[Monday, August 30, 2004.] [Fourth period ended! Oh no! The bell rang just a minute or so ago, and everyone is getting / has gotten their stuff together and going to their next class or lunch. Christy already waved goodbye to Veronica and Mr. M. and half the class because she *can* and scrammed to her locker and then Spanish class.] "Veronica, may I have a word with you?" * Veronica starts to stand up, gathering her stuff. "Uh...eh? What's this about, Teach?" She doesn't move from her seat just yet. * Luke picks up his briefcase and walks over to her desk, dodging the exiting students. (Are there still lots of students near Veronica?) [Oh, do they exit. A couple of them look over curiously, but they don't do anything beyond that.] [Nope! Passing period is precious.] * Veronica eyes Luke suspiciously and slowly puts her binder back down on the desk, her eyes not falling from him. In case he makes any sudden movements. Like giving her an A in the class or something. "It's pretty clear that you know that Camila's not going to be good as new when she gets back," Luke says, keeping his voice low so it doesn't carry. * Veronica keeps fairly silent as she listens to Luke talk. She stares at him. Or past him, expressionless. (Is the class empty except for us yet?) [There are only three students getting their stuff together at this point. One of them's Hot Dog Guy. They walk off, chatting with each other.] * Veronica comments as she watches them go. "The experts say she's going to be fine." "Weren't you the one saying I was full of it when I told the class that? Because you were right." * Veronica eyes Luke casually. "Can I speak frankly with you, Mister Mendel?" "I suppose I can allow you to do away with the formality and politeness you've hitherto shown me." * Veronica looks seriously at Luke, despite the sarcasm. "I'm no expert on the subject. But what you did today was fucking stupid." "These people saw a girl burst into flame on Friday. Right now, what they need is some reassurance that she's alive and recovering. They really don't need my conjecture on how gruesome she'll look, not today." No. Right now what they need is the truth. If you say she's going to be fine and she comes back a mess, then you've lost all trust. * Veronica slams her hand on the desk and practically growls at him. "If you don't fucking know, SAY you don't fucking know. I can't stand adults who think kids are fucking stupid and can't handle the truth." "I said things that I did know. I said she was alive and that there was no brain damage. I did not say I'd bet my life savings on her making the cheerleading squad next year." * Veronica eyes Luke. "Do you think we're stupid? You think it's a good sign if the best they can say is that there's "no brain damage"? Who the fuck was even THINKING about brain damage? She got BURNED, Mister Mendel. Not concussed. If that's even a word. You're the English professor here." * Luke shrugs. "It's what I was told to pass on. And yes, it is a word." (I blame the DM! She said it.) (Blame away.) Look, Mister Mendel. I do kickboxing as a sport. Only a couple people know that but, well... people get hurt. So we gotta know at least some first aid in order to get by... So, I'll ask ya. Do you know what a "fourth degree burn" is? "Other than 'not something I want to experience'?" * Veronica sighs and closes her eyes, speaking very carefully. "Alright. I didn't necessarily get all of it. Something about there being 3 layers of skin. Each degree is another layer of skin burnt off. Third degree means the deepest layer. That in and of itself means the skin doesn't grow back unless it's grafted on. "Fourth is muscle?" Fourth degree burns mean it goes beyond the skin and starts singing the bone and muscle. Camila had plenty of both. And you're telling me she's gonna be okay after that? That's a fucking joke. * Luke clasps his briefcase in both hands in front of him. "She's alive, Veronica. Probably disfigured, yes. Possibly crippled. But most of the kids here probably thought she was dead." I doubt it. But the way you were goin' on, it sounded like she'd come in descending like a fucking angel. * Veronica sighs and shakes her head. "People don't come out of that kinda thing the same, Mister Mendel. And technically she's gonna be okay. But that doesn't mean she ain't gonna need help..." [Students for next period start entering the classroom and picking out their seats.] "That's all too true. Maybe I didn't do enough to emphasize that this would have lasting effects." * Veronica gets sort of quiet. "Say what you will about her. She was a fucking bitch to me, but that doesn't mean anybody deserves to be treated like that." * Luke looks around at the class filling up. "I'm keeping you from your lunch. Sorry." * Veronica finally picks up her stuff. "Just watch what you say, Mister Mendel. I don't care if you want to keep things hopeful or not. But if you start feeding us a pack of lies, I'm gonna call ya on it. Or else you're gonna lose our respect entirely." "Damn, and my entire class on how the gravedigger is hilarious is total B.S." * Veronica just blinks at Luke. Apparently it went right over her head. [Mini End. VERONICA EAT LUNCH.]