The Bullworth Never Ending Story

[BloodChuckZ]

Tony made his way down the ladder to the Third Floor with the aid of Nick and Laurent. Karen and Melody followed, and as soon as they got to the stairs heading to the Second Floor, Karen grabbed his arm, displacing Laurent, and held on tightly as if to never let go. 

Coming out into the familiar hallways once more, the five made they way past the numerous Soldiers and headed to the staircase to the damaged ground floor.  Skirting around the hole, they went to the Cafeteria to get some bottled drinks, which they devoured greedily.  Fighting the bad guys had been a lot of work.  Refreshed, they headed towards the hallway that would lead them to the Patio door.

Emerging in the bright sunshine of the late morning, Tony blinked.  It wasn’t even noon yet.  The entire siege of Bullworth and the Vale Valley had taken less than 24 hours from start to finish.  It seemed so much longer to Tony, who was just glad to be basking in the sunshine and still standing on his own two feet.  Even his leg was starting to feel better. 

Captain Curry spotted them and came over to ask questions.  Tony told him what he could, interrupted now and again by the others as they interjected their recollections into the conversation.  As they were talking, a couple of Burly Guardsmen approached, hauling a protesting Trent up the steps with them.

“Found this one hiding behind the Dorm over there, Sir”, one of them said.  “He was armed with this.”  The Soldier held out the Colt 45.

“It’s Not Mine !  I Haven’t Done Anything !  I’m Not A Terrorist !”, Trent said desperately.  “Tell Them, Tony !!!”

Tony tried not to laugh, but failed as his friends couldn’t hold back either.  “That’s just Trent, Sir”, he said to the Captain.  “He’s harmless.  Fact is, I think he helped save the school today.”

“You sure about that, son ?”, Captain Curry asked, looking at Trent with suspicion.

Tony laughed again.  “I’m sure.”

The Captain flicked his had at the Soldiers.  “Release him.  Confiscate that weapon.”

“Yes, Sir !”, the Soldier said, the Trent was let go.  He quickly ran down off the Patio to join the other Bullies by the Quad wall.

Just then, several Guardsmen emerged from the Patio door, carrying Jake on a stretcher.  They came to a halt by Captain Curry and Tony’s group.

“Found this one upstairs, Sir”, the Soldier said.  “Medic says he’s paralyzed from a fall he took.  Looks like a broken neck”

“Here’s your 'Terrorist’, Captain Sir”, Tony said.  “He did all this, and more.”

“This Boy ?”, Captain Curry asked, more in wonder than disbelief.

“He Masterminded the whole thing”, Tony said, looking down at Jake, who was again conscious, his eyes glaring.

“You’ve caused a lot of trouble, boy”, Captain Curry said to Jake.  “Got anything to say for yourself ?”

Ignoring the Captain, Jake focused his accusing eyes on Tony. “You Did This To Me !!”, he harshly spat out.

Tony shook his head.  “No, Jake....You did this to yourself.”

Jake didn’t reply.  As Tony and the others watched, his face seemed to change, and the light in his glaring eyes dimmed.  He looked at his hands that had been laid on his chest in a criss-cross fashion, hands that he would never use again.  “Useless....Useless....”, he muttered, then was silent.

“Take him away !”, Captain Curry ordered abruptly.  The Soldiers carried him off down the steps to the Quad, then around towards the Parking Lot.  When the students caught sight of Jake along the way, they began to jeer and hurl insults.

“That boy is going to be in Prison a long time”, Captain Curry remarked to nobody in particular, and Tony silently hoped that would be so, as did the others gathered around.

Another Soldier approached.  “Sir, we searched the, uh, suspect...This is all we found.”

He handed the Captain a folded up paper.  It was Dr. Crabblesnitch’s resignation. “Thank you, Soldier, I’m sure somebody will want to see this”, the Captain said.  He stuck the paper in his jacket pocket.

Still another Soldier approached, carrying a backpack. “Sir, this was found over by the railing.”

“That’s Jake’s Backpack !”, Nick exclaimed.

“Nothing much in here”, the Soldier continued, “A Flashlight, some Firecrackers, bottle of water....But I thought you might want to see this, Sir.”

He handed the Captain a piece of paper, and Captain Curry looked it over.  It was Dr. Crabblesnitch’s Confession.  “Thank you Soldier, I’m sure Agent Hosty would like to see this.”  He tucked in in his jacked pocket where it nestled with the other paper.

Just then, several Guardsmen emerged from the school. The lead one, a Corporal Clayman by his name tag, said “Sir, we’ve completed the sweep of the school.  All areas are clear.  We’ve defused that C-4 we located up in the Bell Tower.”

“Basement area too ?”, the Captain asked.  The Corporal nodded.  “All right Corporal.  Tell the men to release the students and staff from over at the wall area.  But, restrict them to the Quad Area here until we clear the grounds.”

“Yes Sir !”, The Corporal said, and went off to convey the orders to the Guardsmen out front guarding the students.

Freed up, the students began to collect themselves in Clique groups once more in front of the school.  The staff wandered up towards the Patio, having nowhere else to go.  Jimmy, Zoe, Ray, and Constantinos joined Tony’s group already on the Patio. 

“Umm....What happened to Algie ?”, Tony asked

“The Soldiers took him away on a stretcher”, Jimmy answered. 

“To one of the Clinics, I think”, Zoe chimed in.

“Wonder if he’ll be back ?”, Tony wondered.

“Where else does he got to go ?  The Carnival ?”, Constantinos joked.

There was general laughter at that.  It felt good to laugh about something, after what they had all been through.

Tony moved towards the top of the steps looking out on everybody below, and heaved a sigh of relief.  The School was safe, at last.

Karen joined him as the students saw him there and began to cheer. 

“Any regrets, Tony ?”, Karen asked, putting her arm around him.

“None”, Tony said, “Except....I wish we’d had more time for just us.”

“Well, now”, Karen said playfully, “I think that can be arraigned.”

She kissed Tony deeply and he responded eagerly as the cheers grew louder.
_____________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The remaining dark green Government cars pulled to the front of Bullworth Academy, their other missions about the Towns completed, the arrests made.  Agent Hosty emerged from one vehicle, along with Agent Greer.  They approached the Sargent Carter, who was on duty in the front of the Academy grounds, along with one Sargent Decker, who had just arrived shortly before himself in a second convoy of 20 extra vehicles.

The Frontloader had succeeded in moving the rubble away from the Academy entrance.  Giant chunks of the archway lay to either side of the stone pathway that led to the Front Quad.  Most of the men on duty now had the job of keeping the News Reporters, Cameramen, and the Public out of the school grounds for the present time, but that was about to change. 

“Sargent, is Captain Curry inside the school grounds still ?”, Agent Hosty asked.

“Yes Sir”, replied Sargent Carter.  “Sargent Billingsly is also in the school’s Parking Lot down that road over there with three prisoners awaiting Medavac Transfer at your pleasure, Sir.”

“Very good, Sargent”, Agent Hosty said.  “We will need to enter the grounds here to conclude some business.  If you could spare just a few men for escort, that would be sufficient.”

“Yes Sir”, the Sargent replied, and called to four men to accompany the Agents. 

“Oh, one more thing”, Agent Hosty said. “Have the Media arrange a Pool and they can come in with us.  The Director wants this made public.”

“Sir, I don’t have authorization for that sort of thing....”, Sargent Carter began.

“I’M giving you authorization, Sargent”, Agent Hosty said briskly.  Federal Authorization.  Are we clear ?”

“Yes Sir, very clear!”, the Sargent replied, and went to do what Agent Hosty ordered.

Soon enough, all was ready.  The Agents entered the grounds accompanied by four Guardsmen and a few Reporters and Cameramen.  The Media was to be restricted to the pathway and the Front Quad area only.

The Agents made their way to the Front Quad.  Briefly, they stopped to confer with Captain Curry, and the Captain handed the Agents some papers.  The Agents looked them over and nodded, then headed for the steps to the Patio.  Many of the Media had stopped to interview the students milling about, but one Reporter and a Cameraman followed the Agents up the steps.  A chapter in Bullworth Academy history was about to be closed.
__________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Dr. Crabblesnitch had wandered over to Tony and his group of friends on the Patio with Ms. Danvers in tow.  “Tony, my boy, I hear congratulations are in order !”

“Umm...I suppose they are, Sir”, Tony responded, looking keenly at the Head.

“It appears that you have been able to defeat that dastardly Jake Brown after all, much like Hopkins did for us last year with Gary Smith”, Dr. Crabblesnitch went on.  “The school owes you a debt of thanks, young Calderone.  Things are bound to change for the better around here now !”

“Maybe sooner than you think”, Tony said, pointing to the approaching agents, who made directly for them and halted in front of Dr. Crabblesnitch.

Agent Hosty sized him up.  “Dr. Milton Crabblesnitch ?  You are under arrest for being a Participant in the Interstate Transport of Stolen Goods, Conversion, and Violations of the RICO Act.”

“Whaa...?  What Is This ?”, a suddenly outraged Dr. Crabblesnitch exclaimed. “You Have No Right----”

“I am an Agent of the Justice Department of the United States”, Agent Hosty said, “And I have a Federal Warrant for your Arrest.”

“Nasty Little Man !”, Ms. Danvers burst out.  “You Leave Dr. Crabblesnitch Alone !  He Is The Most WONDERFUL Man---”

“Carolyn Danvers ?”, Agent Greer interrupted, “YOU are also under arrest, on the same Federal Warrant, charged with being an Accessory to the same charges.”

For once, Ms. Danvers was rendered speechless.  A sudden flush of redness had crept swiftly into her face, and her knees threatened to buckle.  “Milton...?”, she said weakly.

“Secure them for transport”, Agent Hosty told the Soldiers standing nearby, and they roughly took charge, pinning both Dr. Crabblesnitch’s and Ms. Danver’s arms behind their back.

“This Is Outrageous !!”, Dr. Crabblesnitch protested.  “I’m The Head Of This School !!”

“Not for long”, Agent Hosty said, patting his pocket.  “Not for long.”
__________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Agent Greer approached Jimmy and looked him over.  “Are you James Hopkins ?”, he asked.  Jimmy saw no sense in denying it.  “Yeah, I’m Jimmy.  What of it ?”

Agent Greer motioned Jimmy over to a more secluded area on the Patio.  Zoe followed along.  “Mr. Hopkins, I’m here to inform you that Criminal Charges against you have been dropped, and your Conviction has been overturned by the Federal Court of Appeals.”

Jimmy was stunned.  Nearly a year’s worth of his life hanging over the abyss had suddenly been redeemed.  Uh....That’s....Just Great !”, he finally managed to say.

“However”, Agent Greer continued, “We’d like you to come with us to New York as a Material Witness and testify as to what you know in relation to a certain File.”

“Umm....So I’m Free ?”, Jimmy said wonderingly.

“Yes, Mr. Hopkins”, Agent Greer reiterated.  “But we will also need your testimony to help complete the Government’s case against certain people.  What do you say ?”

“Yeah, well, but I’m a Minor, still”, Jimmy said.  “Don’t you like, have to have permission or something to make me do that ?”

Agent Greer sighed.  “I think you should be made aware of some facts, Mr. Hopkins.  Your Mother and Stepfather were involved in the wreck of a Cruise Boat in the Caribbean over this past winter.  Many people were killed, and quite a few have never been found.  Your mother and Stepfather are among the missing.”

Jimmy was again stunned, this time for a different reason.  Zoe grabbed his arm.  “Oh, Jimmy !”, she said.

“So...So I’m a Orphan ?”, was all he could say.

“Most likely, you will be declared as such, and the State will seek custody.  There is no telling what will happen then.  But”, Agent Greer continued, “If you agree to be a Material Witness, The Federal Government is willing to assume all responsibilities for your protection and care, much the same as we have done with your friend, Peter Kowalski.”

Jimmy thought, and finally said, “I won’t go anywhere without Zoe.”

“We have no use for this girl”, Agent Greer said.

“HEY, I know stuff !”, Zoe exclaimed.  “I know just as much as Jimmy, and more about all the corruption around here !  Stuff he doesn’t even know !  And, I’m an Orphan too !”

Agent Greer looked at her quizzically. “Just a moment.”, He said, and walked over to Agent Hosty, who was making sure his prisoners were secured.  A brief whispered conversation ensued, and both Agents returned.

“Umm, Miss...Taylor, is it ?”, Agent Hosty said.  “If what you say is true, The Government is prepared to offer the same Material Witness status to you, and you may accompany Mr. Hopkins on his journey to New York, provided you are willing to provide testimony as to what you know.”

“Damn right I will !”, Zoe said emphatically.  “I’ll hang the Bastards !”

Agent Greer looked at Jimmy.  “Mr. Hopkins ?  Will you do it ?”

Jimmy nodded.  “Yeah.  If Pete can, we can too.”

“Excellent, Mr. Hopkins”, Agent Hosty said with a smile.  “We will pick you both up here before we leave today.  Gather whatever you wish to take with you. It’s unlikely you will be back.”

“If you’ll excuse us, we have this other matter to attend to”, Agent Greer said.  “We will be back shortly, so say your goodbyes.”

The Agents left, and Jimmy looked up over the facade of the school building, then at Zoe.  She looked back, staring deeply into his eyes. “Are you sure about this, Jimmy ?”

“Hell, Yeah”, Jimmy said without hesitation. “Let’s do this.  Long as we have each other, nothing can stop us, Baby.”

At that moment, a hubbub arose on the Quad as the students began to realize what was now happening.  The spectacle was about to get more interesting.
__________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

A handcuffed Dr. Milton Crabblesnitch and Ms. Carolyn Danvers were hustled down the walk and out of Bulworth Academy for the last time to one of the green Government cars waiting at the curb to transport them into Federal Custody, a circus of News Reporters and Cameramen trailing in their wake, shouting questions.  Tony, Karen, and their friends, along with a bevy of staff and students, followed them, watching the Federal Agents stuff them into the backseat. 

Tony’s attention was drawn to a Black Limo parked across the street, nearly lost in the sea of News Vans and National Guard vehicles.  The windows were tinted, but the back window was rolled down halfway, revealing a man who was watching through a small set of binoculars.  As Tony stared, the man lowered the binoculars and looked at Tony, then waved.  Tony smiled as he recognized the man.  The wave turned into a thumbs up, and Tony returned the gesture.  Then the window was rolled back up, obscuring the man.

Inside the Limo, Mr. Luntz leaned forward and tapped the driver on the shoulder.  “OK, let’s go.  I saw what I came to see.”  The Limo began to move, and picking up speed, crossed the South Bridge going West on Vale Boulevard, and was soon lost to Tony’s sight.

Everyone’s attention had been on the spectacle of the now-disgraced head and his dour-looking secretary being arrested and hauled away by Federal Agents.  No one else had noticed the Black Limo, save for Mr. Galloway.  He came up beside Tony.  “Who on Earth was that ?”, he asked. 

“A friend of mine”, Tony said, still looking at the spot on the bridge where the Limo had disappeared.   “Just a friend of mine.”
__________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One week had passed, and it was Graduation Day at Bullworth Academy.  The Front Quad had been cleared of all debris a few days earlier, and was now full of folding chairs.  Up at the top of the steps, on the Patio, a lectern had been placed in the center, and on either side were chairs for the staff.

This Spring, there was to be only one Graduate, and that was Christy Martin.  The State Board of Education had swept down on Bullworth Academy in the wake of all the Media publicity highlighting the corruption and malfeasance at the school, in addition to all the hyped-up attention describing Terroristic activities at both the School and the Towns.  What they found were poorly-maintained attendance records, when they were kept at all.  Almost none of the students had attended school for the 180-day state minimum, so their credits were disallowed for those courses in which they failed to meet the criteria.  Some credit requirements were waived on an individual basis, where the coursework was completed, but there were few instances of that.  Christy was left as the only one who qualified for Graduation, having spent an extra year at the Academy.  Her determination to finally Graduate had finally paid off.

The State Board of Education had also taken over the school under a law that allowed the State to take control of both public and private institutions that failed to meet state standards, and Bullworth Academy turned out to be one of the worst in the State’s history.  The Board had placed Mr. Galloway as the new Acting Head of Bullworth Academy after he had presented Board Members with the evidence of Mr. Hattrick’s providing test answers for sale to the Preps.  The State Board had approved the hiring of Bethany Jones as the new School Secretary.

Mr. Galloway’s first action as the new Head was to fire Mr. Hattrick, an action he felt was eminently satisfactory.  Mr. Hattrick was thereafter arrested on multiple counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and had his Teaching License revoked by the State.

Mr. Galloway’s second action as the new Head was to fire Coach Burton.  It hadn’t taken the Explosives Experts, brought in by the military who scoured the buildings and grounds for traces of unexploded C-4, to locate and search the Coach’s private under-the-bleachers office.  The scores of Video Tapes of naked young girls was found and revealed, and Coach Burton, who had been found still hidden in his under-the-bleachers hideaway by the Explosive Experts, had been arrested and charged with Voyeurism and Possession of Child Pornography.  His Teaching License was also revoked by the State.

The entire student body were to be required to attend Summer School to began the process of making up their credits.  There was some grumbling at this, of course, but on the whole the news was being taken well.  As for Tony, he certainly didn’t want to leave Karen for the summer, and most of the other couples on Campus felt the same way.  There were rumors of more students that were to be brought to the School, particularly girls from the State Girl’s Reform School, but nothing was yet announced on that, at least not officially.  If true, it would help balance out the glaring gender disparity that had been the norm at the school for so many years.

The Team of Explosive Experts had found all the C-4 that had been planted about the school grounds....Around the Jock’s Clubhouse, on the Autoshop Roof, by Harrington House, at the side of the Library by the Nerd’s Gate, and behind both Dorms.  Just why Jake hadn’t set those charges off was anybody’s guess, just as much as why he HAD set off the charge in front of  the Observatory.  But there was a lot of endless speculation on the subject. 

In the search for explosives, the Team did find the two shields belonging to Harrington House, one underneath the Boys Dorm and one inside the Observatory.  Both were returned to their rightful place in Harrington House and bolted back onto the walls that they came from.  Also found was the missing book. It was returned to a secure area in the Library.  Edward Seymour was particularly happy about those turn of events.  The area behind the Boy’s Dorm with the loose bricks was slated to be bricked back up as restoration crews began work on the Campus.

Because of all the publicity, the Vale Valley was declared a Disaster Area and the FEMA money soon poured in to aid in the cleanup and restoration.  The Explosive Experts Teams had searched the Towns for any unexploded C-4, but found very little.  During this time, and for the foreseeable future, the Towns were declared under Martial Law in the absence of a viable Town Government.  There was talk of merging the four towns into one, with a Mayor or City Manager, but nothing had been decided as yet.

Mr. Smith was being called a Hero for his actions in saving the Towns, despite the fact that his two grandsons, Gary and the Jake, had been the ones to spark the troubles the befell the School, and ultimately the Towns, in the first place.  The Media was playing up his Hero Martyr status in nearly every broadcast to outlets around the country, and there were even plans to erect a statue in his honor by the pathway the led to the Bullworth Dam.  Although he had not set out to be famous, Mr. Smith would have loved it.   

Fire Chief O’Rouke, known as the last honest man in the Valley, was given the job of Acting Police Chief over any of the other Policemen on the force.  They would be allowed to keep their jobs, even as inept as they were.  Chief O’Rouke would have to run two departments, but had been promised some Firemen so he wouldn’t be having to go put out fires all by himself.

Billy Bob Crane brought all the Carnival Workers and Freaks back to the Carnival grounds just as soon as the publicity hit the airwaves.  With the Towns open to the world, the Carnival would now be the destination spot for countless new customers from all over the area, and Billy Bob was determined to cash in.  Soon enough, his profits would skyrocket during the course of the summer, and allow the rebuilding of the Go-Cart Racetrack and to finally fix the Carrousel that had sat broken for many years.

The students were all being housed at the In & Out Motel until repairs had been well underway on the Campus.  The greatest amount of damage had been done to the School itself this time, and large steel plates had been laid on the gaping hole in the Great Hall until a new floor could be poured and finished over with marble overlay.  The furnace, blown to smithereens by the blast, was to be upgraded with a newer, more efficient model.

The Rockers had decided to leave the Towns and return to New Jersey, with the exception of Winkie.  The Clique, now led by Tibo, made the decision after Kurt had been found in the basement of the Church in a catatonic state during a raid by Federal Agents on the Church buildings.  None of the Monks were ever found, and the mystery of their identities would continue to live on in the Vale Valley.  Winkie was good enough on his own to get bookings at the Golden Horseshoe and elsewhere, and he and Christy were planning to move into an apartment in town after her Graduation. 

Just what Christy was planning on doing as a newly-minted adult wasn’t known, though.  As the bus carrying the students arrived to the mandated Graduation Ceremony, the students unboarded the bus and filed through the gap where the broken archway was being repaired.  Curiosity about Christy future plans was the topic of conversation.  It was possible that during her Valedictorian Speech as the only member of the Graduating Class of 2008, she would reveal her future plans.  The student body made their way to their seats in the chairs set up on the Front Quad, and waited with rising anticipation to hear what Christy Martin would have to say.
_______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

After the students were seated, the front doors of the school opened.  The four Prefects emerged, and formed a two-by-two line on either side of the front doors.  Dressed in gowns, the Staff came out next, headed by Mr. Galloway, then followed by Mr. Matthews, Mr. Neil, Dr. Slawter, Dr. Watts, and Mr. Wiggins.  Then, Christy, resplendent in a red cap and gown, was escorted out by Ms. Phillips and Miss Peters to the strains of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’.

Playing Pomp and Circumstance

Out of loudspeakers mounted to either side of the steps came the tinny sound of a piano going through the notes.  Although the audio quality was poor, the power having been restored the day before, the intent was in the right place, considering that the school behind them could have easily become a pile of rubble if things had gone a different way.

Mr. Galloway, as the new Head, approached the podium first.  “I’ve often said, that English is a difficult language to teach”, he began, “But it seems now it’s a breeze compared to the road that lays ahead of us.  The past couple of years have been rough for Bullworth Academy, and now we face an unknown and untested future.  It’s up to us to move forward with everything we have and seize the day !  If there ever was a time for a call to arms, this is it !  We must rebuild the trust and quality that the name of Bullworth once stood for, and began a new era of gallant tradition that will transcend that of the past, for only in that way can the heart and spirit and hope of this grand institution live on in the minds of the future young who will inhabit these hallowed halls....blab...blab...blab....”

Tony disconnected his attention as Mr. Galloway droned on.  Really, these kinds of things were boring as hell.  His thoughts drifted off to other things he had been planning for the Summer, now changed because he had to stay here at the school.  But, he had a few days before classes resumed, time enough for something that Karen had mentioned in passing.  It would involve asking a favor of someone he didn’t particularly like.  But, Tony was now at the top of the heap, the Top Dog at Bullworth.  He had everyone’s respect for finally beating Jake, weather they liked it or not.  Mr. Galloway had assured him he was to keep his Mediator position for the foreseeable future, and his time forward at the school seemed rosy now that he had no evil psychotic fiend to fight.

But Tony knew just how precarious his status was.  Those at the top always fall, sooner or later. Even the great Jimmy Hopkins, who had risen to the King of the School by thwarting Gary’s every evil plan was turned on by the very students and staff he had helped and aided, and not just once, but twice.  People have short memories, and Tony knew it wouldn’t be long before all the bickering and squabbling and fighting started up once again.  The Cliques would strive to reassert themselves and the rivalries would began anew.  Tony would face new challenges in the Summer ahead, of that he was quite sure.

He looked over at sweet Karen, seated next to him.  She was the one it was all for.  Without her, his world would be dull and worthless.  She felt his gaze on her, and turned and gave him a brilliant smile.  “Oh, Tony”, she whispered, “Isn’t it exciting ?  Someday, that will be us up there, graduating and getting ready to move on with our lives together !”

Mr. Galloway had finished his commencement speech, and Christy was being escorted to the podium.  Mr. Galloway handed her diploma to her and shook her hand.  Then, he said to the audience, “I present to you the Graduating Class of 2008, your Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Miss Christy Martin !”

The students rose, applauding and whistling.  Christy’s Father, Mr. Martin, who was in the front row, and in fact was the only parent who was in attendance, was clapping loudly, a sheen of tears in his eyes.  Christy moved her tassel from one side of her cap to the other, then held up her Diploma in the air in Triumph.

“Thank You Everybody !”, she began.  “I heard like 10 people made out here....”  There was a spate of laughter at this.  “....But now that I’m graduated, I can do that ALL the time....”  More laughter, especially from Winkie in the front row.  “I used to think if I started a rumor about me being a Princess, it might come true someday.  Well, today, I feel like a Princess !”  Cheers at that.  “ I used to feel trapped here, I felt I belonged with famous people....But now, we’re all famous people !”  More cheers at that, because it was getting true.

Tony sat back and reflected.  Technology had come at last to the Vale Valley.  With all the huge satellite dishes on the news vans, the saga of Bullworth had been broadcast far and wide.  Freed from the restrictions of years of imposed Harrington isolation, the Valley had become suddenly become flooded with all sorts of devices.  A load of Satellite Dishes had arrived in the towns, and the people were eagerly buying and installing them.  Cell Phones were popping up everywhere.  And, the Internet was coming to Bullworth.  Mr. Galloway had told him that new computers had arrived at the Library, and would be hooked to the Internet just as soon as the phone lines were installed.  Tony understood that the events of last week had ‘gone viral’ on You-Tube.  Most everybody had been interviewed by the News Media in the past week, their faces becoming famous overnight.  There was talk of a Movie, and even a Video Game biased on Bullworth.  It was exciting times indeed.

“But, seriously”, Christy was saying, “Life was SOO boring here, I couldn’t wait to finish and get away.  But now, I don’t have to wonder what everyone is talking about this week....It’s US !!!”  More cheers.  “So, I’m not leaving after all !!  I’m going to stay and be a Teacher’s Ade, and live in Bullworth Town !!”

Stunned silence greeted this announcement, for just a few seconds.  Then, the assembly erupted in even larger cheers.  Christy smiled like a Queen.  When the hubbub had died down, she continued, “There’s things we need here at Bullworth !   We need, like snack break and tea break in school.....”  (Cheers)  “And extra Holidays off !”  (Cheers)  “And Fall Breaks and Spring Breaks !” (Loud Cheers)  “And....Sports for Girls !” (Cheers from the Girls)  “So, I’m gonna stay and try to make those things happen !!” 

The students were going wild at the prospect of the things Christy was talking about.  They rose to their feet, clapping and whistling.  The commotion went on for a few minutes, and when it died down, Christy resumed, wrapping up her speech.  “So, let’s move forward in unity, and remember, if you kiss once a day, you’ll live longer !!”  With that, she grabbed her cap and flung it into the air.  Those students in the audience with hats, although not graduating, rose and did the same.  Christy left the podium and ran down the steps, first going to her Father and embracing him.  Then she ran to Winkie and threw her arms around him. 

“Hello you, in the flesh !!”, she beamed.

“I got news for you”, Winkie said.  “Our place is ready to move into !  We got someplace all to ourselves.”

“It IS !?”, Christy’s eves got big.  “I can’t wait !   I like being alone with you....”

With that, they kissed deeply as the celebration continued around them.
_______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Graduation Ceremony over, Tony and his friends gathered outside by the street in front of the Academy.  The bulk of the students had been released to move back into the Dorms and other places.  In front, two giant tall cranes awaited to hoist the repaired front arch back into place so the Stonemasons could complete the job of returning the front entryway back to it’s original condition. 

Jimmy and Zoe had already left the past week with the Federal Agents, and they would be missed.  They were to be eventually offered the same deal as Pete in return for their help in the Federal Prosecutor’s cases against Vince Fonzerelli and the Harrington bunch.  Mr. Spencer and the other rich families of the Vale Valley would turn state’s evidence against Mr. Harrington and the New York Mob Boss in exchange for immunity.

Algie was in the Bullworth Clinic, and would probably be there quite awhile, recovering from his Pellet wounds where Jake had shot him.  It was assumed he would return to Bullworth, since he had missed much of the past school year.  It was unclear if juvenile charges would still be pursued against him for his part in the attacks on the Cliques, just as much as it was unknown if the Nerds would accept him back as one of them.

Kurt had finally been taken to his intended home, New York City, not as the son of the powerful Mob Boss, but he was to become a permanent resident of Bellview Psychiatric Hospital.  His mind broken, Doctors concluded he would live in a Catatonic State for the rest of his life.  The rest of the Rocker Clique, except for Winkie, had departed for New Jersey, where they parlayed their Bullworth fame into a performance contract at Atlantic City, playing four nights a week. 

Damon would fare much better for his close encounter with the Monks.  He blended right back into the Jock Clique without too much trouble, although he would never again go near a cemetery or church, and often had terrible screaming nightmares of black-hooded figures chasing after him with fish-white hands uttering undecipherable chants.

Derby had indeed fled to England, and it was doubtful he would ever be back, that is, as long as his Father was sitting in a Federal Prison.  As for Bif, he was to never rejoin his Former Clique leader and friend, instead settling for crawling back to the Prep clique on the condition that he become Tad’s bodyguard.  Meet the New Boss, same as the Old Boss.  For a long time afterward, the others, with the exception of Chad, treated him like their slave and were openly hostile toward him.

Pinky would recover from the broken jaw that Derby gave her, although it would keep her from talking for about a month.  She would also have to drink her food through a straw for awhile.  Pinky was to throw her lot in with Tad, and she would again be the Girl of the Clique Leader, although she never would forget Kurt and her longings for Tony.

The Townies blended back into the Blue Skies landscape, largely forgotten about.  Their cases had been so badly mishandled by the Bullworth Police Department that the charges against them would eventually be thrown of of court.  In the meanwhile, they would reoccupy their old haunts and hiding places, and once again spawn their brand of mischief across the Valley.

The Prefects, who had no more success with trying to join the National Guard than they did with the Army or the Police, would stay on as the enforcers at the campus, under an agreement reached with the State Board of Education.  They were to answer to Mr. Galloway now, and although they weren’t to crazy about that, they had nowhere else to go.

Most of these things were known to Tony and his friends by now, though some were not.  A lot of the information was dug up by Constantinos, who had seemed to be everywhere this past week, disappearing and reappearing and popping up at odd times with a new discovery to tell. 

In fact, as Tony waited with the rest....Karen, Melody, Nick, Laurent, and Ray....Constantinos was off somewhere, having taken a powder from the Graduation Ceremony.  Tony took a few steps to where he could see the School Building.  Just where was he ?
_______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

“Whoa....I think I see him”, Tony told the others.

And sure enough, Constantinos was sneaking down the school steps casting looks over his shoulder.  Seeing nobody paying any attention, he came through some of the still-milling students around the folding chairs on the Quad and saundered forward on the path to the Front Entrance.  Tony raised his hand and waved, and Constantinos saw him there.  He looked more chipper that usual.  That usually meant he had found out something.

“Hello, my ears !”, Tony grinned.  “Got some more juicy tidbits for us today ?”

Constantinos came into the circle of friends.  “A little bit, you might say”, he said modestly.

“Well, come on, Give !”, Tony said laughingly, “Or do you want paid first ?”

“These are freebies”, Constantinos replied, as the others gathered around.  “It seems like....Johnny Vincent and Lola Lombardi are coming back to Bullworth !”

“What ?  That Slut !?”, Karen and Melody said in unison.

“Hey, No Shit ?”, Ray remarked, a little nervously.

Nick, who hadn’t known either of them, just shrugged.

Tony hadn’t known Johnny, but he sure knew Lola.  “Why they coming back ?”

“Homesick for New Coventry, I guess”, Constantinos replied. “Or couldn’t cut it in the Motor City.  Either way, doesn’t matter.  Looks like they’ll be here within the week.”

Tony hoped Lola hadn’t ever spilled the beans about their encounter last winter, or never would either.  “That’s...Uhm....Great....I guess.  You said, ‘freebies’, you know something else ?”

“Yup”, Constantinos said, “Somebody else is coming back too.  Beatrice Trudeau.”

“What ?  What for ?”, Karen asked, surprised. “I thought she was going to some Pre-Med program somewhere.”

“Some of her credits here got axed, or something”, Constantinos said, “So she’s coming back for the year to make them up, I think.”

“Who’s Beatrice ?” Tony asked.  He had only vaguely heard of her.

“She’s a Nerd girl”, Melody said. “She’s real weird.  She use to go around muttering all these numbers and elements off the Periodic Table all the time.”

“The Nerds will be glad to have her back”, Ray put in.

“I see”, Tony said, not seeing at all.  “So, is there anybody else ?”

“As a matter of fact....”, Constantinos began.

“Better not be Earnest Jones”, Melody remarked “That’s one sick pervo piece of crap !”

“No, it’s not him”, Constantinos went on, “Far as I know, he’s still in the Sex Addiction Clinic up in Providence until he’s 18.  But there is some others that are coming, and it looks like they’re coming from other....Um, Instutions.”

“Institutions ?”, Tony asked, “What does that mean ?  Like...Like...?”

“Boy’s Schools ?  Girl’s Schools ?”, Constantinos said.  “Hard to tell, but yeah, I think so.”

“So....They are a-dumping, is how you say it, some ‘dregs’ here ?", Laurent put in.

“Seems like there’s plenty of ‘dregs’ here already”, Nick commented, “So yeah, it makes sense.”

“You know, despite all the jerks in this place, I really love this school", Melody said.

There was some agreement with that.  Tony turned back to Constantinos.  “So, is that it ?”

“One more thing”, Constantinos said.  “They’re going to hire a new Coach.”

“Really ?  Figured that”, Laurent said, making a ‘You Don’t Say’ face.

“So, who is it ?”, Tony asked, ignoring Laurent. “I’d guess you know !”

“You’d guess right”, Constantinos replied.  “It’s some guy by the name of Sanders.  Some kind of an Assistant Coach from Pennsylvania.”

“Why would he want to come to this dump ?”, Ray suddenly interjected.

Constantinos shrugged.  “I don’t know....Maybe they made him a offer he couldn’t refuse ?”

There was a round of laughter at that, although it was nervous laughter.  “Constantinos, you amaze me.  “How DO you find out all this stuff ?”

Constantinos shrugged.  “Just a Talent, I guess”, he said glumly.

There was a genuine round of laughter from the others at that.  “Nah, you’re alright kid”, Tony said, giving Constantinos a Noogie.

There was some general talk after that between the friends, about what the Summer would bring.  Finally, Karen said, “You know, we should go somewhere to celebrate !”

There was agreement at this.  “How about the French Restaurant ?”, Laurent said.  “There is no damage there, and the Chef has it open !”

The selection was to everybody’s liking, so the group began walking.  As they came over the South Bridge, the Town of Bullworth Vale was revealed to them.  Soldiers still patrolled the streets, for the Valley was still under Martial Law, but they weren’t challenged.  Other townspeople were out and around, going about their business.  A few News Vans were still evident, but not nearly as many as there was before. 

The group reached the French Restaurant, and saw that it was indeed open.  They entered in a group, and the smiling Chef came out to greet them.  “Bouche bée !  It is all of you !  I non see you for a long while !  Welcome !”

“Hi Chef”, Tony said, “It’s great to be back.  Just how are you ?”

“Bien, Merci !” The Chef said.  “I am very fine, with thanks !”

“We felt a little celebration was in order”, Tony said.

“Ah, oui, so it is !”, the Chef replied, “For the Heros of Bullworth !  Come, sit at ze tables, we hav-a new shipments this very day, marvelous food to consume !”

The group pushed two tables together and sat down.  “Ze special of day is fresh New-Yorka Strip Steak”, the Chef said, “Just in this very morning !”

Tony nodded.  He would have that.  Somehow, it seemed fitting.  The Chef went around and took everyone’s orders, the departed to get the food ready.  The group sat talking, mostly about what might happen during the Summer at the school.  The talk centered on the disappearance of all the weapons from the school.  The pile left at the Football Field had vanished, along with any kind of weaponry from the Dorms and other buildings.  The assumption was that the National Guard and the Explosives Experts had confiscated them all and taken them away.

Tony knew it wouldn’t be long before the Nerds began making new weapons, and it would be even a shorter time before everyone would want them.  Tony remembered Jimmy’s talk about Parity.  This was bound to happen, and Tony would have to once more go about the task of re-arming the Cliques.  Deals would undoubtedly have to be made, and he would have to broker them. 

As their food came, they began eating a delicious meal and the talk died down until they were finished.  Then the discussion started again as to just what kind of place Bullworth would become in the future, their futures.  School, and their experiences there, were a large part of any Teenager’s life, for good or bad.  Tony let the others talk while he listened, thinking of the way things might be.

“Y’know, I haven’t been here very long”, Nick was saying, “But this School is one strange kind of place.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much violence in such a short time.”

The others had to agree at that, it HAD been a strange last two years at Bullworth.  Melody reiterated that she still liked the School, it was just some of the Jerks who made it bad with their Bullying.  Karen had to agree with that, but pointed out that all weren’t bad, there was a lot of good kids at the school as well.  Karen turned to Tony, who had been silent.  “What do you think, Tony ?  What kind of place is this, what kind of place can this be ?”

Tony looked at all the faces of his friends gathered around the table, those who now shared a life-long bond with him, and he with them.  No matter what became of them in life, their time here would define them all for the rest of their days.  They looked expectantly at him, awaiting his answer.  All of a sudden, Tony recalled a phrase his old Maine Grandpa, his Mother’s Father, used to say to him about something when it was good.

“It can be.....The Finest Kind”, Tony said, as he swept his gaze around all his friends.  “The Finest Kind.”
__________________________________________________

------{{ END OF CHAPTER SIX }}----------

[BloodChuckZ]

                           THE BULLWORTH NEVER ENDING STORY

                                                         {{ CHAPTER 7 }}

                                                     The Endless Summer


Tony gazed out over the water of the Narragansett Bay and sighed.  Soon they would have to leave this small paradise and return to Bullworth Academy.  Their little vacation was just about over, and classes would start up the day after next. 

Karen came up behind him and snuggled her arms around him from behind.  “Do we really have to leave, Tony ?”, she sighed.

“Fraid so”,Tony replied.  They were staying at a cabin on an Island, ironically named Hope Island.  The cabin, and a small bit of land around it was owned by none other than the Spencer Family. 

Tony and Karen had come to the Island by way of Tad Spencer’s boat, that was, his Father’s boat.  But these days, it was tough to be a Spencer just about now.  In addition to the pending charges and deals being worked out against the rich folk of the Vale Valley by the Federal Government, the IRS was getting in the act.  Assets were about to be seized, or so the Spencers and others feared, including houses, cars, and pleasure craft, such as the boat now sitting quietly at the end of the pier attached to the cabin. 

Tad Spencer had nearly begged Tony to take the boat when he had asked him about borrowing it, something Tony was loath to do in the first place.  He didn’t really care for Tad and his snobbish Prep friends in the least.  Tony ranked them the lowest of all the Cliques when it came to qualities which made them human beings.  Even the Bullies were better, even though they were despicable kids in their own right, but at least they were honest about it.  The Preps were nothing but pretentious assholes to the core. 

But apparently Tad cared about this one material possession a whole lot more than anyone knew.  To keep his precious boat from being hauled away by the Tax Boys, he was willing to turn it over to Tony for safekeeping.  He even signed it over to Tony for $1, with the proviso that Tad would buy it back after a year.  Tony didn’t even know if that was legal or not, but it didn’t matter.  He intended to use the boat anyway.  If Tad even knew that Tony had a hand in bringing down the rich families of the Vale Valley, he gave no indication of it.  In Fact, Tony reflected, his role hadn’t been that large....It was mostly the work of Pete and Jimmy that had the Harringtons and Spencers and the rest sitting in jail, awaiting their fates. 

But whatever.  Tomorrow, he and Karen would have to return to school.  It had been a wonderful three days on this deserted Island, and Tony and Karen had made the most of it.  Besides just sex, there had been long walks in the summer air along the beach, planning their future together.  Tomorrow, he would be back in the thick of things, with new problems to deal with.  Not with a crazed psychotic kid intent on taking over the school and blowing things up to get his way, that much was over.  But, problems nonetheless.  He sighed.

“What’s the matter, Love ?”, Karen said.  “Thinking about going back ?”

“Yeah”, Tony replied.  “I wish we could just stay here.  I wish we just were old enough to go somewhere and get on with our lives together.”

Karen stopped walking and drew him to her.  “It doesn’t matter.  We have each other, and we are strong.  With what we’ve been through, it will be child’s play.”

“I hope you’re right”, Tony said.  “There’s still going to be the matter of parity, and just what am I gonna do about.....”

“Shhhh”, Karen whispered, putting her fingers to his lips.  “It’ll all work out for us, you’ll see.”

Tony marveled at how this little bundle of a girl could calm all his fears and make every thing seem all right.  She had plenty of optimism for the both of them, and then some.  He held her tight as he gazed out over the calm waters of the bay.  At this moment, he loved her more fiercely than he had ever loved her before.

“We still have tonight, Tony”, Karen reminded him.  “Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Tony nodded.  He felt revived.  “And we can face whatever comes.  You and me.”

Karen smiled a dazzling smile.  Things would be alright.  He would make sure of it.
______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

Ricky was the first to spot the strange-looking car that pulled into the Parking Lot and came to a halt beside the old school bus, which was slated for removal under the on-going renovate Bullworth Academy Project.  Lots of vehicles had been in the lot in the past 10 days, mostly the military and news people, but this one was different.  It was of a yellow color, and had a rectangular white light on top.  Ricky squinted as his puny mind tried to remember just where he had seen such a car, and then he remembered.

Excitedly, he called to the other Greasers that were hanging about behind the Autoshop, “Hey, Youse All !  Come Look !  It’s A....Taxi !!”

The others stopped what they were doing, which was much of nothing, and gathered around.  From where Ricky was standing, there was a commanding view of the Parking Lot.  The driver emerged, and went around to the trunk of the car, opening it and depositing some bags and suitcases beside the car.  Then the back door opened, and a tall, lanky boy got out, followed shortly by a dark red-haired girl. 

“JOHNNY !!!  It’s JOHNNY !!!”, Peanut yelled, and as a group they all ran towards the Taxi.

“Lola Too !!!”, gasped Vance as he ran.  They arrived just as Johnny was peeling off a $100 bill and paying the driver, who tipped his hat in thanks, then re-entered the Taxi and drove off.  The group gathered around the couple, excitedly pumping questions and welcoming them back.

“Hey’s Johnny, you coming back ?”, Peanut said, grabbing Johnny’s hand.
“Lola-Bear !!  We been missin’ youse around here !!”, Vance chattered, eyeing Lola.
“How’s Detroit ?  Is it really a Motor City ?”, Lucky spouted off.
“How‘d youse get that fine ride in style, Johnny ?”, Lefty wondered.
“Damn, Man, we didn’t ever think we’d see you again !”, Hal grinned.
“Youse gonna be here for awhile Johnny ?”, chipped in Ricky.

“Eeey, one at at time, so many questions !”, Johnny said good-naturedly. “Yes, we’re back, gonna be here a long while, Detroit wern’t so hot at all that....”

“Detroit was a Dump !”, Lola interjected, and seeing as how Lola had lived in the worst Tennament building over in New Coventry before, where she and Johnny had been staying in Detroit must have been very bad indeed.

“What she said”, Johnny joked, poking his thumb at Lola and laughing.  “It was a rotten hood, all right is was.  But we got homesick is all, me and Lola, so we come back.  We’re gonna get us a place over in the Neighborhood by Blue Balls, our own pad.”

“But...But, that takes bread, man, real money !”, Ricky said.  “How’ya gonna swing that ?”

“Just like I got that ride here, we come back first class all the way !”, Johnny grinned.  “When dose people heard we was from here, dese fools started sending us money from all over !”

“What people ?”, Peanut said, mystified.

“People from all over, is all”, Johnny responded.  “This place is famous now, been all over the news and that there Intra-Net.  Dey musta heard about us, some o’ dem Reporters came and inter-viewed us, and then the word got out we wuz wanting to come back, den all kindas fools started sendin’ us money !  Can you believes it ?”

“Wow !”, piped up Hal.  “How much youse guys got ?”

“I donno.  A lot.  She knows”, Johnny said, poking his thumb at Lola again.  The others turned to Lola and began peppering her with questions, but she just smiled sweetly and refused to tell.  In fact, Johnny and Lola were carrying just a little under three grand on them that day.

“Hey, Hey, leave her be”, Johnny said, holding his hands up.  “I been hearin’ things, stuff I don’t likes been goin’ on here.  Hear ones of youse all was bein’ a traitor, takin’ the Clique over.  Dat what I hear was right, was it dere, Norton ?”

Norton, who had been mostly silent up until now, still being relegated to the low man on the pole for his recent actions of mis-handling the Clique after Peanut’s ouster, mumbled “It weren’t like dat, not really, Johnny.”

“So, how was it like ?”, Johnny said, giving Norton an icy stare.  “Youse know, I left Peanut in charge fer a Reason, and dat diddn’t mean fer him to be backstabbed by one o’ his own, y’know.  I’se meant what I said, and dat’s law, cause I’m the King around here.  Mebbe youse forgot dat, now did’ja ?”

“Um...Yeah, mebbe I did at that”, Norton mumbled, “But it’sa all good now, Johnny, really !”

Johnny stared at Norton a bit longer, just enough for everyone to get a bit nervous.  Then his mouth crinkled in a smile, just like the Johnny of old.  “Eeeey, It’s our homecoming.  I see every-ting is just fine, right boys ?” 

The others sighed in relief as the momentary tension drained away.  Johnny half-playfully whacked Norton on the shoulder.  “We will speak of this later.  But for now, me and Lola want to celebrate our return.  So, grab our bags and stuff dere, let us go to the Shop and hang out, just like the old days, heh boys ?”

In a group, they headed towards the Autoshop, all chattering away, while Norton trailed in the rear, carrying all of Johnny and Lola’s luggage.
_____________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

“Who the Hell’s that there ?”, Nick said, pointing towards the front entrance, which had finally been restored to it’s former grandeur by the Stonemasons.

Constantinos swiveled his head to look.  He, along with just about half the school, had been watching the Cement Truck parked at the bottom of the steps at the Front Quad, with it’s long flume extending in through the school’s front doors, and the score of workmen moving the fresh cement along it to the inside, repairing the huge hole in the floor left by Jake’s C-4 explosion. In just a couple of days, the marble overlays would be put in place, and it would be like nothing had ever happened to the Great Hall just inside the entrance.

Constantinos squinted at the figure who had just emerged from the car at the curb.  She was struggling to carry a couple of suitcases and bags unassisted through the front entrance and having a hard time doing it.  “That looks like....Yes, that’s Beatrice !”, he said.

“Bea-Who ?”, Nick asked, half-jokingly.

“Beatrice Trudeau”, Constantinos said.  “Remember, I told you guys last week she was coming back.”

“Oh...Yeah.  Sort of....”, Nick said with a shrug.  “She...Uh....Looks like she could use some help there.  Com’on, let’s go.”

“Um....Ok”, Constantinos said, somewhat reluctantly. “I guess.....”

“Whatsmatter ?”, Nick asked.  “She needs help.”

“Ehh....You’ll see”, Constantinos replied.

Both boys began walking towards the Nerd girl, and by the time they reached her, she had struggled up the walk to where the pathways cut off to both of the Dorms.  As Nick got within hearing range, he heard, “.....Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Fluorine, Neon....”

“What’s she doing ?”, Nick asked in an aside to Constantinos.

“Reciting the Periodic Table of the Elements”, Constantinos replied in a low tone.  “She does stuff like that all the time.”

“Really ?  What for ?”, Nick said, but by then they were there.

“Umm...Beatrice ?”, Constantinos said loudly, for part of Beatrice’s face was obscured by one of the bags she was struggling with.  “Need some...Er, help there ?”

Beatrice stopped stock still and dropped the bags, staring at the two boys.  Her eyes narrowed on Canstantinos for a moment, and then she smiled.  “You’re Constantinos Brakus !  I remember you !”  She looked at Nick.  “But...Who’s this ?”

“Err....That’s Nick.  Nick Penty”, Constantinos replied.  “He’s....Sorta new here.  Since Christmas”, he finished lamely.  Getting a real good look at her face, Constantinos could see all her zits that he remembered had been there were cleared up.  In fact, she was almost downright pretty, with the exception of the ugly glasses she still wore that he remembered well.

Nick made a small bow.  “At your service, Ma’am.  We here to help with your bags.  Are you going to the Dorm, by chance ?”

Beatrice’s eyes were riveted on Nick, who cut quite a handsome figure.  “Um...Yes, for now”, she managed to get out.

“Well, fine then !”, Nick said warmly.  “Let’s get you settled in, then !”  He picked up two of the suitcases and motioned for Constantinos to get the rest.  Constantinos just rolled his eyes, but grabbed up the remaining bags, and the trio headed down the path to the Girl’s Dorm.

Coming up the path from the Boy’s Dorm, Trent spotted Beatrice.  “Hey, Look Who’s Back !”, he hollered.  “Lameoid !!!”

Nick looked around.  “Knock it off, Trent”, he said mildly, “Or I’ll knock you off.”

Trent held up his hands.  “Hey, I’m just....”  He faltered as Nick continued to glare at him.  “Umm....Whatever, Dude.”  He quickly walked away.  Constantinos caught Beatrice batting her eyes in Nick’s direction, and shook his head.

They continued their walk towards the Girl’s Dorm.  “So...What were you saying when we came up to you ?”, Nick said, making small talk.

“Saying ?”, Beatrice asked, puzzled. “Oh !  The Periodic Table, you mean ?”

“Uh, Yeah, I guess”, Nick said.  “What was that all about ?”

“I like to practice”, Beatrice said primly, “Even though I know all the elements.”

“All of them, huh ?”, Nick queried.  “How many are there ?”

“118“, Beatrice answered.

“118 !!!!”, Nick said, astounded.  “That’s a hell of a lot !”

“I know other things too, that I like to practice”, Beatrice said.  They had reached the steps to the Girl’s Dorm. 

Yeah ?  Like what ?”, Nick asked, setting the suitcases down.

“Like....I’ve been studying human sexuality, and I want to try....An Experiment....”, Beatrice said, and without warning, she grabbed Nick around the neck and planted a huge French kiss on his surprised lips.  Taken aback, Nick naturally responded as Beatrice sunk her tongue halfway down his throat. 

Watching, Constantinos rolled his eyes again.  Some things never change, apparently.  As the slurping sounds continued, Constantinos finally cleared his throat.  “Uh-Huuum !”

Beatrice broke off the kiss. “Thank you for being my pardner for this.....Project”, she cooed, her eyes sparkling behind the ugly glasses.  “That was exactly as I expected.”

A still-stunned Nick didn’t know what to say, so Constantinos piped up, “Well, here we are. We can’t go in the Girl’s Dorm, so we should leave now”, he lied.  In fact, it was only a half-lie, for while it really wasn’t allowed, Constantinos had been inside the Girl’s Dorm more times than there were elements on the Periodic Table.  “We best be going, Nick.”

“Uhhhh....Right....”, Nick said, still reeling in confusion.  “Yeah....Better go....”

Constantinos looked at Beatrice, and said, “The Nerds are usually at the Observatory these days.  Expect you want to see them soon, especially Bucky.”

That snapped her out of her revere, and her face went a shade red.  “Oh....Yes...Of course.”

Constantinos led Nick off while Beatrice just stared after them.  When they got out of earshot, he said, “Now you see why I wasn’t so eager to go help her.”

“Woah, that girl is....Something else”, Nick said, blinking his eyes.

“She’s smart, and she’s a user”, Constantinos told him.  “Better steer clear, I’m tellin’ you.”

“Really ?”, Nick asked.  “What do you mean ?”

“It’s like this”, Constantinos said, “When Jimmy Hopkins first came here, she had him doing all kinds of rescue errands for her.  One time, she had him sneak back into school after hours and swipe back her diary that had been confiscated, because she’d written this big love fantasy about him and her in it.  Then she snogged Jimmy just like she did you there, and she had cold sores on her mouth then.  It was nasty.”

“Ewww”,  Nick muttered.  “Sounds Gross !”  Then, a second later, a thought occurred to him.  “Oh, Shit !  Hope Melody don’t find out about this !  You won’t tell, will’ya ?”

“What ?  Oh, Hell No !”, Constantinos said as they rounded the corner back to the Quad.  “But don’t worry, I don’t think anybody saw.”

“Yeah, that’s a relief”, Nick sighed.  “Certainly don’t need no trouble there.”

But somebody had seen.  Dropping the curtain back in place from the front window of the common area as she watched Beatrice tote her bags up the Dorm steps, Mandy’s lips curved up in a cold hard smile. 

The Bitch Was Back.
__________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

At that moment, the Nerds were indeed in the Observatory.  Rather, in the basement room under it, having a contentious meeting about their immediate future at Bullworth.  At issue was the production of replacement weapons.  Most everybody was in favor of it, as it represented another chance to become the Clique not to be fooled with.  But Fatty was still the lone holdout, believing that weapons would spell the eventual downfall of the Nerds once more.

“We shouldn’t be doing this”, Fatty sulked, sitting with his arms crossed.

“But you know how this place is !”, Melvin reminded him.

“I know how is WAS !”, Fatty shot back.  “It doesn’t have to be that way anymore !  We got a new Administration, with Mr. Galloway, not that corrupt one.  Everything will be on the up and up now, like a REAL school should be.  Besides, the world is watching now, how would that look ?”

Fatty was right.  Technology had suddenly flooded Bullworth Academy.  The new computers had arrived, and the phone lines carrying the Internet had been run at the Library.  The Nerds had literally been going nuts, logging online for the first time in a very long time.  There was a great many videos posted on You Tube about Bullworth and the Vale Valley already.  And cell phones were beginning to make their appearance at the school, and along with that, the ability to make photos and videos for posting to the web.  For the first time in it’s storied history, Bullworth Academy was to be open for all the world to see, for good or ill. 

“We can control it now, this time”, Melvin argued earnestly.  “We can have the safety of Public Exposure if they try to bully us.  They don’t dare to cross us now.”

“Then why do we need weapons ?”, Fatty countered.  “WE will look like the Bullies if we use them !”

“Not if we use them for self-defense !”, Cornelius piped up.

“Just the threat of protection”, Donald chimed in, “That will be enough.  We won’t even have to fire them !”

“If we only use them for retaliation, it won’t look bad !”, Bucky joined in.

“General Custer made a terrible mistake”, Thad suddenly threw in.  “HE didn’t have enough weapons to beat those savage Indians....”

Melvin banged on the table to shut everybody up.  No one really wanted to hear about Custer for the umpteenth time anyway.  “You’re missing the point, Fatty.  The others will get weapons, somehow.  We need to have them first, even if it’s only the threat of using them.”

“How ?”, Fatty inquired.  “How will get weapons, except through us ?  Those Soldiers cleaned everything out.  Everything !”

Fatty was right.  The National Guard Soldiers and the Explosive Experts had swept the school, removing and confiscating everything that would even remotely pose a threat.  The had even taken all the Walkie-Talkies, even the ones Jake had hidden around inside the campus buildings.  There was not even a Bat to be found on school property.

“Well, not everything”, Melvin said.  “We still have a few over in the Dragon’s Wing basement.  Plus parts to make even more.  But, the other Cliques will find other weapons.  Trash-can lids.  Lunch trays.  Hammers from the Autoshop.  Even textbooks can be a weapon.  So, we have to arm ourselves.”

Fatty sat unconvinced, arms crossed.  “This will come to no good, you’ll see.”

“It’s been decided”, Melvin said.  “The vote has already been taken.  It’ll work out, you’ll see.  There won’t be anyone stuffing us in trash bins now.”

Defeated, Fatty voiced no further objections.  His only comment, muttered, was “At the end of the Summer, you’ll see what I mean.” 

That concluded, the Nerds moved on to other matters, particularly the promise by Mr. Galloway to provide a DSL line down to the Observatory and the acquiring of some computers for the Nerds there.  On this subject, they all could agree.
_________________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Preps were having their own meeting, of sorts, in the big room downstairs at Harrington Hall.  Tad was sitting in the chair from where Derby used to rule with an Iron Hand, with Bif at his side.  Derby was gone now, perhaps forever, but Bif was still there, working for Tad now. 

On the chair opposite Tad sat Pinky.  The heavy bandages were off her face now, but the swelling from her broken jaw still remained, showing fading bruises of bluish and green.  She was still unable to talk, only vocalize noises of assent, but far better than she had been a week ago.  Pinky gazed at Tad as he spoke with speculative eyes.  Nearly a year ago, she had begun an on-again, off-again affair with Tad, just as she had done with Jimmy Hopkins during the prior school year.  She had certainly never been in love with Tad, not the way she had been with Kurt, or even felt the lust for him that she had for Tony.  Still, her perceptions of him had changed during the past couple of weeks, since he had been her almost constant companion.  It was becoming clear to her that he nearly worshiped her, as much so, that is, that could be expected from someone of their class and standing.  Pinky was intrigued, and for once was quite unsure what to make of it.

Although Bif had been forced to come crawling back to the Clique after what he saw as his betrayal by Derby, who had broken their unspoken agreement that they would always travel through a glorious life together in a symbolic relationship, the other Preps, with the exception of Chad, had unswervingly thrown their loyalty behind their new leader.  Tad had proved adept at bringing the image of the Preps back from the dumps.  With all the improvements at the school he had engineered with the help of his father’s money, they were well on their way back to being the most respected Clique on campus. 

Chad, however, was a reluctant follower.  Still stunned to find out that Derby had fled the country in the face of his Father’s arrest and charges, Chad didn’t know what to think anymore.  Certainly his crumbling loyalty to Derby was called into serious question now, but not to near the extent that Bif’s change of heart seemed to be, meekly submitting to the new leadership without apparent reservations.  No, Chad needed a bit more convincing before he was ready to throw Derby under the bus, so to speak.  After all, he had been his spy for all these months.  Where was he to fit in now, in this new order ?  Just the odd-colored Prep with a Bulldog, like before ?  That was hardly the image he had envisioned for himself, no, not at all.

“So let’s keep at this media thing going”, Tad was saying.  “Keep up the interviews, and stress all the good works the Prep families are doing for the school and the disadvantaged kids that go here.”  He laughed, “Us excepted, of course !”

The other Preps, Chad excepted, laughed with him.  “Jolly Good Show !”, chortled Gord. 

“With all this new outside media interest, we can build up our status as the cream of Bullworth Academy”, Tad continued.  “And with the school now in the harsh light of world opinion, that will serve our interests well.  The new administration can then deny us nothing.  Perhaps go a bit easier on the grading curve, eh Chaps ?”

The Preps nodded at the brilliancy of Tad’s plan, their faces alive with the coming triumph.  But Chad, who had been sulking near the fireplace, spoke up darkly.  “What about Weapons ?  We need Weapons, or the scum will walk all over us !”

“Ah, yes, Weapons”, Tad leaned back in the chair, swirling the liquor in his glass.  “We used to have a stash of extra Weapons, until Derby traded them off for Pinky’s freedom last winter.  Such a shame he didn’t have the foresight to re-stock.”

Pinky’s eyes widened.  She knew about the exchange, of course, but didn’t know the scope of it.  “Errrr Unn ?”, she said.

Tad shifted his loving gaze to her.  “That’s right, my dear, every one.  ALL of our reserve Weapons went out on that deal.  He was thinking of his honor, I’m sure.  Or maybe that you would return to him, who’s to know ?  He started going off the beam after that, poor chap...”  At this Tad smirked.  “.....But it probably wouldn’t have mattered.  He’d been coming unglued long before that, maybe before the Great Clique War...”

Tad broke off his musings as Pinky’s face retained her wide-eyed shocked look.  Confused thoughts were running in her head.  Derby had treated her so shabbily that she had finally left him.  Her abduction by Kurt and the Rockers came nearly a month later.  If he didn’t care, why would he go to all the trouble to get her released ? 

Tad saw the mix of emotions on her face. “There is more to it, Pinks, much more.  Biff knows all about it, he can tell you if you want to hear it.  Right, Bif ?” 

Bif nodded, a pained look on his face.  Tad settled back once more as Pinky’s face seemed to smooth out.  “What we have to do”, he resumed, “Is to start leaning on those Nerds to make us some more, is all.  But in private, away from cameras, cell phones, Reporters, anything else.  Get them one-on-one in the bathrooms, the shower room at the Gym, at night behind the Dorms...Anywhere out of sight.  Punch their guts, no face hitting, nothing that shows.  Convince them that their best interest is to help us out.  But be careful, they will probably be armed.  Little buggers will be sure to make weapons for themselves first.”

There were sounds of approval at Tad’s plan.  Even Chad murmured words of assent, a strange look on his face.  For all that, it seemed that Tad would be just as ruthless as Derby, after all.
_______________________________________________

[BloodChuckZ]

The Jocks weren’t having a meeting, rather, they were waiting to meet someone.  Instead of being introduced to their new coach at the first practice session of the summer at the Gym, the new Coach had insisted on coming down to their Clubhouse right after classes.  This was practically unheard of, as Coach Burton had never been down inside the Clubhouse in anybody’s memory. 

The Jock boys awaited assembled, sitting on chairs in their usual meeting spot by the equipment storage cage.  There was some muted conversation among them, mostly concerning the new changes taking place at the Academy.  It really hadn’t sunk in yet about the absence of weaponry, as the Jocks were still riding high as the most populated Clique on campus. 

Dan Wilson leaned over to talk with Ted.  “What’s up with this new Coach ?  Burton never came down here.  What’s his deal ?”

“Well, you gotta think”, Ted replied lazily, “This guy is a whole different deal.  Maybe, he’s one of them coaches who like to have a rapport with his players.”

“I heard he’s an old guy”, said Mandy, who was sitting close to Ted.

“Yeah, they’re all old.”, Ted replied, “Burton was old.”

“No, I heard he was like sixty-something”, Mandy persisted.

“Where do you hear this stuff ?”, Ted asked, with a doubtful look on his face.

“Oh, I’m not telling you”, Mandy said loftily.  “You’ll see.”

Ted had to smile at that.  “I guess we will, eh sweets ?”

“I still don’t like it”, Dan went on.  “Like, Teachers don’t go into the Dorms, no Coach should be commin’ in here.”

“Ms. Phillips goes in the Girl’s Dorm”, Ted pointed out, “So you can’t say that.”

“Yeah, whatever”, grumbled Dan.  “He shouldn’t be in here, just sayin’....”

Other Jocks were talking in small groups to pass the time.  Damon, Casey, Juri, and Luis were holding a semblance of a conversation of their own over some stupid crap having to do with jock straps.  Bo, along with his brother Lance, was sitting with Laurent and Kirby, having an animated discussion while Bob looked on with his usual granite face, saying nothing.

The doors were flung open suddenly, and a figure strode through them.  Their new Coach stood there, and Mandy popped Ted on the shoulder in an 'see I told you so’ gesture.  The Coach had a stock of white hair, thinning at the top, under a face that reminded Ted of a beaver, right down to the prominent gap-toothed look of his mouth.  He wasn’t as fat as Coach Burton, who had been short and sort of dumpy.  Instead, this Coach was a bear of a man, towering large in the doorway.

“Hello, Boys !”, he exclaimed, a sort of lecherous look on his beaver face, “I’m Coach Jerry Sanders.  Nice to meetcha all !”
_______________________________________________