Chapter 2: Meet the Zapper
"Everyone, sit down. Don't worry about your instruments now." The new band director said. Everyone thought he was really nice by his tone of voice. Ha, first impressions can be deceiving.
"As you may have known, I have replaced your old band director, after that terribly unfortunate accident."
"He was murdered!" Someone called out.
The new band director squirmed as if he were trying to locate the murder himself.
"Yes, as I said that is very unfortunate." He picked up a large case of the size of a trumpet. The enormous lock on it sent nostalgic feelings around the whole class.
"What are you staring at? Go get your instruments!" The sudden niceness of the new band director now gone, he abruptly opened his case.
After everyone had their instruments, Mr. Horner continued his speech:
"Allow me to introduce myself and my most fond friend," He pointed at what resembled a baton… on steroids. It looked quite intricate; it was metallic and wires protruded it. Joanna and the others wondered how Mr. Horner could even lift it up; it was practically the width of his arm.
"I am Mr. Horner," he lifted the mutated baton so everyone could see it, "and this is my personal assistant, The Zapper."
Silence…
"Oh the Zapper. This is going to make you the best musician there is! It will serve you discipline and set every one of your pitiful souls in place." He pointed to the class as if accusing them.
"The dude is whack," the kid next to Joanna whispered to her.
"I heard that!" Suddenly, with only a quick wrist movement, Mr. Horner pointed the Zapper to Shrubs, the other tuba player. The tip of the Zapper quick started glowing blue.
"Mr. Horner?" It was Mr. Carson, the assistant band director. Mr. Horner turned sharply to Mr. Carson, like a robot. Shrubs let out a deep relieved sigh. Saved by Carson.
"Why, it is my second most trusted assistant." Placing his firm hand on Mr. Carson's shoulder, he continued, "well, barf it out, I'm waiting."
"Yes, well I just wanted to give you the music for the band." A slightly shy and docile voice replied from the average built man.
After the excruciating fifty minutes of painful shocks and some rather foul comments, everyone was glad band was over. Joanna met Stella along with her other friend Karla. Karla and Stella were both about the same height; they both were a good six inches taller than Joanna.
"What up dawg? You dig the new director?" Stella asked in curiosity. Both Karla and Stella played snares in the drumline, so their director was Mr. Carson.
"Yes, we are oh so dying to know." Karla added. Then, stepping closer into our circle she whispered, "The stars are misaligned! Everything has become very different. We must meet after school at the Deafening Shrine of the Center and consult the cards. Something is definitely wrong."
Karla was famed for being able to foretell the future with her deck of Barbie cards. So naturally, we agreed, even though she insisted on holding card sessions at rather weird places.
"Yea sistas, something's down! But anyways, tell us if the new director's a playa or a playa hata."
"Oh he's an evil one alright. His name is Mr. Horner and, oh my gosh, I hate him!"
"Wow, is he really that bad?" Karla asked.
"Let just say, he humiliated Mike to the point of tears." Joanna replied. She pointed to Mike, perhaps the buffest and largest senior they ever seen.
"Woah! Steel nerves Mike? Man, this dude is bad! And not bad good, bad bad!"
They're thoughts were interrupted when suddenly, Mr. Horner passes by.
"Hey girls, how's it going?" He waves at them and hurriedly goes on.
"Oh yea he's an evil one alright." Karla states as they wave each other good bye. Confused, Joanna thought if her day could get any weirder. Her thoughts vanquished as she saw her Irish Prince tying his shoe laces. Their eyes meet and he smiles at her. Suddenly, the exchange student starts walking towards her! Joanna panics with every inch he edges closer to her. 'This is it' she thinks to herself, 'don't mess this up.'
End Chapter 2
