007 - The Duel Monsters Club

Shaking his head, his father laughed humorlessly. "How many times have I told you to stop playing that stupid card game and start preparing for your real life? You want to get out into the college world and only thing you know how to do is play some dumb game? What's wrong with you?"

Andrew continued up the stairs and went to his room. He locked the door.

-

Spencer chuckled. "You didn't forget the fliers, did you?"

"No, I am conscious enough to remember that." Blake pulled out an impressive stack of papers. They read:

Third Annual Elections Tournament

Duel Monsters Club

First official meeting/Informational meeting about tournament Friday. If unable to attend, please contact:

President Spencer Grant

Vice-President Blake Davis

-

. . . Robert thought to himself . . . I don't know if I'm ready to be president of a club like that, especially presiding over people with more skill and experience like Blake, but there's no way I'm going to lay down and make it easy for anyone I'm dueling.

-

Andrew took his place at the back of the room. He sized up the other kids sitting in the desks nearer the front, noting with silent contempt that there was truly no one of worth in the class, with the possible exception of Spencer, standing at the front. The kids were sitting in sporadic groups, some on top of desks, some leaning against them, some cross-legged on the floor, simply making small talk.

"Hi!"

Andrew flinched slightly at the high-pitched, overly cheery voice. He turned his head slowly to look at the source. What he saw was a smiling blonde girl standing before him. She had blue eyes and wore an overly-zealous expression.

"I'm Becca! What's your name?"

Andrew stared angrily for a moment. I don't know you. I didn't ask you to come over here. Did I look like I was in the mood for small talk?

"My name's Andrew."

"Nice to meet you Andrew! Are you that new kid everyone's talking about? I've heard you're really talented! I hope we get to duel!"

Andrew continued to stare. She talked too much.

"Anyway, I just thought I'd come introduce myself and welcome you to our school and the DMC! Well, I'm going to go say hey to everyone, but you should come sit by me! We'll be great friends in no time, I know it! Well, I'll see you!" She gave a little wave and bounced off to her companions.

"What . . . the . . . ?" Andrew sighed. He felt sudden exhaustion.

"Welcome, everyone!" Blake called, suddenly at the front of the class. Spencer was behind him, shuffling some papers into an organized pile. The sponsoring teacher was behind his desk, apathetically typing on his computer.

The talking died, though Andrew could tell that small talk in the midst of the meeting was generally not frowned on.

Blake continued. "I'm Blake, the standing vice president, and this is our first meeting of the Duel Monsters Club for Central High for the year." There was a small bout of cheering, followed by a bit of sporadic laughter. "This is the third year for Duel Monsters and the third year for us, and this year the CHSDMC is gonna really make waves in the dueling community." More fervent cheering.

"However, first we must get around to the premier order of business, which our standing president will now address."

"Thanks, Blake," Spencer said. Talking quieted a bit more, and it was clear that Spencer's ship was a tad more tightly run. Blake took a seat in the front right corner, sitting sideways to observe the entirety of the room.

"I'd like to extend my own welcome and a special thanks to my vice president, Blake. He's always started my meetings, since I'm not so much for speaking, and I've really appreciated our year in office." There was good natured applause and warm smiles directed at both boys.

"So now, to the issue of this year's president and vice president," Spencer went on. "Normally, in most clubs, the standing president and vice from the previous year would run again and there would probably be a challenger or two and then a vote would be conducted. However, the DMC is proudly different. We're a club focused on an intense game of wits, and so we leave our year's political future in the hands of whosoever can win the most of these battles. This spawned in our first year of operation the prestigious Election Tournament.

"Both Blake and I will be participating, as we are the standing officers, and any and all duelists who wish to participate in the tournament are welcome, however, if you feel you cannot stand up to the responsibilities or the competition, we ask that you do not participate. The tournament is usually fairly challenging, as the best duelists put themselves into it for a coveted prize, but is often a bit of a smaller due to said competition. So again, we implore you to participate only if you're devoted to the position, willing to accept the responsibility, and able to handle the competition."

There were murmurs and looks passed around the room. Andrew stared, the same dark expression adorning his face.

"So, as president, you'll oversee the meetings, organize tournaments between schools and stuff, keep the group active in school, the community, and in dueling. You keep things moving and try to keep something on everyone's calender at all times. The vice president is one rank below, and helps with all of these decisions. It is a lot of fun and a lot of work, but you earn respect in the community and dueling community, so it's definitely worth it."

Andrew continued to stare darkly, watching the meeting progress. Finally, Spencer motioned to Blake, who held up a sheet. "Anyone who wants to participate in this year's tournament, can sign up on this sheet, which Blake will now pass around."

Andrew watched people think it over. Very few signed their names. He noticed the kid from the tournament sign-ups put his name down, the stupid guy that challenged him after not even knowing how to play for a day. He glared a bit more sharply at the back of that impudent kid. Oh, they'd duel. Once Andrew had solidified his place in the regionals by winning the upcoming tournament, he'd have time to waste creaming some punk kid like that. If he didn't meet him in either of the tournaments before hand.

Becca signed her name and then got up. She began to come toward Andrew, the only one who hadn't recieved the sheet yet, with that same bouncy walk that said she was trying too hard. Andrew knew the type. He'd dealt with it before, everywhere. The stupid girls - sometimes boys - who thought it was God's mandate that they be cheerful and happy to everyone.

He'd seen it before, and he didn't need it again.

He quickly signed his name quickly and let Becca return the sheet to the front of the room. She handed it to Spencer, who looked it over briefly.

Nodding, Spencer said, "A few less than I expected, to be honest, but it'll be easy to plan. There are six people's names on the sheet, and Blake and I make eight, so we'll be able to play it in a tournament bracket very conveniently." He held the sheet out to Blake. "Make us a bracket really fast so we can prepare this weekend. Battles begin Monday, and everyone is allowed to come watch. We'll try to get a round done each day, so duelists only have to worry about one duel a day, and that means we should have our final match on Wednesday.

"So, by the powers I still hold, I set the inaugural meeting for next Friday, where Blake and I will either pass on our office to the winners or will reaccept our positions. We hope to see you all there, and if you can't come next week, get me your phone number and e-mail address because we're going to be doing our contact sheet next week as our last act of the current term. Thanks for coming out everybody, duelists stay for tournament listings, and you're all dismissed."

Andrew rose to his feet, noted those who either moved toward Blake as well or who stayed seated expectantly. Blake was busy using his calculator's random function to complete the bracket. Andrew counted quickly, figuring that several people were hanging around out of curiosity.

"Alright," Spencer called after a moment, taking the sheet. "We have our tournament pairings. The first duel: Blake versus Becca."

"I fight the defending vice president?" Becca asked nervously. "Guess I'll have to prepare this weekend, huh?"

Andrew glared at both of them. He had no respect for Blake's dueling skills whatsoever, but found Becca wretchedly annoying. Besides, he already knew he could defeat Blake without barely working at all. It pains me to say this, but I hope Blake does well in that duel.

"Next duel: Andrew versus Robert."

Andrew was startled, and Robert jumped. So, Andrew thought smugly, I'll get to cream that pipsqueak sooner than I expected.

I have to face him? Robert gulped.

Now that Robert's realized how good a duelist Andrew is, I don't know if he's confident in his own skills against him any more, Blake thought darkly. I wish it hadn't been paired up like that, but there wasn't anything I could do.

"After that, it's Megan versus Mouse."

Mouse, real name Adam, looked at Megan. Both nodded with friendly but determined smiles.

"Finally, it's me versus Nathan," Spencer finished.

Nathan nodded, an intense look on his face, and Spencer gave him a look conveying his determination to remain in his current position. Andrew noted Nathan's intensity, very similar to his own. Interesting.

"Alright, guys," Spencer sighed. "That's it for us. We have a weekend ahead of us and then it's time to begin. Everyone work this weekend. I hope none of you have homework yet and that everyone comes prepared on Monday. You're dismissed."

Andrew was the first out the door. I have to beat Robert the novice first, then hopefully face against that loser, Blake, and then, if everything goes as planned, I'll destroy Spencer for the title. But it's not the presidency that I want; it's the recognition that I am truly the unequivocal best.

Andrew grimaced. On Monday, everyone will realize that I'm a force to be reckoned with.

-

Written Friday, January 5, 2007 (Completed 1:21am Saturday the 6th)