew they sympathised with me for the public thrashing I'd had, but I was now a bit more remote from them. Equally, I was still uncomfortable about the way I'd left things with Philly, following the Slippering he'd given me, and that made me uncomfortable with the group generally.
So, it was about 4:30 in the afternoon as I walked across the campus towards the College, following my last tutorial. I was thinking about my work schedule over the next 48 hours when someone yelled "Hey !" in my ear and punched me in the arm.
I started with shock, and almost dropped my books. "What ?" I snapped , looking around, and straight into the eyes of my mate Phil.
"Sorr-rey !" he scowled and moved to stomp off.
"Wait Philly" I called and caught up with him "sorry, you startled me"
"Yeah" he agreed morosely "but you always seem really intense these days - ya gotta chill out man !"
"I know I've been pre-occupied lately ..." I agreed.
"Pre-occupied !" he scoffed "you've been on another planet ..." He then continued with a sly grin "You know I hear a short sharp shock is what's needed to snap a young man out of this kind of pre-occupation"
"Short, sharp shock ?" I queried, having a good idea that this "therapy" would be conducted on my still tender backside.
"Yes" he nodded " a _d_a_m_n_ good thrashing"
"Jeez Philly" I said, exasperated, "I took a hell of a caning a couple of days ago - give me a break !"
"Yeah - 15 strokes, severe I'll agree ... but I thought you were tougher than letting something like that stand in the way of tradition and friendship"
At this I laughed. I stopped and pulled him close to me and said "Mate, you only saw 15 strokes given to me, but I took 45 that day"
"WHAT ?!?" he started.
"I was stupid and argued with Johnstone when he confronted me about missing the lecture," I lied smoothly, knowing I was obliged no to reveal the truth, "and I got a bit heated and so I ended up bent over in his study for 15 in private. I then kept arguing after that and so got a second 15 ... by then it hurt enough to break through my stupid pride and so I shut up and took the last 15 quietly at dinner"
"Wow" marvelled Philly, as we started to stroll again "I never would have guessed".
"How's your backside ?" he asked.
"Still tender" I said with a slightly forced smile.
"I'll bet !" he marvelled.
"Please don't tell anyone" I asked - I didn't need any questions about this, but continued "I don't want everyone talking about it.
"Okay " he said slowly " but only if you'll accept some mild punishment, right now, for keeping this sensational news from your old mate, and also for being remote and aloof"
"Mild punishment - what does that mean ?" I asked.
"The Slipper" he said "I really want to continue that tradition. I find it very it satisfying to whack your bum - even if you don't want to whack me !"
"The Slipper !" I exclaimed "that's not mild ... it hurts like hell. I'm not taking that so soon after those canings"
"No - oh well, I'm sure the guys will love hearing about your mega caning" he said with a malicious gleam in his eye. I was ready to kill him ! I would have punched his lights out there and then except we were near college and I didn't want to take the strokes that would surely follow a public fight.
"That's blackmail!" I snarled.
"Absolutely" he agreed with an infuriating grin
I though hard about my options. I was afraid that I was going to have to agree and hope he wasn't too hard on my healing butt.
"Alright then" I murmured.
"You'll do it !" he exclaimed, and at my nod he cheered and started running towards the College yelling back at me "come up to my room in ten minutes".
I trudged into the College and went up to my room - concerned about his level of excitement. I was dressed in a pair of light cotton Bermuda shorts and a polo shirt. I though it looked cool and summery, but it offered less protection than jeans would. I briefly considered getting changed but knew that would just annoy Philly and make the whole experience longer and more painful, so I just put down my books, rubbed my butt for luck and went up to his room.
I knocked on the door.
"Enter" an imperious voice said .
I walked in on my friend Simon Phillips wearing a coat and tie and an academic gown, and practising swings with the slipper.
"What are you doing ?" I asked with a smile.
"Ahhh Martin" he snapped at me "I see you've reported in inappropriately casual attire - that's extra for you".
"Simon ... I don't know what you think you are ... " I said uncertainly, preparing to back out of the room.
He intercepted me and blocked the way to the door booming "DON'T CALL ME SIMON BOY, It's MR PHILLIPS TO YOU !!!!!"
"Simon what are you doing ?" I asked - beginning to panic.
"Play along you idiot !" he murmured at me.
"But ... "
"PLEASE" he looked at me imploringly "just play along - it'll be more fun this way"
"OK" I sighed, feeling the easiest thing to do was get it over with "I'm sorry sir"
"Better" he snapped. "You are to have 15 swats of the slipper, but you'll get 10 extra for insolence!"
"Yes sir" I acquiesced - I thought this was a lot more than "mild" punishment, but still I should be able to take it..
He placed his desk chair in the middle of the room and motioned me to bend over it. I did so and the cotton shorts tightened around my butt.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes Mr Phillips " I said, playing along. He beamed.
"Now Martin you have been a very bad boy !" he chided while swinging the slipper back.
He continued "Yes a VERY ...."
SPLAT
".... VERY ...."
SPLAT
".... BAD ...."
SPLAT
"... BOY"
SPLAT.
Yeouch ! This was hurting. I hadn't said anything, or moved or made a sound, for fear of provoking him in this strange mood. He paused a moment and looked down at me and said "... and do you know what we do to bad boys ?"
I took a punt. "You spank them sir ?"
"Yes Martin" he boomed with pleasure " We SPANK them ...."
SPLAT
... "very ...."
SPLAT
... "very...."
SPLAT
... "very ...."
SPLAT
.... "very...."
SPLAT
... "hard"
SPLAT.
This was a very odd experience. It was hurting, but not so much that I was making any noise, and here was my old school mate giving me a spanking while lecturing like a little boy. In a way I found it funny, but I knew better than to laugh.
"Oh yes " he continued " we spank ..."
SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT.
"... them on their little bottoms ...."
SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT.
"... very, very, ....."
SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT
"..very hard...."
SPLAT, SPLAT.
Then he stopped. He'd given me 25 alright ! This was no mild punishment, but I hadn't cried out once. My butt had obviously been seriously toughened up from the canings earlier in the week. Either that or I was still numb !
I remained bent over the chair. I didn't want to incur any more strokes so I waited while Simon put the slipper back in its draw. He came back over to me and swatted my butt twice - hard !
"You big tough guy" he said " you took it without a murmur !" He then patted me on the shoulder saying "well done" before planting another couple of swats on my butt. "Now get up."
I stood slowly. I was a little red faced from being bent over.
"You may go - I won't talk about your extra punishments on Tuesday, as we agreed" he said. I nodded in acknowledgement and walked out, wondering if Simon Phillips was right in the head ! I had no idea what all that was about, but I was glad it was over, and hoped that my secret was safe. I felt sure that I'd get a chance to ask Philly about what he thought he was doing, at a later date, once probation was over.
I spend Thursday night working and Friday morning at 2nd XV team training so didn't see my friends over that time. Friday was another busy work day, and I managed to stay out of trouble. Friday night I spent in the gym with the team going over tactics and working out. I was feeling fit and ready for the big game.
Come Saturday I awoke early and went through my stretching and warm-up, before joining the team for our special breakfast. At 11 am we ran onto the field. I'm probably not the best guy to ask about how well we played ! I'm biased. We won the game, and I scored a try - so I was pretty happy ! Coach was pleased too. There were plenty of areas where we could improve, but we had a whole week of training to sort that out, before the next match.
I was walking towards the dressing room when Mcgregor, the elite pledge master ran up to me, saying "Well played" .
With a grin I shook he hand and said "Thanks"
"I've just spoken to the elite committee" he said "and they've decide that you've passed and will be admitted into the college and the elite !"
"What !?!?" I gasped.
"Yeah" he grinned " they were impressed by the way you took your punishments on Tuesday, and the way you've played today - so we'll have your initiation ceremony tomorrow for the elite - you will have your college initiation at the end of the week, but that's no a foregone conclusion - congratulations"
"Thank-you" I said, totally taken off guard.
"Now of course you must not discuss this with anyone, and any misbehaviour over the next week will be severely punished, just as if you were still on probation. See you in the elite room at midday tomorrow"
He patted me on the back as I nodded and continued into the changing area. I was lost in thought as I had a quick shower and got dressed. I went out into the brilliant sunshine and joined my team-mates as we watched the First XV game and ate burgers and fries. I felt great. I'd done it !
The first team won and so the senior rugby squad went out that night for some celebratory drinks, but like anyone with the threat of severe punishment we didn't stay out too late and get too drunk - but we were all young guys on a winning high and so we had a little latitude given it was Saturday night! I was back in College before curfew though. I slept in on Sunday morning - got up at 10:30 and had a late breakfast before dressing in smart clothes and heading up to the elite room at 12.
I walked up the stairs unsure of what was going to happen. I room has 10 guys in it. The full elite group. They sat in a circle with one empty chair in it.
Mcgregor stood and led me to the centre of the circle, where I stood as they all looked at me.
Mcgregor had a folder- he opened it and read from its pages. "Martin" he intoned "you have been deemed to have proven yourself worthy of membership of this elite council of St John's College - are you willing to accept membership and the responsibilities that it entails ?"
"Yes sir, I am" I responded formally.
"Then raise your right hand and repeat after me ..."
I lifted my arm as requested and repeated the following ..
"I, Benedict Martin to swear before my brothers that I will bear true allegiance to the college of St John, and this elite council. I submit myself to the discipline of the council and pledge to conduct myself to the standards it lays out for me or suffer the consequences of that discipline. I swear to never reveal the proceedings of this council to anyone who is not a member of this council."
Everyone in the room then intoned "so we all swear, so we all live, for now and forever". The group then broke into applause. In the centre, I stood, uncertain of what to do.
Mcgregor called for quiet. "Now it is time for the purge of previous crimes" he pronounced.
I gulped - I hadn't heard about this !
"Martin - you are to walk around the circle, clockwise, starting with me. You will ask each council member to forgive you for your past failures to live up to standards of this council. At that you will lean over , facing towards the centre of the circle, and the council member will beat you with his personal punishment instrument for as many strokes as he deems fit. Once you reach the empty chair, you may sit in it. At that point the initiation will be over and you will be a full member of this council. Do you understand ?"
I nodded. _d_a_m_n_ this was going to hurt ! I though the ceremony had seemed too easy.
I walked over to Mcgregor and stood at attention before him. "Please forgive me for my past failures to live up to the standards of this council".
He nodded and said "Very well - prepare yourself. "
I took a few steps towards the centre of the room and leaned over with my hands on my knees. I saw Mcgregor pull a long whippy cane out from under his chair.
Mcgregor said "I think you need 40 strokes to purge you, so that's what you shall have".
I gulped ... this was really going to hurt. With no more fanfare the first stroke CRACKED!!! into my butt. Again and again he hit me. I winced in pain as 10, 20, 30 and finally 40 strokes hit. Yeouch !! This was a whippy cane and stung badly, but I kept my composure.
After the final stroke Mcgregor said "Well done, you have been cleansed of your failures, report to the next Brother."
I took a couple of steps and stood in front of the next brother. "Please forgive me for my past failures to live up to the standards of this council".
Again I prepared myself by bending over. This brother said "I think you need 25 strokes to purge you, so that's what you shall have". He pulled out a leather strap, and laid it across my backside. It really burned ! Each stroke was like a fire directed onto my bum. I didn't call out, but found it hard to stay bent over.
After the last stroke he said "Well done, you have been cleansed of your failures, report to the next Brother."
I stepped on again. The third brother sentenced me to 5o strokes, and pulled out a metre long ruler. As I bent over I realised that I wouldn't be able to take this punishment without tears. I sucked in a breath and prepared. The first WHACK was a surprise. This ruler hurt less than I thought it would. After 30 strokes though I was groaning with pain at each impact. I was really hurting by the time I stood after 50. I felt tears pricking my eyes.
The next brother sentenced me to 18 strokes with a heavy cane. I bent over. The first stroke TWACKED into my butt and I gasped at the sharp pain. Each stroke brought a gasp of pain and tears dripped down my face. I was sobbing as I stood up and stepped on to the next brother.
Mcgregor granted me a moment to compose myself so I could request punishment with dignity. The fifth brother sentenced me to 20 strokes with s heavy paddle. This thumped into my battered butt with a thud. It made my whole body shudder - I couldn't help crying out at each swat. Again I was in tears.
Number 6 sentenced me to 15 strokes with a horse-riding crop. This stung like hell. By now I was crying constantly and couldn't help crying out with each stroke.
Number 7 sentenced me to 30 strokes with a flexible cane. Another stinger ! I was in agony, and getting worried that I wouldn't be able to maintain my dignity during the last 3 beatings.
Number 8 sentenced me to 50 strokes with a light paddle. The accumulated pain made each one really hurt - even though on a normal day I'd barely notice such a light paddle. I was trying not to cry, but failing.
Number 9 sentenced me to 10 strokes with a "judicial cane". Each one was pure agony - I was yelling and pleading for it to stop by the end - Mcgregor warned me to control myself or suffer additional punishment. I apologised profusely, and vowed to try and be still during the final beating.
Number 10 sentenced me to 30 strokes with the college paddle (very heavy!). I bit my lip to try and not call out at each stroke but I still called out. I nearly fell over at the end ! I slowly stood and stepped over to the empty chair and, amid much applause sat on it, very painfully !.
"Martin" said Mcgregor "you are now a member - welcome. I will remain your academic mentor, so you shall report to me on Sundays, your sports mentor will be Arnie Jones-seeing you guys know each other already, and your social mentor shall be Fitzpatrick - no formal socialising during your first year without his approval !"
I nodded weakly.
"Of course any transgressions will be dealt with by corporal punishment. The council has awarded you a rattan cane as your personal instrument of punishment" at this he handed me a fearsome looking cane. "Hang it in the cupboard by your name when we leave".
I nodded again.
The final week of probation was about to begin. I'd already passed, but was on a mission to avoid more canings. I also had some questions for Simon Phillips about his odd behaviour, and the small matter of rugby training as well as classes.
... to be continued .......