## 13) The New Guys - Part 1

Post by canuck100 » Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:23 pm

The New Guys - Part 1
Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 05:21:37 AM
When I last wrote of my scouting activities, winter was passing and a pleasant weekend had been spent helping our adult leaders to sort and prepare our equipment for the coming summer activities. As the end of February approached the Mediterranean weather took a turn for the better and suddenly we were all planning camp outs and everything that would go with them.
Our weekly troop meeting arrived and we gathered for the formal opening ceremony. None of us had been looking forward to this day with much relish - Colin and Ken, both members of my own patrol, were about to return to the UK with their respective parents. It was bad enough to loose one buddy but to loose two simultaneously was a disaster. Not only that but both boys were participants in our TUG games from time to time! Even more worrying however was that, at the same time, Peter was leaving us. He had been Mike's "right hand man" ever since I joined the troop and was "inducted" into our games. A ferocious opponent, he had nevertheless proved himself a kind, gentle and loyal friend to everyone, and in particular to me. He would be sorely missed, not least because he was one of our older troop members and a patrol leader.
I was surprised to see our adult leaders had been joined by three boys, all strangers (well, two of them were vaguely familiar although I couldn't decide why). Their uniforms were very smart - crisp shirts, and shorts pressed with a sharp crease but they were all wearing strange coloured scarves. Two of the boys looked to be about my age, both had auburn hair, a plethora of freckles and were clearly twins. One was wearing glasses but they were otherwise identical, and without the specs they would have been impossible to tell apart. The third boy, maybe a couple of years older and darker was quite clearly their brother. They were introduced to us respectively as Duncan, Ian and Scott, and having arrived a few days earlier were joining our troop. Scott, the older boy, wore the stripes that showed him to have been a patrol leader in his former troop.
While our leaders introduced the newcomers and said our formal farewells to our old buddies my mind wandered. I realised why the faces of the younger boys were familiar - I had seen them chatting to Stuart one or two days ago and recalled him telling me they had joined his class. He had probably invited them to come to our meeting today and join our troop. More worrying was the loss of three TUG buddies. Not all our members took part in our games and there was no certainty that any of these newcomers would wish to join in. Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed the announcement that the two twins would join our patrol (we were already numerically weaker than the others and they would effectively replace Ken and Colin) and that Scott would join Peter's old patrol with a view to taking over as patrol leader. This was something of a blow - despite Peter's unwavering support for our activities the only other (occasional) player was John. (Although the other members of the patrol didn't take part, it has to be said that they were never backward in giving their support to our aggressors when, as often happened, James and I were tied up in reprisal for the former's practical jokes, both at our regular meetings and during camps!).
When we were finally dismissed all the boys ambled off to their individual patrol huts ostensibly for a period of badge work. We collected our two new members and escorted them to our own. Soon we were all deep in a noisy conversation as we all questioned them about where they had come from, where they were living and what their interests were. Their family had arrived from Germany only a few days earlier. Their father was originally Scottish, their mother German and we were astonished when they told us they were bilingual. All three boys had been active members of a scout troop there, hence their strange scarves, and they were all amazed by our spring time climate.
In the way that small boys have with idle chatter, this conversation could have gone on forever. We were suddenly brought to a halt, however, by Duncan, the bespectacled boy, saying rather excitedly, "We've been hearing rumours of particular games being played in your spare time by members of the troop from time to time. What can you tell us?" Both boys looked quizzically at us while we exchanged cautious glances.
At this juncture, I should point out that none of our participants solicited for new players. As a group, we had long ago agreed that it was not fair to put a newcomer under any pressure whatsoever to join in. In this way we had managed to ensure that anyone taking part did so of their own free will and it was probably for this reason that no one had ever asked to be released prematurely, or begged to be excused from "interrogation" (without of course revealing the information their persecutors required!). We were therefore stunned that these boys seemed to know of our nefarious activities despite their only having arrived a few days ago.
Our new friends noticed our discomfiture and immediately explained, "Peter told Scott a little of what goes on. Scott then tackled Mike who, when pressed, reluctantly filled in quite a bit more detail. We are both quite keen to take part and Scott will want to as well!" This information was supplied by both boys. We had several pairs of siblings within the troop (David and Robert in our own patrol, Matthew and Paul, and of course myself and Chris although the latter was technically no longer a member) but twins were a new experience. We would become used to holding a conversation with both of them simultaneously, as it were, with each contributing sometimes half a sentence each!
We gathered round the pair with renewed interest. Our activities were certainly not a secret but neither did we publicise them too widely. That two boys only recently arrived and attending their very first troop meeting should have obtained this information was surprising to say the least and this pair not only seemed to possess this knowledge but also, seemingly, wished to join in! We began filling in some details. There was no need to exaggerate our tales - some of our escapades were fairly brutal!
The twins listened round eyed to all we had to say until Stuart asked, "Did you ever play similar games with your last group?"
Not really," came the reply. "Occasionally someone would have his hands tied during a meeting but as these took place in doors we didn't really have many opportunities. During camps it was quite common for someone to be roped, usually to a tree or staked out for a while but really, most of the boys were not very good at it. We do play games with Scott, though, from time to time!" They told us their brother was nearly two years older than they were.
It sounded as if these boys would be a welcome addition. We continued to chatter and then I said, "Well, as Scott is older than you two you must be used to being tied up. Is he good with knots?" The two newcomers looked at one another then suddenly burst out laughing. "Good heavens, we have never been tied up!" they chuckled. "Scott is older, bigger and stronger than either of us but we have one advantage - numbers! He can't take one of us on without the other and consequently we always come out victorious. It does mean that we are both good knot tiers and Scott is reconciled to spending hours tied up and gagged!"
This was slightly worrying; I pointed out that taking part meant acceptance of our rules and that, if caught by the opposition they would have to submit to being bound and possibly "interrogated". Were they both sure they were prepared to endure this? The two boys looked at one another and finally agreed they were both keen to play and would accept any consequences. "In any case, it probably won't arise. We are bound to be too much for any of the opposition," they added rather arrogantly.
It was left to Robert to explain, quite gently, that it was most unlikely they would prove a match for our older members and it would be as well if they prepared themselves for a whole new experience. As an after thought he added, "If your brother is telling Mike and the others how you have terrorised him in the past I wouldn't be surprised if they start plotting to help him get his revenge".
The twins were no longer smiling but exchanging worried glances, however they were both quite irrepressible and before long they seemed to accept the truth of what Robert had said and agreed that they would meet their fate stoically if necessary.
The meeting finally came to an end and we were in the process of making our final farewells to Ken and Colin when Mike joined us and said that plans were afoot for a camp out that weekend with all that might entail. We didn't need him to spell it out. My close buddies were all sure they would be able to attend and I knew my parents would be more than willing to see the back of me for a while. The twins said they would try to get permission which they felt would be forthcoming if Scott was there "to look after them".
Richard
UK
Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 05:22:56 AM
The New Guys - Part 2
We had only two days to do the planning but Mike had already done the spadework, arranging to borrow tents and other necessary equipment. We had a standard routine for arranging provisions amongst ourselves and consequently, by the following evening all was in place. We would meet in the woods early on Saturday morning, pitch our camp, and spend at least some time on our badge work. This was the lever Mike used to extract the equipment from our leaders and he was always conscientious in ensuring that we kept our side of the bargain. The afternoon (and probably evening) would be spent in creating mayhem.
My father was dragooned into once more delivering our personal gear by car so Saturday morning saw the usual gang of ruffians gathering in our kitchen. I say usual gang but in fact it had been augmented on this occasion by Duncan and Ian who it transpired lived only one street away. They were the last to arrive and when they came in I expressed my surprise that Scott wasn't with them. They had actually carried three packs in and looked remarkably shifty as they said, "Oh, he will be here. He's around somewhere!"
James, David and Robert were doing an expert job of gleaning and gathering in my mother's store cupboard and in exasperation she finally ordered us out with instructions not to hurry home tomorrow. We left by the back door, immediately outside which was a store that Chris and I used for our bicycles. As we passed the door, Duncan asked, "What's in there?" I began to explain but before I had got out more than a couple of words Ian said, "Let's have a look!" and flung open the door.
We all gasped. There on the floor was Scott. He was lying half on his back, his hands tied behind him and his ankles and knees were tightly bound. The rope work was of the highest order. He had been expertly gagged with a scout scarf. Unable to speak or move the older boy glowered at us. Seeing our looks of stunned surprise our new friends began to explain between giggles.
"He was giving us a hard time as we got ready to leave so we decided we had better teach him a lesson and at the same time show you what we were capable of!" both boys laughed. "Once we had his hands tied," - Ian placed a hand on his brother's back and pushed him forward quite roughly, proudly exhibiting their prisoner's tightly bound wrists - "he became more co-operative. He usually sensibly admits defeat at that point" - I shuddered with the thought of what they might do to him otherwise!
"We decided to bring him here neatly trussed up as a present for you but heard your mother's voice from outside and decided we had better not bring him in. We found your storeroom door unlocked so pushed him in there. Until then his mouth had been free but he foolishly started to protest so we had no alternative but to gag him. Then we quickly tied his knees and ankles to keep him out of mischief and here he is!"
The two boys were grinning proudly at us - the whole of this address had been delivered in a rush by both boys, just as if only one was telling the tale! The rest of us were dumfounded by the sight of the bound boy, but before we could make any comment, Duncan turned to his brother and said, "If you promise not to make a sound, we'll take your gag off." The older boy nodded his head and in a few moments his mouth had been freed. He stretched his jaws luxuriously - the scarf had been tied savagely tight.
"OK bro, untie his feet and we can be on our way," Ian now said to his twin. Without a moment's delay Duncan started tackling the knots at his brother's knees then finally freed his feet. The two younger boys helped Scott to stand.
"Aren't you going to untie his hands?" David enquired.
"No way," came the swift response. "He can stay like that for a while as his penance for making our lives difficult earlier!" Scott looked ruefully at us but made no protest whatever. I found myself wondering just who gave who a hard time in this family, but Scott seemed to accept his lot philosophically so I simply pointed out that we were leaving via the garden fence which might be rather difficult for Scott. The twins looked at the 5 foot high chain link fence and said, "That's OK - we'll help him over". It seemed there was no more to say and in a few moments James, Robert, David and I were over the wire. Ian followed next and then, as good as their word, the two boys very carefully assisted Scott in his difficult task. I noticed two things. First, that the two younger boys were much more careful in helping their brother than I had expected and second that Scott seemed to place his whole trust in them to take care of him. In a few moments we were all over and showing our new friends the way down into the valley and the olive groves there.
As usual our walk was accompanied by a lot of chatter and some horseplay, and I noticed that Scott was joining in cheerfully, seemingly oblivious of his bound wrists. I recalled that, when I had been forced into a similar situation I too quickly forgot my hands were tied. We had covered about half the distance when Ian stopped us all and said to Duncan, "I guess we can set him free now. It wouldn't do to parade him in front of the older boys trussed like a chicken. That can wait for another occasion!" The other boy nodded his assent and almost before he realised what was happening Scott had been spun round by the shoulders and his hands untied. He massaged his wrists for a few moments and then, speaking to his brothers, for the first time showed slight resentment for his rough handling. "You do realise you won't find the rest of this group such a pushover, don't you? I am going to really enjoy seeing you two both tied up and squirming on the ground!"
"In your dreams, brother!" they both replied simultaneously, but I noticed a slightly concerned look pass between them. I could see another brotherly feud developing here and hoped I wouldn't be caught in the crossfire once more. As we continued on our way, I found Duncan and Ian walking either side of me. Suddenly Duncan said, "Stuart says you get tied up more than anyone else in the troop. He also told us what happened to you at school" - I shuddered inwardly. It was some months in the past and I would have preferred to keep it secret, but no matter - "We both want to be honest with you. Neither of us have ever been tied up. We have always had the benefit of superior force where Scott is concerned and he has never once complained about our treatment of him, in fact away from home he is quite protective, taking his "elder brother" role very seriously! But the truth is we are quite nervous of the prospect of being bound and also looking foolish if we can't free ourselves!"
I couldn't help chuckling at this rather solemn speech, unusually delivered by just one of them although it was clear Duncan was speaking for both. I replied softly, "Several things occur to me. First, if you are going to join in our games, you will have to reconcile yourselves to being tied up, and you need to know that the enemy will have no hesitation in 'torturing' you for any information you may have". I saw a look of horror pass over both their faces and endeavoured to put their minds at rest by explaining our methods of interrogation. They had already had our rules explained to them and knew that no one was permitted to inflict any physical harm, on pain of immediate expulsion. I continued, "Next, be quite clear in your own minds - if you are captured and tied up by most of this group your chances of escape without outside assistance are virtually nil. We have some expert knot tiers amongst us so there is no need to feel any embarrassment. On a more personal level, If Scott tells Mike and Roger what you two get up to they will be scheming to assist your brother in accomplishing your downfall! Your best option will be to try to team up with Scott - it will be much safer for you that way!"
The twins looked at one another and Ian responded, "No, we can't do that. Duncan has told you we are both nervous of actually being tied but no way are we going to take the soft option just because of that. It actually wouldn't be very fair to Scott!"
Now I really was surprised! There was far more feeling between these three boys than there appeared on the surface. Despite my own fears, I found myself saying, "I guess we had better try to work you into our 'little mob' then." James had joined us a few minutes earlier and until now had listened silently to the conversation. Now he spluttered, "Oh no, Richard. You are drawing us all into another conflict just like the one between Matthew and Paul and it is us that have to suffer for your chivalrous intentions!" The two new boys looked glum but James grinned and before either twin could speak he added, "Don't worry. We are used to Richard's support of lost causes so I guess we will have to accept it once more. Actually, it was he who got me through my first game and I was at least as nervous as you two. Since then, he and I have been through a lot together."
"Yes," Ian replied. "We have heard about your taste for practical jokes!"
"Have you indeed?" I responded. "Were you also told then that we have regularly been punished for them? I think James and I spent more time staked out at last year's summer camp than we did free!"
Everyone laughed and the atmosphere immediately lifted. Robert now looked at the twins and said, "One thing does occur to me. Your brother is wearing shorts but you are both in jeans. You are going to get terribly dirty this afternoon". My old pals and I were of course wearing our usual gear for these occasions of blue cotton gym shorts and tee shirts and Scott was dressed in an old pair of khaki shorts. The older boy now said, "These two aren't used to wearing shorts every day. To be fair, when we left Germany a week ago it was bitterly cold. Attending troop meetings in uniform really made your legs sting!" Lowering his eyes he hung his head, blushed slightly and added softly, "As a matter of fact, that was what our argument was about before we left home".
"Scott is quite right," Duncan replied, "Neither of us is used to wearing shorts routinely although we used to during the summer months. I guess we will be OK by the time it gets hot and the school goes into summer uniform. He prefers to appear tough, although we have already shown our superiority! However, we have both packed some shorts and I guess we will change later".
To my friends and me this came as something of a surprise. We had of course been living for a while in this equable climate and as I have said before, most of us younger ones quite happily still wore short trousers to school all the year round. We had no embarrassment at showing our knees and had not anticipated such from any of our peers. However they were quite obviously proud of their scout uniforms (all three had been impeccably turned out at our weekly meeting and shorts were de rigeur in those days) and I was certain their reluctance to bare their knees would evaporate as it got hotter!
The exuberant atmosphere continued for the rest of our walk as David, Robert and James narrated some of our adventures. Since most of these tales seemed to involve my being tied up in more or less distressing situations I decided to keep my mouth shut and listen passively. There was no need for them to exaggerate - I was almost shocked myself, although I could have vouched for every word if asked to - and my mates had the gratifying experience of an awed silence from their audience who, engrossed in the stories, failed to notice my embarrassment...
Richard
UK
Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 05:24:34 AM
The New Guys - Part 3
We finally arrived in the familiar woods to find a fair sized company of all the familiar faces gathered. I was amazed that so many had turned out but on reflection, this was our first opportunity to engage in open warfare this spring so perhaps it was not surprising. Mike greeted us cheerily and Stuart immediately appeared. Roger, Matthew and Paul were busy erecting the tents while we were told Mark and Andrew were busy filling our water containers from the stand pipe. Fourteen boys in all!
We would have to wait to see what scenario Mike had dreamt up. He looked us over and made a caustic comment about the twin's jeans (all the boys already gathered were dressed like my old mates and me, in tee shirts and either blue gym shorts or old khaki ones) and I was surprised to see them both colour slightly with embarrassment. They mumbled that they would change later and gratefully excused themselves from Mike's presence when I suggested we should help with the tents. Mike stopped Scott with a hand placed on his arm and as we left them they were deep in an animated conversation.
Once more Mike had coerced our leaders into lending four six man tents (more than we really required). Two were already up and we fell to with a will so that, after half an hour all were pitched in a circle, their doors facing inwards. Hot and sweaty, we sat down gratefully as Mike called everyone together and reminded us that the "quid pro quo" for the use of the tents was that we put in some serious work on our various badges. He, Roger (and Scott), as the oldest and most experienced, were well qualified to assist the younger members in this and we all got down to our tasks without complaining.
For the next couple of hours, little was heard above a low murmur of conversation but at last we were finished, Mike stretched and suggested we had an early lunch. As usual a cold lunch had been extorted from various parents and preparations were quickly under way. As we consumed quantities of cold meat, bread, salad and fruit Mike told us he proposed a simple free for all with two equal teams, the victors to be the team with most prisoners at the time limit (set for 6.30pm to allow reasonable time for preparing supper). In the probably unlikely event of one side capturing all their opponents the game would end early. Following Paul's example in the Autumn he announced that we should negotiate hostages at the time limit, with a fixed time limit of one hour being placed on their captivity, but that, if the game finished early (an outright victory for one side), the victors could keep as many of their victims as they wished for up to two hours.
A long discussion ensued on how the teams should be constituted. Despite having resolved their differences after our last game, Paul was adamant that he wanted to join Stuart, James and me. He implied that he expected Matthew to join Mike! Duncan and Ian were keen to join us too so David and Robert offered to join opposing sides with the former going over to the enemy. This was unusual - they were brothers and quite close and had always in the past fought on the same side. While the teams were thus loosely decided, the argument raged for some time longer and as it did so Mike came and sat down beside me, and whispered, "Are you quite sure about this Titch? I have been chatting to Scott and just being with his brothers could be bad news!" As he spoke he looked me in the eye and gave me a knowing wink.
"I've already made my mind up, Mike," I replied. "Those two terrors don't hesitate to give Scott a hard time but actually they are quite nervous of what may happen to them today! There is not much you can do to me that hasn't already been done and I think they are going to need the sort of support that only James and I can give them".
Mike gave me a long, cool look and then surprised me by saying with a big grin, "You're quite a brave little kid, in a quiet sort of way and your loyalty deserves a medal! Fair enough, but don't say I didn't warn you!" I gave him a wan smile and we returned to the discussion, which Mike now brought to a close following his chat with me. The teams were settled as we had already discussed.
With lunch finished we split informally into our teams and adjourned to our patrol huts. We would have a tactical chat and our two new friends were anxious to acquire as much information as possible. Additionally we needed to sort all our supplies - rope, cloths for gags, and of course our trusty water pistols before commencement of hostilities.
Robert and I were quickly absorbed in this work while Duncan and Ian at last said they would change in preparation for an active afternoon. Engrossed in a large heap of rope of various lengths I took no more notice of the others until I heard James exclaim, "Wow, like the shorts!" Peering over my shoulder I saw the twins had removed their jeans and were pulling on - german leather shorts (lederhosen)! The two boys were clearly slightly embarrassed by the attention being paid to them, as they turned to face us and completed fastening their pants. Their trousers were identical, being dark green leather with a shiny surface and they were fastened with a pair of zip fasteners at front and supported by a belt. Recovering their composure a little the twins said with a grin, "They may look a little odd but they are great really. They are virtually indestructible so there is no chance of getting into trouble at home for damaging them and if they get dirty, just wipe them over with a damp cloth!
While James and Stuart looked on with interest Robert surprised us all by saying, "I agree! David and I have both had a pair for a long time". Seeing our surprised look he added in explanation, "Before we came here we were living in Germany too, and almost all the kids wore them there, all the time! I don't know why we never thought of them before for these games!"
Our two new friends immediately latched onto his words, "Hey, that would be a great idea! We have each got a spare pair and Scott has some too, although he doesn't wear them much now. We could kit the whole patrol out at the Easter camp!" Stuart and James responded with a giggle while Paul looked on with a bemused expression - I could see him thinking he was glad not to be a member of this crazy patrol.
Robert now called for our attention and said that, for the benefit of Duncan and Ian, he would remind everyone of the "rules of engagement". We had a lot of respect for this quiet and sensible boy (he was our patrol leader with good reason) so everyone listened intently. He began, "First, a reminder - if you are hit with a water pistol you must surrender at once. This is intended to prevent any proper hand to hand fighting or arguments and is therefore for your own protection. There is to be no fighting! Accept defeat gracefully and remember your mates will try to rescue you if at all possible." He looked at Duncan and Ian and continued, "As I am sure you have been told already, if you are captured you will most certainly be tied up and probably gagged. While no one will inflict any physical pain on you as such, don't expect the opposition to consider your comfort. If they think you have any useful information they will go out of their way to make you as uncomfortable as possible before interrogating you". A look of mild shock crossed both boys' faces while James whispered, gleefully, "Tickle torture!"
Robert went on, "Richard has told me how you treat your brother from time to time. You had better assume that by now Mike and the others know this and I am pretty sure they will make their primary objective capturing the pair of you! If that happens, all I can say is 'Watch out!' Finally, if you really are not happy with the way you are being treated give the signal you were told earlier. You will immediately be set free and no one will think any the worse of you, but you won't be able to take any further part in the game and will be expected to remain near the tents until the dead line. Any questions?" There was a silence. "Then in that case all we need to decide is our initial game plan."
Immediately, noisy chattering broke out. I offered to take care of the twins since they had no knowledge of this extensive area of woodland. Without help they would be slaughtered within minutes. "Are you quite sure," James asked mildly. "You do realise what will happen to you if you are caught with them, don't you?" I confirmed that I did but they needed someone sensible to take care of them. This was met with a peal of laughter from my pals.
"Let him commit suicide," Stuart put in. He looked at James and added, "You come with me. That way you will have the pleasure of rescuing your best friend, and I guess he is going to need rescuing!" Turning to the twins he continued, "Don't take too much notice of Richard. He's weird - he likes being tied up!" He was rewarded with a raucous peal of laughter while all I could do was hang my head to hide my embarrassment. The trouble was he was basically correct, although I would have added in my defence that I doubted if I was the only one. Nevertheless, being not only on the small side but also pretty skinny I had got used to being teased by my mates and made no reply.
I was more concerned with practicalities. Looking at Duncan, I asked, "Aren't you going to take your specs off?" Actually, both Stuart and I habitually wore glasses but we always made a point of removing them during these activities for fear of having them damaged or losing them, but Duncan replied, "No way! I'm as blind as a bat without them and would be a liability to you. Besides, without them you wouldn't know which of us was which!" This was true so I didn't press the point further.
Richard
UK