Teaching Them A Lesson Part 2
By Angievette
Jo-Jo was sitting in the staff room, going over the notes for her next lesson. She had a free period and was enjoying the peace and quiet, as most of the other teachers had classes. Hannibal had dropped in a couple of times, looking for Face and Amy, and Murdock had stopped by to empty the bins. She was glad she'd seen them. She was feeling a trifle uneasy about this whole case. She wasn't used to being someone else. She'd only tried it the once and Hannibal and Face had seen straight through her. Saying that though, nobody else had. She read the notes once again and then put them down on the table. She stood up and went over to the drinks machine and got herself a coffee. As she heard the door open, she turned round to smile but when she saw who it was, the smile died on her lips.
"Well, well, looky here," said Edward Tarrance. "Our new music teacher. How are you today, Miss Lynch?"
"Very well, thank you, Mr Tarrance," said Jo-Jo and sat down again.
"I was just saying to Luke and Rich here, how nice it is to have you and Miss Allen working here. Brightens up the place no end."
Jo-Jo recognised Tarrance's companions as Richard Adams and Luke Prisner, two other teachers in the school. Adams taught Maths and Prisner taught Geography. She hadn't had much to do with either of them but if they were friends of Tarrance, then she'd prefer to stay away from them. She knew that Amy had had a run in with Tarrance a couple of days ago. He had been less than gentlemanly in trying to persuade Amy to go out for a drink with him. According to Amy, it had been fortunate that old Mrs Hughes, the Latin teacher had passed by and Tarrance had been forced to back off. Jo- Jo smiled weakly at him and retreated behind her notes but Tarrance wasn't going to ignore her.
"You know, I've heard you playing the piano," he said, sitting down next to her. "You're damn good."
"Thank you," said Jo-Jo, through gritted teeth. Suddenly, the door opened and BA walked in. Jo-Jo pleaded with him silently to get rid of them. BA looked genuinely sorry.
"Sorry to interrupt, Miss Lynch. Have you seen a copy of my timetable lying around?"
"It's on the desk."
BA grunted and picked it up. He left the staff room and Jo-Jo sighed, almost audibly. However, BA must have said something because just after he left, the door opened again and Face walked in. He put his briefcase on the table and got himself a coffee.
"Miss Lynch, have you got a minute? I'd like your opinion on something in the drama hall."
Jo-Jo almost jumped up in an attempt to get away from Tarrance.
"I was just talking to Miss Lynch," said Tarrance to Face. "Can't it wait, Peck."
"Fraid not, Tarrance," replied Face. "I've got a class in a moment and I need this opinion before then."
Tarrance glared at Face as he led Jo-Jo out of the room. After they'd left, Tarrance turned to Prisner and Adams.
"There's something about Peck I don't like," he said, getting a coffee. "He's up to something."
"Like what?" asked Prisner.
"Have you ever wondered how he affords those kind of clothes on the wages the likes of us get?"
Adams nodded.
"And have you seen the car he drives? White Corvette. Wish I could afford that kind of car."
"Either this Smith guy is paying him a lot more than us or he's up to something screwy. Either way, I don't like it. If he's earning more than us, I want to know why."
"What if he's not?"
"Then he's bent and nobody cuts in on my little operation without my say so."
"He's left his briefcase, have a look," suggested Prisner.
Tarrance opened the briefcase up and searched through it. It was mainly student essays and timetables. Tarrance was about to close the briefcase when he saw a small notebook sticking out of the top pocket in the lid. He opened it and gave a low whistle.
"This is it," he said, and Adams and Prisner came closer to have a look.
"What is it?" asked Adams.
"A list of all the students he teaches and odds on how gullible they all are."
"What does that prove?"
"It proves he's working out which ones he can target without them running to the head."
"But surely if he's bent, Smith would have to be too. I don't see him turning a blind eye to this kind of thing."
"Smith is as straight as they come. I think Peck's been running this right under his nose, he's smart."
"But not smart enough, right Ed?" said Prisner.
"Right," said Tarrance. "And don't call me Ed. I think it's time we had a chat with Mr Peck."
He gave a cruel smile and Adams grinned at Prisner.
Face was surprised but delighted to see that all his students had not only turned up for their next lesson with him, but were actually eager to start. From the minute he walked into the classroom, all the students were hanging onto his every word. He grinned at Sheryl Farmer who was sat at the back of the hall. She smiled back at him.
"First thing I want to do is to go over your last assignment. I've read through the synopsis' you all handed in to me and I want to get some of you to go over in a bit more detail what you did and we'll have a discussion on it."
The whole class stared at him eagerly.
"Now, let's see. Which one of you is Debbie Morgan?"
A pretty brunette on Face's left raised her hand. Face smiled at her.
"Can you explain to the class what you wrote down here for me?"
She blushed a deep red.
"I made my mum believe that she had got through to the final round of a gameshow."
"Hmm. How?"
"I asked one of my friends to help me. I left my mum a note with my friend's phone number on and a message saying to call and I went to my friend's house and took the call, pretending to be the receptionist at 'Wheel Of Fortune'. I made her answer a couple of questions and told her we'd be in touch."
"Did she believe you?"
"Yeah. When I got home, she was really excited and couldn't stop telling me about it."
"When did you tell her the truth?"
"When she said she was going to ring all her friends and tell them. I couldn't let her do that."
"Good. Well done. Now where's Peter Holmeswood?"
A young lad near the back of the hall raised his hand.
"What did you do because I can't quite believe what you've written here," said Face.
"It's true, sir."
"Go on. Explain."
"Well, I went into the local car showroom and asked to speak to the manager. I told him that I was representing a local celebrity and that she needed a car to get around in whilst she was in town."
"And he believed you?"
"He had no choice. I used a celebrity that I knew was in town that week and just kept talking. He gave me the keys to a gorgeous silver Porsche."
"When did you admit the truth? You're a bit vague in your essay."
"Well, I kind of didn't tell him. I dropped the car off this morning with the keys."
Face groaned.
"I didn't mean for you to con the general public."
"Sorry."
"Which car showroom was it, by the way?"
"Allen's on 45th."
Face almost cried. He'd tried to con a car from the same showroom about a month earlier. The manager had seen right through him and nearly called the cops on him. Yet this kid had gone in and just sweet-talked his way into a Porsche for the weekend.
"OK. For your next assignment, I want you all to think up a way of conning me during this next week. Be warned I'll be on my guard so it won't be easy. I don't want anyone skipping class though with an invented dentist appointment. See you next week," he said as the bell went. The students filed out, chattering and laughing.
"Good lesson," said Sheryl. "These kids are either gonna be great actors or great crooks."
"Not all con artists are crooks," said Face, a little too quickly. "I mean, some do it because they have to."
"Hmmm." Sheryl wasn't wholly convinced. She turned to walk out of the classroom but as she turned, she gave a short cry and stumbled. Face caught her before she fell to the floor.
"Thanks," she said, breathlessly.
"Are you OK?" asked Face, slipping his arm round her waist, to steady her.
"I have a problem with weak ankles," said Sheryl. "Since I broke my left one as a child."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," came a voice from the doorway. Face and Sheryl turned to see Jo-Jo stood, leaning on the doorframe.
"Not at all," said Sheryl. "I was just going."
She picked up her files and waked out, smiling at Jo-Jo. Jo-Jo glared at her as she left then rounded on Face.
"What was all that about and don't say nothing."
"She fell," said Face. "I caught her. Apparently, she suffers from weak ankles."
Jo-Jo fixed him with an "Oh aye, yeah" look and turned to go.
"Jo-Jo, please. Hang on. Let me buy you lunch."
"All right," said Jo-Jo, grudgingly. "I still don't buy the weak ankles excuse though."
Face smiled at her and walked out of the door.
"I'll meet you by the 'Vette in five minutes," he said. "I just need some things from the staff room."
Jo-Jo nodded. Face walked into the staff room. He checked his pigeonhole. There was a note stuffed inside. Meet me in the library at 12. Miss Allen. He looked at his watch. 11.55am. He could just go and see what she wanted. He raced along the corridors to the library. As he entered, he saw Prisner sitting at one of the desks.
"Have you seen Miss Allen?"
"She's in there," he said, pointing to a small room to his left. Face pushed open the door. He took a couple of steps forward.
"Amy?"
He felt a sharp pain to the back of his head as he was struck with a blunt object. It occurred to Face, moments before he blacked out, that this could be a trap.
TBC
By Angievette
Jo-Jo was sitting in the staff room, going over the notes for her next lesson. She had a free period and was enjoying the peace and quiet, as most of the other teachers had classes. Hannibal had dropped in a couple of times, looking for Face and Amy, and Murdock had stopped by to empty the bins. She was glad she'd seen them. She was feeling a trifle uneasy about this whole case. She wasn't used to being someone else. She'd only tried it the once and Hannibal and Face had seen straight through her. Saying that though, nobody else had. She read the notes once again and then put them down on the table. She stood up and went over to the drinks machine and got herself a coffee. As she heard the door open, she turned round to smile but when she saw who it was, the smile died on her lips.
"Well, well, looky here," said Edward Tarrance. "Our new music teacher. How are you today, Miss Lynch?"
"Very well, thank you, Mr Tarrance," said Jo-Jo and sat down again.
"I was just saying to Luke and Rich here, how nice it is to have you and Miss Allen working here. Brightens up the place no end."
Jo-Jo recognised Tarrance's companions as Richard Adams and Luke Prisner, two other teachers in the school. Adams taught Maths and Prisner taught Geography. She hadn't had much to do with either of them but if they were friends of Tarrance, then she'd prefer to stay away from them. She knew that Amy had had a run in with Tarrance a couple of days ago. He had been less than gentlemanly in trying to persuade Amy to go out for a drink with him. According to Amy, it had been fortunate that old Mrs Hughes, the Latin teacher had passed by and Tarrance had been forced to back off. Jo- Jo smiled weakly at him and retreated behind her notes but Tarrance wasn't going to ignore her.
"You know, I've heard you playing the piano," he said, sitting down next to her. "You're damn good."
"Thank you," said Jo-Jo, through gritted teeth. Suddenly, the door opened and BA walked in. Jo-Jo pleaded with him silently to get rid of them. BA looked genuinely sorry.
"Sorry to interrupt, Miss Lynch. Have you seen a copy of my timetable lying around?"
"It's on the desk."
BA grunted and picked it up. He left the staff room and Jo-Jo sighed, almost audibly. However, BA must have said something because just after he left, the door opened again and Face walked in. He put his briefcase on the table and got himself a coffee.
"Miss Lynch, have you got a minute? I'd like your opinion on something in the drama hall."
Jo-Jo almost jumped up in an attempt to get away from Tarrance.
"I was just talking to Miss Lynch," said Tarrance to Face. "Can't it wait, Peck."
"Fraid not, Tarrance," replied Face. "I've got a class in a moment and I need this opinion before then."
Tarrance glared at Face as he led Jo-Jo out of the room. After they'd left, Tarrance turned to Prisner and Adams.
"There's something about Peck I don't like," he said, getting a coffee. "He's up to something."
"Like what?" asked Prisner.
"Have you ever wondered how he affords those kind of clothes on the wages the likes of us get?"
Adams nodded.
"And have you seen the car he drives? White Corvette. Wish I could afford that kind of car."
"Either this Smith guy is paying him a lot more than us or he's up to something screwy. Either way, I don't like it. If he's earning more than us, I want to know why."
"What if he's not?"
"Then he's bent and nobody cuts in on my little operation without my say so."
"He's left his briefcase, have a look," suggested Prisner.
Tarrance opened the briefcase up and searched through it. It was mainly student essays and timetables. Tarrance was about to close the briefcase when he saw a small notebook sticking out of the top pocket in the lid. He opened it and gave a low whistle.
"This is it," he said, and Adams and Prisner came closer to have a look.
"What is it?" asked Adams.
"A list of all the students he teaches and odds on how gullible they all are."
"What does that prove?"
"It proves he's working out which ones he can target without them running to the head."
"But surely if he's bent, Smith would have to be too. I don't see him turning a blind eye to this kind of thing."
"Smith is as straight as they come. I think Peck's been running this right under his nose, he's smart."
"But not smart enough, right Ed?" said Prisner.
"Right," said Tarrance. "And don't call me Ed. I think it's time we had a chat with Mr Peck."
He gave a cruel smile and Adams grinned at Prisner.
Face was surprised but delighted to see that all his students had not only turned up for their next lesson with him, but were actually eager to start. From the minute he walked into the classroom, all the students were hanging onto his every word. He grinned at Sheryl Farmer who was sat at the back of the hall. She smiled back at him.
"First thing I want to do is to go over your last assignment. I've read through the synopsis' you all handed in to me and I want to get some of you to go over in a bit more detail what you did and we'll have a discussion on it."
The whole class stared at him eagerly.
"Now, let's see. Which one of you is Debbie Morgan?"
A pretty brunette on Face's left raised her hand. Face smiled at her.
"Can you explain to the class what you wrote down here for me?"
She blushed a deep red.
"I made my mum believe that she had got through to the final round of a gameshow."
"Hmm. How?"
"I asked one of my friends to help me. I left my mum a note with my friend's phone number on and a message saying to call and I went to my friend's house and took the call, pretending to be the receptionist at 'Wheel Of Fortune'. I made her answer a couple of questions and told her we'd be in touch."
"Did she believe you?"
"Yeah. When I got home, she was really excited and couldn't stop telling me about it."
"When did you tell her the truth?"
"When she said she was going to ring all her friends and tell them. I couldn't let her do that."
"Good. Well done. Now where's Peter Holmeswood?"
A young lad near the back of the hall raised his hand.
"What did you do because I can't quite believe what you've written here," said Face.
"It's true, sir."
"Go on. Explain."
"Well, I went into the local car showroom and asked to speak to the manager. I told him that I was representing a local celebrity and that she needed a car to get around in whilst she was in town."
"And he believed you?"
"He had no choice. I used a celebrity that I knew was in town that week and just kept talking. He gave me the keys to a gorgeous silver Porsche."
"When did you admit the truth? You're a bit vague in your essay."
"Well, I kind of didn't tell him. I dropped the car off this morning with the keys."
Face groaned.
"I didn't mean for you to con the general public."
"Sorry."
"Which car showroom was it, by the way?"
"Allen's on 45th."
Face almost cried. He'd tried to con a car from the same showroom about a month earlier. The manager had seen right through him and nearly called the cops on him. Yet this kid had gone in and just sweet-talked his way into a Porsche for the weekend.
"OK. For your next assignment, I want you all to think up a way of conning me during this next week. Be warned I'll be on my guard so it won't be easy. I don't want anyone skipping class though with an invented dentist appointment. See you next week," he said as the bell went. The students filed out, chattering and laughing.
"Good lesson," said Sheryl. "These kids are either gonna be great actors or great crooks."
"Not all con artists are crooks," said Face, a little too quickly. "I mean, some do it because they have to."
"Hmmm." Sheryl wasn't wholly convinced. She turned to walk out of the classroom but as she turned, she gave a short cry and stumbled. Face caught her before she fell to the floor.
"Thanks," she said, breathlessly.
"Are you OK?" asked Face, slipping his arm round her waist, to steady her.
"I have a problem with weak ankles," said Sheryl. "Since I broke my left one as a child."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," came a voice from the doorway. Face and Sheryl turned to see Jo-Jo stood, leaning on the doorframe.
"Not at all," said Sheryl. "I was just going."
She picked up her files and waked out, smiling at Jo-Jo. Jo-Jo glared at her as she left then rounded on Face.
"What was all that about and don't say nothing."
"She fell," said Face. "I caught her. Apparently, she suffers from weak ankles."
Jo-Jo fixed him with an "Oh aye, yeah" look and turned to go.
"Jo-Jo, please. Hang on. Let me buy you lunch."
"All right," said Jo-Jo, grudgingly. "I still don't buy the weak ankles excuse though."
Face smiled at her and walked out of the door.
"I'll meet you by the 'Vette in five minutes," he said. "I just need some things from the staff room."
Jo-Jo nodded. Face walked into the staff room. He checked his pigeonhole. There was a note stuffed inside. Meet me in the library at 12. Miss Allen. He looked at his watch. 11.55am. He could just go and see what she wanted. He raced along the corridors to the library. As he entered, he saw Prisner sitting at one of the desks.
"Have you seen Miss Allen?"
"She's in there," he said, pointing to a small room to his left. Face pushed open the door. He took a couple of steps forward.
"Amy?"
He felt a sharp pain to the back of his head as he was struck with a blunt object. It occurred to Face, moments before he blacked out, that this could be a trap.
TBC