"WILSON - stop running and come here"
The words were still echoing in the stone corridor, Robbie cursed under his breath and headed back towards the prefect. Thank God it was only BARNES and not his own brother.
The facts did not need explaining, it was past 10-00 pm and Robbie had been caught returning from an illegal trip to the local chip shop. There was no point in denying it , not only was he holding the large package but it was emitting the distinctive smell of fried fish. His acts also explained why he was wearing jeans, sneakers and a sweat shirt rather than school uniform.
Robbie flashed his biggest grin and tried to look _s_e_x_y and yet naïve and innocent- after 14 years practise he had perfected this ploy, and it worked more often than one might expect.
"You know what this means don't you ?" Enquired BARNES mater of factly
" Yes- a caning" Robbie hung his head for greater effect
"But can't you do it yourself instead of having to go to the board room and all the prefects?" he pleaded "I'd rather have 6 from you than go to them"
BARNES had some sympathy for Robbie ( for years ago he too had suffered by having an elder brother who was a prefect) and would probably have acceded to this request, but at just the wrong moment FORWARD another prefect appeared and having worked out what was going on chuckled to himself and announced that he would warn the other prefects of what was about to happen. The appointment with fate was sealed and with a wistful shrug Robbie confirmed that he would present himself to the prefects in five minutes time. On his way to meet them ,he diverted to his own room, and explained that he would be back in a few minutes and that they should start the meal now while it was still hot.
On the top floor he knocked on the door of the "board room", and entered when told to do so. A quick glance showed JOSLING the house captain and both BARNES and FORWARD to be present but not his brother- it must be his lucky day.
BARNES explained the circumstances which had lead to an invitation being extended to Robbie to visit them this evening and it all seemed quite simple. The house captain asked just one exploratory question.
"Why did you want the fish and chips any way ? Are you still hungry after school meals?"
" Oh no its not that, its just a sort of thing we do whenever one of us has a birthday" answered Robbie
" I see , this is part of a birthday celebration. Do you know how we treat people who earn a caning on their birthday ?"
Robbie hesitated, he hoped this might be a let out but it could also be a minefield.
"I don't know Josling, - does it make a difference ? do you let them off?"
"Well young Wilson - yes it does make a difference and no we don't let you off. Birthday boys get caned in their birthday suits. So you'd better take off your clothes- yes all of them."
Robbie could not believe his ears, this wasn't merely bad , it was terrible. As slowly as he could he stripped off. When he was wearing only his briefs he ventured a pleading look at Josling. The house captain was un moved and threatened Robbie with more strokes unless he started moving.
Finally devoid of clothes he bent over the table only to be asked if he'd been born wearing a wristwatch. He placed the offending watch on the refectory table and now naked to their satisfaction bent over- again. Six strokes, each one painful , but not enough to dismay him. The worst part was the lecture. After the beating he had been required to stand- still naked- legs apart , hands on his head facing the prefects for a discourse on the cumulative errors of his ways. His whole body was flushed, not with embarrassment but rage. Half way through the diatribe Jamie, his brother , had entered the room at first he shown surprise but soon worked out what was going on. Josling was on the final sentence and about to dismiss Robbie when James spoke up.
"This is the fourth time we've seen this lad this term and the sixth since he started in September. I believe he has been caned by a couple of the masters, is it time he spent a period in the foyer ?"
Robbie didn't know what this meant, but thought it sounded bad.
It fell to Josling to explain that in the past nuisances like Robbie would have been caned in front of all of the members of the house. Things were more civilised now, and public beatings were no more,. But to serve as a deterrent to others who might not appreciate the pomp and dignity of house prefects and their punishments a newer variation had been developed. Boys who were particularly unresponsive to normal discipline might - after their caning- be required (at a busy time of the day),to stand in the main foyer of the house displaying their bare backside and its damage for the general education and warning of all who passed by. This was not a common event and if memory was correct , it had not been imposed for the past 18 months. Robbie would have to remove his jacket, trousers and underwear and stand facing the wall nearby the house entrance door where all the notice boards about school and house activities were positioned. This would be tomorrow at 6-30 pm for 30 minutes, that is after dinner until the beginning of prep.
Robbie was dismissed. Whilst he was dressing, three of the prefects left. James however came over to his younger sibling.
" What puzzles me Robbie is that I was sure that your birthday was two months ago."
If there had been independent witnesses to Robbie's reply, he would undoubtedly have earned another caning straightaway.
Robbie joined his mates in the dormitory, pushed down his jeans and sat bare arsed on the cool wooden floor. He ate the rather cold meal which was proffered. It was not normal practice for 14 year old boys to eat their meal in such a fashion and so an explanation was sought. Robbie explained that he had been caught breaking bounds and had paid the price with a caning, because it was assumed it was his birthday that caning had been inflicted whilst he was nude . Further, as it was believed he was a general nuisance he was required to parade for semi public inspection ( Display) tomorrow evening.
Alistair REID was alarmeed, for it was actually his birthday and he and Robbie had swapped chip shop runs with each other. He was afraid that if this detail became known , he also would be caned. Robbie however was able to ease his mind and pointed out that only one person had broken bounds and he did not see any merit in more than one person being punished. Whatever else happened his own behind was sore and would feel no better no matter how many others suffered the same fate. Lights out was called and the lads settled down.
After a restless night the boys had gone about their normal business of the day. Robbie's technicolour bum had been the subject of much attention during the morning shower session , he had been intrigued when REID had sidled up to him and told him not to worry about the evening as he had a plan- stolen from a book he'd recently read - and he would " organise" things.
At 6 20pm Robbie was in his room. He had not been hungry so he had foregone supper and whilst he was not looking forward to events he did not wish to compound his problems by being late. BARNES entered the room- cane in hand- and told Robbie that he would oversee the punishment, partly to see that it was carried out properly and partly to protect Robbie from the excess enthusiasm of other boys. At the prefects bidding he stripped off all his lower clothes, knotted his shirt above his midriff so that his backside ( and its purple bruised stripes) was properly displayed and wrapped a large bath towel about himself.
Promptly at 6-29, Robbie, the bath towel and BARNES descended the stairs, our hero was pleasantly surprised to see that the foyer was completely deserted ( he was not surprised to see no sign of REID and his plan). After a couple of large breaths he faced the juniors notice board, put his hands on his head, spread his legs and quietly affirmed that he was ready for BARNES to remove the towel. BARNES tugged the towel away and Robbie expected to feel cool air on his behind. Infact he did not because a mob of thirty or more junior boys crowded about him. Not only the juniors from his own house, but his tutor group peers and a group of young rowers pressed about him. The foyer was completely blocked, the conversation was light with lots of jokes- wisely Robbie did not join in- but most importantly no one , be they prefect , senior boy, visiting master or general voyeur could see anything of Robbie except for his hands atop his blond thatch. After thirty two minutes, BARNES handed the towel back to Robbie, and to enthusiastic applause Robbie ( and the towel) exited from their command performance and headed back to his room in search of clothes, drinking chocolate and fruit cake.
ooo0ooo
comments please