Chapter 8: What a Kindly Imp
Being discreet and gentle Kalim and Sam use their magic to eject the Magicam Monsters from the Mystery Shop without Professor Trein noticing. Soon, the Magicam Monsters are gone, and everyone will be able to calm down.
"Phew. That takes care of the Magicam Monsters," Sam says.
Then Trein questions the students, "Would you boys care to provide an explanation of what led to such a dire state of affairs?"
"Well, it's like this…" Kalim explains.
Then Jamil interrupts in anger, "They're beyond inconsiderate! They're a bunch of litterers!"
"Litterers?" Trein and Sam reply confused.
"Look around the trash bin," Jamil says, bitterly.
"All right, I'm looking…" Trein says and walks to the bin.
But the smell reaches him first, "Urgh. It stinks of high heaven! There's a sickeningly sweet aroma mixed with a pungent rotting odor. *hurk*" and is really disgusted by the smell.
Sam walks over, "Let's see what we're dealing with here."
When he looks in the trash bin, Sam notices something familiar in it, "Wait a minute - these are the Night Raven College Waffles my store sells!"
Even Sam is disgusted by what he sees, "This is wack. No - WIGGITY wack!"
And notices the mess around the place, "The trash bin is overflowing with them, and they're all over the ground and in the bushes." Then crosses his arms with a disapproving look, "I had these waffles specially made using ham from Night Raven College apples, even. What was wrong with them?!"
"Nothing. It wasn't an issue of flavor," Jamil says bitterly. "All the Magicam Monsters cared about was snapping a quote-unquote 'Cam-worthy' waffle and posting it on social media. They didn't buy them to eat. Once they take their vapid pictures, they whine that they're full, or that they didn't want to have to carry the waffles around…" Then says in rage, "... and they just throw them away on the spot!"
Trein feels the same, "Who discards perfectly good food? The wastrels!"
"So you got angry on behalf of my poor, abandoned waffles, Jamil?" Sam asks.
He smiles and wink, "What a kindly imp you are. Thank you."
But Jamil angrily says, "That's not what I was angry about! There's more to this than hand-wringing over what a waste it is. When people litter food… THEY show up."
"What…?" Trein and Sam say, confused.
Suddenly, Jamil screams, "AAAH! It's them! They're here!"
Trein and Sam look down to see what 'them' are.
"So when you say 'them…'" Sam asks.
Then Trein adds, "Are you talking about the insects swarming around the thrown-out waffles?"
"Y-Y-YYES!" Jamil screams in anger.
Kalim sheepishly says, "Jamil, really, REALLY hates bugs."
Then explains, "His favorite food is dates, and one time he found a bug in one when we were hids. He's been this way ever since.
"Don't! Remind! Me!" Jamil angrily says, blaring at Kalim.
Then says, "If only I'd spotted it before I'd bitten into it. Ugh, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Leaving food out in the open attracts bugs - more so when it's outdoors!"
"Granted, both littering and insect infestation are valid concerns. But they hardly necessitate burning everything to the ground," Trein says with a calm and stern face. "Using bug spray and take out the trash at regular intervals. There are plenty of reasonable alternatives here."
Then Jamil says, "I've tried all of that, Professor. There're just too many visitors. I can't keep up with them. I look away for a moment, and they're back again, swarming in full force. The Magicam Monsters and bugs both," Then bitterly says, "They need to be eradicated!"
Then one of the Scarabia students says, "We tried asking the visitors to stop, but they refused. They just keep saying 'I bought it, so I can do what I want with it.'"
Another student says, "Now the Halloween decorations we worked so hard on have been ruined by waffles. Waffles, of all things!"
The third student says, "The vice housewarden has every right to be upset. They deserve a lesson!"
The second student says, "Yeah. We should light their rear on fire!"
"You should do no such thing!" Trein sternly scolds them.
"They're completely incensed…" Trein says.
Then crosses his arms and sternly says, "I hardly expected Vice Housewarden Viper to be the instigator of a fight with our guests."
"Magicam's got pictures of Night Raven College waffles all over it right now. It's too late for me to stop selling them. Visitors would just keep coming for them anyway," Sam says.
"A clash seems to be inevitable, then," Trein says.
Then turns to Kalim, "Asim. you are to work with the other management committee members and keep a sharp eye out for any further potential disputes. We want this holiday to remain safe for everyone. And you are not to even THINK about using magic under any circumstances. Is that clear?"
"Uhhh…" Kalim thinks for a bit and says, "Sure thing! You can count on me."
