## 11) A Devious Scheme

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

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 cafÃ© 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 cafÃ© and she is under strict instructions to hand them only to him or me. Unfortunately, the cafÃ© 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 cafÃ© 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 cafÃ© 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