Sitting opposite B.J. Harrison at the Peach Pit, Steve Sanders sighed, he may as well have had his forehead tattooed with a great big 'L' for loser, for B.J. truly was the Golden boy of West Beverly High. The dark good looks and winning smile made him the ultimate babe magnet. With his faultless manners and easy line in small talk he had the mothers of America eating out of the palm of his hand. His academic record made even Mrs Teasely proud, but to cap it all, behind that seemingly perfect veneer B.J. was also the quintessential party animal. As far as Steve was concerned the guy was a legend.
B.J. had graduated last year and moved away to a fancy College. He was only back in town now because his girlfriend 'Suds', a sassy brunette, was still a junior at West Beverly. At first Steve had been happy to see his old buddy again. He hadn't spoken to B.J. since the summer, and so had readily accepted the invitation to catch up over a megaburger. But the more time he spent with B.J. the more miserable he felt.
For the last hour B.J. had been regaling him with college stories. Steve had listened wide eyed as B.J. described the fraternity pranks, the non-stop parties and the beautiful women. Hell he even made the studying part sound bearable! To hear B.J. talk, college sounded like Steve's idea of heaven, and he badly wanted a piece of the action.
But after his interview with Mrs Teasely last week, college seemed tantalisingly out of his reach. He found his mind drifting to another time and place. It was next fall and the rest of the gang had headed off to College. He was stuck repeating senior year with only David Silver for company. Then he remembered. Only yesterday Donna had proudly announced that David was going to try to graduate early so that they could go to college together. Steve shuddered. He wasn't enjoying the visual on that at all. David Silver in College while he, Steve Sanders was still in high school! He didn't think his ego could take it. Unfortunately the reality was, the way he'd let his studies slip this semester, it was a definite possibility. He sighed. If he didn't get his academic act together he would be staring down the barrel of a very bleak future.
B.J. sensed he was losing Steve's attention. Perhaps he'd gone overboard trying to impress Sanders. Truth was he was finding college tough. Back at West Beverly he'd been the star, a big fish in a small pond. Now he was just another freshman struggling to get noticed. But there was no way he was gonna let Sanders know any of that. To guys like Sanders, B.J. was a god, and that was how he intended to keep it.
He checked his watch; they'd been making small talk for over an hour, but now it was time to get down to business. He'd worked hard to engineer this meeting and he was running out of time. He glanced across to the table where Suds was huddled with a bunch of her high school friends. She was occupied for now, but pretty soon she'd want him all to herself. He smiled at the prospect of the pleasurable evening to come. He just had to finish this business with Sanders and then he was home free, his obligation fulfilled. Switching his attention back to Steve he asked as casually as he could "So Sanders how's it feel to be big man on campus this year?"
Startled out of his reverie Steve looked sheepish "To tell you the truth man it's a little tougher than I expected". He hesitated. "My grades aren't exactly what I was hoping for." Steve admitted reluctantly. "In fact right now the chances of me getting in to College aren't looking so hot. I've got finals in two weeks and I'm behind in all my classes".
B.J. smiled inwardly. He knew what Steve was going through. Last year he'd been partying a little too hard, and his grades hadn't been quite up to his usual high standard. When Rick Hanson had offered him a way out of his problems he'd jumped at the chance. B.J. didn't like to think of it as cheating, it was more like an insurance policy. He'd known he was perfectly capable of getting the grades it's just that he'd blown a couple of finals because he hadn't left enough time to study. It had been a minor blip in an otherwise exceptional record. After all his hard work in high school he wasn't gonna miss out on the college he deserved because of a couple of lousy grades.
So many times he'd told himself that what he'd done wasn't a big deal. Anyone in his situation would have done the same thing. But deep down he knew that wasn't strictly true. He had cheated in his senior year; there was no getting away from that. As long as he had the key he felt guilty. Sure he had it hidden away right in the back of his sock drawer but it was there all the same, taunting him, reminding him that he was fraud. He sure would feel a whole lot better once it was out of his life for good. Then he could put the whole thing behind him and move on.
He'd earmarked Sanders for this deal months ago. It had just been a question of getting the timing right. This sort of thing couldn't be rushed. This was a very delicate situation and it had to be handled carefully. He was taking a hell of a risk here and he had to be sure that Sanders wouldn't go running to Mrs Teasely with the information. He had a lot to lose if this turned out badly.
B.J. could feel the sweat begin to trickle down the back of his neck. Loosening his collar, which suddenly felt uncomfortably tight, he leaned forward in his seat and spoke quietly "Okay Sanders, because you're a friend I'm gonna help you out".
"You are? How?" Steve didn't really see what B.J. could do to help. Maybe his father knew someone on the board at CU.
B.J. smiled tightly "Easy, I've got the answer to your problems right here."
"You do?" Steve asked in surprise. He wasn't sure if B.J. was yanking his chain, but at this point he was desperate enough to listen to anything.
Carefully B.J. checked around to make sure that no one was watching. The Peach Pit was unusually crowded for a Wednesday night, but no one seemed to paying them any attention. Surreptitiously he sneaked a glance at Suds but she had moved over to the counter and was now deep in conversation with Nat. Good. He didn't want her finding out about this. After one final sweep to make sure that they were in the clear, he reached in to his pocket and retrieved a gold key. Placing the key in between them on the table he asked "You ever hear of the legacy key Sanders?"
Steve frowned "Sure a master key to the school, supposedly handed down from student to student for generations". He looked questioningly at B.J. "But I thought it was just a myth".
B.J. grinned "Well think again cause you're looking at it right now". Before Steve could respond, he continued enticingly "Just imagine the possibilities. This key opens every door in the school. It gives you access to all the files, all the tests". He paused pointedly "all the grade banks".
B.J. could almost see the cogs turning in Steve's mind. He remembered the complete disbelief he'd felt when the key had been passed on to him last year. "Listen Sanders, with this key you can graduate this summer with whatever grade point average you want."
Steve licked his lips nervously "You're kidding me right?" He desperately wanted to believe it, but it crossed his mind that this could be some kind of fraternity prank.
"How else do you think I managed to graduate top of my class without missing out on the whole party scene?" B.J. laughed at Steve's shocked expression. "I'm telling ya man the goddam legacy key is real." He pushed the key closer to Steve "and now it's yours".
Steve made no attempt to pick up the key. For some reason he felt as though he was making a pact with the devil. In his heart he knew that this was wrong, that he should walk away. Without his permission, his mind immediately focused on Brandon Walsh. Remembering their earlier conversation and Brandon's reaction when he had suggested cheating, Steve cringed. Would Brandon be tempted? Maybe. Would he take the key? No way. Steve was as sure about that as he was that the sun would rise every morning. Integrity. It was one of the things he admired most about his best friend. But he was no Brandon Walsh. He didn't have Brandon's innate self-assurance or his work ethic. He really wanted to say no to B.J. but instead he said "So why give it to me?"
B.J. was getting impatient. From what he knew of Sanders, he'd expected him to jump at the chance. He'd offered the guy the opportunity of a lifetime and the jerk was messing him around. "Well that's part of the deal". He said irritably "Each student agrees to pass it on to the next guy that's the tradition". He glared at Steve. "Hey you're just lucky that I decided to make you the next guy. I mean you can't just pass this baby on to anyone. It has to be someone who can be trusted to respect the legacy and to keep the secret". Now he was starting to get angry. He'd laid himself on the line here and Sanders had thrown his offer back in his face. "I thought you might be the guy, but if you're not in to it' he paused 'I'm sure I can find someone who is". B.J. reached for the key but Steve held him back.
"Hey B.J. man you're reading me all wrong. I am interested, more than interested." Steve felt the last of his will power slipping away.
B.J. relaxed "Then it's all yours man. Enjoy". Indicating Suds, he winked at Steve "Now I've gotta get out of here. Mustn't keep the lady waiting". He shrugged on his jacket and made as if to leave. Before he did, he lent forward until his face was only a few inches away from Steve's. When he spoke the menace in his voice was a shocking contrast to his earlier 'old pals act'. "Just remember one thing Sanders, if you get caught using that key, you never saw me and I had nothing to do with it. If I get implicated in any of this I'll be paying you a visit." B.J.'s sinister tone indicated that this visit wouldn't be a friendly one.
Steve swallowed nervously "Sure. I understand. And thanks man"
B.J. was all smiles again, any trace of menace vanished instantly "Just fulfilling my end of the deal. See you around Steve-o" He clapped Steve on the shoulder and headed over to the counter where Suds was waiting for him patiently.
Steve watched them leave and then picked up the key thoughtfully. He decided he needed to go for a drive. He did all his best thinking when he was behind the wheel. Ten minutes later, alone on the open road, putting the corvette through its paces he turned over the possibilities in his mind. The answer to all of his problems was currently burning a hole in his pocket. But what was he going to do? The only thing he knew for certain was that Brandon Walsh must never find out about it.