Simon Peters, 2021

Angela and Adam sat on opposite sides of a wide oak table. They had both dressed smartly for the occasion. Adam wore a light jacket and slacks with a white shirt and a blue tie, and Angela was in a dark grey company suit. Neither spoke to the other.

At 2pm precisely, a man in a dark grey suit carrying a clipboard entered the room. He greeted the two protagonists. “Hello. My name is Mr Michaels, and I am clerk to this court. My job is to make sure that you understand why you are here and that you know what will happen today.”

“This court has been set up to fast-forward divorce proceedings under the new rapid divorce laws. You have applied to have your marriage terminated under these laws. The judge in this case has the power to end your marriage today, without a separation period, provided that certain important criteria are met. Have you each read the guidance for applicants document?”

Angela and Adam both indicated that they had.

“Right”, continued the clerk. To summarise, the judge in your case has the power to problem an immediate divorce. Before he does so, he will question each of you to figure out exactly why your marriage has failed. He will then apportion blame and may or may not sentence one or both of you to a qualified punishment. This is both to ensure that justice is served and to discourage frivolous apps. The sentence that he passes down can include corporal punishment. Do you find out?”

“Yes” said Adam.

“What, exactly, do you mean by corporal punishment?” asked Angela.

“Corporal punishment in this context consists of several strokes with a cane. The judge may allocate a total of not more than 20 strokes between you, and each of you may not receive more than 12 strokes. The cane used is similar to that previously used in private schools. It is designed to cause pain, but not permanent injury. There may be significant bruising that should fade within 2 or 3 weeks. You must accept that the court has authority in this matter before your divorce can be considered. Do you find out and still wish to proceed?”

“Yes” said Adam and Angela together, although Angela’s reply was a little hesitant.

“Right” said the clerk, “All the proceedings, including any punishment, will be filmed and may be posted on the court website. The resulting video may also be offered to the public on a pay-per-view basis. If it is, you will receive 50% of the revenue, divided equally between you”.

“Let me get this straight” said Angela. You can film us getting caned and then sell the video to the public?”

“Yes” confirmed the clerk. This both dissuades others from looking for an easy divorce and raises valuable revenue to fund the court. If you do not agree, you must say so now.”

Adam and Angela remained silent.

“Right”, said the clerk. “If you would both sign these acceptance forms, I can tell the judge that we are good to go, and we can get started. By the end of the afternoon, your marriage should be over. Once you have signed the forms, you are bound by the court and legally committed to whatever decisions are taken. If you agree with this, please sign the forms”.

Angela and Adam both looked briefly at the forms in front of them and then signed. They returned the forms to the clerk, who smiled cheerfully. “Thank you. I will now inform the judge and invite a cameraman into the chamber to record the proceedings”.

There was a recess while the cameraman came into the chambers and set up his gear. Angela and Adam were each given a cup of coffee and asked to wait. After about 20 minutes, the Judge came in and sat at the end of the table. He looked down at his documents and then spoke.

“Angela and Adam, I will now hear your testimony, apportion blame and decide upon any punishment that I feel is appropriate. Each of you will have an opportunity to argue your case. All discussion and testimony will be polite, with no shouting and certainly no swearing. If you do not follow these instructions, I am empowered to sentence you for contempt of court. This may mean additional strokes of the cane. Do you find out?”

“Yes” murmured Angela and Adam.

“Right”, said the judge. “We will begin by hearing from Adam. Please tell the court why you think that your marriage has failed and why you are seeking a quick divorce”.

Adam swallowed, then began. “At first our marriage was excellent, your honour. We were very happy and had a great sex life. I was earning enough to pay for our mortgage and provide for Angie. But as time went on, the financial pressure grew, and I found myself working more and more overtime just to keep our heads above water. This meant long hours and when I got home I was sometimes too exhausted to attend to Angie’s needs. She sought solace elsewhere and had a series of affairs. Things have now got to the point where our marriage is effectively over. Angie has been unfaithful more than once, and I can’t discover it in my heart to forgive her”.

“Thank you” said the judge. “When you were working overtime, what kind of time did you get home?”

“Frequently not until 10pm, your honour. All I could do was grab a bite to eat and go to bed. I hated the situation, but if I didn’t work the hours we could not pay the mortgage, and we would have lost the house”.

“Right” said the judge, “Your turn, Angela”.

“Adam is right when he says that our marriage was excellent. But when he started working so many hours, I hardly saw him. He would come home and go straight to bed. Even if I joined him and tried to begin lovemaking, he would just roll over and go to sleep. The physical side of our relationship was in tatters. I grew increasingly frustrated and sought sex elsewhere. I felt that it was all I could do. Adam should have realised what was happening and devoted more time to me. If he had, none of this would have happened.”

“And how many affairs did you have, Angela” asked the judge. “Please remember that you are under oath”.

“Three, your honour”.

The clerk rose and told Angela and Adam that the judge would now take a few minutes to consider what they had said before delivering his judgement. “Please feel free to have coffee or tea in the adjacent lobby, but be back here in 15 minutes for the decision”.

Angela and Adam went through to the lobby and each had a cup of tea. They did not speak to each other and avoided eye contact. After 10 minutes or so, they returned to the chamber and took their seats.

The judge returned, took his seat at the head of the table, and spoke.

“I have come to a decision”, he said. Before I tell you what it is, I must remind you that you are legally bound by the jurisdiction of this court. The court has the power to enforce my decision by whatever means are necessary.”

“Adam and Angela, I find that your marriage is irretrievably broken, and I will sign a declaration to that effect. As of 8pm this evening, you will be officially divorced. All material wealth shall be divided between you on an equal basis.”

“I consider that neither of you has tried hard enough to try and see the point of view of the other, and you are both partly responsible for the breakdown of your marriage. I feel it only appropriate to sentence you both to strokes of the cane as a punishment and as a deterrent to others in your position. I find that you, Angela, were adulterous and are primarily responsible for the failure of your marriage. You will receive 8 strokes of the cane on your buttocks. While you, Adam, are less guilty, you should have tried to achieve a more appropriate life-work balance. You will receive 4 strokes”.

Angela jumped up. “I get 8 strokes while he only gets 4? You must be joking.”

“Sit down” said the judge. “I will forgive this first outburst. But if there is any repeat, I will sentence you to further strokes with the cane. We will now discuss the details of the punishment. Each of you can decide whether the other party is to be caned by an expert appointed by the court or by yourself”.

“What is the difference?” asked Angela.

“Well” said the judge, “caning by an expert experienced in delivering punishment usually results in greater pain. That may be what you want. On the other hand, caning your partner yourself can help to satisfy a desire for revenge, even if the pain is not as great. It’s up to you.”

“I want Adam to be caned by an expert” said Angela. “Maximum pain”.

“And I will cane Angela myself” said Adam. “I shall enjoy every minute”. Angela glared at him but kept quiet.

“Right’ said the judge. “All that remains is to decide what you will wear. It must be something that will not protect the buttocks, so it can’t be jeans or ordinary trousers. The two choices we usually offer are shorts plus t-shirt or swimwear. For females, the swimwear can be a bikini or a single piece swimsuit. We have a wide variety in all sizes. Typical underwear is also acceptable. As the injured party, it is yours to decide, Adam”.

Adam thought for a moment and then asked, “Why do people choose swimwear?”.

The judge looked embarrassed. “Well, it’s all to do with the filming and film revenues. A film where the female party is dressed skimpily and where the viewer can see the marks left by the cane results in many more fee paying viewers. This means more revenue for the court and more for the divorcing couple. It’s all a matter of modesty balanced against the desire for a financial payout. In other words, how far is the couple prepared to go in exposing themselves for a cash return?”

“I can find out that” said Adam. And how much cash is usually involved?”

Again, the judge looked embarrassed. “Well, a recent caning with an attractive young woman wearing only a bikini receiving 6 strokes of the cane made over £200,000. That was £100,000 for the court and £100,000 for the couple”.

“Thank you” said Adam. “I want to see where every stroke of the cane lands on Angie’s arse and what effect it is having upon her body. A financial windfall would be a bonus. We shall therefore be completely naked.”

The judge spluttered. “Naked? Completely nude with, er, um, everything visible?” he said. “I am not sure that we can allow that”. What do the regulations say, Mr Michaels?”

The clerk disappeared into his documents and a minute or two later came up with the answer. “The regulations focus on the types of clothes that are not permitted, your honour, mostly because they would reduce the effect of the cane. However, I can discover nothing in the regulations that would prevent the canings from being carried out while the subjects are naked. This would not reduce the effects of the cane and should therefore be permitted.”

Angela exploded. “You have got to be joking” she said. You really want me to display everything — my tits, my arse and my pussy while I am caned? I can’t believe it. What if I refuse?”

The judge signed. “I am sorry”, he said, “but you can’t refuse. You are under the jurisdiction of the court and the court has the power to force you to comply. All the decisions have been entirely in accordance with the regulations. If you do refuse, you will be stripped, physically restrained and be punished anyway. Do you understand?”

“Go to hell” snarled Angie, “you can do your worst”.

“So be it”, said the judge. ‘I decree that you shall both be naked while caned. However, Mr Smith, as you are gonna cane Mrs Smith yourself, I must warn you that you will be naked not only while you are caned, but also when you cane your wife. There will now be a 30-minute break while the punishment room and the cameras are prepared. Each of you will be escorted to the changing rooms to get ready”.

Angie and Adam were led away to their respective changing rooms while the punishment room was prepared. At the centre of the room was a wooden frame that allowed the victim to be held with their legs apart and their buttocks made available ready for the cane. Their torso was bent at a shallow angle. There were three cameras. The first was at the front, able to focus on the victim’s face and their reaction. The second was to the rear, where it could film the person delivering the strokes, and the third was also to the rear, where it could focus in on the victim’s arse and see the strokes as they landed.

When all was ready, the clerk went through to Adam’s changing room and led him into the punishment room. The caner, a muscular woman who was to deliver his strokes, stepped forward and strapped his legs to the frame. Her assistant went to the front of the frame and strapped Adam’s arms to the crossbar. He could not move. The rear right camera focussed on Adam’s arse, which was displayed clearly in the monitor, complete with his exposed cock and balls. The front camera focussed on his face.

“All right” said the judge. “You may proceed”.

The caner took the cane, stepped forward, and in one smooth movement delivered the first stroke to Adam’s buttocks. He hissed between his teeth and drew in his breath as the pain registered. The caner waited for a minute and then delivered the second stroke. Again, Adam drew in a breath between clenched teeth, determined not to cry out. Another pause, and the caner delivered a really vicious stroke to the base of Adam’s buttocks. This time he could not help it, and cried out in pain. He was panting now, and the front camera could see both the anguish on his face and the tears in his eyes. He was just trying to compose himself when the fourth and final stroke landed on his arse. This time there was no attempt at bravery. Adam screamed.

Although it was over, Adam was left tied to the frame for a minute or two longer, allowing the rear camera to focus on his arse and the four ugly, swelling weals that the cane had inflicted. Then he was untied and led back into the changing room so that he could compose himself ready to cane Angie.

Over in the second changing room, Angie had been watching events via a live feed on a monitor. She cheered as each stroke landed on Adam’s arse. Nevertheless, she was disturbed when Adam’s composure gave way with the fourth stroke. If it hurt him so much after four, what would she be like after eight strokes? The woman who had delivered Adam’s caning appeared in the doorway. “Your turn”, she said.

Angie contemplated resisting, but realised that this would only make things worse. So, she followed and emerged into the light of the punishment chamber. As she walked to the frame, all three cameras were focussed on her. One had a full-body view, one zoomed in to focus on her face, and the third was zoomed in on her tits and her pussy.

“Magnificent” murmured the judge who was in a corner watching the output from all 3 cameras on a bank of monitors.

The caner led Angie to the centre of the room and strapped her legs tightly to the frame, while her assistant did the same at the front with her arms. The rear camera was showing a clear picture of her hairless pussy framed between her legs. The front camera focussed on her face and the fact that she was already crying.

Adam was led, naked, back into the room, handed a cane and directed to a spot to the rear and left of Angie’s arse.

“You may proceed” said the judge. “Eight strokes”.

Adam leaned back and then, with all of his might, struck Angie squarely in the centre of her buttocks. Her arse shook under the impact and a thin white line appeared. Angie took a moment to react and then, as the pain registered, let out an almighty scream. “You bastard” she cried.

“No profanity” roared the judge. Any more outbursts like that, and I will award further penalty strokes. Mr Smith, you may continue”.

Adam waited a while longer for the pain to subside, and then swung around, delivering the second stroke with even more force. Angie screeched and writhed within her bonds, trying frantically to get away from the source of her pain. Adam waited until she had calmed a little, and then delivered the third stroke. Again an agonised scream, and again Angie was struggling in her bonds. The front camera was now focussed on Angie’s tits, recording the way they bounced and jiggled every time the cane struck home. The rear camera showed her buttocks and the vivid weals that were developing. The third camera, which had been filming Adam as he delivered the cane strokes, now focussed on his groin, where it was obvious that the sight of Angie’s naked arse and pussy were starting to have an effect.

Adam’s fourth stroke landed just below the previous three and on the crease where Angie’s buttocks met her legs. She screamed again and then burst into tears, shaking. “I can’t take any more” she cried, “You have to let me go. I don’t deserve this. No more, no more, please. Please.”

Adam looked over at the judge, who shrugged. “You may continue”, he said. “Four strokes to go”.

So Adam delivered the fifth stroke, angling the cane so that it landed obliquely and cut diagonally across the weals that had already developed. Angie howled with pain and began shaking all over. “No more” she wailed, “No more”. The cameras were having a field day, recording her tear streaked face, her jiggling tits and the cruel weals on her buttocks.

Adam was now very obviously aroused and proudly erect. Angie’s body, her helplessness, and her pain were having a profound effect on him. He delivered the sixth stroke with all the force he could muster. Angie was almost hysterical, pleading for the torment to stop. She was shaking all over and in floods of tears. “If you don’t hit me any more, you can fuck me!” she cried.

Adam leaned forward and asked her to repeat what she had said. “I said, if you please stop now and don’t hit me any more, you can fuck me” she replied. Adam turned to the judge, his erection now almost up to his belly button, and asked if this was permitted.

“I don’t see why not” said the judge. “After all, you are still technically married. Let the records show that the final two strokes were wavered in a private agreement between the couple”.

And so, with all three cameras recording the action from different angles, Adam stepped forward. He put his hand between Angie’s legs and felt her dampness. “You minx”, he said. “Part of you has been enjoying this”. Then he entered her while she was still fixed to the caning frame and, grasping her tits in his hands, began thrusting. The three cameras were recording it all, Adam’s penis as he entered Angie, his face as he approached orgasm and Angie’s face, which suggested that her pain had now been transformed into something quite different. They caught Adam’s final thrusts and his face as he came, as well as the shuddering of Angie’s body that suggested that she, too, had reached ecstasy.

“Right” said the judge. “It’s over. If the Smiths can please assemble in my room, we can finalise the divorce documents. I just need a minute or two to, umm, prepare.” Then he walked, somewhat stiffly, from the room.

Five minutes later, they were all gathered in the judge’s chambers. Adam and Angie were each wearing loose dressing gowns to avoid any contact between their clothes and their damaged buttocks. They didn’t sit down. The judge concluded the formalities by handing them each a written document declaring their marriage null and void, together with a contract awarding them jointly 50% of the film revenues. “You are officially no longer man and wife” he said. “I rather suspect that the film revenues may be worth a bit. I hope it provides you with some sort of compensation for your ordeal. Your clothes will be in the changing rooms. You are free to leave, and my secretary will order a taxi if you need it”.

Later that night, Angie was in her hotel bedroom, naked from the waist down and lying face down on the bed so that her poor caned arse did not touch the bedclothes. There was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” she asked.

“Only me” said Adam as he walked into the room. “Oh dear”, he said as he saw her arse, which was a mass of bruises and weals with congealed blood spots where the weals crossed. ‘”That does look sore. Can I help?” And with that, he took a pot of antiseptic cream and gently massaged it into her arse. “I thought that today went rather well, how about you?”