It was a stupid thing to do but I was stressed out because of the upcoming test in the first period. I got off the bus a stop early to go into the park and light up as I made my way to the gate near school. I used the less direct route and kept the fag covered as best as I could in case there was a Master prowling about.© Y Lee Coyote
I had just taken a deep drag on it when I heard my name shouted in a shrill soprano “Tipsword!” I recognized that horrid voice as belonging to Elphaba. She was that epitome of a first degree bitch who was a prefect who loved to cane us ‘mere’ boys that she wielded power over. Frankly, I would have preferred to have met Beelzebub himself.
The conversation was totally predicable. Elphaba called me on smoking in uniform, made me extinguish it and confiscated the rest of the pack. Finally, she gave the order to report to the Prefects’ Room for six-of-my-very-best after the last class.
It was as bad of a start to the day as could be short of being run over by a car. If it had been any other prefect or even a master I would have just considered it a bad break that happened and would have taken the six as just one of those unpleasant things in life. But she was different. She gloated over and insulted her victims. She made them drop their trousers and pants to cane them on the bare and to sneer at their junk especially those of the younger lads who had not reached their full size.
Elphaba was so bad that I would rather have gotten swished by the Head who strikes harder and more precisely. The trade off is one’s dignity.
I was desperate to find a way out and then I had a brainstorm.
At lunch time I watched for Allworth, the Head Prefect. He was a great guy although it was never a picnic when he used his cane on your bun. But he was a gentleman of good character and always treated everyone fairly and politely even when trashing them.
“Allworth, may I have a word with you, please. I have a problem.” I said and as expected he gave me a chance to explain. “I was stupid before school. I’m sure one of the masters saw me smoking in the park. I rather not wait all weekend for the caning so would you do it now, please?”
Allworth smiled and I think even suppressed a giggle. “Twelve forty-five in the Prefects’ Room, Tipsword.”
“Thank you.” I replied relieved that I would avoid the she-devil and get it over with quickly.
I ate quickly and stopped in the bogs for a quick pee. I was knocking on the Prefects’ Room door exactly on time. Allworth surprised me with an initial comment rather than instructions to get into position. “This will surely make her mad, Tipsword. Are you certain you want to continue?”
It was evident that Allworth realized what I was up to. “Yes. Please don’t tell her.” He smiled but did not make any commitments.
We did not waste any more time as we both had classes to get to. It may have been a record time for six-of-the-best. He directed me to remove my blazer, pull up my shirt and bend over holding my ankles. He flexed the medium sized cane and tapped my bun getting his position.
I heard the swosh as the cane descend and then saw lighting as it connected violently with the target, a.k.a. me. I clenched my teeth not to yell. The second cut was a bit lower and so were the rest. Each hurt a lot. Thankfully he did not make a gate.
He only said “That’s it, Tipsword, dress.” and started to fill-in the punishment book. I signed it and thanked him for his trouble.
“No trouble, Tipsword. I’m sure it was more pleasant for me than for you.”
I rushed off to class.
I was back at the Prefects’ Room after the last class. She was there and more than ready to shred me. “Please look at the punishment book, Elphaba.” I said quietly.
Not surprisingly she was furious as she could not cane me for the same offence again.
I gave her this story that was absolutely true although not obviously incomplete. “I was ordered to report at twelve forty-five today. Allworth caned me then for smoking in the park because a master saw me doing it.”
She frowned and I beat a hasty retreat.