The scene may be immediately familiar to anyone who attended any of a number of minor public schools in England in the 1960s, but others may require some explanation. It is a long corridor in a large Victorian institutional building. At one end is a lobby with a main entrance to the building. At the other end are two swing doors. As we stand at the lobby end looking towards the swing doors, we see the right hand wall of the corridor is covered with various notice boards. We will look at one of those boards later. Standing alone by the swing doors is a thirteen year old boy in conventional school uniform of dark blazer, white shirt, striped tie and grey flannel trousers. From this distance there is nothing remarkable about the boy, although we might wonder what he is doing just standing there at just before 7 oclock in the evening, with no one else about. Let us go a little closer.
As we approach the boy, whose name by the way is Simon Robins, his features become clearer. We notice that he is about 5' 6" tall and of slim build. He has short dark hair. His eyes are brown. He has what might be called a finely chiselled nose, a firm chin with an excellent bone structure. His complexion is clear and unblemished. He is, in short, a good looking boy who will one day find no difficulty in attracting members of the opposite _s_e_x_.
But it cannot be said that he looks happy. Indeed, he looks decidedly miserable. His head is bowed. He moves from foot to foot, clenching and unclenching his fists. His palms are sweaty. He occasionally takes deep breaths, as though to suppress extreme nervousness. What can the explanation be for his distress, and what is he doing there?
We must go back in time a little. It is five oclock in the afternoon on the same day and in the same corridor. A crowd of boys, aged between about 13 and 16, all in the same school uniform, is gathered round one of the noticeboards. An older boy, perhaps 17 or 18, appears from the lobby and walks slowly to the notice board. The younger boys clear a path from him. He is holding two sheets of paper. He pins them both to the board and then walks away. The waiting boys jostle forward to read the new notices. If we can get closer we can see that two of them, Simon Robins and a slightly older boy called James Johnson, are clearly unhappy with what they have read. Some of the others look relieved. Yet more, who are clearly there out of curiosity, are smiling and joking. Most of them turn their attention to Robins and Johnson (the use of first names is unheard of at this school). Gradually the crowd disperses and the corridor empties. Let us get a little closer and read the notices.
One of them has a list of ten names on it. Above the names is the curt instruction: the following boys will report for Saturday afternoon detention at 2.00 p. m. Neither Robinss nor Johnsons name is amongst the ten. The other notice has only two names on it. The instruction above those names is just as curt. It is in these words: the following boys will report to the gym at 7.00 p. m.. The names which follow are: Johnson J. and Robins S.
Before we rejoin Simon (I think we can use his first name) in the corridor, let us go back even earlier. It is 7 oclock in the morning. The scene is different. We are now in the corridor on the floor above. It is called Study Corridor. There are several doors along one wall. Each leads to studies used by the boys for work and recreation when they are not in class. At the end where the swing doors are on the floor below, there are other swing doors leading to the dining room. They are open and we can see that boys are standing by their chairs waiting for grace to be said before breakfast. We turn to look the other way and we see Simon coming out of a study, closing the door and running towards the dining room. He has not seen the older boy, a prefect, who is just behind him. But he hears him: Robins STOP RUNNING.
Simon comes to a halt. He turns and sees the prefect. Oh, sorry Lyons, I didnt see you there.
You obviously didnt. You were running in Study Corridor and you are late for breakfast. Report to Robinsons study at break.
For the first part of the morning Simon moves from lesson to lesson. He tries to concentrate, but he is worried about his interview with Robinson. Perhaps I should reveal who Robinson is. He is the head of house, the most senior prefect in Simons boarding house. Simons particular concern arises from the fact that this is the second time in two weeks that he has been caught running in Study Corridor. On the last occasion he had been given a detention. But this was a second offence and he had also been late for breakfast. The school was generally quite lenient with boys in their first term (as this one is for Simon). But he might be pushing his luck.
Let us move on to break time. Simon is again in Study Corridor. He stands outside Robinsons study. He is waiting because Johnson is being interviewed inside. He is nervous. He runs his hands down the sides of his trousers to get rid of the sweat. The door opens. Johnson comes out. Your turn Robins, good luck.
Simon knocks on the door. A barked response: come in. He opens the door. Robinson is sitting at his desk facing the door. Simon stands in front of it. What can I do for you Robins?
Lyons sent me Robinson.
Why?
I was running in Study Corridor and I was late for breakfast.
Did you get in before grace?
No, but I was only just after and I would have got there for grace if Lyons hadnt stopped me.
Lyons was quite right to stop you. You know perfectly well that running is not allowed in Study Corridor.
Yes, Robinson.
You were up before me for running in Study Corridor last week werent you?
Yes
I take a dim view of boys who repeat offences. I will decide what to do with you later. You can rest assured, however, that your name will be on one of this afternoons lists and I wouldnt hold out a lot of hope that it will be on the detention list. You may go.
The rest of the day has not been pleasant for Simon, but he has done his best to appear cheerful and unconcerned about his fate. He has done reasonably well in the house football match in the afternoon. But as five oclock draws nearer his nerves are increasing. Everyone seems to know his predicament. Most are sympathetic, but it is undeniable that there is a frisson of excitement amongst the first year boys.
From five oclock to half past six the boys are doing their prep in their studies. Simon shares a study with Richard Miles. Talking, of course, is not allowed during prep. Simon tries to concentrate on his work. But it is very difficult. He cant keep his mind off his appointment at 7 oclock. This will be his first time. What is more, no other boy in his year has been in his position. He is going to be the first. He cant ask older boys what it will be like: they dont talk to new bugs. Miles can hear occasional deep sighs from his study mate. He looks across every now and again. He is sorry for his friend, but he is longing to get a full report later. Sharing a study with the first boy in your year to get it may not be as interesting as actually being that first boy, but some of the kudos should rub off.
Prep is over at half past six. Simon and Miles go to the junior common room. All the talk is of one subject only. Simon tries to take part as though he hasnt a care in the world. But its not easy. He grins a lot, much more than usual and it is obviously forced. He would like to be on his own right now, but the others might think he was being wet. He sticks it out until the earliest moment when he feels he can leave without being thought wet. It is ten to seven. He says that he has to go, but will see everyone soon. There is a chorus of good luck and thinking of you Robins. He leaves the room. And now we are back where we started. A few minutes have passed. It is five to seven and we see Johnson walking down the corridor towards what we now know to be the gym. He is a little taller than Simon. He, too, has a slim and athletic build. He has fair hair and a fairer complexion than Simon. His face is also unmarked by the unattractive features of puberty. He winks at Simon as he approaches.
This your first swishing?
Simon is pleasantly surprised that a boy in the year above him is prepared to talk to him. Yes it is actually.
Dont worry too much, its all over quite quickly. This is my third, so I should know. What about at your prep, didnt you ever get swished there?
They only used the gym shoe. But I did get that quite a lot. Does the cane hurt much more?
Well, Id be lying to you if I said it didnt. Its bloody agony for a few minutes, but the pain wears off quite quickly and its all quite bearable after a couple of hours. Would it help if I talked you through it?
Oh yes please. The worst part is not knowing what to expect.
OK. Robinson does it of course. He has to have a witness who is usually the duty prefect. Thats Lyons tonight. They never get here on time cos they like to draw out the agony of waiting. Theyll probably turn up at about five past. Theyll walk slowly down the corridor chatting together and not even looking at us. Robinson will probably be swishing the cane up and down as he gets nearer. Theyll walk straight past us without looking at us. Then theyll finish their conversation in the gym and Lyons will open the door and tell me to come in. Its always the most senior boy first. What happens inside is always the same. Lyons asks you whether you know why you are being punished and you say you do. Then he tells you to take off your jacket and hand it to him. Then he tells you to walk to the middle of the gym and stand with your feet on the two white marks which are about six inches apart. Then he tells you to bend over without bending your knees and clutch your ankles. All this time, Robinson doesnt say anything at all. When you are in position Lyons will tell you how many strokes you are going to get. As its your first time youll probably get just three. I am bound to get at least four, but I could get five or six. Some boys shut their eyes then, but I look between my legs to see whats happening. Robinson walks towards you and stands just to your left. Then he sort of taps your bum with the cane to take aim. Then he takes two steps back and draws the cane back behind his shoulder. Then he takes one large leap forwards swinging the cane towards you at the same time. Theres a great swishing noise followed by a loud crack as it hits your bum. Thats when everyone closes their eyes and grips their ankles really tight. It will really hurt, but whatever you do you must not move or make a sound. Then I open my eyes again and watch him take two more steps back and it all happens again. After the last stroke you have to stay bending over until Lyons tells you to stand up. It se! ems like ages because your bums on fire and youre desperate to get out, but its probably not more than a few seconds. When you get up youll really want to jump up and down rubbing your bum. But that would give them too much pleasure so dont do it. Once you are up the first thing you do is to go and shake Robinsons hand and say thank you to him (which is not what you are thinking). Then you get your jacket from Lyons and shake his hand as well. Then you leave and start your war dance.
Simon is gripped by this account. He wonders how on earth he would have been expected to know what to do if Miles hadnt told him. At least, he thinks, hell be able to tell the other boys in his year so that they know when its their turn.
Miles continued. Are you the first new bug to get it?
Yes
Well done. Its actually very rare for new bugs to be swished in their first term. So thats something you can be proud of. I wasnt swished till my second term, but most boys get it for the first time then. By the way, I hope youre not wearing any padding over your bum.
Certainly not, protests Simon vehemently, that would be very cowardly.
Thats the right attitude. I only mention it cos whoever designed our school uniform was obviously thinking of swishings when he got to the trousers. Theyre so thin and tight round the bum that you can practically see the underpants under them when you are bending over.
It is now five past seven. Just as Miles predicted, Robinson and Lyons appear at the other end of the corridor. They seem deep in conversation, oblivious to all around them. Robinson is carrying a long thin bamboo cane. He is swishing it through the air as he walks slowly towards our heros, who fall silent and look down at their shoes. The seconds pass. The two older boys get nearer and nearer. Then they are in the gym and the doors are shut again. Miles whispers into Simons ear: come to the junior changing rooms straight afterwards and we can compare our stripes.
OK, Simon whispers back.
The door opens. Lyons addresses Miles: enter.
We see Miles lifting his jacket tail with his right hand and giving his bottom an apprehensive rub with his right hand. Then he is gone from sight and the door closes. We can hear a low murmur of voices from within. Then there is a pause of about thirty seconds. Then we hear a tremendous crack as the first stroke is administered. Then another pause. Then the second. And so on. Simon, like us, is counting. Three. Four. Five. Then a long wait and the door opens. Miles steps out. He turns immediately right, down a narrow corridor leading to the stairs to Study Corridor. From there, he is out of sight of the gym doors. He throws his jacket to the ground (he has not put it back on again) and grabs his bottom with both hands. He jumps up and down three times, gives Simon another wink, picks up his jacket and walks up the stairs.
Simon has to wait again. We can hear another low murmur. They are obviously having another of their conversations so as to demonstrate how uninterested they are in the job in hand. Then the door opens and Lyons instructs Simon to enter. Well go in as well this time.
Lyons speaks: you know why you are being beaten?
Yes Lyons. The voice is a little shaky, but Simon remains composed.
Remove your jacket and give it to me.
A little clumsily, Simon takes his jacket off and hands it to the older boy. We now see the contours of his body more clearly. The shirt is tight around his chest and upper arms. He is very slim, but has good strong muscles. His trousers are tight around his small round bottom. His thighs are slim but firm. We would not be surprised to learn, as is the case, that he is a boy who lives for sport and activity.
Lyons again: stand on those two white marks in the middle of the floor facing the other end of the gym.
Simon walks about ten paces to the punishment site.
Bend over without bending your knees and clutch your ankles.
Simon bends as told. We can see that Miles was quite right. The trousers are of such thin material that the outline of Simons underpants can be seen. He is obviously not wearing any padding. We can just detect a slight shaking of his legs, but he quickly tightens his grip on his ankles to steady himself. His bottom looks so small and vulnerable and Robinsons cane looks so vicious. We cant help wondering how he can get through this ordeal without crying out for help.
Lyons barks the one word three.
We can see that Simon is following Miless advice. His eyes are open and he can see, through his legs, that Robinson is moving towards him. He looks with dread at the cane as it gets nearer. He feels his legs beginning to shake again. He shuts his eyes for a second. Then he opens them again as he feels the light tap of the cane on his bottom. Robinson is taking aim. He sees the older boy take two steps back, with eyes at all times on the intended target. He sees the cane being brought back and up. He sees Robinson take one large leap forward and he closes his eyes tight.
We can keep our eyes open. We see the cane swishing through the air and landing with a resounding crack across the centre of the boys small bottom. It whips round catching the top of the right thigh as well. Simon jerks, but stays in place. His face grimaces with pain. He has never known such intense pain in his life. His bottom hurts more after this one stroke of the cane than it ever did after six with the gym shoe at his prep school. It is a different sort of pain. Searing, as though he had been cut with a knife. He stays firmly in place. Not a sound has escaped his lips.
Simons eyes are open again. He watches the two steps back. He watches the cane go up again, he sees the leap forward. He shuts his eyes and grips his ankles as though his life depends on it. Another swish. Another crack. This one has connected just above the first. Again it whips round his bottom to the top of his right thigh. The jerk forward is not so marked this time: he is prepared for the shock of the pain and the force of the blow. He bites his lip to stop himself from letting out an involuntary cry.
We watch as Robinson steps back again. We marvel at his strength and his determination. But we marvel more at his young victims courage and fortitude. There, you see, his eyes are open again. Hes watching the steps back, the rasing of the cane and the leap forward. Maybe we imagine it, I dont think we do, but the final stroke seems even harder the first two. If we look closely, we can see the thin lines left by each stroke across the fabric of the trousers. The last one has landed just below the first. Again, Simon makes no sound. Again he holds his position. The agony is intense, but he is determined not to reveal his distress. He blinks four times to get rid of the moisture in his eyes.
The seconds tick by. Then Lyonss voice again: get up Robins.
He rises slowly. Miles was so right. All he wants to do is to grab his bottom and jump miles into the air. But he is made of stronger stuff. He walks stiffly towards Robinson, whose hand is outstretched. Thank you Robinson. He turns towards Lyons, they shake hands too. He takes the proffered jacket and throws it nonchalantly over his shoulder. He walks to the door, opens it, walks out, shuts it behind him, turns to the right and grabs his bottom with both hands, jacket falling to the floor. He, like Miles before him, jumps madly in the air. Somehow it seems to work. He is still in exceptional pain, but the worst is over. He picks up his jacket and heads up the stairs. When he gets to Study Corridor Simon is careful not to run. He makes his way to the other end, turns to the right and enters the junior changing room. There is Miles waiting. He is holding his bottom, but smiles easily at his new friend.
How did it go then Robins?
Bloody agony, but I didnt move or make a sound.
Well done, the first is always the worst cos you dont know what to expect. Even though youll probably get more next time, I promise you it wont seem so bad.
You got five, I heard. That must have been incredibly painful. Whats your bum feel like now?
Its throbbing a bit, but its beginning to get to the nice warm stage. Here, have a look. He undoes his trousers, turns his back to Simon and pulls them down. He gently lowers his underpants to reveal the livid dark weals across his bottom. They are more marked where the cane has whipped round the right of his bottom.
Simon is impressed. He gasps with astonishment. God that must have hurt.
Lets see yours.
Simon obliges. He undoes his trousers, pulls them down and slips his pants down too. He twists round to see his own bottom. The sight is almost as awe inspiring as Miless had been.
Wow, mines pretty good too.
The stripes look even worse later on you know, once theyve coloured up properly with bruising and so on. Your mates are going to be pretty impressed in the dorm tonight.
The boys pull up their pants and trousers. We can see a bulge at the front of Miless trousers. It is pretty obvious and he feels he has to explain: I dont know why, but I always get a hard on after a swishing. I reckon my best wanks are always the ones I have the day of a swishing. You should have a wank tonight and see if its better than usual.
Simon looks embarrassed. He hasnt got to that stage in a boys development when he chats freely with his contemporaries about his nocturnal activities. He blushes slightly and coughs.
OK pal, says Miles, wed better get back to our studies before were done again.
Simon doesnt think he has ever been happier as he walks back to his study. True, he is still in pain, but he will now be lauded and praised as the first new bug to be swished. He has taken it like a man. He has a friend in the year above him. And he, too, can feel a hardening between his legs. Perhaps he will follow Miless advice after lights out. School is wonderful.