The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony and Laurent had managed to assemble the Nerds and the Jocks in the middle of the Football Field.  As was usual, the Nerds wanted to go and hide, and the Jocks wanted to go and kick someone’s ass.  Each group stood apart from each other while Tony called the Clique leaders over to talk to them. 

Standing in a loose circle was Tony, Laurent, Nick, Constantinos, Zoe, Karen, Melody, and Ray, along with Melvin and Fatty from the Nerds and Ted and Bo from the Jocks.  A towering Bob stood mutely by, with Lance nearby.

“I’m telling you guys, here is the safest place”, Tony was saying.  “There could be bombs anywhere, in any of the buildings.”

“Maybe so, but the Observatory was already hit”, Fatty whined stubbornly, “So we ought to be able to stay there.”

“Correction”, Tony said, “The WALL got hit.  Don’t mean there wasn’t anything else planted in the Observatory itself.”

“But, we checked all that, on your orders !”, Melvin exclaimed.  “We didn’t find anything !”

“Apparently, you missed the platform”, Nick interjected wirily.  “What else did you miss ?”

“BOB SMASH BOMBER”, Bob said suddenly, his granite face showing a hint of anger.

Everyone turned to look at him.  His sudden outburst mirrored their frustrations over what they had endured over the past year, and what they all would like to do to their tormenter personally.

Ted turned to Tony and resumed the conversation.  “We checked things too, the buildings and such, never found anything.  You sayin’ we missed something too ?”

“Did you check the roof, or the grounds, or under the Bleachers ?”, Tony asked, looking about.  “The stuff is hard to find, it can be hidden so well.  Could even be some planted in the Scoreboard, for all we know.  Safest thing to do is keep everyone here, I think.  Right here in the field.  And we need to get everyone else here as well.”

“How are we supposed to do that ?”, Bo piped up.  “The way is blocked.  ‘Sides, we don’t want them down here anyway, this is Our Turf !  They don’t belong here !  These lame Jackasses don’t belong here either !”, he spouted, sweeping his arm around to indicate the Nerds.

“That’s a fine attitude to take after all we’ve been through”, Tony said forcefully.  “Haven’t you dumb Bozos learned anything ?   It’s just that kind of attitude that lets scum like Jake be able to do the dastardly things he does and get away with it !”

“And Gary, before him”, commented Zoe, “And every other Bastard like them.”

“Yeah ?  Who are you, King Shit of the World ?”, Bo kept on, getting worked up.  “We been here longer than you, who you think you are, comin’ in here tellin’ us what to do anyways ?”

Ted turned to Bo angrily.  “Shut Up !  He’s Right.  I got shot because of that Jackass.  If we don’t pull together, All Of Us, that Fuck is gonna waltz right in here and take over !  Is that what you want ?”

Bo shrunk back from Ted’s wrath. “I’se just sayin’.....”

“It’s been noted”, Ted said.  “You don’t like the how the play’s called, fine.  But you WILL be a Team Player or you’re gonna be off our team.  Got It ?”

Bo looked to the other Jocks for support, but he was getting no sympathy there.  They were all as scared as he was, but trying their best to hide it.  Lance walked over to him.  “Com’on Bro, take a chill.  I’m still gonna need some help, Ok ?”

Bo still looked mad, but allowed Lance to lead him off to save face in front of the others.  Not that they really cared, not now, not with the ominous threat they might be facing.

Ted turned back to Tony.  “What do you want us to do ?”

Tony thought a moment.  He could try to organize a way for the rest of the students to get here via the Nerd’s gate and around the trail past the Observatory, but that might take too much time.  And what if the next explosion took out the Library, just as a line of kids were going through that way ?  No, he had a better plan.

“Get your strongest guys to clear that rubble around the Fountain that’s blocking the way.  That way, we can get everybody down here quick”, Tony said.  Turning to Laurent, he said, “Go back the way we came and round up everybody.  You got an in with the Greasers, they’ll hear you out.  Tell ‘em what’s up.  Take Nick with you, Russell will listen to him.  Constantinos can go too.  Melvin, stay here and keep your Nerds in line in case they try to wander off.  Zoe, you stay and watch them, they’re afraid of you.”

“I’ll shit kick their asses if they so much as look like they’re going anywhere”, Zoe grinned, stomping her shitkicker boots.

“Good”, smiled Tony, in spite of the situation.  “I’m gonna take the shortcut from the Basketball Courts and go see the Preps at Harrington House.  Maybe I can talk sense into Tad and get them to come down here.” 

“ALLRIGHT !  You Heard The Man !”, Ted called out to the Jocks.  “Let’s get that rubble cleared out !  Double Time !”  He turned to Bob.  “Make sure they get it done, big guy.”

“BOB TAKE CARE OF IT”, Bob rumbled and began to herd the Jocks toward the steps.

Tony looked questionably at Ted. “What are you gonna do ?”

“I’m coming with you”. Ted answered.  “Don’t know if they’ll listen to you or not, but I can make ‘em.”  Ted paused, then said, “Every since the Preps split, we’ve been the strongest Clique at the school again.  And I guess it’s up to me to lead by example.  I am Class President, after all, guess it’s time I acted like one.”

Tony clapped him on the shoulder.  “That’s the spirit.  After all, you guys saved the school last time, there’s no forgetting that !  Let’s go !”

Nick and Laurent had already left on their mission, as soon as the words had left Tony’s mouth.  As Tony and Ted headed towards the Basketball Courts, Tony asked, “Hey, where’s Coach Burton at ?”

Ted smirked.  “He’s been holed up in his Office every since the Statue blew up.  It’s like he’s got something valuable in there or something.  He won’t come out for nothing.”

“Or maybe....He’s just too scared ?”, Tony guessed.

“Maybe”, Ted conceded.  “He is kind of a wimp, in his own way.  He really disgusts me sometimes.”

The boys arrived at the wall over which the shortcut path was located, the same one where a few evenings ago Mr. Hattrick was selling off the Test answers to the Preps.  As they scaled over and began to walk the path, more faraway explosions from the Towns could be heard.
____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Derby had escaped the Academy grounds before they were locked down.  He cared little about the explosion that had leveled the statue at the fountain, only that it had temporally gotten him off the hook.  Not that that was any big deal either, he was done with that shitty school anyway, for next week he would be graduated and on his way out of the Vale Valley and off to an elite Prep College.  There he could meet some high-class girls and select one for his mate.  Though still pissed off about Pinky, he was still glad to be finally rid of her.  He knew, deep in what might be considered his cold heart, that she would hold him back from being the successful power player he envisioned himself to become.

He had known Pinky since they were children, due to the fact that they were First Cousins.  Their families had gotten together and decided that the two would be a good match, moreover that it would combine their fortunes and place them higher in the social registrar.  Derby had no problems with that, Pinky was a good-looking girl and made a fine trophy girlfriend.  But the problem was, Pinky was a vain, materialistic, vapid, self-centered bitch who went and fucked whomever she got a fancy for.  Over the past couple of years there had been Jimmy Hopkins, Tad Spencer, Kurt Fonzerelli, and, apparently, Tony Calderone, and who knew who else ?   He was glad he had finally busted her in the mouth, he only wished he had done it a long time ago.

Derby returned to the Vale Hotel and went to his room to wait on his lapdog, Bif.  He was not as quick with test-taking as Derby was, and had still been in the school when Derby left.  Normally, Derby would have waited for him, but the events of this afternoon compelled him to get out while the getting was good.  In light of what had happened, with the explosion and all, the entire incident with Pinky would be totally forgotten about by tomorrow anyhow.

Bif himself was sort of an enigma.  He had attached himself to Derby back in Junior High days, providing back-up protection and support, and appeared to be totally devoted to Derby.  Most others saw them as fast friends, but in truth Derby just used Bif the same way as he used everyone else.  The only person Derby really cared for was himself, and he saw others as just puppets in his own life’s play.  In exchange for the illusion of Derby’s friendship, Bif went to any lengths to cater to him.  The real reason may have been the deep dark secret that Bif carried and that no one but Derby really knew about....That Bif Taylor was, in reality, second cousins with Zoe Taylor.  Both continually denied any relationship to anyone curious enough to ask, Zoe because she hated all Preps and didn’t want to have anything to do with them, and Bif because he feared what the taint of having poor relations would impact on his social standing among the elite Preps.  Bif envisioned himself as riding Derby’s glory to the top, and had no problems being the second-in-command.  It was far better that being last at the bottom of the Prep pile.

But now things had changed, since the break-up of the Clique.  Tad Spencer had taken over the group and left Derby, and Bif, out in the cold.  It was not so elite when you had no one to order around.  Still, Bif stuck with Derby, for where else could he go ?  Soon, they would be leaving Bullworth behind anyway, and he would accompany Derby off to college, where they would build a new Prep power base.  One day, perhaps, Bif would be running Derby’s companies, and both would be rolling in the dough.  Bif was confident in Derby’s abilities to make everything all right with the world again.  It was just a matter of time.

Derby waited by the window in the room of the hotel for Bif to show up.  Just where was he ?  Derby heard the explosions from the other towns, and then the ones closer by in the Vale.  Just what was happening here ?  He flipped on the TV, but it was useless.  There were only old movies playing.  Since his family controlled all the media here, there was no such thing as news coverage except what his Father would allow to be shown.  The only real news let in from the outside was the Weather Channel, and that was no help here. 

Derby wondered if his Father had cooled enough to let him move back home.  He had seemed awfully angry over the Kurt business, and Derby still was wondering why.  He was still in the dark as to why his father had obviously been protecting the little turd.  He was just burning to know why his honor had been sacrificed to that low-life.  Maybe it was time to confront his father and find out why.  Derby looked out the window for a while longer, then made his decision.  It was close to 4 PM as he packed his duffel bag and prepared to leave.
____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

“What are you doing over here ?”, Tad asked Ted as he slid easily over the wall from the pathway to the Gym.

“Relax, Tad”, Tony said, coming over the wall after Ted.  “We’re only here to tell you guys where it’s safe to go.”

“I think I can decide what’s best for my Clique. We don’t need help from the likes of those people”, Tad said stiffly, pointing with disdain at Ted.

“Just cool it, Tad”, Ted said, “We’re offering you safe refuge down on the Football Field, with no tricks.”

Tad looked about.  “I say, it’s safe enough here, I’m sure the chaps would agree.  Wouldn’t you, Mates ?” 

Milling about were the rest of the Preps....Justin, Parker, Chad, Bryce, and Gord, who was off by himself on the other side of the yard.  All began moving towards where Tad was standing.

“Listen, Tad, maybe you don’t understand the danger you’re in here”, Tony began.

“Danger ?”, Tad said in a mock horror voice.  “I certainly see no danger here.  Maybe on the inside”, he said, pointing to Harrington House, “But certainly not in the open out here.”

“It’s not like that this time”, Tony went on, “There might be explosives anywhere.  Didn’t you look around like I told your guys to do ?”

“Of course we did”, Tad sniffed in what sounded to Tony like a lie.  “The Bugger must have invaded our House again like last time, planted his poison pellets inside.  I’m not going to be in there when a chair blows up again, I can assure you.”

“This is different”, Tony tried again, “This stuff is easy to conceal.  It can be molded to be hidden just about anywhere.  Even right next to where your’re standing.”

Tad looked down and moved a couple of steps away.  The other Preps moved with him.

“Look, Spencer, we don’t have a whole lot of time, maybe”, Ted said, “And certainly not for bullshit.  You need to get your boys down there before something happens.”

Tad looked at him keenly.  “And it just so happens YOU have the only safe area, is that it ?  What makes your area so conveniently safe all of a sudden and our area not ?”

“Because”, Tony said, “The whole field got mowed this morning.  Anything that might of been there got chopped up.”

Tad considered that for a moment.  Then, “It seems like some kind of trick.  You fellows want to get us to leave here and go defenseless into their territory.  I don’t like it.”

“You can take your weapons”, Ted told him.  “And I give you my word of honor as a Clique leader and Class President there will be no fighting down there.”

Tad looked about indecisively.  “Your word of honor, then ?  No tricks ?”

“None”, Ted replied, and Tony nodded emphatically.  “The Bomber has already blown up the Spud Cannon at the Observatory.  The Nerds are all down there now, at the field.”

“We need to get the whole school down there, where it’s safe”, Tony said.  “Tad, you’re the one that was telling me you were going to give the Preps a fresh start.  If you really mean that, be a leader now.”

Tad considered for a bit longer, then nodded.  “Word of honor then.”  Tad turned to assemble the Preps and give them instructions.  It was then that Tony noticed that every Prep, except for Derby and Bif, was there.  When Tad finished, sending a couple inside to retrieve some weapons, Tony asked, inquiringly, “Seems odd that you’re just about all here ?”

“We finished finals rather early”, Tad said smugly. “They were rather easy this year.”

Because of some paid-for test answers, Tony thought, but let it pass.  Instead, he said, “Then you don’t know about what happened to Pinky.”

“Pinks ?”, Tad asked, a note of worry creeping into his voice.  “Something’s happened to Pinks ?”

“Yeah”, Tony said.  “Derby cold-cocked her in the jaw.  She’s at the School Clinic now.”

“Oh, My Word !”, Tad exclaimed.  “That Bastard !!!  How is she ?  I mean, is she alright ?”

“She may have a broken jaw, from what I saw”, Tony replied truthfully. 

“I must get to her !”, Tad went on, “But....The way is Blocked !!”

“I got my boys working on clearing rubble from our side”, Ted said.  “If your boys could help, we could get through a lot faster.”

Tad turned to the group and instructed them to go help move the rubble.  Then, to Bryce, just exiting the building with the weapons, he said, “When we break through, Take the rest down to the field.  I’m going to see about Pinky.”

Bryce nodded, and most of the Preps moved off without complaint towards the destroyed fountain.  Pinky may have been erratic these past few months, but she was still a Prep and one of them.  Only Chad held back, muttering, “Derby wouldn’t like this.”

“Go with the rest and help”, Tad said, balling his fists at his side, “Or do I have to teach you a lesson ?”

Chad looked at the steel in Tad’s eye and knew he meant business.  Meekly, he followed the others.  Tad took a look at Tony and Ted, then followed the others.

Ted sighed.  “Guess we better help.”  The two boys followed after the Preps, heading towards the steps.

“Sure hope Nick and Laurent are making out Ok”, Tony said.  “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Within the hour, the rubble was cleared enough to provide access around the fountain.  With the Jocks working from the South, the Preps from the East, the Greasers from West and the Bullies from the North, two pathways were cleared around the fountain.  As soon as they were through, Tad took off to go join Pinky at the School Clinic.  Tony met with Laurent and Nick for a little conference.

“I take it you guys didn’t have too much trouble ?”,Tony asked.

“No, it was easy !”, exclaimed Laurent.  “The Greasers were very willing to listen once we explained.  Even Peanut said that sounded like a good plan.”

“The Bullies were a little harder to convince, but once I told them that Trent was responsible for making the Field safe, they got all puffed up about it”, Nick said.  “Maybe they figure they’ll get more respect or something, whatever.  It was enough to get them up here.”

Tony watched as the Cliques began threading their way around the ruined fountain and making their way down to the Football Field.  “Say, where’s the Prefects ?  And the Teachers ?”

“Monsieur Crabblesnitch has the Teachers all to stay inside the school”, Laurent said.  “Constantinos went in to see....Oh, here he comes now !”

Constantinos came trotting up.  “I got in to see Dr. Crabblesnitch.  He said Ok with the plan to get everyone down to the field.”

“Maybe the old coot has got some sense about him”, Nick remarked snidely.

“More like covering his ass, maybe”, Tony replied.  “Constantinos, what about the Prefects ?”

“He has Edward guarding the School Office”,  Constantinos began, “With weapons.”

“No doubt guarding him and Ms. Danvers”, Tony remarked, remembering Jake had somehow threatened them the last time.

“.....And Seth and Karl are guarding the front and side gates”, Constantinos continued.  “Max was sent over to block access to the Library, and by extention, the Nerd’s gate, keeping anybody from going through.”

Tony realized that Dr. Crabblesnitch probably had the same idea as he did....It was most likely the buildings would be targeted, after all.  “But...He’s keeping the Teachers in the school, like Laurent says ?”

Constantinos nodded affirmation.  “Probably figures it’s safer, somehow.”

And then it struck Tony.  “Of course it would be safer.  Jake wants to take over the school, not blow it up. That is, unless.....”

“Unless he don’t get his way”, Nick finished for him.

Tony wondered just why Jake hadn’t showed himself yet, but on reflection, he somehow knew that wouldn’t happen until Jake felt the odds were all in his favor.  Such is the way of a coward.  “You know”, he said suddenly, “I feel there’s a whole lot more to come.  A whole lot more that that just this.”  Sweeping his arm at the ruined fountain, he said, “This is just the first volley.  There’s gonna be more.  We’ve got to get everybody rounded up and down there, quick.  You guys sweep the Dorms, get the little kids and the girls and anybody else down there to the field.  Anybody you can find.  How ‘bout them two loner kids, what’s their names....”

“Uhhh....Eddie and....Geoff”, Constantinos supplied.

“Yeah, them”, Tony said.  “What about the Rocker boys ?”

The boys looked from one to another.  “Haven’t seen ‘em today”, Nick finally said.

“Me neither”, Constantinos said.  “Maybe they skipped.”

“Sucks for them, then”, Nick said, “Since they’re bombing the towns.”

“And Christy is probably with them”, Laurent added.

“Just hope they got the sense to lay low”, Tony said.  “We can’t do anything for them, we got plenty to handle here.  So, let’s get to it.  Fan out, we’ll meet back here in a half-hour with any stragglers.”

The group dispersed, going separate ways on their missions to make sure everybody was rounded up, just as the last of the Cliques picked their way through the rubble about the fountain and made their way to the Football Field.
________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

“You’ve Got To Call In Some Help !!”, Mr. Smith said emphatically, banging his fist down on the desk.

Judge Starkweather sat unmoved at the outburst and sighed.  “We’ve already been through this.  Mr. Harrington doesn’t want outside people coming in here and.....”

“Harrington, Smarrington !!!”, exclaimed Mr. Smith.  “This has gone WAY beyond that.”  He leaned in closer to the Judge.  “Haven’t you heard ?  Bloody Vince is going down.  It’s all in the news in the OUTSIDE world today.  How long do you think you and your kind are going to last in here once Big Mike takes over ?  You’ll disappear just like Judge Carter, never to be heard or seen again.  And so will Mr. Big Shot Harrington !”

“I’m not aware of any problems”, Judge Starkweather said stiffly, “And I’m sure Chief Carcer will contain the situation here shortly and restore order....”

“Carcer’s an Inept ASS”, Mr. Smith said vehemently, “He can’t even keep a Killer locked up it that escape-proof jail of his !”

“Be that as it may, WE will deal with the situation”, Judge Starkweather said coldly. 

“You and what Army ?”, Mr. Smith sneered. “Those Punks are just going to take this place over and your Keystone Cops won’t be able to do a thing to stop them.  I wouldn’t care, except these are MY Towns, I built them up, I made them what they are !”  Mr. Smith straightened up.  “You wouldn’t know that, you haven’t been here long enough.  All you and your kind do is just play like Chickens to the likes of Harrington and Spencer and the rest.  But there’s those here who DO remember, and when this charade is over and done with, they’re gonna have your head on a platter, Bucko !”

“Are you threatening me ?”, Judge Starkweather hissed.  “I could have you locked up for that !”

Mr. Smith brayed laughter.  “Who’s gonna arrest me ?  All your clowns are busy at the moment !  Go Ahead !  Make out a Warrant !  Good luck on finding anybody to serve it !”

“Get Out !”, Judge Starkweather shouted.  “Just Get Out Of Here !  I’ll deal with you later !”

“There isn’t going to be a later for you, Bucko”, Mr. Smith retorted as he headed for the door.  Just then, two more faraway explosions could be heard.

BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Smith paused at the door.  “Hear that ?  That’s the sound of your doom !   If you won’t call for help, I will.  Hell, I’ll go GET help !”

Judge Starkweather leapt up.  “You’ll do nothing of the sort !”

“Try and stop me, Bucko”, Mr. Smith chuckled, and walked out the door.  Judge Starkweather just stared at the empty place where Mr. Smith had been, then sank back down in his chair.

At the Clocktower on the top of the building, the hands clicked over to four o’clock.
____________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Just as Derby was making his way down the stairs, a huge explosion shook the Vale Hotel.  It was a good thing he hadn’t taken the elevator, as it would have trapped him possibly between floors.  As is was however, the blast did indeed trap him, as it did the other patrons of the Hotel, for the blast was centered at the street-level Shea Lewis Restaurant in the front of the Hotel.  There weren’t any patrons there that afternoon, People were too busy running about in fear to worry much about eating.  In fact all the stores had closed soon after the blasts had begun.  Shop owners had taken to the streets as well, afraid that their own places would be next.

The front of the Hotel was a littered mess, the quaint tables blown quite away, windows shattered and debris was everywhere.  Somehow, the Punks had managed to slip some C-4 right through the entrance doors of the Hotel.  Derby found he was blocked from accessing the first floor altogether, as the damage was so widespread throughout the first floor & Restaurant.  Derby doubled back and finally found an empty room on the second floor.  Finding a window, he assessed how far a jump it was going to be to a nearby tree.  He had to get out of here.  Derby didn’t like being trapped.
___________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Across Town, Mr. Smith made haste to get back to his vehicle.  The two explosions he had heard had gone off in the rear of The Mental Dental and The Happy Diner.  Nobody was eating now or getting their teeth cleaned, unless they had been standing too close to either of the explosions smiling.  Mr. Smith drove across the North Bridge and headed towards the Tunnel.  In order to actually go get outside help, he had to get the fuck out of the towns before the Kiddie Cops decided to close off the only escape route.  He needn’t have worried though....Bullworth Town’s finest were far too busy with other matters than to worry about shutting off total access to the Towns.  Although he knew he must hurry, Mr. Smith stopped to take a few photos of the damaged areas he encountered along the way.  As he stopped to take photos of the Vale Hotel, he spotted Derby Harrington climbing out a window and onto a tree.  He got his shots and got out quickly.  Harrington’s kid was the last person he wanted to deal with right now.  Threading his way around the damaged areas and onto Vale Boulevard, he sped towards the tunnel and drove through it unchallenged, taking the sharp 90-degree turn by the Carnival and zooming through the holographic wall without so much as blinking.  He had taken this same route less than eight hours ago when he had returned this morning.  Now, as he thundered along the access road to the highway, his only problem that remained was just who to get help from.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Over in Blue Skies, the air was still green from the toxic cloud that had settled across the area, still being fed from emissions from the Chem Plant.  Those who could had sought shelter, and those who didn’t still lay in the streets, gasping and choking if they were not unconscious. 

Jimmy, Damon, and Algie remained safe in the Save Warehouse.  To pass the time, Jimmy began to tell Damon what had happened to him that night in the Graveyard, as he had heard it from Tony.  Damon could only recall bits and pieces of his ordeal with the Monks before being taken to the Asylum.  He would forevermore fear black-robed people and would never so much as go within a block of a church or graveyard ever again. 

After a while, Jimmy was able to get the story out of Algie about his attacks on the Cliques and the reasons behind it, rather the one overriding reason....Algie’s missing nut, taken off in the attack on him at the Dragon’s Wing while he slept.  Damon sat by, but under Jimmy’s cautioning, made no threatening moves toward Algie.  Since Jimmy was still incarcerated when the attack on Algie happened, and then Algie’s subsequent attacks on the Cliques, he got to hear parts of the story he had only heard second-hand from others.  Really surprising to hear was Algie’s hatred of not only whoever had done the nasty deed to him, but his hatred of Tony and his friends for not doing enough to track down the perpetrator and seek revenge. 
____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Within the hour, most everybody was assembled down at the Football Field.  Tony and his friends had rounded up all the remaining students but three....Tad, of course, who was at the School Clinic with Pinky, and Bif, whom Constantinos reported was still in the school and wouldn’t leave.  Seems he was holed up in Mr. Hattrick’s classroom and refused to come out.  Tony could understand that, given his situation.  Bif had no friends these days, and he and Derby were outcasts from their own Clique.  Wandering around alone down her on the Football Field, he would be subject to attack from just about anybody.  It made perfect sense to hide out in Mr. Hattrick’s classroom, Hattrick himself had no friends either, among the students or staff.  That was fine with Tony, he didn’t need any more problems than he already had.  And there were bound to be plenty more before it was all over.

Another hour spun out.  Students were still on edge, and hearing more far-off explosions did little to lessen their anxiety.  Tony decided to make the rounds to each group and caution them to stay put, as he believed the danger would be coming soon, in the form of Jake and maybe the Punks with another all-out assault.  Some whined and wanted to go sit on the bleachers, but when told that they probably not safe, they backed off.  Tony, however, could see signs of restlessness growing among the more vocal members of the Cliques.  To forestall any problems, he got the idea to arrange the Cliques in a semi-circle near the center of the Field, and put the Cliques best shooters in the forefront to repel the expected attack.  That took another hour to organize, but it was still a long way until dark.  Tensely, they waited for an assault that seemed imminent.
________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The news reports were still flickering across the screen in Mr. Harrington’s study.  The images were showing Federal Agents leading the suspected mobsters off into paddy wagons.  The big cheese, Vincent ‘Bloody Vince’ Fonzerelli, was still holed up, but it was only a matter of time.  The net had tightened to just a one-block square area now, and his capture, one way or another, dead or alive, was a foregone conclusion.

Mr. Harrington had been on the phone for most of the afternoon, first contacting the other rich Barrons of Bullworth Town.  Pretty much, they were all going to bail, some were already preparing to flee.  Mr. Harrington’s plan of having them all point the finger at Spencer Industries fell on deaf ears.  Montrose, Morris, Ogilvie, Vendome, Vandervelde, to a man, all refused his plan.  Even his wife’s relations, the Gauthiers, refused to go along.  They were probably the least culpable among the rich families, and saw no need to adhere to his plan.  Or, it could be, Mr. Harrington reasoned, they were still in a snit over Derby’s breakup with Pinky.  Either way, Mr. Harrington, who had never really made a friend, was now in this sinking ship all alone.  The only person who would talk to him was Attorney Taylor, the group’s lawyer and Bif’s father, and only because Mr. Harrington was still a client.  However, if the ax came down on them all, he would likely be disbarred, in addition to being charged himself.  He advised Mr. Harrington that if the Feds came for him, he should cooperate.  Or he could flee.  It didn’t much matter either way, now did it ?

Mr. Harrington had no intention of running.  This was his kingdom.  And there were plenty of other high-priced lawyers for the buying.  But first, he made a series of other phone calls.  He wanted his family to be safe.  Derby was his only legacy, if worst came to worst.  He would make preparations.  After those calls were finished, then he called his New York bank.  His assets had not yet been frozen, and in one lucky stroke, he was able to transfer the bulk of his funds to a secret Swiss Bank Account.  His holdings would be secure, for he had sheltered them behind dummy corporations a long time ago.  It would take years for those to be traced back to him.

He sat back then, and gazed numbly at the ongoing news report playing across the huge flat digital screen.  It looked as if the scores of Agents were closing in on the very building where Vincent Fonzerelli was located.  It seemed it wouldn’t be long now.

A voice from the doorway startled him.  “Father....Who are those men on the Television ?”

Mr, Harrington turned in his chair to see Derby standing at the doorway.  He sighed and motioned him in.  “I thought you were at the Vale Hotel.”

“It got bombed !”, Derby said.  “And....The Burger Place, and the Ice Cream Shop....Father, what’s going on ?”

Mr. Harrington motioned Derby to a chair.  “It’s that kid Jake, I presume”, he said mirthlessly, “Your pal Gary’s cousin.  But you already knew that, didn’t you ?”

Derby, surprised, just nodded slowly.  “And those men on the Television are Federal Agents”, Mr. Harrington continued, “About to take into custody my boss, one Vincent Fonzerelli, who just happens to also be that kid Kurt’s real Father.”

Shock registered on Derby’s face.  “So...So that’s why.....”, he began.

“Yes”, Mr. Harrington said sadly, “That’s why I was protecting him.  At the behest of Mr. Fonzerelli.  But I guess that no longer matters now.”

Derby was stunned.  It took several minutes for it all to sink in.  The images floated on the screen while his mind went on overload.  Scraps of conversation floated through his mind....Stuff that Mr. Smith had said......

“Smith !”, Derby said suddenly.  “Smith Knew !!!”

“Yes, he probably did”, Mr. Harrington said, “And lucky for you if he did.  If that boy had gotten seriously injured or died.....”  He let that thought trail off, then shook his head.  “It doesn’t matter now.  But what does matter is that if they ever find that boy and find out what you did....”

“But they can’t”, Derby cried, “There’s no way !  Nobody knows who he is, except....”

“His Father knows”, Mr. Harrington replied bruskly, “He is the one who had the Private Detectives locate him, and made the arrangements to have him and his street friends brought here and placed in the School.  I sent reports along to New York.  I was told to watch out for his welfare, and I put that idiot Crabblesnitch in charge.....Which looks like was a big mistake.”

Derby’s mind reeled.  “Crabblesnitch Knew !?”, he said hoarsely.

“Yes”, Mr. Harrington said regretfully, “And it won’t take the Feds long to find out where the crime boss’ son was at.  And come looking for him.  If those Monks haven’t completely messed up his mind....They’ll get the story.  And be coming for you.  I’m not gonna let that happen.”

“Crime Boss ?”, Derby whispered, hearing little else.  “Oh, Father, What’s happening ?  Tell me !”

Mr. Harrington sighed deeply.  He knew this day would have to come, just not so soon he thought.  Nonetheless, it was time.  For the next hour, he told Derby everything about their financial empire and their connections to organized crime.  He concluded with, “So, now you see why it’s important that you be kept safe.  You’re this family’s only legacy.  I’m going to have a hard fight ahead, and if I’m indicted, you’ll have to take over.  But not here.”

Derby‘s mind was reeling.  “Oh Father, what am I to do ?”

“It’s all arranged”, Mr. Harrington said smoothly, “You and your Mother are leaving tonight for New York.  Tomorrow morning, you’ll both be on a private plane to England.  You’ll stay at our London house.”

“But...But Father....What about School ?”, Derby asked, “Bif and I were to go on to Yale next semester !”

“Afraid not now”, Mr. Harrington said.  “I have, however, arraigned to have you admitted into Oxford University for the fall term.  It’s the Preppest College in all of England.  I’m sure you fit right in there with you fake English accent and all.”

“But...What about Bif ?”, Derby asked, still having trouble taking it all in.

“I’ll send your friend along, if I can”, Mr. Harrington lied, not giving two shits about Bif Taylor. 

Derby nodded, too much in a daze to think of anything else.  Mr. Harrington rose and looked out the window, just in time to see a light blue car pull up.  “Here’s our driver.  Go get the things you’ll need for the trip.  Your Mother should be just about packed now.”

“You’re not leaving”, Derby said.  It wasn’t a question.

“No”, Mr. Harrington said.  “I’ll stand a better chance staying than becoming a fugitive like common gutterwipes.  High-priced lawyers can do wonderful things these days.  Besides, they may try to stop me at the Airport.”  He paused and scribbled the number of the Swiss Bank Account on a piece of paper and gave it to Derby.  “Give this to your Mother when you arrive.  She’ll know what it’s for.”

Derby took the paper and stuffed it in his pocket.  “Don’t forget your passport”, Mr. Harrington said.  He put a fatherly hand on Derby’s shoulder.  “Now, get going.”

“Yes, Father”, Derby mumbled, and left the room.  Some 20 minutes later, Mr. Harrington watched as Derby and Mrs. Harrington walked outside and entered the vehicle. The driver packed their luggage in the trunk, the got in and the car drove off.  Mr. Harrington watched until the car was out of sight.  Behind him, on the TV screen, the siege continued.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!
BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!
BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!!  BOOM !!!!!!!!!

As the late afternoon dragged on, more blasts rocked the isolated towns of the Vale Valley.  At The Blue Skies Docks, a large explosion scattered cargo into the bay, although due to the cloud of greenish gas, there was no one to see it.  In New Coventry, blasts tore through the backs of Hung Lo and the New Coventry Bar.  In Bullworth Town, explosions ripped through Bullworth Hair, Nail & Beauty, the Weet Cavity, Come Hither, The Lounge, and the Happy Mullet.  Over in the Vale, blasts rippled through OBV Hair, the Coffee House, the Crab Shack, and the Boar Inn, just missing the Chef’s French Restaurant.  As the Clock Tower hands slid to six o’clock, the Townspeople braced for another round of explosions.  But instead of more erupting explosions, a loud feedback whine suddenly permeated the air from the hidden speakers set above a few of the buildings, followed by a terse message read off in a mechanical form by an unknown person..

“CITIZENS OF THE VALE VALLEY, TAKE HEED !!!  THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM THE BULLWORTH LIBERATION FRONT !!!   YOU MUST HAVE YOUR TOWN LEADERS CEDE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT TO US BY DAWN TOMORROW !!!  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF YOUR HOMES, INDUSTRY, AND BUSINESSES !!!  NO PLACE IS SAFE FROM OUR REACH !!!  SURRENDER YOUR TOWNS OR DIE !!!  FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DOUBT US, LET US SHOW YOU OUR POWER !!!!!”

Aghast, the citizenry gaped and looked about.  What did that all mean ? 

BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The entire ground floor of the Easy Drug Store in the center of Bullworth Town erupted in a mighty roar, blowing out windows and merchandise into the street.  The freshly panicked Townspeople nearly went crazy with fear and rage, weeping and cursing at the same time as one common thought overpowered their thinking.....Terrorists.
_______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

As time drifted on down at the Football Field, the Cliques and others began to get a bit restless as the day began to wane.  Still, they were too fearful to move from their places on the field or to entertain thoughts about going off on their own.  Hearing the far-off blasts that continued to go off on a regular basis served to keep them put.  Even so, Tony and his friends were becoming increasingly hard-pressed to keep order, as small disagreements were building on the fringes of where the Cliques were located close to one another.  There had even been a couple incidents of shoving.

Tony called a meeting of his friends and the Clique leaders over in the direction of the Jock’s Clubhouse.  Peanut, Melvin, and Tad went, representing their groups, Trent went in place of Russell, who didn’t really grasp the situation, and Ted came along with Mandy in tow.  Various means to keep everyone settled were discussed. 

“I’ve got an idea”, Mandy spoke up primly, “If you’d like to hear it.  Some of us could go up to the Dorms and get blankets and stuff.  Some of us are going to get cold out here if this goes on into nighttime.  The girls are already complaining.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Mandy”, Tony said.  “Who are you taking ?”

Mandy considered.  “I’ll take....Karen, Melody, and....Eunice, she can carry a lot.”

“I’ll go too”, Ted volunteered firmly.  “Someone needs to look after you.”

“I really want to go do a Recon Mission over to Bullworth Town a little later”, Tony said.  “I’ll need a couple people for that.  See if we can spot Jake.”

“I’ll go with you”, Nick said at once.

“Oui, I shall go also”, Laurent spoke up.

“How are you going to get out ?”, Karen asked, “The gates are blocked !”

“There’s other ways out of here than just those gates”, Tony said.  Peanut, who knew just where Tony was talking about, just smiled and said nothing.

Tony frowned.  “We can’t leave it too thin here.  Someone has to stay and keep order while we’re gone.”

Ted looked around.  “I can have Bob do it”, he said.  “They’ll listen to him.”

Tony nodded, and the meeting broke up.  Ted went over to Bob and said a few words and then returned with the other Clique leaders to their respective groups.  Mandy and Karen headed off to make plans with the other girls.  Nick and Laurent went over to talk with the Non-Clique kids.  Tony found himself alone, and wandered over to Bob, who was just standing there alone, fixing the crowd of students with his usual granite stare.  Tony stepped up beside Bob and stood looking for a moment.

“It’s...Um, Great of you to help us out, Bob”, Tony ventured.

Bob’s massive head swung about and fixed on Tony.  “BOB KEEP ORDER”, he said.

“Just so you know what to do....”, Tony began.

“BOB KNOW PERFECTLY WELL WHAT TO DO”, Bob said.  Then, dropping his voice, said, "Bob Not Stupid, You Know.”  With that, he dropped Tony a slow wink.

Tony was astounded.  “But...Then you aren’t....You’re not...”

“It’s Just An Act”, Bob replied.  “Free School, Scholarship, No Classes....” He shrugged.

Tony slowly grinned.  “Well, I’ll be”, he mused.  “Just between us, then, huh ?”

“BOB NEVER TELL”, Bob said, reverting to his former voice but dropping a grin of his own before heading off.  Tony watched him go over and take charge of the Cliques in amazement.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Soon, Ted and Mandy headed off with the other girls to go to the Dorms.  Tony went and quietly made an addition to his squad, that of Zoe, as his real reason for wanting to go out on his mission was to try and find Jimmy.  Tony, Nick, Laurent, and Zoe followed a ways behind Ted and his group, until they reached the front quad.  There Tad’s group had taken the shortcut to the Girl’s Dorm, the others having to push a complaining Eunice up onto the stone wall onto the path.  Keeping a watchful eye out, Tony noticed Karl was still stationed at the Parking Lot Gate, and Seth was still holding forth at the Front Gate.  Casting a look up at the school revealed Max standing guard at the main front door to the school, with the other frontside door within his sight. Doubtless they had locked down the other exit doors to the rear already, Tony thought.  He decided to stick around until Ted and the girls came back from the Dorms.

The four stayed out of direct sight under the stone wall of the giant patio that circled around the front of the school and waited, talking low among themselves and planning their mission.  Since Zoe had told Tony that the way into Blue Skies was blocked off through the tunnels, Tony told the group that they would have to take the long way around, through New Coventry.  Tony stressed that it had to be quick, as he was sure Jake would attack the school at night, as that had been his mode of operation so far.  The others agreed they would have to move quickly.

Finally Ted and the girls re-emerged from the Dorms, not from the shortcut, but coming around the main walkway, carrying all manner of blankets and pillows.  Trailing behind them were Mrs. Carvin and Mrs. Peabody, also similarly loaded with blankets as such.  That was good, Tony figured, having some kind of authority figures down on the Football Field would be better that none in the event they had to shelter there after dark.  Tony and his crew were unseen by Ted’s group and the two women, loaded as they were with the bedding.  Tony let them get a ways ahead, then had his group follow.  At the wrecked fountain, they veered right to the Autoshop and went around behind it to the scrap pile, where they climbed it and dropped over to the other side.  The last time Tony and Nick had been here was when they were chasing Jake.  Now, though, it seemed unlikely they would encounter him at all.  Jake would certainly be better prepared this time around.  Tony only hoped they could locate Jimmy and return in time.  Grimly, they set off on their mission.
__________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

“What do you hear on that thing, Benny ?”, Christy asked worriedly.

Benny fiddled with the dials of his salvaged receiver.  “Not a whole lot, Christy.  The only thing I’ve picked up was from the Girl’s Dorm.  Everything else seems empty, at least I’m not hearing nothing.”

“What did you get from the Girl’s Dorm ?”, Christy asked, with a trace of anxiety in her voice.  Christy had finished her finals on Thursday, and hadn’t been back to school since.  She and Winkie had gone out to celebrate that night, and Christy was sure she had aced her finals and would this year finally be a graduate.  Her plans were uncertain at this point, delayed as they were by her having to stay an extra year at Bullworth. 

“I heard Mandy come in and talk with one of the women there”, Benny said.

“Who ?”, Christy asked, “Mrs. Carvin ?”

Benny shrugged.  “I don’t know.  Anyhow, there was some other girls with her...”

“Do you know who they were ?”, Christy pressed.

Benny shrugged again.  “No. They were in the background, anyhow.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t interrupt so much”, Christy said apologetically.  “Can you tell me what they said ?”

Benny furrowed his brow.  “All I really heard was that they was after bedding to take down to the Football Field.....You know, blankets and stuff.  Seems like the whole school is down there for some reason.  That’s probably why I’m not picking up any other conversations from the other places.”

“Do you....Are you hearing anything else from the Dorm ?”, Christy asked.

“No....Nothing now.  I think they all left”, Benny said. 

“I wonder what’s going on over there”, Christy said, more to herself than to Benny. 

The Rockers had heard the far-off explosions all afternoon that had been rocking the Vale Valley, but at the insistence of Tibo, who had taken de facto control of the group after receiving Kurt’s mysterious cryptic letter saying he was leaving forever, the Rockers were staying put at Hattrick House.  No explosions had occurred over in this part of the towns, at least not yet, and it was his opinion that they were probably safer here than they would be anywhere else.  Winkie concurred with that, stating that whatever was going on wasn’t their fight and they should just stay out of it.  Still, every one of them had to wonder just what the hell was going on now in this seemingly screwed up place. 

It had been tough since Kurt was gone.  They could scarcely believe that their leader would abandon them after all they had been through.  To a man, they felt Derby and maybe some of the Preps had something to do with it, but they had been unable to confront Derby or his bodyguard Bif anywhere and beat it out of them.  Those two had been keeping a very low profile lately, and the rest of the Preps, now being led by Tad Spencer, denied knowing anything about the whole matter.  In truth, the Rockers had skipped most of the last week of finals anyway, not really giving a shit about them.  There was some talk of just picking up and going back to where they came from.  Without Kurt and Pinky, who had lit out a couple of weeks after Kurt’s disappearance to go live in the Beach House, their band dates had all but dried up.  There was really nothing for them here.  Since the only reason they were even here to begin with was because of the deal Kurt had worked out with the mysterious strangers in the black limos, there was the very real possibility that Kurt was into some deep shit that none of them knew anything about.

As darkness approached, they gathered on the front porch.  The explosions were getting nearer now.  All of them were tense with imagined expectations of what the night would bring.
_________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony and his party of Nick, Laurent, and Zoe crossed the big truss bridge onto Main Street and were met with the sight of mayhem.  The streets were littered with debris from building hit with the explosives.  Cars were scattered everywhere on the streets, unable to move.  And scores of people, some worked into a frenzy, were clogging the area.  Tony had never seen so many people at Bullworth Town before, and in fact had no idea that this many people even lived here.

The Shiny Bike Shop’s windows were all blown out.  The four went inside and grabbed some bikes that were sitting inside, and rode them out.  No one tried to stop them.  The four friends then detoured off on the street that led to New Coventry.

Before going toward the rail underpass though, Tony veered up the street towards the Spazz Hardware Store.  He wanted to see something.  This street was also littered with debris from blown-out buildings and very closely resembled what Tony had seen in his dream.  Tony turned towards the Hardware store, searching.  His eyes lighted on a colorful sign in the window.....

MEMORIAL DAY BLOWOUT SALE !

His nightmare was becoming a reality, with only one exception....There were no decapitated or dead bodies strewn about.....At least not yet.  Tony knew his precognitive dreams were just a sign of things that might be, not necessarily what would be.  And yet, the scene here chillingly was almost a match to his recent dream.  Wheeling around, he motioned the others to follow him to the road to the underpass.

Entering New Coventry, they encountered a scene of violence.  People were actively fighting in the streets.  A group emerged from the Yum-Yum Store on the corner with armloads of goods, obviously looting the place, and there were screams and yells from all sides.  Tony headed down the brick street that led past the indoor Bike Park and the abandoned Wonder Meats Warehouse.  It was less crowded here, and the group rode on.  No one paid them the slightest bit of attention.  Finally coming to the corner, they hooked a right and headed for the Blue Skies Bridge. 

Before they could get there, they all noticed a greenish cast to the air that grew thicker as the neared the bridge.  This area was deserted, which seemed odd as usually it was crowded with a riff-raff of people.  As they neared the bridge, they could see an abandoned Frontloader wrecked into the other end of the span.  They skirted around it and rode on into the increasing greenish haze.

They had gone only a few hundred feet before they started to feel overcome by the toxic gas.  Zoe stopped suddenly and began to vomit.  The others pulled to a halt, their stomachs rolling.

“Mon Dieu, we have to turn back !”, Laurent gasped.  “It is too much !”

Tony had to reluctantly agree.  Nick seemed to be holding up the best, but it was obvious that wouldn’t be the case for long.  All were coughing and showing the light-headed effects of the toxic fumes.  Tony wheeled around and gasped, “Go Back...Let’s Get Back !!”

Wobbly, they made their way back across the bridge into New Coventry, stopping at the corner to recover.  Their heads were spinning and their guts were churning. 

“No way we’re getting in there without gas masks, and maybe some air tanks”, Nick coughed.

“Where the hell we going to get any of those ?”, asked Tony.

“Maybe....”, Laurent coughed, “I think maybe the Nerds have some over at their Comic Store hideout ?”

“That’s an idea”, Tony said.  “All we need then, is air tanks of some kind.” 

Zoe spoke up.  “There’s some of those O2 canisters at the Clinics, remember Tony ?”

Tony did remember now.  “Hey, that’s right !  We just need to steal...Er, borrow some from one of the Clinics.”

“We should try to find ze gas masks first”, Laurent said, his accent becoming more pronounced with the stress.  “Zis O2 won’t do much good without them.”

“Right again”, Tony said.  “Com’on, let’s get to the Dragon’s Wing.  We need to hurry.”

The four set out for a return to Bullworth Town.  Tony felt the slight breeze, blowing towards the North.  He hoped the wind didn’t change direction anytime soon, or all bets would be off.
_____________________________________