Commandant Michael Part 1
It was a regular Saturday at Marlin Academy.
Francis, his roommate Stanley, and their friend Ken were playing pool. The TV
set blared. Cadets laughed loudly as they watched Jerry Springer. Someone had turned on a radio, and
the sounds of Eminem poured into the room. After a hard week at the Academy,
the students were ready to relax.
A burly jock and a friend of Francis,
Horton, ran into the room. "Spangler's coming!"
The cadets leapt to attention as
Commandant Spangler entered the room. Spangler was hated and feared by all who
had the misfortune of attending the Academy. But then again, most one-eyed,
one-armed, one-legged are hated and feared. Spangler had a disposition as ugly
as his looks.
"I have news, cadets," he announced.
"Apparently, some of your parents have been complaining about me. Why they
complain, I cannot imagine. Anyway, my boss has thought it would be best to
bring in a new Commandant for a while. Commandant Michael will be in charge for
a week, starting two days from now. My boss, Commandant Oberstein, will then
decide whether to keep me as head of Marlin Academy, or turn the position over
to Commandant Michael. As you were."
Spangler stomped out of the room. The
cadets, with the exception of Francis, Horton, and their friends Finley and Joe
resumed their prior activities.
"Yes! Spangler's leaving!" Joe cried
excitedly.
"Wait a second. This might not be such
a good thing. This new guy could be even worse than Spangler! Michael could be
the spawn of Satan! Or worse, he could be like my mother!" said Francis.
Finley sighed. "Do you always have to
be so negative, Francis? Maybe this Michael guy will be totally awesome."
"But maybe he won't! That's all I'm
trying to say." Francis picked up his pool cue, and shot the eight ball
straight into the corner pocket. "Don't get your hopes about this guy."
The conversation was interrupted by
the loud cheering taking place behind them. It seemed as if the entire Academy
was screaming, "All right! Spangler's gone!"
Francis shook his head unhappily. Am
I the only one here with a brain? Michael is probably going to be even meaner
and more horrible than Spangler! But of course the parents won't know that, and
they won't complain about him, and we'll be stuck with him forever! This
seriously bites!
Classes had been dismissed for the rest
of the day. The teachers found that no matter how hard they tried; nothing
would be learned today. The students were simply too excited over the prospect
of getting rid of Spangler to pay attention to their studies. Not that any of
them paid much attention to their studies normally, but it was the principal of
the thing.
After a disgusting dinner and more TV,
the cadets went to bed. Francis lay in his bed, his brain whirling about at 90
miles per hour. Only one more day until Michael shows up. Hey, I've got an
idea! When Michael shows up, I'll be so rebellious and out of control that
he'll quit! I've made tons of people quit before, and I'm sure I can do it
again! Whoever this guy is, I'm sure Spangler is better than him. Wait a
minute. Why do I keep defending Spangler? Is there a possibility that I've
grown to respect, maybe
even like Spangler?!
Nah, of course not. I've just grown accustomed to the way things work around
here, and I don't the monotony to change. No, of course I don't like Spangler.
But Francis was wrong. Deep, deep down
in his heart, he did like Spangler. And although his head might not realize
this yet, it would become clear to him soon, if his heart had any say in it.
* * *
The next day, the entire Academy
rushed around in a huge hurry. The students were trying their best to clean
things up for Commandant Michael. Beds were made, floors slept, drawers cleared
out. Finley, Francis's roommate, had his side of the room looking perfect.
Francis's half however, looked as if a tornado had blown through it. And much
to Finley's chagrin, Francis refused to clean up.
Before the cadets knew it, it was time
for bed. They all went to sleep with smiles on their faces, dreaming about the
wonderful new Commandant. All of course, but Francis. Francis fell asleep
frowning.
* * *
The next morning, the cadets raced
happily into the recreation room, where they would meet Michael. After all the
Marlin students had gathered there, Spangler strutted in.
"Cadets," said Spangler, "Meet
Commandant Michael."
A tall man strode into the room. He
was very handsome and dashing, with curly dark brown hair and green eyes. He
smiled at the cadets. "I'm so pleased to meet you all," he said.
Everyone but Francis smiled back.
Francis flipped Michael the bird. Michael turned towards Francis as Spangler
excited the room.
"I'm afraid that sort of behavior
won't be permitted under my watch, cadet. Something shall have to be done about
you," announced Michael.
Francis grinned evilly. "Bring it on!"