Off to my reviewers!
To moonjava: Thanks.
To Shadowhawk: I checked out your profile and I'd be glad to, if I knew anything about the fandoms you write under. Give me a good Spider-man story and I'll be all over it like octopus-limbed villains on spider-powered superheroes, comprende, amigo?
To Agent Silver: Don't we all have those eternally smart-ass kids in our school classes? I remember being voted the female "Class Clown" in my senior class; however, I saved my sarcasm for my fellow students.
To Pheonix Master: Okay, I'll try.
To LadyKayoss: Agreed.
To Crys Skywalker: You haven't seen busted yet, my friend. Oh, and this is where your cameo is.
Read and review!
Chapter 8: Dilton's Mentor
(Author's note: Lynn the teacher's assistant is based on my fan fiction friend Crys Skywalker.)
Dilton Doiley was staying after school in the science lab. Not because he was in detention with Dr. Octavius, but because Octavius, seeing his own brilliance, talent, and boundless passion for science in the black-haired, four-eyed boy, was becoming Dilton's personal mentor, at least where science was concerned.
A blonde, grey-eyed junior wearing a blue tank top and dark denim jeans walked into the classroom carrying a stack of papers. She was Octavius' first period teacher assistant. "I've got last Friday's graded quizzes from your briefcase, Doctor."
Octavius looked up from the chemistry experiment he and Dilton were working on. There was an elaborate maze of test tubes, flasks, beakers, and plastic tubing, as well as a laptop computer. "Thank you, Lynn. Please just put them on the desk."
There was a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Octavius answered, a bit pissed at the second interruption of the experiment.
Coach Kleats walked in. "Dr. Octavius, I need to talk to you in private."
"If you don't mind, I just happen to be working on something at this moment—"
"I need to talk to you now, Octavius. You've been blowing my emails and phone calls off for two weeks tomorrow."
"Good Christ," the doctor muttered. "Dilton, would you like something to eat and drink?"
"Sure," Dilton responded.
"What kind of sandwich would you like?"
"Turkey and ham?"
"Lynn, go out to Subway and get one pastrami sandwich and one turkey and ham. I don't trust Miss Beazley's cafeteria cooking. I'll reimburse you later. Dilton, go to the vending machines and get a hot chocolate and whatever you wish to drink. Here's the money."
As soon as he'd distracted the two students, Octavius turned to the coach. "I suppose this is about Mantle."
"Octavius, if you don't give Reggie at least a C in chemistry, his grade point average will go down below 3.5…which means he'll be kicked off the football team and won't be eligible for basketball."
"Complete this sentence for me, Kleats. Mantle's eligibility for school athletics is of importance to me because…"
"Because he's the best player on the teams, Octavius! With our game record, we can't stand the loss of a player of Reggie's talent!"
"Perhaps if he loses something which is important to him, like school athletics, he will think twice about cheating on his exams."
"Cheating on an exam!" Kleats repeated. "Octavius, it was just a mistake anyone could make. It was a rotten judgment call on Reggie's part, but he won't do it again."
"And his work in my chemistry class is generally very poor."
"Well, gee, Octavius, if you tutor him, give him a little extra help instead of coddling that little nerd Doiley so much, maybe—"
"You shouldn't be scolding me for coddling students, Kleats," the doctor replied, his voice soft and dangerous. "Mantle doesn't try to improve in class because he knows he's the best athlete in the school and that you'll raise hell if another teacher doesn't inflate his grades! How is he ever supposed to learn anything if he goes through school without ever having to study?"
"Oh come on! What good is all that science junk going to do in real life?" Kleats waved dismissively.
"When one of your athletes breaks his leg or sprains his ankle, you take him to a doctor, Kleats! That very doctor has to take extensive courses in anatomy and biology, even before he goes to medical school. The anabolic steroids that I know some of your athletes take to enhance their performance are created by scientists who have advanced degrees in physiology, biochemistry, and genetics. I myself hold a doctorate in nuclear physics. Science affects your life in many ways, which is why each Riverdale High student must take—and pass—Biology and Chemistry to graduate. And I will not pass a student who I feel does not deserve to pass."
"I will be talking to Weatherbee about this, Octavius!" Kleats threatened.
"I think when he hears about Mantle's academic dishonesty he will agree with me, Coach Kleats. Good afternoon."
Just then, Dilton and Lynn walked in the door, holding food and beverages. So did Mr. Weatherbee himself, holding a letter.
"Dr. Octavius, I need you in my office now."
"Yes, sir. Dilton, complete the experiment and take notes. Lynn, lock up the classroom after he's done."
Octavius arrived in the office. Reggie, his father, and Coach Kleats were already in the office.
Mr. Mantle was the owner and chief editor of the local paper; he had a black brush cut which was gray at the temples, and a small mustache. Octavius took an instant dislike to him. He reminded him of that asshole J. Jonah Jameson, who had slandered him in his newspaper, the Daily Bugle.
"What's this I hear about you failing my son?" Mr. Mantle snarled.
Reggie was leaning back in his chair and smirking. He knew the Mad Doctor would hold his ground on the grades. He could show everyone the envelope with Octavius' rap sheet, but what fun would that be when he could use it to change his grades for the better first.
"I'm failing your son because he doesn't do his homework, has poor performance in my classes, and cheats on his tests," the doctor replied.
"Now, I know Reggie's no angel," Mr. Mantle replied. "But refusal of his Winter Dance tickets and his athletic eligibility! Octavius, those are everything to him!"
"Perhaps they shouldn't."
"Look, I'll keep an eye on him. I won't blink."
"It's too late for that. You should have been keeping an eye on him all along. You should have made sure his homework was done."
"Look, let's compromise," Weatherbee said. "Academic dishonesty is not treated lightly, Mr. Mantle. I agree that Reggie needs to take a failing grade in Chemistry. Reggie attempted to cheat, not once, but twice. But I think Reggie should at least get his Winter Dance tickets back."
"No, Mr. Weatherbee."
"What?" Not even Miss Grundy, who had been teaching at the school for thirty years, would say no to Weatherbee's direct orders, let alone a rookie like Dr. Octavius!
"Refusal of his Winter Dance tickets would hit Mantle where he lives," replied Octavius. "He needs to accept responsibility for his actions instead of whining to his coach or his father."
"Okay," sighed Weatherbee. "Octavius, give him a D-. At least he'll pass Chemistry. But—that still puts his grade point average at 2.75. He will be off the athletic teams for the rest of the quarter. He will be banned from any other school activities, including the school newspaper and the Winter Dance. Are you happy now, Dr. Octavius?
"No," he replied. "But I will accept your decision."
And Reggie Mantle was most definitely not!
