Disclaimer: I do not own Recess!

Spinelli Woods, Esq: Yep, it's horrible all right, but things always get worse before getting better! Keep reading!

A.L. Nowicki: Wow, I'm glad ya'll won the fight! You'll have to keep reading to find out if this class wins or not (or rather if MY class won).

angel9220042004: I think "evil" is Prickly's middle name, lol! Keep reading!

Chapter Six: Bus Fees and Cherrywood Desks

Nobody did mention anything that had been going on for a long while. In fact, it wasn't until the next January that some people started bringing it back up. It was the first day back from the Christmas holidays, and everyone was congregated at the front of the school.

"I am SO ready for the Literary Rally!" Gretchen exclaimed, receiving blank looks from all around. "You know, where you go to the local college, take a test, then get awarded on how well you do?"

"Oh yeah, I think I was dragged into taking the Free Enterprise one this year," Hustler Kid moaned, not looking forward to it.

"Well, you DO know a lot about enterprising," Sammi told him with a smile. "I'm going in Civics again, just like last year. I wonder why teachers don't choose the students that are already taking that course, instead of the ones who have already been in that class?"

"Don't ask me, I ain't goin'," Spinelli replied, leaning against T.J. for support. "How the hang are you all going to get there?"

"There's supposed to be a bus taking us all," Gretchen answered. "I wonder if we have to pay to get on it?"

"I don't know," Sammi told her, looking at her watch. "Me and HK will find out for ya before the bell rings, come on, sweetie."

"Duty calls," Hustler Kid joked as he was dragged by his jacket sleeve to Prickly's office.
They reached the door, which bore the name "Principal Peter Prickly" in huge gold letters. Neither one of them wanted to be the one who knocked.
"You knock," Sammi said, nudging Hustler Kid.
"No way, ladies first," he nudged back. "It was your idea to come over here anyway."
"Fine," Sammi rolled her eyes. "Rock, paper, scissors."

They held their fists out, bounced them three times in the air before forming their hands in either a rock, paper, or scissors.

"Scissors cuts paper," Sammi grinned, pretending to cut HK's "paper" with her "scissors". "YOU knock."

He didn't even have to. He had his fist in mid-air to bang on the door, when they both heard Prickly's voice.

"Just come on in, for goodness sake!"

"Gee, someone sounds like they got up on the wrong side of the bed," Hustler Kid whispered as he swung the door open.

They were both stunned at what they saw in Prickly's office. First thing they laid eyes on was a very huge, very expensive-looking cherry-wood desk, a matching wall-to-wall computer desk, a big-screen television, and a built-in mini golf course. How had he gotten the money for all of this with a lousy principal job?

Prickly swung around in his huge leather chair to face them. Sammi and Hustler Kid were still too stunned to speak, until Prickly cleared his throat.

"Oh, sir," Sammi started, finding her voice. "We were wondering...about the Literary Rally in a few days...do we need to pay admission for the bus?"

"Well, of course!" Prickly sighed, rolling his eyes. "Gas isn't cheap these days anymore, don't you people drive? Is that all you came in here for?"

Aggravated at Prickly's rudeness, Hustler Kid glared, "Yeah, that's all. Come on, Sammi."

NEXT HOUR—Mrs. Mitchell's Class

"You guys saw all of THAT in his office?" Gus gasped after listening to Sammi and Hustler Kid describe what all Prickly had in his office. "Where'd he get the money?"

"That's a good question, Gus," T.J. said, rubbing his chin. "Principals aren't one of the highest paying jobs in the country."

"Perhaps he aquired a family fortune," Gretchen offered, but it was dismissed.

"Yeah, right, unless his brother Thurgood in Alaska died and left his so-called fortune he made off that shrimp boat of his," Vince told her.

"Vince is right," Ashley Q agreed. "I for one should know that all of that stuff is somewhat expensive."

"Maybe you'll find out something when you go on the Literary Rally on Thursday," Spinelli hinted. "But I wouldn't count on it."

Hm, will something new come up? Where did Prickly get the money to get those snazzy office supplies? And how? Gotta keep reading to find out, and plz review!