The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

Vance had had enough. He couldn’t stay in that dump of a Tenement any longer, even if it was Lola’s old apartment.  The place was overrun with Rats, for one thing.  Nasty little buggers would eat a person’s face off in their sleep. His arms were growing tired of whacking the dirty vermin with the stray pieces of wood that were laying about everywhere.  He wasn’t getting much sleep these days.  Since the unusual warm stretch of weather had continued, Vance made a fateful decision.  He would leave the Tenements.

Long ago, as a young Greaser, Vance had made a discovery.  He had always been an adventurer, and in addition to his Gay tendencies, he had a penchant for exploring places.  He knew every bit of territory in New Coventry, and most in the rest of the Towns.  His chief form of transportation in those days, as now, was by stealing bikes, which Vance was very good at.  But it was the promise of adventure and treasure that prompted him to steal his first rowboat.

Like many youngsters in the Vale Valley, Vance had heard the lore of Pirate Island, so named because of the half-submerged remains of a ship not far from it’s shore.  The tales told of terror on the high seas, betrayal and mutiny, the scuttling of the boat near the Island, and the prospect of buried treasure.  Unable to express his true Gay nature, the romance of a Pirate’s life had appealed to Vance.  Finally, he had dared to steal a rowboat and venture out to the Island.

Once there, he found it to be a haven.  On it, Vance could act out all his fantasies of being a Pirate.  He even obtained a Pirate’s costume and had spent countless hours playing the role, both on the Island and the half-sunken ship.  That had all come to an end when Jimmy Hopkins had swum out to the Island, snuck up on him, then jumped him, beat the shit out of him, and had taken his Pirate outfit.  After that, the thrill of the role-play had left him, although he continued to come out to the Island for a new reason....It seemed to be the perfect place to carry on his queer affair with the Preppie Gord, away from prying eyes.  That too, had been ruined by those bastard Townie boys taking pictures....Photos that eventually the whole School would see.

The Island had been raked over by treasure seekers for more than 200 years, and was rocky and heavily wooded.  No treasure had ever been found, but that hadn’t stopped Vance from doing his own diggings over the years.  On one such Summer afternoon, while digging, Vance had discovered a secret cavern.  Widening the hole, he had been able to squeeze down inside.  Using his lighter, he further discovered a rather extensive cave system.  Hiding his discovery, he had returned later with provisions and had stocked the cavern with canned food and other items, even a Woodstove (that had been a bitch to steal and bring over). He even fashioned a hidden trap door for easy access.  Vance never told anyone of his secret cavern, not even his lover Gord.  It was his own special place, and no one else’s. 

Now, he packed his meager belongings and headed there once more.  This was the place of his last refuge from a cold and unfeeling world.  There were enough provisions there to last him until Summer, and there was plenty of deadfall on the Island for burning to keep him warm.  After that, Vance figured, he would leave Bullworth and the Vale Valley for the Big City.  There were plenty of other Greasers there, and maybe he could locate them.....Like maybe the descendants of those dancing Jets he had once seen in the movie 'West Side Story’.  With their artistic antics, they certainly wouldn’t mind it that he was a queer.

Stealing a rowboat, he rowed his way out to Pirate Island, and settled in.
______________________________________________________________

[Mercury]

Sitting in the Cafeteria, Bif bit into his apple once again, and looked Christy deep in the eyes.
"You know I can buy you anything”, he said.  “Anything. You'd be a real Princess."

"That would be interesting, Bif..." Christy said, crossing her sexy legs.

"Sure that would’ Bif continued. “You'd be the Queen.....Queen of Bullworth."

Bif waved his hands around in the air while describing this, and then naturally put one of them on Christy's knee. “We could make quite a couple.”

He glanced  at the entry of the Cafeteria, spotted Chad and Brice, and leaned back immediately.

"Look, baby, I got work now. Have fun Cheerleading.", Bif suddenly said dismissively.

"See you, Bif !", She said with a smile before leaving.

Bif took a long look at Christy's legs as she left, and let his two friends take seats next to him. He greeted them with handshakes.

"Hey Bryce...Hey Chad.  How are you doing ?", Bif asked.

“Doing fine”, Chad replied.

"Nice girl you were doing there... Christy, isn't she ?", Brice said.

"Right. Now look, you got work.  There are more Bullies you need to attack.", Bif instructed.

Both Bryce and Chad leaned over the table, and Chad undid the eternal bandage he put over his hand only to redo it again.

"Bryce, here is a Letterman Jacket my dad bought for me”, Bif said tersely.  Make it so that the guy sees the sleeve before being knocked out."

"Understood”, Brice nodded.

"Chad, two black mittens for you. That should be enough to imitate a Greaser. Get an Italian accent if you wish”, Bif smirked.

"Easy as ABC”, Chad grinned.

"You're a great help, my friends" Bif concluded. “Now go on out for the honor of the Harrington Family.”
_____________________________________________________________

[Mike_W]

After the showdown in the School's Great Hall, Peanut felt invincible.  He began strutting around the Academy as if he owned the place, although he kept his distance from his former friends for now, as they would surely put him in his place.  A few days after planting a rock into Wade's head, the overly confident Greaser bumped into an unfriendly face on the pathway.  It was Norton.

"So Larr-ry, you think you is some sort of tough-guy now that you shot that dumb bitch, Wade ?", Norton mocked.

"I don't think, I know !", retorted Peanut in his most intimidating voice.
 
"Settle down lady, before I have to wreck that pretty little face of yours !", threatened Norton. The two Greasers stared down each other for a few moments and then parted ways, taking a few looks back at each other to make sure no cheap shots were delivered.

Peanut became distracted for a moment and crashed right into Davis.
 
"So, you think you have balls since you took down our best shot ?", said Davis.

"Umm....Yeah !  So why don't you and the rest of you faggots go play with each other ?", replied Peanut.

"Oh no, I told you this wasn't over, and now you are gonna pay", announced Davis.

"Ha-Ha, real clever !", laughed Peanut, "You think I'm supposed to be scared of you ?"

Peanut suddenly stopped laughing, as Tom came around the corner, wielding a Spud Gun, followed by Ethan.  Davis had brought back-up and fully intended on giving Peanut a beating he wouldn't soon forget.  Peanut's confidence disappeared almost as suddenly as it had arrived.  Peanut became very nervous.  He began to slowly back towards the Parking Lot as the Bully boys advanced on him.
__________________________________________________________

[Mike_W]

"What's the matter Larr-ry ?  Scared ?", taunted Davis.  Infuriated by Davis mocking his real name, Peanut threw a running punch into Davis, hitting him right on the nose with a hollow crunch.  Blood dripped from his nose, and suddenly, Davis was pissed beyond control.

"Kill that son of a bitch !!", he commanded.  Ethan ran towards Peanut, punching him in the side of the head.  Soon, both Davis and Ethan were beating the snot out of the lone Greaser.  Norton heard the commotion and ran over to watch his ex-friend's ass get kicked.  Peanut fought back though, as he threw some decent punches at his aggressors.  As soon as there was an opening, Tom fired the first Spud from his Weapon.  He aimed a little too high and the Spud disappeared behind the wall and landed with a loud crash in a window on the Girl's Dorm. "Shit !", Tom muttered to himself as he reloaded.  He only had 5 rounds left and needed to use them wisely.

The fight raged on as Tom took aim again.  This time, Peanut reacted quickly when he heard the pop of the Spud Gun.  He dropped to the ground with record speed and precise timing.  The Spud made a lethal connection with the next target in its trajectory, slamming into Ethan, and busting up his balls.  With a whimper, one of Peanut's foes went down in a heap.  As Davis dodged a punch from Peanut, he cussed at Tom and recommended he take better aim.  As a few more punches were exchanged, Tom loaded up his third spud and took aim.  Peanut ducked again and an unsuspecting Lefty took the hit.  The other Greaser had been in the corner, trying to make out with Angie, and didn't even see the Spud coming.  He too landed in a heap, but fell on top of his would-be date.  Angie screamed, fearing she was going to be hit next.

Peanut finished off Davis, giving him a hard roundhouse kick to the head.  Now it was time to take care of Tom.  Peanut knew he couldn't take him on in hand to hand combat, so he whipped out his Slingshot.  Tom did likewise, raising the Spud Gun.  The two were preparing to fire, when Norton interrupted.

"Hey, Fuck You Lar-rry, you got Nothing !", jeered Norton in a poor attempt at distraction.  The two boys fired at the same time.  The rock from the slingshot acted to deflect the Spud, sending it toward Norton at break-neck speed.  All Norton could get out was "Oh, SHIT--", before the Spud collided with his head, knocking him out instantly.

 Tom was running out of ammo, there were only two Spuds left.  In haste, he fired again, but missed, sending the Spud crashing through the windshield of a lone parked Car.  The car's alarm sounded, attracting lots of attention.  Teachers and Prefects came running, scattering the small crowd of onlookers as well as Tom and Peanut.

"You win this time, Asshole !!", shouted Tom as he disappeared behind the old School Bus.

Although Peanut had still hated Norton after their fight, he just couldn't leave him lying there with blood streaming from his face.  Peanut managed to throw him over his shoulders and dragged him off towards the School Infirmary.
_______________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Damon hobbled into the School Clinic.  Seems he had sprained his ankle tripping over a Football someone had left laying out in the field while chasing Trent, who had taken to hanging out in odd corners of the School lately.  As he plopped down in a chair to get it taped up, he was hailed from one of the beds.

“Hey, my brother”, came a voice.

Damon turned.  It was Norton.  “What’s Crackin”, Damon said.

Norton propped up on an elbow. “Got clocked with a spud.  What happened you ?”

“Tripped over sumptin chasin that weird whack Trent”, Damon replied.

“Soons as I get out, me and the boys gonna clean those Bullies house”, Norton said.  “Youse oughtta get your boys and join us.”

“I'se have to see what Ted says”, Damon said, looking at the floor.

“Whadda you need him for ?”, Norton said, sitting up. “Just bring your boys over. I’ll give youse free pass.  Kick their asses together.”

“He’s the Leader”, Damon grumbled.  “Gotta run it by him first.”

“Yeah ?  I don’t need no permission”, Norton proclaimed. “Them’s my gang now. I took over, and they gonna do what I say.”

“No shit ?”, Damon said, startled.  “You took over ?”

“Yeah....And you should too, brother.”  Norton looked around and lowered his voice. “Look, they ain’t too many of us around here.  We should be fighten the Honkies insteada each other.  We ain’t their slaves.  We oughtta be tellin them what to do.”

“Hummph.....I don’t know...”, Damon said uncertainly, thinking of his Scholarship.

“Just do it, brother”, exhorted Norton.  “Meet us over by the Shop tomorrow night.  We make a Alliance and take those cruds out.”

Damon’s ankle throbbed, and that decided him. “Ok, see what I can do”, he said with a grimace.

Norton lay back down. “It’ll be good, just wait and see.  We gonna stomp their asses, my brother.”

Nurse McRae came over to tape up Damon’s ankle.  He stood up and found he could walk on it easier.  On his way to the door, he looked over at Norton.

“Tomorrow night, brother. Don’t forget.”, Norton called.

Damon nodded and limped out.
_______________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Ray had come to.  Gathered around his bed was Laurent and Constantinos, who were supporting a still-weak Tony between them.  Ray’s eyes rolled over towards the trio, and focused.

“Ay, Hey, Tony....You’re safe ?”, Ray muttered.

“Thanks to you, Ray.  You saved me”, Tony replied.

“How....Long ?”, Ray whispered.

“Been a week, Ray”, Constantinos.

“Hurt....Bad ?”, Ray asked Tony.

“Not so bad”, Tony answered. “You got the worst of it.”

“Feel like....Truck hit me”, Ray muttered.

“Nope, just Tony”, Laurent said. “That was a brave thing you did, Ray.”

“Don’t feel....So brave....Right now”, Ray said weakly.

“It was”, Tony said. “In fact, you’re one of us now, Ray.”

Ray opened his eyes wider. “I Am ?  One of you ?”

All three boys smiled and nodded. “Sure enough”, Tony said.

A small smile played on Ray’s lips. “I have....Friends.”

“That’s right”, Laurent said. “All of us.”

Ray, who only ever wanted to have friends, let out a deep breath. “I’m so...Glad.”

Just then, Lab Coat Man hustled over. “Alright, that’s enough, boys.  He needs to get his rest.”

“Talk later, Ray”, Tony said, as Laurent and Constantinos helped him off.

“Later....Sure”, Ray said sleepily, “Be...Great.”  He closed his eyes and drifted off.
________________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Mr. Luntz at last returned to Bullworth from the Naked City.  It wouldn’t be long now before all his enemies were rubbed out.  The co-ordinated surprise attacks had been launched successfully, starting with a classic restaurant drive-by shooting on the Lower East Side and bombings of some of the Capo’s homes and front Businesses on Valentine’s Night.  Mr. Luntz rode along with Michael “Big Mike” Tortelli in the followup car to view the mayhem.  Many Associates had been taken out in the initial assault, but it was only the beginning.  In order for him to be safe, all of the power structure had to be brought down, clear up to the Head Boss, Vincent “Bloody Vince” Fonzerelli.

Dr. Crabblesnitch was livid that Mr. Luntz had been absent during the Valentine’s Dance debacle, forcing him to use his precious Prefects to clean up the mess.  Luntz had listened to the Head’s tirade in silence.  He again vowed that pompous windbag would be the first to go down once his friends were back in power.  Cement overshoes was a definite possibility.

Mr. Luntz was inwardly thrilled that he had missed yet another of the Academy Brat’s shenanigans.  The less he had to do here, the better.  He was amazed that none of the Students had gotten killed at the School yet, given the level of violence at this dump.  He thought that it would only just be a matter of time, though.  Since the violence seemed to rise at the Holiday times, Mr. Luntz made a mental note to himself to be away during the next upcoming Holiday, Easter.  Maybe the little shits would do him a favor and blow the place off the map.
___________________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

A shadow fell over the patch of the alleyway where Jerry and Duncan were rolling Craps up against the brick wall.  “Hello, Boys.”

They both looked up.  Jake (aka Leo Cash) was standing there grinning down at them.  “What’s you needin’?”, Duncan asked.  “Gotta another job for us ?”

Jake hunkered down. “Mind if I play too ?”

“Sure, Leo”, said Jerry, “Ante up in the pot.”

Jake threw a couple of dollars on the pile of singles.  Both the Townie boys took their turns, and both crapped out.  “Your go", said Jerry, handing Jake the dice.  Jake examined the dice before curling his fingers around them.  Shaking the cupped dice in his hand, he suddenly let them loose.  They bounced twice and hit the brick wall and rebounded, coming to rest, showing a 3 and a 4.

“Seven !”, Duncan called.

“Beginner’s luck”, Jake said modestly, scooping up the dice to throw again.  Once more, he examined them closely before wrapping his finger about them once more and letting them sail against the pavement, rebounding against the brick wall and coming to rest, showing a 5 and a 6.

“Eleven !”, said Duncan.

“Damn, where’d you learn to play like that ?”, Jerry said uneasily, beginning to get the feeling he was being scammed.  “Guess you win the pot.  Gonna give us the chance to get even ?”

Jake plucked his two dollars off the top of the pile.  “I don’t want your money, boys”, he said smoothly.  “But I would like to meet up with your leader.  Got a proposition for him....For all of you, actually.”

“Proposition ?” Jerry asked. “Like a money proposition ?”

Jake cocked a finger at Jerry.  “That’s right.”

“How much money ?”, Duncan wanted to know.

“A couple of Grand”, Jake said, rising to his feet. Both Townie boys looked at Jake with their mouths agape upon hearing that.  “Set me up a meeting with....” Jake snapped his fingers.  “....Who’s your leader ?”

“Ummm.....Omar” Jerry said.  “Omar Romero.”

“Right”, Jake said, stuffing his bills back in his pocket.  “Omar.  Tell him I got a deal for him he can’t refuse.” 

Throwing the two Townies a jaunty wave, Jake sauntered off.  “Be seeing you around soon.”

Jerry and Duncan watched him go, then looked at each other with dollar signs in their eyes.
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Christy made her way over to The Vale for a meeting with Pinky at Shinjo’s, a Pizza Joint just around the corner and down the street from the Burger Place.  Pinky had invited her former roommate for a girl’s afternoon out after one of their classes, just to catch up.  Since Pinky no longer lived at the Dorm, there hadn’t been much chance for them to get together these days.

Christy entered the parlor and spotted Pinky waving to her from a back booth.  A steaming Pepperoni Pizza was laying on the table in front of her.  Christy slid into the seat opposite Pinky.

“Ohh...My favorite !” Exclaimed Christy, inhaling the aromas drifting off the pizza in front of her.

“I know”, Pinky replied, picking up a piece.  “Watch it, it’s still hot.”

Over pizza and drinks, the girls caught up on the latest gossip and doings at the School.  Pinky was surprised to learn that Mandy was back together with Ted. 

“Wow, what’s it been, like a year ?”, Pinky quizzed.

“Just about”, Christy said, sipping her drink. “Mandy went and hid in a funk after all that terrible blood at the dance, thinking everybody was blaming her for it turning into a disaster, but they weren’t, everybody knows that that crud Jake did it to ruin things.  Ted came around and talked her out of it, and somehow they just got back together.”

“Just like that ?”, Pinky marveled, chomping on a slice of pizza.

“Yeah”, said Christy.  “Funny that, she did up all that at to dance to impress Ted and get him back, and even though it got ruined, she still got him back anyway cause he felt bad for her.”

“Wow, that’s wild”, Pinky said, taking a sip of her drink.  “So how bout you ?  Any boyfriends on the horizon yet ?”

“No, not yet”, Christy said, “But get this....Bif propositioned me !”

“No !  Bif ?” Pinky exclaimed.  “He has the hots for you ?”

“Yeah, it’s funny”, Christy ascertained.  “Told me he’d buy me anything I wanted, make me the Queen of Bullworth”, she tittered.

“So, you gonna go out with him ?”, Pinky asked.

“I might”, Christy said.  “If he asks, I think I will.”

Pinky settled back with another piece.  “Bif’s allright....I’ve known him for years.  He’s a very levelheaded guy, unlike some others I know.”  She made a face, thinking of Derby.

“I sorta like him”, Christy said, helping herself to her own slice. 

“He’s a smart guy”, Pinky agreed.  “If it weren’t for Derby, he’d be the Prep’s leader.  But he’s real loyal, and would never go up against Derby.  He’s always the one getting things done.”  She eyed Christy.  “Funny how all of a sudden, he’s paying attention to you.”

“Yeah”, Christy said.  “Like, we been going to the same classes and all these last few years and he never, like, looked at me before.”

“Maybe he just wants a girl of his own now”, Pinky said.

“Yeah, maybe.  Guess I’ll find out”, Christy giggled. 

“How about that Nick fellow ?”, Pinky asked.  “I thought you liked him ?”

“I don’t know”, Christy said, “He never asked me.  I wound up going to the dance with Ted.  Nick seems to like Melody.  He’s a bit young for me anyway, I like older guys.”

“That so ?”, Pinky said playfully.  “Like Bif ?”

“Shut up, you had the hots for Tony”, retorted Christy.

“More than that”, Pinky said, a smug look on her face. “I got to fuck him.”

“What ?  No !”, Christy exclaimed.  “Pinks, you didn’t !”

“Oh, yes, I did”, Pinky continued.  “Right before Christmas.”

“Oh, that’s wild”, Christy said.  “Does anybody know ?”

“NO !”, Pinky said, “And don’t you tell anybody !”

“If Karen knew, she’d beat your butt !”, exclaimed Christy.

“Yeah, but I don’t live there anymore”, Pinky said, “And you aren’t going to tell, are you ?”

Christy, who hadn’t even ever had a steady boyfriend, stared at her friend. “Of course not !  How could you think that ?”

“Just saying”, Pinky warned.  “I know you like to gossip.”

“Yeah, with you”, Christy retorted.  “Those other girls are Skanks !”

Both girls tittered laughter at that.  It was SO true.

“So, I know you’re with Kurt now, does he know ?”, Christy said, picking up another slice of pizza.

“That was before Kurt”, Pinky said.  “He wouldn’t care about that.”

“So, I heard, like, Kurt stole you and held you hostage somewhere”, Christy asked.

“He did, matter of fact”, Pinky said, popping a piece of crust in her mouth.

“No ! For real ?”, Christy exclaimed.  “So why are you with him ?  Are you, like, brainwashed ?”

“No”, Pinky laughed.  “Kurt revealed himself to me, all the raw pain and emotion. Nobody has ever done that to me before.....Especially not Derby.  Boys always treated me like a piece of furniture....Or just a piece of ass.”

“That’s just because you’re spoiled, you know”, Christy said.

“I know, that’s Daddy’s fault”,  snickered Pinky. “But it gets boring.”

“So....Did you make Kurt fall for you ?”, Christy asked coyly.

“Like a ton of bricks”, Pinky said, and both girls tittered.

As the pizza disappeared, the girls talked on about other happenings at School, until at last the food was eaten and all the drinks were gone.  After a visit to the restroom, Christy and Pinky left Shinjo’s, agreeing to meet once a week at the same booth to keep abreast of things.  It was to be a fateful decision.
___________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Pulling gate duty for the evening, Lucky thumbed the magazine open to the middle and let drop the centerfold.  “Ahhh, Yeah, Baby....You sweet-looking little Slut.....”

“Yo ! Heads Up !”, came a familiar voice.

Lucky jerked his head up and dropped the magazine.  Damon and nearly the whole Jock crew was standing there. Getting up too fast, Lucky stumbled and fell on his ass.

“Tell Norton we’re here”, Damon said.

“Uh...Yeah....He’s expectin’ youse guys”, stammered Lucky. “Er...Follow me.”

Lucky led the Jocks around the fence to the rear of the Autoshop.  “Norton !  Someone to see you, Dude !”, called Lucky. 

Norton came forward. “Welcome, my brother....Glad youse boys could make it.”

The other Greasers milled about, giving unfriendly looks at the Jocks.  Standing behind Damon, the Jocks were casting evil looks of their own at the Greasers.  The atmosphere of distrust was almost like a physical presence, the tension surged as would a diseased heartbeat.

“Yo, we’re here”, Damon returned.  “What’s Crackin’?”

Norton turned to address both groups.  “I invited my brother, Damon, and his boys here tonight to help us solve a mutual problem....Those dumbass Bullies !  These shits have turned to dealin’ Drugs !  Thass right, DRUGS !  And not only that, they all are struttin’ their stuff all over School, tryin’ to muscle our territory !”

“Not to mention charging too much !”, shouted Bo.

“Yeah, and like, attackin’ without provo-cation !”, yelled Lefty.

“Right !”, Norton cried. “Ever since Russell came back, those fucks think they is untouchables or somthim' !  We gots to stomp ‘em out !  Teach them cum-stains they can’t control OUR Drugs.  Next youse know, we be havin’ to buy a beer from a Bully for TEN DOLLARS !  I be proposin’ an Alliance betwix ourse two groups to take them down !  Smash them, permanent -like !   Whose is with me ?”

Tensions melted away in the face of their common adversary, and fueled by Norton’s fiery speech, both groups responded with howls of fury and cries of “Let’s Get 'Em !!!”  Led by Norton, they surged around the twists and turns behind the Autoshop area until they emerged at the south end of the Parking Lot.  Norton directed his Greaser Clique to run along the West wall, and the Jocks Clique the East wall.

Standing in scattered little groups about the Parking Lot, the Bullies seemed to be engaged in animated conversation, and at first didn’t notice the other Cliques surrounding them.  Russell was standing in his usual spot near the sidewalk by the grass with Davis. Troy and Wade were down by the gate by the North wall, gesturing at some tags they had just laid down on the wall.  Ethan and Tom were apparently engaged in a game of Hacky Sack in the middle of the lot. 

The attack was launched with such suddenness that the Bullies barely had time to pull out their Slingshots to try to defend themselves.  Lucky, Lefty, Ricky, and Hal charged Troy and Wade, while Casey, Juri, Luis, and Dan ran towards Tom and Ethan.   At the same time, Norton, with a Spud Gun drawn, led the way towards Russell and Davis, followed by Damon and Bo.

Troy and Wade were only able to get off a couple of ineffectual Sling-Shots before the others were upon them.  In a flurry of fists and kicks, they were quickly taken down, two on one.  In a like manner, Tom and Ethan were also overwhelmed, being used as punching bags before being knocked to the ground and pummeled with kicks. 

Norton tracked to his left, while Damon and Bo tracked to the right.  Norton knew better than to try to take on Russell head-to-head, as Russell was arguably the strongest kid at the School.  Russell, in fact, was nearly a full-grown adult.  Nobody knew his exact age, but it was rumored to be 20 or even older.  Russell had beaten nearly everybody he had faced in Hole fights, including even Norton and Damon, and was the prime reason that the Bullies garnered any respect in the Schoolyard at all. 

Norton was taking no chances.  As Damon and Bo made short work of Davis, punching him swiftly to the ground, Norton took aim and fired a Spud point-blank at Russell’s mid-section.  The blow staggered Russell back a couple steps.  Shaking his head like a bull, Russell zeroed in on his attacker.

“RUSSELL SMASH !!!!”, he pronounced, and began lumbering toward Norton.  Seeing Russell advance, Norton prepared to fire again. As his finger pulled on the trigger once more, Russell did something out of character for him.  Russell ducked.

Groups of kids along the stone pathway between the School and the Parking Lot had stopped to watch the unfolding battle.  Among them were Laurent and Constantinos, along with with Nick and Melody, who were walking towards the back of the School, on their way to the School Fountain.  As they turned to watch the sudden melee, the Spud fired by Norton missed a ducking Russell’s head by inches and sailed from the Parking Lot and over the grassy area, striking Melody square in the stomach.

“ARRRUGGHHH !!!”, Melody screamed, doubling over and falling to the pavement between Laurent and Constantinos.  Enraged, Nick sprinted towards the Parking Lot, zeroing in on the shooter.  Laurent and Constantinos tended to Melody, who was gasping for breath and rocking side to side on her back in pain.

Meanwhile, Norton had loaded another Spud and fired again, catching Russell again in the guts as he rose up.  The shot doubled Russell over just as Nick ran up behind him.  In one swift, smooth move, Nick leaped on Russell’s back, and using it as a springboard, leaped straight at Norton, feet first.

Norton barely had time to register an object coming at him when Nick’s feet smashed into his face with the full momentum of his weight behind them.  Norton was smacked down on the pavement, rolling over backwards for two or three times before stopping.  Bounding wobbly to his feet, Norton glared at Nick, who had assumed a cat-like Karate stance.

“Youse Gonna Get Terminated, Little Man !!”, Norton rumbled.

“Bring It On, Nigga !!”, Nick hollered back.

Just then, Seth the Prefect tore around the corner, blowing his whistle to summon the other Prefects.  He had seen Melody go down in the distance from his post at the rear of the School, and was racing to apprehend the culprit.  Seeing Norton, Damon, and Russell, Seth knew to call for help.  Eyeing Norton, who was still holding the Spud Gun, Seth charged directly at him.  In just seconds, Karl, Max, and Edward came running, and all four quickly subdued Norton, knocking him to the ground and beating him.

At the appearance of Nick, Damon and Bo both backed away, not wanting to get involved in an altercation with someone who they considered a friend.  When the Prefects stormed onto the scene, the Greasers and the Jocks scattered.  Gasping, Russell, still on his feet, slowly backed away as well.  None of them really had to worry, as the Prefect's full attention was on busting Norton for his errant shot that hit Melody. 

As Norton was pulled upright and dragged past Nick, he groggily eyed him and spoke through a busted mouth.  “I’ll see you in the Hole, Mudderfucker !”

“Count on it”, Nick said tightly, as Norton was dragged away.  Nick glared after the busted-up Greaser for a minute, then went to check on Melody.  With the help of his friends, he carried her to the School Clinic.
_____________________________________________________________

[Repo Man]

Melody didn't suffer a lot of damage, except the pain in her abdomen, but stayed overnight in the School Clinic anyway.  As she, Nick, Constantinos, and Laurent were walking from the School towards the Dorms after classes the next day after the incident, Nick cracked his knuckles and said. "Oh, I'm fucking looking forward to tonight. I'm gonna break that cocksucker's face, his grandchildren are gonna be walking backwards."

"Do you really have to fight him ?", Melody asked.  "That's Norton Williams, for Christ's sake.  He's only lost in The Hole twice....Against Russell and against Bif.

"So, you are fighting him tonight, Nick ?" - Laurent asked.

"Tonight", Nick said, and they parted with Melody, who gave Nick a kiss for luck, then making their way to the Boys Dorm.  Nick said, "At nine. Ain't that the usual Hole fight time ?"

"Woo, another Hole fight", Constantinos said dully.  "I can't wait."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nine o'clock came quickly and majority of the School kids were looking for a way to get into the Basement without getting seen by the Prefects. Finally, Gordon Wakefield was assigned to distract the Prefects from the Basement door, which he did, only to get caught before he himself could escape into Basement.  There was no sign of Norton, but several Greasers threw insults at Nick, who was leading the crowd through the Basement, dressed in his bomber jacket.  Damon was walking alongside him, but Nick didn't feel comfortable.  Damon had made friends with Norton, and he didn't know whom Damon would support in the fight.

"Who're you cheering for ?", Nick asked him.

"I'se just watchin' the fight. Then after you's gonna be his friend, and we's all gonna be friends", Damon replied.

“Yeah, I hope so”, Nick said, smirking.  He was calm, but unworried.  Norton would be the strongest opponent so far that he would be fighting.  Damon was close, but Nick had heard that Norton had defeated Damon twice in The Hole, in the past.  But Nick had dispatched the others in his fights so far, and was confident that he could do so again.  Besides, his anger was still fueled at Norton for shooting Melody in the guts, whom he was beginning to regard as his Girlfriend. 

Despite being in the School Sewers, The Hole wasn't a cold place. It was little chilly in short sleeves, but it was okay with long sleeves.  Nick took off his jacket and was now wearing a white T-shirt and black track pants.  He went down the ladder of The Hole and began warming up.  Norton came in five minutes later and immediately took off his jacket, staying bare chested.  He also had bandages on his hands and wrists, and he looked like a real professional Boxer, wearing pants and pulling on his street gloves.  He entered the ring and walked up to Nick.

"Prepare to collect your teeth, bitch !",  said Norton with an evil grin on his face. "From all over the ring !"

With his lips, Nick mimed sending him a smack, which infuriated Norton.  As soon as Bif rang the opening bell and pronounced “Round One !”, the Greaser swung a wide hook at Nick, but he easily evaded it, starting to bounce, taking the boxing stance he used against both Damon and Derby.  A well-placed jab was enough to bust open Norton's nose, and now his face was bleeding.

"C'mere !", said Norton. "You's run around like a fucking coward !  Youse dont's know to fight like a man!

Nick kicked him in the ankle and in the stomach, but before he could continue attacking, Norton jabbed him in the chest so hard Nick fell on the pit floor. Norton used that as an advantage and grabbed Nick by the neck, lifting him in the air with such strength that Nick's feet were nearly above the ground. Nick began to choke.

"Youse gonna mess with me ?!", Norton asked, in a fit of rage. "I'se choke ya like a lil' chicken !"

Nick was swinging around with his legs, holding Norton's hand with both of his, and Norton now grabbed him by the other one too.  Before he could kill Nick, which was what he was intending, the bell rang and he reluctantly released him.

"You're lucky !", he said blackly, and climbed up the ladder. "I'll break you after I rest !"

Nick climbed up and sat on a bench. Laurent came over with a bottle of water and had Nick drink some, then he took rubbed Nick's face with a rag.

"He almost killed you in there", said Laurent.  "If he continues to try to strangle you, he will maybe open himself up for you to strike him.  Just be careful, Oui ?

"Don't worry, friend",  said Nick and smiled confidently. "I'll win this."

The bell rang and it was time for the fighters to return to The Hole. “Round Two !”, Biff intoned.

"Kick his ass, Nicky !",  encouraged Constantinos.

Nick and Norton went back into The Hole and took fighting stances.  Norton started with a roundhouse kick, which was evaded by Nick.  Norton kept attacking, but Nick's perfect physical condition allowed him to evade all of Norton's attacks.  He was looking to get the Greaser tired, and he was succeeding.  Norton's moves became slower, but he didn't stop throwing punches and kicks.  After several minutes, though, he couldn't keep on. Nick lashed out, and Norton suffered a mai-geri to the face that broke out several teeth of his.   Nick continued kicking him where ever he could get him, and then Norton's right knee was on the ground, as well as both of his hands. Nick struck him in the face with his left knee and Norton fell on his back.  He got up, however, but Nick tripped him, which was humiliating as well as painful.  Nick stepped on Norton’s neck, but didn't press.

“This fun to you ?”,  he asked.  “How'd you like I break your neck ?”

“Fuck You !”,  Norton replied, but then Nick pressed harder on his neck, threatening to smash his throat.

“Stop, You Fuck !", Norton said.  He twisted Nick’s leg away and jumped on his feet, his rage giving him power.  He punched Nick two times in the face, busting his nose and chipping a tooth.  The bell rang to end the second round, and they went out to rest.

“When you get him down, best to keep him down”, said Laurent, wiping Nick’s face and examining his nose. “Don’t let him up.”

“I won’t next time”, Nick said grimly.

 The bell rang for the fighters to return to the Hole. “Round Three !”, called Biff.

The combatants dropped back in the Hole and the fight continued.  Norton began attacking with wide hooks and kicks, a bad technique, whereas Nick used mostly jabs and Karate kicks.

“C'mon, Norton !", shouted Lucky DeLuca.  “Looks at him, and looks at you !”

But Norton could not take down Nick Penty.  Nick's nose was busted too, he was tired and feeling pain in his whole body, but he already began smiling like he had won this fight.  Norton rubbed blood off his face, saw the grin, and thought Nick was teasing him.

“You fucking WEASEL !!", Norton shouted and charged at Nick.  Before his fist could land on him, Nick threw a hook that hit Norton in the face and stopped him.  But Nick didn't stop punching.  He hooked and hooked him until Norton fell on his back, almost passed out, breathing heavily.  His face was bloody and swollen and he was now looking for every single possible way to get out of this fight.

OK....Ok...that's enough !", he said, finding it hard to speak with some of his teeth gone.  “I Give...You Win !”

Norton had never forfeited before.  The Students, as well as Nick, were surprised, but Greasers were more disgusted that surprised.  Norton then passed out, and Biff quickly hopped in The Hole, obviously happy to see a Greaser get his ass kicked.

“The winner of this fight…Nick Penty !", he said and grabbed his wrist to raise his hand in victory.  Nick stood there for a bit, then pulled back and went and climbed up the ladder where Constantinos was handing him his jacket.  His T-Shirt was all bloody but Nick didn't mind.

“You Won !”, said Laurent.  “Three battles, three victories !  Is a shame Tony didn't see this.”

“I really don't give a fuck”,  Nick said.  He was tired and all he now wanted was to sleep. The three made their way out of the School Basement and back to the Dorm.
__________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

 As soon as Peanut learned the outcome of the Hole fight, he headed over towards the Autoshop.  It was late, about midnight, but all the rest of the Greasers were still up, milling around the back.  There was an aura of stunned shock among them that Norton had been beaten by the new kid that was almost half his size.  There was a taste of disgust, as well, that Norton had quit the fight while laying on his back like a mangy dog.  They would take a huge hit to their respect in the wake of their most powerful fighter having his ass kicked like a little girl.

Peanut rounded the corner by the garage area, and found all the Greasers moping around.  “Whatcoo doin’, boys ?  Waitin’ fer the Nerds to come take over ?”

“Why’re youse back over here”, spit out Ricky in a hostile tone of voice, getting up in Peanut’s face.

Suddenly moving with lighting speed, Peanut grabbed Ricky around the throat and lifted him off the ground, turning and slamming him into the side of the brick building with a bone-rattling crack. He held him there in a choke hold, feet dangling off the ground, while he spoke in a menacing voice.

“I’m back because I don’t lead youse guys into traps”, he hissed.  “I’m back because I don’t make alliances with other Cliques.  I’m back because Johnny picked ME to be the Leader.”  With each sentence, Peanut repeatedly smacked Ricky into the wall.  “I’m back because I don’t put us into situ-ations where we get busted.  I’m back because I don’t do stupid things that make us lose RESPECT.”

Still maintaining a chokehold, he put his face up close to Ricky’s.  “Dose that answer your question ?”

“Glurgle.....” was all that Ricky could manage to say.

“Good.  Glad that’s settled.”  Peanut released Ricky, and he dropped to the pavement in a heap.  Peanut turned and faced the other Greasers.  “I’m taking back over.  Any of youse got a problem with that, speak up now.”

Instead of anger, relieved looks broke out on the faces of the other Greasers.  They had been uneasy with Norton’s style of leadership but too afraid to say so.  That the ill-timed attack had ultimately led to such a great loss of respect had had a devastating effect on their morale.  And while none of them ever said it, all of them knew that Norton wasn’t exactly the brightest candle in the box.  They realized now that they needed a leader who could look after them, like Johnny did.  Johnny was gone now, but had left his hand-picked choice in his place.  They had forgotten that for a while, it seemed.  But maybe now, they felt, things could return to normal.

Peanut surveyed their faces, and saw only acceptance.  Norton’s short reign was over.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After the beatdown from the Prefects and the humiliating loss in the Hole, Norton was in no shape to challenge Peanut on his return to the Clinic late the next day.  On top of that, he had been assigned snow-shoveling duties as a result of his errant Spud striking Melody in the very Parking Lot where he had been taken down.  Jeering students has lined the walk throwing cat-calls at him while he shoveled under the watchful eye of Seth the Prefect, heaping even more disrespect on his already shattered ego.

Norton meekly submitted to the change in leadership.  With his head and mouth bandaged as a result of his injuries, he could only mumble a dispirited decline to Peanut’s challenge for a rematch for control of the Clique.  That had made the change official in the eyes of the others.  As a final consequence, he was demoted from his former second-in-command position in the Clique.  Peanut felt he couldn’t trust a backstabber, and instead made Hal his new second.

Even so, Peanut knew, it would be a long road back for the Clique to re-gain their respect.
______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Ted was enraged when he heard of the Jock’s participation in the attack on the Bullies while under an Alliance with the Greasers that had been kept from him.  He angrily ordered the Jocks to a meeting at the Clubhouse.  Mandy came along to watch.

Once they were assembled, Ted lit into them.  “What the FUCK were you guys thinking ?  Going off on an unauthorized mission ?  What kind of SHIT is this ?”

“Umm....We was invited....”, Damon began.

“I don’t give a FUCK if you was invited or not !”, Ted interrupted.  “You all KNOW everything has to come through me !  It’s a wonder you dumb fucks weren’t busted !”

“We’us just tryin’ to help out a Brother”, Bo piped up.

“Help out a BROTHER ?”, Ted yelled.  “Look at me, Numbnuts !  Norton isn’t your BROTHER, he is a GREASER !  He’s one of THEM !  He is not US !”

“Yeah....But...”, Bo tried again.

“BUT NOTHING !!”, Ted roared.  “He was just USING you all to do his dirty work, and you just all go along like a bunch of little PUSSIES ?”

“But, he’s their Leader”, Dan said, “So we thought.....”

“THOUGHT ?”, Ted sneered.  “You can’t think !  Norton is an asswipe with a PEA BRAIN !  He couldn’t lead himself to the Bathroom to take a piss without someone showing him the Urinal !”

Ted whirled on Damon.  “And YOU”, he said, pointing his finger, “Put the whole team in jeopardy with your disloyalty !”

Damon got a bit agitated at that.  “I’m not dis-loyal”, he stammered.

“You’re ALL disloyal if you do shit like this !”, Ted shot back.  “Let me clue you in on something, Damon.”  He leaned over as if talking to a child.  “You already used up your free pass by getting sprung outta the Asylum.  There ain’t no more favors !  You, or any one of you, can be replaced at anytime they feel like !”

Here Ted addressed the whole group.  “Some of you are imported”, he said, looking at Luis, Juri, and Laurent.  “Do you think you are the only ones out there with any talent ?  You can be dumped tomorrow and others brought in to take your place !  Think you’re SPECIAL ?  Well, you’re not.  You can always be replaced.”

“Uhh....Well, uh....What about Kirby ?”, Casey asked.

“I said this before”, Ted said impatiently.  “That has been taken care of.  Kirby is a part of this team.  He is what he is, and you have to learn to accept that.  We all have to stand together to retain our respect here.  And Damon didn’t help that by losing that Hole fight.  But we were able to retain our respect by being gracious in defeat, welcoming the victor into our circle. That’s how a TEAM works, fellas.”

“So...We should just take him back ?, asked Juri.

“Yes”, Ted stated.  “You don’t have to shower with him.  You don’t have to sleep in the same room with him.  But you do have to treat him like a human being.”

“Gee, I donno....” Rumbled Luis.

“Lemme put it this way”, Ted said, his patience running out.  “Any more discord in the Clique, any more Hi-jinks being done without my knowledge, and your very Scholarships will be at stake. Is that clear enough ?”

The group of Jocks froze at hearing those words.  Their Scholarships were their Holy Grail, their ticket to a better life once they got out of this shitty School.  None of them wanted to jeopardize their Scholarships.

“Any more unauthorized activity, and I will have Burton pull your Scholarships on the lot of you” Ted continued.  “And don’t think I can’t make that happen.  We WILL have a united front on this team, or you WILL be dumped.  Do we now understand each other ?”

Shocked, the Jocks looked at each other, and slowly nodded assent.  Even the dumbest among them knew the value of protecting their Scholarships.

“Good, then this is settled”, Ted announced.  He searched toward the back of the room.  “Laurent, you didn’t have any part in this foolishness, so you’re my new second.”

There was a small stir in the room at hearing this.  “The rest of you will have to work at regaining my trust.  For now, this is the way it’s gonna be”, Ted said, heading for the door. “Get your act together, or else.”

Ted left the clubhouse, followed by Mandy and Laurent.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Russell stood in the Dorm yard and surveyed his battered Clique with a curious eye.  Something was missing.  It had been nagging at him every since he came back.  Something was not quite right, not complete.  Russell strained to remember.  What was it ?

As he looked at his boys, as he thought of them, he began a slow count.  There was Davis, Tom, Troy, Wade, Ethan.....He struggled with the numbers, counting again and again as his eyes registered the wounded, limping Bullies.  Suddenly, it burst upon him with the brilliance of a thousand suns in a flash of clarity.

“TRENT !”, Russell hollered.  “WHERE IS TRENT ?”

The Bullies stopped in their aimless wanderings and disjointed conversations, still suffering the effects of the beatings of the day before.  As one, they turned and shuffled over to where Russell stood. 

“Um....We made Trent leave”, Tom said.

Russell just looked at him in confusion.  “WHAT YOU SAY ?”

“Er...We made him leave....Cause he’s Queer.  Remember ?”

“RUSSELL NO REMEMBER THAT”, He said.  His eyes darted about.  “WE NEED TRENT.  TRENT CAN FIX THINGS.  BULLIES NO GOOD WITH NO TRENT.”  His eyes settled back on the rag-tag group in front of him.  “GO FIND TRENT.  BRING TRENT HERE.  TRENT FIX US.”

“But....Trent’s a queer....”, Davis began. 

“RUSSELL NO CARE.  WE NEED TRENT.  GO FIND TRENT.”  Russell’s mind moved slowly, but he knew what he wanted when he thought of it.  “GO FIND TRENT, OR RUSSELL GO HOME.  NO FUN WITHOUT TRENT.”

The weary Bullies slumped their shoulders in defeat.  Perhaps Russell was right.  Queer or not, maybe they did need Trent.  Slowly, they scattered from the yard to go and do Russell’s bidding.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At that very moment, Trent was somewhere no one would have expected.....Entering the Bullworth Town Clinic.  His mission was to talk to Tony.  As he walked towards where Tony had been bunking for the past week or so, he saw that Tony was packing up a bag.  He had his right arm in a sling, Trent saw.  As he approached, Karen, who had been sitting on the bed, popped up and blocked his way.

“We’re not seeing any visitors, especially the likes of you !”, she said hotly.

“Whoa, Relax little girly-o”, Trent said. “I just need to talk to Tony.”

Karen started to retort, but Tony said, “It’s all right, Karen.  Let him talk.”

“Hummph”, Karen said, but let Trent pass.

“What do you want, Trent ?”, Tony said.  “Make it quick.  I’m getting outta here today.”

“Um...I came to tell you”, Trent began, “The night of the dance....I was coming in the front gate, and someone ran into me, knocked me down.”

“So ?”, Tony said.  “Who was it ?”

“It was Jake, man, sure as shit”, Trent said.

“How did you know ?”, Tony asked.

“Recognized his voice”, said Trent. “He said he didn’t have time for my shit, and shot me in the guts with a Spud.”

“Figured it was him”, Tony said.  “That really confirms it.  It was Jake who shot me then.  And Jake who shot Pete.  And did the bombings.”  Tony looked sharply at Trent.  “Talked to you too that night, didn’t he ?”

“Yes”, Trent admitted.  “Told me to keep everybody outta the Dorm.”

“Cause he knew it was gonna blow up”, Tony said.  “That’s why.  You shoulda told me then.  Why was you covering for him ?”

Trent hesitated.  “I thought he was a friend”, he finally said.

“Jake ain’t nobody’s friend but Jake’s”, Tony observed.  “He’s a psychotic piece of shit.  I’m gonna bring him down, one way or another.”

Trent didn’t say anything for a moment.  “Well, just thought you oughtta know.”  He turned to leave. 

“Thanks, Trent”, Tony said.  Trent gave a small salute and then was gone.

As she helped Tony on with his jacket, Karen muttered, “I hate that shit.  He use to pick on us all the time when we was little kids, hitting us, tripping us, taking our stuff.  He’s just a Bully.”

“Yeah”, Tony agreed.  “But he helped out Zoe when she needed it, and he didn’t have to do that.  There may be a decent spark in there somewhere.  I don’t like him much myself, but people can be awful strange sometimes.”  He turned to Karen.  “He gives you any shit though, I’ll still kick his ass.”

Karen smiled at that.  She said gently, “I’m not worried about him.  What’s important is getting you out of here and back to me.  I’ve been missing my big boy”, she said playfully, stroking his privates.

“I’m more than ready”, Tony said.  “It’s good to be alive. Let’s go.”

After stopping to check on Ray, Tony and Karen left the Clinic.
______________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Derby Harrington sat ensconced in front of the fireplace alone in Harrington Hall.  The noise of the doors opening alerted him that someone was entering.  Turning his head slightly, he observed Bif approaching.  He returned his gaze to the fireplace as Bif took the chair opposite his.

“Report”, Derby said shortly.

“No progress in finding out what Tad’s group has been up to lately”, Bif said.  “It’s like they have become ghosts.  I think, though, that they have been behind the sudden disappearance of the flowers and the candy from the local shops.”

“How so ?” Derby asked.

“One of the Shopkeepers let slip that ‘One of your people already bought out my stock’.  It’s Winter, so no other flowers are going to grow in the Valley.  And as our Botany Gardens were destroyed last year, we don’t have any either”, Bif reported.

About a year prior, the massive plant and flower garden on the top floor at Harrington Hall had been vandalized and completely destroyed.  The target of attack had been the Giant Flytrap Derivative that Derby had, in his arrogance, swiped from the Dr. Slawter, the Biology Teacher.  In a snit, Dr. Slawter had one of the Students, believed to be Jimmy Hopkins in disguise, sneak in and kill the huge plant rather than let Derby lay claim to it.  In the process, Jimmy, who was well-known for his love of vandalizing things, had destroyed all the rest of the plants in the arboretum by smashing them and trampling on them, and then had made his escape, beating down several of the Prep boys in the process.

“Also, much of the stocks of candy were sold to the school for the Valentine’s Dance, and those were rendered in-eatable because of the blood-contamination from the attack”, Bif continued.  “What ever the Shopkeepers had left has also been bought up.”

Derby sat brooding and looking into the slowly-crackling fire for a time.  Bif waited patiently.

Finally, he said, “What about the operation against the Bullies ?”

Bif hesitated before answering.  “Um...We’ve been unable to isolate them in low enough numbers as to where we can successfully defeat them”, he reported.  “There’s only three of us, and they are always congregating all together in the Parking Lot.  Sometimes, there’s just two over at the Dorm, but Russell is always there.”

Still staring into the fire, Derby said nothing.

“But”, Bif continued, “The Jocks allied with the Greasers the other night and beat the hell out of them.  We could consider an Alliance of some sort.”

“Nobody’s going to ally with us, they all hate us”, Derby replied morosely.

“Well, how about the Nerds ?”, Bif ventured.  “They owe us more Weapons.  We can take this instead.  They can back us up.”

“Those gutless freaks of nature would cut-and-run at the first sign of trouble”, Derby said, dismissing the idea.  “Leaving us holding the bag.  It wont work.”  He sighed.  “Like it or not, We’re going to have to make peace with Tad and the rest.  I’m not going to be able to beat the Bullies or bring down that Pauper Kurt any other way.  Besides”, he said, with a touch of anger, “My Father is putting pressure on me to make amends with Spencer for appearance’s sake. More like his appearances”, he finished bitterly.

“But....Spencer was doing Pinky behind your back !”, Bif exclaimed.  “Surely you can’t trust him now !”

“Who said anything about trust ?”, Derby said slyly.  “When this is all done, and I take back over, I’ll dump Spencer and his whole bunch in the gutter.  Things will change around here when I’m in charge again.”

Bif digested this in silence and waited for Derby to continue.

A long pause ensued. Then Derby asked, “How is your operation going ?”

“I’ve got Christy on the hook”, Bif said.  “It’s just a matter of time until I reel her in.”

“Good”, Derby mused.  “Some good news. How long will it take you ?”

“I’m going to take her out this weekend, and buy her an expensive gift”, Bif said.  “Then, when I ask her to be my Girlfriend, she won’t be able to refuse.”

“Excellent”, Derby said.  “She pals around with Pinky.  Soon we’ll have a conduit to those low-life scum.”

“It gets better”, Bif said. “Chad saw Christy and Pinky leaving Shinjo’s together.”

Derby offered a rare evil grin.  More than anything, he wanted to finish what he had started with Kurt at the dance and beat the pauper senseless.  He also wanted a piece of whoever had bashed him in the head with the guitar.  He owed these fuckers big-time for how they had humiliated him.  First, they had forced him to give up weapons for Pinky’s release, then somehow had gotten her to go live with them.  Instead of being grateful to him for getting her set free, Pinky had went off to apparently cornhole that Kurt bastard.  He had probably brainwashed her somehow.  That didn’t really surprise him, as he had been brainwashing her for years himself.  Pinky was only a spoiled child after all.  When she had her fill of this little exciting adventure and figured out this Pauper had nothing to offer, she would come crawling back, Derby was sure.  In the meantime, he had a heavy score to settle with that street scum.  On top of everything else, he had been denied the pleasure of beating the snot out of that Spencer bastard.  He would get his too, Derby vowed.

“Great”, Derby said.  “Soon, we will have an 'In’ through her.  When you get her to fall for you, play up like you don’t like what I’m doing, and how bad you feel about the whole business.  Once you convince her that you are on Pinky’s side, she’ll gladly tell you anything that Pinky says is going on over there.  Hell, you could even get her to ask Pinky some subtle questions.  Christy will be able to tell you everything Pinky says.  Everyone knows she can’t keep a secret, she’s like a human tape recorder.”

“That’s the plan”, Bif said.  “We can find out their weakness, and then smash them.”

Derby settled back and resumed staring into the fire.  Finally, he said, “Leave me now.  I got some things to think over.”

Bif rose and made his way toward the doors.  As he reached them, he looked back on his friend, brooding at the fireplace.  The burdens of being a Harrington were great, and Bif for one was glad that he didn’t have to carry them.  He turned and left Harrington House.
________________________________________________________