I've decided that there's not enough Percival. So I've written more about him.
You probably realized that he was absolutely adorable in the movie (1960-whatever, I haven't seen the other to know) but in the book, he's supposed to be ugly and annoying. So here we have ugly, annoying Percival. Enjoy!
"Mr. and Mrs. Madison, I'm very sorry to say that I don't think your son is quite ready to be moving on to the next grade," Mrs. Reed said, not sounding remotely sorry, "Percival," she continued, "Had always been a very good student before the... incident. Unfortunately, since he's come back, he hasn't quite been able to focus on his lessons, which has been particularly distressing, seeing as he was already quite a few months behind."
Mrs. Madison's narrow face was directed downwards, at her lap. One hand unconsciously sought her husband's. "Oh." She said.
Mr. Madison, on the other hand, twisted his mouth into an odd shape that, when seen with the rest of his face, gave the impression of a grimace. He said,
"You say Percival has been distracted?"
Mrs. Reed nodded immediately, before seeming to realize her eagerness to answer was unbecoming. After the briefest of pauses she said, "Yes, unfortunately."
She didn't sound as though it was at all unfortunate. If the boy had been annoying before the incident, then after it he had been downright nuisance. And so ugly! Inspecting the boy's parents, she seemed to understand why.
Mr. Madison's face turned stormy, "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Reed." His voice was ice.
Too sweetly, she said, "Not at all, Mr. Madison, Mrs. Madison." She rose, extending a hand to each of them in turn. "I hope you understand that this is all for dear Percival's own good."
Mrs. Madison seemed on the verge of tears as she nodded.
Sitting silently in his chair, Percival had eyes only for the colour photograph of a tropical island that graced the far left wall of the class.
He didn't realize the conversation had ended until one of his father's hands made contact with his head.
"Boy," he growled, "It's one thing when you don't pay attention in class, it's another when you ignore your parents."
He was dragged by the ear out the door, knowing full well that he'd lost the privilege of dinner that night, but thankful, at least, that he wouldn't have to be in the same room as that picture for at least a year.
Writing drabbles is new to me, so I'd appreciate some feedback - good or bad, because I love you, and if you love me then you'll do it. I promise I won't respect you any less afterwards. Please?
