Coach Assistant

By: Tim
(© 2015-2017 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

tim@tickiestories.us

Chapter 69 

He got his coat and left.  “So, what do you know Francis?”

“Well, it seems that they are trying to get as many teachers into the school so they can run a full class tomorrow and probably later on as well.” 

“Teachers?  What do you mean by that?”

“Well, I’m not sure but it could involve Randy somehow, for example.” 

“Maybe he’s got some teacher friends.” 

“We’ll just have to wait, I guess.” 

“So, are you going to go to school tomorrow?” 

“Yea, I want to see what’s been going on down there.” 

“You want to go up and rest a bit?  Maybe you can tell me what happened in court, too?” he asked seductively. 

I know he was trying not to be pushy, and I wanted him to know that I wanted to be alone with him … but, still, it was not going to be easy to explain my feelings to him. 

We got comfortable on the bed and for the rest of the evening we talked, listened and just enjoyed each other’s company.  The next morning we were awakened by David. 

“Come on, you guys!  It’s time to get ready for the big day.” 

“Big day, David?” 

“Well, I think from what I heard on the radio last night, you had a good day yesterday in court.  Together with Randy you showed them what really happened and who the bad guys in this really are.  All the newspapers, radios and TV programmers are telling the same story … well, almost all of them are.” 

“Oh, well, I don’t care.  I knew the truth all along.” 

“I’m sure the press will turn out even more strongly today at school as they realize who the bad people are in this.” 

“Any mention of Randy as a TV star and his role in this?” 

“No, not really … or, at least, nothing too sleazy or nasty.  But he knew the risk he was taking when he toOK the stand.” 

“I guess … but still.” 

“So, do you think the plan will work, Francis?” 

“It had better, David.” 

“OK … you guys you have been trying to avoid the subject ever since yesterday evening: what is going to take place at school today?” 

“It’s a surprise, Nick.  Just wait and see,” David said.  

“Francis, what is going on?”

“As David said, just wait and see … because we’re not sure what will happen.” 

“Spoil sports!  We’d better go then,” and, before they could respond, I grabbed the car keys and left the kitchen, giving them no time to finish their breakfast. 

We arrived at school just before 8.30.  The normal time to start class is 9.00, so we came more than enough time in advance.  It was even busier than it had been on Wednesday.  It loOKed like most of the protesters who had been at the court house on Thursday were now here.  A lot of kids were there, waiting to get in.  Some were let in through the rear entrance, while a larger number were slowly allowed to enter through the main entrance.  The police were there but didn’t do anything.  There were no teachers or any members of the school board present.  As we got closer to the main entrance, a girl from the group we spOKe with on Wednesday saw us and toOK us to the back door. 

“ Good!  You’re here, Nick.  Heard you kicked ass yesterday.  Let’s use the back way … it’s quicker and I suspect you want to know what we’re going to do today.” 

“You bet!  I see that almost everyone is around.” 

“Yea, we made sure all the kids knew they had to come to school today.” 

“So, did you find a way out of the threat made by the director?”

“We’ll soon find out.  We’re expecting them to be here soon, together with the board of education and the police, we think.  We know they had a meeting last night and we think they’ll come and let the police force their way in if we don’t give up.  Their plan is based on the rule that this building is for educational use and that we’re preventing that from taking place.” 

“Ah … and what are we going to do about that?  Did you appoint seniors as teachers then?” 

“No, something much better.  Follow me.  We’re gathering in room 101 until we make an announcement to the kids just before 9 a.m.” 

We followed her to the first room on the ground floor, immediately beside the entrance.  It was very crowded down there but we managed to get through the entrance hall.  When they saw us they started to cheer.  It seems most of them knew it had gone well in court yesterday. 

“OK, guys.  We’ll be back shortly with today’s schedule.” 

She opened the door and again we were welcomed with loud applause.  The small group of students from Wednesday was there, along with a lot of strangers but also many people I knew - Randy, Brandon, and Andy were there - but others that I knew by their face as well. 

“Welcome, guys!” Alexei said as he stepped in front of the others. 

“What are you all doing here, guys?” I asked. 

“Jordan, the honor is yours!” Alexei said. 

“Well, Nick, Francis, David … I think we found our way out of our dilemma.  You know that the Board probably wants to force us out because this is a public building for teaching.  I think we’ve got a way to make sure we teach and they can’t force us to leave.  Thanks to Alexei, Brandon and Andy, we’ve found a bunch of people interested in teaching for a few days at our school.” 

“What!!!  You’re going to teach, Alexei?” I said, directing the question to him. 

“Yea, why not?  I can teach gymnastics, PE and certainly Russian, so I’ll have more than enough classes to attend.” 

“And that’s not everything, Nick.  We’ve had people flying in from all over to help us out.  Randy is here to teach drama together with some of his colleagues.  We have some guys to do music and several famous writers to teach English literature and so on.  I think we can say that the students never could have better teaching than this.” 

I just loOKed at all of them, astonished.  I loOKed at Francis and David.  Incredible.  All those people!  That must have cost a fortune.  I wondered who was paying for this?  I loOKed at Alexei again. 

“Did you arrange all of this, Alexei?”

“No, it was a team effort and there would have been more but several willing participants couldn’t free up their schedules at short notice … but others will be here next week if necessary.  This is about students standing up for their rights; this involves opposition to discrimination and support for a free press.  There’s lots of good reasons for all of us to join in and support you guys.” 

“I’m just blown away,” I said.  “We can chat later.  It’s time to get this show on the road.  You all have a student assigned to you to help you through today.  I expect everyone back here at lunch time so we can see where we stand.  You all have your schedules; the students will be asked to go to their assigned homerooms for today’s kickoff.  They’ll get their schedules handed out at that time.  If there’s any problem, just gives us, the students with a rainbow button, a call.  We’ve taken over management of the school as a learning centre for the time being.  OK … let’s go!” 

With that, he marched outside and everyone followed slowly.  We waited as I still could hardly believe what was going to happen.  The girl who brought us in was still with us. 

“Francis, here’s your button.  Nick, we have a choice for you: either follow your class schedule, or join us in management.” 

“You’re going to be part of the organization, Francis?” I asked. 

“Yep … it’s a good opportunity to learn something and I want to support you and Steve as much as I can … so absolutely, if that’s OK with you.” 

“Yea, I think so.  But ….” 

“If you want to go to class, Nick, go ahead … we’ll all understand why you don’t want to get involved in the management.” 

I smiled when he said that.  There was just no way I could take more pressure.  That would be too much. 

“OK … then you’d better go to your home room, Nick,” the girl said. 

“Can we chat later, Alexei?” I asked.  “Sure … we have a lesson together, I think.” 

“Oh!” 

We left the room and heard Jordan and another student mount the stand on the stairs and explain to the students what the plans were for today. 

“So just behave normally, even if you idolize some of the teachers.  Don’t try to go to classes other than the ones on your schedule, as that will disrupt the program too much.  If this lasts longer than one day, we’ll make sure next week that everyone will take a class with our celebrity teachers.  We suspect that, at some point this morning, the board of education or some of its members will want to take a loOK at what’s happening and will try to order the police to force us out so, if that happens, stay where you are … follow the lesson … and we’ll make sure they know that you’re being taught.  Have a great day and make good use of it.” 

With that they all started to disperse to their home rooms.  Some anxieties remained and many students seemed to doubt that the management team could pull this off … but several members of the team spent their first hour going around explaining details of the plan to ease the tension level a bit.  When the 9 o’clock bell went off, the hall was empty and today’s “teachers” left classroom 101 to go to their assigned home rooms. 

The team had worked hard to provide a capable teaching staff at short notice.  They’d contacted recently retired teachers and the staffs of the local colleges for volunteers to instruct in all the usual subjects, and quite a group of teachers had appeared this morning.  Even more incredibly, the parents of participating students had contacted people that they knew who were interested in human rights and freedom of the press.  If everything worked as planned, it promised to be an incredible week: the local gay committee had appealed last night to various national organizations, which somehow had contacted Sir Elton John and George Michael, both of whom were interrupting their American concert tours to fly in to teach music and lend their names to our causes.  They could only stay one day, but their support alone would garner us national press coverage and considerable support … and Sir Elton had already invited some of his well known friends to replace him when he had to leave. 

Randy and several of his television colleagues would teach the classes in drama, while the celebrated former Olympic diver, Greg Louganis, had agreed to assist Alexei to offer instruction in physical education and, of course, swimming and diving.  A professor at a local college had offered to teach as many of the science classes as he could handle and had reportedly contacted his doctoral thesis supervisor, Sir Stephen Hawking at Cambridge University in England, to see if he would lend his support.  One of dad’s friends, who taught English literature at the same college, had asked the Canadian novelist, Margaret Atwood, a former colleague of hers at the University of Toronto, to help us for a few days since she was on a boOK tour in a nearby city.  A noted advocate of the authors’ freedom to publish, whether in the press or in literature, and a life-long professor of English literature, Dr. Atwood agreed to teach several classes in that subject, and contacted friends of hers in the American writing community to come support us.  Every hour we were informed of more famous people who wanted to support our call for human rights and press freedom.  We’d never had so many distinguished teachers visit in the history of the school, much less all in one week!

“OK, I’d better go … I’ll see you during lunch,” I said to Francis and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek.  “We’ll have none of that is any school I’m teaching at,” I heard a teasing foreign voice say to me and turned to see a laughing Sir Elton John, walking by on his way to his first class.  So far it seemed to go just as the management team had planned it, I thought, and followed Sir Elton to my own home room. 

[The story continues, but now told by Francis]. 

When all the students and teachers had gone to their classrooms, we walked back towards room 101. 

“OK, this is the plan: as we talked about yesterday, everyone has his or her responsibilities, so please go to your assigned tasks.  Francis, we’ve chosen you to be at the reception desk today.  We thought you’d love to handle all the incoming calls and questions.  This morning we won’t open the school for anyone who doesn’t need to be here.  Gerry and Rick are going to take care of that.  We‘ll discuss during lunch what we’ll do during the afternoon.  If we get any questions from the press, you need to forward them to Andrew and Peter.  But this morning, we’ll only hand out a press release around 10 a.m., informing the outside world that the students have organized the school with a new group of highly qualified teachers.  Everyone will get a copy of the release, and that is the only statement that will be handed out.  For this morning I will be in charge together with Susan and (Name from gymnastic team to be filled in).  As we agreed, this afternoon another student will step in and we’ll continue to rotate next week as long as necessary.  The management team will have two extra meetings, one just after school to get feedback from our advisors what we did wrong or need to improve.  We’ll do the same before the start of each day.  If you have questions, ask your advisor ;that’s what they’re here for.  Any questions?  OK … let’s go do this well and teach them a lesson.”  

“Wow, Jordan!  You’re really good at this!” I said when most of the team members had gone.  There were at least 15 of us who would take control of daily management of the school. 

“Well, I must say that I practised that speech and the one for the students several times last night.  Can’t say that I had a lot of sleep but, so far, the adrenaline is keeping me going and active.” 

“OK.  When do you expect the director and the board members with the police?”

“Well, I’d say before 9:30 for sure.” 

“OK.  I’d better get to my desk,” I said in a bit of a nervous voice. 

“Yea, you’d better do that, Francis,” Jordan said, trying to sound like a boss but his smile completely gave his true feelings away.

I toOK my seat opposite the front door.  Gerry and Rick, two big jocks, had placed themselves at the door.  But, so far, it was still quiet on the other side.  I toOK the answering machine off and within two minutes, I had a call.  It was one of the teachers, one I knew was definitely on our side.  But I did as I was told: I gave him only the information that there would be a press release at 10 a.m. and we were all doing OK. 

Within ten minutes I had three more teachers on the phone and told all of them the same thing.  This could get boring, I thought.  Maybe it would be a good idea to put the answering machine back on with that statement so anyone who telephoned would know what was going on.  I used the phone to call the three members of management and they found it a good idea. 

So that was that, I thought.  Now let’s see what else I can do.  I didn’t need to think as there was still a big pile of mail on the desk.  I went through it. 

Halfway though it, I noticed some movement outside the building.  I could see he approaching flashing lights of a police car and, a moment later, the director rang the bell at the door.  Jordon, Susan and [add name] came out of room 101 and waved to me.  “Join us, Francis.  We might need someone to take some notes.” 

I followed them to the door.  Rick opened it. 

“Good morning, director,” Jordan said, not waiting but taking the initiative. 

“That awaits to be seen, Jordan.  I’m here with the board of education.  They’ve given the police the order to take any trespasser out so we can get this school back into operation.” 

“Any members of the board around, sir?” Jordan asked. 

“Yes, two of them are here.” 

“OK, then this is what we’ll do.  We’ll let them come in and decide if this building is being used for its proper purpose or not.  They can come in together with two teachers and, of course, you, sir.” 

“What!!!  You’ll have to empty this building immediately, Jordan, or do you all want to be arrested?” one of the teachers said.  It was the same one who’d been the chief opponent to our protest at the parent-teacher council meeting last Wednesday. 

“No.  We just want to make sure that the board can assess the situation properly, with full information and not by rumor and hearsay, sir.”

“OK, let me discuss this.  I’ll be right back.” 

Before we had turned our backs on them to wait for their answer, one of the teachers was shouting through a megaphone that we’d be arrested if we didn’t leave the building now. 

“OK, it’s time for an announcement,” Jordan said, picking up the microphone attached to the school’s audio system. 

“Students, at the moment we’re discussing the situation with the director.  We’ll never allow the police to arrest you all.  We’re inviting members of the board of education in to assess the situation in the building.  We won’t let ourselves be pressured by people who don’t stand up for the rights of every American.  I’ll keep you informed of what is happening.” 

“Good job, Jordan,” I said. 

There was another ring at the door and again we walked towards it.  The director now was surrounded by four other people and two policemen. 

“Good, Jordan,” the director said when we opened the door.  “These are two members of the board and they want to hear what you have to say.  They’ll accompany me together with the teachers and two policemen.” 

“Police are not necessary,” Susan said. 

“Maybe not, maybe it will.  They want to make sure we’re safe.” 

“Have you been threatened by anyone?” she asked. 

“No ….  But ....”

“See, so there’s no reason for the police then.” 

“No, we won’t enter without some police presence there.  We’ve heard enough from you bunch of hooligans and we want witnesses so they can clear this building out as soon as possible.” 

I saw Susan loOKing at Jordan and it seems they came to a silent understanding. 

“OK, they can come in,” Susan agreed. 

The director, the two teachers and the two board members went through the door.  “We’ll start in classroom 101, gentlemen,” Jordan said.  “Please follow me.” 

As the policemen tried to enter the building, they were stopped by Rick. 

“Sorry to do this, sir … it’s nothing personal but weapons are not allowed in this building.  Please leave them outside with a colleague.” 

“What is going on, director?” one of the policemen shouted. 

The director turned around, not knowing exactly what was happening.  “Sorry, sir, but weapons are not permitted here.  This is a school,” Susan explained calmly to all of them. 

“But we need to take them inside, otherwise ….” 

“It’s simple: you are allowed to come in but not your firearms.  School policy,” Susan added. 

“Since when?” I heard one of the teachers ask. 

“Since we toOK over, sir,” Jordan replied. 

“OK, leave them outside and then come in and join us,” the director reluctantly agreed.  I had seen a few surprised loOKs on his face.  I think he was slowly coming to understand that we wouldn’t be so easy to deal with. 

“Gentlemen, please sit down.  You can find coffee and tea on the table.” 

Still a bit surprised at all this, the director now asked with a smile, “You were expecting us to come in, Jordan?” 

“Yes, we were certain you’d not proceed without making at least some attempt to talk with us.” 

He loOKed again a bit surprised as I know that these were the words that he himself had used in a meeting the evening before.  I knew Jordan had some good inside information.  We knew that the board understood the hard position of the parent- teachers association but that the majority of them would have liked to hear our point of view as well before they decided. 

“So what is it you want to discuss?  You know how we’re thinking on this occupation,” the director said. 

Jordan loOKed at the board members and toOK out a sheet of paper and gave that to them. 

“Here is a copy of a press release we’re handing out to all the press and is being posted on the school website at this moment.” 

We watched their faces while they read it.  The director loOKed at us before he finished.  “All the students are in class at the moment?” 

“Yes, all the kids who turned up this morning … the ones who wanted to stand up against the injustices that have been perpetrated here.  I must say that that is about 95% of all the students attending this school.” 

“Wow!  And you got that many teachers?” one of the board members asked. 

“Yes, and more lined up in case we need to continue the occupation.” 

“But they’re not qualified,” one of the teachers interposed.  The other one was smiling now as he knew we were ready for this criticism. 

“What better qualification is there in a teacher than life experience and being top notch in their area field of study?  We have retired teachers and university professors … and several celebrities have agreed to join our cause, either today or later this week,” Susan said. 

“Can we join a class to watch, Jordan?” one of the board members asked. 

“Certainly.  There’s no problem.  You each can attend a different class if you want to.” 

“That sounds like a good idea,” one board member said. 

“You will be accompanied by a student to help you.” 

“Why, you don’t think we can observe it for ourselves?” the teacher asked.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.  We just want to make sure there is no disturbance to the lesson.” 

“That’s fine,” the director said before that teacher could argue. 

“OK, you can visit two rooms if you want.  Shall we say we’ll meet in 35 minutes down here,” Jordan proposed. 

“Sounds like a plan.” 

With that each person left, accompanied by one of the students.  I walked with the teacher that definitely found the occupation a very good idea.

“You got the director there, Francis!” 

“You think we’re doing OK, sir?” 

“Yes.  They thought they had you on the questions of management and teacher qualifications, but from what was said, they have no justification left for police action.”

“Well, we’ll see.  I’m not sure what will happen after that, though.  Will the association and the board negotiate?” 

“I know it’ll be difficult but still, if this goes to the press, it’ll be very difficult for the parent- teachers association and the director.” 

“So where are you taking me?” 

“I thought you’d wanted to see the music class, sir, as it’s one of the subjects you teach.” 

“Ah, I didn’t see how you could run any musical programs at such short notice.” 

“Yes, one should be running right now.  Let me check where they are at the moment.”   I checked the schedule and said, “OK, they’re in the auditorium, the demand for music with this new teacher was quite large.  Let’s go.” 

“You know who is teaching at the moment?” 

“I’m not sure,” I said innocently, knowing full well who was taking the class.  “It’s a pianist, I believe.  We’ll see.” 

I quietly opened the rear door to the auditorium and motioned for the teacher to enter. The real teacher gasped and the substitute teacher, Sir Elton John, loOKed up from the piano at our interruption. 

“Sorry to disturb you, Sir Elton, but one of the school board delegations is here and wanted to see the teaching for about 15 minutes or so.”

“Welcome to the class,” Sir Elton said with a broad smile.  “Do you teach music here” he asked. 

“Why, yes I do,” the teacher stammered.

“Then come join me, I need a second pair of hands to show the students the difference between solo and duet performances.”  For a few minutes, Sir Elton and the teacher chatted amiably in front of an absolutely riveted class, explaining a variety of musical styles, the importance of hand position and, above all, the key role of practice, practice, practice.

I had to signal the teacher so he and I could go attend another class.  Sir Elton thanked the teacher warmly for his assistance and added pointedly that he admired teachers who seemingly had taught lessons in press freedom and human rights that the students seemed to understand very well, even if their parents and the board were less aware of.  After 15 minutes or so we left. 

“I just played a duet with Sir Elton John!” the teacher said with awe in his voice.  “I don’t believe it!”

“Hmm,” I said with a broad smile on my face. “I wasn’t sure I’d seen his face before!” 

“That is unbelievable!  How did you get him down here?  No one will question his competence to teach the kids music … he’s one of the most famous pianists of our time!” 

“So you were impressed?” 

“Yes, very.  I’d have loved to stay and listen in to the entire class myself.” 

“Well, you need to loOK into one more.  That’s the requirement.” 

“Yes, I know.  What’s next, Francis?” 

I toOK him to the English class … not as popular as Sir Elton’s music class, but crowded nevertheless, for it was being taught by the Canadian novelist, Margaret Atwood.  “Good lord,” the teacher said as he saw Dr. Atwood through the classroom door.  “I attended her lecture on symbolism in the modern novel last night at the college.  It was masterful.  Her work is amazing.”

I had to drag him out of Dr. Atwood’s lecture.  He, along with the rest of the class, was mesmerized.

We made it back to room 101 in time to get a cup of coffee.  “Good heavens, even the coffee is better!” the teacher jOKed.

“Will you be OK if I go back to the front desk?  Now that the press release has been sent out, there’s bound to be more calls.” 

“Go ahead … and if it were up to me, you guys would be running the school all the time.  I don’t think you have anything to worry about at all.” 

“Thanks sir,” I said and I walked back to my post.

[Nick continues]

The hour-long class was over quickly.  We heard Jordan’s announcement but, all in all, the first class was a blur.  We were in the auditorium with Sir Elton John, a large group of us.  He proved an engaging teacher.  He found out quickly what we were studying and began to speak about parallels between classical and modern music.  When our regular music teacher appeared as part of the delegation, Sir Elton invited his to join him at the piano so he could explain the difference between solo and duet piano work.  I could tell that our regular music teacher was enchanted.  How many people, I thought, could say that they’d played a duet with Elton John?   And how many students could say that they’d taken a course from the famous rock star?  He actually had several students sit down and show him their playing skills, gently correcting those with wrong hand positions or poor posture.  We were all enthralled.

The next hour -- biology taught by a distinguished professor from a nearby college – also went by just as quickly … although, by the end, we started to whisper among ourselves as we wanted to know what was going on.  There had been no news from the management team for more than an hour now. 

We went to our next class, which was English.  This was not my favorite subject as I had grammar problems, but I loved to read.  As we walked into the class, I thought I recognized the face of the substitute teacher from the back of one of my boOKs.  I’m not sure any of the others knew who he was. 

“Hi!  My name is David Eddings.  I’m a writer and your teacher for today.  Can anyone tell me what subjects you were discussing in your last class?”

Wow, I thought!  One of my favorite writers!  How did he end up down here, I wondered.   Before I could answer his question, someone else told him we’d been talking about writers in the early 1900s.

“OK.  What kind of boOKs have you been reading lately then?”

Again, one of the others told him. 

“OK.  Do any of you know any fantasy boOKs from that period?”

Well, that was an easy question for me and the next five minutes was more or less a one-on-one chat between us about the boOKs I knew and what I’d found of them.  I think he got the impression that the others felt left out as the background whispers grew, so he shifted his attention to other subjects.  I kept track of everything he said, and the lesson flew by very quickly.

“Can I talk with you … Nick, is it?”

“Yea, that’s me.”

“You know quite a lot about fantasy stories, I gather.”

“Yea, I recognized you when I entered although it toOK me a little time to get the right name.”

“Ah … well, have you ever thought about writing yourself, Nick?”

“No, my grammar is terrible, but I love to read.”

“Well, never think never as correcting grammar is where editors come in handy.”

“I think I’d better stay with my sketching.  I love to do that and they say I’m not too bad at it either.”

“OK … I’m not sure how to ask this but I think you’re one of the reasons that we’re all here, right?”

“I don’t mind and, yes, I was more or less the start of all this.  But there’s more to it now, I think.  This is about students being committed to what they want and what they stand for.”

“I understand.  I read the articles that Steve wrote, so I know something about it.  I hope you can introduce me to him.  Honest journalist needs to be helped along in times like these.  There are not a lot of committed, honest journalists in the publishing world any more.”

“Of course, just join me during lunch period and I’ll introduce him to you.”

“I’ll have to ask Randy where the lunch room is.  He seems to know his way around.”

“You’re a friend of Randy’s?”

“Yes, we’ve known each other for the past four years or so.” 

“Great!  Well, maybe I’ll see you later, then.  I’d better go to my next class.” 

Wow!  There were some advantages to knowing people, I now understood, and it certainly had worked out well today, for so many friends of friends had responded tour call for help.

[Francis continues]

The others toOK quite a bit longer before they returned to the room.  I saw that the number of journalist outside had increased quite considerably.  I think there were even one or two TV crews out there now.  But so far no one had tried to enter the school building.  So I guess the press release had had the desired effect, attracting the press like flies to shit. 

Jordan came back with one of the education board members and winked at me, inviting me to join them in room 101. 

“OK, anyone for coffee?” Susan asked. 

After she poured a few cups, the room went silent.  I saw a few glances exchanged between the director and the members of the board of education. 

“I think I can only say, Jordan, that I’ve been impressed by what you’ve accomplished.  I agree with what the teacher said before … some of the substitutes might not have their full teaching degree but, I agree, their experience comes in quite handy.  So I think we can say with assurance that, after seeing what is happening here, that you’re supplying a quality education here.”

“So there’ll be no police involvement then?” 

“No, not for the time being.” 

“I guess it’s time for them to leave then,” Jordan said, pointing at the two police officers standing in one of the corners loOKing out over the hall. 

“Yes, they can leave.” 

“No, they’re here for our safety,” one teacher protested.

“Well, I have no concerns about my safety at all at the moment, so we won’t need them,” the director stated firmly. 

“Oh, I think we need protection.  This is all a set up, staged like everything else so far.  Mike, the doctors … they were all set up just like we’re being set up.”

“Shut up!” the director said.  “Don’t be ridiculous.  They can leave.  I feel totally safe here.  We have no need for them.  These students have shown that they’re very good organizers and I’m sure the student population is listening to them, so there’s no need to be afraid of something untoward happening … at least, not from what I’ve seen in the classrooms or anywhere else in the school.” 

“You’re right, sir,” interjected Jordan.  “We just wanted to make it clear that we’re not in agreement with those few teachers and parents who are now dictating to the majority in this school without giving us any chance to tell them what we think.” 

“I know, Jordan, that that’s been the most important item from the beginning but it’s how schools are regulated down here, by the board of education,” the director said. 

“Well, maybe it’s time for the board of education to loOK at that system.  As you see we’re quite capable of maintaining our own system and organization.”

“I think you’ve proven that, Jordan, but I think you’ve forgotten that most students aren’t capable of doing that and that some protection from the outside world is needed to create a safe environment for them to get an education.” 

“Sorry, sir, but I don’t think any of this has to do with that.  It is just pure censorship, nothing more, nothing less.  And let’s not forget … the board’s actions have been based upon rumors and gossip more than on the truth.” 

“I can only say, Jordan, that we’ll discuss the experiences we had today with the other members and who knows what will come of it?  I think that, before we go, we’ll want to talk with some of the organizers on the ‘teachers’ side as we might want to extend this experiment in the future.  It’s opened some great possibilities if we could interest some of your volunteers into a more permanent organization of professional people coming in to teach for a day or so.  On the other hand, I don’t think it’s our task to do anything for the time being.  This is something between the director and the teachers-parent organization.  We’ll instruct them to discuss it all again and we’ll strongly suggest that students be heard.  But, as I said before, it is their decision and we’ll respect whatever the outcome is.”  “

“So you’re walking away from this without taking a stand, then?”

“That isn’t up to us, Jordan.  We were brought in to see if this building is being used for its intended function, and I can only deal with that issue at the moment, so I see no need for further interference from us at this time.” 

“But you will order the teachers-parents organization to convene another meeting?” 

“We’ll suggest that to them and normally our opinion weighs quite heavily in situations like this.  So you’ll give up the occupation now?” the director asked. 

“You agree with us then, sir?” Susan asked. 

“Ahhh … hmmmm … I wouldn’t go that far, no.  What I mean is … once we’ve arranged a new meeting, will you give up the occupation of the school and allow things to return to normal?” 

“Definitely not, sir.  We’ll await the outcome of that meeting and then decide what we’ll do,” replied Jordan.  “I agree with Susan.  We’ll run the school till the outcome of the meeting has been announced.” 

“But you can’t keep going with the teachers you have for very long.  I don’t think the parent- teachers association can meet for several days.” 

“Oh, we’ll cope.  Don’t worry about that, director … but if you’re anxious, you can ensure that the meeting takes place sooner.  I don’t know why it couldn’t be held tonight.” 

“We have things to arrange and we need to inform all the parents and that will take time.” 

“Sorry, but publicity won’t be a problem; you have a full media contingent right outside the school,” I pointed out. 

“That’s true,” the teacher I’d walked around with agreed. 

“It’d help, that’s for sure,” agreed the director. 

“May I suggest we try to arrange a meeting for 6 p.m. tonight?” the teacher sympathetic tour cause recommended quickly.  “And I think it’s time for a public meeting as well.  So far the parents have been against that but I think that we teachers feel strongly about that if we’re to be taken seriously in the future.” 

“Never!  We’ll just hear more lies,” the unsympathetic teacher protested. 

“If I may,” Jordan said.  “I think a public meeting is a good idea, and there’s no better place to hold it than down here in the school itself, don’t you think?”

“You’ll make sure we can have a proper discussion here, Jordan?” 

“Yea, I promise no one will interfere in the conduct of the meeting as long as a few of the students are allowed to have their say, too.” 

“OK, we’ll set it for 6 p.m. tonight then.  Let’s go outside together and announce it, Jordan, as I think that will give the message that we’re trying to work together to solve this problem.” 

“You’re getting yourself into a lot of trouble,” the unsympathetic teacher said.

“I don’t think I am,” replied the director.  “It’s time for me as director of education to consider more than just a small group organized in the teachers–parent organization.” 

Susan jumped in.  “I think I can say for certain that teachers who think like that are no longer welcome in our classrooms, sir.” 

“I got exactly that impression, too, Susan,” the director agreed. 

“We’ll see.  You just can’t sack me, you know,” protested the unsympathetic teacher. 

“Maybe the director can’t, but we might just not show up for your classes in protest.” 

“Blackmail!  That’s what this has been from the beginning.” 

“I think,” the director said quietly, “you’d better shut up.  You’re making your continued employment, here or anywhere else, more and more difficult.” 

“OK, a press conference together then,” Jordan said. 

“Yes, and I’ll leave the opening statement to you, Jordan.  You deserve to answer any questions about the press release you gave out this morning.” 

“Let’s see if we can get the press conference inside so the students can hear it all over the audio system in the classes as well.” 

For the next 30 minutes, members of the press were allowed into the hall.  A small podium was set up and the school’s speaker system was connected to the classroom audio system. 

I’d have loved to see Nick, but his class break had been while we’d been in the conference with the director.  I wondered how he was doing at that point. 

[From Nick’s point of view] 

After another pretty interesting lesson, it was break time.  I wandered around, trying to find Francis but he wasn’t at his post at the reception area, so I guess he was in the conference room with the others.  That wasn’t my place to be. 

I’d turned on my mobile to see if there were any messages.  At least four, I saw, which meant that others had heard about the school situation as there weren’t a lot of people who had my mobile number.  I didn’t want to listen to the messages but instead opened SMS and saw that there was a message from my lawyer, too.  It read: “Nick - please - call me as soon as possible.” 

What was that all about?  There shouldn’t be anything new until next Thursday, or so I thought.  I dialed the number and waited for the secretary to answer.

To be continued...