John was still standing at attention for another minute or so before Washington called for him to be at ease. He relaxed his muscles and waited for the next order.
"I'm pleased with your willingness to take responsibility for your actions. You have the choice for the order of punishment. You have three minutes to decide who shall go first, second, and third."
As John was contemplating his choices so was Hamilton. He stood in front of the small wall of riding equipment trying to choose the dressage whip which followed Washington's criteria yet seemed the least painful. He had narrowed down between two and had taken them down, holding each in his hand, flexing them and eventually gently striking his hand which turned out to be a very poor choice. He'd settled on the older of the two, a worn leather with a fierce yet flexible short attached cord. He figured that the whip would have much more flexibility and sting more, and that the cane's density would lead to a much deeper throb. Regardless, neither experience would be in any way pleasurable.
—
Meanwhile, Burr was contemplating his own choices. He really didn't want to face Lafayette but he knew he had too. He knocked on the door of his room and was met with a loud "Enter!"
He marched in and saluted the major general, attempting to remain professional through the entire embarrassing exchange. "Lafayette," he started, "I have an important order from General Washington!"
"Oui?" the Frenchman replied, "what's so important?"
"I request your cane."
"My cane Burr? That's the important order? Seriously?" stifling a laugh, Layf continued, "I'm guessing this is pertaining to the duel held earlier today?" He rose from his desk and walked to a nearby trunk, digging to the bottom of the contents.
"Yes, Sir, the general is putting Hamilton, Laurens, and I through a harsh set of punishments."
"Good, you deserve it after that hair brained stunt I'm just a bit surprised that the general doesn't want to deal with you himself. Ok. Bend over, bare, and brace yourself,"
"Wait, wait" exclaimed Burr.
"That was an order Burr. I expect you know how to follow them. One more chance. Bend, bare, brace. You'll get at least 18 but no more than 2 and a half dozen" Layf was quickly losing his patience.
"I just need the cane, I don't need you to give me the cane," he paused realizing how directly he was disobeying orders, again that day, "I just need you to give me the cane."
"Ok then Burr. Have your way with the General" he said, starting to hand over the heavy French-crafted cane, "next time tell me a bit earlier before I almost throw you over my desk for insubordination. I definitely think you deserve an extra few stripes for that much." he said this jokingly, however Burr interpreted it as an order, yet another for the day, and one he should probably follow. The marquis was not to be disobeyed, not if you wanted to be able to sit, or use your hands for the next week. He started to unbutton his trousers defeatedly.
"No, no, Aaron. You are off the hook this time from me. Thank you for not being insubordinate. Please just have Laurens return it to me once the general is finished with you lot. And, please alert John, if his hindquarters aren't sufficiently blistered he'll meet my cane once again, and will regardless be sitting writing lines for me about endangering his life this evening, warn him that if he gives the general any trouble he will not be provided a cushion either. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir." Burr meekly contributed, face red in embarrassment.
"Alright, dismissed."