[Wednesday, September 1, 2004.] [Luke is going to the principal's office! What do you want from me, setting and exposition?] [Mini Start.] * Luke walks through the halls, halfway through fifth period, until he encounters... (Krista? Veronica? Charlotte? Chad? Skip and Xiang? No one?) [He encounters the hall troll by one of the exits, chewing out Skip and Xiang. "No," the monitor says, "You can't take her out for lunch just because it's her birthday. Go out for dinner instead."] * Luke continues on, little realizing this denied lunch would have significant consequences later, or not. [Xiang's pretty much hiding behind Skip, and Skip bravely says, "But we can't-" "*No*," the monitor emphasizes. And Luke continues on!] [Luke makes it to the principal's office without further incident.] * Luke enters the office, looking about to see what's happening inside it. [What's happenin' is the secretary's behind her desk. She looks up from writing something or another. "Here to see Doug?"] "Good afternoon, Theresa. I am indeed here to see Doug." [Theresa pushes up her glasses with the tip of one finger and turns to flip a couple of pages in a binder. She scans the one she was looking for, then says, "He's open right now, if you want to just walk in."] "Thank you." Luke knocks on Doug's door before entering, however. ["Come on in!" Doug's muffled voice calls.] * Luke opens the door and enters the office, closing it again behind him. [There's the principal, behind his desk! He finishes typing something on his desktop, then looks up and smiles. "Luke! What can I do for you?"] * Luke sits down in the chair, setting his attache case on his lap. "Good afternoon, Doug." ["Good afternoon." He abandons his computer to face Luke.] "We're studying Hamlet in my English 3 classes." * Luke pauses, just to see that Doug has acknowledged this information. [He's paying attention!] "Some of my students have suggested a field trip to see the Branaugh film version, which is playing in town." "I'm not sure the poor bastards realize it's the complete text and four hours long," Luke adds with a grin. [Doug chuckles. "Probably not." He leans back and folds his hands. "So, you want to take them on a field trip?"] "I'm feeling lucky they even remember what play we're studying. I'd hate to discourage any interest they're showing in the class." [He nods, thoughtfully. "It would take almost a full school day."] "On the plus side, it'd be almost a full day of actual education. That's probably a net gain for some students." [Doug doesn't laugh, but he does think. "I'll have to talk to the other teachers about this... but it sounds like it could be worthwhile. Not just your class, but all of the junior year students. Maybe on different days." He moves to find a clean pad of paper and a pen. "Need to contact the theater, too."] * Luke nods. "That's a good idea. I doubt they're prepared for an entire class showing up at once. They'll need time to hone their concession staff's hard sell on the upsize." [Doug nods, making a few notes, then glances at his calendar. "When is it showing?"] "I'm not sure of the exact show times. We might have to get them to do a special midday showing." "I'm sure they'd agree." [He nods. "It'll be rushed..." Doug's looking a bit doubtful, now that he's rethinking this.] "I've never met a movie theatre owner who'd turn down a guaranteed sell- out additional showing." [He nods again, musing over this. "I'll see what I can do."] "I really think this is a good opportunity to get the students interested in English," Luke says. "It would be a real shame if it fell through." [Doug nods again. "Yeah." And then he blinks. "You're right. I'm sure we can pull something like this through. Thanks for bringing the idea to me, Luke."] (*snerks* That came across a little too "And then the mind control kicks in". :P ) "Thank Christy Walters. She's the one who came up with it." Luke grins. "But since you can't give *her* a raise, I could take one on her behalf." He's clearly joking. (Level five success at influence may well be mind control. ;P) [Doug laughs. "We'll see if you last the year."] "I am in high demand, other schools trying to hire me away..." Luke grins. [The principal just shakes his head.] "But they can't compete with Lakeview." ["It's the benefits package, isn't it?"] "Plus, none of the students have mugged me yet." ["They probably won't, unless it's for test answers. Take it from me and don't write it until the day before." The principal's encouraging slacking? Oh no!] "I defer to your wisdom, Doug." [He smiles. "As long as you get it done." And then he glances at his computer. "Speaking of, if you don't need anything else...?"] "Actually, Doug, there was something else." ["Hm?"] "I was talking with Walter and May earlier, and I want to congratulate you on the music department here at Lakeview." "Oh, sure, they both complain a bit, because they wouldn't be teachers if they didn't. But it's obvious that the department is really a good one, and that we have you to thank for that." [Doug blinks, then he shakes his head. "Oh, no. I just work here. We've been very lucky to have the two of them."] "Don't be so modest. Most schools seriously under fund departments like music and art, and even the best teachers can't do much without enough funding for proper equipment and sufficient staff." ( Not like Latin.) [He nods. "We have been proud of the instrument rental system," Doug says. "We have Hans to thank for that, though without the donations we received in the earlier years, it never would have worked."] (Dude, if they didn't fund her Latin class she'd eat them.) "Donations?" ["Yes. Old instruments and so on, for free or on discount."] * Luke nods. "Still, I think it's great that you haven't cut their funding in favour of something trendier." ( You want to give me cookies and a raise. Luke! Grand idea! You deserve a raise... and wait here while I fetch cookies. Excellent.) [He smiles. "Thank you. We do take pride in our music program."] (Hehehe.) ( These are not the budget cuts you are looking for. These are not the budgets cuts we're looking for. Move along. Move along.) (It'd be hilarious if Luke asked for a raise and got one like that.) "You should." ["You'll want to catch their concerts. I hear we have some real talent this year."] "I'm looking forward to it. Anyone in particular I should remember to listen for?" ["May and Hans would know better than I would." Yes, he calls Hans by his last name. "I honestly can't tell one student from another half the time."] "I'll ask them, then. Thanks for your time, Doug." ["Any time, Luke. Good luck with Hamlet."] * Luke stands, grabbing his attache case with his left hand, and heads back out into the outer office. [Luke makes it without incident! The secretary looks up, then back down and makes a note in the schedule book.] "Have a good afternoon, Theresa," Luke says as he passes out into the hall. ["Good afternoon, Luke."] [Luke heads back towards the English office when he spots Krista heading down the hall from the direction of the cafeteria!] "Good afternoon, Krista," Luke says as she approaches. * Krista looks to be in thought, which might be why she isn't hiding, although when her eyes swivel to catch Luke's, she looks like she wants to! She responds after a second with, "Good afternoon Mr. Mendel..." she slows a little in her walk, but not wholly. (Krista passes. The end. :P) (Ha.) "Off to AP Physics again? I don't know how you manage without a full lunch break." ( Yes, but you probably eat babies, you evil heathen!) * Krista nods slowly and says, "I just do. It is a small sacrifice." * Luke grins. "I wish I had your dedication." * Krista continues for her locker as she comments, "I am sure you have some sort of dedication." Beat. "With those books." * Luke looks slightly quizzical. "It doesn't take much dedication to read a book." * Krista gets to her locker and opens it, responding with a slight hint of distaste, "It can when they have characters without meaning." * Luke stands about eight feet away from her, not getting any closer. "Ah, learning another language does take dedication, I admit, but I've always had a talent for them." * Krista mms a little, not responding as she fills her backpack. Art supplies, text books of all flavors... "What language are you taking?" * Krista is silent for a second, then, "The one with percentage signs in it." Beat. "I know Latin, Mr. Mendel." (Ooh, Krista's getting snarky.) (Is not!) (Fight! Fight!) ("Krista's beating Mr. Mendel's ass in the hall with her bookbag and screaming about heathens! You gotta check it out! She's finally flipped!") "" Luke replies in Latin. * Krista pauses for a second and then replies, (Bah, Church Latin isn't the same!) (>_<) "" Luke grins. * Krista turns around, massive bookbag over her arm, and she says simply, [Ms. Balen comes stalking down the hall, scowling as usual. She glances at the pair as she approaches and adjusts her glasses.] [She's holding a pair of books in her arms. They're Latin textbooks.] "" * Krista pauses, uncertain how to respond to that, then, "I'm sure you can communicate fine." She nods in acknowledgement to Ms. Balen. (Was that supposed to be in Latin too?) (No.) (She switches to English because of the Latin teacher?) (Not like she can't understand, and it keeps her from taking special interest?) (No one wants Gail's special interest.) [Gail doesn't seem to buy Krista's switch back to English, as she says, in Latin, "" And then she nods to the teacher. "Luke."] (Not when you're >< close to saying, "YOU LOVER OF THE DARKNESS, GET THEE HENCE.") (*holds up cross*) * Krista smiles weakly at her and says, "" [The woman stops and eyes Krista. "" she says. ""] * Krista smiles a little at the compliment. She can take compliments. [Ms. Balen nods.] "" [""] * Krista blushes slightly, demurely, looking away from the talking teachers slightly. "" Luke grins. * Krista looks up at him, her eyes tightening for a second, then she says, "I have to go to Physics, I think..." ( . o O (Vampire man talks about killing.)) ["" Gail says dryly, "" She nods to Krista and continues in Latin, ""] "" * Krista nods at both of them and, given permission, makes for the FLEEEEING. At a modest and respectable pace. * Luke watches Krista's modest and respectably paced FLEEEEING. "" [""] "" [Gail smiles faintly. "" She starts walking again, probably to her office.] * Luke heads in the same direction. "" [Gail nods. "" she asks.] "" [She chuckles. ""] "" ["" She looked like she wanted to throw some sort of epithet in there, but she stopped herself.] * Luke nods. "" (Middle-aged love. It's so sweet.) (They're not middle-aged. Hey.) (I was just talking with Arwen about how I keep having to remove flirtation from Luke's dialogue before I write it.) (Snicker.) (Ben and Katherine, THAT is middle aged love and sweet.) (If you say so. Nobody else in the world knows about it.) (And still creepy, thanks.) (Snicker.) (What? Ben and Katherine have shown up as a couple in a few minis with other PCs.) [""] ( It's frikking scary is what it is.) * Luke pauses, realizing that he has to turn at this corridor and Gail's not going to, as they have separate departments to go to. "" [She nods. "" And she continues her walking.] * Luke heads back to his office, and as he goes, he says to himself, "" [Mini End!]