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12. Physical examination.
One day they were called to the lecture hall. The headmaster seemed to be worried as he entered and took the
word.
"I have received alarming news from our department responsible for your physical health. It seems that the
easy access to good food and lack of willpower had resulted in a poor physical standard in our school. This is
not acceptable. You have one month to prepare yourself to a win or quit examination." Then he left.
John increased his effort. He had a funny feeling that quitting was not an option if he should remain alive. When
the month had passed John was in his best shape ever.
All the students in John's class were led to the outdoor gym felt. What they saw struck them by surprise. It was
a gallows accommodated for 8 people. By each noose there was a pair of still rings.
"OK. Here is how it goes. A group of 8 persons goes up on the gallows and take a grip at the rings while the
noose goes around their neck. The platform is then lowered and all have to hang in the rings for an amount of
time. Male:
30 minutes. Woman: 15 minutes. If one loses grip they would of course drop and strangle to death. If they
manage to hold the grip during the period they have passed the examination. First group -Proceed forward."
The first group undressed. All clothes had to come off. Even their collar came off for the first time since they
entered the school. Then they stood at the platform. Guards fitted the noose around their necks and adjusted it.
Then they all nervously took a firm grasp at the rings. The platform began to lower until all hang with
outstretched arms in the rings. A huge timer started.
10 minutes went by. Then 20 minutes. The exertion could be seen in the faces of the students. They were
sweating. 29 minutes -only one minute to go. One of the students began to cry. "Mercy. My hands are moistly.
I am slowly losing grip." The teacher answered, "You have to hold on until the last minute. If you drop and the
timer runs out, then all the rest have to remain suspended until you body had become limp. Think of your pals."
The timer signaled that the time was up and the platform elevated again.
The students were freed from their noosed and they were leaded to some from the medical staff, which
checked them over. They were visible aching from the pain of hanging in the rings for 30 minutes.
The process continued until it was John's turn. As he stood on the platform and he felt the guard tighten the
noose around his neck he almost felt it like he has to pee.
The platform lowered and John began to wait for the time to pass. The first 12 minutes was almost over when
he heard a scream. It was Peter, which lost his grip. Peter tried to get his hands inside the noose but managed
only to scratch the skin of on his throat.
Gurgling sound came from Peter and he started to dance the hangman jig. John watched in horror as the
dance slowed down. Among the spectators several of the students cried. Peter had always been a popular guy.
Suddenly a stream of urine began to flow from Peter signaling that he had reached the end of his road.
20 minutes went by. Suddenly another student lost his grip. He also began to dance in the air and drool began
to appear from his mouth. Soon rasping sounds were heard and the body went limp.
John had difficulties holding his grip. His arms were aching. Suddenly the timer sounded. It was over. The
platform was raised and the remaining students soon had their feet on firm ground.
Released from the noose John fell to his knees. He had almost lost the feeling of his arms. It hurt so much. One
of the guards helped him down from the platform. Several groups all took their turns after John had finished. 3
more of John's pals took their last breath this afternoon.
Then it was the ladies turn. Of the first team all completed their 15 minutes. No one of the next group failed
either. Then it was the turn of Ann's group.
It was clear that Ann was nervous. John could see it in her eyes. It was as she had given up all hope. They took
their positions and soon the platform was lowered.
After 10 minutes John cut see that Ann had decided to fight for her life after all. Her face showed that she was
in a lot of pain.
Just when the timer sounded she lost grab. She only fell 20 centimeters. Then the noose stopped her. Her
hands instantly reached for her throat. John could see her torment and approached the teacher. “The timer had
sounded when she lost her grip. Did she not pass the test?” “OK. Lets us watch the video of this event in slow
motion.” Several minutes went by as they did rewind the video back to the second where Ann lost her grip.
Meanwhile Ann had started her dance. Her legs went wild. The other students watched in fear as they could
witness Ann’s dying moments while they were struggling to maintain their hold themselves.
At last they located then exact moment, where the timer sounded. “Look. She lost grip AFTER the signal
sounded.” “Raise the platform. They have all passed!” By then Ann’s dance had slowed down and only
momentary quivering could be seen. She had also peed herself.
They rushed on to the platform and removed the noose. One of the students gave Ann artificial respiration. For
some seconds it seems that they were too late. But the Ann started coughing. When they sat in the grass, John
asked her how it was.
“It was terrible. Every time I coughed my lungs felt like a plastic bag, which was crumpled up. The pain in my
neck and my chest was intense. The pain increased until it became dark. The last thing I remembered was that
I peed myself. I actually felt a release when I lost consciousness because the pain stopped. Then the pain in
my chest came back when you brought me back to life. I was so angry with you at first. But now I am glad that I
passed the test.”
In the evening the class joined together remembering the lost classmates. It was late before they returned to
their cells.
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