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A Life in the Day of Nixdown Nixon - The Woody Back to School Unit

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A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong><strong>of</strong><strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>R HumphriesWoodettes Publications


Published 2010byWoodettes PublicationsHous<strong>to</strong>n, Texas, USA© Woodettes Publications 2010R Humphries has asserted his right <strong>to</strong> be identified as<strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> this work with all rights reserved<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> reproduction <strong>in</strong> whole or <strong>in</strong> part<strong>in</strong> any form.<strong>The</strong> Library <strong>of</strong> Congress has catalogued this edition asfollows Humphries, R [date]A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong> : a novel byR Humphries[Application Pend<strong>in</strong>g]1st Ed.ISBN – [Application Pend<strong>in</strong>g]www.woodettes.wordpress.com


Author’s NoteThis is a work <strong>of</strong> fiction. Names, characters,places and <strong>in</strong>cidents are ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> product <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>author's imag<strong>in</strong>ation or are used fictitiously. Anyresemblance <strong>to</strong> actual events or locales or persons,liv<strong>in</strong>g or dead, is entirely co<strong>in</strong>cidental.<strong>The</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ries based at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Woody</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>School</strong><strong>Unit</strong> are works <strong>of</strong> adult fiction based upon <strong>the</strong> real-lifefantasy games played by <strong>the</strong> author, R. Humphriesand his wife, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>imitable Jojo.It is <strong>the</strong> author’s <strong>in</strong>tent <strong>to</strong> create <strong>the</strong> <strong>Woody</strong><strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Unit</strong> as an imag<strong>in</strong>ative world peopledwith a believable cast and set <strong>in</strong> familiar surround<strong>in</strong>gswith<strong>in</strong> which <strong>the</strong> readers will become comfortable.<strong>The</strong> vernacular used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ries is acomb<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> phraseology derived from writ<strong>in</strong>gsuch as <strong>the</strong> British penny comics from <strong>the</strong> n<strong>in</strong>eteenthirties, current language, slang and idioms, and <strong>the</strong><strong>in</strong>vented parlance known as <strong>Woody</strong> Jargon.As such references <strong>to</strong> ‘beat<strong>in</strong>g’, ‘thrash<strong>in</strong>g’, and‘flogg<strong>in</strong>g’ have no context <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> use or avocation <strong>of</strong>physical violence, with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> controlledcorporal punishment, aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> characters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>s<strong>to</strong>ries.


Dedicated<strong>to</strong>My Beloved Jojo


ContentsIt Started With a Spank<strong>in</strong>g ................... 1Degenerate .......................................... 5Thrashed by a Goddess ......................... 9Recreational Spank<strong>in</strong>g ....................... 14Men<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g .......................................... 18Planet Nix.......................................... 23Yvonne and Janet ............................... 27Vic<strong>to</strong>ria and Debs ............................... 32


1It Started With a Spank<strong>in</strong>gI wake up <strong>in</strong> a make-shift straw bed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> tackroom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stable complex. It is only five-thirty <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>morn<strong>in</strong>g but I am an early riser. My step-mo<strong>the</strong>r,Petron, and I used <strong>to</strong> exercise <strong>the</strong> horses at dawn,along <strong>the</strong> beaches outside our home when I was still<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> idyllic throes <strong>of</strong> childhood.Penny Ann is still sleep<strong>in</strong>g and breath<strong>in</strong>ggently. She has a slightly blissful smile on her face.I pad barefoot across <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>in</strong>k and brush myteeth and try <strong>to</strong> straighten my hair a little. <strong>The</strong>n Icollect my clobber and quickly dress, do<strong>in</strong>g my bestnot <strong>to</strong> disturb Pen.Once I am fully dressed I lean down and kissher gently. Her eyes flicker open and she smilessleepily.“I have <strong>to</strong> run,” I tell her. “I’m on duty atseven and I need <strong>to</strong> get some c<strong>of</strong>fee and take ashower. Thanks for last night.”She gives me a small sleep-giggle. I kiss heraga<strong>in</strong> and <strong>the</strong>n cut along.


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong><strong>The</strong>re is nobody about as I cut across <strong>the</strong>quadrangle and go <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> house. I head over<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cafeteria <strong>in</strong> search <strong>of</strong> java.I f<strong>in</strong>d Debs Mor<strong>to</strong>n stand<strong>in</strong>g by <strong>the</strong> mach<strong>in</strong>ewait<strong>in</strong>g for it <strong>to</strong> heat up. She is dressed <strong>in</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gsweats and is on her way for her morn<strong>in</strong>g run withJane Lummell, who is her tennis coach. We <strong>of</strong>tenmeet at this time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g, me on <strong>the</strong> wayhome from my trysts with Pen and Debs <strong>of</strong>f on herway <strong>to</strong> start her busy day.She gr<strong>in</strong>s at me, “So how was it?” She askscheerily.“Absolutely div<strong>in</strong>e,” I tell her and I’m not ly<strong>in</strong>g.My bum is still t<strong>in</strong>gl<strong>in</strong>g deliciously.We started last even<strong>in</strong>g’s activities with mestretched out across Penny Ann’s lap for a straightforward,good old fashioned spank<strong>in</strong>g.When I arrived at <strong>the</strong> stable Penny Ann wasalready wait<strong>in</strong>g. She had lit a number <strong>of</strong> unscentedcandles and I could see an ice bucket with a bottle <strong>of</strong>Veuve Clicquot that we would enjoy <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> fullness <strong>of</strong>time.Penny Ann is a statuesque gal, stand<strong>in</strong>g fivefeetn<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>ches <strong>in</strong> her s<strong>to</strong>ck<strong>in</strong>ged feet, which issomewhat taller than little old me.She was dressed <strong>in</strong> a black five but<strong>to</strong>n rid<strong>in</strong>gjacket over a white l<strong>in</strong>en shirt that I bought her <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r day and a black silk tie. Her strong legs wereshoe-horned <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> form-fitt<strong>in</strong>g charcoal grey jodhpursthat were tucked <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> knee-high black rid<strong>in</strong>g boots.She was hold<strong>in</strong>g a braided rid<strong>in</strong>g crop between hergloved hands.


3Pen wears her mass <strong>of</strong> blonde curls mussed upon <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p <strong>of</strong> her head. She has strong featuresdom<strong>in</strong>ated by large blue eyes and radiates health.She is my English rose.We did not waste time with niceties.“Remove your blazer and place your hands onyour head,” she <strong>in</strong>structed me as soon as I walkedthrough <strong>the</strong> door.Penny Ann is a quiet and gentle gal by naturebut she served a year <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> Red-shirt at <strong>the</strong>unit and was responsible for discipl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g hundreds <strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>mates. She taught herself <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> exud<strong>in</strong>gstrength and patrician authority.I did as I was <strong>to</strong>ld.Penny s<strong>to</strong>od up and set <strong>the</strong> crop <strong>to</strong> one side.She <strong>to</strong>ok <strong>of</strong>f her black lea<strong>the</strong>r gloves and slowlyunfastened <strong>the</strong> five but<strong>to</strong>ns down <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> herjacket.<strong>The</strong> stable was quite dark, with just <strong>the</strong>candles flicker<strong>in</strong>g and a little light from <strong>the</strong> moon and<strong>the</strong> stars. It was serenely silent with <strong>the</strong> only sound<strong>the</strong> occasional snort from <strong>the</strong> horses <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir stalls.Pen shrugged <strong>of</strong>f her jacket and hung it upbeside my red and black striped blazer.<strong>The</strong> white cot<strong>to</strong>n and silk material <strong>of</strong> herblouse clung <strong>to</strong> her upper <strong>to</strong>rso like a second sk<strong>in</strong>.She was wear<strong>in</strong>g a thick lea<strong>the</strong>r belt around her waistthat accentuated her hour-glass figure. I thought shelooked magnificent.


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>She rolled back <strong>the</strong> sleeves <strong>of</strong> her shirt,unfastened <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p but<strong>to</strong>n and loosened her tie. Sheretrieved her gloves and pulled <strong>the</strong>m on.She walked over and s<strong>to</strong>od before me. As Ihave said she is significantly taller than me and I had<strong>to</strong> tilt my head upwards <strong>to</strong> meet her coolly steel gaze.She <strong>to</strong>ld me <strong>to</strong> lower my arms and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>to</strong>okme firmly by <strong>the</strong> wrist. “Come with me, young lady,”she <strong>to</strong>ld me and started <strong>to</strong> stride purposefully across<strong>the</strong> stables <strong>to</strong>wards a conveniently positioned bale <strong>of</strong>hay.I had <strong>to</strong> scurry a little <strong>to</strong> keep up <strong>in</strong> order thatI was not be<strong>in</strong>g dragged, which would have been atad undignified.We reached <strong>the</strong> bale <strong>of</strong> hay and she sat down.In one fluid movement she gave my wrist a tug andpulled me downwards across her lap.She was all bus<strong>in</strong>ess, flipp<strong>in</strong>g back my shortskirt and roll<strong>in</strong>g down my bumbags.“Stretch out,” she commanded. “I <strong>in</strong>tend <strong>to</strong>give you a damn good spank<strong>in</strong>g.”I shuffled <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> position and felt myself be<strong>in</strong>gpulled tightly <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> crease <strong>of</strong> her lap. I feel <strong>the</strong>lea<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> her glove tapp<strong>in</strong>g down on my upturnednaked flesh and <strong>the</strong>n she raised her arm <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> airand brought it down with an explosive smack.It was not long before I felt <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> mybum beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> warm up delightfully.


2DegeneratePenny Ann and I have been an item for nearlyeighteen months now. I know that on <strong>the</strong> face <strong>of</strong> itwe seem an unlikely couple. Penny Ann is ra<strong>the</strong>rref<strong>in</strong>ed and reserved, which is <strong>the</strong> complete anti<strong>the</strong>sis<strong>of</strong> yours truly.I am well aware that my reputation precedesme and that Pen’s closest chums counseled her <strong>to</strong>give me a wide berth. I can’t say that I really blame<strong>the</strong>m as I suppose I have always reveled <strong>in</strong> myreputation as a degenerate.Actually I feel that degenerate might be a littleharsh; secretly I prefer <strong>to</strong> consider myself <strong>to</strong> haveliberal tendencies. However, I have k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> embraced<strong>the</strong> notion <strong>of</strong> degeneracy s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> Grand Dame a<strong>to</strong>ne <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> many schools that I attended felt <strong>the</strong> need<strong>to</strong> publicly denounce me as such <strong>in</strong> a crowdedassembly hall.We have known each o<strong>the</strong>r for yonks, dat<strong>in</strong>gback <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> glorious days when we rode competitivelyaga<strong>in</strong>st each o<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong>n on <strong>the</strong> same national


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>team that swept <strong>the</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ent w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g trophies androsettes wherever we went. ‘We’ be<strong>in</strong>g Penny Ann,Jojo, Claire Brooks and I.Penelope Ann Evans was <strong>the</strong> eldest amongstus and <strong>the</strong> Capta<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team. She was always quietand reserved but she was a fabulous rider and led byexample.What a team we were. My dearest, life-longchum Jojo was <strong>the</strong> heart and soul <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team. On <strong>the</strong>rare occasions th<strong>in</strong>gs were not go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong>o well shewould rally us and <strong>in</strong>spire us with her fearlessperformances.Claire Brooks always looked as if she hadstepped <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> cover <strong>of</strong> Country <strong>Life</strong>. Long and li<strong>the</strong>,prist<strong>in</strong>e and elegant, and <strong>the</strong>n she would open hermouth. Claire’s mo<strong>the</strong>r used <strong>to</strong> attend most meetsand I can’t tell you how many times we witnessedpoor old Claire be<strong>in</strong>g unceremoniously yanked acrossher mo<strong>the</strong>r’s knees <strong>to</strong> be soundly spanked with awood-backed hairbrush for potty-mouth<strong>in</strong>g,regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> audience.I was <strong>the</strong> problem-child <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>fact I was <strong>of</strong>ten between schools due <strong>to</strong> myunfortunate habit <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g expelled.When I was unavailable our first reserve SarahForsham-Smy<strong>the</strong> would take my place. Sarah <strong>of</strong>course is <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> billionairess MelissaForsham-Smy<strong>the</strong>. Melissa was always apoplectic tha<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong>f-spr<strong>in</strong>g was not a first choice and it is onlyrecently that we have learned <strong>the</strong> extremes that shewas will<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong> order for her daughter <strong>to</strong> get<strong>to</strong> ride <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Olympics.


7Pen and I were good chums but we were sovery different I never considered her as a target for apotential conquest.We were all gob-smacked when Penny Annfailed a ur<strong>in</strong>e test before a major event and wassentenced <strong>to</strong> seven years at <strong>Woody</strong>s under <strong>the</strong>recently enacted Anti-Ladette laws. A more unlikelyLadette would be hard <strong>to</strong> imag<strong>in</strong>e.Jojo <strong>to</strong>ok over as Team Capta<strong>in</strong> and Sarahbecame a permanent fixture on <strong>the</strong> squad. We had noidea that with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> next two years that <strong>the</strong> teamwould be decimated and that Jojo, Claire and I wouldall be fitted out for clobber.Around this time Jojo and I started ourCreative Arts company. Jojo concentrated on <strong>the</strong>aterand <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial size sculptures. I haddecided <strong>to</strong> follow <strong>in</strong> my fa<strong>the</strong>r’s footsteps and workbeh<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> camera.My fa<strong>the</strong>r is Nicolas <strong>Nixon</strong> and her has beendirect<strong>in</strong>g and produc<strong>in</strong>g movies for over thirty years.He has never been Hollywood ma<strong>in</strong>stream but hisfilms have played <strong>to</strong> packed movie houses all overEurope. He is considered <strong>to</strong> be a cultural icon <strong>in</strong>Czechoslovakia.I was brought up surrounded by exotic artisticspecimens and none more so than my step-mo<strong>the</strong>rPetron. I never really knew my birth mo<strong>the</strong>r as shedied <strong>in</strong> a car crash when I was barely able <strong>to</strong> walk.Petron was my fa<strong>the</strong>r’s muse and had starred<strong>in</strong> his earliest films and <strong>the</strong>y married two years aftermy mo<strong>the</strong>r’s untimely pass<strong>in</strong>g. She is French and


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>extraord<strong>in</strong>arily beautiful. She coached me <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ways<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world at a very young age.I started out mak<strong>in</strong>g music videos. It wastremendous fun and I fancied myself as a ra<strong>the</strong>r racyartist work<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> cutt<strong>in</strong>g edge. In h<strong>in</strong>dsight thoseearly videos were somewhat naïve and pedestrianalthough at <strong>the</strong> time I considered <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> be veryrisqué.I had not yet discovered my <strong>in</strong>ner spanketteand it was not until slightly later that I began <strong>to</strong><strong>in</strong>clude <strong>the</strong> BDSM <strong>the</strong>mes that caused me <strong>to</strong> sufferconsiderable harassment from <strong>the</strong> Dark Agents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>System and were used as an excuse <strong>to</strong> bang me up at<strong>Woody</strong>s.In fact I am a ra<strong>the</strong>r unlikely candidate for mychosen fetish as my early experiences <strong>of</strong> corporalpunishment were far from erotic.


3Thrashed by a GoddessAlthough my fa<strong>the</strong>r ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed a beautiful seashorehouse <strong>in</strong> Somerset he and Petron spent much<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year <strong>in</strong> Paris and o<strong>the</strong>r European locales. So at<strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> eleven I was shipped <strong>of</strong>f <strong>to</strong> board<strong>in</strong>gschool. After a childhood <strong>of</strong> travell<strong>in</strong>g with my fa<strong>the</strong>rand liv<strong>in</strong>g on an unpredictable timetable I was notbest suited <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> rigors and regimen <strong>of</strong> board<strong>in</strong>gschool life.<strong>The</strong> first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> schools I attended wasconsidered amongst <strong>the</strong> most prestigious <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>country and was certa<strong>in</strong>ly amongst <strong>the</strong> mostexpensive. It was filled with members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>aris<strong>to</strong>cracy and <strong>the</strong> daughters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> landed gentry.As <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-spr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a self-made film direc<strong>to</strong>r I waslooked down upon as a parvenu. <strong>The</strong> gals were aprissy and self-important lot and none more so than<strong>the</strong> four gals who were known as ‘<strong>The</strong> Goddesses’.<strong>The</strong> four Goddesses were comprised <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Head-Gal and her Deputy and <strong>the</strong> Capta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twohouses. We were expected <strong>to</strong> address <strong>the</strong>m as


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>Goddess Ponsonby-Jones, Goddess Seigh<strong>to</strong>n-Holmes,or whatever <strong>the</strong>ir stuffy names might be.Nobody seemed <strong>to</strong> th<strong>in</strong>k it <strong>the</strong> least bit queer<strong>to</strong> have <strong>to</strong> say, “Yes, Goddess,” or “No, Goddess”,nobody that is except me who considered itridiculous.It was probably from <strong>the</strong>se early experiencesthat I developed my sense <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> absurd and <strong>the</strong>healthy cynicism <strong>of</strong> which I am <strong>of</strong>ten accused.I had not long been at this hell-hole before Iwas summoned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Head-Gals Chambers.When I arrived <strong>the</strong> four Goddesses werewait<strong>in</strong>g for me <strong>in</strong> all <strong>the</strong>ir pompous splendor. <strong>The</strong>Head-Gal, Goddess Ponsonby-Jones did most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>gabb<strong>in</strong>g, but it turned out that ano<strong>the</strong>r be-yotch,Goddess Seigh<strong>to</strong>n-Holmes was <strong>the</strong> real villa<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>piece.I was <strong>in</strong>formed that earlier <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g I hadbeen guilty <strong>of</strong> ‘Gobb<strong>in</strong>g a Goddess’! Apparently I hadpassed this be-yotch Seigh<strong>to</strong>n-Holmes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>quadrangle and had <strong>the</strong> audacity <strong>to</strong> go about mybus<strong>in</strong>ess without s<strong>to</strong>pp<strong>in</strong>g and say<strong>in</strong>g, “Good even<strong>in</strong>gGoddess, is <strong>the</strong>re anyth<strong>in</strong>g I can do <strong>to</strong> assist you?”She had taken this as a personal slight and felt thatshe had been well and truly ‘gobbed’ as such behaviorwas so qua<strong>in</strong>tly termed.I remember star<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong>m as if <strong>the</strong>y werealiens from a different planet, which <strong>in</strong> many ways<strong>the</strong>y were. I muttered some form <strong>of</strong> an apologyalthough I did not feel <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> least bit apologetic, butit didn’t really matter anyway. A cane was producedand I was <strong>in</strong>formed that I was <strong>to</strong> be thrashed.


11I did not take this news well but <strong>the</strong>y gave mea choice. I could ei<strong>the</strong>r bend over <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>aunder my own steam or <strong>the</strong>y would physically holdme down. Needless <strong>to</strong> say I bent over.I was so angry that <strong>the</strong> can<strong>in</strong>g itself did notseem <strong>to</strong> hurt much. Once Ponsonby-Jones wasf<strong>in</strong>ished and I was allowed <strong>to</strong> return <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> upright Ifelt I had no option. I hacked her <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sh<strong>in</strong>s!This resulted <strong>in</strong> a second can<strong>in</strong>g, which I mustadmit did hurt ra<strong>the</strong>r considerably, although I neverlet <strong>the</strong>m see that.This ridiculous <strong>in</strong>cident cultivated my seriousdislike for be<strong>in</strong>g formally punished which cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong>this day. I felt that it was ridiculous that <strong>the</strong>se beyotch’shad <strong>the</strong> power <strong>to</strong> bend me over and beat myarse with a whippy rattan cane.My stay at <strong>the</strong> school was an unhappy one, Iwas at constant war with <strong>the</strong> Goddesses and gobbed<strong>the</strong>m at every opportunity. <strong>The</strong>y, <strong>of</strong> course, thrashedme whenever <strong>the</strong>y had a chance. I always felt <strong>the</strong>need <strong>to</strong> retaliate with sh<strong>in</strong>-hack<strong>in</strong>g which alwaysguaranteed me a few more strokes.I actually rema<strong>in</strong>ed enrolled at <strong>the</strong> school foralmost three years. I th<strong>in</strong>k that my fa<strong>the</strong>r’s generousgifts <strong>of</strong> new libraries and extensions <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> facilitieshad more <strong>to</strong> do with that than <strong>the</strong>ir desire <strong>to</strong> reta<strong>in</strong>me as a pupil. After all my fa<strong>the</strong>r probably had moreloot than <strong>the</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ed chaps <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> aris<strong>to</strong>craticbumpk<strong>in</strong>s put <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r.I was thrashed fifteen times dur<strong>in</strong>g my stay.That may not seem a lot when compared <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>records <strong>of</strong> my dear chums Debs, Claire and <strong>the</strong>Bounder but <strong>to</strong> put it <strong>in</strong> perspective most girls at <strong>the</strong>


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>school went through entire careers gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> caneonly once or twice, so clearly I was not popular with<strong>the</strong> be-yotch Goddesses.Not that my time was entirely wasted. I wiledaway my time by hon<strong>in</strong>g my art <strong>of</strong> seduction andsubsidized my allowance giv<strong>in</strong>g lessons <strong>in</strong> Frenchkiss<strong>in</strong>gand <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>e art <strong>of</strong> cunnil<strong>in</strong>gus.Eventually I was booted out and started ara<strong>the</strong>r peripatetic education. Most schools were loa<strong>the</strong><strong>to</strong> enroll somebody who had an expulsion on <strong>the</strong>irrecords. I was generally taken on for a probationaryperiod and was rarely <strong>in</strong>vited <strong>to</strong> extend my stay.I picked up a few more can<strong>in</strong>gs along <strong>the</strong> wayand my sh<strong>in</strong>-kick<strong>in</strong>g responses generally sped up myearly evictions.My f<strong>in</strong>al educational hoorah was ra<strong>the</strong>rspectacular. I had been enrolled at yet ano<strong>the</strong>r prissy<strong>in</strong>stitute and had immediately busied myself withseduc<strong>in</strong>g several members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Upper Sixth form.Unfortunately I fell foul <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Headgirl.She was hanker<strong>in</strong>g for a little Nicola Janeaction but I refused her overtures. After all she hadrecently bent me over for six <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best and I hadstandards, bedd<strong>in</strong>g down with her would have beentantamount <strong>to</strong> sleep<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> enemy.She <strong>to</strong>ok out her spite by report<strong>in</strong>g myactivities <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grand Dame and one morn<strong>in</strong>g I wassummoned on<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> stage <strong>in</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g assembly andpublicly denounced as a degenerate. I was caned <strong>in</strong>front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole school.I felt I had little choice but <strong>to</strong> retaliate and foronce I didn’t consider sh<strong>in</strong>-hack<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> be <strong>the</strong>appropriate response <strong>to</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g publicly caned so I


13procured some explosives and fire-bombed <strong>the</strong> beyotch’scar. Sadly she wasn’t <strong>in</strong> it.As you can tell I was an unlikely candidate fordevelop<strong>in</strong>g a penchant for recreational spank<strong>in</strong>g.


4Recreational Spank<strong>in</strong>gPenny Ann did not hold back. She knows mytastes and knows that I do not spend time across herknee’s <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>dulge <strong>in</strong> a gentle paddy-whack<strong>in</strong>g.She had me tucked <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> crease <strong>of</strong> her lapwith her arm around my waist. I couldn’t haveescaped if I had wanted <strong>to</strong>. Penelope Ann isphenomenally strong. She was brought up on a farm<strong>in</strong> East Anglia and despite her chaps be<strong>in</strong>g wellheeledand hav<strong>in</strong>g plenty <strong>of</strong> staff she was expected <strong>to</strong>lend a hand <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> land.I love <strong>the</strong> feel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> her lea<strong>the</strong>r gloved palmrebound<strong>in</strong>g from my naked flesh. I love <strong>the</strong> sensuallea<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>fused smell <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tack-room and <strong>the</strong>flicker<strong>in</strong>g candle-light. I was <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> heaven and<strong>the</strong> night had only just begun.My first foray <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> recreational spank<strong>in</strong>g wasnot actually that recreational at all.I was work<strong>in</strong>g on my first movie as anassistant direc<strong>to</strong>r and dat<strong>in</strong>g one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> camera-men,a hunk <strong>of</strong> a chap.


15One even<strong>in</strong>g we had arranged <strong>to</strong> meet ford<strong>in</strong>ner and for reasons long forgotten I was severalhours late. He was furious and when we got back <strong>to</strong>his apartment he put me over his knee, flipped backmy skirt and gave me a damn good spank<strong>in</strong>g.Needless <strong>to</strong> say I was outraged and responded<strong>in</strong> typical <strong>Nixdown</strong> fashion by hack<strong>in</strong>g him <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>sh<strong>in</strong>s, slapp<strong>in</strong>g him around <strong>the</strong> kisser and s<strong>to</strong>rm<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong>f <strong>in</strong> a high old snit.However, when I got home I found myselfcuriously aroused by <strong>the</strong> memory and found itimpossible <strong>to</strong> sleep. <strong>The</strong>re was noth<strong>in</strong>g else for it, Ireturned <strong>to</strong> his apartment and demanded that heRodger my eyes out, but only after he had put meover his knee for a second time a spanked me until Isqueaked. <strong>The</strong> rest as <strong>the</strong>y say is his<strong>to</strong>ry.<strong>The</strong> heat <strong>in</strong> my bot<strong>to</strong>m was grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>tensity and I could not help but wriggle and squirma little under <strong>the</strong> deluge <strong>of</strong> spanks. As I squirmed Icould feel <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fabric <strong>of</strong> my blouseaga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> flesh <strong>of</strong> my tummy, it was a deliciouslyexotic sensation.Recently my clobber consultant sent mesamples <strong>of</strong> a new fabric she had found at one <strong>of</strong> myfavorite tailors <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> backstreets <strong>of</strong> Ho Chi M<strong>in</strong>h City.It is basically two layers bonded <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong>external layer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> garment is a crisp cot<strong>to</strong>n thatholds its creases perfectly and its stiffened collar isperfectly spread <strong>to</strong> accent a well-knotted tie. <strong>The</strong>secondary <strong>in</strong>ternal l<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is a beautiful s<strong>of</strong>t andluscious silk.


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>My chums josh me about my passion forclobber but anybody who tries out well craftedclobber is an <strong>in</strong>stant convert.My chum Deborah Mor<strong>to</strong>n has always beensometh<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a hobo. Even when she was famous andalways <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> newspapers she always hid underbaseball caps, over-sized lea<strong>the</strong>r jackets and sweatpants.<strong>The</strong> only th<strong>in</strong>g that she ever seemed <strong>to</strong> spendany money on was cowboy boots, <strong>of</strong> which she hasan extensive collection.At <strong>Woody</strong>s she was amongst <strong>the</strong> most clobberchallenged gals <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> unit and <strong>to</strong>ok numerousunnecessary excursions over Katie Becks lap <strong>to</strong> haveher rump roasted with a lea<strong>the</strong>r soled slipper forclobber abuse. I put it down <strong>to</strong> that cheap cataloguecrap she <strong>in</strong>sists on buy<strong>in</strong>g. It is a shame reallybecause she is a pretty little th<strong>in</strong>g and I alwaysthought that she would brush up nicely.When Deborah was promoted <strong>to</strong> Deputy RedshirtI decided that it was time <strong>to</strong> take her <strong>in</strong> hand. Iflew my clobber consultant out <strong>to</strong> Ibiza, where wewere all spend<strong>in</strong>g furlough, and had Debs measuredup for tailored clobber. She made a terrible fuss about<strong>the</strong> expense. It is not that she is a tight-wad but sheis squirrel<strong>in</strong>g away every penny <strong>to</strong> support herself andher team when she returns <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> tennis circuit nextyear. I reassured her that my fa<strong>the</strong>r had generouslyapproved <strong>the</strong> ‘Mor<strong>to</strong>n Makeover’ budget. She f<strong>in</strong>allyra<strong>the</strong>r poutily succumbed and now she is a convert <strong>to</strong>my style <strong>of</strong> radical chic. This is fortunate becauseshe’s back <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> news <strong>the</strong>se days and is perceived asan icon for <strong>the</strong> zeitgeist <strong>of</strong> Whops and Clobber and it


17wouldn’t do <strong>to</strong> have a hobo as our representative. ButI digress.Penny Ann rearranged me <strong>in</strong> her lap, mak<strong>in</strong>gsure that I was teed up and primed. I knew what <strong>to</strong>expect. She was prepar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> blitz me.<strong>The</strong> blitz is really <strong>the</strong> heart and soul <strong>of</strong> aspank<strong>in</strong>g. She had been slowly and methodicallysmack<strong>in</strong>g my bot<strong>to</strong>m <strong>in</strong> a predictable tempo, work<strong>in</strong>gup one cheek and back down <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. Every spankdesigned <strong>to</strong> build up <strong>the</strong> heat and <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong>discoloration <strong>of</strong> my sitmedown. By <strong>the</strong>n I was deep <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> zone and perfectly mentally prepared <strong>to</strong> beblitzed.Actually no matter how experienced or whophardened you become you are never truly prepared <strong>to</strong>be blitzed. <strong>The</strong> spanks ra<strong>in</strong>ed down fast and furious. Icouldn’t help myself, I gyrated and kicked my legsspastically. I punched <strong>the</strong> air and shook my head <strong>in</strong>bewilderment as her lea<strong>the</strong>r hand landed randomly <strong>in</strong>an alarm<strong>in</strong>gly unpredictable manner. A blitz attackmay only last a few seconds but it seems like aneternity.I lay pant<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>ert across her knees try<strong>in</strong>g<strong>to</strong> get my breath back and <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p my pound<strong>in</strong>g heartfrom leap<strong>in</strong>g out from below my blouse. It was adizzy<strong>in</strong>g sensation and I was <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> heaven. Itwas clearly time for champagne.


5Men<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>gDebs takes <strong>of</strong>f for her run and I pour two cups<strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee, one for me and one for Jojo. We don’tactually share a study anymore now that we havebeen elevated <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> giddy heights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Elite but oldhabits die hard.I cut through <strong>the</strong> labyr<strong>in</strong>th <strong>of</strong> wood-floored,oak-paneled corridors <strong>to</strong>wards <strong>the</strong> back stairwell thatwill take me up <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> private land<strong>in</strong>g reserved for <strong>the</strong>studies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gals <strong>in</strong> Phase 7 <strong>of</strong> our sentences.Nobody is about yet and <strong>the</strong> only sound is <strong>the</strong> click <strong>of</strong>my heels that echo ra<strong>the</strong>r eerily around <strong>the</strong> hugebuild<strong>in</strong>g.Today I am <strong>the</strong> designated Duty Moni<strong>to</strong>r andwill be responsible for assist<strong>in</strong>g Lady Vic<strong>to</strong>riaBromp<strong>to</strong>n and Debs <strong>in</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istrat<strong>in</strong>g and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gdiscipl<strong>in</strong>e over <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>mates. As it is Saturday this willbe a full-time job as <strong>the</strong>re are no lectures convenedover <strong>the</strong> weekends. As usual I shall concentrate onadm<strong>in</strong>istration and will leave <strong>the</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>e part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>equation <strong>to</strong> Vix and Debs. After my experiences with


19<strong>the</strong> odious Goddesses I am not much <strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>to</strong>wardswield<strong>in</strong>g that type <strong>of</strong> power and authority.None<strong>the</strong>less, I do understand <strong>the</strong> need fordiscipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> a facility such as this. Now we couldargue until k<strong>in</strong>gdom comes over <strong>the</strong> rights andwrongs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Anti-Ladette laws but <strong>the</strong> fact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>matter is that <strong>the</strong> government, with <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Great Unwashed, <strong>to</strong>ok a dim view <strong>of</strong> our freewheel<strong>in</strong>gactivities and deemed us <strong>to</strong> be need <strong>of</strong>Extreme Social Rehabilitation. I may th<strong>in</strong>k that this isall fabricated <strong>to</strong>sh and doubtless his<strong>to</strong>ry will prove meright. However, when we started our sentences <strong>the</strong>rules, regulations and pro<strong>to</strong>cols were drummed <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong>us, or more accurately spanked <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> us, and withgreat vigor.Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> first year <strong>of</strong> our sentences we wereknown as Little Brats and designated as Grubbies.Be<strong>in</strong>g a Grubby meant that you were assigned <strong>to</strong> amember <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Elite <strong>to</strong> act as her fuck<strong>in</strong>g serf <strong>in</strong>return for her men<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g services.Men<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g services <strong>in</strong>cluded drap<strong>in</strong>g us. Bydrap<strong>in</strong>g I mean turn<strong>in</strong>g us face down, arse upwardswhile <strong>the</strong>y dusted our bumbags. Our men<strong>to</strong>r was alsowaggishly known as our Personal Draper.I was assigned <strong>to</strong> be men<strong>to</strong>red by <strong>the</strong>monstrous be-yotch Katie Beck, while she was still an<strong>in</strong>mate at <strong>the</strong> facility.Now let’s get someth<strong>in</strong>g straight, Katie Beckwas a hard-core crim<strong>in</strong>al and well-known <strong>to</strong> havebeen <strong>the</strong> first female senior vice-president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Confederacy <strong>of</strong> Yo<strong>of</strong>s. How she managed <strong>to</strong> f<strong>in</strong>agleher way <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g charged under <strong>the</strong> Anti-Ladettelaws <strong>in</strong>stead <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g carted <strong>of</strong>f wear<strong>in</strong>g a ball and


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>cha<strong>in</strong> <strong>to</strong> do hard labor is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> great mysteries <strong>of</strong>life kept classified by <strong>the</strong> darkest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dark Agents.<strong>The</strong> rules, regulations and pro<strong>to</strong>cols areconta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> mighty <strong>to</strong>mes and dur<strong>in</strong>g our first weekat <strong>the</strong> facility we were required <strong>to</strong> learn <strong>the</strong>m byheart, our men<strong>to</strong>r could spot test us any time shechose.Katie, <strong>of</strong> course, elected <strong>to</strong> test me regularlyand regardless <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r I gave <strong>the</strong> correctresponses or not she always found a reason <strong>to</strong> yankme over her knee and dust me liberally. Now this type<strong>of</strong> behavior is guaranteed <strong>to</strong> give a gal <strong>of</strong> mytemperament a severe dose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pip so I resorted<strong>to</strong> my tried and trusted skill <strong>in</strong> sh<strong>in</strong>-hack<strong>in</strong>g.This made for an acrimonious relationship.Katie knew that she could not very well report me asmost <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dust<strong>in</strong>gs were completely unjustified. Webegan a war <strong>of</strong> attrition.Katie is a queer cove by any standards. She is<strong>of</strong> course knock down beautiful with that mane <strong>of</strong>hair, bright blue eyes and a body <strong>to</strong> die for. She isalso a cruel, nasty and odious specimen <strong>of</strong> humanity.In ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> life’s mysteries she had donesome more f<strong>in</strong>agl<strong>in</strong>g and had got herself elected asRed-shirt. This was due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact that dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>early part <strong>of</strong> her sentence her chaps had died <strong>in</strong> a carcrash and Ms Law<strong>to</strong>n had taken over responsibility foract<strong>in</strong>g as her Court Appo<strong>in</strong>ted Guardian. Unwisely MsLaw<strong>to</strong>n had decided that giv<strong>in</strong>g Katie responsibilitymight <strong>in</strong>crease her ward’s chances <strong>of</strong> becom<strong>in</strong>gsocially rehabilitated. Snakes do not become sociallyrehabilitated and Katie is a fuck<strong>in</strong>g viper.


21Early <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> piece I was mooch<strong>in</strong>g about herstudy grubb<strong>in</strong>g and overheard her gabb<strong>in</strong>g with hersycophantic confidantes. She was boast<strong>in</strong>g that she<strong>in</strong>tended <strong>to</strong> thrash every <strong>in</strong>mate at <strong>the</strong> facility with<strong>in</strong>her first hundred days <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice. Accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>record books she achieved this <strong>in</strong> half <strong>the</strong> time.Katie and I fought constantly. She is muchbigger than me but she is a vile bully and basically acoward. On several occasions I managed <strong>to</strong> scratchher face leav<strong>in</strong>g her <strong>to</strong> try and expla<strong>in</strong> herdisfigurement <strong>to</strong> Ms Law<strong>to</strong>n.She <strong>in</strong> turn responded by habitually yank<strong>in</strong>gdown my bumbags and spank<strong>in</strong>g me relentlessly. Thiswas strictly aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> pro<strong>to</strong>cols but it did earn me<strong>the</strong> nickname <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>.I could have appealed but any such applicationhad <strong>to</strong> be filed with Patricia Hodge, <strong>the</strong> Deputy GrandDame. Patty is ano<strong>the</strong>r vile and odious specimen and,<strong>of</strong> course, she was Katie’s personal sponsor andmen<strong>to</strong>r. With that avenue closed <strong>to</strong> me I cont<strong>in</strong>uedwith my sh<strong>in</strong>-kick<strong>in</strong>g strategy.Now that I am <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Elite I have my owngrubby. I was assigned a fabulous young lady calledFrancesca Reese. Frankie was an <strong>in</strong>dependent actressbefore she fell foul <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dark Agents. She is bestknown for her on-screen delivery <strong>of</strong> Lady Macbeth’ssleepwalk<strong>in</strong>g soliloquy while as naked as a jay-bird.She has been an occasional bone <strong>of</strong> contentionbetween me and Penny Ann, who ra<strong>the</strong>r distrustfullysuspects that I have my eye on my grubby. Thisunderstandable as Frankie is someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> behold


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>with her mane <strong>of</strong> golden amulets that pour down herback. However, she doesn’t need <strong>to</strong> worry as for once<strong>in</strong> my degenerate life I have made a pact with myselfthat I will never do anyth<strong>in</strong>g that would hurt PennyAnn.


6Planet NixPen and I enjoyed a icy glass <strong>of</strong> bubbles. Shesat on a bale <strong>of</strong> hay; I lay on my tummy at her feet. Imay be <strong>Nixdown</strong>, woman <strong>of</strong> steel, but my bum wassizzl<strong>in</strong>g and sitt<strong>in</strong>g down did not strike me as aparticularly attractive proposition.My bum was burn<strong>in</strong>g delightfully. <strong>The</strong>re was noneed <strong>to</strong> hurry th<strong>in</strong>gs. <strong>The</strong> night was still young andnobody was go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> bo<strong>the</strong>r us <strong>in</strong> our sanctuary and Iwanted <strong>to</strong> savor <strong>the</strong> moment while I sipped myfavorite tipple.Penny Ann picked up <strong>the</strong> lea<strong>the</strong>r rid<strong>in</strong>g cropand <strong>to</strong>yed with it teas<strong>in</strong>gly <strong>in</strong> her gloved hands. Shewas <strong>to</strong>tally relaxed <strong>in</strong> our private world and shelooked magnificent <strong>in</strong> her sk<strong>in</strong> hugg<strong>in</strong>g shirt with hertie slightly loosened.<strong>The</strong> crop she was hold<strong>in</strong>g is one <strong>of</strong> myfavorites. It is a v<strong>in</strong>tage piece with a braided pig-sk<strong>in</strong>covered shaft and a engraved silver niello handle,f<strong>in</strong>ished with a horn knob.I have been collect<strong>in</strong>g crops obsessively s<strong>in</strong>ce Iwas very young and started rid<strong>in</strong>g, long before I had


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>any <strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> my persuasion. I suspect that a trickcyclist might make someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>nermechanisms <strong>of</strong> my subconscious but I am not a grea<strong>to</strong>ne for shr<strong>in</strong>ks. I spent a large part <strong>of</strong> my youth <strong>in</strong>various doc<strong>to</strong>r’s wait<strong>in</strong>g rooms when <strong>the</strong> authoritieswere try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> unveil some dark secret beh<strong>in</strong>d mycompulsion with sh<strong>in</strong>-hack<strong>in</strong>g. I bamboozled <strong>the</strong>mwith a shed-full <strong>of</strong> porkies. As far as I was concernedmy compulsion was a perfectly natural reaction <strong>to</strong>hav<strong>in</strong>g my bot<strong>to</strong>m whipped by some snotty be-yotchwith a cane <strong>in</strong> her hand.I s<strong>to</strong>od up and fetched <strong>the</strong> bottle andrefreshed <strong>the</strong> glasses. Pen swished <strong>the</strong> crop through<strong>the</strong> air playfully. It made a threaten<strong>in</strong>g whistle. Shesmiled at me and w<strong>in</strong>ked.Penny Ann has grown <strong>to</strong> be at ease with <strong>the</strong>dynamic <strong>of</strong> our relationship. It <strong>to</strong>ok her a little time t<strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>d her comfort zone but <strong>the</strong>se days she is quitehappy gett<strong>in</strong>g her kicks on Nix-Sixty-Six.When we first started <strong>to</strong> play <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r I’m surethat I confused Pen. She was <strong>the</strong> Red-shirt <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>facility and on two occasions she had been required<strong>to</strong> dangle me <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>ary <strong>the</strong>ater. By be<strong>in</strong>gdangled I am referr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g put across her knee,upstairs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> library, and be<strong>in</strong>g spanked on my barebum with <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> a long-handled, oval-headed,wood-backed hairbrush. As I have said earlier I donot take this type <strong>of</strong> punishment well and accord<strong>in</strong>g<strong>to</strong> Penelope Ann I was ra<strong>the</strong>r grumpy dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se<strong>in</strong>cidents. As a result she was understandablybewildered when I <strong>in</strong>vited her <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> stables and


25demanded that she thrash me with a lea<strong>the</strong>r rid<strong>in</strong>gcrop.It didn’t take her long <strong>to</strong> get tuned <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> PlanetNix and when I’m face downwards across her lap Iam always confident that she will not wimp out andhold back.Yesterday even<strong>in</strong>g she was <strong>the</strong> Mistress <strong>of</strong> mydest<strong>in</strong>y and it was up <strong>to</strong> her <strong>to</strong> set <strong>the</strong> pace.“Come here,” she <strong>to</strong>ld me.I set my glass <strong>to</strong> one side and s<strong>to</strong>od up.Without need<strong>in</strong>g any fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>struction I <strong>of</strong>fered hermy wrist so that she could assist me as I arrangedmyself across her knees.She turned back my skirt and rearranged mybumbags until <strong>the</strong>y were concert<strong>in</strong>aed around myankles. She stroked my red and swollen bum with <strong>the</strong>over-sized slapper at <strong>the</strong> tip <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> crop and allowedme some time <strong>to</strong> settle <strong>in</strong>.<strong>The</strong>re was absolutely no question that <strong>the</strong> nextfew m<strong>in</strong>utes were go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> become extremely hot andsweaty. <strong>The</strong> whippy braided shaft would slice myflesh like a knife cutt<strong>in</strong>g through ripe fruit. I wasalmost delirious with raw adrenal<strong>in</strong> and anticipation.Without warn<strong>in</strong>g she slashed <strong>the</strong> cropdownwards and my body was <strong>in</strong>stantly wracked byparoxysms <strong>of</strong> agony which my bra<strong>in</strong> translated <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong>pure ecstasy. I was immediately hurtled on my way <strong>to</strong>Planet Nix.In my op<strong>in</strong>ion a braided rid<strong>in</strong>g crop is a perfect<strong>in</strong>strument for deliver<strong>in</strong>g a whipp<strong>in</strong>g. It’s relatively


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>short shaft makes it ideal for close-up over <strong>the</strong> kneework. <strong>The</strong> slightly stiff shaft and <strong>the</strong> flexible slapperat <strong>the</strong> tip work <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> impart <strong>the</strong> most exquisitecomb<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> smart and st<strong>in</strong>g.Now I have <strong>to</strong> admit that I am <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>ority<strong>in</strong> my taste for <strong>the</strong> crop. At one time or ano<strong>the</strong>r mostgals have been required <strong>to</strong> fold <strong>the</strong>mselves over MsLummell, <strong>the</strong> rid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>struc<strong>to</strong>r’s, knee so that <strong>the</strong>jodhpurs can be rolled down and <strong>the</strong>ir h<strong>in</strong>dquarterstickled with <strong>the</strong>ir own crops. Accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> a recentpoll on <strong>the</strong> GalGab web-site this particular form <strong>of</strong>punishment rated very low on most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>mates’wish-list.Pen was putt<strong>in</strong>g her arm <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> it. Dur<strong>in</strong>g herperiod as Red-shirt she earned a respectablereputation for her prowess with <strong>the</strong> wood-backedhairbrush and <strong>the</strong> skills she learned translate ra<strong>the</strong>rnicely <strong>to</strong> our private sessions.She whipped <strong>the</strong> crop down with considerableforce and I purred with pleasure.


7Yvonne and JanetI stuck my head around <strong>the</strong> door <strong>to</strong> Jojo’sstudy. Her bed has not been slept <strong>in</strong> so I assume thatshe has spent <strong>the</strong> night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grand Master’squarters. I smile <strong>to</strong> myself. It is wonderful <strong>to</strong> knowthat my best chum is so happy and contented <strong>in</strong> herromance with Mr Humphries. <strong>The</strong>y will be married <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> summer, once we are released, and I shall be herMaid <strong>of</strong> Honor.I go next door <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> my own study and put <strong>the</strong>two c<strong>of</strong>fee cups down on my desk and head for <strong>the</strong>shower. It is still barely six o’clock and I don’t go onduty for an hour so I have time <strong>to</strong> luxuriate andpamper myself.Sometime last even<strong>in</strong>g, before she turned <strong>in</strong>for <strong>the</strong> night Frankie has s<strong>to</strong>pped by and laid out afresh set <strong>of</strong> clobber on my bed. Unlike many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>in</strong>mates who only ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a m<strong>in</strong>imum wardrobe Ihave a huge collection. I am really fussy about myclobber, obsessively so maybe, and on a busy day like<strong>to</strong>day I may well change my blouse three or four


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>times. I will also make a complete change before thiseven<strong>in</strong>g’s social event.I have just f<strong>in</strong>ished dry<strong>in</strong>g my hair and amknott<strong>in</strong>g my red tie when Lady Derby Hunt<strong>in</strong>g<strong>to</strong>npokes her head around <strong>the</strong> door.“Good Morn<strong>in</strong>g, Ma’am,” she says cheerfully. “Ihave just made fresh c<strong>of</strong>fee for Miss Mor<strong>to</strong>n, wouldyou like me <strong>to</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g you a cup?”Derby grubs for Debs. She is an absolute doteand as mad as a March Hare. She hails from one <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> nations oldest and most respected family’s andwas brought up surrounded by maids, valets andliveried footmen. None<strong>the</strong>less she has taken <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>life <strong>of</strong> a grubby with remarkable enthusiasm andtends <strong>to</strong> Deborah’s every need morn<strong>in</strong>g, noon andnight.I thank her and make a f<strong>in</strong>al adjustment <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>knot <strong>of</strong> my tie so that it is seated neatly <strong>in</strong> a perfectvee and fully cover<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p but<strong>to</strong>n <strong>of</strong> my blouse.Derby returns with a mug <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee. “Is <strong>the</strong>reanyth<strong>in</strong>g else I can get for you, Ma’am?” she asks.We have been try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> cure Derby <strong>of</strong> call<strong>in</strong>gus Ma’am except <strong>in</strong> public, when it is a requiredpro<strong>to</strong>col, but she just giggles and ignores us. I tell herthat I’m f<strong>in</strong>e and she tells me she will cut along andget everyth<strong>in</strong>g prepared for Deborah’s return fromher run. No sooner has Derby departed than <strong>the</strong>re isano<strong>the</strong>r knock on <strong>the</strong> door.“Come,” I call and Yvonne Godfrey and JanetMitchell shuffle <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> room.“Report<strong>in</strong>g for duty, Ma’am,” mutters Yvonne.


29Now I have absolutely no problem with Yvonnereferr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> me as Ma’am, <strong>in</strong> fact I <strong>in</strong>sist upon it.Yvonne and Janet spent seven years as<strong>in</strong>mates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> facility and are loathsome and odiouscret<strong>in</strong>s. Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> dark days <strong>of</strong> Operation ScorchedArse <strong>the</strong>y served <strong>in</strong> Elite and were <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipal’s <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> he<strong>in</strong>ous Secret Sorority <strong>of</strong> Serial Spankers. With<strong>the</strong> sponsorship <strong>of</strong> Patty Hodge and Katie <strong>the</strong>irassignment was <strong>to</strong> make life miserable for <strong>the</strong><strong>in</strong>mates and cut as many pairs <strong>of</strong> bumbags <strong>to</strong> tattersas humanly possible.<strong>The</strong>y both caned me a time or two and I canassure you that <strong>the</strong>y made it an even moredisagreeable experience than usual.After <strong>the</strong>ir release from <strong>Woody</strong>s <strong>the</strong>yapparently returned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir roots and threw <strong>the</strong>irbumbags back <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> r<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> Confederacy <strong>of</strong>Yo<strong>of</strong>s. Somewhere along <strong>the</strong> way <strong>the</strong> thought itwould be a wizard wheeze <strong>to</strong> go <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> kidnapp<strong>in</strong>gbus<strong>in</strong>ess.Fortunately <strong>the</strong> Yo<strong>of</strong>s enlisted <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong>a bunch <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>competent Scouser’s and it all wentpear-shaped <strong>in</strong> a heartbeat. Yvonne and Janet werecaptured and returned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Unit</strong> for <strong>the</strong>irparticipation <strong>in</strong> this fiasco.Now <strong>the</strong> once mighty Commandants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SSare reduced <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> permanent grubbies. <strong>The</strong>yare responsible for ma<strong>in</strong>tenance and clean<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>facility and each day <strong>the</strong>y are also required <strong>to</strong> providerelief grubb<strong>in</strong>g support on <strong>the</strong> Elite land<strong>in</strong>g.By and large <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>mates are not a v<strong>in</strong>dictivebunch but it would be impossible not <strong>to</strong> harbor some


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>grudges aga<strong>in</strong>st this pair <strong>of</strong> be-yotch’s and not <strong>to</strong>enjoy some gloat<strong>in</strong>g satisfaction at <strong>the</strong>ir reducedcircumstances.“Morn<strong>in</strong>g ladies, hands on your heads, youknow <strong>the</strong> form,” I greet <strong>the</strong>m.Janet looks resigned as she raises her arms.Yvonne on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand takes <strong>the</strong> time <strong>to</strong> glare atme before comply<strong>in</strong>g; her eyes burn with anger andresentment as she l<strong>in</strong>ks her hands on <strong>to</strong>p <strong>of</strong> her head.Before we discuss <strong>the</strong>ir day’s assignments I amrequired <strong>to</strong> subject <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> a full clobber <strong>in</strong>spection. Idoubt that <strong>the</strong>y will be foolish enough <strong>to</strong> pitch up with<strong>the</strong>ir clobber <strong>in</strong> an abusive state but it is anopportunity <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong>m sweat a little.I start with an <strong>in</strong>spection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir blazers and<strong>the</strong>n proceed <strong>to</strong> methodically check every stitch,seam, hem and but<strong>to</strong>n <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir cloth<strong>in</strong>g. As Isuspected I do not f<strong>in</strong>d any <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>in</strong>gements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>clobber pro<strong>to</strong>cols but you can tell by <strong>the</strong> relief on<strong>the</strong>ir faces when I tell <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>y can lower <strong>the</strong>irarms that <strong>the</strong>y found <strong>the</strong> experience suitablydisagreeable.I click on <strong>the</strong> duty roster on my lap<strong>to</strong>p andlearn that <strong>to</strong>day <strong>the</strong>y have been assigned <strong>to</strong> supportLady Derby <strong>in</strong> her grubb<strong>in</strong>g duties. I suppress a gr<strong>in</strong>.Derby is a hard task-mistress and will not <strong>to</strong>lerate anyslack<strong>in</strong>g on her watch. She will have Yvonne andJanet scurry<strong>in</strong>g about hi<strong>the</strong>r and thi<strong>the</strong>r and willmoni<strong>to</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir performance like a hawk. Lady Derbyhas no compunction when it comes <strong>to</strong> dispatch<strong>in</strong>g<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> library for a thrash<strong>in</strong>g if she feels that<strong>the</strong>y have not met her exact<strong>in</strong>g standards.


31<strong>The</strong> list <strong>of</strong> assignments <strong>in</strong>cludes several rout<strong>in</strong>ema<strong>in</strong>tenance tasks <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g polish<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> floor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Grand Hall <strong>in</strong> preparation for <strong>to</strong>night’s feast. I pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>the</strong> list and send <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong>ir way. I should feelsome sympathy for <strong>the</strong>m but I don’t. Be-yotch’s.


8Vic<strong>to</strong>ria and DebsI pull on my red silk and mohair blazer andfasten <strong>the</strong> five but<strong>to</strong>ns up <strong>the</strong> front. I go over <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>umbrella stand and select an ashplant cane which Iwill be required <strong>to</strong> carry tucked under my left armthroughout <strong>the</strong> day. This is ra<strong>the</strong>r unnecessary as Ihave ceded my thrash<strong>in</strong>g rights <strong>to</strong> Debs but itrema<strong>in</strong>s a requirement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Elite Charter so I do notfeel <strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>to</strong> argue <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t.<strong>The</strong> ashplants are very slender, eighteen <strong>in</strong>chlong canes that apparently have been <strong>in</strong> use bymembers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Elite ever s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>al <strong>Woody</strong><strong>School</strong> was first established <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mid-1800s.Accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> Debs who researches this k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> stuff<strong>the</strong>y are produced by some family <strong>in</strong> Dubl<strong>in</strong> and arecut from sapl<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> a particular mounta<strong>in</strong> ash-treeand <strong>the</strong>n cooked <strong>in</strong> a chimney-oven. She alsomentioned that accord<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> advertis<strong>in</strong>g literature<strong>the</strong>y come guaranteed one-hundred-per-cent testedfor performance. I’m not sure where you f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> jobapplications but if ever I’m <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mood for a careerchange or <strong>in</strong> need <strong>of</strong> a few extra squids I could


33always sign up for a position <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> family’s qualitycontrol division.Now suitably accessorized for my day as <strong>the</strong>Duty Moni<strong>to</strong>r I stroll down <strong>the</strong> land<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> LadyVic<strong>to</strong>ria’s study <strong>to</strong> see whe<strong>the</strong>r she is ready.Lady Vix is swallow<strong>in</strong>g down <strong>the</strong> dregs <strong>of</strong> herc<strong>of</strong>fee, presumably supplied by <strong>the</strong> good <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong>Derby and burn<strong>in</strong>g a cigarette. She is dressed <strong>in</strong> adeep red silk blouse with black pip<strong>in</strong>g around <strong>the</strong>collar and a short black flared skirt. She wears a blacktie around her neck that she has not yet got around<strong>to</strong> fasten<strong>in</strong>g.“Morn<strong>in</strong>g,” she half-yawns, “Give me a fewm<strong>in</strong>utes and we’ll get <strong>the</strong> fawk<strong>in</strong>’ show on <strong>the</strong> road,”she drawls <strong>in</strong> her aris<strong>to</strong>cratic voice.I tell her that <strong>the</strong>re is no hurry and bum one <strong>of</strong>her fags.I have known Vix s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> Ladette days whenJojo and I used <strong>to</strong> party <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> likes <strong>of</strong> Catand Melons. Glorious days when we worked likedemons all day and tripped <strong>the</strong> light fantastic allnight. Before she was arrested and banged up at<strong>Woody</strong>s, for danc<strong>in</strong>g naked <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> founta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong>Trafalgar Square on her twenty-first birthday, I had<strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong> attend<strong>in</strong>g several <strong>of</strong> her New-YearsEve balls at her fa<strong>the</strong>r’s pile. I th<strong>in</strong>k that Vic<strong>to</strong>ria’sfamily has an even longer heritage than Derby’s.Bromp<strong>to</strong>n Castle was built back <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> n<strong>in</strong>th or tenthcentury and is a ra<strong>the</strong>r e<strong>the</strong>real spot on <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p <strong>of</strong> ahill with panoramic views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bromp<strong>to</strong>n estate. <strong>The</strong><strong>in</strong>terior has mostly been renovated and modernizedbut thankfully <strong>the</strong> Bromp<strong>to</strong>n family has had <strong>the</strong> goodsense <strong>to</strong> keep <strong>the</strong> dungeons <strong>in</strong>tact and I have spent


A <strong>Life</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nixdown</strong> <strong>Nixon</strong>many dreamy and eventful nights <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> dark recesses<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> castle.Vic<strong>to</strong>ria f<strong>in</strong>ally s<strong>to</strong>ps bustl<strong>in</strong>g about and pullsher black blazer out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> closet. I go over andfasten <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p two but<strong>to</strong>ns <strong>of</strong> her shirt and knot hertie correctly. She smiles and pulls on her blazer.“I guess we’d better fawk<strong>in</strong>’ cut along,” shedrawls.I love potty-mou<strong>the</strong>d aris<strong>to</strong>crats.We are cutt<strong>in</strong>g across <strong>the</strong> quadrangle <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grand Masters quarters when Debscatches us up. She slips her arm <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> m<strong>in</strong>e and starts<strong>to</strong> prattle on about some new gadget that she hasthat she wears on her wrist while she is runn<strong>in</strong>g andmoni<strong>to</strong>rs all manner <strong>of</strong> her critical functions. She isstill on an endorph<strong>in</strong> rush and despite <strong>the</strong> fact I haveno idea what she is talk<strong>in</strong>g about I know that <strong>the</strong>re isno hope <strong>of</strong> s<strong>to</strong>pp<strong>in</strong>g her. Deborah is no<strong>to</strong>rious for herpersistence <strong>in</strong> deliver<strong>in</strong>g her op<strong>in</strong>ions andobservations. I catch Vic<strong>to</strong>ria’s eye and we exchangea w<strong>in</strong>k. In a few moments Debs will just run out <strong>of</strong>steam and by <strong>the</strong> time we reach <strong>the</strong> Grand Master’squarters she will be prepared <strong>to</strong> start her day <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>role <strong>of</strong> Vic<strong>to</strong>ria’s deputy.Over <strong>the</strong> last few days <strong>the</strong>re have rumors on<strong>the</strong> gossv<strong>in</strong>e that Vic<strong>to</strong>ria is consider<strong>in</strong>g stand<strong>in</strong>gdown as Red-shirt and hand<strong>in</strong>g over <strong>the</strong> re<strong>in</strong>s <strong>to</strong>Debs.Although I count her amongst my closestchums my relationship with Deborah Mor<strong>to</strong>n hasoccasionally been fractious. I am sometimes accused


35<strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g cynical but actually I just th<strong>in</strong>k that I have an<strong>in</strong>nately suspicious nature and I have sometimessuspected that Debs eng<strong>in</strong>eers many <strong>of</strong> her morecalami<strong>to</strong>us situations for her own personal selfaggrandizement.Deborah naturally denies any suchaccusations and our disagreements have occasionallycaused significant rifts <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> lute.At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> last year when Mr Humphrieswas seek<strong>in</strong>g a successor <strong>to</strong> Lady Vic<strong>to</strong>ria he lobbiedJojo and I <strong>to</strong> fulfill <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> Red-shirt. For differentreasons we both turned down <strong>the</strong> position and weboth expressed <strong>the</strong> op<strong>in</strong>ion that despite Deborah’s fallfrom grace with Ms Law<strong>to</strong>n that we just assumed thatwould be forgotten and she would be <strong>the</strong> naturalcandidate. After all she is an unreasonably (andperhaps even unnaturally) gifted <strong>in</strong>dividual and it isactually her abundance <strong>of</strong> fatal flaws that make herso attractive and sometimes even endear<strong>in</strong>g.However, <strong>The</strong> Grand Master expla<strong>in</strong>ed that he fearedthat she would just be <strong>to</strong>o high ma<strong>in</strong>tenance and Ihave <strong>to</strong> say that I agreed with him. Eventually LadyVix was persuaded <strong>to</strong> stay on for a second term eventhough she has <strong>of</strong>ficially f<strong>in</strong>ished her sentence.Despite <strong>the</strong> Grand Masters concerns Vic<strong>to</strong>rialobbied for Debs <strong>to</strong> firstly be promoted <strong>to</strong> Capta<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Red House and <strong>the</strong>n subsequently as her Deputy.I am forced <strong>to</strong> admit that Debs has proved mewrong and has done a smash<strong>in</strong>g job <strong>in</strong> both roles, soI am more than happy <strong>to</strong> endorse her when <strong>the</strong> timecomes. I just wish that she would s<strong>to</strong>p babbl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> myear about heart-rates and breath<strong>in</strong>g patterns.

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