The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

“That’s about it”, Jimmy said.  “Nothing I can find here.”  He replaced the last of the Files back into the File Cabinet and rolled the drawer closed.  They had been searching for close to two hours.  “You find anything ?”

“No”, Zoe said, with a puzzled look.  “I didn’t. But, Jimmy....Look at this...”

Jimmy came over to the desk to have a look.  “See this drawer ?”, she pointed.  “I’ve taken all the papers out, but it should be deeper than this.”

Jimmy examined the drawer.  “You’re right.”  He rapped on the inside of the drawer.  “It’s almost like it has a.....False bottom !”

Jimmy pulled the drawer all the way out and flipped it over.  It looked normal on the bottom, save for a set of tiny hinges at one end and a small clasp at the other.  Jimmy reached in and undid the clasp, and gently pulled open the false bottom.  Inside the narrow space lay a bulky manila envelope. 

“What’s in it ?”, Zoe said eagerly.

Jimmy opened the envelope and slid out the contents.  Zoe read them over his shoulder as he flipped through them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

KURTIS LEE FONZERELLI

D.O.B  14 MAY 1992

P.O.B.  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, USA

RE:  REPORT OF FINDINGS

“Subject was found on the streets of Newark living in abandoned tennement housing with six other individuals of similar age ranging from 14 to 17 years of age.  Subject was approached with offer, but refused to leave without the company of his companions.  After extensive contact with the New York office, the offer was extended to his companions as well, and subject accepted offer of relocation providing that the group was to stay together.  The primary subject and the six companions were transported to Bullworth Academy 30 September and placed in enrollment at that Institution under the care of Dr. Milton Crabblesnitch, Headmaster. 

Subject is unaware of his origins or true last name.  Mother deceased due to drug overdose 14 February 1997.  Subject listed Ward of State under name of Kurtis Compens, placed in six successive foster homes from 1997 through 2005.  Subject disappeared at that time and presumed missing by State of New Jersey.  Subject’s DNA was obtained through juvenile records and was subsequently positively matched with client 30 July 2007.  Physical and Physiological Records maintained by the state were recovered on subject and are attached to this report, to-wit......."
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The rest of the packet contained various reports and recommendations, photos of Kurt and the other Rockers, and some in-depth information on other connections to people with Italian-sounding names. 

“Whoa, this is heavy”, Zoe said, referring to the find.  “Tony would like to see this, I’ll bet.”

Jimmy squinted.  “We should just take the important-looking stuff and leave the rest”, he said.  “I know how that part works....Then just put it back like it never got disturbed.”

Zoe agreed, and helped Jimmy select the more impressive looking documents, leaving the pictures and the rest.  Then, Jimmy replaced it in the false bottomed drawer and returned the drawer to the desk.  Zoe replaced all the papers in the desk drawers the way she had found them.  Time was growing short, they felt, and they hurried to put everything back in place.  The flashlight batteries were growing dim by the time they finished and made their way back to the open window.
________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Pinky was looking out the bedroom window as the Rockers were hauling the still-unconscious Preps away in the wheelbarrow.  Her arms were clutched to her breasts as the Rockers took each load out through the front gate, headed down the street.  Kurt entered the bedroom and came to her, putting his arm around her and watching his Clique carry out his orders.

“It had to be done, Pinks”, Kurt said. “They left us no choice.”

“I know”, Pinky said sadly.  “It’s just...Just....” Tears leaked from her eyes and she began softly crying.  Kurt held her tight as she turned and buried her face in his chest, sobbing.

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

When the Rockers hauled their first load down the street, they were relieved to find the gate was unlocked.  Tibo silently opened it as Winkie wheeled the barrow around behind the wall away from the view of the street and dumped the first load of Preps onto the grass.  Benny and Grungy ran the wheelbarrow back quickly to pick up the next load.  The whole operation took about 15 minutes for four trips, with Derby being the last to be dumped out on the lawn of his own house. Pulling the gate closed, the Rockers melted into the night.

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

Zoe and Jimmy peered out the window to make sure the way was clear.  Up the street, Zoe thought she saw a flicker of activity coming from the direction of mean old Mr. Hattrick’s former house...And then it was gone.  “All Clear ?”, she whispered.

“Yeah....Looks clear. Let’s go”, Jimmy said, and climbed down the ladder.  Zoe followed, and Jimmy hoisted the ladder and dropped it down level to carry it.  They started around the front of the house and suddenly stopped in shock.

“What the....?”, said Jimmy in a low voice, at they both spotted the dark-suited figures of the Preps dumped on the lawn like cordwood. “THAT wasn’t here before !”

The gate was shut just as Jimmy had left it.  Not a sound was to be heard, the silence was overwhelming.

“Jimmy....Let’s get out of here”, Zoe said nervously.

“Don’t have to tell me twice”, Jimmy said. “Open the gate for me !”

Zoe ran to open the gate, and Jimmy headed through with the ladder. He quickly hauled it across the street and replaced it behind the ornate garage.  He then ran back and collected an jittery Zoe and they returned back on the route they had taken earlier to get there not so long ago that night.
__________________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Morning dawned over the Vale, bright and early.  Dew lay on the grass, and so did the pile of Preps from the night’s failed mission.  The first to come around were the least injured, Gord, Chad, Justin, then Bryce and Parker.  One by One, they slowly crawled to their knees, then to a standing position.  Getting the gate open, they flagged down a patrol car for help in transporting themselves and their other injured to the Clinic.

Derby was the most seriously injured, followed by Tad, who had barely had time to recover from his last beating by Kurt, only to have those injuries aggravated all over again.  They were in for a long stay.  Bif was the best off of the three, regaining consciousness once he reached the Clinic, where he would only stay a few days.  The rest of the Preps would only be overnight guests until being released.

But it was the mental blow dealt to the Preps, who had suffered defeat at the hands of the Bullies already, and now the Rockers, that would prove to be the most damaging.  The once all-powerful Clique would soon become a laughingstock around campus, with a corresponding loss of respect from all the students.  Even the Nerds had gotten the best of them.  It would be a long time, if ever, before they regained the elite and lofty status they once took for granted as their birthright.
_____________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

It was the same sunny early spring day as Jake (aka Leo Cash) biked east on Bullworth Avenue across the North Bridge.  His destination was the Bullworth Fire Station right after the bridge on the North side of the street.  Slowing, Jake pulled onto the apron of the Fire Station, which was right across the street from the Oil Spill Gas Station.  Sitting in a chair outside one of the bay doors, reading a newspaper, was a lone Fireman.  Jake came to a stop, parked the bike, and strolled over to the man in the chair.

“A good day to you, Sir !”, Jake said heartily.

“Top O’the morning to you, young fellow !” said the Fireman.

“I was wondering if you could be of some help to me”, Jake began.

“Help ?”, the Fireman said hopefully.  “Are you reportin’ a fire, are you now ?”

“No, No...Nothing like that”, Jake said, and the eager look vanished from the Fireman’s face.  Jake suddenly reflected that for all the time he had been in the Vale Valley area, he had never seen a fire engine make a fire run.  In fact, he had never seen anything on fire.  Even the Bombs he had set off at the school last fall had failed to start any fires.  One of the many oddities about this place, he mused.  Jake’s mind returned from his wanderings as he realized the Fireman was still looking at him expectantly.

“Umm....Just a question, Sir....Is the Policeman’s & Fireman’s Ball still set for the night before Easter ?”, Jake asked.

“Aye, for sure it is”, answered the Fireman. “It’s going to be a grand affair this year, that it is. Gonna have all the finest people in the towns there, we are.”

Jake looked around absently.  One of the bay doors was open, but he could see no one inside the station.  “Say, where is everybody ?”

“I be the only one here today”, the Fireman said, somewhat sadly.  “Not much call for our services, there be, but someone still has to stand by at the ready.  I’m Chief Paddy O’Rourke, at your service, I am.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Chief.....I’m Cash, Leo Cash”, Jake replied.  “Say, can you tell me.....Is it too late to make a donation to the Ball ?”

Chief O’Rourke brightened.  “Never too late, me Boyo, we can always use donations !  What do yer have in mind ?”

“I was thinking of making a $ 300 donation”, Jake said, “Contingent on a small favor I could ask of you.”

“For that amount, I might be accommodatin’. What exactly do yer have in mind ?” O’Rourke inquired.

Well, I’m sure that a lot of important people will be there, as you say, perhaps even some of the Bullworth Academy Staff...”  Jake looked at O’Rourke, who nodded.  “But I’d like it if the Bullworth Prefects could be invited as well.”

“Prefects ?”, Chief O’Rourke said quizzically, then his face cleared.  “Oh, yes...The boys in the blue suits, is that right ?”

“Yes Sir, that’s quite right”, Jake said, “They’re the ones who help keep order at the school.”

“And a splendid job they do, at that”, O’Rourke said brightly.

“I was thinking”, Jake went on, “That maybe they could be honored with a plaque or something, as a recognition of their fine service.”

“Aye, ‘tis a thankless job they do, so I hear”, O’Rourke agreed.  “I’m thinkin’ that could be arranged, all right.  You know”, he lowered his voice, “There wasn’t going to be no honorees at the Ball this year.”

“Yeah ?  Why is that ?”, Jake asked offhandedly.

“Them bumbling Cops let somebody escape from the Jail at Christmas, that’s what, and from right under their noses !”, O’Rourke said smugly.  “Been on my watch, there wouldn’t be nobody gettin’ out ‘o there, I can tell you that !”

Jake digested that bit of information, but let it pass, since it had no bearing on the mission at hand.  “I’m sure they wouldn’t have, Chief”, he said, and dug a wad of bills from his pocket.  He peeled off three one-hundred dollar bills, and handed them to O’Rourke.  “So, we have a deal ?”

“Aye, so we do, young Sir”, Chief O’Rourke said.  “You be needing a receipt for that, Boyo?”

“Ahh, No, that’s allright”, Jake replied, “You look like an honest man of your word, Chief.”

O’Rourke’s chest swelled with pride. “That I be, young Sir, and I be thanking you much for the donation !  I’ll be seein’ to them Prefect boys, all right, you can count on me !”

Bidding farewell to the Chief, Jake mounted his bike and headed off to Blue Skies to continue the training of the Townies for the invasion of the school.  As he rode, he whistled the tune, ‘The Final Countdown’.....It seemed appropriate.  The plan was coming along nicely.  Soon....Very Soon, he would stand as King of the School.  No longer as the Ultimate Fixer, but as the Ultimate Conquerer.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

None of the Preps were in class that day, and by noon the news of their humiliation had spread like wildfire around the school, whispered in classrooms and corridors alike.  Not that anyone was really shocked, in fact most students treated the news with undisguised glee.  Nobody really liked the snooty Preps in the first place, and most took the attitude that their downfall was a long time in coming and justly deserved.

Pinky was upset, of course, for at her heart she was still a Prep herself.  But she resolutely decided to stand by the Rockers, for after all, it was a sneak attack.  And when she had learned that Bif was just stringing along Christy for information, she knew that she could no longer trust any of them.  Pinky couldn’t, however, bring herself to tell Christy about Bif’s treachery.  After she returned to Hattrick House that afternoon after classes, she decided to ask Winkie to break the news to Christy.  She had come to like the even-tempered big bear of a boy since he had returned to the Rockers, and felt Christy did too.  Winkie listened to Pinky’s request in silence, then agreed to help. It was going to be one tough job, he knew sadly.
___________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Late in the afternoon, the private phone line rang in the Chief of Police’s office at the Bullworth Town Station.  The fat man in the chair scooped up the phone.

“Chief Carcer here”, he spoke into the phone.

“Carcer !!  I heard my boy got injured !  Why the devil didn’t you get in contact with me ?”, came the angry voice on the other end of the line.

“I tried, Sir”, the Chief answered, “I couldn’t get a line through !”

A string of cuss words came back to that.  Carcer had to hold the phone away from his ear.  “Listen, you no-good Son-of-a-Whore, if my boy gets so much as a splinter in his finger, I want to be notified !”, Mr. Harrington raged.  “How bad is it ?”

“Well”, the Chief said, leaning back in his chair, “Plenty of bruises, a couple ‘o cracked ribs, and....Um...A broken nose.  But...”, he added hastily, “He’ll be out only a couple ‘o weeks, Tops...”

The swearing erupted from the phone again, only this time it lasted longer.  The Chief held the phone out at arm’s length until it was over.  “Who In The GODDAM HELL Is Responsible For This ?”, Mr. Harrington screeched.

“Near as we can tell, it was those boys living over at the Hattrick place”, Chief Carcer answered.

The phone went silent for a moment.  Then, in a much mollified voice, Mr. Harrington asked, “How did this happen ?”

“Seems your boy Derby and a bunch ‘o his friends went on the grounds to start a fight”, Chief Carcer said. And Got Their Asses Kicked, he thought, but didn’t say.

More silence from the phone.  Finally Chief Carcer said, “If you want, I’ll send the men to round them up....”

“You know we can’t do that !”, Harrington’s voice came back.  “We can’t touch them at all....And you know why.”

Now it was Chief Carcer’s turn to be silent.  He did know why.

“Someone is going to owe me big for this one”, muttered Mr. Harrington.  

“So....What do you want us to do ?”, Chief Carcer asked.

“Do ?  DO ?”, Harrington’s voice came back strong, “Just keep an eye on them, you Numbskull, what else ?  And while you’re at it, doing nothing, sitting on your FAT ASS, where is that Hopkins Kid ?”

“Uhhh....”, Chief Carcer began, stalling.

“UHHH Is Not An Answer, Dick Face !!”, Harrington raged. “I want to know where that little piece of FILTH is, and I want him back in custody !”

“We Umm....We think he’s holed up in the mountains with those Punks”, Carcer said, “He just flat disappeared after the break, there’s no where else....”

“JEEZUS, The PUNKS ?”, Harrington practically screamed, and let loose with another string of curse words. When he was finished, he said in a low voice, “Listen, you no good Jackass, when things are settled here, I’m going to bring in a set of REAL Men and clean that place up !  And You, and your Lackies are going to be the First To Go !!  Count On It !!!”

Chief Carcer started to say something response, but the line went dead.  Harrington had hung up.
_______________________________________

[Mike_W]

 Hal Esposito was walking down the upstairs hall of the school, shootin' the shit with his pal, Norton. "You remember last year when I would talk about startin' some sort of fight club?", asked Hal.

"Yeah, but you also said it would be about eating hamburgers!", chuckled Norton.

"Shut up!", Hal replied while laughing, "I'm totally going to start up a fight club this year, I just need a place that's hidden, a place I won't get caught."

The two Greasers strolled by the school's main office, passing the trophy case. As they passed the doors to Ms. Danvers office space, she looked up from her desk and stared down the two boys. "Aren't you two supposed to be in class?", she asked.

"Pfft, no!", replied Norton. Ms. Danvers began chattering on about how this would be reported, but the two boys just ignored her and continued to walk away. "That old bitch really pisses me off!", said Hal angrily. "I'd like to beat her ass!" Just then, Hal had a stroke of genious. He stuck his arm out and stopped Norton. "You think....maybe we should have a fight club....in the office?!" "Are you fucking insane ?!", replied Norton. "What the hell is wrong with you ?"
  
Hal thought about what he had suggested to Norton.  How would he hold a fight club in of all places, the office ?  Ms. Danvers was of course an obvious problem, but even if they could do something about her, what about Dr. Crabblesnitch?
_______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

(Edited by Story Moderator from Cartman Zombie additon).

Right then, A Idea Bashed into Hal's Head. "We'll Hogtie CrabbleSnitch and put him in a bathroom stall !", Hal said.

"Thats a great Idea....”, Norton sneered.  “Oh wait, Except for the fact that HE'LL FUCKING SEE US AND SUSPEND US !!"

"That's Why.....We'll get someone ELSE to do it !", exclaimed Hal.

"What Dumbass Will Do that ?", Norton asked in disbelief.

"Well...Uh... I know a few People”, Hal said lamely.

"Like Who ?", Norton scoffed.  “Boy, You don’t know Nobody.  Give it up already.”

Hal went silent as the two boys continued walking.  But the idea still festered in his mind.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Winkie moved down the path towards the Girl’s Dorm with a heavy heart.  Not too many nights ago, he had escorted the beautiful Christy back here to protect her.  Now, he would have to tell her something that would hurt her.  Life sure had to suck, sometimes.

Winky had fallen for the red-haired beauty on their walk back to campus that evening.  Her gentle sing-song voice, her pretty face, her vibrant personality.  She was taken, he knew, and he also knew something else.....That it was a sham.  He had known, that night, as her walked her back, that she was being used.  But there was no way he could tell her.  Not then.  When Pinky had asked him to carry out this task, he was at once both elated and frightened....Elated, because she could finally hear the truth, and frightened because of what he feared her reaction would be.

Firmly, he set his jaw to the task.  It had to be done.  As he approached the steps to the Girl’s Dorm, by sheer chance, Christy came running out.  In her hands were flowers....Roses.  She came bounding down the steps and nearly collided with Winky.

“Hey, Hey....Where you going ?”, Winky said, lightly gripping Christy’s arms so she wouldn’t fall.

“I’m going to see Bif at the Clinic”, she said frostily, shaking free of his grasp. “After you people put him there !”

“We had no choice”, Winky said, “They sneak attacked us.  We had to defend ourselves !”

Christy knew this to be true, from the chatter that had spread around school that day. “Still”, she said, “You all didn’t have to put him in the Clinic.”

Winky sighed.  “It was us or them.  “Everyone had weapons.  We had to take them down.” He lowered his voice, then said, “They were trying to take Pinky.”

“Wha....”, Christy started, then became speechless.

Winkie looked around.  A few girls were hovering nearby, pretending not to be listening. “Look, there’s more I gotta tell you.....Can we go someplace more private ?”

Christy nodded, and the two went around the side of the building, near a large trellis that stretched up the side.  Winky put his hand on Christy’s shoulder.

“Look, we knew they were coming", Winky told her.  “Derby’s been planning the attack for several weeks.”

“Knew ?”, Christy said, not comprehending. “But....How ?”

“There’s.....Some sort of listening device, planted in Harrington House”, Winky said.  “Benny was able to pick up a signal on that old radio he found.  When Derby got the Preps back together, they were able to set up the attack.  We heard them that night, and we were ready for them.”

Christy shook her head.  “That...That can’t be....”, she trailed off, knowing full well it could.

“There’s more”, Winky said.  Looking away, he said, “Bif.....He was using you. It was all just a set-up.  He was using you to.....To spy on Pinky.”

Christy was stunned.  “That’s.....That’s not true....Bif loves me....He...He said so....”

Winky said sadly, “We heard him....On the radio....Telling Derby all about it.  How he took you to the Shea Lewis, and then the Beach House.  How he got you to tell him things....How, when you came to the house, what a lucky break it was.  How the gate was always locked, and where the rooms were at.  How Pinky liked to sit in the kitchen and have Hot Chocolate.”

“But....But....”, Christy said in confusion.  Suddenly, it started making sense....All of Bif’s seemingly random questions about her visits with Pinky, his attentive gaze whenever she spoke about their after-school meetings at Shinjo’s.  Still, she didn’t want to believe it.  It just couldn’t be true.

Suddenly, she said, “Pinky !  She knew about this ?  About Bif ?”

Winky shook his head.  “Not until last night. “But she was there when we heard Bif say that you were.....A 'Pauper Skank’.....And he was just going to string you along......”

“LIE !”, Christy yelled. “That’s A LIE !  Bif would Never....Never...”

Winky broke in, gently.  “He even told Derby about your....Your....Um....Nipples....”

Christy blanched.  Nobody knew about her inverted nipples, not even Pinky.  She stood stock still, trembling.

“Uh, look Christy”, Winky said uncomfortably.  “Pinky sent me to tell you all this....Said she couldn’t bear to see you hurt....Thought that, maybe if I told you.....”

“AUUUUUUUUGH !!!!”, Christy screamed.  Suddenly, she flung the roses down on the pavement, then abruptly turned and tore back around the corner of the building.  Winky followed, but by the time he reached the steps, Christy had already ran through the doors of the Girl’s Dorm.  Winky knew better than to try to follow her. 

After a few moments, Winky turned to go with a heavy heart.  It was to be a long walk back to the House for him this evening.

Christy ran upstairs and locked herself in her room.  No one was to see her for three days.
__________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Some came running, through the gates and over the walls, noiselessly in the dark.  Hopped up drugheads, carrying deadly weapons, their faces hidden in dark masks and their bodies cloaked.  They quietly swarmed the Dorms, opening doors, pulling kids from their beds, beating and shooting them.  Dragging the unconscious bloody bodies out into the halls, binding them with rope and duct tape.  Savagely kicking and pummeling their bound captives, and at the last, Machettes were produced from the folds of their dark robes.  The invaders, whose faces were revealed to be grinning death-heads, gleefully began hacking limbs off the hapless, bound students.  Soon, body parts, boy and girl alike, were strewn like twisted doll arms and legs up and down the length of the bloody hallway.  Laughing sardonically, the black-clad figures then commenced to chopping off the screaming student’s heads, rolling them down the halls like bowling balls.............

“AAAAUUUGGGHHHH !!!!!!”  Tony came awake with a strangled yell as the images coursed through his mind.  Hauling himself up into a sitting position, he sat shaking on the side of the bed as his senses slowly cleared.  The bad dreams were back.  He glanced at the bedside alarm clock.  It read 3 AM.

It’s 3 AM and I Must Be Lonely, he thought crazily.  He shook his head violently to clear it.

He had been free of the nightmares for months.  Now they were back, and to what reason ?  The last time his dreams had been so vivid and bloody seemed to foretell of the school bombings.  What was coming now ?  Tony shuddered.  Now, as then, a single thought ran through his mind.....

Something Wicked This Way Comes.
___________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Preps, those who were able, returned to Bullworth the next morning.  But they didn’t go to class for the rest of the week.....Instead, they holed up inside Harrington House.  There was a stockpile of food and drink, and even a private bathroom, tucked delicately out of sight, to sustain them there.  Not that they ate Edna’s Cafeteria Slop anyway, even on the best of Lunch Days.  More than anything, they had to try to regroup.  They were now the most ridiculed and hated Clique on campus, thanks to Derby’s latest hair-brained scheme.  Leaderless, they milled about inside, watching TV, playing cards, reading, and even getting into Derby’s private Liquor stash.  Weaponless now, they dared not even venture out.  

Derby and Tad were going to be in the Vale Clinic for at least two weeks.  Biff returned on the third day, during the afternoon classtime, walking through the near-empty campus.  No one greeted him, and those who saw him turned away.  Uncaring, he entered Harrington House.  Derby had been quite precise in his instructions from his clinic bed.  Make sure they kept their shit together at whatever cost.  And, the task of obtaining replacement weapons would be the first task at hand.  It was time to take charge.

The next morning, Bif appeared outside the Girl’s Dorm.  He was puzzled that Christy had not even come to see him in the Clinic.  He would have thought she would have had better manners.  What can one expect when dealing with Paupers, he reflected.  They all have no class.  Impatiently, he waited at the bottom of the steps for her to make an appearance.  Other girls came out....Mandy, Melody, Angie, Eunice, all giving him frosty stares as they brushed by him.  Finally, little Gloria made her way out of the door and bounced down the steps.

“I say there, girl”, Bif said. “Would you be so good as to fetch Christy ?  I’ve been waiting here a long time”, he said condescendingly.

Gloria, usually a very verbal girl, just stared at Bif in stony silence.  After a moment, Bif opened his mouth to repeat his request, but before he could say anything, Gloria said, “Wait Here.”  She turned and ran back up the steps and disappeared inside.

Bif milled about the steps for a few minutes longer.  Just how long was this going to take ?  He weren’t used to being kept waiting.  Bif had just about decided to leave when the doors opened again and Gloria flounced back down the steps.  “She’ll be right out”, she said with barely disguised contempt, and then darted away for class.  Bif watched her go.  When he turned around, Christy had appeared at the top of the steps.  Her eyes were puffy, but her face was a mask of stone.  She was holding a thick History book.  Slowly, she made her way down the steps, stopping to face Bif.

“I came to walk you to class”, Bif said.  He looked at Christy closely.  “How is it that you didn’t come to see me at the Clinic ?”  Christy’s gaze was like Ice.  Bif tried again.  “Christy ? What’s Wrong ?  Why are you acting like---”

Suddenly, Christy hauled off and kicked Bif squarely in the Nuts.  Unprepared for the unexpected attack, Bif made no move to defend his crotch.  Christy’s foot buried itself ball deep in just the right spot, and Bif doubled over from the force of the kick.

“MY WORD !! What Are You Doing.....”, he gasped.  From his bent position, he turned his face up toward the girl.  “Just...What...Has Gotten----”

WHACK !!!!!  Bif’s upturned face was hit with deadly accuracy with the heavy history book, powered by a two-armed swing from Christy.  Bif was staggered back, blood spurting from his mashed nose.  WHACK !!!  WHACK !!!  WHACK !!!  WHACK !!!  Christy continued to beat Bif on the head with the big textbook, until he stumbled and fell.  He lay there flat on his back, one hand gripping his flaming crotch, the other trying to stem the flow of blood from face.  He stared up, dazed.

Edward the Prefect had seen the commotion from a distance, and came running.  “HEY, STOP THAT !!  CEASE AND DESIST.....”  His words cut off as he came to a stop and surveyed the scene.  Then, he did a funny thing for a Prefect.  His lips curled in a sarcastic smile, and he gave a small nod of his head at Christy.  Then he turned and walked away.

Bif lay groaning on the pavement.  Christy leaned down slightly and hissed, “You Bastard ! Don’t ever talk to me again, EVER !!”, before following Edward up the walk.

At the Quad, students were making their way into the school for the day, including the Rockers, just fresh off the bus.  Among them, Winkie spotted Christy moving slowly up the path.  He hurried to her side.

“Hey, Christy”, he said nervously.

Christy looked up.  “Hey, Winkie”, she returned.  Tears were brimming in her eyes.

“Uh...Would’ja....Like me to walk you in ?”, Winkie asked.

A single tear spilled down Christy’s cheek.  She moved closer and laid her head on his shoulder.  “Yes....”, Christy said.  “Yes....I would like that...Very much.”

Winkie put his arm around her, and together they made their way across the Quad, up the steps, and into the School.
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Man made his way into the large Vale Valley Clinic.  Stopping before the desk, White Lab Coat directed him towards the back, where two beds facing each other were occupied.  The Man strode forward and stood at the foot of one of the beds.

Tad stirred awake as the Man reached his bed.  “Hello, Father”, he said.

“Hello, my boy”, Mr. Spencer said, closely examining Tad. “You’ve been having a rather bad run of luck lately, I hear.”

“Yes”, Tad replied, struggling to sit upright. “You might say that.”

Mr. Spencer eyed his boy speculatively.  He had just returned from Europe, where he had been since right after thanksgiving with his wife, Tad’s Mother, looking into his various business interests at the many ports that shipped to and from his warehouses near the Blue Skies Docks.  While the Harringtons controlled most of the land and businesses in the Bullworth Towns, the Spencers controlled all the shipping and commerce.  The entire Blue Skies dock area was the property of Spencer enterprises, as well as the large Spencer Warehouse and the adjacent Storage Warehouse to the South of it. In addition, there was the giant loading area just to the South of the warehouses that was used by both Spencer and Harrington.  While a part of the many supplies for the Towns came in on Rail, much more was brought in by the waterways.  Mr. Spencer also held the exclusive rights for shipping any product on the waterways in and around the Bullworth towns. 

Before 1933, the river that ran through the Vale Valley was much higher and wider, and a viable route that wound several miles out to the sea was passable for shipping.  But during the New Deal projects of the Thirties, a large Dam was constructed across the river just North of the towns, bringing hydro-electric power to the area for the first time. The result was that the water levels dropped, making the river unsuitable for the larger container boats.  A railway spur had already been built into the area through the Mountains, and somewhat offset the loss of the water-borne traffic, with a smaller spur branching off of that to the mining areas on the peninsula where Bullworth Academy now stood.  However, this proved to be unsuitable.  The Railroad could not keep up with the large quantity the growing towns required.  The only land road to the towns was twisty and treacherous as it wound through the Mountains. 

Enter Ezekiel Spencer, who built a small fleet of Barges capable of navigating the now-narrow passage to the sea.  With a secure waterway supply line now established, the Towns prospered and grew.  Bullworth Academy, built on the played out mining land, was expanded into a full campus.  The Spencers built an elaborate Mansion in the upscale Vale area at the west end of the Valley, and soon others followed.  The Harringtons had bought into the suitable land early on, with money fronted by the New York Mobs reaped from Prohibition, and before long, the enclosed, out-of-the way place, tucked into the mountains, became known for those more well off who wanted to keep a low profile away from prying eyes.  And too, because of the remoteness of the area, it became the perfect spot to smuggle illegal goods in and out of the country.

And now, that operation had been stepped up.  More than a year ago, a new bridge had been constructed across the narrow river route that led away to the sea between the towns of New Coverntry and Blue Skies.  While it had seemed to the residents and workers of the Towns to be a replacement bridge, it was in fact a lift bridge.  Giant hydraulic lifts had been installed, secreted in the new bridge’s concrete pilings.  This had allowed for larger, taller barges to be moved through the waterway.  Most of the citizens were unaware of this event, since the lift bridge was used only at night on an irregular basis, and the raising and lowering of the bridge occupied only minutes.  A substantial flow of Mob-controlled merchandise now moved in and out of the country through the remote and unnoticed Vale Valley River.

Although he had to work hand-in-hand with Mr. Harrington, Mr. Spencer knew they did not like each other.  Harrington was continually pissed at Spencer for having the largest Mansion  in the Vale, and Spencer considered Harrington a pompous ass, whose abrasive ego often disgusted him.  They had, however, a profitable symbiotic relationship in spite of the nasty feelings between them.  Still, although they maintained a cooperative surface business relationship, they played out an intense petty rivalry through their sons.  It had galled Mr. Spencer to no end that Harrington had somehow fangled his boy Derby into being Clique Leader when he was still a freshman.  Tad, he knew, would have been a much better choice.  Derby Harrington was just like his father, a total asshole.

With this in mind, he said, “Let me guess.  This little adventure was a result of another one of Derby Harrington’s schemes ?”

Tad nodded. “Yes. He totally blew it this time.  Led us right into an ambush.”  Tad looked over at Derby, who was heavily sedated, lying in the bed opposite his.

“What was it this time ?”, Mr. Spencer asked, then reversed himself. “No...I don’t even want to know.  But this is enough of this crap.  I’ll tell you what you’re going to do, young man.  When you get out of here, you’re going to tell those boys that you’re taking over.”

Tad was aghast. “I Can’t Do That !”

“Sure you can.  You’re a Spencer”, Mr. Spencer said.  “I already checked.  You’ll be out of here in a couple of days.  Derby is going to be here another week or more longer.  Use that time to convince those noodle-head friends of yours that YOU will be the better leader.”

“But Father, I Can’t !”, Tad repeated. “Bif will back Derby up, and they won’t go against him !”

“Who ? Bif Taylor ?”, Mr. Spencer said, and paused briefly, then laughed.  “Leave that boy to me.  I know something that he doesn’t want made public knowledge.  I’ll take care of it.”

Tad gasped slightly. “Blackmail, Father ?”

“Let’s just call it....A little gentle persuasion”, Mr. Spencer said. “He’ll either get on the Spencer Train, or get left at the station of public ridicule.”

Tad looked in askance at his Father. “What could you possibly know.....?”

Mr. Spencer laughed shortly.  “Never you mind.  It’s enough that he won’t interfere.  I’ll see to it.  You just need to use your skills.  Convince them that you can pull them up out of the muck that Harrington’s dumbass kid has put them in.  Remember, a smart leader trumps a dumb leader in the long run.”

Tad wasn’t so sure about that, but he agreed. “All right Father, I’ll give it a try.”

“Splendid”, Mr. Spencer said.  Eying Derby in the other bed, he inquired, “Did the boy that beat you up before all this beat him up also ?”

“I think so, Sir, from what I’ve heard”, Tad replied.  “His name’s Kurt Something-or -other.  He ought to be in jail for the things he’s done.....”

“I couldn’t agree more”, Mr. Spencer interrupted. “Unfortunately, we can’t touch him.”

Mr. Spencer had access to the same document that Mr. Harrington had had in his files, and knew what the stakes were on Kurtis Lee Fonzerelli.  The little snot was under protection.  Well, at least for now.  If the ugly rumors he was hearing out of New York would prove out to be true, however, that might just change.

Surprised, Tad said, “What ?  Why is that, Father ?”

“I can’t tell you that, my boy”, Mr. Spencer said.  “But mark my words, he WILL be brought to pay for what he’s done to you....Mark my words.”

Tad settled back in bed and digested what his Father had said.  It was a lot to take in.

Mr. Spencer checked his watch. “I have to go now.  Your Mother is due in tonight from a stopover upstate.  I’ll need to get the house ready for her arrival.  I’ll see that you get out of here by Easter.  When you do, come right up to the house.  We’ll have a catered dinner.  After that, we’ll sit down and go through some strategy.”  He smirked slightly.  “It’s time we took those Harringtons down a notch or two.”

With that he left, leaving Tad to consider his suddenly altered future.
________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Good Friday dawned with a fresh warmth from the south, pushed in by the Spring winds.  Classes were let out for the afternoon, and the students scattered like last fall’s leaves, hitting the Towns, the Bike Park, the Overlook, the Carnival, and the Beach in the absence of the now-detested Preps.  Some were training for the upcoming Spring Bike Races, sponsored by the Shiny Bike Shops, to take place right after Easter. 

A festive mood was in the air, as some of the Cliques let their guard down a bit and planned for some Saturday night parties.  The word had leaked out that the Prefects would be off-campus until late then, and there were some that wanted to take full advantage of that.  Tony and Karen, along with Nick and Melody, planned to be down by the Football Field for a bash thrown by Ted, Mandy, and the Jocks.  The Greasers planned their own little private drinking party at the Autoshop.  The Nerds laid plans for a marathon G & G game down at the Observatory.  Since having the place to themselves, the Bullies would hang around the Boy’s Dorm for some drinking fun, having some alcohol smuggled in from Russell.  It was a well-known rumor that Russell was past the age of 20, but even so, he never had any problems obtaining Liquor from the Dry Seaman’s Bar over in the Vale.  The remaining Girls were planning a Pajama Party for late Saturday night, still under the watchful eyes of Mrs. Peabody and Mrs. Carvin, to be held in the downstairs alcove of the Girl’s Dorm, with sleeping bags and plenty of snacks.  The little kids were to be bunked down temporarily on the second floor for the holiday.  Mrs. McRae was to pull duty in the School Clinic, as with all holidays that usually involved a sick kid or two who had a bit too much to drink.  Mr. Galloway and Ms. Phillips were planning a little getaway of their own out of town, and in fact had left right after morning classes Friday.  Dr. Crabblesnitch and Ms. Danvers planned a cozy stay in the good Doctor’s private office for Saturday night.  The rest of the staff.....Mr. Burton, Mr. Neil, Mr. Hattrick, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Matthews, Miss Peabody, Dr. Watts, and Dr. Slawter....Had plans to be off-campus by themselves,or with whatever family they had for the holiday.  Mr. Luntz had already left again for the Big Apple.  Even Edna took a powder from the school after serving her usual Saturday Slop at the nearly-vacant School Cafeteria.

Only the Preps were without a plan.  With Derby and Tad still both out of action, and Bif too bummed to rally them, the Preps were to just stay holed up in the confines of Harrington House.  Unlike the past, there was to be no grand Invite-Only affair for this holiday.  In fact, for the first time in years, there was to be no snooty dress-up gala of a Spring Easter Party.  Instead, a few Preps were going to have a little poker game, using chips to be bet on their future fortunes.

As the students made their way back to campus, Friday night turned into Saturday morning, and the weekend stretched before them like an open book waiting to be written.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

KURTIS LEE FONZERELLI.  Tony held the document in his hands and read it through, then the other papers that Jimmy and Zoe had taken from Harrington Mansion.  After he was finished, he looked over at the pair seated across from him at the crude table.

“Whoa...That explains some things”, Tony said. “No wonder he’s an Asshole.  Is this all you guys found ?  Nothing else ?”

“Zilch”, Jimmy replied. “We went through everything in there, man. That was it.”

“There could’ve been a Safe”, Zoe piped up, “But we really didn’t have time to look for it.”

“Not to mention we couldn’t have got it open undetected”, Jimmy added. “We got that, though.  What’s up with this kid, anyway ?  He Psycho ?”

Tony slouched in the chair.  “He’s a strange kid, all right.  We clashed right from the start.  He was nosy and intrusive.  I had to put him in his place quite a few times.  For awhile, he was after Karen.  When I finally strung him up over the Dorm door, he agreed to a truce.  Haven’t really had trouble out of him since.”

“He was one of the ones that helped save me from that raping fuck Darrell”, Zoe reflected. “That asshole would have killed me after all of them had their way with me, I just know it.  If Kurt and his gang hadn’t busted in when they did......”

Jimmy squeezes Zoe close to him.  “Yeah, but then he, what. kidnaped Pinky ?  That’s like, a Federal Crime, and he wasn’t even arrested for it.”

“I’m beginning to think that was an accident”, Tony reflected, “They were after weapons and Pinky just got in the way.  It’s no secret they hate Preps.  And he did let her go after they got the weapons.”

“And then she went right back and became his girlfriend ?”, Jimmy asked.  “That seems like too much, even for her.”

“That part’s a mystery to me”, Tony said. “But you know how Pinky is.”

Jimmy knew full well how Pinky was, recalling their affair last year.  “Sure, but why this guy ?  Something must have happened.”

“Stockholm Syndrome”, Zoe said interjected.  The two boys looked at her with frowns, not understanding.  “It’s where a captive identifies with their captor.”

“Some shrink mumbo-jumbo”, Jimmy sneered. “Who’s gonna believe that ?”

“No...No, she’s right, I heard of stuff like that”, Tony said slowly.  “But really, I don’t understand the whys about it.  Kurt has violent anger issues, worse than the others, I know that first-hand.  He beat the hell out of Tad Spencer, and the word is that he’s the one who fucked up Derby Harrington as well.”

“But he should have been Busted !”, Jimmy exclaimed.  “Shit, I get locked up for something I didn’t even do, and this Putz gets away scott-free for stuff everybody knows he did do ?  That’s Bullshit, man.....Bullshit !”

“At least we know why now”, Tony remarked.  “At first, I just thought it was Crabblesnitch covering for him.  Now, we know it goes beyond Crabblesnitch....Beyond Harrington, even....Looks like Kurt is Mob Protected, for whatever reason....”

“But he came from a Ghetto !” Jimmy interrupted.  “Running the streets !  What would make him that important ?”

“I don’t know”, Tony said. “All I know is it’s just one more wild card in an already crooked game.”

“Don’t you get it ?”, Zoe said suddenly.  “He’s somebody’s kid !  Somebody high up !”

Tony and Jimmy just stared at her.  “Don’t you see ?”, she continued, “It’s got to be somebody high up in the mob who can call the shots, who can make the Cops keep their distance.  Nobody would go to the trouble for all that unless he was their kid !”

“But why the charade ?” Tony asked.  “And why send him here ?  Why not just take him to New York City or wherever his family’s at ?  Why dump him off in this shithole ?”

“Because”, Zoe said, tapping the papers, “He’s Illegitimate.  He doesn’t know who he really is. And his Mob Dad just found out.  Say his real Daddy has a wife and other kids.  I’ll bet they don’t know about Kurt, and that guy isn’t about to tell them, not yet anyway.  Kurt’s crack-whore Mom dies, he finds out about it, does some investigating, the DNA matches, now he’s got to deal with a new problem that he doesn’t dare bring out in the open to his family.  So, he sticks the kid here until he can find a way to deal with it.  What would you do ?”

“I....Guess it could be that way”, Tony said slowly.  “One thing this guy didn’t count on was Kurt bringing along all his friends from the gutter, though.”

“They couldn’t force him”, Zoe said, “Probably they were under orders not to hurt him in any way.  These people value loyalty above all else, so they had to cut a deal with him.  That way, everything stays in the dark until.....”

“How would you know about those kind of people ?”, Jimmy sneered.

“Hey, I know stuff !”, Zoe exclaimed, playfully punching Jimmy in the arm.

Looking down at the papers before him, Tony commented, “And Harrington has these files because he’s the one that controls things here, the one who keeps the Cops from busting Kurt.  And Crabblesnitch knows, he has to, he put them up in that house, and invites them to do concerts at the school.  Kurt get a free pass from everybody, and he knows it now, just doesn’t know why.  So, he just gets more violent......”

Jimmy chuckled.  “If I was Harrington’s or Spencer’s Dads, I’d wanna nail his hide to the wall.”

“But they can’t, because they’re under orders”, Tony said.  “They can’t even arrange a little ‘Accident’ to get revenge.”

“Boy, ain’t life a bitch when you’re rich”, laughed Jimmy.  

Settling back once more, Tony said, “I’m really glad you guys found this stuff, although I know it doesn’t help your problem any.....Finding the evidence that you were framed.”

“We got another plan”, Zoe said as she leaned across the table. “We’re gonna bust into Spencer Warehouse tonight and go through their office.”

“But....Why ?”, Tony asked.  “What can you find at a shipping office ?”

“The Spencers control all the goods in this area. Everything in and out. If he’s hiding anything, I’ll bet it’s hidden there.  Besides, Gary Smith got murdered in Blue Skies. There’s gotta be a connection somehow.”

“But why tonight ?” Tony asked. “Sounds kinda risky.”

“Oh, Jimmy and I have been in there before”, Zoe said, and Jimmy smiled.  

“It was like, our first date”, Jimmy chuckled. “We had a smashing good time.”

“Nobody’s gonna be there”, Zoe continued, “It’s a holiday, and the whole place will be just about deserted.  We can get in and get out through the back entrance.”

“Won’t there be some of those Townie boys hanging around ?”, Tony asked, still unsure.

“We gonna take plenty of firepower”, Jimmy said.  “Just in case.  But we’ll take the little footbridge and use the tunnel under the tracks. It’s only a couple of blocks after that.  We’ll be in and out, slick as owlshit.”

Tony stood to go. “Well, alright.  Just be careful. I gotta get back to the school.  I’m gonna be at the Jock’s party over at the Football Field with Karen if you need me.”  He paused.  “I got a funny feeling something’s going down soon.  I just don’t know what.”

“Stand Tall, as the Greasers say”, Jimmy said. “I’ll send Zoe through the tunnels to check in on you when we get back.”

“Maybe you can find something this time”, Tony said, heading for the exit. “I sure hope so.”
___________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The hooded figure moved through the crowds at the Carnival unnoticed, finally arriving at the Freakshow building.  Entering, he took a few twists and turns and stopped in front of the Fat Bearded Lady exhibit, which also contained the Fat Beardless Man.  When the crowd thinned a bit, he beckoned The Fat Beardless Man over to the window pane and held up a paper against the glass.

Algie moved over to the glass and squinted.  Dragging his glasses from the pocket of his colorful outfit, he adjusted them on his face and looked at the strange hooded figure.  It was then that he recognized under the shadows of the hood the person he knew as Leo Cash.  His finger pointed impatiently to the paper he was holding up for Algie to read.

BE  AT  FRONT  GATE  ACADEMY

TONIGHT  10  PM

DARK  CLOTHES

PAYS  BIG  $$$

DON’T  BE  LATE

Algie nodded to show that he had read and understood the message.  At that, Jake aka Leo Cash, crumpled the paper up, jammed it in his mouth and started chewing.  At once, he turned and headed down the hall without a backward look.  Going by the ring where the midget boxers were fighting, Jake paused.  When a small opening appeared in the crowd, he removed the wad of chewed and salivaed paper from his mouth.  Taking careful aim, he drew back and flung the Spitball as hard as he could at the fighters.  His aim was true....The Spitball smacked Zeke in the center of the forehead.  It was just enough of a distraction to cause his opponet, Lighting, to plaster Zeke with a viscous blow to the head, knocking him out.  Those in the crowd who had bet on Zeke groaned and threw their tickets to the ground.  By the time anybody looked around to see the source of the Spitball, Jake was around the corner and out of sight, on his way to leaving the Freakshow and melting back into the crowd outside, where he made his way out of the Carnival unseen.
___________________________________________