CHAPTER TWO

A Purposeful Accident

It is often stated that news, particularly of a negative bent, seems to abide by its own rules in the way it spreads; an unstoppable virus of mystery and sensation. No where is this idea more true than at Madison High School, where the tightly-knit community struggles to even define something of a secret.

Not to say there aren't secrets.

So it goes without saying that, when school commenced the next day, everyone was already a buzz about the mysterious accident. Though the faculty and the staff attempted to impress upon the students that this was merely an isolated occurrence, nothing could stop people from arriving at their own conclusions.

Meanwhile, three men stood in a dimly lit office placed on the corner of the school campus. Among them were Mr. George Lupin, Steven Diamond, and school principle Andre Fermions. They were engaged in a decidedly heated discussion about the events that had transpired just the night before.

"It was an accident, nothing more," said Lupin, "These things do happen you know."

"Accident?" replied Diamond, "Oh no sir, I can assure you this was no accident."

"You are saying the light fell on purpose then?"

"No, no of course not, what I'm saying is…"

"That it was an accident." Interrupted Diamond.

"No, no! What I am trying to impress on you here is that it couldn't have been an accident. That light was installed properly; it couldn't have fallen."

"Oh, but it did fall. On me! Admit it Steve, you screwed up and you know it."

"I can assure you, Mr. Lupin, that I am fully capable…"

"Gentleman. Gentleman," said Andre at last, "Enough of this pointless bickering. The reason we are here is to discern what force, be it gravity or otherwise, caused the accident with which our student population seems to be so familiar. This will be a nightmare for all of us if we cannot assure the safety of our theater; the parents simply will not allow it."

"Mr. Fermions, perhaps I should explain," said Diamond, "All of the lighting instruments used in our theater are attached firmly by a metal bolt to a pole, which is tied into the very structure of the building. Each instrument is further attached by a steel safety cable, so that in the event that an instrument should fall, it does not endanger those below it."

"But Mr. Diamond," said Fermions, "Certainly you will admit there is always the possibility…"

"Mr. Fermions, those cables are capable of suspending an automobile from that ceiling, and we're talking about a 15 pound light here."

"Fine," joined in Lupin, "So then if you would be so kind, why did the light fall in the first place and why was it not caught by your magical safety cable?"

"The only solution is that somebody must have unlatched the safety cable and loosened the bolt."

"But how would they have gotten up there in the first place?" Questioned Fermions.

"They wouldn't have. Getting up to the catwalk requires passing through no less then three doors which are always kept locked, to which only I have the key. You would also need a wrench, which you could only get at school from my tool cabinet which is also kept locked at all times."

"But surely there are duplicate sets of keys." Said Lupin.

"Of course there are. They are kept in my office safe, to which only I know the combination."

"This all seems rather complicated for a school theater production." Said Fermions.

"It is in mine, as well as yours, best interest, Mr. Fermions, not to have lights fall on people. If my theory of a purposeful sabotage is correct, the perpetrator could stage other accidents. For the safety of the students, perhaps…"

"But we can't cancel the play!" Interjected Lupin.

"Mr. Lupin is right, it is one of our biggest events of the school year. People do not come to Madison for our sports department, Mr. Diamond."

"All I'm saying is, it is in our best interest to be careful." Conceded Diamond.

"Well, we have a fallen light that couldn't fall, sabotaged by a person who couldn't be there, at a time and place that couldn't have been worse picked. This will certainly be an interesting year. Good day gentleman."

And with that final word, the conversation was over. The mysterious Phantom had yet to be discovered, and the school would not be wanting for seeing more of him in the future.