Benjamin Porter was a bright young man with a wonderful future. He had been Valedictorian of his high school class, as well as a Captain on both the football and basketball teams. His only problem was his tendency to be a "maverick," to defy authority. His parents, recognizing this potentially disastrous flaw, decided enroll Benjamin at a small school called Smythe-Davenport College. Nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, SDC was a small coed school with a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence, as well as having a very successful sports program. Many elite families sent their children to this school, knowing that graduation from SDC virtually assured acceptance in any Master's Degree program in the country. What those parents also knew was that graduates of SDC also learned to respect rules and regulations, something often lacking when they first arrived on campus. For while SDC stood for "Smythe-Davenport College," with a little research one soon found that the common slang name for the school was "Strapping Discipline College."
Benjamin's first day on campus was filled with the usual activities. There was the campus tour, assignment of dormitory rooms, and an orientation meeting. Incoming students were told of the mandatory daily attendance at breakfast and dinner assemblies, which served not only as meals, but also as an opportunity for announcements and "other activities." They were informed that these assemblies were segregated by class, and were given the location where the freshmen would meet. Much of the rest of the orientation focused on the college handbook, which contained the school's many policies, and the corresponding punishments. Most policy violations resulted in a 40-stroke strapping, administered publicly on the bare bottom, at the evening meal assembly.
During Benjamin's first evening, he met two other freshmen, Bill Ashton and Walter Pembroke. They quickly became friends, and the threesome decided to go introduce themselves to some of the freshman girls at their dormitory. Time passed quickly in this enjoyable pursuit. Before the three young men realized it, they found themselves out past the 11 p. m. curfew, meaning that they had to request re-entry into their own locked dorm. All three had a sinking feeling that they would be hearing about this transgression soon.
The next morning at the breakfast assembly, an administrator named Mrs. Williams rose to make an announcement. "Three gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, chose to ignore curfew rules on their first night here. Normally, punishments are administered at the evening assembly by one of our Strap Masters, but in cases like this we sometimes make exceptions. We feel that it will serve as an example to the rest of you to understand how punishment is delivered here, so the required strappings will be administered this morning by one of our Apprentice Strap Masters, Mister Danforth. Bill Ashton, Walter Pembroke, and Benjamin Porter: Report to the stage immediately, disrobe completely, and follow the instructions you are given without question. Any resistance will result in a seriously increased punishment."
The miscreants quickly complied, and within a matter of minutes Bill Ashton found himself restrained facedown over a punishment bench, his bare backside plainly visible to the assembled freshmen. With a loud SWIIISSHCRAAAAACK!! the chastisement began. With each stroke, Mrs. Willams dispassionately intoned the count: "One!....Two!....Three!...." Bill writhed as far as his bonds would let him, but was unable to escape the wrath of the strap. Many of the girls in the audience gasped as the red stripes appeared on his bottom. Forty strokes and about five minutes later, a weeping Bill Ashton was released, and told to stand with his hands on his head, welted backside to the audience. The next fifteen minutes were much of the same: loud CRACKS of the strap, a squirming bottom being painted scarlet, the grunts of the unfortunate recipient, and the gasps of the girls in the audience.
When all three young men had been disciplined, Mrs. Williams again stepped to the podium. "As you can see, we do not tolerate bad behavior here at SDC. You can also see why Mr. Danforth is an apprentice...note the welts that have wrapped around on the flanks, as well as those on the backs of the thighs. I'm sure most of you will have a firsthand opportunity to compare his work with that of one of our certified Strap Masters in due time, but I think you'll all agree that whatever Mr. Danforth may lack in accuracy he more than makes up for in enthusiasm! Assembly dismissed!" With that, the students exited the dining hall, making their way to their respective classrooms. Benjamin and the other two lads dressed as quickly as possible, and stiffly shuffled behind them.
The day progressed normally, with Benjamin spending lots of time sitting uncomfortably on a hard chair in some classroom. Finally, the evening assembly was called, and all the freshmen filed back into the dining hall. After dinner, Mrs. Williams addressed the group. "We have a special announcement to make. Benjamin Porter has been selected by the faculty to represent the freshman class on the student-faculty committee. This is quite an honor. Benjamin, please come forward and tell your classmates a little about yourself."
Benjamin stood at the podium, his chest swelling with pride. He proceeded to describe his high school accomplishment, especially his athletic statistics. He told them of how he had injured his knee his Senior year, but expected that it would be fully recovered in time for basketball season. When he finished, he began to leave the stage, but Mrs. Williams quickly stopped him. "No, Benjamin, we're not done yet. Please disrobe and place yourself over the spanking bench...NOW!" With a look of shock and dismay, Benjamin complied. Bending over the spanking bench, the effects of the morning strapping were quite visible. His bottom was still red, and bore many areas of darker bruising and welting.
Once Benjamin was restrained on display in the proper position, Mrs. Williams continued. "As much as it pains me to say this, I'm sure Benjamin will find it even more painful. We're all glad that his knee has recovered. However, I'm afraid that his bottom will not have that opportunity. You see, during dorm inspections today it was discovered that Benjamin had alcohol in his room. Having alcohol on campus is a violation of school policy, and is punishable by a forty-stroke strapping. Further, as a minor, Benjamin is not allowed to EVER be in possession of alcohol...on or off campus. Yet another violation, with the same penalty. Finally, school policy dictates that a penalty session of twelve strokes with the cane shall be administered for each infraction over one. Benjamin now has three infractions today. Strapmaster...please step forward and administer a punishment of 80 strokes with the strap, followed by 24 with the cane..."