Senior Prank (9781620957295) (9 page)

“Governor, please send us a bill for the repair,” Winston said disgustingly. “Our district will pay for it. Kids, what are you to do?…”

“That's ok, these things happen,” said the governor, entering the car to avoid any other wayward items. “Let's get out of here,” he whispered to the driver, “before something else happens. It's been a day to remember.” With that they drove away. Winston started his walk back to the office. He would have to prepare for a press conference coming up in less than an hour.

Diaz exchanged chitchat as he escorted the rest of the group to the van. They, too, would get one remembrance for the road. Around the side of the band building, the last building before the parking lot and hidden from the view from the rest of the school, they saw two students engaged in a game of tongue hockey and Roman hands. The couple wasn't aware of their show until Diaz yelled at them to “get a room!” The couple quickly vanished around the other side of the building.

By now the school was filled with rumors of what had happened during the visit. Word was that it did not go well. Even teachers were caught up in the conversation.

They knew to keep it private, as crossing Winston could result in a dismissal or a year's worth of aggravation.

At 1:15, Elvis, Jose and Lamont gathered in the hall outside Mr. Potts' room. Through the grapevine, they knew that OSP had worked. They did wonder where many of the other pranks they heard about came from.

“Remember, don't gloat,” Elvis reminded Jose and Lamont. “Keep your lips sealed. We have to see what develops. Looks like we were off the charts. A sick day.” With that Elvis and Lamont headed to Mr. Potts' room for history class, while Jose went to his physical education class.

Winston went into his office, told his secretary not to bother him, and that he'd see everyone at his upcoming press conference. He knew his dreams of being an All American school were probably gone, but that he had to maintain a positive attitude.

Just over four hours ago, he had dreams of being a hero for the school district. Those dreams now included the words fired or resignation in them. Needless to say, he didn't look forward to his press conference.

Winston had a queasy feeling as he approached the podium. The last four hours had been a nightmare. But as he approached the podium he thought to himself that he needed to put a positive spin on the day. Having been through so much in all of his years in education he felt confident he could handle this.

From drug busts on campus to simple detentions he has always had unpleasant tasks that needed done. He has survived them all. But this one seemed different because of the stakes and the number of people from the outside world that would be brought in.

He quickly counted the number of media people present. In the morning session, only six media people were on hand. For the afternoon session the attendance had swelled to 14.

Negative news sells.

Worse yet was that a more members of the school board and county administration were on hand than in the morning. Rumors had been flying and thanks to texting, phoning and the television report many knew of what had transpired in the last five hours at the school. If Winston could have sold tickets for this press conference, it would have been able to fill Reliant Stadium. People wanted to hear what he had to say.

He got to the podium, adjusted the microphone, and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. My name is Earl Winston, and I am the principal here at Thomas Jefferson High School. Before I take any questions, I'd like to issue a short statement.”

He adjusted his tie and began, “Today at our school we were fortunate to have a visit from our honorable Governor Alex Montoya, his wife, his assistant, and two judges for the All American School competition. I want to thank them all for coming.

“As you know, our school has been nominated for the title of All American school. After visiting our school, I think that we have increased our chances in the competition. We showed our finest in faculty, students, parents and athletics.

“However, we had a few minor and isolated incidents that might have tarnished our image,” he continued. “A handful of students decided today was time to display our negative side. I am proud of the large majority of students that showed what Thomas Jefferson is all about. We want to more forward from here. Now I will take questions.”

Tom Roberts, the reporter who had met the principal and governor outside the cafeteria less than an hour ago, started the questioning. “Mr. Winston,” he said, “I have it from sources that you had a student using profane language in one class, one member of your National Honor Society didn't know who the governor was, and one of your football players was acting gay and hitting on the governor. Can you address that?”

“What we had was a few minor incidents from a few wiseguy students,” Winston shot back. “Nothing big. The vast majority of our students were respectful and well behaved. A few weren't. I won't let them ruin it.”

Another media member asked “Can you comment on the mice in the auditorium or a student throwing water on the governor's wife?”

“I honestly don't know where the mice came from but it was no big deal,” Winston said. “As for the water it was totally an accident. The student was running and tripped. We had a few students that misbehaved but nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Do you think after today you're chances to be an All American School have increased or decreased?” a third reporter asked. “I'm also hearing about a flooded toilet, a student locked in the bathroom and the football field on fire. You're telling me things like this are normal?”

“Not really, but I think they are minor,” said Winston. “Folks please don't make this a negative situation. We have a fine school here. I want to be positive.”

Then another media member put in his dig. “I've got a photo of your school flagpole containing women's lingerie and a man's pair of underwear. You don't think that's normal do you?”

“No, but remember nobody was hurt by this,” Winston answered. “To some it was good, clean fun,” he added, trying to put a positive spin on the last five hours. “Let me say this. I promise a full scale investigation into the activities today at the school. We'll get to the bottom of this. Good day. Thanks for coming.”

With that Winston walked away from the podium and exited the media center. The media members then went into private conversations with others that remained. Many related to the school refrained from comment since they didn't know full details, saying they didn't want to get caught up in any controversy. As Winston entered his office, his secretary told him, “Sir, I hate to tell you this, but the word is that the student throwing water on the governor's wife is already on YouTube.”

A student waiting in the office chimed in “So is the foul language and Big Bear stuff. It's been on YouTube and most kids have already checked it out. It's funny stuff.”

Later that night the news reports lambasted the school, calling the school a disgrace and embarrassment to the Houston schools. “There is no way the school will be named an All American School after today,” Roberts said on the air. His report included reports from students about what had happened. It also featured a few seconds of the YouTube videos from the day.

The next morning was even worse. Winston got up early to get his newspaper from the driveway, hoping to gain a reprieve from the bashing he was taking. The story ripped into Winston for the school's behavior during the governor's visit and for his ‘denial' during the press conference. Winston now hoped things would die down and return to normal. He still had two months to hope for a miracle.

During the morning announcements, Winston made a quick statement to address the situation. “Yesterday as you know the governor made a visit to the school. I want to congratulate those who represented our school in a fine manner, but also want to tell those that were involved in misbehavior will be punished. A few of the actions were inappropriate. Please see that nothing like this ever happens again.”

Winston knew he needed to act to protect the school's reputation, as well as his job. First, he made a list of students he needed to discipline. Second, he made a list of students he needed to talk to that might have a hand in the misdeeds. Third, he needed to take steps to discourage such events in the future.

His first act was to meet with Missy Pulston. He couldn't suspend her for not being up on her current events and being able to identify the governor, but he knew that her knowledge of the student body might reveal some clues for the rest of the misdeeds. He called her into this office.

“Missy, I'm a little disappointed you couldn't identify the governor,” said Winston. “It didn't look good coming from a member of the National Honor Society. I can't discipline you for that but I hope you can help identify some of the students who did cause us problems so we can protect the school's reputation.”

“I'm afraid I can't help,” Missy offered back. “What is strange is that I know who the governor is – I was active in his campaign last year - but for some reason that day, I sort of had an out of it feeling. Like something had taken over my body for a few minutes. I don't remember anything that happened when the governor first arrived.”

“I can't accept that you didn't do anything, I heard it with my own two ears. You are dismissed but if you hear anything please let me know.”

“Yes, sir, I will, but I don't think my mom's going to be too happy with this.”

Next he called Hian into his office. Hian sat nervously in front of Winston, his knees bouncing up and down in anxiety. “Hian, considering your foul language yesterday, I have no decision but to suspend you for three days. It will start tomorrow.”

“Forgive me, Mr. Winston, but I don't understand what you say,” Hian answered. “I don't remember any language.”

“Seriously, you don't remember what you said yesterday in Ms. Heron's class?”

“No, sir, I don't. All I remember is you speaking to me in the hall and telling me to get back to class. Other students told me what I said but I don't remember it.”

“Did something happen to you before class that might have changed your behavior or attitude?”

“I remember Ms. Fortney telling me to come see her,” said Hian. “On my way back I saw Jose Heen-dez, then back went to class.”

“What did Jose say,? Winston asked.

“Nothing that I can remember. He asked me if I thought the water was contaminated in the bathroom and made me smell some to find out.”

The latter statement disappointed Winston since somehow he wanted to connect Jose to some of the activities at the school so he might give the Hispanic a few days vacation. All he had was Jose probably playing games with Hian.

“Anyway you will be suspended for three days,” Winston said. “Now go back to class. Remember your parents will have to come sign you back in when your suspension ends. The paperwork will be delivered to you later in the day. You start tomorrow.”

Now came the task he really dreaded. He had to suspend Big Bear Hamilton. He knew this will bring the wrath of the football coaches, but after the embarrassing encounter Bear had with the governor, he knows the Bear must be caged. He called the football office and told them to send Big Bear to his office.

“Why?” asked Coach Welsh, figuring the news isn't good.

“I am going to suspend him for three days for his actions with the governor,” said Winston. “That was an embarrassing and inappropriate action.”

“You can't,” fired back the coach. “We need him for the Westside game Friday. Besides, I'm not sure he knows what he did. When I talked to him, he couldn't remember anything about that meeting with the governor.

“Mr. Winston, we need him Friday. Cut the kid a break.”

“Can't do. Send him down now.”

Upon Big Bear's arrival, he was called in to Winston's office. “Teddy, this is hard for me to do, but after your words with the governor yesterday, I have no choice but to suspend for three days for improper and inappropriate student behavior.”

“What did I do?”

“Son, don't play stupid with me,” said Winston, not realizing what he had said. “You acted like you were a, a, a homosexual, and tried to hit on the governor,” said principal, choosing his words carefully.

“Kids said I said that stuff, but I don't remember doing it,” Bear countered. “I would never do that. After all, he was a Longhorn and I want to be one. I might be dumb, but I ain't that dumb,” Bear said, he, too, choosing his words without much forethought. “I can't remember any of it.”

“Well, talk to coach Welsh; he was there, and he'll tell you what you did.”

“But I can't miss the Westside game Friday. It's a big game.”

“This is what I'll do. I will suspend you for three days starting Monday,” Winston said. “That way you won't miss the game. So, I will make sure Coach Welsh gets all the paperwork and the details of your suspension. Now get back to class.”

“Mr. Winston, I think I might have to come clean, because if my dad finds out about my suspension he will have my hide,” Bear said. “I met with an agent before the governor got here. I didn't take any money. He was just telling me what he could get from each college if I agreed to go there.”

“What are you talking about?” answered Winston.

“Elvis arranged for me to met an agent friend of his before the governor got to the football office,” Bear rattled off. “After that I went to see the governor, but I don't remember much after I met that agent dude.”

“I don't want to hear it,” said Winston, although he took the note that Elvis was involved. He realized it could be a lead, just like Jose meeting Hian beforehand. “Now get back to class.” With that Bear left the room, mumbling to himself that this might be worse than death.