The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony made the rounds to the Cliques that evening, along with Constantinos.  His mission was to lay out guidelines on Clique relations in what he began calling  'The New Era Of Bullworth'.  In a now-nearly Weaponless school, one-on-one confrontations were sure to start up again.  Tony's job, as he saw it, was to try to prevent that.  Well, at least try to keep it down some. 

What he found, to really no surprise, was the heavy hostility the Cliques were still harboring for each other, and especially towards the Nerds, whom all Cliques now blamed for their recent attacks.  Tony tried to explain that the fault lay with the renegade Algie, who had on his own engineered all of the attacks, even on his own people.  Most refused to believe, however, that one fat Nerd had pulled the whole thing off by himself.  The whole thing seemed preposterous. 

And, Tony discovered, there was friction within the Cliques as well, with some of the brighter ones agreeing with what Tony was saying, while others a bit dumber were still on the track of revenge.  Tony didn't know how, at this point, he was ever going to unify the Cliques for the troubles that were sure to come.  What he needed, he thought after meeting with all the cliques (except the Preps, screw them for now), was an enforcer....Someone unbeatable in Schoolyard Combat that would garner the respect he needed to carry out his orders.  If there was one thing all the Cliques understood, to the very last person, was that.

Tomorrow was the first day back to classes, such as they were. Tony walked slowly back to the dorm in the early evening's fading light, his breath making white puffs in the January air.  And, there was a new thing to consider.....He and Karen would have to find a new place for their private time now, because for the first time since he had arrived at Bullworth himself, he was going to have a roommate.
++++++++++++++++++++++

Nick wandered into the common area of the Boy’s Dorm that evening. There was a TV, a couch, a game table, a drink machine, and an old Console Video Game. Nick checked his pockets and went to the drink machine to get some Beam Cola. As he took his first sip, a voice spoke behind him……

“Hey, new fish, wanna play shirts and skins ?”

Nick swung around. It was that bully named Trent, and he had assumed a fighting stance.

“I’m the shirt, and you’ll be skinned !!”

Trent was close. Nick quickly shoved him back. “Get OFF !!”

Trent made a move to punch Nick, but Nick easily ducked that and sunk a fist right in Trent’s guts. Trent doubled over, and Nick pushed Trent back again. As Trent began to raise up, Nick drew back his other hand, with the nearly-full Beam Cola can still in his grasp, and let fly right at Trent’s head. The can smacked him right between the eyes, and Trent went down backwards on the floor, knocked out.

Shit, what a waste of a good cola, Nick thought. He turned back to the machine to get another cola.

"Hey, Muther-Fucker, you can't do that shit to our Bud !", said a rough voice from across the room.

"Yeah, Prickwad, You're gonna pee blood tonight !" , another voice chimed in right behind him.

Nick sighed. First night, and already he was making friends.  He put his change back in his pocket and assumed a Karate stance.

"Ohhh, lookit the LaRusso faggot !  Thinks he can fight !", the first Bully said.

"Gonna show us the Crane Kick, bird boy ?  We have wimps like you for breakfast !", the second Bully gleefully exclaimed.

As the Bullies advanced on Nick, he maintained his stance.  Suddenly one lashed out with a fist.  Faster than the eye could follow, Nick jumped suddenly in the air and executed a 360-degree spin, lashing out with one leg as he did so.  His foot made hard contact with the lead Bully's head, and was knocked back over the sofa.  As the other Bully charged in, he suddenly found himself flipped over Nick's shoulder and crashed upside down into the drink machine.  Nick backed off to a safe distance and resumed his stance.  Both of the Bullies got groggily to their feet and began to advance again.

"Wade !  Davis !  That's enough ! Back Off !", a new voice said from the entrance to the common area. "Haven't you gotten your asses kicked enough times this past month ?"

Both boys stopped and turned.  Tony was standing at the doorway, arms folded.  "You boys forget what we talked about this afternoon ?"

"Aw, we wasn't doing nothing", Davis said. "Just funning around !"

"Yeah, this is new fish", Wade exclaimed. "You didn't say nothing about new fish !"

"New or not, looks like he could stomp your butts with one foot tied behind his back", Tony observed.  "Unless you fellows wanna wind up like Trent over there, I'd advise you to pack it in for the night. This ain't some stupid raw meat kid you're fooling around with here, but the problem is, you're too dumb to see that.  You'd best clear out while you can still walk."  Tony pointed to Trent, who was moaning and just starting to come back around. "Best take him with you."  Spotting the goose egg raising on Trent's forehead, he winced.  "Boy, that's gonna leave a mark."

Both Bullies glared at Nick for a moment, then went over and collected Trent off the floor.  As they walked Trent out of the common area, Davis said to Nick, "We'll deal with you later."

Tony watched them leave, walking down the hall to Trent's room.  "Boy, those jackasses never learn, no matter how many times they get the piss knocked out of them."

Nick relaxed his Karate stance. "It's been an interesting first day, no doubt."

"Heard you already stuffed Melvin in a trash bin", Tony remarked.

"Was that that fat kid's name ?", Nick asked. "I just did it because he was annoying. What was he, some kind of Geek ?"

"He's a Nerd", Tony answered. "Fact is, the head Nerd.  He complained to me about it.  I told him he's lucky he wasn't beat up."  Tony laughed, "There's a certain fellow I put in the trash a few times when I first came here.  Took him a few times to learn not to mess with me."

"So....They're not too bright here, I take it...Huh ?", Nick asked.

"No indeedy, they're not", Tony said.  After a pause, he asked, "Say, was that Karate ?"  Nick nodded.  "Where'd you learn that ?", Tony asked.

"I'm a Black Belt, 4th Dan", Nick said. "I was one of the better Students."

"Whoa...Black Belt, and so young ?  Impressive." Tony said. "What's 4th Dan ?"

"Degree", Nick said. "It means Degree.  There's 10 Dans, or degrees of Black Belt. 10th Dan is the best."

"WelL, welcome to Bullorth", Tony said, sticking out his hand. "I'm Tony Calderone, the School Mediator.  Looks like you'll be bunking with me.  They're short on rooms here."

Nick took Tony's hand and shook it. " I'm Nick Penty.  Glad to meet'cha."
_________________________________________________________

[Repo Man]

"Likewise", Tony replied..  "So, want me to show you around ?"

"Not necessary. I've already seen the school", Nick answered.  "So, we're sharing a room, you say ?  We do have two beds, don't we ?"

"Don't worry" Tony chuckled.

Nick looked around. A TV, a Poker Table...Poker Table !  In both of his old Schools, Poker Tables were absent.

"Wanna play cards ?",  Nick asked.

"Sure", Tony replied..  "They don't play Poker here too much, but why don't we ?"

They started to play Poker, and several boys gathered around them to watch the game. They weren't playing for money, but for fun. They played until 11 o'clock, when they finally turned in and went to sleep.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The first Class for Nick the next morning was Gym class.  Nick was wearing his black Aviator leather jacket, khaki pants, white trainers, as well as his new Bullworth polo shirt underneath the jacket.  He went to the Gym Locker Room and changed.  Small Futsal Goals were put in the Gym by some of the boys.

"Alright, people !", said Coach Burton. "We're gonna play a bit of that Futsal, or whatever it's called."

When teams were set, they started to play. Nick received a pass near the Goal, and kicked as hard as he could.  He scored, but before the ball entered the Goal, it hit the Goalkeeper, Damon the Jock, in the face, busting his nose.  Mr. Burton sent him to the Nurse, but before he left, Nick heard Damon telling him, "You and me. The Hole. This evening, 7 o'clock. Dig ?"

The Hole ? What the fuck is that ?, Nick thought.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tony told him the answer to that after Gym Class when Nick sought him out to ask.

"So, The Hole is some kind of a Ring then ?" Nick asked, followed by Tony nodding his head.

"Yeah. If you want to humiliate someone in front of the whole School, you defeat him in The Hole, because the whole School is watching....Well, as many as can crowd down there, that is", Tony replied.

"Oh", Nick said, then asked,  "And, uh, aren't you supposed to be preventing fights from happening ?"

"Well, yeah…But these are allowed.  It‘s a School Tradition, Nick.  Everyone likes a good fight", Tony shrugged. "Anyway...who are you fighting ?"

"I don't know his name. He's a black guy, a tall Jock", Nick answered.

"Damon ?!" Tony asked. "He's gonna break your back !"

"Don't worry", Nick said. "I got skills."
_________________________________________________________

[Repo Man]

At 7 o'clock that evening, everyone who wanted to see the fight snuck into The Hole through the Basement side door.  Nick thought sewers stank, but was there a safer place to fight ?  No, didn't seem so, unless that Janitor showed up.  He took off his jacket and polo shirt, staying in his white tank top. Damon West was now topless, and showing that football had made him some very big muscles.

Nick took a freelance boxing stance.  Using it, he was constantly moving around and hopping, showing some impressive footwork to the Preps, who loved boxing.

The Bell was rang for the fight to start by Chad Morris, one of the Preps. 

"I'm gonna break you, New Kid !", shouted Damon. He flexed his muscles. "C'mon !!"

He ran to Nick and threw a few hooks, but quick and agile, Nick managed to evade them.  He punched Damon in the side of his torso, but because of his size Damon didn't even feel it.  Balls !!, through Nick, and one quick move was enough to make Damon bend over in pain.

Round and round in The Hole the fighters sparred, but Nick managed to somehow magically evade every punch that Damon was throwing at him.  The Preps were not the only ones that were stunned by Nick's fighting style.  It  looked like some invisible force sometimes just wouldn't let Damon's fists hit the new kid.  Nick used an moment off-guard moment to strike a few vicious punches, and soon Damon was on the ground.

Students were gawking in surprise, having just seen a new kid beat up on Damon West, one of the strongest students of Bullworth Academy.  Unknown to them, the new kid had brought years of experience with him, giving him a perfect timing.  For anyone watching the fight who knew a bit about martial arts and boxing, someone throwing a punch that is being avoided exposes a big part of his body without protection, and that was exactly the case of the powerful Jock.  Although he received punches and hits at the sides of the chest, on the torso, and sometimes in the face, Damon hadn't show any sign of pain…until now.

Damon was rolling around on the ground. The fight was over…Or was it ?  Just as Nick went to climb up the stairs to exit The Hole, he heard steps behind him and quickly turned around.  Before he could even see anything, he was hit by what felt like a hammer, which happened to be Damon's fist.  Nick fell in the dirty water.  Damon hit him in the mouth, beat him in the teeth, which puffed Nick's lips up.  Nick spit some blood out and tried to stand up.  As he tried to get on his hands and knees, Damon's winter boot dropped on Nick's back with full strength.  Nick was slammed on the floor, shouting in pain, his face in the water of the Bullworth Academy sewer.

"What's the matter, New Fish ?", asked Damon in a teasing tone. "Did I hurt you ?"

“Beat him down, Damon !!” Jocks were shouting.  “Beat the Fuck out of the new kid !!”

"Will do !!", Damon responded and grabbed Nick and pulled him on his feet. Then he leaned him back, and threw him as hard as he could.  Nick was slammed into the wall of The Hole and fell down.

"You are no match for ME, Kid !" Damon shouted. "NO MATCH !!"

Nick didn't even move, but Damon kicked him in the stomach.  He then pulled him again to his feet and brought his face close to his.

"You got chin", Damon said. "I admit it. But you're still gonna die."  He pushed Nick back.  Recovering, Nick went towards Damon, staggering, but suddenly Chad, from the wooden table, rang the small bell.

DING !  "Round 1,  OVER !!"
__________________________________________

[Mercury]

Tony needed to buy some time for his new friend.  He jumped in The Hole and pulled Nick up the stairs, placing him on a bench.  He took a bottle of water and cleaned blood off Nick.

"What's wrong with you ?", asked Tony.  "C'mon, you beat those guys last night and now you can't even perform a goddamn kick ?"

"Fighting a couple of wimps and fighting a Gorilla isn't the same",  Nick replied and spit out some blood between his teeth. "The Fuck is thrashing me."

"Alright. Drink some cola, rest a bit.  This is a Humiliation fight.  You lose, you gonna stay 'that new kid' for the rest of your stay in Bullworth.  If Damon loses, it's gonna be 'Hey Nicky Boy' for the rest of your stay in Bullworth.  Get it ?  Now, rest a minute or two, and you're going back in."

After drinking up the cola, Nick stood up, warmed up again and flexed his muscles.  He then climbed down The Hole.  Damon joined him a minute later.  Chad, playing the part of referee, signaled the start of round two.

"Ready ?", said Damon with an evil smile.

"Go fuck yourself, Black Boy",  said Nick. His mouth was painful, his torso was painful, but he was still quick as before and at least both of his eyes were open.

"What did you say to me ?!", Damon shouted in rage. "C'MERE !!!!!"

They went towards each other, and Damon threw a few quick punches, evaded by Nick. He then kicked Damon in the ankle, and hit his busted nose again with a punch.  Damon didn't give up though, and soon Nick was again on the ground.  He stood up again, and the two started to exchange punches and kicks, until they were both bruised and bloody.  Damon was leaning on the wall, while Nick was across in the middle of The Hole from him.

"I'm gonna kill you now", said Damon and started to move. "YOU'RE DEAD !!!!"

Nick started to run towards Damon, but as he got close, Damon threw his elbow to his chest, before performing a random, but powerful uppercut.  And then something happened….Something that happened to Nick only two times in his Dojo in Los Angeles. Something like what happens everyday, sometimes in a stupid way. The uppercut had made Nick step back. But he didn't pay attention to the water drain at the center of the Hole. He stuck his back foot in it. The ligaments supporting the bones at his left ankle were twisted inward. He fell on the ground, and tried to get up immediately, but the pain made him understand the hard reality…He just sprained his ankle.  He saw Damon approaching, breathing hard, who considered this as a little victory.  The Jock laughed, and put his foot right on Nick's twisted ankle.

"Maybe I should break your other ankle, Ha-Ha !", he said while stepping harder on the ankle, causing Nick to yelp in pain.

"You only had luck, you Roid-Monkey...", Nick spit back.

"And you had luck by breaking my nose, new kid." Damon said, as he pointed his big nose. "Now I owe you one !"

And Damon approached Nick's face, ready to stomp on the poor Nick's nose, but.....Chad again rang the bell installed on the wooden table he was sitting behind.

DING !  "Round 2,  OVER !!"
_____________________________________________

[Mercury]

"I can't believe this. I just can't believe this !" Tony exclaimed.

"I know, Tony..." Nick responded while slowly massaging his ankle.

"You... You just sprained your ankle !  It's all over. You'll never get another chance now..."

"Boys, sorry to interrupt you.", said a voice.  Chad, in his role of Referee, had walked over and crouched to talk to Nick, who was sitting. "Listen, uh.…Don't feel like you have to continue.  If you can't, I'll have some boys bring you to the Infirmary, that's no big deal.  But I need a decision now."

"I'll make it.  Announce the start of the round three", Nick said, looking straight ahead.

"Nick, listen, your ankle is..." Tony started
.
"Shut up !  I know that already !" Nick said fiercely.  "Just call the next round", Nick said between clenched teeth to Chad.

The Prep raised his hands in the air, and announced there would be a round three, to the shouts of excitement in the crowd.  Through the fence rounding The Hole, Tony could see Damon making the sign of cutting his throat with his thumb.
___________________________________________________

[Repo Man]

Nick barely even managed to climb down the stairs with his ankle. During his time in his Karate Dojo he dealt with lots of injuries.  His injury wasn't big, he would be able to run in a week or less, but in this fight, his leg was useless. That meant he couldn't run, couldn't move quickly and couldn't use the leg against Damon.  Losing the fight meant he'd get Humiliated, and a Humiliation plus the fact that he's a new kid was a very bad sign.

"Whatsa matter, Wimp ?" asked Damon.  "Can't walk ?"

Damon went quickly to him, and performed several dangerous hooks aiming for Nick's head.  However, Nick was agile enough to evade all of Damon's punches, and he even managed to jump after Damon tried to kick Nick's injured ankle.  However, in the end, a punch hit Nick in the chest and he fell.

"Let me teach you not to kick balls in my face !" said Damon, and stepped on Nick's ankle.  After a second, he pressed it, followed by a shout of pain from Nick.

"Bastard !!" Nick shouted and kicked Damon in the balls with his right foot.  Damon screamed and grabbed his groin, and that off-guard moment Nick used to stand up and give Damon several strong right punches in his torso, and then in the head.  While Damon didn't feel the pain in the groin, anymore, he was panting, leaned  up against the wall of The Hole.  His face was bloody and his torso was painful.

"Was that all you got, new kid ?" said Damon.  He was himself dizzy now, as the new round against Nick tired him.  As much as he hated the new kid, he had to admit to himself that Nick wasn't an easy fighter to beat.  It was quite the opposite.

"It isn't", Nick responded.  He was also beaten, bloody and tired, and he didn't have his tank top anymore, as it was lying somewhere in The Hole, torn off during the fight.  "Come on if you want to see more !"

Nick now prepared.  He had his left leg slightly bent, while his right was behind.

"Alright I'm coming ! Prepare to die !!" Damon said and started to run.

His left side of the body was turned to Damon. As Damon ran and prepared to hit him, Nick used his left leg to jump, swinging his right leg towards Damon's head, resulting in a volley style mawashi geri.  Damon was hit in the jaw, and suddenly went like rubber.  For a few seconds he swayed there, then he fell backwards, unconscious.  Nick had won the fight.

DING, DING !!  "And this means that Damon is Humiliated !", Chad spoke in the announcer microphone. "The winner is.....uh…"

Chad quickly whispered to Tony. "What's his name ?"

"Nick Penty", Tony responded.

"NICK PENTY !!", Chad finished.

Tony jumped into The Hole and helped Nick get up. "You know what just happened ?  You beat Damon !   He's the Hole Runner-Up !"

"What...?"  Nick asked. His sight was spinning, and he almost fell.

"Nothing", said Tony.  "I'll explain everything about this later.  Now let's get you to the Infirmary."
__________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Nerds were having a confab at the Observatory.  They hadn't gone to see the fight at the Hole.

"I call to order this meeting of the Brave Bullworth Knights Society", intoned Melvin. "First on the agenda is what we should do about our new status at Bullworth.  As you know, with most of the other Clique's Weapons destroyed, we now have the upper hand, in that we still have a large stash of Spud Guns, Bottle Rocket Launchers, Stink Bombs, and Firecrackers left in our hidden inventory.  The floor is open for suggestions on how we can capitalize on our sudden and surprise superiority."

Bucky raised his hand. "The floor recognizes Brother Bucky", said Melvin.

"Umm....How many Weapons do we have of each, and...Can we carry any right away ?", Bucky said.  "I want to shoot some Jocks."

"Well, we have plenty of Spud guns and Bottle Rocket Launchers.  Stink bombs we make with our lab down in the Dragon's Wing Basement, that's no problem....But Firecrackers....." Here Melvin paused...."Whatever we got left is it, as the Chem Lab at School got rid of all the Gunpowder...Least that's what I found out today when I checked.  And that means soon no ammo for the Launchers."

Fatty, his leg in a huge cast, grumbled, "That doesn't really give us a whole lot, besides Spud Guns.  What about Slingshots ?  A bunch of them were burned up too."

"We have some, and the other Cliques do too.  It would be dumb to think that the others didn't have a bunch of them stashed all along", Thad piped up.

"Brothers, please wait until you're called on to speak", said Melvin.  "Now, about carrying....Yes, we should each carry a Spud Gun...But only as a defensive Weapon, unless you are bushwacking someone from hiding.  If...When the others realize we have Weapons they don't, they will beat us up every chance they get, just to steal them from us."

Fatty snorted. "They won't be beating us up if they know we can shoot them in the Jabberwockies !"

"They can always catch us by surprise, or sneak up behind us", Donald interjected. "Somebody stuffed Melvin in the trash a couple days ago..."

"Brothers, Brothers", Melvin held up his hands for silence. "I'm sure that most of them will already know, or suspect, that we have Weapons anyway.....Since we are the ones who make most of them anyway. So we should all agree to carry concealed, unless we have no other choice."

Grudgingly, the others agreed.  In the days of Earnest as their Clique Leader, no such meetings were held.  Earnest just decided for the rest of them, and they had to go along with it.  Mostly because Earnest was the strongest Nerd, even though he was really just a porn-addicted wimp.  With Earnest, they felt forced to go along with his every decision, but having Melvin at least discuss things with them made them feel better about the decisions he made.

Melvin moved on. "Now, as to the business of Algie...."

"That Traitor !!", exclaimed Cornelius.
"Back-Stabbing Bushwhacker !!", added Bucky.
"Yellow-Bellied Twerp !!", said Donald.
"Chicken-Shit Buttwipe !!, threw in Thad.
"Pissy Poopy-Head", Whined Fatty, giving the worst curse a Nerd could be called, moving his full casted leg around uncomfortably.

"Brothers, Brothers !! Where is your compassion ?", implored Melvin. "Our Brother Algie suffered a great loss that turned his mind away from the true path of the Warrior ! Don't tell me that if the same happened to any of you, that you wouldn't go crazy as well ?  Can you not forgive ?"

"He is no Brother to me", Fatty said. "I'll have a limp for the rest of my life because of what he did to us."

The others voiced agreement.  "All the other Cliques are going to blame us for his attacks, that's why we need to carry those Weapons, and use them when we have to !", shouted Bucky.

There was a chorus of voices agreeing with that. "Besides, Melvin, weren't you the one who took him down after he clocked you in the head ?", asked Donald. "More than anyone, you were the first to call him Traitor !"

"Yeah, Melvin, what's up with that ?", said Bucky.  "You should know better !"

"I've had time to think it over....", Melvin began.

"We have too !", Exclaimed Bucky. "We want him to be Outcast !"

Melvin stared.  Being Outcast meant that Algie would, in effect, be tossed out of the Brotherhood.  He would be shunned from the Nerd Clique forevermore. "Isn't that a little extreme ?"

"What he did was extreme", Fatty said, patting his cast. "We vote for Banishment from the Order of the Brave Bullworth Knights Society, in perpetuity. I make a motion that he be given Outcast status."

"Second That !", Exclaimed Bucky.

"So say you all ?", Melvin said sadly. Every Nerd around the table nodded assent.   

Melvin raised his hands in surrender.  This was one topic that he clearly wasn't going to win. "OK, OK....You Brother Warriors will prevail, this time..."  He drew a deep breath.  "From this time on, let the name of Algernon Papadopoulos  be stricken from all records and works of The Brave Bullworth Knights Society, absent him from all our conversations and discussions, and expel him from his rank in Grottos & Gremlins.  His status will be Outcast forevermore.  Let the name of ALGIE never be spoken again.  So let it be written....So let it be done."

Melvin rose, signaling an end to the meeting.  As the others were filing out, Fatty asked quietly, "Do we still have our secret Weapon ?"

Melvin nodded.  Fatty was referring to the Rubberband Ball, a Weapon of immense power, enough to take out an entire Clique in close quarters.  The Nerds had began constructing it last year around this time, and had completed it over the Summer.  Oddly enough, the only other person at Bullworth who had the patience to collect just the right-sized rubber-bands and build a ball out of them had been Jimmy Hopkins.  The Nerds had never used this Weapon, but had kept it on standby, as a Weapon of last resort.  However, they had seen the damage one could do, as they witnessed Jimmy use his several times late last School year.  It was indeed an awesome Weapon. Thrown just right, It could even take out a Prefect with one hit.  The ball contained so much energy from the tightly-wrapped bands that it could bounce and ricochet for hours with the same amount of force as first applied before slowing down.  It would be a one-time use Weapon for a Nerd, as it's retrieval depended on one being agile enough to be able to catch it while it was rolling, not bouncing, and no Nerd possessed that type of physical skill.

"It's  still secure down in the Vault", Melvin told Fatty. "I checked when I got the Spud Guns out for everybody."

"Good", said Fatty. "May come a time, soon, when we have to use it."  He heaved himself up on his crutch and hobbled out after the rest of the Nerds.
______________________________________________________

[Mike_W]

A few days had past since Damon's fight in the 'The Hole' with Nick, and his wounds were just starting to heal.  While he was still a little sore, Damon thought it would be a good idea to take Gloria out for a night on the Town.  It was a cold January afternoon and Damon stopped by at the Girl's dorm to pick up his date at 7:00 P.M. just as she requested.
 
"Well hello Damon, its a pleasure to see you !", Gloria exclaimed, "I'm sure we'll have a lovely time !"  Gloria and Damon then proceeded down the path towards the Quad and made the way to the School Gates.  From there, the pair took a left and walked towards the Valley's  better half, the upscale Old Bullworth Vale. 
   
Upon reaching the Center of town, Damon and Gloria made their way across the snow covered brick Town Square towards the new Movie Theater.  Damon couldn't think of a more romantic outing than the elaborately decorated Vale Theater.  He was sure that Gloria would have a wonderful time with him while watching that new Sci-Fi thriller that she had been yammering about ever since the Movie Poster appeared outside the Theater.
   
Once inside, Damon bought a large popcorn for the two to share, as well as a large drink with two straws.  "Oh Damon", said Gloria, "Thank you so much for bringing me here tonight, you know how much I've been wanting to see this movie !" 

"No problem babe, anything for you", replied Damon.  The two lovers walked down the aisle to their seats and proceeded to watch the movie together.  "I'm here for you if it gets too scary", said Damon.   As the movie went on, Damon actually began to enjoy it a lot more than he thought he would.  Normally Damon was into action-packed movies heavy on violence, but as long as he was with Gloria, he was able to enjoy a movie that didn't include Bears fighting Gorillas.

The movie turned out to be much longer than expected.  As the lovers exited the Movie Theater, a clock in Town chimed to signify the 11 O'clock hour.  "Aww shit!", thought Damon, "Curfew...."  The two took the long walk back across the short bridge and eventually to the Academy.  As they approached the Front Gates, they stopped dead in their tracks.  The glimmering flashlight from a Prefect was shining out onto the sidewalk in front of them. 

"Aww its that Mutha-Fucka, Seth", complained Damon. 

"Damon, language please!", pleaded Gloria. 

"Sorry babe", Damon apologized, "You wait here, I'm gonna try and distract him so you can sneak through".

Damon proceeded to walk through the gates pretending as though he didn't even notice Seth standing guard.  "What are you doing here!!", screeched Seth as he pointed at Damon.  Damon made a signal for Gloria to run in just as he was grabbed by Seth.  Damon didn't expect to be grabbed and instinctively socked Seth right in the face.  Big mistake.  Seth had pressed a panic button hidden in his cuff link and Max and Edward immediately began to run towards Damon. 

Out of no where, Karl came tearing around a corner and grabbed hold of Gloria.  He then began to drag her towards the Girl's Dorm.  "Damon, help me!", Gloria shouted.  This enraged Damon, no one was going to touch his girl, never mind drag her.  Damon managed to break loose from Seth and began charging towards Karl.

WHACK !!  Damon delivered a running tackle that dislodged Karl's grip on Gloria, sending him backwards onto the icy pathway. "Good Lord! I appear to have been knocked over!", said Karl with a dazed look.  Seth managed to catch up with Damon and tackled him to the ground. 

However, before the Prefect was able to administer a beating as a citation, Damon's screw came loose and in a desperate attempt to escape, Damon opened his mouth and took a large chomp near Seth's crotch.  Following the sickening crunch came a high screech of pain from Seth as his eyes rolled back in his head before passing out.  Damon rolled out of the way just as Seth's heavy body collapsed to the ground.  This had always been a disadvantage for the Prefects who always tended to crouch over their victims.  Their Junk was often in the line of danger, however, Students had never had the urge to bite another guy's balls as a last resort, even as their legs were usually pinned under the Prefect.  Damon was different though.  As the local psychologist, Mr. Bambillo tended to state, "Damon was mentally unwell."  In crazed desperation, Damon did the unthinkable.

"That's it, I'm writing you up !", shouted Edward, as he assisted Max in taking down the crazed Football Player. 

"Where are you taking him!?", Gloria asked desperately, still hanging around. 

"We're not taking him anywhere", said Max, "but the police will arrive shortly to take him off to the Looney Bin."

"No, you can't!", pleaded Gloria, "he's not insane !"

"Don't worry about him", said Edward, "he'll only be there a few days at best to be evaluated.  If it were up to me, I would keep him there for eternity.  Unfortunately I have no say." 

"Hey, get back to you're Dorm!", shouted Karl at Gloria as he regained his senses.  As Gloria walked sadly towards the Dorm, sirens and red & blue lights flashed on the street outside the Gates causing many Students to awaken and look out the windows at the shocking scene.  Damon was led to a Squad Car by Officer Williams.

"You busted me !  Enjoy it while it lasts !", Damon shouted after the Prefects as he was stuffed into the back of the Police Car. 

"You'd look a lot funnier in a wheelchair....", mumbled Edward as he took out his flashlight and walked back to resume his night post.
_____________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Jake had been quite the busy boy since he had moved into his own place.  He had visited The Final Cut and had again altered his appearance, choosing a conservative dark haircut and a goatee. He also picked up an old style tanning lotion called Coppertone, which would slightly darken his fish-white skin.  Jake had then gone to the Aquaberry Store, where he had bought a number of new dress suits, something he didn't have in his inventory.  In this way, he could pass unnoticed as just another citizen of the Bullworth Towns.

Next he had settled on a plan.  In order to create strife within each Clique, he would have to find out things about them.  In order to find out things about them, he would have to eavesdrop.  And, in order to eavesdrop, he would have to do so electronically.  And to find the "Bugs" he needed, he would have to pay another nighttime visit to the Basement of his favorite Nerd hangout, the Dragon's Wing.  He was sure he remembered seeing a bunch of Walkie-Talkies and chargers among that mess of junk in those boxes he had been searching through when he found the timers for the bombs.  They could be easily set on different frequencies and the talk key buttons could be taped down in the 'talk' position with some good old duct tape, which was just as abundant  here as it was about anywhere in the world, it seemed.
___________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Early the next morning, Tony went to see Jimmy in the secret Cave.  Since the way from the School via the Library or the Observatory was still deeply snow-covered, Tony swiped a bike and went the same route on the Railroad Tracks that he and Jimmy had taken right after Christmas.  That way, there would be no trail for anybody to follow.

On this visit a few days after the fight in 'The Hole', they had talked about Pete and the Files.  Tony told Jimmy that he knew most of what Pete knew, including his knowledge about the Harrington File that Jimmy had given Pete.  At the mention of that Jimmy tensed.

"You know about that ?", Jimmy questioned. Tony nodded. "You know what's in it ?" Jimmy pursued.

Tony shook his head. "Only in general terms...I know it contains some damaging information about the Harringtons and Spencers, but exactly what it is Pete didn't say.  I never read it, because it isn't there."

"Then where is it ?" asked Jimmy intently. "What'd Pete do with it ?"

"He told me he put it in a Lockbox and buried it somewhere, off School grounds", Tony answered. "But, he wouldn't tell me where."

"Never said a word ?  Are you sure ?" Jimmy questioned closely.

"Not that I remember", Tony said. "He seemed pretty adamant that nobody else was to know. Called it his 'Insurance'."

"So, not in the other Files at all, huh ?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, right now, I don't know WHAT'S in there", Tony admitted. "I can't get the padlocks open. Pete had all the keys to them, and I don't know what's happened to the keys."

Jimmy was aghast. "WHAT ?  If those bastards who took Pete away knew that, or ever found those keys, they'll clean that file cabinet out !"  He grabbed Tony's arm. "You have GOT to get those Files out of there !"

"How ? And if I do, then....Do what with them ?" asked Tony.

Jimmy thought for a moment, which was still a slow process with him. Then...."OK, check out the Basement.  Maybe Luntz has some Bolt Cutters or something down there. Or maybe the Autoshop.  Can't find cutters, maybe just hacksaw those locks off."  Jimmy paused, thought some more. "Bring them here, I can hide them here.  We just can't leave them there.  Pete's life may be in danger if they find out he knows anything about the Harrington File, or what's in it."

"But....He buried it !" Tony exclaimed. "That's what he told me...."

"THEY don't know that !" Jimmy said. "I never cracked...Never ratted out WHERE that File went.  But, if they ever think that Pete KNEW ANYTHING.....They'll KILL him !"

"Oh, Com'on", Tony scoffed. "They can't kill a kid.  How would that look ?"

"Why Not ?" Jimmy said. "You told me yourself that he's bad off...."

"Pellet hit him in the eye", Tony said. "Maybe into his Brain...It was real bloody...."

"So Pete's helpless....In THEIR hands....", Jimmy said.

"No, that's silly", Tony countered. "He's....."

"Where ?" Jimmy said. "Just where is he ?  Tell me."

"Well", Tony began, with mounting unease, "He WAS in the Bullworth Clinic....."

"But not now ?" questioned Jimmy.

"I went to try to see him....Some rude shit in a white Lab Coat told me he'd been 'Moved'....Wouldn't tell me where....." Tony recounted.

"Then they have him", Jimmy said.

Tony shuddered. He was reminded again of just what kind of dangerous shit this all was. "So, I cut the locks...Bring the other Files out here...."

"Alone", Jimmy interjected. "Without being seen."

"Right", Tony said. "And then what ? Buy some new padlocks ?  Act like nothing happened ?"

Jimmy had to think again, for a long time. Finally, he said, "Yeah.....We'll go through all the Files....Anything harmless can go back in the cabinet.  That way, if they ever catch wise and raid your Office, there won't be anything there that's dangerous to Pete....Or you....Or me."

"Sounds like a plan", Tony said, and made ready to leave.

"Gotta be done soon...Like this weekend", Jimmy stressed. "Sooner the better."
___________________________________

[Mercury]

Tony and Constantinos were leaving the Boy’s Dorm a short time later.

"Tony... Wait, Tony !" a girls' voice said.

"What is it ? You need something ?" Tony asked.

"You know me right ?  I'm Gloria, Damon's girlfriend... They..." She started before crying.

"Who, They ?  What happened ?" Tony Questioned.

"We were out... On a date last night... We went back after curfew... The Prefects... The Balls... The Cops....They took him !!", Gloria blurted out.

"Wait... They took him ? Where to ?" This was confusing.

"Well... It's hard to explain... I think he's going to be evaluated or something... Maybe I won't see him anymore !", she cried.

"Do you know where she's talking about ?" Tony asked Constantinos.

"Yeah", Constantinos shuddered. "The Asylum."

"Is that what they said ?", Tony asked Gloria. 

She Nodded. "They said 'The Looney Bin'..."

"Constantinos, listen to me", Tony said. "Find Nick Penty, the new kid.  Tell him he has to save Damon, but for God's sake, to use his brains too.  I don't want his face on tomorrow's newspaper.  If he does it, the Jocks will be grateful, and he'll be able to get a little reputation.  Now go on, and give him a hand if he needs it."

"Understood, Boss.", Constantinos said before running off.

Tony put his hand on Gloria's shoulder. "Don't worry, Gloria.  I trust that new kid.  The job will be done. We‘ll get him out."
________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Constantinos knew where Gloria meant.  There could be only one place Damon had been taken to.  The Asylum.

Constantinos spotted Nick around the back of the School, talking to a girl.....Angie ?!?

"Uh....Hey Nick....Need to talk", Constantinos said.

"Er...I'm kinda busy here...", Nick retorted.

"Um....It's really important", Constantinos implored.

Nick sighed. "Look...", he said to Angie.  "I'll have to see you later, OK ?"

"Uh-Hu-Hu-Hu.....All right !  I gotta go call my Mom....Don't forget our date !", Angie said as she walked off.

"Date ?" Constantinos asked.  "You do know that girl is kind of like....A Fluffhead, don't you ?"

"Ahh, she don't seem so bad", Nick said. "A little giggley, maybe..."

"A Little ?" Constantinos said, shaking his head.  "Anyway, we got a situation on our hands. Damon was carted off to the Loony Bin last night.  The Asylum."

"So What ?" Nick said indifferently. "That's his problem.  I don't give a shit."

"Tony says you gotta help get him out", Constantinos.  "I mean, bust him out."

"What ?" exclaimed Nick.  "I hadda beat him, now I gotta help him ?  What the Hell for ?"

"Just because you beat him, don't mean you have his loyalty", Constantinos said. "But if you help him out of this mess....Damon and his Clique will be yours to command."

Nick saw where this was going.  He was no dummy. Just the way things worked here. He sighed. "OK....What'll we do ?"

"We gotta go to Blue Skies", Constantinos said.  "Com'on...We need some wheels.

As they headed towards the front of the School, they met Tony, who told them to go on ahead and he would meet them there. He would have to round up supplies, he told them. "Just wait over there out of sight....I'll find you."  Then he turned and took off at a trot towards the direction of the Football Field.  None of the Boys had ever been inside the Asylum before, but Tony knew someone who had....Jimmy Hopkins.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Constantinos led Nick out to the front of the School.  "Good..Here's a couple of bikes...Let's go."

Nick was confused. "We hafta steal some bikes ?" 

"Sure, everybody swipes bikes", Constantinos said, getting on one.

"But...Whose are they ?" Asked Nick.

"Who knows ?", Constantinos said. "Co'mon....Let's GO."

Nick shrugged and hopped on the other bike, and the boys sped off across the big Iron Truss Bridge, heading to Blue Skies.
______________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony fought his way through the drifted snow past the Observatory, until he reached the still-boarded-up entrance to the first Tunnel.  Yanking a couple of boards away, he squeezed through, and ran the short distance through the Tunnel.  Re-orienteering, he ran to the second Tunnel, down a ways, and pushed open the secret rock.  Entering the secret narrow passage, he called Jimmy's name so he would know it was him. 

As he explained the situation to Jimmy, Tony was mentally calculating how long it would take Nick and Constantinos to get the Asylum, which he himself had never seen.  At once, Jimmy went to the Wardrobe, and begin changing into his Incognito Outfit. He also grabbed another greenish-looking Outfit that to Tony resembled Scrubs.  Then Jimmy went to his large metal bin where he stored his Weapons stash, undid the locks and chains, and pulled out four Spud Guns and two handfuls of M-80 Firecrackers, along with two Walkie-Talkies.  The Scrubs and Weapons he gave to Tony to hold, while he dug out one more item out of the box, and secured it under his trench coat.

"That gonna be necessary ?" Tony asked.

"Only if I get trapped and don't have a way out", Jimmy replied.

"Guess you're right.  Can't afford to have you busted again", said Tony.

The two boys hurried down the narrow passageway, where Jimmy closed and secured the secret door.  Then Jimmy led the way down the long Tunnel, finally emerging in the light.  Tony gave a low whistle, and Constantinos, along with Nick, emerged form their hiding spot, in what looked like a Bus Stop Kiosk, located near the big Gates to the Asylum. The boys were all sheltered in a spot that couldn't be seen by anyone inside the Asylum grounds.

"We stashed the bikes inside", Constantinos said, "But everything's all locked up. How'll we get in ?"

Jimmy spoke up. "There's two trees, close to the fence, that can be climbed. We can drop over the fence from there."

"Who's this guy ?", Nick asked, indicating Jimmy.

"This is a friend of ours from outside school, Nick", said Tony. "His name is.....Hoppy."

"Hoppy ?", Nick said.

"That's my name", said Jimmy. "Don't wear it out."

"Look, we got a plan here ?" Constantinos asked, looking at Tony and Jimmy.

"We've never been inside here", Tony said, "But HE has", pointing to Jimmy. "He has the lead."

"OK, here's what we gotta do" Jimmy said. I'm gonna climb the far tree, sit on the branch, and take out the Guards."  Here he hefted a Spud Gun.  "These are best for this, very accurate. One of you, Climb the other tree, over there, give me cover.....Who's going in with me ?"

Tony indicated Nick. "He is"

"Good....Give him those Scrubs."  To Nick, Jimmy said, "Put them on. They'll help disguise you. Not up close, mind you, but from a distance, it'll work.  Tony, after Nick and I drop down, you climb the tree and cover us.  Constantinos, you be lookout.  If anybody comes up the road, call me on this."  He handed Constantinos one of the Walkie-Talkies.  If they go in, Tony, you know what to do."

"Nail Them", said Tony.

"Right", said Jimmy.  "Pass out those Weapons."

Tony distributed the Spud Guns and Firecrackers to everyone. 

"OK...There's a big shed blocking the view over here.  Otherwise, stay low and out of sight.  We go in through the front after I take out the Guards, got it ?'  Nick nodded.  "Follow me to Cellblock C....That's probably where they'll be keeping him.  I'll Clear the way as much as possible. Keep your weapon concealed unless you absolutely have to use it.  I need to get to the Master Control Panel and unlock the doors.  When I do, get Damon out, understand ?"

"Sounds like a plan", Nick said. "I'm ready." Tony and Constantinos added assent.

"All Ready ? Good", Jimmy breathed. "Gentlemen...Welcome to Happy Volts Asylum.  Let's move out."
______________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The boys were in position in their respective trees, Nick in the near tree on the West side by the fence and Jimmy in the tree to the East side.  Both had slid out on branches overhanging the fence.  It was a cloudy day, but as always, Jimmy felt rather exposed in this open spot.  When he had first breached the Asylum, to convince Mr. Galloway to return to the School, he had just dropped out of the tree and snuck in.  But the next time, busting out Johnny Vincent, he had ran into problems....He had to shoot his way out after springing Johnny.  They had escaped through 'B' block, an unused section of the Asylum and the only other door to the place....Through the Morgue and then the Furnace Room.  He had stolen a Scrubs Uniform then along the way, and had to scale still another fence and beat it for the big Main Gate, firing on the Orderly Guards patrolling outside.  He had bought enough time for them to reach the small Entryway Gate beside the large Main Vehicle Gate.  Fortunately, there was a way to unlock that gate from the inside at the small Guardhouse, and they were away and gone before the Orderly Guards could recover.

Since then, Jimmy had made a game of coming back around and sneaking into the Asylum, wearing the Green Scrubs he had swiped from there.  He found he could just walk into the place, unchallenged, as long as he didn't get too close to anyone.  Once inside, he was ignored...Again, as long as he didn't get too close.  It seemed that the right kind of clothes did make the man, after all.....At least at the Happy Volts Asylum.  Over the Summer, he had snuck in lots of times, and pretty much knew every nook an cranny of the place.  He had particularly checked out the Morgue at his leisure.  They had probably laid out Edgar and Gary there, before they shipped them off to be planted in their respective graveyards, as this was the only Morgue in the Bullworth Towns, as far as he knew.

Jimmy snapped out of his reminiscing as he saw an Orderly Guard emerging from underneath the overhang by the Front Entrance Doors. That would probably be....Gregory.  Over time, Jimmy had learned all their names, even though he rarely spoke to them.  Well, today, they would be going down.  Jimmy raised his weapon and took careful aim...... 

PWTHEW ! SPLAT !!!!

"OH !! MY BOYS !!!", Gregory screamed as the spud hit him in the nuts. He doubled over and fell on the ground.  Jimmy aimed another shot.....

PWTHEW ! SPLAT !!!!

"GAWW...SHIT !!!".....That shot caught him on the shoulder and spun him around right as he started to get up.  Jimmy re-adjusted and took careful aim again.....

PWTHEW !  SPLAT !!!!

"GLURK...!!"......That shot hit the Orderly Guard in the head, and he went down in a heap.  Jimmy waited.  Soon enough, he spotted another Orderly Guard running towards the entryway.  Was that Theo ?  No matter, Jimmy thought.  He had heard the cries of Gregory, and had come on the run to investigate.  Jimmy took aim.....

PWTHEW ! SPLAT !!!!

"OH....MY BOYS !!!", Theo yelled.  Jeepers, don't these guys know any other things to yell when the get shot in the nuts ?  Apparently not, Jimmy thought, as he prepared his next shots.  Time to get this over with.....

PWTHEW !  PWTHEW ! SPLAT !!!!  SPLAT !!!!......The two shots in quick succession finished off the other Orderly Guard, who also went down for the count.  Jimmy hopped down from the tree, and whistled for Nick to do likewise.  As he did so, Jimmy saw Tony climbing the tree, as per plan.  Jimmy waved Nick over, and together they advanced on the Front Door.
_______________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Once inside, the boys faced a set of double doors.  Jimmy pulled Nick close.

"Look, I'm your prisoner, see ?" Jimmy put his hands behind his back.  "Lead me in, kinda rough, and if anybody see us, that's what you tell them."

"Gotcha", Nick said, as he led Jimmy through the double doors into Block 'A'.  For effect, he grabbed Jimmy by the collar as they went.  Down through the corridors it was strangely quiet.

"Must be having shower time with the Inmates", Jimmy said. "That's luck."  The boys continued down to the end of Block 'A', where there was another set of double doors.  Through that, was still another set.  "That'll be the 'Rec Room'....There's at least three Orderlies here each shift.  Bet there is at least 2 in here....Get ready....Showtime."

They pushed through the other set of double doors, and walked unhurriedly towards the far end of the room.  There, sitting on the couch, was two other orderlies...Matt and Charlie, Jimmy thought....They were occupied with watching a TV at the far end of the room.

"Block 'C' to the right", whispered Jimmy, and Nick led him there.  Just when they had almost reached the double doors to Block 'C', a voice spoke up.

"Hey, where are you going ?"  It was one of the Orderlies.

"Prisoner here !", said Nick, and kept on walking, pushing Jimmy roughly ahead of him through the double doors.  Ahead of them lay a final set of double doors. 

Jimmy said, very low, "The Cells here are controlled by a Master Lock System.  Let's find Damon, and then do a bit of trickery on the guy at the controls."

They pealed off down the corridor, looking in each cell through the little windows.  Finally, Nick spotted him, in Cell 4.  "There he is", Nick whispered.

"Good....Now take me to the Control Room Gate. It's at the end of the Cellblock", Jimmy said.

Nick pushed Jimmy ahead just like a prisoner, and around the corner they came to a long window covered with heavy mesh wire. A locked door stood beside it.  Behind the mesh was a room with a bunch of file cabinets, a long table, and a Control Panel.  An Orderly was seated behind it.

"Got a prisoner here !", Nick Announced.  Without even looking up from the paper he was reading, the Orderly said, in a bored voice, "Room 6". and flipped a switch. A buzz down the hall could be heard.

Now Jimmy led Nick around the corner out of sight, and said, "Go back and tell him the door's stuck, you can't get in. Go !"

Nick went back around the corner. "Hey, the door to 6 is stuck, it won't open."

This time the Orderly did look up.  "Stuck, you say ?  Well....HEY ! Where's Your Prisoner ?"

"Left him down the hall.  Something wrong with that, Fatass ?" Nick replied nonchalantly.

"You new boys are all Dumbshits !!", said the Orderly, and came tearing out of the Control Room.  As he opened and cleared the door, Jimmy stepped out from behind the corner and shot him.

PWTHEW !! SPLAT !!!!

"OH....MY BOYS !!!"  The Orderly yelled. Christ, Jimmy thought, Don't these guys EVER say anything else ?  It was worse than a broken record.

Nick pulled up his Spud Gun suddenly and pumped two more shots into the Orderly, who Jimmy could now see was Ritchie.  Down he went, muttering, "Sorry, Boys, I Didn't See It Coming...."

"Go to Cell 4 and get ready to spring Damon on my signal", Jimmy told Nick, and ducked into the Control Room. He went to the Control Board and flipped the lock for Cell 4, and heard it buzz.

Nick raced down the corridor just in time to hear the lock buzz open.  He entered the room, where a startled Damon greeted him with "Whatzup ?"

"Com'on, big boy, we're getting you outta here", Nick said.

Up in the Control Room, an evil idea came to Jimmy.  He reached out to the Control Panel and flicked all the switches to 'UNLOCK'.  A multitude of buzzes sounded as all the doors sprung open at once.  Jimmy got on the PA and re-appeared in the hall just as the Inmates started wandering out.

"TIME FOR YOUR ELECTRO-SHOCK TREATMENTS, CRAZY FUCKS !!!  THAT'S RIGHT, THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE YOU AWAY, HA-HA....YOU BETTER RUN !!!  THAT'S RIGHT, YOU INSANE MORONS, ESCAPE !!!  ESCAPE !!!  ESCAPE !!!"

The Inmates didn't need to be told twice.  They bolted for the doors leading out of Block 'C' and spilled out into the Rec Room.  The surprised Orderlies were suddenly overwhelmed with the sudden appearance of the panicked Inmates.

"NICK !  FOLLOW THOSE CRAZIES !!" Jimmy hollered. Nick and Damon bolted from the room and headed towards the exit from Block C.

The scene in the Rec Room was like something out of a slap-stick comedy.  The Inmates, not knowing which way to escape in their panic, were running around the room like chickens with their heads cut off.  The remaining two Orderlies were trying to capture them, with mixed results. Some of the Inmates were fighting with the Orderlies.  One Inmate ran full-tilt into a wall and knocked himself out.  Another Inmate was taking a crap on top of the Ping-Pong Table.  Apparently, he had gotten the shit scared out of him.

Nick and Damon threaded their way through the mess and reached the doors to Block 'A' just in time.  Jimmy watched them go from the doorways of Block 'C'.  He had hung back because he couldn't let Damon see him.  Now, it appeared he was trapped.  The Orderlies were gaining control of the situation, and they stood between him and the exit through Block 'A'. No way could he take down both at once.  However, Jimmy was prepared for this. He reached into his trench coat and withdrew the Rubberband Ball. 

Jimmy stepped out the doors of Block 'C' and heaved the Rubberband Ball as hard as he could, then ducked back behind the doors......

ZING !!  ZIP !!  (SMASH !!) ZONG !!  ZAM !! (CRASH !!)  ZOOM !! ZANG !!

The Rubberband Ball darted around the room, seeming to gain energy as it bounced and carroomed  off of everything in sight, nearly faster than the eye could follow.  When it hit objects, it broke them to pieces, when it hit people, it knocked them down.  When people stood back up, the Ball knocked them back down....If they were able to stand up.  A couple of hits from the Ball, and they were usually down for good.

While waiting, Jimmy called Constantinos on the Walkie-Talkie.

"Con, you copy ?", Jimmy keyed.

"I'm Here", came back the reply.

"Nick and Damon are coming out.  Have Tony cover their escape.  You and Nick get Damon back to Campus and stash him somewhere safe.  Tell Tony to meet me in the Cavern between the Tunnels.....Copy ?"

"That's a Roger, Copy", came back Constantinos' voice.

Jimmy at last heard the Rubberband Ball slowing down.  Poking his head out into the Rec Room, he saw nearly everything was smashed, even the TV.  Inmates and Orderlies alike were strewn like busted dolls on the floor.  Jimmy saw the moment he had been waiting for....The Ball had ceased it's crazy bouncing and was now rolling swiftly along the floor.  Getting into position, he scooped it up with a sweep of his arm and captured it.  So far as he knew, he was the only one at Bullworth that was able to pull off that little trick.  He tucked it back into his trench coat, and took off towards the Exit.  As he did, a loud alarm bell began ringing.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Just as Nick and Damon had reached the Lobby, the alarm went off.  They crashed through the front doors and spotted Tony running towards them.

"COM'ON !!" Tony called.  "The alarm went off when I opened the Gate !! The Cops will be here soon....Let's Boogie !!"

An Orderly named Dan who had been sleeping in the Front Office until the alarm woke him up burst out the Front Doors and gave chase.  He reached to grab Damon's collar, and Tony brought the Spud Gun up ready to fire.  But Damon spun around, and with a vicious overhead punch, flattened the overweight Orderly to the ground.

"LET'S GO !!  NOW !!", Tony yelled, and the three of them ran headlong through the gate, where Constantinos was waiting. 

"The Bikes..." Constantinos said.

"Fuck the Bikes !  There's no time !  Into the Tunnel, QUICK !!" panted Tony.

All four ran through the Tunnel entrance and ran clear to the Cavern before they stopped for breath. "We made It !", exclaimed Constantinos.

"Good job on that Orderly back there, Damon", Tony said.

"I wished it'd been a Gorilla", Damon said. "Uhh, thanks, guys for getting me out."

"No Sweat, Big Boy", Nick replied.

"Get Damon back to School and stash him somewhere...I'll be along in a bit", said Tony.  "Gotta wait for Jim...Er....Hoppy."

"Sure thing, Boss", said Constantinos.

Tony watched the three boys enter the short Tunnel back to the Campus.  He knelt down on his haunches to rest a bit.  He was glad.  He'd been able to keep his promise to Gloria.  Now, all he had to do was find a way to clear Damon.....

"Resting on your laurels, I see, while we did all the hard work", a voice said behind him.  Tony spun around.  It was Jimmy.

"Boy, you can sure sneak up on a person", Tony said. "I didn't even hear you coming."

"Stealth is the name of my game, these days, I guess", Jimmy said, somewhat sadly.  "Everything squared away ?"

"Yeah", Tony said. "Just trying to think of how to get Damon in the clear....They'll take him back there if they catch him."

"Go see that pervert Burton", Jimmy said.  "Tell him what happened."

"WHAT ?!?"  Tony exclaimed "Why should I do that ?"

Jimmy chuckled.  "Burton is a grade-A asshole, but he's not about to lose his Star Lineman. Hell, Damon's half the fucking Football Team.  Those losers couldn't win a single game without him.  You tell him, and he'll get Crabblesnitch to have the Cops back off."

"Shit", Tony said in amazement.  "Guess I still got a lot to learn !"

"Ahh....You're doing fine", Jimmy said.  "If Pete could trust you, then you must have something on the ball."  He paused.  "That's enough excitement for the day....I'm gonna go back to my Cave. Don't forget about them Files.  We need them out, sooner the better."

"Check....That's the next thing up", Tony said, "For Sure."

"See you soon, then." Jimmy turned and walked back into the Tunnel.
____________________________________________________________