The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

The racers all stood ready at the start line.  Tony glanced over at Karen on the sidewalk, who gave him a thumbs up.  Tony waved back, and while still feeling guilty about his betrayal, did feel a surge of relief knowing she was there.

Tobias Mason, owner of the Shiny Bike Shops, stood ready on the line to start the race.  The course for the first three races would be run mostly on the streets of Bullworth Town, lapping around pre-selected blocks.  Tobias intoned, “On Your Marks....Get Set....GO !!!”, and dropped the flag.

Tony had tinkered a bit with his bike since the last race, notably his ability to change gears up and down faster, and leapt into the lead.  By the end of the first lap, he was comfortably ahead while the other riders were bunched up a half-block behind him.  There was the usual fighting, shoving and pushing, with some Firecrackers and even Marbles being thrown, but Tony encountered none of it, being so far ahead.  By the time the four laps were done, Tony was waved in as the winner of the race a full two blocks ahead of the others.

The second and third race went pretty much the same way, with Tony jumping to the lead right off both times.  The Flame Job BMX was blazing hot, and none could seem to catch him.  He finished again two blocks ahead in race number two, and in the third race, of which a part went behind the old movie theater and briefly into New Coventry, he still managed a one block advantage at the finish.

The Fourth and final race was a straight run from the Courthouse to Bullworth Academy, finishing up at the Football Field.  Again, Tony got off the line first and streaked away from the pack, Laurent right behind him in the slipstream.  Upon reaching the big bridge, Justin and Parker, who were running fifth and sixth, broke away and took the shortcut via the footbridge next to the big bridge.  The cheat didn’t work, however, as Tony still streaked through the Academy front gates ahead of them.  Parker and Justin were hot on his tail at second and third, edging out Laurent in fourth.  Trailing behind were Norton, Peanut, and Hal, who was doing well due to the Jocks continuing trade punches with the Bullies, which had the net effect of slowing them up.  Trailing in last, as in every race, were the Nerds, Bucky and Cornelius.

Justin and Parker went all out then, flinging Firecrackers, Eggs, and Marbles behind them to slow up the other riders.  Laurent was their first victim, dumping his bike on the scattered marbles, tumbling end over end and fetching up hard against a wall.  The Greasers picked their way around the Marble spill, only to get hit by exploding Firecrackers that knocked Norton and Peanut off their bikes.  They rolled and scrambled to get out of the way.  Further behind, the Jocks Kirby and Dan finally succeeded in punching Troy and Davis off their bikes just as soon as they cleared the Academy gates.  Coming up on the wrecks ahead of them, they slowed down to avoid becoming part of the carnage.   Bucky and Cornelius tried to pass them then, only to get beaten down by punches as they attempted to do so.

Tony streaked past the Library and into the back quad, with Justin and Parker gaining on him.  Tony timed his bunny hop just right and cleared the steps by the fountain.  Tony chose to go to the right of the fountain, as he reasoned that a Prep sneak attack had been planned, and he was right.  A fuselage of Eggs erupted from the pathway that led to Harrington House, the other Preps who weren’t running in the race were laying in wait for just this opportunity to disrupt the race.  Tony was shielded from the most of it by the large statue, but a few Eggs found their marks, notably one that hit him in the temple.  Tony wobbled on his bike then, but still managed to keep control, leaping the steps on the other side and landing smoothly on the path leading to the Gym.  Shaking his head to clear it, he poured it on, with some Eggs still pelting his back.  Justin and Parker were just a few yards behind, and the pelting stopped when they came into the line of fire.  Tony streaked down the path, building up speed for the final leap of the stairs leading down to the Football Field.  Crouching down at just the right instant, he leaped his bike up and over the stairs, becoming for the moment suspended weightless in space much as the boy on the bike from the old E.T. movie.  Coming down hard, Tony executed a perfect landing and was instantly mobbed by cheering students who had gathered to witness the finish of the race. 

Tony looked over and saw Karen running towards him.  She flung herself into his arms and planted a seductive French Kiss on his mouth.  Tony’s guilt surfaced once more, but was at once  overwhelmed by his feelings of desire and love for his beautiful girl.  Tony resolved then and there to put his meaningless tryst with Pinky behind him.  She was nothing compared to Karen.  He would find a way to make it right with her, he swore to himself, if it took the rest of his days.
_____________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Derby entered the cabin, undoing the triple-locks and re-bolting them as he did.  The massage from Mr. Smith was precisely what he had been waiting for on this Saturday afternoon, and he was eager to collect his prize that was to be the humiliation of his most hated enemy. 

Kurt was still seated limply in chair at the table.  Derby walked over and snatched up the documents, checking them closely.  Satisfied that Kurt had actually signed his name to them, he folded each one and put them into envelopes he had brought along for that purpose.  All the while, Kurt sat unmoving in the chair, not uttering a single word.

Derby stuffed the envelopes in his vest pocket.  “Now then, my Pauper 'friend’, I am going to be a nice guy and deliver these for you.  When that’s done, you’ll be free to go.”  Derby bent closer, and spoke into Kurt’s ear.  “And by 'GO’, I mean you will get out of town, forever.  There’s no coming back, ever.  If you do.....I won’t be so understanding.”

Kurt didn’t move, and gave no sign he had even heard Derby.  With a look of disgust, Derby stood straight.  “Worthless pile of Shit”, he said.  Turning to leave, he said to the air, “Wait for my signal, then turn him loose....Not before.”

The intercom kicked on.  “It will be done”, Mr. Smith’s voice said coldly.

Fuck him too, Derby thought.  Smith would get his just desserts too, in time.  He unlocked the triple-locks, taking care to re-lock them on his exit.  Then, he hurried through the woods.  He had some mail to deliver.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Hal made the Football Field in fourth place behind the Preps, his best finish ever in a bike race.  In the crowd of kids that mobbed to field, he spotted Angie.  Heeding Tony’s advice, he thought it was now or never.  Hal rode his bike up behind Angie, then nosed up beside her.

“Umm....Hi”, Hal said to her.

Angie turned.  “Oh...Uh....Hi there, hoo, hoo hoo.....”

“Did’ja....See me race ?”, Hal ventured.  “This is my best finish ever !”

“Well...Umm....hee hee hoo hoo hoo....Umm....Sure....”, Angie fumbled, nervously.

Hal tried a different tract.  Looking down, he said, “Hey, those shoes are alright !”

“Really ?”, Angie said, looking down at her Penny Loafers, “You really like them ?”

Really”, Hal said earnestly, “They make you look Sweet !”

Really ?”, Angie repeated, stupidly, not knowing what else to say.  Why am I always so nervous around boys ?, she thought for the hundredth time.  Suddenly she blurted out, “I really love Bunnies !  They’re so nice !”

“That so ?”, Hal said mystified.  “Umm, listen, maybe we can get together sometime and talk about them, you think ?”

“Ummm....That would be....Nice”, Angie replied, her heart fluttering.

Hal took the plunge.  “So...Um...Maybe we could...Uh...Go Out sometime ?”

“Oh...I always wanted to go to the big city with a boy !”, Angie said nonsensically.

“Um....I can take you to a ritzy place, would’ja like that ?”, Hal persisted.

“Er...hoo hoo hoo”, Angie nervously giggled, “That would be.....Fine !”

“Great !”, Hal said, relieved.  “It’s a Date !  I’ll pick you up....Monday night at Eight, and don’t be Late !”

With that, Hal did a two finger wave and rode off, leaving Angie stunned at what had just transpired.  After all these months, a boy had just asked her out !  The last time had been....Well, with Nick, and that hadn’t worked out so good.  In fact, none of her dates got beyond the first one, and she figured she would be forever alone. 

But....Maybe this would be different.  Although a bit fat, Hal had always reminded her of a great big cuddly Bunny.  And she did so love Bunnies !  Although painfully aware of her ‘one and done’ status at school, she had confidence this one would be different.  Maybe, there would be a second date....And more !  She might even wind up going with this one !  And, if her Mom found out, she would be so mad !  Angie giggled at that thought.
________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

As it had taken quite a while for the bike races to be staged and ran, it was now late afternoon.  Karen tugged at Tony’s sleeve and said, “We should go and try to find Mr. Luntz now, Tony.  He seemed awful insistent that he get to talk with you, like yesterday.”

Tony looked around at the students milling about, actually socializing for a change instead of throwing taunts and fighting.  “Well, I reckon we’re not needed here.  Let’s go and find out what he wants.  Think he’ll be at the school on a Saturday ?”

“One way to find out”, Karen said, and began to playfully pull Tony along with her as they left the Football Field.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Zoe snuck away unseen from the Football Field, and cut through the Observatory grounds on her way to the old short mining tunnel that led to the large cavern.  Up on the parapet in front of the Observatory, Bucky watched her go by.  Bucky decided to follow her.

Bucky had had his eye on Zoe for quite awhile now, discreetly sneaking looks whenever he felt he could get away with it, even stalking her across campus when he felt bold enough.  Afterwards, he would find a safe place to masturbate, usually on the second floor of the Library behind the bookshelves where hardly anyone ever went.  He almost got caught once by Mrs. Peabody, and had been considering other places, like in one of the many little caves east of the school. 

He didn’t know just what drew him to Zoe....Maybe it was her 'tough girl’ reputation, or perhaps it was her brilliant red hair.  He fantasized about her often, and it was growing into an obsession.  Since he was all alone at the Observatory, he took the chance.  He had often seen her walking by, but he was always in the company of other Nerds.  Not today, though. 

He tailed her through the scattered boulders of the rockfields towards the tunnel.  She seemed oblivious to his presence.  Even so, he scurried from boulder to boulder and hid from sight, in case she happened to look back.  Soon enough, Zoe entered the tunnel.  Bucky counted to ten, then ran after her.

The tunnel was empty when he reached it, and he could see the light of the other side.  He hurried through it as not to loose her.  It had been eating him up to see just where she had been going on her little forays.  Bucky emerged from the tunnel and looked about.  She was nowhere in sight.

Suddenly, Bucky was grabbed roughly from behind and slammed into the rock face wall.  “You Little Perv !!!”, Zoe yelled. “Why Are You Following Me ??”

Bucky gasped from the impact.  Zoe had been hiding in a crevasse, just waiting for him.  “I...Um..Um.....Er....Er...”, Bucky babbled.

Zoe hauled off and kneed Bucky in the nuts.  He doubled over in pain.  “OWW.....Please...Stop !!”

“You Little Fucking TWERP !!  Don’t EVEN Think I Haven’t Seen You Stalking Me !!”, Zoe said angrily.  “What The Hell Is Wrong With You, You Little Sicko ?”

“I...Was just...Just wanted...T-t-t-to see where...Y-y-you were going”, Bucky stammered through clenched teeth.  “I...I didn’t....Mean anything....Honest !”

Zoe glared at him.  “If it’s any of your business, Asshole, I go over to check on my old house in Blue Skies.  But it AIN’T any of your damn business.”  Zoe grabbed Bucky and slammed him into the rock face wall again. 

Bucky gasped harder.  This definitely was not what he had in mind when he decided to follow Zoe.  He began to crawl away.  Zoe planted a boot in his ass that sent him sprawling.  “You better get outta my sight before I really fuck you up, Pervert !  And Stop Following Me !!  I so much as SEE you looking at me again, I’ll kick your little balls up your throat !!  UNDERSTAND ??”

Bucky was barely able to stagger to he feet, and smacked against the beam of the tunnel before he began running back through it.  Zoe watched him go with an icy glare.  As Bucky disappeared from sight on the other side, her face relaxed and broke into a smile.  That’ll teach his little Perv ass, she thought.  She knew he had been following her around, he was so clumsy that it had been pretty obvious.  Good thing she had been paying attention and he hadn’t been able to see where she was really going, which was to see Jimmy.  That little bit about the old house should throw him off, though. 

In truth, she could care less about that place now.  It could burn to the ground for all she cared.  Too many bad memories there.  She hurried off to meet Jimmy, before something else happened.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bucky returned to the Observatory at a fast trot.  His nuts were on fire, but not from Zoe’s kick.  Hurriedly, he went inside and down to the basement.  He had to find a place, quick.  He squeezed himself into one of the closets and bolted the door.  He undid his pants as waves of pleasure washed over him.  She had touched him, Touched Him !!!  Soon enough, he was in ecstasy.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony and Karen entered the school by the back door by the Chemistry Lab.  The lights were off, and the hallways dim.  They moved down towards the School Store, but as the got there saw that the lovures were drawn down.  No one was about, the School appeared to be deserted.  Most of the kids were still down on the Football Field.

“I wonder if he’s here ?”, said Karen in a low voice.

“Donno”, Tony said.  “Let’s try the Basement.”

They went to the door nearby marked ‘Boiler Room’.  Tony tried the handle and found it unlocked.  Cautiously they went inside to the little room where two sets of steps descended, one to the large furnace and the general basement area, the other to the area known as 'The Hole’.

“What now ?”, Karen asked.

“I guess we go look”, Tony replied, and started towards the steps.

An access door to the School Store banged open behind them suddenly.  “What the Hell.....”  The head of Mr. Lunt appeared.  “Oh....It’s you Kids.”  He motioned them into the School Store.  “Get in here, make it snappy.”

Tony and Karen squeezed into the small room.  “You...Uh...Wanted to see me, sir ?”

“Ha...Sir”, Mr. Luntz uttered a short laugh.  “I like that.  Look, Kid, where you been ?  It’s going down tonight.”

“Er...What is, sir ?”, Tony asked, somewhat confused. 

“What we talked about, Kid”, Mr. Luntz said.  “About the file.  It’s to be gotten out of here, tonight.”  He paused.  “You DO have the file still, don’t you ?”

Tony hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”

“Then you need to get it here.  I got somebody coming, and we’re gonna smuggle it out of this lousy place, tonight”, Mr. Luntz said.

“Umm....Well, Um, where to ?”, Tony said uncomfortably.

“Not around here”, Mr. Luntz said, “And not in New York either. Somewhere far, far away, where this corruption don’t reach and where it won’t be ignored.”

Tony was silent.  Mr. Luntz peered at him.  “Whatsmatter, Kid, you don’t trust me ?”

Awkwardly, Tony said, “It’s not that...It’s...Um....”

“Look Kid”, our lives are at stake here.  Mine, yours, and that pretty little tail of yours there”, Mr. Luntz said, pointing at Karen.  “Don’t think for a minute this is all about you.  You got to step up, and it’s got to be now.”

Karen looked from Mr. Luntz to Tony.  “Do It”, she said suddenly.  “Just Do It.”

Tony decided to take the chance.  After all, Mr. Luntz had never steered them wrong.  “All Right”, he said slowly.  “When ?”

“Bring it to the outside basement door at 1 AM”, Mr. Luntz instructed.  “Knock once, pause, knock once again, pause, knock three times, pause, then knock eight times.  Got it ?”

“One, one, three, eight”,  Tony repeated.  “Hey, that’s the.....”

“The Nerd’s gate code”, Mr. Luntz interrupted.  “Yeah, I know.”

Tony wondered anew if there was anything about Bullworth that Mr. Luntz DIDN’T know.  In fact, he wondered just who the hell Mr. Luntz really was anyway, and not just for the first time, either.

“Listen, Kid, and listen good”, Mr. Luntz continued.  “Come in under cover of darkness, and don’t let ANYONE see you.  It’s supposed to be cloudy tonight, so that will help.  Tell NO ONE what you’re doing, not now, and not after.  That’s vitally important.  And another thing”, he said, pointing at Karen, “Leave her out of it.  It’s too dangerous.”

Karen stiffened and started to protest.  “But I don’t care....”

“Bet he cares”, Mr. Luntz said, pointing at Tony.  “If any of us are caught with that file, we will never be heard from again.  They will murder anyone connected with it, even the knowledge of it.  They are desperate now.  The only thing that’s saving you now is they don’t know just where it is.”

Karen blanched.  “That...That can’t be....They wouldn’t....”

“Would, and will”, Mr. Luntz hissed.  “This is the real world, Missy.  Bad things happen.”

Karen was silent.  Tony swallowed a lump in his throat and said, “We better do as he says, Babe.  I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Karen’s face had grown frightened.  “But, I don’t want anything to happen to you either !”

“Look”, Mr. Luntz said, “All you have to do is get it here, and that’s it.  I’m taking all the risk from there.  And, I’m better equipped to handle it, believe me.”  He raised the tail of his shirt to expose what looked like a Colt 38 revolver.

Tony and Karen stared at the gun.  This was serious business, at that.

“Just do what I’m tellin’ you, and it’ll be alright”, Mr. Luntz said.  “Okay ?”

Tony and Karen slowly nodded.  “Good”, Mr.Luntz said. “Now scram.  Don’t be seen leaving.”

Mr. Luntz pulled open the door, and they left the way the had come in.  They sneaked to the front side door and peeked out.  Nobody was about, and they left the school unseen.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Darkness had fallen, and Derby was on the move.  From his house, he and Bif had scoped out the Hattrick Manor through binoculars.  It was merely a precautionary measure, as they had seen the Rockers and Christy leave earlier, presumably to some gig or other.  Now Derby stood at the gates of Hattrick Manor.  Bif had instructions to fire off a Bottle-Rocket if he saw anybody coming, but Derby expected no trouble....Everybody was gone.

Derby scaled the gate and dropped to the other side, then trotted up on the porch.  Removing the first of three envelopes from his pocket marked 'Tibo and Everybody’, he jammed it in the crack between the door and sill.  Just as quickly as he had come, he left.

Fifteen minutes later, he and Bif were at his second target, the Beach House.  A small sliver of light shone through the crack at the bottom of the door.  Derby took the second of the envelopes from his pocket marked 'Pinky’ and shoved it under the door.  He then banged on the door three times.  From inside, Pinky’s voice called “Who Is It ?”, but by that time Derby and Bif had run down the dock, where they hid at a drop-down area of the dock.  While they watched, Pinky opened the door and looked around.  Spotting the envelope at her feet, she picked it up and opened it.  As she read, a horse cry tore from her lips, and she sagged downward in the door frame.  The muffled sound of her crying could be heard over the breakers as Derby watched, a huge vengeful grin on his face.  After a few moments, Pinky righted herself and went inside. She re-appeared a few seconds later and hurriedly left the Beach House, moving up the hill towards Bullworth Vale.

In another 20 minutes, Derby and Bif were on the school grounds.  They were strangely deserted for this time in the early evening.  Both boys made their way to the school entrance, where Derby instructed Bif to stand guard and beat up anyone who tried to enter.  Then he went inside.  Derby had no fear of the Prefects, they didn’t dare touch a Harrington.  Even so, he didn’t want to be seen, so he stealthily made his way upstairs to the School Office.  Going behind the counter, he pulled the final envelope from his pocket marked 'Dr. Crabblesnitch’ and laid it on Ms. Danver’s desk.  His mission accomplished, he left the school, and he and Bif left the school grounds unobserved.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Shortly after 11 PM, the five locks of the tenement door were unlocked one by one, and Hospital Janitor Luntz came in the door.  Looking about, he spotted Pete sitting at a table, trying to read a newspaper.

“Ok, Kid, we got to leave right now.  Darkness will give us cover.  I got some supplies for the trip”, he said, indicating the bag in his hand. 

“Do you think it’s safe ?”, Pete asked.

“Yeah, think so”, this Mr. Luntz repiled.  “I don’t see nobody hanging around the place.  They been searchin’ that Hospital high and low, even askin’ me questions, but I don’t know nothin’, see ?  They poked around in the basement, but didn’t find nothin’, cause I burned that robe and stuff you had in the boiler.”

Mr. Luntz rummaged around in the bag, then removed and threw an object at Pete, who managed to catch it.  “What’s this ?”, he asked.

“An Eyepatch”, Janitor Luntz said.  “A Hospital Eyepatch, not a Pirate Eyepatch.  You need to look as inconspicuous as possible.”

Pete checked out the patch.  Instead of being black, it wes flesh-colored, nearly matching his skin tone.  From a distance, no one would be able to see the cavern where his eye had once been.  He tried it on.  It was a perfect fit.  “How do I look ?”, Pete asked.

Luntz looked him over.  “Just fine, Kid.  Glad you got on that dark clothing like I told yas.  Listen, grab whatever stuff you’re bringing’....We’re headin’ out.”

Pete didn’t really have anything to bring, so he and Janitor Luntz left the apartment, locking the quadruple locks behind them.  Moving through the back lot to the car in the dark, they encountered no trouble.  Mr. Luntz started the car and they drove away, switching from street to street to check if they were being tailed.  Satisfied at last they were safe, Mr. Luntz got on I-93 and then I-95, and Pete left Boston behind forever.
______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Once far enough away from the city, Janitor Luntz left the Interstate and got on a series of small highways and roads.  Pete watched the numbers blur by....27, 1a, 121, 114.  Then for a while, they hooked on to I-295 around Providence, then it was on the secondary highways again, 401, US-1, 403.  Pete remembered this road now.  As they approached the side road that led to the Vale Valley, Pete pointed.  “Here”, he said.

“I know that Kid.  Been here before”, Janitor Luntz said, not unkindly.  Pete started to say something else, but he stopped him, saying, “I know about the fake wall too.  When we get to it, I’ll move it.  Meantime, you’ll have to get in the trunk again....Just for a little bit, OK ?”

Pete inhaled, becoming slightly tense. “Okay.  I can do it.”

“Good Kid”, Mr. Luntz commented.  “We’re almost there.”

They approached the fake wall.  Mr. Luntz stepped out of the car and went to move it.  It took a bit of figuring out to realize that it was no longer solid, but just a projection.  Mr. Luntz walked back and opened the trunk, and Pete climbed inside.  “See you on the other side, Kid”, he said, as he closed the trunk.  Then he got into the car and drove into the Bullworth Vale Valley.
_______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Mr. Luntz from Boston drove through the silent streets of the Vale, entering the straight drive leading to the Parking Lot of Bullworth Academy. It was about a quarter to one, and no one was out and about.  Parking in as much as a shadow that he could find at the North end of the lot, he left his car and scoped out the area.  No students were in sight at this late hour.  The flashlight of a patrolling Prefect came around from the back of the school, and he hid behind the Parking Lot wall, laughing mirthlessly to himself because he was hiding from a kid. 

After the Prefect had passed on his journey around the school, Mr. Luntz from Boston returned to his car and unlocked the trunk, setting Pete free.  He quickly hustled Pete to the outside basement steps.  At the bottom, he rapped out a code on the basement door, Seven-One-Eight.  Pete didn’t know what that stood for, but within a few seconds, the door swung open and they were ushered inside by the Bullworth Mr. Luntz.

The Bullworth Mr. Luntz greeted his Brother Mr. Luntz warmly.  “Any trouble on the way down ?”

“Nope.  Got away clean”, Boston Mr. Luntz replied.

“Good.  It won’t be much longer now”, Bullworth Mr. Luntz said, and then turned to Pete.

“Gee...Uh....Hi, Mr. Luntz”, Pete said.

“Hey Petey”, Mr. Luntz replied, “Good you see you, boy.  How’re doing ?”

“Doing Okay, I guess”, Pete replied, “I seem to be missing something lately, though.”

“Yeah, sucks that”, Mr. Luntz replied.  “I hope they get that little jackass who shot you.”

“So do I”, Pete said darkly.  “Uh...Do you happen to know who it was ?”

“That little Jake Brown Bastard”, Mr. Luntz said.  “Figured they would have told you that.  Come over here and have a seat on the bunk while we wait.”

Pete followed the Luntz brothers over to a little alcove where there was a cot along with a small TV and Radio on a shelf.  “Wait for what ?”

“Someone’s bringing the File”, Mr. Luntz said shortly.  “We got a plan, and everything depends on one thing....You.”

Pete’s face was etched in surprise.  Briefly, Mr. Luntz outlined what he wanted Pete to do.  “It’ll be a bit dangerous, but it’ll be worth it.  It will bring this whole rotten mess down.  Whatta say, Kid ?”

Pete absorbed what Mr. Luntz had told him.  The past few months had turned Pete’s life into a nightmare.  This was the only chance he had at true freedom.  Resolutely, he nodded.  “Yes.  I’ll do it.”

“Atta Boy”, Mr. Luntz replied.  Turning to his brother, he said, “I need to talk to you.”  The two men moved to another part of the basement, and were soon engaged in deep conversation.  Pete remained on the bunk, thinking.  It had all come to this, he reflected, but at least he still had his life.  And the chance to still make something of it.

A few minutes ticked by.  Suddenly, there was a knocking at the basement door.  Pete counted the knocks.  One-One-Three-Eight.  Mr. Luntz broke off his conversation with his brother and hurried to the door.
______________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Mr. Luntz pulled open the door and Tony and Jimmy stepped through.  Tony was carrying the file in the original box that Pete had buried it in.

“Hopkins ?”, Mr. Luntz said.  “Where have you been hiding out ?”  Without waiting for an answer, he said to Tony, “Why is he here ?  I said.....”

“Relax, Mr. Luntz”, Tony said quickly, “Jimmy knows everything.  And I needed some backup, just in case.  I didn’t want to carry this over here unprotected.”

A small smile played around Mr. Luntz’s lips.  “I reckon it’s alright then.  Since we wouldn’t even have a file if’n he hadn’t swiped it first, eh ?”

“Good to see you too, Mr. Luntz”, Jimmy said snidely.

“Don’t push it, Hopkins”, Mr. Lunt said.  “Com’on, you two, someone you oughtta see.”

“Who’s that there ?”, Tony said, noticing the other Mr. Luntz.

“That’s my brother”, Mr. Luntz said without elaborating. He led the boys over to the small alcove.  A boy sitting there turned into the full light, a boy with a patch where his right eye should have been.

“PETE ?”, exclaimed a stunned Tony.  Jimmy just stared.

“TONY !  JIMMY ?” Pete exclaimed as he rose.  “It’s good to see you guys !”

The tree started talking excitedly all at once, Pete relating his waking up in the Boston Hospital, while Jimmy told of his escape from jail, and Tony catching him up on what had happened at Bullworth since Pete had been gone.  It was such a relief for Tony and Jimmy to see that Pete was still alive.

Pete noticed the box Tony was carrying.  “How did you ever find that ?”, he asked.

“Don’t you remember ?”, Tony said, “You gave me the clues yourself, right after you got shot....Grid 67, Pirate Island....”

Pete shook his head.  “I...Don’t remember...”

Tony slapped his head.  “Oh, of course not !  What am I thinking !  Anyway, you did, and me, Karen, and Nick tracked it down.”

“Nick ?”, Pete asked, “Who’s Nick ?”

“Oh...He’s a new boy who came to school right after Christmas”, Tony said, “He’s tough, he beat Norton and Russell in the Hole, and Derby in the Boxing Ring.  And he’s not with the Cliques.  He independent, like us.”

“So...He’s been helping you guys ?”, Pete asked.

“He’s been a lot of help”, Jimmy said.  “We trust him.”

Pete nodded.  “That’s good.  Hard to find trustful people.”  He looked towards the two Mr. Luntzs, engaged once more in a conversation of their own.  “You can trust them too....Both of them.”

Jimmy looked doubtful.  “But...They’re Adults.  They always screw you over in the end.”

“I know they have their own agenda”, Pete said patiently, “But they need us, just as much as we need them.  Call it.....A Cooperative Endeavor.”

The brothers ended their conference.  “Hey, Calderone....Kowalski.....Bring that box over here.  Let’s take a look at those files”, Bullworth Mr. Lunt called.  “You too, Hopkins.”

The three boys moved over across the room, Tony carrying the box.  Mr. Luntz directed them to set it on a table set against the far wall.  There, Tony set it down and Pete reached in and pulled out the thick file.  Everyone crowded around as the contents were spread out across the table.

Mr. Luntz rifled through them.  “Looks like it’s all here”, he said, excitement creeping into his voice.  Then, “There's some extra stuff....What’s all this ?”

“Um...I added the stuff I found in the school”, Pete said.

“And...Er...That phony arrest stuff about me is in there too”, Jimmy added.

Mr. Luntz picked up a piece of paper.  “And what’s this ?”

“Oh...That’s what me and Zoe found in Harrington’s home”, Jimmy said

Mr. Luntz read it through.  “You don’t say”, he said softly.  “This is Friggin’ RICH.”  He started chuckling.  Handing it to his brother, he said, “Here, read this.”

Boston Mr. Luntz scanned the document.  “Don’t that beat all.  A Fuckin’ Heir !”

“Where’s this kid now ?”, Mr. Luntz asked Tony.

“Um...I donno”, Tony replied.  “He disappeared more than a week and a half ago.  Nobody’s seen him since.  Or not that they will admit to.”

“Hmm...Shame”, Boston Mr. Luntz said.

“We can still use it though”, Bullworth Mr. Luntz mulled.

All the papers were reassembled in the File and put back in the box.  Boston Luntz looked at his watch.  “I got to be gettin’ back while it’s still dark.  Can’t afford to be missed.”

“I’ll take care of things on my end”, Bullworth Luntz told his brother.  “I’ll notify you when it’s safe.”

They went to the door, and exchanged parting words.  “See you soon”, Mr. Luntz of Bullworth said, laying a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Soon, Brother”, Mr. Luntz of Boston said.  Then he went out the door and was gone.
______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Mr. Luntz returned to where the boys were standing by the table.  “Alright Pete, get ready to move out.  We gotta be in the big city before the sun’s up.”

“Okay, Mr. Luntz”, Pete said.  He turned to Tony and Jimmy.

“What ?  You’re Leaving ?  Already ?”, Tony asked, surprised.

“Yeah.  I gotta go.  It’s not safe for me here”, Pete said.

“I could go with you, Pete”, Jimmy said.  “Kinda dangerous for me too.”

“I can’t take you Hopkins”, Mr. Luntz interrupted, “it’s too risky.”

“Too risky ?”, Jimmy asked.  “How’s that ?”

“You’re an escaped prisoner”, Mr. Luntz said.  “I don’t need the law breathin’ down my neck.”

“I’ll find a way to get you cleared, Jimmy, I swear”, Pete said.  “If this works out, everything will change, you’ll see.”

“I sure hope so”, Jimmy muttered.  “Gettin’ tired of livin’ in a cave.”

“Wait...I don’t understand”, Tony said, puzzled.  “I thought Mr. Luntz was gonna turn this stuff over.”

“No....He Can’t”, Pete said firmly.  “It has to be me.”

“But...But...Why ?”, Tony persisted.  “We just got you back and all....”

“There’s things you don’t know about me, Calderone”, Mr. Luntz said.  “Let’s just leave it at that.”

Tony and Jimmy watched as Mr. Luntz grabbed a big gunnysack from the floor and Pete picked up the box containing the File.  “Guess this is....Goodbye, then”, Pete said slowly.

“Will you be back ?”, Tony asked, “After...You know....”

A tear welled up in Pete’s eye and he clumsily brushed it away.  “I....Don’t know.  I hope so.”  He moved towards the door, following Mr. Luntz.

Before he opened the door, Mr. Luntz turned.  “Remember....You haven’t seen me, and don’t know where I’ve gone.  Except for your little girlfriend, who already knows, you are to tell NO ONE what has happened here tonight.  Nobody.”

Both boys nodded.  “Uh...Mr. Luntz ?”, Tony said, “Before you go....I have a....Umm...Confession to make.”  Tony took a breath.  “Last fall....It was me that Bushwhacked you with them Spuds....”

Mr. Luntz turned, a ghost of a smile playing on his features.  “I know it was you, Kid.  Your buddy Hopkins did the same thing once.”  Jimmy grinned sheepishly.  “It’s alright”, Mr. Luntz continued, holding up his index finger. “Everybody gets One.”

Then he turned and ushered Pete out the door and was gone.
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Out in the Parking Lot, Mr. Luntz headed to the Garage fronting the South side of lot, with Pete following behind.  Pulling out a key, he unlocked the center door to reveal his car, a nondescript Junker he had had ever since he had been at Bullworth.  He went and unlocked the trunk and motioned Pete to put the box containing the File inside.  Then Pete began to climb in the trunk after, but Mr. Luntz stopped him.

“Don’t you want me in the trunk ?”, Pete stage-whispered.  “Your Brother had me do that.”

“Naw”, Mr. Luntz said, and threw him an Incognito Hat.  “Put this on, then just scrunch down in the front seat.”

Pete and Mr. Lunt got in the car, and they moved away across the lot.  Pete said, “Uh...Sir, don’t you want to close the Garage door ?”

“Nah”, Mr. Luntz responded, driving through the gates, “I ain’t gonna be using it no more.”

The car motored smoothly out onto the deserted streets of the Vale.  Not a soul was to be seen, and no other car was on the move.  They headed through the tunnel, then took a right at the Carnival, through the holo-projection wall.  It was to be Pete’s last time in the Vale Valley.
_______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Out on 403 to US-1, then a long fall down to Southern Rhode Island, connecting up to Highway 78.  Mr. Luntz checked the rear-view often, but there was no sign of being tailed.  At times, they had the entire stretch of highway all to themselves, the very early-morning hours of Sunday morning providing a scarcity of any traffic.

Mr. Luntz felt confident that they had gotten away safe.  He hooked into I-95 then, for the long journey across Connecticut.  The miles rolled away faster, and Pete became drowsy.  It had been a long day, filled with potential danger, and Pete breathed relief.  Soon, he had fallen asleep to the rhythmic sound of the tires on the highway.
______________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Pete came awake as Mr. Luntz was threading his way through the South Bronx, arriving in a few minutes at a ramshackle Parking Garage.  The faint light of the breaking day was just becoming visible as Mr. Luntz drove up to the fourth level and pulled into an empty space, away from any other vehicles. 

“We’re here”, he announced.  They got out and went around to the trunk, and Mr. Luntz unlocked the trunk so that Pete could retrieve the box containing the File.  As Pete did so, Mr. Luntz suddenly came alert, drawing his 38-caliber gun.  Two men in trench coats were approaching them in the dim light, unhurriedly.  Mr. Luntz trained his gun on them, and when they had gotten to twenty feet away, they stopped. 

“Lenny.....Jonesy...?”, Mr. Luntz called, still alert.

“Yo, it’s us”, The taller of the two said, both of the men showing their hands.  “Big Mike sent us for an escort.”

Mr. Luntz nodded, and dropped his arm. “There’s supposed to be four of you.”

The one called Jonesy said, “Carmine and Jingles are waiting down below, at the entrance.  We got orders to take youse to the Safe Crib.”

Mr. Luntz nodded again, hearing the familiar names.  “Get that box, Petey”, he said, and Pete pulled it from the trunk.  Mr. Luntz slammed the trunk and said, “Lets Go....Stay Close.”

The group moved away, Lenny and Jonesy pulling their weapons but keeping them at the ready in the folds of their trench coats.  Down and around the levels of the Parking Garage they went, alert all the way.  At the entrance, they picked up the other two escorts, and the group moved in a tight bunch down the sidewalk, finally stopping at a nondescript house.  Two of their escorts, now turned guards, checked out the house while the rest waited outside.  Given the all-clear, the group moved inside. 

Pete Followed Mr.Luntz to an upstairs room.  Once inside, Mr. Lunt had a conversation with Lenny, who told him that he and Jonesy would be standing guard outside the door until it was time for them to leave.  Carmine and Jingles would be guarding both entrances.  Mr. Luntz closed and locked the three locks on the door.  Only then did he relax.

“Okay, Kid, we got to hunker down here awhile”, he said.

“How long a while ?”, Pete asked. 

“Till it gets dark again”, Mr. Luntz replied wearily, “Then we can do the second leg of the trip, like I told you.  Monday morning, we should be there.”  He walked over to Pete and held out the gun, butt-first.  “I gotta get some sleep....I’m beat.  You know how to use one of these ?”

Images flashed through Pete’s mind of a snowstorm on a night not so long ago.  “Yeah....I can handle it.”

Pete took the gun, and while Mr. Luntz slept, he sat guard over the box with the File inside he had sacrificed so much for.
_______________________________________________