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"Mr. Barkin! Mr. Barkin!" Ron called waving frantically to the bulky teacher who was swimming through the vast hallway of students. He couldn't hear him. Ron spoke up. "Mr. Barkin! I NEED to talk to you!" At that moment Barkin whizzed around. He made two sharp glances before turning back again and shrugging. Ron sighed and tried again. He wished he was taller. "Mr. B!" Still no answer. Ron took a deep breath and bellowed, "MR. BARKIN!"
The response from Barkin was instantaneous. It was sharp and he let out a single sudden word, "What?" Ron wandered over to him moving aside several students without apologizing. Some of them yelled at him. Barkin looked at Ron's red and humiliated face and sighed, he had seen the casting list apparently. "Stoppable. Let's not discuss this here. Come on, we'll go to my office. I'll give you a pass to your class." Ron nodded as he left down the corridor beside Mr. Barkin.
Surely enough when they approached the administrative building door, they noted Bonnie was leaning against the wall with one foot flat against it. Barkin knew she would be there too. She wasn't going down without a fight either. But he simply said, "Ms. Rockwaller, the school pays plenty of funds to paint the walls, I'm sure the PTA would not appreciate to see your dirty footprint there." He grinned very slowly. Fumed Bonnie stepped away. "I need to . . ." "Yes, yes, I know. Come in, Mr. Stoppable you too. Into my office." Barkin closed the door behind them. "No doubt this is about the production of Romeo and Juliet right?" He said sitting down at the desk.
"Yes!" They both responded at once.
"Are you disappointed in my casting decisions?" He asked all too predictably. The students moved uncomfortably around in their seats. This was a good enough answer for Barkin. "All casting is final. I am sorry if this is not the way you wished it to turn out but," Bonnie cut Barkin off, "You can bet it isn't! How could Kim manage the pull that role?" Ron agreed. Kim was good and all, but there honestly were better auditions than hers. "Heather and Roxanne are both professionals." Ron commented on their behalf. "I realize that. The school board would not permit to let Roxanne to take another part. Time to let other students have a turn y'know? She will take a part of this production though. Heather is busy with several Broadway productions at the moment. It would only be courteous of me to give her a smaller role this time." The principal said folding his head as he held up some of her contracts and a form regarding Roxanne. "That's peachy B, but what about me, I know I did better than -- Possible." She said in a self-centered tone. Barkin narrowed his eyes. "What did you call me?" Bonnie's eyes widened as she realized that she had just called Barkin his secret nickname several students called him behind his back. "Oh my gosh! I didn't mean to call you that Mr. Barkin!" She recovered herself quickly. Barkin shook his head, "You two don't get it do you?" The pupils looked at each other completely bamboozled. "Wha?" Barkin handed a form to Bonnie and Josh. "This isn't supposed to be given out yet. But it's the results for the voting for this years yearbook." Ron let his eyes skim the list, he skipped along till he noticed something that struck him as bold and odd.
CUTEST COUPLE: JOSH MANKEY AND KIM POSSIBLE
Ron raised an eyebrow and frowned. Kim and Josh weren't even an official couple. How did they manage to win this category? He looked at the percentage. 78% of the student body had voted them. He couldn't believe it. How could anyone vote for that monkey? This had Ron a little fumed. Bonnie's mouth hung open in utter shock. She too, had been a candidate for that category. At this moment, the principal snatched it back. "Just a little sneak peak. Now do you see?" The two shook their heads rapidly. What the hell was he talking about?
"Kim and Josh are HOT right now!"
Bonnie blinked and clenched her fists. "So what?" She slammed her fist on the desk and spilled Barkin's coffee everywhere. She didn't seem to care. "Do you mean to go on and tell me that Kim got picked because she and Josh are a cute couple?" "Precisely." Bonnie was outraged. Ron was too but he was keeping himself under control. "Barkin! Wait till I let my mother know about this, She supports this little charade very much. Did you know she is vice-president of the PTA?" She asked. Barkin was just as snotty in his remark. "As Ms. Possible is the former president of the PTA." Barkin noted pointing to a photo on the wall. "You have the brains Ms. Rockwaller, why don't you use them?" Barkin suggested simply. "And what is that supposed to mean?" Bonnie demanded tapping her foot impatiently. "If Kim and Josh are talk of the school, do you know how many student sales we'll have this year?" "I don't care! This in an injustice! The most talented actress should receive the better role! Not because of some stupid student poll!" "In time Ms. Rockwaller, you will learn the world of performing is not only based on talent. It's time you've woken up." "This isn't the real world! It's Middleton High! You're a jerk! My parents pay the taxes to keep this stupid play going, hell, they fund the school! Not to mention the generous donations we've given ALL THESE YEARS. I'm a daughter of a taxpayer and donator, get down and kiss my feet!"
Barkin looked taken aback after Bonnie's little tantrum and decided to compromise. "Alright Ms. Rockwaller, you've made somewhat of a point. Please sit back down and I'll explain what we are going to do." Bonnie suddenly looked ashamed of her 'little outburst'. "Yes, Mr. Barkin." She squeaked as she sat next to Ron. "Now, you are both aware that I cannot change casting right?" "No." They said at once. "Well, I can't award you the role you desire. But I will award you the role of the understudy." "What's an understudy?" Ron asked almost immediately. "And understudy, means you learn the part and get to perform the part if for some justified reason the designated actor cannot perform. Bonnie you are subject to be Juliet's understudy. Learn her lines and her blocking along with your own assigned part." Bonnie nodding realizing this was the best she could accomplish. Besides, It wouldn't be so hard to get Possible out of her race. "Ron, You are a male understudy. I want you to come to rehearsal and familiarize yourself with all male parts of the show. I know you want to participate and there is a high chance someone might step out at the last moment. But I don't want you to get your hopes up." Ron nodded in complete understanding of his task. All he had to do was get rid of Mankey and the role was his. Both students shook Mr. Barkin's hand before leaving his office. They were all satisfied.
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(Notes: Woot! Finally an update! I promise this story will have more progress now that I'm on summer break! Leave reviews!)