The long Journey: Chapter 3

With time the visits faded and on one occasion I met him in the club with a man dressed all in rubber that he introduced as his boyfriend. I didn’t behave well and regretted it later. I drank rather a lot and walked home, stopping off momentarily at Highbury Corner to perform services on a passing jogger. I was so unhappy.

I’d heard tell of a derelict house on the Bow Road where groups of younger men were stripped, hooded, chained and beaten before being pissed and spunked over, all while blindfolded, but I didn’t have the courage to follow it up in case I couldn’t face the pain; a missed opportunity.

The following week I went to the club and my former friend was there on his own but he did not invite me to join him. I went off to look at the notice board and saw there a short advert: Summer Camp three to six weeks. Apply with SAE to PO Box 234534 stating your interest. I resolved to apply and noted the number down. With a bit of luck it would take my mind off my unhappiness.

After a bit of hesitation I sent off for more details, explaining that I was on my own, out of work and looking for an experience to take me out of myself. A week later a heavy A4 envelope plopped onto the doormat. It included a far-reaching questionnaire (which I enjoyed completing and got quite excited over) from which the most promising candidates would be shortlisted for an endurance test. 12 finalists would then be chosen with another two placed in reserve. There was also a disclaimer to sign which included an agreement that I give myself unreservedly for the six week term but that only half would be allowed to complete the course. £150 was payable in cash on the first day.