On the third day of the new school year, Epstein almost literally sprang into the classroom, late and seemingly oblivious to the stares that followed him. He bounced into his seat and immediately began fidgeting as though unable to sit still. Sweat covered his forehead, causing him to blink the droplets out of his eyes.

"Epstein!" Kotter greeted. "Nice of you to make an appearance."

"Yeah, whatever," Epstein replied with a little wave of his hand.

"Well, you missed the first two days of school, and you're late today." Kotter paused, giving his student an opportunity to offer some excuse. But Epstein remained silent.

"No note from your mother?" Gabe prompted.

"Couldn't sleep," Epstein said, jumping out of his seat. "No sleep, just walking," he went on, now pacing the room.

Kotter stopped Juan's incessant movements by stepping in front of him. "Epstein, please take your seat!"

"Yeah, yeah." Juan slid into his chair for all of two seconds before once again rising.

"Epstein, please stay in your seat." Kotter stared in disbelief as his student rapidly traversed the room. He intercepted him again, this time placing his hands on Juan's shoulders. "What's going on with you? The guys are worried about you. I'm worried about you."

"I don't need nobody worrying about me. Just leave me alone."

"Look, Juan—"

Epstein jerked away and returned to his seat. "I'm fine!"

"You sure don't look fine!" Gabe exclaimed. "You're going a million miles a second, and you're sweating like you just ran a marathon!"

Just as quickly as Epstein had taken his seat, he now clambered out and headed for the door.

"I'm outta here!"

Kotter tried his most authoritative voice. "Epstein, sit down!"

Juan never looked back as he spat out, "Kiss my ass!"

A stunned silence filled the room, followed by gasps and shocked whispering. Kotter stood still, not believing what he had just heard.

"Uh, Mr. Kotter?" Horshack asked after a moment. "Is Little Juan in trouble?"

Gabe sighed. "In more ways than one, I would think," he replied solemnly.


The next day Kotter was shocked to see Epstein in his seat before the bell rang. After the incident of the day before, Gabe decided a low key approach was best.

"Well, it's good to see everyone," he said, directing his words to the class but studying Epstein. The young man looked as unsettled as he had before, wiping his face and barely able to sit still.

Suddenly the door flew open and Mr. Woodman stormed into the room. He headed straight for Epstein, who leaped to his feet, his face frozen in shock.

"There you are, you pathetic little loser!" Mr. Woodman pointed his finger at Epstein. "I figured you'd be dumb enough to come to school. You've gone too far this time, Epstein. I've finally got you, and you're not going to wiggle out of this one!"

"Mr. Woodman, what's this all about?" Kotter demanded.

"Do I have to spell it out for you, Kotter?" Mr. Woodman gestured toward Juan. "Look at him! Isn't it obvious? Drugs, Kotter! Drugs and stealing! That's what this is all about. He's been breaking into stores to pay for his drugs! So this is it, Epstein. You're caught, and this time there's no escape."

Gabe's jaw dropped, and he turned to face his student. "Epstein, is this true?"

Epstein had backed against the wall. "Mr. Kotter, I—I—"

"Of course it's true!" Woodman interrupted. "It was just a matter of time before one of your Sweathogs became a dope fiend. I always figured it'd be Epstein."

Kotter's face flushed. "Mr. Woodman, I don't think that's necessary," he said, cut by Juan's stricken expression.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it, Kotter? Well, I'm here to take him in. His parents will be contacted, and then he'll be sent to juvie."

Gabe saw Epstein's face crumple into a mixture of terror and guilt.

"Mr. Woodman, let's talk outside." Gabe gave Epstein a nod, then went into the hall. After a moment of glaring at Epstein, the vice-principal joined the teacher.

"Do you know what's going on here, Kotter?" Mr. Woodman began. "He's made the biggest mistake of his life, and I'm going to make sure he pays for it."

"Just wait, Mr. Woodman. Look, first tell me what's going on. All I know is that he's been in Newark all summer."

"That's right. That's probably where all this started. Rumor is that he was part of a gang that was breaking into stores at night." Woodman folded his arms. "He should've stayed in New Jersey, because he's been doing the same stuff here, and now he's caught."

"But drugs…Mr. Woodman, are you sure?"

Woodman laughed shortly. "Didn't you see him in there? He's a mess! Word is that he's on heroin."

Gabe couldn't speak, and Woodman's voice actually softened.

"Kotter, I know you care about these losers, but there's nothing you can do this time."

"Wait, wait." Kotter grasped for any straw. "Let me talk to him. Maybe…maybe he came to school because he wants help. Maybe he wants to get off the drugs. He just doesn't know how to ask."

"Wishful thinking. Won't get you anywhere. Face it, Kotter, you've lost."

"Please just let me talk to him. It can't hurt to try."

Woodman shook his head. "Be my guest. I love watching lost causes."

Gabe braced himself, then went back into the classroom. He saw that the Sweathogs had surrounded Epstein, who apparently had decided he didn't like what he was hearing.

"Woodman doesn't know what he's talkin' about!" Epstein pushed his way through the students, stopping when he spotted Kotter.

"Juan…" Gabe held out his hands. "Please tell me what's going on with you."

Epstein ducked his head. "I gotta go, Mr. Kotter."

"Mr. Woodman—"

"Man, forget Mr. Woodman!" Epstein charged for the door.

"Epstein, wait!" Vinnie called.

"I can't, man," Epstein replied, pausing in the doorway. "I ain't letting Woodman get me."

"Juan, we can help!" Gabe tried.

"I don't need no help."

Kotter brought out the big guns. "Epstein, you can't keep on using drugs."

"I ain't usin'!"

Gabe's expression of disbelief was echoed in every face in the classroom. "We all want to help you. But you have to let us. Will you?"

For a second, a brief glimmer, Kotter thought he had gotten through to Epstein. He could see conflicting emotions race across Juan's face, but in the end pride won out and Epstein turned away and rushed from the room.

Somehow Kotter regained control of the class and the day finally passed. He knew his students were all distracted by Epstein's issues, and he wondered what the next act would be.