Senior Prank (9781620957295)

by Bunevich, Tom

  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.

  Senior Prank, Chapter Eleven

  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.”

  “Guess we got too many Mexican students,” Jose deadpanned.

  “In some respects, I feel bad for Winston,” Lamont added. “I know what we did, but I still can’t figure out who did all the other stuff. Looks like we’ll graduate from a plain old regular high school so fellows don’t sweat it.”

  That morning each of the three met with their guidance counselors to make sure they were on course for graduation. Lamont needed to hold his C average, especially since falling below that mark could make him ineligible for track. Track had brought him a renewed vigor to work in the subjects he struggled with and he had been doing so.

  Jose had maintained his C average, but found chemistry a challenge recording a D for the first semester. He was told he needed a C in that course second semester to graduate. His dad relented and let him keep his car despite the D, but Jose knew there’d be no second chance. This could be really damaging because Missy had agreed to a second date with him after the Brad Paisley concert.

  Elvis had all C’s and one B. He disliked English and reading about all those long deceased authors. In most cases, he didn’t make connections between their content and the present day. The monotone voice of the teacher bored him, too. Since he had conservative views, he often clashed in class discussions with her liberal viewpoint. For that reason alone he did the minimum on his essays, thinking he would probably get a C anyway because of those opposite opinions. He usually did get a C.

  At 1:57 p.m. Winston walked into the media center and strolled up to the podium. It was the same one less than three months earlier he had met the governor and later had to defend himself. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” he started, looking around to see the same crowd he had for his last gathering there. “As usual please allow me to make a short statement and then I will take any questions.

  “First, I want to thank you for coming. As you are aware, we received the news yesterday, actually today by mail, that Thomas Jefferson wasn’t selected as an All American School. I won’t go into details but we came close. We scored 85 out of 100 and needed a 91. So, we were close. I want to thank the students, administration, faculty and parents for working towards this goal. It was an honor to be considered.”

  Tom Roberts waved his arm in the air to signify he had a question. Winston motioned with a point of the finger as to indicate later, and continued.

  “I have thought about this high and hard. First, I ask what is an All American school? I have been in education a long time and what we have here is THE All American school. We are just like every other high school in America.

  “We have kids that will grow up to be doctors, researchers, nuclear engineers, lawyers. Others will go onto college and end up in the business world. A few will go onto professional sports careers. Others will grow up and be, even, even reporters. We have kids on the other end that will end up in prison, die too young, and just not amount to much. We have many that will grow up to be ordinary citizens, paying taxes, holding jobs and raising children.”

  With that Tom Roberts, not wanting to wait, broke in and said out loud, “Mr. Winston, you’re still not addressing the issue. Don’t you feel responsible for the school not winning the All America School status?”

  “Sure, Tom, you can blame me,” answered Winston. “But when you consider what every school does across the nation on a daily basis, I think every school should be an All American school. We take millions of kids across the nation and get them to and from school safely every day. We try to educate them, giving them in essence a free education. We feed them. We try to give them incentive to succeed. We bring a moral code into their lives. We sometimes even have to discipline them.

  “During this whole time we have to deal with teachers, parents, gov
ernmental hierachies and adminstrations knee deep in paperwork and rules and regulations.”

  Again Tom Roberts broke in, “Excuse me sir but you haven’t answered my question…do you feel responsible?”

  “Sure, I am the guy at the top but I didn’t do any of the pranks or misbehavior,” said Winston. “I get to take the blame for it. It may cost me my job, but you can be sure I will put the students first until they boot me out, I die or retire.

  “We missed the award by six points out of a hundred. We still lost if you want to call it that, but I am proud of the teachers, administration, parents, and students in this school. I wouldn’t trade it for any other. I won’t let the antics of a few take away from the success of the vast majority.

  “Look we take nationalities and cultures from all over the world and try to blend them to become productive American citizens. That’s not easy.”

  Tom Roberts sat silent.

  Winston continued, “Tom, suppose you are driving the television station’s vehicle and another driver runs a red light and hits you. It’s that driver’s fault, but you’re still in an accident. So, you take the blame for being in an accident, but you were a victim of circumstance.”

  “If it could have been avoided,” Roberts fired back. “I’d take the blame.”

  “Well, that’s one thing we will never know. Now are there any other questions?”

  “Have you ever found out who did some of the misbehavior when the governor visited?” asked a female reporter. “Seems they should be the ones to blame.”

  “No, we had some leads, but it’s water over the dam now,” Winston said. “We have to live with the results. Remember these are kids, 14 to 18 years old. We want to think they are mature, but they aren’t. Part of school to them is to have fun, even if it is at someone else’s expense.”

  With that no other questions came, and Winston, dismissed the press conference and began to leave the media center. The reporters filed out behind him. But just as he reached the door, Winston turned around, went back to Roberts and said, “Tom, you know the school board policy, you can’t be on the campus without signing in and getting permission. So, remember that’s the rule.

  “By the way you shouldn’t have been where you were the day you interviewed the governor as he left the school. You didn’t have permission or a pass. But I guess not everybody follows the rules.” He need say no more so he turned and left. The other reporters had clearly heard the last exchange, almost as though Winston had planned it that way.

  That night Tom Roberts on the evening news seemed to back off his attack on the school and Winston when he reported on the press conference. The tone seemed more sympathetic, and when Roberts said, “I think the average citizen doesn’t understand how tough it is to be an educator nowadays. Remember not everybody follows the rules and so a few can ruin things for everyone. I think that’s the case here. A few bad apples shouldn’t spoil it for all. Just like our society.”

  The next day Winston opened The Houston Chronicle to discover the headline “TJHS Principal Defends Self, School.” The story seemed complementary, offering sympathies for a tough job. Many of Winston’s quotes were featured in the story. Many faculty members complemented him throughout the day on his “telling it like it is.”

  A few days later an editorial in the paper congratulated Winston and TJHS for coming so close. The tone of the editorial complemented Winston for “running such a fine school with in such tough times. He is an example of a true educator who sees the positives to our educational system.” Boy, the worm had turned.

  A few days later he took copies of the story and editorial to his meeting with the school board officials. By then, they, too, had backed off. Although they were still angry about the governor’s visit, they were impressed with his outlook and answers at his press conference. They agreed to issue a warning for ‘permitting his school to have conduct unbecoming of students in the district under such important circumstances.’

  As mid March approached, it was time to prepare for the final activities of the year for the senior class. Just over two months remained in the school year, and students were looking forward to graduation. They were on cruise control, AKA senioritis.

  Coming up were the prom, senior awards banquet, the grad night at Six Flags Astroworld, the senior field day and yearbook signing party, and the last day send off. Elvis turned 18 the weekend before spring break. He was now a legal adult.

  But before the last few weeks of school there was spring break. Traditionally, the high school students from the Houston area schools joined the college kids in Galveston for some beach time. Jose saved money to be able to afford a few days in the sun. Lamont would be in Austin that weekend for an indoor track meet and to meet with college coaches around the state in hopes of garnering more interest for a scholarship. Track had now become the focus of his daily life.

  Tom Borker got the Texas Redneck Rockers a four night gig at a Galveston club the first weekend and for three more days the following weekend. The group would earn $9000 for the seven dates. After the manager took his cut that meant each member of the group would get about $1550. Of course, they would have to pay their own expenses, but Elvis still figured he could clear $1000 for the two weeks work, not a bad payday.

  Elvis told his mom he’d have to miss school the Friday before break in order to fulfill his part of the deal. At first she objected, but after realizing the amount of money her son was to receive she relented.

  The group’s manager was really making a difference. First, was the name change for the better. They had abandoned the Panic Attackers for the Texas Redneck Rockers. Borker said the name better conveyed what the group was all about. He had the group make CD’s, which they sold at their concerts and on the website he established. He had them do extensive publicity campaigns around the state. He became a marketing machine. The website sold autograph items, photos, t-shirts, and other items related to the group. As a result of that marketing and the fact that they were becoming a very good band, their popularity was skyrocketing.

  The TRR, as they became known, were taking the state by storm. Elvis’s guitar playing was capturing the fancy of the ladies. He made his guitar scream or weep depositing on the song, and when he played hard, he swiveled his hips, threw back his slick black hair, and added as much flair as he could to the performance. The ladies slipped him phone numbers and blew kisses at him. His loved the adulation, but backed off any romantic interludes with the women.

  Elvis was told by other experienced members of the group he had to watch those women. He was told they had ulterior motives, such as robbery, drugs, and money. He was also told they could be carrying diseases he’d like to avoid. But the temptation was there. Some were gorgeous and moved with a persuasion that took all a man had not to break down. He figured someday he’d find the right woman of his life. There was no hurry and his music was still first on the list.

  His guitar playing stood out when the group was on stage. He loved to play the rock of the 1970’s and songs of today’s country music. Keith Urban was his guitar hero. He considered Urban the best guitarist in the world, and folks said when Elvis played the guitar solo from Urban’s ‘You Look Good In My Shirt’, it was on equal with the star.

  The first night Elvis group played in Galveston Elvis learned a lesson in the school of hard knocks. During the time the group played, two young ladies blew kisses at Elvis and motioned him to come join them. During the breaks, they conversed with Elvis, always turning on the charm. They danced in front of Elvis, moving in ways that suggested they were ready for action. Slowly his will was eroding.

  At the end of the evening, the girls invited themselves to Elvis’s room. Elvis had always read about the sexual romps of superstar musicians with a sense of wonder. That night the girls showed him maneuvers he only dreamed of. After two hours of such fun, Elvis got up to shower, telling the girls to wait. When he returned from the shower, the girls, his wallet and the $250 cash in it, along with h
is only credit card, were gone.

  He borrowed money from fellow bank members to get through the week, but from that night on made it a point to resist the temptation of multiple sexual exploits.

  Jose though saw the Galveston trip as the chance to break the ice with Missy. He had gotten to first base the past few times, but now wanted more. He convinced her in his charming, romantic way to spend the weekend together in Galveston. Each told their parents they were staying with friends as they drove the hour and a half to the Gulf of Mexico for two nights on the beach.

  Missy thought about the beach. It would be her chance to enjoy the freedom from mom and dad. She envisioned a hotel on the beach, the waves, the music, the partying. After three months she was sure she liked Jose. She wasn’t crazy about his salsa music, but tolerated it. Vice versa for her country. He was a gentleman that treated her like a queen. Besides, she’d be far enough away from the crowd at TJHS to avoid gossip.

  Their first night in Galveston, Elvis got them special passes in front of the stage for the TRR. They danced, had a few drinks, and decided to retire for the night around midnight. On the walk back to the hotel, Missy said, “Man, Elvis can really play a guitar. How can such a kid that doesn’t care be so good at something?”

  “It’s simple,” Jose answered. “It’s something he loves. He wants to do it. School isn’t something he wants. I’ll say this; he has been my main man since 9th grade. He’d give you the shirt off his back. I love the guy. He’s got how do you people say it, charris-ma. He’ll make it big someday.”

  When they got back to the room, they soon found themselves in a position they had not been before. This time Missy told Jose not to stop and for her first time, she felt what it was like to surrender completely to a man. The couple talked for awhile, then feel asleep with Jose’s arms wrapped around Missy like a mama bear protecting her cub.