Celia checked her watch. It was just about time. She raised her voice so that it carried in the still morning air.<br/><br/>"SCHOOL, YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?" She waited a few moments. "<strong>ANYONE STILL TALKING IN FIVE SECONDS WHO ISN'T ME, WILL BE ON DETENTION. FIVE  FOUR THREE</strong>. Thank you!<br/><br/>"You are no doubt wondering why you are all here. Well, Yesterday afternoon, one of our new students very foolishly attempted to escape from the school grounds. She was, of course, apprehended and returned. In the process, she inflicted injuries on one of our security staff. She has been punished for this, already.<br/><br/>"However, you may be aware that it is school policy to make a public example of students who breach the rules in so serious a manner. For the benefit of the latest intake, the glass house is where we make such public spectacles. You are about to witness the punishment that can be expected by<em>ANY</em>of you, should you attempt to escape. You will all watch, you will all learn, and you will all remember! That is all!"<br/><br/>Celia snapped her fingers and one of the school's security guards strode from where he was waiting at the edge of the field. He handed Celia something that looked, in the early morning light, rather like a bicycle tyre, then returned to his place at the edge of the field, with the rest of the security guards.<br/>(http://northernwhipco.com/images/10%20Foot%20LoneStar%20Bullwhip,%2016%20Plait%20Brandy.jpg)