“Hey, Mr. M!”
Classroom 219 was filled to the brim with students sitting at their tiny desks, all dressed in matching uniforms of slate gray and scarlet. In the heart of the classroom sat Tristan, surrounded by a troublesome group of boys. In front of Tristan sat Cole, who had gone back to doodling in a notebook. To Tristan's left sat Shane, looking surprised to see his uncle in the classroom. Jack now understood what Shane meant when he said he had the perfect person to copy off of in English class. On Tristan's opposite side was Blake, looking bored and sleepy, while in the back sat Tommy with a huge grin on his face, acting like he was going to shoot a spit ball at his father. Jack gave Tommy a death glare and motioned for Tommy to stop acting like a fool.
Bernard Kendricks stood at the chalkboard reading Shakespearean verse to his class when he noticed he had a visitor. He was a lean man with thinning blond hair, there was a handsome quality to his face, but it was overridden by his uptight mannerisms and snooty up-turned nose. When the teacher heard the noise cease in the classroom, he turned around, peering condescendingly over his black wire-rimmed glasses. Jack had patiently waited for him to stop talking, crossing his arms across his chest, the muscles of his arm bulging as his jaw tensed.
He glared at the teacher and said, “A word, please?”
Jack stepped back out into the hallway as he waited for the teacher to follow. Stress apparent on his face, it took all the strength in his body to stay calm and even-keeled. It was not simply the assignment that had him on edge. Jack Morrow and Bernard Kendricks have a rocky history, and the two of them go way back. To put it plainly, Jack Morrow would knock Kendricks’ perfect teeth down his throat if the opportunity presented itself. Bernard Kendricks stepped out into the hallway with an agitated expression on his face.
“Yes?” he asked, as if he wasn't the one who initiated this meeting.
“You called…” reminded Jack.
“Ah, yes... the assignment. I continuously encounter problems with your children not handing in this particular assignment.”
"Tristan is trying to complete the assignment. I've seen it myself."
"And the others? They do not have a good track record,” explained Kendricks curtly.
"The boys will be handing their assignments in. At least the subject matter is something that they are comfortable with. I have to say, you knew exactly what you were doing!" Jack rebutted, anger clear on his face.
"Must you be so dense? The assignments were divvied out randomly."
"I find that a little hard to believe. I know you see the resemblance. I know you remember the history. My wife. Blake told me some of the other children’s assignments. Cole has to write about Maria who passed away when he was a baby? Cory Dennison has to write about his father who is in jail? What good will this do? I was also told that if this assignment isn't damn near perfect that you'll fail them."
"You heard correctly. This is not grammar school, or PS132! I expect my students to be independent thinkers and solid researchers. If they do not hand in a thorough report and bring forth a solid oral presentation, they will fail my class. And as I said before, the assignment was given out at random. A little challenge will do them good."
"You know this is a sensitive subject for my family," complained Jack.
"It was not directed solely towards your family," Bernard explained.
"Then why does it seem you are taking great pleasure in holding your students’ misfortune against them? Leave my daughter alone, or you’ll have me to answer to!"
Bernard laughed at the man before him. Six feet, five inches of cowardice is what he thought of Jack; the venom that he needed to take him down was on his tongue, but he held it back.
"Hey Kendricks, you've got real nerve. You're the same weasel you were in high school!"
Jack turned on his heel in a huff as he began to storm down the corridor of the Steeplechase School, when Bernard couldn't help but allow the venom to slip through his lips.
"At least I would have the courage to tell my children the truth! You may have won her then, but look how it all turned out!" Kendricks continued, "If Tristan, Thomas and Blake do not hand in their essays they will get an F on the project. Not only does that mean that Thomas and Blake will be on academic probation, again, but it also means that Tristan will find herself off the honor roll for the first time since she’s started at Steeplechase. She’s a brilliant girl. Don’t allow her record to be sullied because of your foolish pride. It’s your call - do it, or don’t do it. The firm fact remains that if that project is not handed in, there will be serious repercussions.”