Fantasy Holiday

by

Rob Willson

 

Chapter 4

 

When Peter woke up the next morning, he was very surprised to be in his ‘hotel’ bedroom and not in his ‘cell’. He also woke up still as Peter.

His mind ‘looked’ at the area of his brain which had been occupied yesterday by the character of Edwardian David and found all traces of David’s personality gone, although he still had the memories and sensations of what David had gone through, or rather what he had gone through as David!

In place of ‘David’ there were now the dormant details of modern 13 year old Alan, waiting to be activated. Yesterday, he had been told that he would be thirteen years old and he had wondered how he was supposed to act in character. After all, he was now 31 and couldn’t remember much of his own life at that age and certainly not how a 13-year-old would act and think and, most importantly, re-act instinctively.

Also, he had to inter-act correctly with an ‘older sister’ of 15, Linda, who was really Helen, aged 28-29, and who, only yesterday, had been his unrelated contemporary. As his mind inspected the character of Alan, he realised that all these aspects had been catered for in the programming and, once again, he wondered at the technology that the Management possessed to be able to do these things.

He began to wonder how, if a scenario made a guest into a very small child who would normally be towered over by an adult, it would be handled when, for example, a ‘baby’ might have a nursemaid who was smaller then her charge.

Before he got too deep into this speculation, he heard a soft chime and, immediately, the character of Alan took control. Shortly afterwards, an unfamiliar maid came in to help him get ready. This one was not at all bossy and he was treated quite normally.

When he was ready, dressed in tee shirt and jeans, he went in to breakfast. Linda was already there, dressed similarly. Breakfast turned out to be eggs and bacon and not the horrible tasteless porridge he had had on previous days.

Then their day had started. The situation was that their parents had been posted abroad, for at least six months, and the only person who could take them in and look after them was a very distant relative, named Mrs. King, who lived in a remote town called Paradise. That name sounded very promising, they agreed.

They were then put on to a simulated train to another town, where Mrs. King would meet them. Once again, the technology took over. They seemed to endure a long uncomfortable journey, which really occupied only a short amount of ‘real-time’.

The train was met by a tall lady, in very long old-fashioned dress of a rather drab colour.

She looked disapprovingly at the clothes they were wearing, and especially at Linda.

"A girl wearing trousers! Don’t you have any dresses, or skirts, that you could have worn?"

"No", confessed Linda. "I don’t usually wear them."

"And you", she added looking at Alan, "A boy of your age should be wearing short pants."

Alan said nothing, but he and Linda looked at each other, both wondering what time warp they had traveled to.

They then went out to a (simulated) large car, driven by a very taciturn man, who glanced at them, did a double take at Linda’s jeans, and then ignored them.

Once another protracted uncomfortable journey had begun, Mrs. King started to explain a few things to them.

They were to call her ‘Aunt Freda’, or Auntie. She had three daughters, Sarah 17, Rose 16 and Kate, 15 and a maid Jane. Paradise had been settled many years ago, by people who had different ideas about how thing should be.

"We are not a religious community, although outsiders often think we must be. However, we have retained many ideas and customs, which you no doubt will find very old-fashioned, but that is the way we are and you will have to accept that while you are here.

"We also have customs which we have developed for ourselves. These are embodied in the Town Laws, which everyone has to obey, or leave Paradise. One thing you will probably find unusual is that we have a separate police force of women, who are in charge of the behaviour of children and single women. They are called Constabels and you will address them politely as ‘Constabel’.

"We have no litter or rowdy problems, because they have full authority and such behaviour is immediately squashed by them. We have a Town Council of twelve, who are also our magistrates, but they are very rarely involved with childish misdemeanours, because the Constabels can inflict summary punishment, as you will be told about very soon.

"Don’t worry though. You will not be held responsible for breaking any law you don’t know about, so you will be given lessons about them. I will tell you about one other important aspect of living in Paradise now, as we will soon be home.

"We have very strict laws about dress. Girls up to the age of sixteen wear skirts at mid-thigh length, with white ankle socks and Mary Jane shoes. Over sixteen, skirts are knee length with seamed stockings (and that is one thing the Constabels especially look for, crooked seams, so be careful, Linda, if you are still here when you turn sixteen!).

"When women are married, they wear long skirts like mine, as also do any girls still unmarried, which is very unusual. But never, never do women in Paradise wear any kind of trousers. That is completely forbidden.

"Now boys. Up to the age of sixteen, they wear very short trousers, like the girls’ skirts, and similar ankle socks and shoes to the girls. From sixteen, they wear knee length shorts with knee length stockings and then they go into long trousers at the age of 21, when they are no longer under control of the Constabels. That’s very simple, isn’t it?"

"You are very lucky that you have arrived at the start of the school holidays, as this will give you time to settle in and learn about the way we do things here.

Both Alan and Linda sat there stunned and upset. Alan would have been even more upset if he had known about one thing his Aunt had not bothered to mention. The blouses wore by the young girls were very girlish in design, with little lacy collars and tiny puffed sleeves with lace edges. The boys’ shirts were exactly the same, except that they buttoned up the opposite way. That extra shock was waiting for him.

They skirted round Paradise and arrived at the house where the King family lived. Although it was made to seem that they had had a long tiring journey, in fact, it was still some time short of noon.

The household came out to greet them. First was Jane the maid, dressed in a conventional housemaid’s uniform and then another shock. The three sisters came out, all wearing knee-length green aprons of the same style as Jane’s white one. All four girls dipped a small curtsey to Mrs. King.

Also, of course, all four girls reacted in the same way to Linda’s jeans, as the driver had.

After introductions had been made, they were shown to their rooms and Mrs. King said something had to be done about Linda’s dress, before they had their midday meal.

Alan waited with his ‘cousins’, none of them saying very much. Jane had gone with Mrs. King and Linda and they seemed to take rather a long time and, finally, Mrs. King led Linda back into the room.

Alan gasped in surprise, as she was now wearing a mid-thigh red and white checked dress, with a white collar, and a knee length frilly pinafore. She had on white ankle socks, but was still wearing her own shoes, which did not go very well with the socks. It was a very long time since he had seen his tomboy sister in any kind of skirt and he had never seen her wear a pinafore at all.

He stared at her and tried to catch her eye, but she turned her head away, just as he saw the glint of tears there.

Mrs. King said, "We had to use one of your old short school dresses and borrow one of your aprons, Rose."

She said, "That’s OK Mummy."

Just then, Jane came in to say that the meal was ready whenever Mrs. King was. Their aunt explained that it would be a cold meal today, because nobody had quite known when they would arrive home.

Alan had seen that Jane was now wearing a transparent plastic pinafore over her uniform, while she was dealing with the food, and now his cousins went to a cupboard and took down similar ones to put on over their green aprons.

"That is another Town Rule", said Mrs. King, as she gave one to Linda. "All children must wear aprons at table, without fail. That is a very strict rule. This plastic pinafore to keep the apron clean is my own idea"

Alan had been so bemused at watching them, and being so surprised at seeing Linda accept the extra apron and put it on without protest; that he had not realised the implications of what his Aunt had said. His attention was then caught by the fact that his aunt was now holding out an apron to him, which was also plastic, with a pattern of roses on it and also had a bright red frilled edging, including over the shoulder straps.

"All children, girls and boys", she emphasized with a nasty smile.

He looked around and found himself the object of four amused faces and one apologetic one.

"No way. I’m not wearing that", he exclaimed.

"Oh dear", said Mrs. King and then added to Linda, " I think you know the three things I need. Will you get them for me please?"

Linda hesitated and her Aunt added sharply, "At once please."

Although she had said ‘Please’, both times, Alan sensed that there was now an underlying current of "or else!" Linda left the room and was soon back, into a rather awkward silence, as they waited for her and the three things. What three things?

She was now carrying two leather straps of about two inches wide. One was a normal strap with a buckle and looked like a short belt, and the other, much thicker, which had a split end to it. Tucked underneath her arm, she had a bundle of some bright yellow material.

With a rather awkward curtsey, she handed this to her Aunt, who shook it out and Alan saw it was an apron made of rather thick stiff rubber. At first, he thought it was intended as a replacement for the frilly plastic apron he had refused to wear, but then Mrs. King tied it on herself.

She then said to Linda, "Since you have already been introduced to this, you can tell your brother what it is called."

Linda turned to him and said, without looking him in the eye, "It is called a ‘punishment apron’.

Mrs. King then said to Alan. "Yes, Linda was not very keen to wear an apron either, until I convinced her. As you see, my ‘argument’ must have been very effective, from the way she did not protest at putting on the plastic pinafore.

"Now, I’ll explain why it has that name. Many years ago, when Paradise was first settled, all women wore long skirts and aprons and when they spanked naked boys and girls over their laps, particularly boys, they were apt to get their aprons stained, so it was obvious that they should wear waterproof aprons for the job.

In those days, plastic had not yet been invented, so ‘waterproof’ meant rubber aprons and the first ones available were like this thick one. When things developed, rubber aprons became thinner, more delicate and feminine and were used for ordinary domestic jobs and it was decided to keep this original type for the job of correcting wayward children.

"So, we still wear them for that and you will find that every house in Paradise has one in it, and now you will find out exactly what I mean."

She suddenly grabbed hold of Alan and twisted his arms behind him so that his forearms were parallel, each hand to the other elbow, and then she pinioned them with the strap. Then deft, practiced fingers quickly unbuttoned his trousers and he was soon bare down to his ankles. She lifted his arms and pushed his shirt and vest up almost to his armpits. He was now naked from chest to ankles.

She pulled him over her lap against the rubber apron. As his bare penis touched the smooth rubber, he now understood the reference to ‘staining’. Linda gave her Aunt the second strap and he got three solid whacks on each cheek. The unexpected shock and pain made him gasp.

"That six was for disobeying my order. Now I will ask you again if you will wear the apron. Will you?"

Alan bravely shook his head and said, "No I won’t. It is not something for a boy to wear."

Mrs. King then said, "Linda thought it wasn’t something for her to wear either, but it seems she has changed her mind. Are you sure you won’t change yours?"

Again, Alan said, "No, I won’t". This time he got three whacks laid across both buttocks.

"Have you changed your mind yet?"

He shook his head as he gritted his teeth against another three stokes.

"You do realise that I can very probably keep this up much longer than you can refuse?"

At this point, Linda, crying in sympathy for her younger brother, whom she had always been able to protect until now, said, "Alan. You might just as well give in now, because you will have to eventually".

Aunt Freda then said, "That is very good advice Alan. If it is any help to you, you have already held out longer than your older sister did. Will you agree, or shall I start again with six strokes each time you refuse?"

Alan realised that it was hopeless and said, "OK Auntie, I will wear it."

"Wear what?" Another stroke.

"I will wear the apron."

"You will not only wear this apron, but any apron or pinafore I tell you to. Is that understood and agreed?" Another stroke!

"Yes Auntie."

He then expected to be let up, but she kept him face down and said, "Now ask me nicely to wear the apron."

He swallowed hard and finally managed, "Please Auntie, may I wear the apron."

She then said, "After all this trouble over such a little thing, I think you should BEG to be allowed to wear any apron."

Alan heard his cousins burst into giggles at this suggestion, but realised once again that he had no option.

"Please Auntie, I beg to wear this plastic apron, or any other one you give me to put on."

At last, he was allowed up and the delayed meal began. Alan and Linda both fidgeted on their sore buttocks under the amused gazes of their cousins and a smirking Jane.

After the meal, Aunt Freda explained a bit further about the strange old-fashioned customs of Paradise.

"We have ‘Town Rules’ and we have ‘House Rules and Customs’. A Town Rule, naturally, always has precedence. As regards the wearing of aprons by children, by Town Rule, all children MUST wear an apron during meals. In fact, a girl must wear an apron, or pinafore, at all times, wherever she is. With a boy, it is a bit different and more complicated.

"Apart from mealtimes, a boy has to wear an apron at school, but, if he is still in very short pants, that is, under sixteen, he must also wear it to and from school.

"In addition, Alan, MY House Rule is that you must also wear an apron in the house and garden at all times. For the moment, the wearing of one into town is reserved for if you are being punished.

"Now that we have finished eating, we can go into town and get you both some more suitable clothes than those you have brought with you. There will be no more trousers of any kind for you, Linda."

She decided to take them the short distance by car, because of Alan wearing unsuitable long trousers, which might cause comment, especially from a Constabel.

Sarah was to accompany them, while Rose and Kate were put into the charge of Jane to do various jobs. Sarah changed into a similar fancy apron to Linda’s and Alan was allowed to take his plastic one off, much to his relief.

As they left the house, Mrs. King’s neighbour, Mrs. Jenkins, was sitting in her garden with an attendant maid in a neat afternoon uniform. Aunt Freda took them over to introduce them.

"I thought school was over", said Mrs. Jenkins, when she saw Linda’s school dress.

Mrs. King had then to explain that Linda had not brought any skirts or dresses with her and, similarly, that was also why Alan was wearing unsuitable length trousers. "Different places, different customs, you know."

Mrs. Jenkins then said, "I’m glad to have seen you my dear. I have to go out tonight and I wondered if I might send Lucy over to you for the evening’s punishment session at nine o’clock?"

"Of course you may," said Mrs. King, "I’ll be only too pleased to help out."

"I hope you won’t think this is too much cheek", added Mrs. Jenkins, "but you know that Mrs. Jones has broken her wrist?" Mrs. King nodded "Well I have been seeing to her maid too, at nine o’clock, so will it be OK if I send her to you as well?"

"Of course that will be all right", said Mrs. King, "In fact it will be very instructive for my two young guests in the customs of Paradise."

"What is this about a nine o’clock punishment session?" whispered Linda to Sarah.

Sarah looked at her a bit contemptuously. "I should have thought that was rather obvious by its title, but, for any more details, you will have to wait until mummy is ready to tell you, this evening. But, as I feel a bit sorry for you, I will tell you that you have nothing to worry about tonight, as you will not be involved. But tomorrow will be very different and I shall look forward to that."

They all then piled into the car and soon stopped outside a large general store in the middle of the town. Mrs. King led them to the children’s outfitting department and Linda was dealt with first.

Once again, there was wonder from the Sales Lady about her not having any dresses of her own. She was soon provided with some very short dresses and skirts and with blouses with the very frilly little-girl look. Ankle socks and Mary Janes were added and then it was on to the serious subject of aprons. At least, the Sales Lady and Mrs. King seemed to take it very seriously indeed.

First, it was green apron to match those worn by her cousins that morning. Then similar aprons in red, blue and white. Then the plastic coverall pinafore and several other plastic and rubber aprons, all knee length. This meant that they were longer than her skirts and she would constantly feel the material of the apron against her bare knees.

Finally, she was allowed to go off with Sarah to supervise her choice of three frilly ‘afternoon aprons’.

Now it was Alan’s turn. First, very short pants, one pair of which he had to change into there and then. Ankle socks and Mary Janes to match Linda’s. This is when he found out about boys having to wear the same style of girlish frilly blouse as the girls, but ones, which buttoned on the boys’ side!

Now came the important matter of his aprons. He had one of each colour, like Linda, except that his ones had frills all round the edges. Then the standard plastic coverall, and similar plastic and rubber aprons to those given to Linda. Finally, Mrs. King chose two fancy ‘afternoon aprons’ for him, but allowed him to choose the final one himself. Under the amused gaze of people thronging the department, he found this to be the most embarrassing moment of all, especially when his first choice was rejected as ‘too plain’.

"If you start making a fuss and showing me up in front of all these people, I’ll make you wear the frilliest one to walk home in", his auntie threatened, so, meekly once more, his protest died.

They put their purchases in the car and then all went down to the Constabel Station. On the way there, their aunt explained that they had to be registered as temporary residents of Paradise.

Inside the door of the Station, they were in a large room with a counter at the far end. The room had a highly polished floor and a young girl was vigorously trying to bring it to a higher gloss. As their four pair of shoes marked the floor, she hurriedly scurried hurriedly across to rub out the marks. Alan had the impression that Sarah had deliberately scuffed her feet, so as to make sure she marked the floor.

From the dirty look that the unknown girl gave her, she obviously thought so too, although the sergeant apparently had not noticed.

Linda and Alan were both surprised at the way the girl was dressed. She had on a short black rubber dress and a red rubber apron. On the back of the dress and across the apron bib were large yellow letters reading C. U. P. They later found out from Sarah that this stood for Child Undergoing Punishment.

The Desk Constabel took down their details and then they had their photos taken, just like criminals. It was explained that these were for the benefit of the Constabels, so that they would recognise them and know whom they were dealing with.

They were then told to return the next afternoon at 2 p.m., when the sergeant would be free to induct them properly. One part of this induction would be that they would then study photos of the Constabels and the Town Councilors, so that they would know them in turn.

The car had been sent home with their shopping and so they all walked home, to show Linda and Alan the way. They met a number of people on the way and were introduced and, by the time they got home, their heads were spinning with all the new impressions.

Alan found the sensation of air to his legs, bare from his ankle socks to mid-thigh, quite unusal and, as soon as they shut the door, he was reminded that he had to put his apron on immediately, which he did reluctantly.

Soon afterwards, it was time for the evening meal and the children all put their plastic pinafores on too; Linda and Alan too without argument.

During the meal, Aunt Freda explained to them that, when a Paradise girl reached the age of eighteen, she was sent out to become a general maid-of-all-work, often to another town. They got the impression that the girls did not get much free time and did not get home very often.

After the meal, they went to their rooms and put away their new clothes. Alan shuddering as he hung up his new aprons. They had also been measured for some special clothes, which would be made to measure and delivered, so they were told to leave space for these.

Then, about 8.50, Lucy and another maid about the same age arrived at the back door. They were both dressed in evening Parlourmaid uniforms (as was also Jane by now) and they curtsied politely to Mrs. King and Lucy introduced Mrs. Jones’s maid.

At precisely nine o’clock, the church bell rang out and the six girls lined up with Kate as the youngest on the left. Mrs. King entered, wearing her ‘punishment apron’ and carrying the tawse and a thin flexible cane.

She said, "You two can stand over there by the wall and watch what happens. Tomorrow night, you will line up with them according to your age. When Paradise was first settled, it was decided that every child would be thrashed every evening, in order to remind them of their position, whether or not they were guilty of any transgression. Accordingly, each child under sixteen gets six strokes of the strap over mother’s lap and older girls get three strokes of the cane.

"This is a minimum and extra strokes are added for anything you may be guilty of doing, or not doing! Those are for the children, but maids get six strokes of the cane, minimum. If a young boy or girl has been particularly naughty, they will get the cane instead of the strap, as though they were older."

"Kate come over here."

Mrs. King sat on the only chair in the room and adjusted the apron across her lap. Meanwhile, Kate had gone to stand at her mother’s right hand side and, without being told, let her knickers drop to her ankles. Then she lifted her frock and petticoat to her armpits and laid her bare body across the rubber.

"You have been fairly well-behaved today, probably because of the arrival of your cousins, but Jane tells me you took far too long over one of your jobs. Daydreaming again, I expect. So that will be six plus two extra."

Then followed eight slow measured blows from the split strap across the crease of her buttocks. Kate tried bravely not to cry, but gave several yelps at the most painful ones towards the end. She was crying very quietly as she stood up, pulled up her knickers and thanked her mother with a polite curtsey.

Rose and Sarah then both got five strokes of the whippy cane on their bare bums.

After their names were called out, they each came forward, curtsied, dropped their knickers and bent over to grasp their ankles. Their mother then raised their skirts, announced the number of strokes, the reason for any extra and, again, unhurriedly administered the punishment.

The same procedure was then followed by the three servant girls.

Mrs. Jones’s maid handed over a short note and was given a total of twelve hard strokes, which had her sobbing her heart out, after the first six.

Lucy also brought a note with her and got nine in total. She tried not to react to the punishment, but the final three strokes brought agonised squeals from her.

Finally, it was Jane’s turn and she came forward looking rather apprehensive, but was commended for the day’s conduct and received the standard six.

Mrs. King turned and said to Alan and Linda, "You see how it’s done? You two will stand on either side of Kate and will be spanked, as you are still under sixteen. Sarah will soon be eighteen and will leave us to become someone’s skivvy and will then get a minimum of six strokes.

"Now, because we are country folk and get up as soon as it is light, and that means five o’clock this time of the year, you will go to bed, ready for another new day’s experiences tomorrow. "

So, for the first time, Peter and Helen did not have their evening meal with their fellow guests, but had it ‘in character’ and went to bed in the scenario, with it continuing for a second day.

 

 

 

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© 2001 by Rob Willson. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.