Senior Prank (9781620957295) (12 page)

Elvis's band was becoming well known around the state. They could play all the big country and rock and roll hits. Attorney Tom Borker, who was a brother to one of the band members, was going to town. He hoped to represent them in a recording contract in the future. The attorney's goal was to get them as many high paying gigs as possible. For a three hour appearance in area nightclubs the band could make as much as $1200 a night. This meant that the agent and each of the five band members would make $200 for the night. For a kid that was still three months from his 18th birthday, this was exceptional money.

So, Elvis practiced more than ever, devoting himself to be the best guitarist he could be. He was still learning the keyboards so that he could someday improve his value in the musical world. He also wanted to become a songwriter. He knew money in music is in writing the big hits. That leads to lifetime royalties.

Love still seemed to avoid Elvis, but one day in the cafeteria, one girl new to the school caught his eye. Brenda was a transfer, a long-legged brunette with a tight body. She knew how to dress to excite the boys, and had mastered the art of flirting. Brenda's parents had divorced three years earlier, and she fell into drugs and poor grades. In an effort to turn her around, she went to live with her strict father in the TJHS district.

Elvis invited her to one of the band's performances. She adored the way Elvis played the guitar. During one of the band's breaks she tried to get Elvis to go out to her car. Word soon got around school that Brenda was an easy touch. That brought on the athletes, thugs, and players for their try. When Elvis learned of her ways, he dropped any dealings with her. He had standards that a girl had to meet if she was to be his only.

His band was so good the Thomas Jefferson students wanted them to play the school's prom next spring, but Winston vetoed the idea, saying, “I don't want that kid anywhere near that prom. It would only mean more clowning and goofing off. No thanks. Keep Elvis out of the building.”

As for Winston, the day had come for his time on the school board agenda. Over 100 students tried to cram into the hall, but because of size limitations, only 20 would be allowed in the room. The others would have to watch on television from a nearby room.

The meeting started at 6 p.m. By the time they reached Missy's chance to speak, it was 10 p.m. Only a handful of students remained in each of the rooms.

Missy rambled on about Winston, using such words and phrases as the “ideal principal, a man of Christian principles, fair, honest, encouraging, getting the blame for something he had no part it, and a scapegoat.” Winston wasn't on hand for the action, choosing to stay away. He couldn't defend himself in that setting, so by staying away he called less attention to himself and his situation.

After some discussion among members of the board, it was decided that Winston should meet with a few of the board members privately on the matter. Most likely it was the latest of the hour that rescued Winston, at least temporarily.

The football season had ended for Thomas Jefferson the last week of November. The team finished 11-2, won its first round playoff game, then lost in the second round to Sam Houston High School. In the first playoff game, Big Bear injured a knee late in the game, knocking him out for the year. Kevin Williams and another of the team's better players were expelled from school two days before the team's second playoff game after being caught with knives in school. The pair claimed they were arming themselves in case of trouble because of a gang war, but the school's no tolerance policy trumped any discussion. Coach Welsh filed an injunction to keep them in school, claiming family hardship, but a judge quickly denied that request. That might have been the biggest problem Winston faced since the governor's visit.

Then, in the few weeks between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, which is historically used for semester reviews and final exams, one class brought some seriousness to the forefront. It was a dose of reality for what was usually a fun class.

It was a mid-week Potts history class and the class was wrapping us its discussion about the Vietnam war. Potts was attending a track coaches' meeting, leaving a substitute teacher, Mr. Bob McNamara, in charge of the class. The lesson plan was to show a 35 minute movie about war, then have students write a two paragraph summary of the movie.

Substitute teachers are usually treated as lightning rods. They are easy targets for pranks, goofing off, misbehavior and pushing the limits. Mr. McNamara was a frequent sub for the school, and had a reputation as a no nonsense, little tolerance, quick to act and even mean man. The students had pinned the nickname Sarge on him. He didn't seem to mind.

The bell rang for Potts' class and Sarge immediately went into barking orders.

“Everyone in their proper seat,” he said. “Now! You got 15 seconds. After that I'm taking roll and if you aren't in the right seat, you'll be marked absent.”

Students quickly hustled to their seats. Sarge studied the chart and proclaimed, “Good, look's like everyone is here. Now let's get on with the lesson.” Jose decided to stay in the class, sitting in the seat of the only absent student. He was skipping his other class to take in a class with his Elvis and Lamont.

“Mr. Potts told me to show this movie about Vietnam and at the end everyone is to write a two paragraph summary of the movie. I don't want two sentences. I mean two strong paragraphs,” the substitute stated. With that he put on the movie, turned down the lights, and returned to sit in the teacher's desk chair.

“I'm Mexican,” Jose told Lamont. “Why do I care about Vietnam?'

“I agree,” Lamont shot back. “It's ancient history to me.”

Elvis decided he'd use the time to think up song titles. Maybe he could pick up a winner. He thought ‘why do I care' sounded like a good song title.

After about 10 minutes, Mr. McNamara noticed a few youngsters sleeping at their desks. He saw others working on other school subjects, and others just daydreaming. About 20 minutes into the film, Sarge looked up to see about half the class sleeping. He walked over to the lights, flicked the switch to on, and went over and stopped the movie.

“ALL RIGHT EVERYONE UP, NOW!” shouted Sarge. “I ain't going to let this happen. I don't need this movie to tell you about Vietnam. I was there and I lived it. So, everyone up, listen and listen good.” With that the heads rose and Sarge had everyone's attention. He snapped his fingers loudly and repeatedly to gain full attention.

“In 1968 I was drafted while going to the University of Texas,” Sarge started. “They sent me to Vietnam to fight. I spent a year there. I saw men blown apart, shot to death, bleed to death, and heroes who died to save others. Seeing you kids sleep through this movie ain't going to happen.

“That was the last place I wanted to be. It was hell. You haven't been through much until you find yourself praying you don't get hit. Bullets and bombs are going off all around you. It ain't fun. You are really scared, praying, but you keep firing.”

“Mr. McNamara,” one of the students interjected, “why did we go there?”

“North Vietnam was a Communist country and their leaders wanted to overtake South Vietnam and make it one country,” Sarge explained. “The south didn't have the balls, pardon my language, to fight, so we sent our troops there. The theory was that if South Vietnam fell, the Domino Theory would happen.

“That meant that all the other Southeast Asian countries would be fall like dominos to Communist rebellions. We hated the Communists, even though our biggest trading partner and supplier of American labor today is China, a Communist country.

“Well eventually North Vietnam won,” said Sarge. “It hurts today to say we lost.”

“My dad had a brother that died there,” said one of the students. “We went to Washington, D.C. one time and saw his name on a wall.”

“That's the Vietnam War Memorial,” Sarge said. “There are over 56,000 names -the number of Americans killed there - on a granite wall that's part of the memorial.

“What really bothers most Vietnam vets is the way we were treated when we came home,” continued the Sarge, this time shaking his head and lowering his voice.

“We were called killers, baby killers, and there were no parades. No thanks. Shoot, most of us didn't want to be there in the first place. It still hurts today.”

With that Sarge noticed one of the students crying, head in her arms on her desk.

“Young lady is something wrong?” he asked. “Can I do something for you?”

“My dad's is at war at this moment.” she sobbed. “He's got three months left.

“My mother, brother and I pray every morning and night for his safety. It's stressing us out not having him around. We miss him big time.”

“Thank you for your commitment,” Sarge answered. “People forget there are families involved in all this. Now you know why I ain't lettin' you sleep.”

One student, hoping to change the somber mood, asked Sarge, “What do you think is the difference between Vietnam and our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?”

“I hate to say it but they parallel each other,” Sarge said. “Think about it, foreign land, people won't fight themselves, we're paying most of the cost of the war, and it's dragging on. If you want to see it end establish the draft. When you get the call, you'll decide it's not for you. Just remember what they say about history…those that don't remember it are doomed to repeat it.”

“What's the draft?” asked another student.

“The government calls you into the service. You are drafted into the military. No choice. You go or go to jail. Today it's all volunteer army. Today you join because you want to. I hope none of you ever see that day when you get a draft notice. It means you're going to fight, whether you want to or not.”

Just then Elvis stood up, gathered himself, and said, “Sarge, I want to say thanks.”

He motioned to the rest of the class to stand. As they did he led the class in a standing ovation. Sarge, seemingly caught off guard, turned and said in a breaking voice, “Enough about me, now write those two paragraphs. You got about eight minutes left,” he said, checking the clock. “Now write.” He went to sit in Potts' chair.

When the bell rang, Sarge went through the stack of papers to see what the students had learned. Every one of them read something to the effect, “Thanks for serving Sarge, welcome home. We understand now.”

He was so touched he placed his head in his hands and began crying. He reasoned it was time to move on from his feelings.

The next few weeks brought final exams for the first semester and a relative quiet to the school. There was a time to be serious and most knew that the effect the tests would have on grades meant to at least attempt to do well. The mischievous of the school took time off for something more important like their grades.

As Jose, Lamont, and Elvis approached the holiday break, they discussed their plans for the season. All included family celebrations. Jose had a concert date with Missy. Lamont was going to an indoor track competition in Austin, and Elvis' band was booked in local establishments for six nights over the three weekends.

With some of that new found wealth, one of Elvis's desires was to take his mother to Washington to see all those government buildings, including the Vietnam Memorial.

She had never been to the nation's capital. He planned to do so after graduation with part of his earnings. Sarge had made an impression on him.

As the school let out for the holiday break, it was peace on earth, silent night and time for some well earned time off for all.

During the holidays Winston discussed the possibility of retirement with his wife. They figured they could handle the finances; it was the loss of a daily routine and boredom that concerned both. Winston proposed the idea of his lifelong dream – a six month trip in a recreational vehicle (RV) touring the United States. He always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, New York, and most of all visit many of his favorite sports venues across the country. Among his favorites were Lambeau Field, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field and the Rose Bowl.

He also realized that with his hearing involving a few the school board members coming up in late January that he could play that retirement card to avoid further embarrassment if it looked as though he would be fired or demoted. The meeting was scheduled after the date the school was to learn its fate in the All American School competition. If by some chance the school did win, he'd be the one in the driver's seat.

After 40 years, he was tiring of all the teacher complaints, parent confrontations, shenanigans of the students, and the paperwork, which was ever increasing due to government funding. As the school term resumed, he went back with the attitude of waiting to see what would develop before making any decisions.

On January 14th the media broke the news of the state schools that were selected as All American Schools. Thomas Jefferson wasn't on that list. The next day the letter came by mail delivering the bad news. Also, that morning Tom Roberts called wanting a comment from the principal. Winston told the secretary to tell him and any other media members that he would address this decision at 2 p.m. in the school library. The secretary sent out an email to the other media inviting all to the press conference.

News had spread fast for the students and faculty. The morning of the bad news announcement there was a sense of sadness in the school, but life went on as usual. It was almost as though that result was expected. Privately, some of the teachers blamed their fellow teachers that had allowed some of the misbehavior, as well as Winston for not setting up more security during the governor's visit.

When Elvis heard the news at the flagpole he said to Jose and Lamont, “That's a bunch of crap anyway. This school is as All American as you can get. We got all types. We got teachers that bust their hump and others that don't care. We got kids like G that are as smart as any kid in the state. We also got dumb asses that can't add two and two and get four and tons of kids somewhere in between.”