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 Tuesday, February 26th 2002 - 01:18:10 AM

   A Devious Scheme - Part 1

   The New Year arrived at last.  Christmas was well past but January and
February brought gloomy weather.  Even in the eastern Mediterranean the
weather in the winter can be cold and this year was exceptionally so, often
with torrential rain that turned our normally dry, arid and dusty
surroundings into a mud bath.  Our normal weekly scout meetings naturally
continued, although often we had to use a schoolroom because of the
weather. We were all so used to the outdoor life that none of us enjoyed
being cooped up inside.

   Our informal patrol meetings held at weekends and occasional camps (both
events really only excuses for our wide ranging tie-up games) were put on
hold until the weather showed some sign of improving.  Some of us still met
up at weekends but this meant that often we would hang out at one another's
house.  James, Robert and David all lived close and consequently we were
usually together, often augmented by Stuart for whom my mother had a
particular soft spot.  She claimed he was more sensible than the rest of us
put together, we reckoned she was impressed by his fair hair and blue eyes
which resulted in much gentle teasing.  We were also frequently joined by
Paul, now definitely "one of the gang" since our last battle.  My older
brother Chris normally kept out of the way, although occasionally he would
join us.  As he and I shared a bedroom, we were able to keep a separate
room as a games room and this was our favoured meeting place.  It says much
for my mother's patience that she tolerated six small boys, all around
twelve or thirteen years old raiding the kitchen and fridge every week and
generally causing mayhem.  She was also discreet enough never to enquire
into our activities or interrupt us.

   If the weather was better we would tramp around the nearby woods and
valleys often staying out for hours on end.  If wet, we would remain at
home but either way much of our time was spent honing our knot tying
skills. That winter we developed the "escape game" as an art form, usually
picking a couple of victims who would have to submit to being bound (and
usually gagged) by one of their colleagues.  Failure to escape within a set
time limit meant that they would be freed for five minutes and then bound
again by one of the others present.  Success meant the tier and tyee
changed places.  We all, both jointly and severally, spent much time
dreaming up new and variously sadistic ways of binding our mates.

   Regular readers will recall that Chris had given me a pair of real metal
handcuffs at Christmas (see A Surprise for Christmas - 20th December).  I
knew that they would cause a stir and I wasn't disappointed.  The first
weekend in January was bright and sunny and after a brief excursion to the
kitchen we were thrown out by my mother and made our way to the nearby
olive groves.  Here, in a grassy clearing sitting in dappled shade, I
produced the cuffs for general inspection to appreciative comments from my
mates.  I had the keys safely in my pocket and both bracelets were closed.
After being passed around the circle for a cursory examination they were
handed to Stuart.  He was fascinated by the handcuffs, looking closely at
them, and as he did so he put extra pressure on the hinged part of one of
the cuffs.  As you will all have realised, this caused the ratchet to reach
the end of its travel, it swung through the bow and the cuff was open. 
Stuart gave a suppressed gasp as all our friends looked on in amazement. 
No one had realised they could be opened without the key.

   He now played with them for a few minutes locking and unlocking them but
then the temptation was too great.  The audience seemed to hold its breath
as Stuart placed the ring experimentally around his slim wrist and
nervously swung the locking bar over.  Before he had an opportunity to
reconsider his rashness, Robert leant forward and seized the cuff,
squeezing the two parts together until it was tightly locked to the boy's
wrist.  Poor Stuart had a look of surprise on his face and then proceeded
to examine his cuffed hand closely.  Everyone laughed as I told him, "Sorry
chum, once your hand is in there, you need the key to take it off!" He
looked shocked and then asked anxiously, "You have got the key, haven't
you?"

   I put his mind at rest immediately - there was no point in worrying him
since I suspected our mates wouldn't want to set him free any time soon. 
My suspicions were well founded.  After a few moments David said with a
wicked grin, "Well, you've put one cuff on so you might as well finish the
job".

   Stuart looked horrified.  "No way!" came his swift reply.  "In any case,
I didn't put this cuff on, your brother did!" There was a ripple of
laughter around the group.  I had far more experience of being hectored by
my pals than Stuart and I had a fair idea where this was leading.  Stuart
seemed to remain sublimely ignorant until at last David said softly, "Well,
if you won't do it I guess we shall have to help!"

   His words had a magical effect on the others.  All at once Stuart
realised the danger he was in but it was too late.  Four boys pounced on
him and quickly wrestled him to the ground while I looked on in amazement -
in the past it had invariably been me in this situation.  Stuart put up a
good fight but he seemed to be hampered by the steel cuff dangling from his
wrist and soon he was pinned down on his stomach, his arms held behind his
back.  James had withdrawn from the melee but as Robert reached for the
bracelet to lock Stuart's other wrist irrevocably behind his back, James
called loudly, "Wait, I've got a much better idea!" All eyes (except our
reluctant prisoner's) turned on the speaker who glanced around the clearing
and murmured, "The trees!"

   For a moment we all looked blank but suddenly it was perfectly clear
what James had in mind.  Perfectly clear to Stuart as well who began to
fight like a tiger.  It took all four of us to drag him to his feet while
Robert put him in a bear hug, pinning his arms to his sides.  While he
fought furiously we, by degrees, dragged him towards the largest tree and
at last managed to force his arms behind him and around the trunk.  It had
been well chosen.  Normally if we were tying a prisoner to a tree we would
choose a specimen sufficiently large to enable our victims wrists just to
cross, in which position they would be tightly lashed together leaving the
prisoner with no freedom to move and get a purchase on his bonds.  This
time the tree was too large for Stuart's hands to meet but this was fine.
As Robert held the boy's arms firmly behind the trunk, his brother took
hold of the free cuff, opened it, placed one half around the tense arm and
with a series of satisfying clicks from the ratchet, locked the cuff
securely in position.  Defeated, Stuart relaxed at last knowing escape was
impossible.  I had the only keys but even if they had been in his own
pocket, it would have been impossible to reach them.

   Our battle had taken maybe five or ten minutes during which time we had
been engrossed entirely in our activities.  The sky had darkened and
suddenly the heavens opened.  Without a thought for our pal James yelled,
"Quick, get under the trees".  We followed his advice and made a dive for
the thicker foliage a few paces into the grove, leaving our manacled
captive to receive the full benefit of the torrential downpour.  Stuart was
naturally quite vocal in expressing his view of our treatment of him - we
didn't have time to gag him - but despite his threats and imprecations no
one was prepared to go back until the rain lessened.  Consequently we
remained dry but when we returned our prisoner was like a drowned rat.  He
had run out of threats and stood quietly as we gathered round and laughed
at his predicament but after a few moments we all agreed he must be
released and I handed the keys to Paul for him to do the honours.

   Stuart was comprehensively soaked and I immediately insisted we must get
him home.  At a smart trot we accomplished this in 15 minutes only to meet
- my mother!  She took one look at him and said, "What on earth have you
been doing?" Before anyone could reply she went on, "No, it's probably
better if you don't tell me.  You can't go home like that.  Upstairs and
get those wet clothes off and I'll get them dry for you".

   Stuart was bundled towards the bathroom where he removed his wet tee
shirt and jeans and I was instructed to find a spare shirt and some shorts
for him.  Then we gathered in the games room to wait for our friend.  When
he entered, his appearance caused general hilarity.  He was almost a year
older than me and while not quite as skinny as James or me he was quite a
bit taller and somewhat lanky.  Now he was dressed in a white tee shirt,
which left his midriff uncovered and a pair of cotton gym shorts which were
much too small for him and which accentuated his long, bare legs.  Trying
unsuccessfully to cover his embarrassment he draped his gangly form on the
floor but our pals were determined to have their money's worth.  As Stuart
hung his head and turned a yet deeper shade of red Paul chuckled, "He looks
more like Tarzan.  Perhaps we should fix him up with a loincloth!"

   I joined in the laughter and with a grin said, "That could be arranged!"
To a general cry of "Do it!" the others pounced on our victim and once more
he was fighting for his life.  A useless exercise - within seconds they had
him pinned and in one swift movement Paul had handcuffed him with his hands
behind his back.  I had forgotten he still had them!  Stuart rolled over
but without saying a word looked pleadingly at me.  Suddenly I was
remembering it was Stuart who had found me on that eventful day at school.
I just couldn't embarrass him further and told the others, "He looks
ridiculous enough as he is and it is hardly his fault.  We'll keep the
loincloth in reserve for when he misbehaves".  Stuart let out a loud sigh
of relief as I continued, "I don't see any reason why we shouldn't keep him
handcuffed though and I can find some cord to tie his ankles!" Stuart was
so relieved that we were not going to change his attire he made no
complaint about his manacled hands and offered no resistance as our mates
quickly and efficiently tied his ankles together.

   We began joking about our morning's activities when Stuart struggled
into a sitting position, propping himself against the wall and called for
silence.  "While I was handcuffed to the tree in the pouring rain this
morning I had time to do some thinking.  We have all (looking at James and
me) wanted to get our revenge for being kidnapped in the middle of the
night during the summer camp".  James and I nodded vigorously.  The others
new how we had been "tortured" that night (admittedly we had given our
captors every reason for their actions) and understood why we were so keen
on vengeance.  Stuart continued, "We will only be able to trap one of them
but here's my plan".  We listened in awe-struck silence as he revealed the
details and were so impressed we all agreed he had earned his freedom...

   Richard UK

   Tuesday, February 26th 2002 - 01:20:45 AM

   A Devious Scheme - Conclusion

   I would prefer not to reveal Stuart's ingenious plan immediately.  The
details will unfold in due course.

   January passed and the weather took a turn for the better.  Our regular
troop meetings returned to "our" woods and we were all pleased not to have
to be cooped up indoors.  Because of the limited time available between end
of classes and nightfall our meetings commenced within half an hour of the
end of the school day.  All the members of the troop had permission to
attend school in scout uniform rather than school uniform on Wednesdays to
save time.  Most of the boys belonged to one or other of the local troops,
depending upon where they lived, as there was little or no other
entertainment.  For my close circle of friends wearing scout uniform to
school was no hardship - many of us were still confined to short trousers
and were used to having bare knees (Hey ho for the sixties!).

   At one of our meetings our leaders announced that the following weekend
they would be sorting and reviewing our equipment in preparation for our
Easter camp and the coming summer.  They asked for volunteers to join them
on Saturday morning and then spend a night under canvas before completing
the task on Sunday morning.  Some of the work involved heavy lifting so a
fair number were required.  James, Stuart, Robert, David and I naturally
jumped at the chance to be away from home.  Mike, Peter, Roger and Matthew
not surprisingly offered their services - Mike was the senior patrol leader
and took his duties seriously.  We were sorry that Paul would not be able
to join us - he already had other plans for Saturday.  We all knew that
this was not to be an excuse for one of our mad games.  Our leaders would
keep us working hard until nightfall but had promised to prepare us an
excellent supper!

   As the meeting broke up Stuart took James and me on one side and said,
"All being well we should be able to carry out the operation this weekend!"

   Permission was almost a formality.  The attraction of having my friends
around almost every weekend was wearing very thin with my mother and both
my parents had a high regard for our two leaders.  They knew we would be
made to work hard but otherwise be well looked after.

   On Saturday morning all my friends, including Stuart, arrived almost
simultaneously.  Stuart asked quietly if I had the "equipment" - I nodded
vigorously - and demanded the keys, which he sealed in an envelope and then
reinforced it with sticky tape.  We set out for the woods by way of the
beach.

   Some of you may recall the caf, adjacent to the beach, where I was made
to sit for the amusement of my brother and the present company with my
hands tied behind my back while they sat and drank coke and laughed at my
intense embarrassment (if you don't, have a look in the archives!).  When
we left I was desperately relieved that my predicament had gone unobserved.
Or so I thought.  One of the waitresses, a girl of 19 or so called Glynis,
subsequently revealed that she had seen all but felt it was unfair to add
to my discomfiture.  I naturally fell deeply in love (well, not in the same
way I felt for the light of my life, Angela) and we became firm friends.  I
liked to think I was favoured because of my innate good looks, in reality
it was probably because I was cheekier than the rest of my friends.  She
was to play a central role in Stuart's scheme.

   It was to this emporium that we now adjourned and were relieved to find
Glynis behind the counter.  Having bought drinks all round we sat down
while Stuart asked her if she would do something for me!  She grinned
coquettishly and replied that it would depend what it was.  I was so
embarrassed that all I could do was hang my head and avoid her gaze and it
was left to Stuart to explain what we wanted her to do.  It was so simple
that she agreed without hesitation and Stuart sat down with us grinning
from ear to ear.  "See, I told you it would be easy," he chortled.  "The
trap is now set!"

   We finished our drinks, waved good bye to our friend and carried on the
short distance to the woods where everyone else was already gathered and
working hard.  Two six man tents had been erected for us, together with a
smaller one for the two adult leaders and we spent the rest of the day,
stripped to the waist, sorting, repairing and cleaning all the equipment we
would require at our forthcoming camps and troop meetings throughout the
summer.  By early evening we were hot, sweaty, tired and pleased to receive
the grateful thanks of our leaders for a job well done.

   They were as good as their word and provided us with a feast tasting all
the better for not having had to cook it ourselves.  Over the meal we
confessed to a little of our extra-mural activities and the two adults
exchanged shocked looks but nevertheless laughed at our revelations.  We
agreed it was only fair for us boys to clear up after the meal, and the two
oldies thanked us and told us they would leave us to our own devices for a
couple of hours.  They reminded us (unnecessarily) this was a working
weekend and they would expect us all to be in bed by 10.00pm assuming they
were not back by then.  It was now 7.00 so we had plenty of time.  Washing
up took half an hour and by 7.30 we were sitting in a circle exchanging
gossip and yarns with water heating for coffee on the stove.



   After a few minutes Mike turned to me and said, "David tells us you have
got a pair of real handcuffs".  I nodded my assent.  I already knew David
would "prime the pump" in this way.  None of us made further comment; we
were certain their curiosity would get the better of them.  We were not
disappointed.  After sitting in silence for a little while Roger spoke up,
"Have you got them with you?  Get them out and lets have a look!"

   Feigning reluctance I reached into the pocket of my shorts and slowly
pulled out the shiny object and handed them to Roger.  As usual each cuff
was locked.  The older boys were overcome with curiosity as the manacles
were handed from hand to hand, much as my pals had been a few weeks
earlier. Once more, their handling caused one of the bracelets to open and
their faces were a study as the realisation that no key was required to
open them dawned on them.  The now unlocked handcuffs were again passed
from hand to hand until they reached Matthew who placed an open bracelet
experimentally around his wrist.

   We younger ones held our breath.  So far they were behaving just as
Stuart had predicted but Matthew looked up and said, "I suppose you do have
keys for these?"

   "Of course," I replied, disingenuously.  "They wouldn't be much use
without!"

   No one seemed to take any notice of my reply.  All eyes were on Matthew
who seemed engrossed in the cuffs.  Without attempting to lock the one
already on his arm he placed the second around his other wrist, the locking
bars dangling free beneath.  He seemed to be pondering something very
deeply and then at last he carefully withdrew one hand and slowly and
deliberately locked the other cuff securely to his left wrist.  He had not
taken the precaution of leaving it loose to give himself the opportunity of
squeezing his hand free.  We all seemed to let out our breath together as
we sat watching our self appointed victim like cats.  Now he once more
slowly and deliberately placed the other cuff around his free arm, sitting
for a long while with the locking bar dangling free.

   We had all agreed before hand that we would under no circumstances
attempt to force one of our traditional adversaries into the handcuffs. 
Such a plan would almost certainly backfire, but so far Stuart's plan had
worked like a dream.  Robert however now decided he would need to push
matters along a little and give Matthew some encouragement.  "Of course,
your hands should really be behind your back," he offered.  Matthew looked
blankly at the speaker with almost a trance like expression on his face. 
After a few moments he replied, "Yes, I guess you're right".  With that he
removed his free hand, leant forward and slowly and deliberately placed his
hands behind him, grappling for the dangling cuff and placing it, once
more, unlocked around his wrist.  He sat like this again for a few moments,
which seemed an eternity and then suddenly seemed to reach a decision. 
With the fingers of the hand which was already cuffed he reached across for
the locking bar and with a firm pressure and a satisfying clicking from the
ratchet locked it just as securely as the other to his right arm.  We sat
motionless and expressionless as our victim struggled experimentally with
his hands chained behind him.

   Mike, Roger and Peter seemed to derive a lot of amusement from Matthew's
self imposed predicament and it has to be said that the latter was more
than happy to join in their laughter.  At last however one of them said,
"OK Richard, give me the key and we'll let him go".  It was the turn of my
pals to burst out with hysterical laughing while all I could do was look
shifty.  I had a sudden premonition that, while this was Stuart's scheme,
it would rebound on me.

   "I'm sorry, I can't," I replied.  "I haven't got them with me.  I only
said I had some keys for them - I didn't say they were on me!" Matthew
looked shocked but the other three exchanged glances then suddenly, without
a word being said, pounced on me, pinning me to the ground on my stomach
and holding my hands behind my back.  "Oh no," I thought, "once more
Richard finishes up tied up and probably gagged!" This thought however was
premature - my pockets were searched (the work of a moment) which revealed
nothing but a handkerchief.  Still, I wasn't allowed to rise.

   The older boys looked enquiringly at my mates but with one voice they
all denied having the keys.  "OK, I guess that means you have left them at
home," said Mike sternly.  "You are in for a long run to fetch them - we
shall expect you to be back here before ten o'clock."

   Matthew looked downcast at the prospect of having to remain handcuffed
until then but he didn't know there was worse to come.  Before I could say
a word Stuart spoke up.

   "Richard can't do that.  The keys are not at home.  They have been left
with Glynis at the beach caf, and she is under strict instructions to hand
them only to him or me.  Unfortunately, the caf, closed an hour ago and
won't be open again until 7.30 tomorrow morning." Matthew looked horrified
and struggled desperately, but uselessly, in his bonds.  Stuart continued,
"Before you decide to do anything to Richard I had better explain we were
all in on this and it wasn't his idea in the first place.  I suggest that
Matthew reconciles himself to remaining handcuffed until the morning - he
really doesn't have much choice in the matter anyway - and Richard and I
will solemnly promise to retrieve the keys as soon as the caf, opens
tomorrow.  You will certainly be free by breakfast!"

   There was a shocked silence and then suddenly Matthew burst out
laughing. The other three older boys exchanged glances and then joined in,
releasing me from their hold as they did so.  When their mirth died down
Matthew asked what would have happened if it had been one of the others in
his place.

   "Oh, it really didn't matter who it was," Stuart replied brightly. 
"James had particularly wanted to catch Peter or Roger - he has never
really forgiven you for the handling he received in the very first game he
played." James giggled and avoided everyone's eyes.  "As far as Mike is
concerned, we all believe he was the prime mover in our kidnapping last
summer," - Mike grinned but said nothing, "and as for you, you were the one
that carried out the water torture that night although I, for my part was
excused that, so I don't bear any special grudge!  What we were certain of
is the way you would respond to the handcuffs." He indicated the younger
boys with a gesture and continued, "We all reacted in exactly the same way
and I was fairly sure you would too.  I'm pleased you proved me correct!"

   We continued our discussion for a little while and then David, ever
practical said, "It might be a good idea if we get Matthew out of sight
before the others return.  You may be more comfortable if you step through
your hands so that they are in front of you."

   Everyone concurred with this suggestion and with a little support from
Mike and Roger Matthew managed to get his hands round from behind his back.
We then adjourned to the tents.  Matthew had remained shirtless when we
stopped work - he claimed not to feel the cold - but he was dressed in
jeans.  He had no alternative but to accept assistance in getting him out
of these and into a pair of shorts and we then helped him into his sleeping
bag.  We were all tired and ready for bed but before my younger pals and I
withdrew Matthew said, "No hard feelings about this," - he held up his
manacled hands for our inspection - "but please, please get me free before
the oldies are aware of what went on tonight!"

   I looked at him sympathetically and gave him my word that we would have
the keys in plenty of time for breakfast.

   In bed at last, we lay and chattered for a while, congratulating Stuart
for his plan which, without any intervention on our part, had run like
clockwork.  We spared a thought for Matthew who was destined for a much
less comfortable night than the rest of us and set James's alarm clock for
7.15am to ensure we kept our promise.

   The next morning, woken by the clock, Stuart and I ran to the caf,
without even changing our shorts and tee shirts.  Glynis was met on the
doorstep as she arrived by two tousle headed boys.  The envelope was
returned to us intact and ten minutes later we were back at the camp with
Matthew's passport to freedom.  As we entered the other tent he sat up,
presenting his still manacled hands to us and without any further comment
we liberated him.  He thanked us and gently massaged his wrists although
the cuffs had not been painfully tight.

   There were no repercussions.  The four older boys were quite amused that
we had successfully carried out Stuart's devious scheme and congratulated
rather than threatened us.  When we narrated the tale to Paul he was
delighted we had been able to trap his brother, his only regret being that
he wasn't there to see it.

   We were looking forward to a summer season of mayhem, now only a couple
of weeks away but before then there would be unexpected changes in our
private army...

   Richard UK