Encourage it, within boundaries

"Girls," you begin, "this week's work is truly excellent, from both of you. It hasn't escaped my notice that the competition between you, whilst unorthodox amongst tute-partners, has paid dividends in terms of your academic performance. However, I don't want it spilling out into your personal lives. Learning to get on with people with whom you wouldn't necessarily choose to spend time is an important part of the college experience."

Your students rush to reassure you that they can keep their animosity under control, but you're not finished.

"That's good to hear, but I think it may be helpful if we focus your rivalry more fully into your work, so I have a suggestion. Each week, as well as a mark from A-plus downwards, I will decide which of you has done better than her partner. The winner of this contest will be the boss of the pairing for the next week and the loser will have to obey her, in addition to receiving a punishment from me." The two faces turned towards you are positively glowing with anticipation at the prospect of being judged against one another. You add that the boss is expected to take care of her subordinate, not take advantage of her and they nod eagerly; magnanimity in victory is another way to demonstrate superiority, after all.

Your eyes linger on the rack of punishment implements on your wall, contemplating the second part of your suggestion. Almost all of the items have a particular use, from the cane for low marks and the strap for dress code violations to the paddle for lack of punctuality and the whip for disrespect. There is one, however, which you're not sure other tutors even have, a penal rod, four feet of heavy Malacca rattan more suited to a prison yard than a women's university, which is not mandated by any of the college's rules as far as you have been able to find out. This may be the perfect opportunity to employ it.

Standing up, you walk over to the rack and take down the object in question, to a gasp from Natalie, who's facing you. Minseo demonstrates masterful self control by not turning to see what her adversary has, but her eyes widen when you place the cane on the table between them, before returning to your seat.

"I propose that the vanquished will receive four dozen strokes from this magnificent specimen." You pause to take in the expressions of shock at the severity, although they do not seem any less eager to participate, perhaps even more so, out of the expectation of each seeing the other take such a terrible flogging, but there's more to come.

"However," you continue, "the winner each week will have the opportunity to take a dozen strokes on behalf of her opponent and if she does, the four dozen will be halved."

You sit back and smile, while the implications go round in the girls' heads. Suffering a harsh caning to spare a hated rival is hardly tempting, but wouldn't the victory be made all the sweeter by the grand gesture of largesse? There is just one more thing to discuss.

"Now, you didn't know about this beforehand, so it's probably best to start next week, but if you'd like, I can judge today's essays and debate and give you your caning or canings right now."

There's no doubt about the response; both girls are convinced that they've proved their superiority and it will be the other bent over the table ravaged by agony, but only one can be correct.