Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 05:19:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Ami Subject: Brief Encounters Chap 25 Brief Encounters - the ever continuing saga... eekkk! First the mandatory warnings and disclaimers - basically don't read this if the naughty sexual exploits of young teenage schoolboys do not appeal. The characters depicted are fictional and not intentionally based upon any one person... although, if you do suddenly find yourself in the middle of the story just think how lucky you are! This is ostensibly a work of fiction, albeit with a few memories from my own school days plus some of the many invariably unspoken fantasies which I and my "best friends" would only ever rarely admit or allude to when we were at that very special, trusting and certainly innocent age. Today, it's very hard to imagine what it was like without the internet to immediately help conjure up fantasies based on images, webcams, stories or chat. Our sex lives were entirely dependant upon a very fervent imagination and thus being able to create our own fantasies usually based on friends and what we saw happening beneath the desk or in the changing rooms! I make no excuses for the fact that underwear features prominently in this story, because quite frankly it did, it was a very visible and tangible connection between us and our ever developing fascination with sex! It's important to remember that other than the very rare sexual extrovert, we never dared mention the subject because we were just too embarrassed and nobody understood what was happening to us anyway! You might call it a story about the age of discovery - usually in bed - or if you shared a bedroom with a brother, then discovery would be in the bathroom! Do note, at the time of writing the story itself is not finished and for better or worse, it has now turned into a work of some length but I will regularly post updates and there are more than enough pages written to keep it going! Nifty require a text file so if the formatting or punctuation go slightly up the creek you now know why! And, also during the writing for various reason I have had to change character names, so I hope for continuity they are now correct! Finally, I hope you enjoy it and please, please do let me have any comments or suggestions and for some of you I it might even jog a memory or two, three if you are lucky... I would be intrigued to learn! Tom email: amias05@yahoo.com Chapter 25 -- Let's see wot's up yer shorts! Morning assembly over the boys were breaking into small groups and heading off towards their respective classes. Tom had had a lift in with mother and had not yet caught up with either Alex or Simon to hear what had happened with Art. Having seen them heading out of the hall he was about to try to catch them up when he heard his name being called. "Tom, come here a minute." He turned, it was Miss Jameson. Apprehensively he walked slowly over wondering if this was going to be another telling off after his previous weeks distinctly lack lustre academic performance. "Yes Miss." He looked at the floor. "Are you alright now, I mean after Friday?" "Yes Miss, I think so." "Have you any idea what it was that caused it?" "No Miss... I dunno." He looked up "Tom," Miss Jameson smiled, "It's `I don't know' not dunno!" "Yes Miss." He was pleasantly surprised to find this that this was social and not school related. "Ummm.. Miss..." it seemed a good time to say something, "thank's for letting Alex do the maths thing... and ummm, you know... letting us stay in the class and ummm... you..." he ran out of words. She was actually rather touched and cut him short, "But you still have to work to stay in the class. You know that?" "Yes Miss, we will. Promise." He meant it. "Good, I'll hold you to it. Now, while I think of it I've have decided you needn't finish the lost property room job." His face lit up, "Thank you Miss!" The thought of going back into the stinking room and the unpleasant memories it now held was not something he had not been looking forward to at all. "What lesson have you got now?" "English, Miss." "Right well don't be late and don't mess about! And, remember I'm trusting the pair of you not to let me down." "I know Miss." "Off you go." She smiled and walked away. Pity all her charges weren't so easy! With that Tom scurried off. The thoughts of the telling off he would get from his parents if he were to be put down in the math's class were too much to contemplate. He knew that Mrs Jameson couldn't have been nicer and he was determined to make the most of the opportunity to prove her right. He had hoped to be able to catch up with Alex before the lesson started but it started almost immediately he reached the classroom and taken his place next to him. However, since the English teacher was the strict and no-nonsense Mrs Woods it was only after the lesson had finished that Alex was able to begin excitedly telling him about the fantastic events that had happened in the shed the previous day at the allotments. Understandably, Tom was absolutely amazed and really envious that he had not been there to hear and better still, see it all for himself! They both presumed at the morning break they would catch up with Simon who would undoubtedly be able to elaborate on some of the more erotic happenings that Alex had forgotten! Besides, he was also due to report on what had happened when Art had finally got home. As it transpired the boys were not really able to get together in the morning break for very long since a fire drill had been scheduled, something the staff but not the pupils knew about. As far as the pupils could see the only good point of the drill was that the lesson scheduled after the break was to be cut short by a few minutes as they wandered aimlessly around outside! It was going to be lunchtime before Tom could learn all that happened and he just had to wait! Having eaten as quickly as they could the three boys headed outside to sit in the shade of the hedge on the edge of playing field. They chose a spot well away from the other pupils and not far from where the hedge followed the line of the playing field and disappeared around a corner. Tom sat in the middle and was obviously desperate to find out in minute detail what he had missed. It was naturally an excuse for Alex and Simon to relive the previous afternoons exciting events! However, Tom had not been idle whilst he was at stuck home as he had spent the Sunday afternoon dreaming up the ultimate plan to catch the masters of the underwear thefts, Art and Nigel. And, as Simon pointed out that now also ought to include Martin! Needless to say all three boys were sporting twanging erections as the incredible saga of Art and company unfolded. Much to the amusement of Tom and Alex, Simon became even more excited and couldn't keep his hands out of pockets as he related what had happened with Art whilst their parents were going out! The part where his shorts fell down in front of his mother brought howls of laughter. But, true to his promise, he only went as far telling when he was caught on the stairs and had his shorts accidentally pulled down again when Art tried to grab him. "What a day, you lucky bugger's," said Tom wistfully, "cor, I wish I'd been there to hear Art being spanked!" "Wish I'd seen it!" said Alex grinning. "I reckon we got try this spanking thing one day." said Simon, "it sounds fun and they don't hit each other hard do they Alex?" "No. Don't sound like it." replied Alex, "Hey... reckon they just sort of touch each other up while they're bent over the others knee? Pity we didn't see." "Dunno," said Tom, "but I do know I gotta tell you about me plan to pinch their undies." "Right." said Simon his ears picking up at the merest mention of underwear. "And, we gotta include Martin in it now as well, `cause he's joined 'em now!" "You said that once!" said Tom grinning, "Simon, first you gotta job to do... can you guess?" Simon screwed his face up, "Ummm... would it be stealing all his pants again?" Tom nodded. "Yep! Where have you got the other ones hidden?" "Right under the very back of me mattress." "Clever, bet he ain't looked under it that far under. Me mum never does!" said Alex. "So wot you got hidden then?" asked Tom picking up on it. Alex looked a bit shamefaced. "It's all me uuumm old ummm... undies from junior school and that! I've always kept 'em." "You lucky fucker! My Mum always throws me old ones out." Simon was getting excited at the mention of underwear again. "Wot you do with 'em?" "Well, I did try and see if they would still fit me." he looked over at Tom, "Because you know what I got now and the elastic ain't much good..." Tom leaned over and put his hand on his shoulder, "Hey. I only had to wear wot you got for one day to know what it was like, we'll sort you out, sooner than you think." "And they didn't fit!" Alex said sadly. Time to change the subject. Tom didn't understand his own emotions at times. "So this second lot of Art's... are they clean then Simon?" Tom asked, "He washed 'em you said, didn't he?" "Yer, but he's probably wanked in `em already, you know wot he's like!" said Simon grinning. "Like you! Yer, I can believe that!" said Tom laughing, "Now, so... we have to steal the ones they are wearing as well. Then they can have a taste of wot it's like. Yer?" "Good," said Alex, "that'll please Dave." "Now, this is what we do. It's dead simple!" said Tom, "On Wednesday morning for the last two lessons Art's lot have a gym lesson don't they?" "Yer. And you got woodwork and my lot have got metalwork... so?" Simon was intrigued, "So... go on.." Tom grinned. "Easy innit?. So on Wednesday I'm gonna get out of the woodwork class by saying I'm going to the toilet. It's only round the corner from the gym so I'm gonna nip down to the changing rooms and pinch their clothes." He grinned and added, "In fact I might pinch their trousers as well!" "Wot!" Alex looked at him open mouthed before he dissolved into laughter picturing Art, Martin and Nigel all trouserless. "Why not?" said Tom giggling, "Them two have been nicking first and second-year kids pants and that for ages... and it ain't no joke to come out find yer pants gone! You ask Dave." Alex turned to Simon, "But, hang on. Simon, he's yer brother, so wot d'you you think? You happy if we do it to him?" "Well, yer he deserves it all right." Simon thought for a minute, "But.. I really don't want him very upset. I mean he's been through a lot lately... ummm, wot with mum and Peterson and all that... ummm, `spose you just took his pants?" "Yer, you're right." said Tom, "Just his pants then, but we'll have Nigel and Martin's trousers as well!" "Hey!" said Alex excitedly, "Wot about... if you..." Simon could sense this was going to good. He interrupted, "Wot? Wot?" Alex continued trying not to laugh, "You... you... gonna take all the pants from the entire fuckin' class!" With that Tom started laughing and soon all three of them were convulsed with laughter. "Fuckin' brilliant!" said Tom getting his breath, "But I'll need something to carry 'em in... and where we gonna hide 'em?" "Shit! Wot if you get caught... they'll fuckin' murder us!" said Alex pulling a face. "Well mustn't then!" said Tom firmly, "This is too good to miss, we'll show them big boys wot's wot!" "Ok." said Alex, "I hope you're right! Be the best joke ever if it works!" "Hey.. Tom!" Simon's devious mind was at work. "Look, `spose we come out of class supposedly for the toilet at the same time, then we could nip down the corridor and do it together.. 'cause I'd know which were Art's trousers and that!" "Yeah!" Tom was impressed. Simon was boy after his own heart! "Hey but, I'll have to think of something to carry 'em all in and I'll look after 'em for you!" said Simon quickly. Already Simon was visualising the untold pleasures of examining a couple of dozen pairs of well worn and hopefully cum stained boys underpants! Alex looked across and caught Tom's eye. He winked and Tom grinned. "So where you gonna hide 'em all then?" asked Alex. "You gonna take 'em home?" That part of the plan still had to be decided. Take them home? Why hadn't he thought of that before! Just the very thought of taking innumerable pairs of used boy's briefs to bed with him for a minute inspection had now triggered a rock hard erection! "Yer, Alex.. I'll take 'em home... they'll be safe there!" "Think you can manage to wear them all at once!" said Tom before bursting out with laughter. Simon grinned, nodded and fingered the end of his cock though his pocket. Still laughing Tom and Alex winked at each other as they both knew that this was going to beam Simon up to dirty Y-front heaven where he would probably manage enough dry orgasms to render himself unconscious. "Oi! Wot you lot doing here?" it was Brian. He was approaching with Jimmy, the pair were now inseparable. "Nothin' much, just chatting." replied Tom, "You?" "Well, we were till ummm, well you know Jimmy!" said Brian starting to giggle, "He ummm... want's... umm a quite spot..." "For a wank!" interrupted Jimmy, jiggling his hands in his pockets as though he meant it! "You're the dirtiest little boy I know!" said Alex grinning, "Since that time in the gym you two have been at it night and day!" "Hey, don't forget I was doing it long before that!" said Jimmy proudly, "Beat you lot to it by a good couple of months! Anyway I'll bet you lot did it this morning as well. Right, Alex?" Alex didn't need to answer he just went rather red! "See!" said Jimmy giggling, "Knew you had!" Simon volunteered with very little effort, "Yer and well I did it in bed! Tom, wot about you?" "Yer... in the bathroom, but I didn't have time to cum proper like!" "And me, in the bathroom. But I can't cum proper yet!" said Brian sounding a little disappointed. "And, I'm still sharing me room with me little brother." "Well, just keep practising! I am!" said Simon giggling. In the last few days it obvious that Brian had transformed from being very shy into someone who was fast becoming totally uninhibited. "Bloody hell Brian you've changed!" said Alex, voicing what the others probably felt, "You wouldn't have said that a week ago.. you'd have run a mile if we'd asked you!" "I know," said Brian smiling "Good innit! And, it's all thanks to you lot and Jim." "Come on," said Tom, "Sit down, you can tell us what you two have been up to... or more likely where you have been up to it!" "And, sit opposite us," said Simon, "then we can look up yer shorts!" With such an invitation how could they resist. Although finding the perfect viewing angle to see all that was on offer wasn't quite so easy! The new exhibitionist Brian became rather excited by the prospect of showing his wares and decided to sit crossed legged offering those opposite a glimpse of his white briefs contrasted by the grey of his shorts. He also had another little secret! Jimmy had other ideas and rather blatantly lay back on the grass with his legs apart, his knees in the air and his hands hidden in his pockets. Simon didn't realise it but that also gave Jimmy a perfect view up his shorts to the white cotton encasing his balls. Tom looked at Alex and nodded towards Jimmy. Together they shuffled a little closer so as to be able to look down the gaping legs of his grey shorts all the way to his crutch. "Hey... wot you got on then Jim?" asked Alex peering into the darkness, "It's something new! They're not white!" "Wot! Not white!" said Tom excitedly. Viewing underpants other than in the obligatory white were now one his top priorities and giggling put his head as far down the leg of Jimmy's shorts as he could. "They got bleeding little butterflies or something on 'em!" exclaimed Tom in a muffled voice. "They for girls?" "Fuck off!" said Jimmy grinning, "No, they're for little boys! And they ain't fuckin' butterflies they're little cars or something! I've told you before that me mum keeps buying 'em for me from tiny kids bit in the local Woollies `cause it saves her going into town!" "Well," said Simon, "my mum buys mine from Woollies but she gets me the proper boys pants. You want to tell her!" "You bloody tell her!" said Jimmy still giggling, "I told her again last week, when she bought these! She don't realise the problem! It's is `cause they are for small boys with tiny willies who don't get a hard on, so they're too tight for me. She just thinks `cause I'm small they'll do!" "Well I think the butterflies are rather nice!" said Alex grinning, "Hey... tell you wot Jim if you really, really want I'll let you have couple of pairs of my old briefs from junior school, reckon they'd fit you." He looked over at Jimmy, "We was just talking about that and I'm too big for 'em now." "Wow! Some real ones... it would give me cock room to move!" "I'll bring 'em in tomorrow," said Alex, "on condition that I can just check out the fit of these butterfly ones right now!" "They ain't fuckin' butterflies!" "Well I reckon they're fuckin' butterflies!" said Tom. "Could be little cocks!" added Simon hopefully. With that and much to Jimmy's delight, Alex immediately started to slide his hand down the leg of the shorts. Tom not to be left out winked at Alex and started to put this hand down the other leg. It didn't take for the two sets of fingers to start rubbing the taut fabric. "Bloody hell Jim these are tight! How d'you get it out for a pee!" "With difficulty! The elastic nearly cuts it off!" said Jimmy. He squirmed with the obvious delight of being the subject of Alex's probing fingers. It was inevitable that sooner or later the two hands would meet as they started to explore. The temperature was rising both inside and outside of the shorts! Tom was the first to worm his way under the very tight elastic to reach Jimmy's hard cock. "Ohh! That's good!" exclaimed Jimmy, "Here, if you two both move a bit nearer then I can get a hand up your shorts as well! I think it's time I knew what you're wearing as well." Needing no further bidding Tom and Alex shuffled up yet closer on either side of Jimmy enabling him to slide a hand up each of the boys shorts! "And I want know as well." echoed Simon. "You bloody would!" replied Alex who's hand was now happily trapped between Jimmy's buttocks and the ground. Strangely it wasn't heading towards his cock! "Well Jim, I you can tell wot we're wearing by feel!" said Tom hopefully. "Cause you'll have to keep at it till you get it right!" "You just like being groped!" said Alex. Simon who was watching closely cast his eye back over towards Brian who now had his left hand thrust deep into his pocket and had just changed position to offer Simon an even better view up his trouser leg. "Hey Brian!" said Simon excitedly, "Shit! Is that your fingers I can see?" With that they all turned and saw that even the new-look uninhibited Brian was now looking a little sheepish. "Ssshhhh," he hissed, "don't tell the whole bleeding school! These are me old shorts and I made an hole in the pocket last night while me little brother was watching TV!" "You dirty fucker! Wot so you can wank?" said Alex grinning. "You're worse than I am!" "Hey," said Tom, "well turn round properly for a minute and lets have a look then." Brian twisted round so they could see up the leg of his shorts. Against the dark material his pale fingers stood out and were obviously kneading the lump in his white briefs. It looked very inviting, so much so that they all thought what a great idea. Definitely a project for their old shorts! Simon started to ask, "Have you... ummm...", but the question was quickly pre-empted by Jimmy. "Bet he want's to know have you actually wanked like that in school yet?" "No." Brian looked sheepish again. "I've sort of played with it on and off all day... and now it won't go down!" Tom laughed, "You silly sod!" "We got history after the dinner break," said Jimmy excitedly, "I'm gonna sit by you and I'm gonna wank you off through yer pocket!" "No!!" Brian was panicking. "Somebody might see!" "Yer, you'll love it!" There was no stopping Jimmy now, "Anyway if I don't do it you'll be bloody well doing it yerself, won't you!" Sadly neither Tom, Alex nor Simon were in the same class to watch. Simon voiced all their feelings, "Like to see that... Jim you lucky fucker!" "Right there!" added Tom. "Then," continued Simon sounding very hopeful, "if I cut a hole in me old shorts would somebody wank me off?" "We'll take it fuckin' turns!" said Alex giggling. "And we'll wank you unconscious!" said Tom. "Hey, Jim you'd better not wank me unconscious!" said Brian, sounding worried. "For fucks sake Brian, stop worrying!" said Jimmy, "It's only a bit of fun!" "And Jim," Brian continued somewhat naively, " 'cause I can't cum with stuff, you know... it won't be messy will it!" "How will it be messy if you can't make the stuff!" said Simon giggling "It's `cause we can't make the stuff that we can keep wanking all day innit?" said Jimmy, "I wonder how many times you can do it when you can squirt a bit." Alex bravely, if not a little embarrassed volunteered the answer to Jimmy's question. "Well, I've done it about three times in a day. But not much comes out on the one last one... that what you want to know?" "Yer, thanks. But bloody hell, Alex that all! Only three?" said Jimmy, "Shit, I did it every hour on Saturday!" "Wot!" Tom was amazed, "Bloody hell! And I though I'd damage me cock by doing it three or four!" "Most I've done is five and it was a bit sore! But enough of that, Brian you gotta tell us what happens in the history lesson! Yes?" demanded Simon, "Yes," replied Jimmy for both of them, "course we will." "Good, now..." said Alex, "I still want to know who's wearing what... Simon what pants you got on?" "Usual, white bloody Woollies! Always white Woollies!" he said screwing up his face. He hoped that one day he would have something more exciting to say. "What about you Brian? You ain't cut a hole in yer pants as well have you?" "Cor, there's a thought!" Brian rolling his eyes, "Oh, I don't know what they are... they're just white!" Simon stood up his shorts tenting, he walked over to Brian and knelt down behind him, "Well if you don't know I'm gonna have a look at the label!" "Mmmmm, yeah! Wot fun!" Simon started to pull the tail of white shirt out the top of the Brian shorts. It wasn't long before he started giggling, "You got yer shirt tucked into yer pants!! That's wot little kids do!" "Fuck off!" replied Brian grinning, "I like having it tucked in!" "Does that mean you get piss stains on it then, if it's tucked inside?" asked Tom. Lateral thinking was going to be his forte. "And skids!" added Alex.. "Ah... it's the skidmark kid again! We know all about you!" said Tom giggling. "Fuck off!" replied Alex sticking his tongue out. Knowing full well that Tom understood his interest in such matters! At that point Simon took hold of the white elastic waistband of Brian's briefs and heaved on it pulling the soft fabric right up into Brian's crack and nearly squashing his balls! "Shit! Wot you doing!" exclaimed Brian in surprise, "Don't bloody rip 'em... oh me balls... they're all twisted... oh shit you've caught me cock... oh fuck!" Simon ignored his protestations and turned the elastic inside out. He read the label and proudly announced "They're boring old St Michael!" "Who is bleeding St Michael anyway?" asked Jimmy, "And why's he make kids undies? He some sort of dirty old man?" "You daft bugger, it's bloody Marks and Sparks that makes 'em!" said Alex laughing. "Hey Simon," said Tom, "don't you hurt Brian's balls `cause he's gotta have that wank in the history class later!" "Oh right! Hang on Bri, I'll sort you out and get yer shirt back in!" With that Simon stuffed the voluminous tail of the white shirt back inside Brian's briefs. However he left the now rather stretched elasticated waistband of his briefs hanging over the back of his shorts. He looked at the other boys and winked as they suppressed their giggles. "So what you wearing Alex?" Asked Jimmy, unaware of Alex's underwear problems. "Usual bloody worn out stuff that don't stay up!" said Alex dejectedly. "I think these are old St Michael as well! Tom took over to deflect the conversation from Alex who he knew was more than little sensitive about his worn out underwear. "Well, I'll give you one guess wot I got on..." "I don't need to guess." said Alex relieved that the moment had passed. "It's yer dad's bloody great big Y-fronts and I can see 'em through yer shirt!" "Wot! You can see 'em?" said Tom surprised. "Wot!" He had forgotten exactly what he was wearing. "Yer, look." Alex pointed to Tom's back. Where his white shirt was stretched tightly over his back the familiar pale blue lines and Y--front lettering was clearly visible through the shirt. "But..." said Jimmy peering round to inspect, "they're fucking big Tom, the elastic is nearly up to yer tits! Are they yer dads?" That reduced the boys to laughter and Simon quickly said, "Come on, stand up Tom lets's have a look!" Tom was hesitant in getting up and for once it was him that seemed embarrassed. "Wot is it?" whispered Alex sensing something was amiss. Tom shook his head and stood up. "Pull yer shirt tight and let's see then?" said Brian. "Cor, bloody hell... look at that!" Jimmy was fascinated, "They must be yer dads! Look the waistband is up over yer tummy button!" Jimmy was right the waistband was nearly six inches above the top of his shorts and plainly visible through the white shirt. "Uuuumm..." Tom was now feeling what Alex felt every day. Why could that one item of clothing exert such control and be able to swing his emotions from sexual elation to near desperation. "Me mum bought 'em and she got the wrong size..." He prayed nobody would laugh. Glancing quickly down he hoped he didn't look quite as ludicrous as he now felt. He did. "She say's I'll soon grow into them..." he added plaintively. "In about ten fuckin' years!" said Alex giggling, "Come on, you silly bugger don't get all upset. Just get over here and stand in between us, I've got an idea! Gather round, hurry up Simon." That's what friends were for. He moved over and stood there rather bemused as to what Alex had in mind. Alex and Simon sat close to one leg and Brian and Jimmy sat by the other. Alex casually looked round to see if anybody was watching from across the playing field. "Right, on hand each up the leg of his shorts... wait for it, let's get him excited!" It certainly felt very exciting. Tom stood there with two different hands on each leg just below the bottom of his shorts. He couldn't describe the feeling but whatever it was his cock had was now become rock hard in anticipation. "Right," said Alex grinning and definitely enjoying himself. "Very slowly work you hands up and under his shirt. Stop when you reach the top of his shorts!" Four hot little hands started their upward journey. They all went their own way and Tom didn't have clue as to who's hand was going or doing what! By the law of averages it ended up with more or less two hands working around his rear and the other two groping around his front. The firm young buttocks and hot crack were obviously proving a great attraction to one of the mystery hands, or was it both! He flinched when felt somebody was now inside his ill fitting briefs and obviously heading for his bum! He looked down thinking it might be Simon, but then he remembered that Jimmy was another bum addict and finally there was Alex who had recently admitted that he was now as well! Brian on the other hand seemed to be fixated with what was causing the front of the shorts to bulge. Catching Tom's eye he intimated with his free hand that he would like to pull the zip down, Tom grinned and nodded. He liked Brian and felt that somehow he had missed out as he had always been so shy, besides what difference would it make today anyway! And of course, it would be an opportunity for Tom to do a little exploring inside of Brian's clothing at a later date! Alex was issuing more orders. "Right, here's the tricky bit! Get yer fingers out of his bum and listen! Put yer hand on the outside of his pants but still under his shirt and work yer way up with yer fingers till you get to the waistband," "Wot?" said Simon. "You heard!" said Alex. "Then when we all got hold of it, we're gonna pull the elastic down to where it should be." "Why?" asked Jimmy. "So we can all grope him you silly sod!" said Alex giggling, "You don't think this gonna work do you! It's just silly excuse to grope him!" "Reckon he'll shoot in his pants?" asked Brian hopefully. "I fuckin' hope so!" said Tom laughing, "Now get on with it... it's so horny being groped like this, I love it!" "Right then..." said Alex, "hands back in position and up under his shirt. Go!" With four hands all wriggling around inside the shorts the waistband, rather like Tom, was now under considerable pressure from within. Alex looked at his troops and checked they had their hands in position. In between giggling he said, "Get ready. When I so `go' we'll all pull on the elastic together. Get set..." Chap 26 to follow