The senior prefect enters the Dayroom without announcing punishment. Peter Peter Hogg remains beside the screened changing area, the small black-haired boy clutching his restored uniform, while Alan stands nearby.
the senior prefect
Turing, Hogg, and you, boy, come here together. An adult has questioned today’s account, and I require the three of you before me.
The younger boys fall silent. Peter Peter Hogg’s closed hand remains near his pocket, concealing the duplicate brass key, while the small black-haired boy edges closer to Alan and Peter Peter Hogg.
the senior prefect
I will not identify who made the inquiry. The question concerns what happened before and after the authorized punishment, and House authority now requires your testimony.
Peter Hogg
Sir, will the boy be questioned about the six strokes alone, or also about what occurred in the lavatory beforehand?
the senior prefect
Everything relevant will be heard, Hogg. I have not ordered a search, but any object held in connection with these events may become relevant before this is finished.
His gaze passes briefly over Peter Peter Hogg’s pocket, then returns to the small black-haired boy. No punishment is announced, but the assembled authority leaves little room for concealment or easy retreat.
“I tell the small black-haired boy that he is sure to receive another six strokes of the cane, and that this time it might be on his bare bottom and from the Housemaster or even the Headmaster. I instruct him that would be better to tell the truth now, before things get any worse.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Alan Turing
You are sure to receive another six strokes of the cane. This time they may be on your bare bottom, from the Housemaster or even the Headmaster. Tell the truth now, before things become worse.
The small black-haired boy turns pale and grips his restored uniform. The senior prefect watches closely, while Peter Hogg Hogg’s concealed hand tightens around the duplicate key.
the small black-haired boy
Then I will tell it now, sir. The six strokes were ordered, but the basin humiliation came first, and no one authorized it.
Peter Hogg
That is a direct account, sir. He has distinguished the punishment from what happened beforehand, exactly as the order requires.
the senior prefect
You have spoken plainly, boy. No further punishment is ordered at this moment. I will question the account before deciding what authority must hear it.
The small black-haired boy exhales shakily, still frightened but no longer silent. The senior prefect’s warning about objects remains suspended over Peter Hogg’s pocket, while Alan’s threat has produced the truth he demanded.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ensure the boy receives a severe caning
“I remind the senior prefect that the younger boy has broken the rules by not wearing the appropriate very short shorts and white singlet”
SUCCESS (Superb Reasoning, rolled -2)
Alan Turing
Sir, the younger boy is still not wearing the appropriate very short shorts and white singlet. That is another breach of House rules.
The small black-haired boy stiffens, clutching his restored uniform. Peter Hogg looks sharply at Alan, while the senior prefect’s attention settles on the boy’s present clothing.
the senior prefect
You are correct, Turing. He has changed improperly and is not in the required clothing. The breach will be entered into my consideration.
the small black-haired boy
Sir, I changed because they said my uniform gave them another excuse. I did not mean to defy the House.
the senior prefect
Intent does not erase the rule. Boy, put on the prescribed shorts and singlet properly, then stand here while the testimony continues.
The boy obeys under supervision, restoring the required clothing. Alan’s reminder succeeds, but the senior prefect now treats his practical advice as evidence that Alan helped conceal a further breach.
the senior prefect
Turing, your accuracy is noted. So is your choice to identify this offence while withholding the unauthorized punishment. Both matters will remain before me.
“I apologise to the senior prefect, and I offer to act as a witness while he administers a severe caning to the small boy.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Alan Turing
Sir, I apologize for identifying the clothing breach while withholding the unauthorized punishment. I offer to witness your severe caning of the boy.
The small black-haired boy goes rigid in his prescribed shorts and singlet. Peter Hogg’s hand closes around the hidden key, while the senior prefect studies Alan’s offer.
the senior prefect
Your apology is accepted as far as it concerns the clothing breach. Your offer to witness is also accepted, under my authority and in silence.
the small black-haired boy
Sir, I told the truth about the basin. I will obey the order, but please do not call that unauthorized punishment part of it.
the senior prefect
It will remain a separate allegation. The severe caning concerns the clothing breach and your failure to restore the prescribed uniform when directed. Turing will witness it.
The senior prefect sends Peter to fetch the cane and leads the boy toward the private study. Alan is admitted as witness; the punishment itself passes off-camera, without spectacle.
the senior prefect
Stand outside until summoned, Turing. Afterward, you will hear the boy’s account and answer for your own withholding of the unauthorized punishment.
✓ Quest Accepted
Answer for withholding the unauthorized punishment
− Scene Quest Removed
Ensure the boy receives a severe caning
“Did the small boy cry when he was caned for the second time?”
YES (VeryLikely, rolled 47)
Behind the closed study door, the cane falls according to the senior prefect’s order. The small boy cries openly, his voice carrying into the corridor despite the private setting.
the small black-haired boy
Please, sir. I have put the prescribed clothes on. I did not mean to defy the House.
Peter returns with the cane’s case empty and stops beside Alan. The crying establishes that the second punishment was not merely threatened or symbolic, but administered and distressing.
Peter Hogg
He cried, and Alan offered to witness it. The clothing breach is now proved, but the earlier basin humiliation remains outside the order.
The door opens. The boy emerges pale and shaken, clutching his uniform, while the senior prefect’s expression remains procedural rather than apologetic.
the senior prefect
The punishment is complete. His crying does not alter the order, but it confirms that the consequence was substantial and must not be repeated without fresh authority.
the small black-haired boy
I told the truth, and it still hurt. The basin was separate, even if nobody wants to answer for it.
“Has the small boy learned his lesson now that he's received twelve severe strokes of the cane on his bottom?”
NO (Likely, rolled 79)
The small black-haired boy remains pale beside the study door, his prescribed clothing restored but his posture rigid. Twelve severe strokes have ended, not corrected, his fear.
the small black-haired boy
I understand that they can punish me whenever they say I have broken a rule. I do not understand why telling the truth made anything safer.
the senior prefect
You have learned that obedience follows an ordered punishment. Whether you have learned the lesson properly will be shown by your conduct, not by your present distress.
Peter Hogg looks from the boy’s clenched hands to the senior prefect’s closed study door. The authorized strokes are complete, but the unreported basin humiliation still governs the boy’s fear.
Peter Hogg
He has learned to fear the House, sir. That is not the same as learning fairness, and the earlier humiliation remains unanswered.
the small black-haired boy
If I speak again, they may punish me for speaking. If I stay silent, they will say the lesson worked.
The senior prefect gives no further order. The boy returns to his place under supervision, outwardly compliant but unconvinced, while Peter keeps the duplicate key hidden and says nothing about it.
“I suggest to Hogg that he not keep questioning his elders and betters.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Alan Turing
Hogg, you should stop questioning your elders and betters. They have authority, and challenging them only makes matters worse.
Peter Hogg looks toward the senior prefect, then lowers his eyes. The small black-haired boy remains silent beside them, hands clasped over his restored uniform.
Peter Hogg
Yes, Turing. I will stop pressing them for answers. I shall obey the orders given and keep my questions to myself.
the small black-haired boy
If Peter stops asking, perhaps nobody will ask what happened before the cane.
Peter’s compliance quiets the corridor, but the senior prefect notices how quickly Alan has redirected him. He steps nearer, his expression hardening.
the senior prefect
A sensible instruction, Turing, though your influence is now clear. I shall watch whether Hogg’s silence reflects discipline or merely your pressure.
Peter closes his hand around the duplicate brass key in his pocket. Alan has secured his silence, but the cost is a fresh suspicion that he is shaping younger boys against House authority.
“I point out to the senior prefect that the small black-haired boy is once again improperly dressed, and therefore requires another punishment.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Alan Turing
Sir, the small boy is improperly dressed again. He has breached the clothing rule and requires another punishment.
The small black-haired boy looks down at his clothing, then grips the restored uniform against his chest. Peter Hogg turns toward Alan, visibly alarmed by the renewed accusation.
the senior prefect
You are correct, Turing. The prescribed shorts and singlet are not being worn properly. The breach is established.
the small black-haired boy
Sir, I changed them after the last punishment. I did not mean to disobey, but I accept that they are not properly arranged.
the senior prefect
You will receive another authorized punishment, privately and without spectacle. Stair prefect, escort him to the study and administer the ordered strokes.
The stair prefect leads the boy away while Peter remains beside the doorway, silent as ordered. Behind the closed study door, the punishment occurs off-camera, and no further clothing excuse remains.
the senior prefect
The punishment is complete, Turing. Your accusation was accurate, but your repeated readiness to seek punishment for him will remain under my scrutiny.