The small black-haired boy remains by the corridor entrance, clutching his uniform, while Peter Hogg watches from outside. Alan enters Lyon House’s Dayroom alone.
The Lyon House housemaster, an elderly, spare-built man in a dark academic gown, stands beside Christopher Christopher Morcom. Christopher Morcom’s small figure is still, his guarded face turned toward Alan.
the Lyon House housemaster
Turing, you will explain what you know before Morcom leaves this room. I have learned that you withheld an unauthorized punishment from your account.
Christopher Morcom
If he knows something, sir, he should be allowed to say it plainly. I will not leave merely because the matter is uncomfortable.
The housemaster gestures toward a chair but does not invite Alan to sit. Beyond the open doorway, Peter remains visible at his watch, while the younger boy waits alone.
the Lyon House housemaster
Was there a basin humiliation before the ordered strokes? Did you inspect the marks afterward? Answer each question separately, and do not turn this into an argument about authority.
Christopher Morcom
Turing has walked into this alone. Whatever he says now may decide whether the House protects the boy, or protects itself.
“I explain to the Lyon House housemaster that a boy from Westcott House broke the rules repeatedly, and that I reported his breaches of the rules to Westcott House prefects, who punished the boy appropriately.”
FAILURE (Legendary Writing, rolled -1)
Alan Turing
A boy from Westcott House broke the clothing and bathing rules repeatedly. I reported those breaches to the Westcott prefects, and they punished him appropriately.
The Lyon House housemaster studies Alan without interrupting. Christopher Morcom remains beside him, guarded and attentive, while Peter Hogg’s distant watch continues beyond the doorway.
the Lyon House housemaster
That account concerns only the boy’s breaches and the punishments you approved. It does not answer whether you witnessed the basin humiliation or inspected the marks.
Christopher Morcom
He has described the rules, sir, but not the distinction between ordered punishment and what happened before it. That distinction is the matter before you.
Alan Turing
The housemaster is asking about the omitted punishment, not merely the boy’s disobedience.
the Lyon House housemaster
Your report is therefore incomplete, Turing, and calling the punishment appropriate does not make every act preceding it authorized.
the Lyon House housemaster
You need not repeat the report to the Westcott prefects. Give me a separate account of what you saw, and I can decide what belongs in the formal record.
✓ Quest Accepted
Give the Lyon House housemaster a full account of the unauthorized punishment
“I explain to the Lyon House housemaster that the small black-haired boy was impertinent to his elders, therefore received a bogwashing; and then after that, repeatedly broke school rules, and was therefore repeatedly caned. All of which he deserved.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Alan Turing
The boy was impertinent to his elders, sir, and therefore received a bogwashing. Afterward he repeatedly broke the clothing and bathing rules, so he was repeatedly caned. He deserved all of it.
Alan’s account falls plainly into the quiet room. Beyond the doorway, Peter Hogg remains visible, while the small black-haired boy waits alone with his uniform clutched to his chest.
the Lyon House housemaster
You have now given me the account you withheld. You distinguish neither the boy’s conduct nor the punishments from the question of whether every punishment was authorized.
Christopher Morcom
He has called the boy’s suffering deserved, sir. That is an answer about judgment, but not yet an answer about the basin or the marks.
the Lyon House housemaster
Your position is clear, Turing. You believe impertinence justified the bogwashing, and later breaches justified the canings. I will record that you witnessed and approved this chain.
The housemaster takes up his pen and writes without asking Alan to soften the account. Christopher watches him carefully, while Peter’s distant posture stiffens at the word approved.
the Lyon House housemaster
I will still determine separately whether the punishments exceeded their orders. Your testimony is complete for now, and the boy’s treatment will not be concealed beneath his breaches.
Secure the Lyon House housemaster's protection for the boy
Quest Complete
Give the Lyon House housemaster a full account of the unauthorized punishment