HARDER. In this psychological challenge, Pavel is made responsible for the pain of fellow sub, Artur. Pavel begs off as not being in a mood where he can do this. The Master points out, by backing off, Pavel is deciding that Artur must take all the pain alone. Pavel is between a rock and a hard place. The game is simple. Eight instruments of pain and a pre-determined number of strokes for each have been set. Instrument by instrument, Artur is beaten until Pavel says stop and takes over any remaining strokes. It is Artur’s pain and endurance against Pavel’s valuation of himself. It is the pe...

HARDER. In this psychological challenge, Pavel is made responsible for the pain of fellow sub, Artur. Pavel begs off as not being in a mood where he can do this. The Master points out, by backing off, Pavel is deciding that Artur must take all the pain alone. Pavel is between a rock and a hard place. The game is simple. Eight instruments of pain and a pre-determined number of strokes for each have been set. Instrument by instrument, Artur is beaten until Pavel says stop and takes over any remaining strokes. It is Artur’s pain and endurance against Pavel’s valuation of himself. It is the perfect storm. As the ordeal progresses, the two men lightly hold each other in mutual sympathy. With the brutal razor strap, Pavel cannot complete his part. The last fifty hard, blazing strokes of the cane belong to Artur alone. Both men are devastated.