The Didactor

by Roy F. Chandler

  "You up for the board meeting tonight?"

  "Yes. People in town know about it?"

  "Sure do. No secret about it. Suppose it'll be announced in the paper today anyway."

  Well, Boden didn't seem to be hiding anything from the town.

  Roebuck continued, "I came up early to pick up any details I could before the board met. Pretty quick action it seems to me."

  "Got to move fast on something like this. If you don't, rumors fly all over town and people take sides until you can't ever get at the real happenings. Bob Boden is a good man. None better. He's right in getting it done with. By Monday, everybody'd be sore at everybody else. This way the board'll decide tonight, everybody'll get the word at church on Sunday, and that'll settle a lot of it."

  "You mean it'll all be forgotten?"

  "Hell no! It'll probably never be forgotten, but the heat'll be gone. We got a good school board and most people know it. They'll figure the board will know pretty well what they're doing."

  "I'd like to hear what people are saying about it. It's pretty tough trying to get the facts in a strange town."

  "Yeah, reckon it is. Well, I can tell you this much. If there are sides to be taken, I'm standing with Ben Troop. Tom Ruby's been asking for it for a long time. Now I reckon the Rubys don't agree, but that's how I feel anyway."

  "You like Mr. Troop?"

  "Sure do! He's plenty of man, but it isn't just that. If he was wrong, I wouldn't claim he was right. With Tom Ruby, I've got no doubts."

  "What did Mr. Troop hit Ruby with anyway? Busted him up pretty badly."

  "Two left hooks was all. Yeah, it sure busted him all right. I drove Tom down to the Polyclinic and he sure didn't look good."

  "Way I heard it, Mr. Troop hit the Ruby boy with a desk sign."

  "Now who ever told you that? Nope! I got it straight. Ruby took two swings at Mr. Troop and got nailed with two left hands so quick some of the kids in the class still think it was just one. The kids all come in here, you know. Spend all their money on burgers and the pinball machines. Anyhow, they must've told it a hundred times. Ain't any doubt. Two punches, that was all."

  "One too many. I'd say."

  "Yeah? If Tom Ruby was coming at you, how many would you take? Me, if I couldn't run, I'd keep swinging till he quit moving and maybe a little longer. Man, those Rubys are hard people. Nope, too bad about Tom's jaw but he sure asked for it."

  "Well, I wonder what caused it all? You know, what made Tom and Mr. Troop fight?"

  "Look, tell you what, why don't you just ask Ben Troop about it? That's him coming across the square."

  Roebuck experienced sudden dryness in his throat and felt cornered in a trap of his own making. His discomfort must have shown for Share said, "Take it easy. Ben Troop is an Ok guy, and I won't say anything if you don't want to talk with him. It's up to you, but if you want to hear it firsthand, now's your chance."

  Roebuck spun on his stool to watch Troop angle across the Square and head directly for the snack bar. The man's ordinary appearance surprised him, and he supposed he had allowed his imagination to create an image of a hulking creature of brutish mien with poorly concealed homicidal leanings.

  Instead he saw a man outwardly normal, waving a casual greeting to someone unseen, and half jogging between parked cars with an almost boyish vigor. Troop slid onto a counter stool, one removed from Roebuck, as courtesy demanded. He nodded uncommittedly at the blond customer and turned his attention to Bob share.

  "Hey Bob, you see those old racing clips on TV last night? Weren't they something? Man, those were the days I'd have liked driving. Top speed about eighty per. A guy could go through the fence and walk away back then."

  Their conversation allowed Roebuck to unobtrusively study Ben Troop. His gaze fell instinctively on Troop's hands that had allegedly hammered Tom Ruby into the hospital. He found it difficult to believe. Troop couldn't weigh over 175, he thought. Ruby certainly topped 200 pounds and his general big-boned meatiness made Troop's lighter frame almost small in comparison.

  Mistaking his attention for interest in their conversation, Troop half turned to include Roebuck in the discussion. The lawyer became increasingly aware of eyes of bright blue, almost naive in their clarity, catching his own and drawing him toward the speaker with a powerful, personal magnetism.

  In even this idle tale telling, Roebuck experienced the charismatic personality of the teacher and sensed his certain effectiveness in a classroom of impressionable students. He found himself caught up in a discussion of old-time racing, about which he knew next to nothing, even as the lawyer in him weighed and evaluated Troop for further reference.

  Finally the discussion slowed and as Troop turned as though to introduce himself to a new acquaintance, Bob Share cut quickly in, assuring that Troop received the most salient points before committing himself too deeply.

  "Ben, this is lawyer Roebuck, Tom Ruby's attorney, you know." Roebuck felt the full impact of the blue eyes and, with more than slight trepidation, offered his open right hand.

  "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Troop."

  He felt Troop's strong clasp tighten over his own grip and with belated dismay saw the teacher's left hand close into a hard fist poised just above the counter top.

  His eyes jerked to Troop's and saw the laughter spilling from them. With a blatantly disarming shrug, Troop thrust his clenched fist toward Roebuck and said, "Honest, I don't go around punching guys out all over town and I'm especially calm on Saturday mornings after I've been well fed. So, I'm pleased to meet you too."

  Roebuck laughed, enjoying relief. "Well, I'll admit you had me worried for a moment."

  Troop eyed him speculatively. "I imagine you've heard some pretty hairy tales about me by now."

  Although it was not a question, Roebuck chose to treat it as such. "Oh there were a few good words scattered through the deluge."

  "Yeah, I'll bet they were few, but I haven't given up. Bob here still feeds me."

  Their laughter was not yet among friends, but Roebuck warmed to the teacher.

  Troop continued, "As Tom's lawyer, I suppose you have the latest on his condition. I haven't heard anything since last night and all I got then was a routine 'satisfactory' from the hospital."

  "Sure. I stopped by this morning and he had had a good night. Taking breakfast through a straw when I was there. Seems his biggest trouble is breathing comfortably with his teeth wired shut and his nose blocked up. They made him a sort of rubber doughnut to stick in his lips when he's sleeping so they stay parted and he can breathe better. Looked damned uncomfortable to me!"

  Troop shook his head resignedly and Roebuck felt a desire to hear Troop's version of the affair. He searched his conscience and found no conflict of interest in possessing any information Troop was willing to give.

  "Look, Mr. Troop, I didn't expect to meet you prior to the board meeting tonight, and certainly not on a social level, but if there is anything about this situation you feel you can tell me, I'd be pleased to listen. I'm sure you realize the probability of this case going to court for legal action and I feel you should keep that possibility in mind if we do talk."

  "Well, Mr. Roebuck, I don't have any personal reservations about discussing the incident in detail except that I'm not sure what the school administration is doing and I don't wish to undermine their efforts." He hesitated, then added, "Look, let's sit over by the window. For both our sakes, any meeting we have had best be obviously open and aboveboard." He grinned again. "And anyway, I'm making it a point to be around a lot. Wouldn't want anybody to suspect I was hiding out, you know."

  "Aren't waving a red flag in front of the bulls are you, Mr. Troop?"

  "No, at least I hope not, but Perry County can be funny. People passing word around that I was afraid to show up in town might encourage someone to act rashly."

  "If you mean Tom Ruby's family, I can assure you that they have been instructed to initiate no action which might in any manner be deemed detrimental to
Tom's case."

  "Which, I gather, means don't start any fights."

  "Precisely!"

  They exchanged understanding smiles as Bob Share refilled Roebuck's coffee cup and placed a large milk before Troop. Ben hoisted the glass in a salute, and drank long, obviously enjoying the cold drink.

  "With all respect due your finely honed powers of persuasion counselor, your clients are rough, tough country boys who may follow your lead as long as you're all heading in the same direction. You swing off a little and you'll be parading all by your lonesome."

  "Ah ha, Mr. Troop. Do I detect the presence of GI slanguage in your word selection?"

  "Well, it's possible that some choice phraseology slipped in during my twenty year's service."

  "A career man! I salute you. Colonel?"

  "No, even higher. Sergeant Major."

  "My God. I am in the presence of aristocracy, the very backbone of the United States Army!"

  "Hell, although I'd agree, more have selected an anatomical description some inches lower."

  They were chuckling together when Troop waved at Boden passing on the sidewalk. The lawyer watched the small, vigorous figure move from view, and some minutes later a group of Ruby men passed on the far side of the street. Roebuck felt a twinge of anxiety as the Rubys appeared. He hoped they did not see him with Troop. They were difficult enough without their harboring suspicions about his loyalty,

  Troop showed no emotion as the Ruby men loped past, their ungainly long arms swinging loosely, but he watched them with interest and Roebuck could sense his evaluation and weighing of the men. The lawyer was relieved that they did not cross and turn into the restaurant.

  Ben Troop seemed a reasonable man and Earl Roebuck would have appreciated hearing Troop's side of things. He restrained his curiosity through a mixture of professional ethics and personal sensitivity. Instead, they talked of other subjects.

  Roebuck watched Troop polish off a second glass of milk.

  "How can you drink that and not get fat?"

  "Handball, counselor. Lots of it. I play every Sunday morning in Harrisburg and usually a couple of nights during the week. Good for the pipes. Cuts the cholesterol right out."

  "Nice to find a fitness enthusiast. Maybe I'll join you there sometime."

  "Welcome! Room for more. We'll sweat some blubber off you."

  "Thanks, I might just show up, but I'd better be shoving off for now. I've got a lot to do before that meeting tonight."

  "Yeah, I suppose so. Sure wish it would be all settled tonight. Running on keeps people all stirred up."

  "Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, remember."

  Troop grinned quizzically, "Maybe not, counselor, but that's only because Bob Boden wasn't first sergeant."

  +++++

  Boden came home for lunch worried. He plumped himself down at the table, gazing unseeingly at the light meal his wife had laid out. Discouragement was in his voice. "I can't control this Ruby thing, Jan. It's just gotten out of hand, blown sky high. I swear the whole town's buzzing over it. I got opinions from half the people I met, no two of which agreed, and the other half of the town won't talk to me.

  "A carload of Rubys came in and hung around an hour or so until they got Square out of jail. Said they'd be in town tonight and they'd better get fast results or they'd settle it their way. Their way! Do you suppose they really think I'll let them cause trouble at the board meeting? What do they take me for?"

  Janet Boden stood over him, a woman taller than her husband, competent in her own right, sometimes awed by the man she shared with education but always loving him. She placed a soothing hand on her husband's shoulder, his words adding to her own fears for him. "Those Rubys! They wouldn't dare to start trouble. Now eat your lunch and take a nap. You want to be well rested for the board meeting."

  Boden had tossed and turned through a poor night, building and shaping his arguments, seeking preparation against any direction the Ruby side might take. He had risen early, surrendering to his inability to sleep.

  He had been among the first to arrive at Share's restaurant, where he had pieced together a fairly accurate account of the Square Ruby happening of the night before and felt out Bob Share's opinions on Newport's reactions to the Ruby situation.

  Share's judgment reflected the community disagreement and it compounded Boden's foreboding. Sides had been quickly chosen, and although some of Troop's detractors were uncomfortable standing with the Rubys, they clung together in their rejection of a teacher injuring a student.

  To Share, their objections seemed more a gut reaction than logical reasoning, but Boden was forced to balance Share's opinions against the snack bar owner's personal respect and liking for Ben Troop.

  Citizens approached Boden when he loitered in the square and he turned from one discussion directly to another. He endeavored to explain the school's position as well as Troop's. He found himself repeating, occasionally to unreceptive faces, the lack of choice left to a teacher in Troop's situation. He rapidly tired of talking to the uninformed who believed they knew all, but he hung on, aware that the more steam blown in his direction, the less for expulsion elsewhere.

  Boden saw the civil liberties lawyer arrive in town and avoided him lest he provide him with additional ammunition. He watched the lawyer enter Share's snack bar and a little later saw Sylvester Drum leave the restaurant. He would have liked to corner Drum and prep him for the evening but he had mercy on the chubby plumber, trusting his good sense and fortitude. Drum could stand on his own. He would listen carefully and decide on the merits of the case. He was difficult to maneuver and Boden was glad he was on the board.

  His attention left Drum abruptly as Ben Troop crossed the square. Ben saw Boden and waved, but continued on his way.

  One of the town's old men headed Troop off and engaged him in conversation. They talked in the very center of the square and Boden saw other conversations pause as attention focused on Troop and the old man.

  Troop was listening, nodding seriously as the old timer related something of vast importance. From his gesticulations, Boden suspected he was depicting Square Ruby's waterloo near the same spot some hours earlier. Finally Troop spoke closely into the man's ear and sent him into gales of wracking laughter. Troop moved on to enter the snack bar while the old man recovered his wind and tottered off to Crum's Barber Shop for retelling.

  Boden thought about Troop and the opposition's lawyer in the same restaurant, and a little later, saw them through the window seated together and talking casually. Troop caught Boden's eye and grinned, waving again. Boden hoped he wasn't taking the young lawyer lightly. He recalled that Roebuck could be very tough.

  As Boden returned to his car, six Rubys literally boiled into town. Emitting dense clouds of steam, an old Ruby Pontiac braked hard next to Boden's car and three Ruby men piled from the front seat. An equal number of overweight women grunted their way through sagging rear doors.

  Disregarding their steaming radiator, the Ruby men surrounded Boden. Their rawboned figures bulked above Boden's slight form, but if he was in any way intimidated, it failed to show. He greeted their antagonism with deliberate courtesy.

  "Good morning, gentlemen. What can I do for you?'

  Eberson spoke for the trio, while old Pap and Ralph provided glowering countenances and restrained grumblings.

  "You can't do nothin' for us, Boden. It's us that's goin' to do it for you." The Rubys stood leering, waiting for Boden to ask just what it was they intended to do for him, but in a contest of verbal exchange, the Rubys were severely overmatched. Boden merely waited, holding Eberson's eyes until the bigger man looked away and fumbled for words.

  "We're goin'a see that your boy Troop gets what's comin' to him tonight, Boden. You figured to put one over on us Rubys, havin' a meetin' tonight an' all, but we're ready for ya, ain't we, Pap? Ain't we, Ralph?"

  The two nodded and grunted, pushing Eberson on. "First off, Boden, we got us a lawyer and he'll run Troop right out'a teach
in', an' while he's runnin', us Rubys'll be chasin' an' catchin'." He thrust a large horny fist promisingly before Boden's face. Uncowed, Boden pushed the fist aside.

  "Eberson, you were notified by me that a board meeting was being held tonight, so nothing was being put over on you. Now your lawyer will present your case to the board and that's all. I assure you, Mr. Troop is not being run anywhere."

  He looked thoughtfully at the Rubys and with a touch of malice added, "As far as chasing Ben Troop, well, I hope you never catch up." And seeing anger well in their faces added, "Square caught up!"

  Pap Ruby let out a howl of rage and hoisted a threatening hand, but Eberson's long arm held him back. They stood in frozen tableau; Boden unperturbed, the Ruby men hovering vulture-like over him.

  "All right, mister!" Eberson calmed his clan. "I'm knowing your idea. You figure to git us fightin' so we'll look bad to the town. Well, you ain't goin' to do it." He grinned, showing a few large yellow teeth.

  "Our lawyer done told us to stay clear o'you all till we got Troop throwed out. So that's what we're a'doin."

  Ralph Ruby snorted his impatience and turned to wrestle the reluctant hood of the dying Pontiac. Eberson leaned closer to Boden, enveloping him in the unique Ruby environment. He spoke softly for a Ruby, but his eyes held malevolence. "Tonight, Boden! Tonight, one way or another, we get square!"

  Choosing to misinterpret, Boden added salt, "Oh, you don't have to wait until tonight, Eberson. You can get Square right now. He's over in the only cell in the jail."

  Again Pap's fist rose, but fell before Boden's bland look. "I'm talkin' about Troop, Boden! You think you're purty smart, but tonight us Ruby's'll be even!" Eberson turned his baleful eyes to his father. "Come on, Pap. We gotta get Square out. We'll tend to the school people later."

  Boden cut off pap's knowing snicker. "Eberson, you people cause any trouble at that board meeting and I'll see you locked up for a long stay. If you Rubys have a case, the board will consider it fairly, but Eberson, I intend having state police standing by and Chief Morrison will be present. We'll have no rough stuff and no disorder tonight."