Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Recess characters. Maud and Stephen are
the namesakes for this story because of their role in English history
(described in the Brother Cadfael mysteries, which use that time as
historical background). The story plays in present time.
I. The queen
At the first day of 6th grade, the Ashleys met at the Armbruster residence.
"Is everyone's role clear, or are there still questions?", Ashley A asked her companions.
Ashley T raised a hand. "I know I should watch over a safe playing area for the lower grades, but so far they used to play in different areas of the schoolyard. That's hard to watch, but if we force them in one area, they'll lose trust in your rule."
Ashley A pondered. "Use diplomacy, I'll see if I can get you an aide or two. Ashley Q?"
"I'll supervise the sports areas and make sure we'll get no rule trouble or fun police incidents this year."
Ashley B continued: "I'll have central playground security and special missions."
Ashley A looked around and saw it was good. She put the royal mood ring on her finger and took the cape, the crown and the hockey stick that marked her power as Ashley I. "Let's get to school, then."
On their way to school she had another idea. "Girls, since we're bringing the sweets for our pool back today, we could give every kid in the lower grades a coronation day sweet. That's going to win us their hearts and minds right on the first day."
But in school, the results were mixed. Some of the younger kids cheered because she cared for them. Others, especially older children, tried to avoid even eye contact. Again others just looked confused. Ashley B stopped one of them, a third grader eating a peanut butter sandwich. "What's going on here?"
He kept silent at first, then asked: "Is she still the queen?"
"Of course she is", Ashley B returned, "She was crowned by King Freddy II. last year and will be queen until she crowns a new king or queen at the end of the year."
"But if she hasn't the support of the schoolyard?", the boy wanted to know.
"I don't see any revolt around here. Where's the problem?"
"Oh, that revolt is already over, and we have a new king. At least I thought so", he tried to calm an angry Ashley B.
Ashley A stepped in. "You can go." The boy ran away. "Ashley T, you're getting Menlo and the rules for throne succession. Ashley B and Q, we're trying to take New Rusty back from the idiot who dared to take the throne."
At the jungle gym, they realized it would get harder than they thought at first. The new ruler had had helped many kids in earlier years, so they had to avoid any violence for now. As Ashley I., in full regal outfit, started to climb up, kids from all over the schoolyard came to watch.
"Vincent La Salle, the holidays are over and I will take my throne as Freddy II. decided. Please step down now, and I will have no hard feelings towards you."
I. The queen
At the first day of 6th grade, the Ashleys met at the Armbruster residence.
"Is everyone's role clear, or are there still questions?", Ashley A asked her companions.
Ashley T raised a hand. "I know I should watch over a safe playing area for the lower grades, but so far they used to play in different areas of the schoolyard. That's hard to watch, but if we force them in one area, they'll lose trust in your rule."
Ashley A pondered. "Use diplomacy, I'll see if I can get you an aide or two. Ashley Q?"
"I'll supervise the sports areas and make sure we'll get no rule trouble or fun police incidents this year."
Ashley B continued: "I'll have central playground security and special missions."
Ashley A looked around and saw it was good. She put the royal mood ring on her finger and took the cape, the crown and the hockey stick that marked her power as Ashley I. "Let's get to school, then."
On their way to school she had another idea. "Girls, since we're bringing the sweets for our pool back today, we could give every kid in the lower grades a coronation day sweet. That's going to win us their hearts and minds right on the first day."
But in school, the results were mixed. Some of the younger kids cheered because she cared for them. Others, especially older children, tried to avoid even eye contact. Again others just looked confused. Ashley B stopped one of them, a third grader eating a peanut butter sandwich. "What's going on here?"
He kept silent at first, then asked: "Is she still the queen?"
"Of course she is", Ashley B returned, "She was crowned by King Freddy II. last year and will be queen until she crowns a new king or queen at the end of the year."
"But if she hasn't the support of the schoolyard?", the boy wanted to know.
"I don't see any revolt around here. Where's the problem?"
"Oh, that revolt is already over, and we have a new king. At least I thought so", he tried to calm an angry Ashley B.
Ashley A stepped in. "You can go." The boy ran away. "Ashley T, you're getting Menlo and the rules for throne succession. Ashley B and Q, we're trying to take New Rusty back from the idiot who dared to take the throne."
At the jungle gym, they realized it would get harder than they thought at first. The new ruler had had helped many kids in earlier years, so they had to avoid any violence for now. As Ashley I., in full regal outfit, started to climb up, kids from all over the schoolyard came to watch.
"Vincent La Salle, the holidays are over and I will take my throne as Freddy II. decided. Please step down now, and I will have no hard feelings towards you."
