By Jamie
Copyright 2023 by Jamie, all rights reserved
* * * * *Harstons Chapter 10
Slackers court
It
was nearing the end of the first half term and Phil Davis was chairing
his weekly prefects meeting. They were considering their new idea - the
slackers court. Tom had collated the information and they had
identified 4 boys who were not pulling their weight: A fourth former, a
couple of guys in the fifth year who shared a room together and a lower
sixth form boy.
"Well we know the slackers ; the question is
how best to deal with them. Obviously we will give them a hearing but
then if they can’t satisfy us they must be punished.”
“Totally
agree” said Harry, “if we allow them to get away with it then others
will think it’s okay too. I think we shoukd make an example of them,
send clear message across the house.”
Nods of agreement all round.
“Right we will announce the court at House meeting and Tom will summon them to appear on Friday.”
House meeting
Phil spoke to the house - 75 boys aged between 13 and 18. All listening quietly as he spoke with his usual authority.
“Good evening everyone there is one final matter to discuss with you
all which is a new thing for the Barnards House. You may recall what I
announced at the start of term that we decided that there would be a
half term review of every boy’s contributions to the house . Well the
time has now come for this new idea to be implemented. Tom will be in
contact with 4 boys we want to speak to individually to find out the
reasons behind their .... How shall I put it, errmm lack of engagement
within the House. We will see each of them in turn on Friday evening at
our weekly court meeting. That’s all dismissed.”
The boys got
up and started to make their way off, the high level of noise was an
indication of the animated conversations final matter had induced. Who
was on the list, what would happen to them? Or a more worrying thought
for some - am I on the list and what will happen to me!
Friday evening: Slackers Court
First
up was Matthew Jefferson a fourth year. There had been numerous reports
of being late back to dorm, missing house meetings and
non-participation in inter house events. Jefferson strolled into the
Prefects court and stood in front of the Six slouching. Tom gave an
overview of all the reports, and it was a fairly long list given they
were only half a term into the school year. It seems as if the boy had
lost interest in doing anything. His school work was satisfactory but
that was not in the prefects remit.
“Well” said Davis, “a sorry list Jefferson would you care to give us an explanation?”
“Not really” the boy shrugged his shoulders.
“Well I suggest strongly it might be in your interest if you did.”
Davis replied his voice slightly raised. The other prefects quickly
realised the boy was on dodgy grounds already!
“Well it’s
like I don’t think we should be told what to do in our own time. I go
to class, do my homework, get reasonable grades so what’s the problem.
I’m not interested in all your fun and games.”
“You don’t think you’re missing out on anything? Have you got any friends here in Barnards?”
“Not really, they are all okay. My main friends are in Hudson House.”
“I guess that is where you were, all the times you're late in?” The boy nodded.
Duncan Unsworth indicated to Phil he’d like to speak, and the Head of House gave him the floor.
“You weren’t like this last year Jefferson, so what’s changed. You
don't want to do anything with your housemates, you lounge about at
weekends You are breaking the rules, rules which help keep everything
in the house running smoothly. Is there anything we can do to make you
change?”
“Yeah transfer me to Hudsons.” A reply that shocked them all.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes my friends are all in Hudsons. It’s not that I don’t like any of the boys here, but they are not my mates.”
“Ok I will raise this with Mr. Taylor, but we will discuss if there
should be any punishment for breaking the house rules, we can’t be seen
to let things go by without sanction else everyone will want to do
anything they want. Do you understand that at least.”
“Yeah I guess so. Can I go now?”
“Yes go, Unsworth will speak to you later.”
Duncan looked at his fellow prefects, “Well I didn’t see that coming.
He’s quiet, gets on ok with the rest of the dorm but he clearly doesn’t
want to be here.”
“Clearly” said Phil. “I will speak to Mr. Taylor. We can discuss punishment once we've seen the rest.”
The next case was much more straightforward. Henry Collins and Tony
Miller were two 5th years who shared a room. The report from the House
Matron was a litany of awfulness. Filthy, messy, washing not put in the
correct places, clean clothing not put away, beds not made, rubbish bin
overflowing etc. The two boys entered the hall with some trepidation as
they may have been lazy but weren’t stupid!
“Right you two stand up straight, don’t slouch and listen to this” said Davis in a stern voice.
Alex English the 5th year prefect picked up the report from Matron. He
ran through a few examples and then looking up read the final sentence
verbatim. Listen you two carefully Matron says, ’My staff will no
longer enter the boys rooms until they have changed their ways. They
will have to be responsible for their mess from now on. It is like a
pigsty. It is simple not acceptable and any strong words i have given
them have been ignored.’ What have got to say for yourselves?”
The boys were quiet. They knew their room was a mess but the list and words kind of shocked them.
“Well? We are all waiting?”
Miller spoke, "Sorry we didn’t realise".
“Didn’t realise Matron has old me that she has spoken to you 3 times!
It is appalling, why do expect the staff should have to clear up after
you?”
“Well they get paid don’t they? said Collins unwisely!
“Yes paid to a job not to clear up after two lazy idle filthy 15 year
olds!” shouted English. “You are nothing but a disgrace to the House
and your year group. You don’t even take a shower some days because you
are too lazy. Anything else you want to say, think carefully before you
open your mouth Colins”. He was clearly very angry and embarrassed at
two of his year group having been so awful.
“We will change we promise, won’t we Henry” said Miller realising it wasnt exactly going well.
“Too right you will by the time we've finished with you.” said English.
Davis held up his hand pointing it at Miller. “What’s your bedroom like at home?”
“Tidy, my mother wouldn't have it any other way.”
“And you Collins?”
He shrugged “my parents don’t go near my room.”
“Probably because its toxic and hazardous” said Harry Eddington. The joke brought a little light relief as there was a laugh.
“Yes well regardless of whatever you do at home Collins it is not
acceptable here. We will deliberate and tell you how things are going
to change. There will be consequences, now go use the next hour to make
a start on cleaning your room. English and I will come and inspect at
8pm. We took a picture earlier on, so we know what it was like a few
hours ago. Get out!” The boys scuttled out.
“Ugh! Vile
creatures” the Head of House comments were loud enough to be heard by
the departing boys. “Right lets discuss these 3. Tom has asked Arthur
Saunders to come and see us at 830 and I have invited Andy Johnson
(swim captain) to join us. First up what are we going to do with
Jefferson? I will speak with Mr. Taylor about his request but
regardless of that we still need to deal with the rule breaking.”
A lively discussion followed. After some debate punishments for the 3
were agreed and these would be administered as usual on Monday.
The group adjourned at 8pm to allow English and Davis to do their
inspection of the boys who were hard at work clearing the rubbish from
their room. They noted a print out which had been stuck on the door - a
chemical hazard sign. “Clearly we are not the only ones who think their
room is bad!”
The group came back together at 830pm to
consider the final name on the list, it would be interesting having a
6th former to deal with as this was a boy just a few months younger
than some of them. Arthur Saunders was an interesting character. Prior
to the 6th form he had been a pretty normal boy, excellent
academically, average in house participation, and got on well with his
peer group. He was a good swimmer but had refused to be part of the
swim team and disliked sport generally especially team sports.
Arthur was angry and spoiling for an argument after being told by Tom
to appear at the slackers court. He knew the Six were passionate about
the House, team spirit etc. and that the house swim team Captain was
cross about his refusal to participate. He was determined that they
couldn’t make him, after all he was 17 years old having just had his
birthday a few weeks ago. Arthur entered the room, and his thoughts
were confirmed when he saw the swim captain there.
Davis
looked up, “Right come in Saunders. I will start this session
differently to the others we have just had, given you are a fellow
sixth former. Why do you think you are here?”
Arthur cast his gaze round the prefects - they all knew each other quite well. He paused,
"Well I guess it’s because I won’t join in your teams and don’t believe
in this crap about house spirit and being part of the team.
"Obvious question - why?"
“Do you really want to know? Isn’t this whole slackers court charade
just another thing that allows you guys to lord it over us all, have
some fun at boys expense and show how serious and responsible you all
are or do you genuinely want to know why?” Arthur was only just getting
started!
Phil decided to take the heat out of the
conversation before it got worse, he got up, fetched a chair and put it
in front of Arthur, "Sit down Arthur. I don’t want you thinking we are
treating you like the younger boys. Please take a seat.”
The
action rather took the wind out of his sails, as Davis hoped, and
Arthur sat down. Phil returned to his seat and replied, “yes we do
genuinely want to know why? You are a great swimmer, but won’t be part
of the team, you get on well with everyone, you could be a good role
model to younger boys, but you are just missing in action so yes tell
us why.”
“Well ok. I think the house is all focused on this
being part of the team, you only get recognised if you are good at
sport, take an active participation in all events, always there
cheering on everyone else, and I want to do other things with my spare
time. No one in Barnards is ever applauded for their academic
achievements except by the House Master , it’s all about sport, and
house activities. And no offence but it’s always the same type of boys
who are chosen to be Prefects. Guys like me would never get a chance.
we don’t fit in.”
After what can only be described as an awkward silence, Phil spoke,
“Well thanks for being honest Arthur. I really hadn’t thought about
things from your point of view. I disagree with some of your points,
but I do get where you are you are coming from. How would you change
things?”
“Well pretty easily really. Little things. Did you
know that Josh Phillips in the 4th year is part of the school chess
team which won their regional league and have now qualified for the
national tournament or that Gary Jordan in the 5th year has just had a
drawing accepted for the town’s annual art exhibition. I can tell by
your faces you didn’t. Lots of boys do good stuff but don’t get
recognised because its either not sport or nothing to do with the house
events.”
“Fair point and no I didn’t know those things. You
are right and they should be celebrated, and I will put that right I
promise. What about the swimming though. We know you are excellent
swimmer why don’t you want to swim for the House and yet you swim for
the school team.”
“I don’t want to swim in the team because I
want to choose whether I wear trunks or not. I’m 17 perhaps I don’t
want to swim naked anymore. Johnson said its compulsory for the whole
team. Well I won’t.” There was silence.
Andy Johnson, “if I made it optional for the 6th to swim naked , and I can make it clear it is personal choice. Will that help?”
“Maybe” replied Arthur pleased so far with the reaction he was getting
out of them, especially as he had expected them to be unmoved by his
arguments. Davis responded,
“Okay I’m interested in your
ideas Arthur, we can chat about those over the weekend, I would be
interested in hearing more. But finally what do you think we should do
now. You are here because of lack of house participation; do you think
there should be any sanction imposed on you by us? My fellow prefects
I’m sure will gave a range of views about what you’ve just said and
some will strongly disagree with some of your views and will be of the
firm belief that non participation should be dealt with strongly. What
do you think?”
“Well I guess it’s up to you guys you’ve been
given the power to run the house. I don’t believe I’ve done anything
wrong. I haven’t broken any rules, haven’t hurt or bullied anyone. My
"crime" is non participation. A crime of omission. If you really think
that punishing me is going to make me change my mind you clearly
haven’t been listening to what I’ve been saying.”
“Ok
understood. Thanks for being honest. We will discuss and then I’ll
catch up with you over the weekend about your ideas.” Arthur left the
room.
“Well that was unexpected” said Alex English. They all nodded in agreement.
“The question is gentlemen is how do we respond to Arthur Saunders?” replied Davis.
There was a pause as each prefect deliberated. Harry Eddington spoke
first "I think I agree with him Phil. We are all of us including Andy
(Johnson) of a type. There is not much difference is there. We are all
taken from the same, dare I say it, usual mould. I can easily think of
one or two in our year who would make great prefects. Our Casey is
brilliant with the 3rd years despite our attempts to regularly
embarrass him.”
“Casey is so cute though when we do!” said Tom.
Harry laughed, “He has been our fall guy for the last 5 years he’s
kinda grown into the role I agree, and I think he does secretly enjoy
it. Despite being embarrassed he was also loving the fact all those
Mums were looking at him!! But seriously he could be a great prefect,
don’t you agree?”
Nods all round.
“So Arthur has a point. So then what do we do?” .....the debate continued for sone time until an agreement was reached.
Monday evening
After
what seemed like a long weekend 3 nervous boys stood waiting in their
pe kit outside the hall. The six were gathered inside preparing to
dispense justice. First up was Mathew Jefferson. The boy entered
nervously and instantly saw the old gym horse placed in the centre of
the room.
“Come in Jefferson. I have spoken with Mr. Taylor
about your request to swap houses and he will speak with you about
this. He asks that you come and see him immediately after school
tomorrow. Our job here is to deal solely with your rule breaking over
the half term, and regardless of the other matters this is
unacceptable. We have decided that a whacking of 3 is in order. Do you
have anything to say? A boy may appeal to the housemaster if he
disagrees.
Jefferson shook his head, "I accept it".
“Good. Right bend over the horse then. Unsworth as your year prefect will carry it out.”
Duncan Unsworth stood up, led the boy over and positioned him before
picking up the old plimsoll and delivered in quick succession 3 hard
whacks. Jefferson flinched with each one but made no sound.
“Stand up all done. The rules are there for a reason, follow them
please regardless of whether you are here or in another house.
Understand!”
“Yes Unsworth” nodded the boy his hands rubbing his stinging bottom.
Outside the two 5th years listened to the 3 whacks, the sound of each
was very clear. They looked at each other recognising that probably
their fate would be worse. Jefferson appeared, he looked troubled and
said “good luck” as he walked passed them to go and get changed.
“Miller, Collins come in” came the call. The boys entered nervously.
Phil Davis spoke. "I’m sure you realise that your behaviour has been
appalling and that you are going to be punished. Have either of you got
anything to say at this point before I tell you what we have decided.”
They shook their heads realising after their words last Friday, silence was probably the best course of action.
“Right we have agreed 3 things. Listen carefully. Two of them are about
changing your behaviour the third is punishment. From tomorrow the
following will happen. Each morning you will have a supervised shower
by one of the prefect team at 7 am. The first 5 days will be a cold
shower. This supervised shower will last for 2 weeks by which time we
hope the habit of washing will be fixed.
“Secondly every
Friday for the next half term your room will be inspected after school.
If it is not acceptable you will appear before the court that evening.
We will also check with Matron to ensure that you are following the
rules re clothes washing etc. When you have demonstrated that you can
keep your room to a proper standard then the staff will once again
clean your room. Matron will decide when that is. Any questions?”
The boys shook their heads.
“English will explain what the standard required is. If you fail to
achieve this, you will not only be punished again but you will be split
up and given new roommates. Now to punishment: your behaviour has been
unacceptable on every level so we have decided that you will both be
given a whacking that fits the behaviour.” Davis paused, the boys
looked down, but he told them to look up at the prefects, stand up
straight and take responsibility for their actions.
“You
will both be given 6 whacks now bare. English and Roberts will give the
punishment. Now remove your pe kit and stand there hands behind your
backs.”
The boys faces were a picture of horror, and shock. “Now” said Davis in a stern slightly raised voice.
Very shortly afterwards two naked 15 year olds stood in front of the 6
prefects. Both boys as you would expect were maturing with a bush of
black hair around their willies. Both were pretty average in size,
though there was sone discernible twitching as they were embarrassingly
exposed. The prefects stood up and gathered round the gym horse and the
boys told to stand in front.
“Right Collins you first bend over.”
Alex English put the boy in position legs apart and then picking up the
plimsoll gave the bottom a few gentle taps before stepping back. Three
hard whacks followed. The boy grunted as Miller watching flinched.
Neither boy had ever been whacked like this before. Miller’s face was
bright red in embarrassment as he watched his mates bottom turn pink.
Alex handed the plimsoll to the Captain of sport, the most muscular of
all 6 prefects. Roberts drew back and delivered a fierce blow. Collins
gave a sound of arrgh and his body shook a little. The next one came
own equally hard. Roberts stepped back a few paces and then ran in to
deliver the hardest whack of all. Collins literally shouted in pain and
his hands immediately left the horse and went to rub his burning
bottom.
“Stand up straight” The boy did as he was told,
tears clearly in his eyes. “Stand beside Miller. Hands behind your
back. Do not move.”
Eyes turned to Miller who unfortunately
for him now had a semi erection, he didn’t understand why but he
couldn’t help it. A few smirks appeared on the prefects faces.
“Looks like Miller got excited by watching your punishment Collins.”
said Tom. A few laughed as Miller blushed furiously. Collins looked at
his roommates willy which with a mind of its own rose a little bit
more.
The boy very nervously approached the horse. He was
bent over his hard willy laying on the padding his body pushing down.
The same punishment was delivered. 3 from English and 3 much harder
ones from Roberts . He took an even longer run up for the final one and
the sound of the whack was really loud. Miller was in agony as he stood
up the rubbing of the body had now caused a full blown erection that
even his mate couldn’t help but half smile at.
“Right that’s
your punishment over. English will explain about the shower and room
inspection later.” Davis paused and looked at the two upset boys.
“I hope this lesson has been learnt. There are standards here at
Barnards and every boy has to keep them to make the house run smoothly.
There are 75 of us and you can’t have two causing problems. I sincerely
hope we won’t have you back over this gym horse again. Be rest assured
boys our sentence next time may not be delivered by us but by Mr.
Taylor, and you know that means with the cane. Understood.”
He
paused looking at the boys noting the still hard Miller. “It seems we
have a problem. We can’t let you walk out of here looking like that can
we Miller?. What do you think we should do about it Collins?”
Collins despite his pain, laughed, “well there is one sure way to get
rid of it, sorry mate,” he said looking at Miller who flushed redder.
The prefects laughed, “thank you Collins, I think we all know what you
meant - well that sure is one way I guess. Any alternative suggestions
Miller apart from waiting for it to go down, we could be here ages and
we haven’t got all day have we?”
The boy glumly shook his head. “No Davis I don’t know; it just happens doesn’t it.”
“Well that’s something we all can agree on, teenage boys often have no
control over their penises, but we can’t let you walk about the house
with that, so I guess you better get rid of it Miller. It is always
interesting for us to see how others jerk off. Off you go.” he said
with a broad smile, “educate us”.
Miller was open mouthed but
realised he was in a corner, even his mate Collins was staring at him.
7 pairs of eyes waiting for him to jerk of. He shrugged his shoulders
and his right hand moved to his cock. Slowlly he began to work it and
wanting to get it over he sped up and soon was panting heavily. He was
getting close and shut his eyes and ejaculated with a grunt and cry as
he sperm shot from his willy over the floor of the hall. He opened his
eyes to see everyone grinning at him and felt about 2 ft tall. That was
far worse than the 6 of the best, he felt humiliated even though it had
been a good wank, perhaps he enjoyed being watched he thougt to himself?
“Thank you Miller. A great demonstration in the art of masturbation”
said Dais, visibly adjusting himself much to the amusement of his
fellow prefects. He blushed “we will leave the 2 of you to clean up the
floor, some of us have things to attend to! “ which caused a roar of
laughter from everyone even Miller saw the funny side of it deposit his
embarrassment.