Disclaimer: I do not own Recess!

A/N: Well, I'm finally back! My graduation was Friday, of which I'll recount for you later on in the story, but first I have to tell what else went on this year in our class's "drama". So, keep reading, and thanks for being patient!

Spinelli Woods, Esq: Yeah, it sucked about the cords all right, but never fear, they finally arrived!

angel9220042004: Oh it gets MUCH worse, trust me! But yeah, the honor's cords thing did tick everyone off! Keep reading!

Chapter Four: The Name Tag Ordeal

The guidance counselor, Mrs. Olivia Lawson (who was 2005 graduate, Erwin Lawson's mother) was in her office sorting out some paperwork when she got a knock on the door.

"Come in, door's open!" she called as she finished her coffee.

She was a little surprised to see the senior class walking in...all of them with aggravated looks on their faces. Sensing some tension among the group, she stopped everything she was doing and said,

"Well, what seems to be the problem?"

"Problem?" Spinelli asked through clenched teeth. "She's asking us our problem?"

"Mrs. Lawson, we were under the impression that we were to get our Honor's Cords today with the photographer," Sammi explained as T.J. put a calming hand on Spinelli's shoulder. "We didn't see the point in taking our graduation pictures without them."

"Oh, yes, the cords," Mrs. Lawson repeated to herself. "You see, Principal Prickly and I had decided earlier that you wouldn't be receiving them as of yet." She held her hand up to silence the murmur that went up. "It's actually quite logical when you think about it. At the beginning of the year, we have no idea if you are all going to stick with the Honor's Curriculum the whole year, or if your GPA will remain high through the remaining semesters. Therefore, we cannot give you cords this early in the year if we have no proof that you will be wearing them at graduation."

"That's ridiculous!" Ashley Quinlen argued. "Why would we want to screw up our GPA during our last year of high school?"

"I'm not saying that you are, but we have to be safe," Mrs. Lawson continued. "Don't let this bother you, kids, it's not a big deal."

"It is to us though," Gretchen stated in a low tone. "Come on, guys."

The class all trudged out of the office, more upset now than they were before. T.J. couldn't understand any of it. Why couldn't they just wear the cords? It wasn't like anyone was going to wreck their GPA record NOW, like Ashley Q had stated earlier.

None of the seniors talked much about what had happened the rest of the day. In fact, they didn't really talk at all. The teachers were surprised they weren't yakking their heads off as usual...not that they were complaining about the peace and quiet!

The arguing didn't start until Mrs. Mitchells noticed that Vince was not wearing his identification name tag along with his uniform. She hated turning the kids in, but rules were rules.

"Vince, dear, where's your name tag?" she asked him in the middle of class.

"What, my name tag?" he replied, looking down at his outfit. She was right, he was missing the lanyard that carried the dorky plastic tag bearing his photo, name and grade. "Oops, must've left it on my dresser."

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid you're going to have to get another one from the office," Mrs. Mitchells told him.

"Another one? But I have one, it's just at home," Vince explained.

"I know, but it needs to be here around your neck. Principal Prickly stated at the beginning of the year that if you don't have with you, you must get another one made," the teacher responded, almost relunctantly, as she wrote out a hall pass. "Go on to the office and get a replacement."

Vince sighed and took the hall pass, leaving the class and going down the hallways to the office. The secretary looked up, noticed his missing name tag, and said,

"Sit in the chair, smile for the camera."

FLASH! She snapped his photo, and in minutes, his new name tag was ready to be worn. She attached it to a lanyard and handed it to Vince, who sloppily threw it around his neck and began to walk out. However, the secretary stopped him before he left.

"Where's the five dollars you owe me?"

"Excuse me?" Vince asked, raising an eyebrow. "Five dollars for what?"

"The lanyard and tag, of course," she answered him, rolling her eyes. "If you get a replacement made, you have to pay five dollars, just like you did for the first one."

"But—" Vince tried to argue, but the secretary was persistant.

"By orders of Principal Prickly."

Vince groaned and shoved her five bucks he had in his pockets before walking out. He was definitely telling the gang about this.

Whoa, what's up with that? Paying extra for "dog tags" (as we deemed them at school)? What else is Prickly going to do to this class? Gotta keep reading to find out!