The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen:
The New Generation

Chapter 2
Unofficial League Meeting, #1

"And so I said, yeah, o' course I'm in. Why won't I be, see? I got nuffin' to lose by going, and hey, it's all in good fun, innit?"

It was lunchtime at school. Michael slid his tray onto the table and squeezed into the spot between Joe and Amy, earning a glare from Joe who was obviously trying to get Amy. Jekyll was sitting opposite them, surrounded by text books and bits of paper.

"Jekyll. Why are you at our table? Don't you usually work in the corner over there?" Michael asked. He realised that he sounded rude. "Um, it's all right, of course, but I just thought… you didn't like to hang out."

Jekyll gave no indication of having heard a single word. He was engrossed in his writing.

Michael looked to Joe. Joe simply shrugged.

"So. How was it?"

"Better than I'd expected, Joe. My parents took it well. Mum was a bit concerned about my safety, though. Shaw told her it's all for the greater good and all that, and she caved in. Mind you, after that, my parents have been spoiling me. I even got ice cream for dinner last night. I feel a bit bad about it, though. It's like they think I won't come back. Shaw told them we'd be back as soon as the mission's down." Michael paused and shoved a big spoonful of mash potatoes in his mouth. "I think my parents think I'm going to die on the mission or something." He munches on some fries. "What about you, Joe?"

"Oh, it was amazing. See, Shaw came over and acted like it was a big thing – like it was the end o' the world or sumfin'. He went on and on and on 'bout the risks and all. But here's the amazing thing. My folks agreed to lemme go as soon as they heard. And then Shaw turned to me and said it's ultimately my choice. And so I said, yeah, o' course –"

"Oh will you stop it already," Amy said. From her expression it was evident that it wasn't the first time she heard that story. "You've been saying that ever since I got here, Skinner."

"Yeah, I'm telling it again, 'cause he hadn't heard it before, see?" Joe protested.

"Right, then, I'm off," Amy said. She went off rather hurriedly.

"What's with her?" Michael asked.

Joe shrugged. "I dunno, she's been like that ever since I got here."

"Ah, I believe that explains her behaviour, then." Jekyll had finally looked up from his work and decided to partake in the conversation.

"Listen, you miserable git –" Joe started angrily, jabbing a finger in Jekyll's direction.

"Hey, hey… calm down, Joe. Don't get so worked up just because you can't get a girl," Michael said, pushing Joe's arm down.

Joe shut up and folded his arms.

Michael shovelled more mash potatoes into his mouth. "So, Jekyll, how was your recruitment?"

Jekyll was back to being engrossed in his work by then. His head snapped up when he heard the question. "I, uh…" he started. A gulp involuntarily escaped. "I'd rather not say."

"Suit yourself."

Looking slightly hurt, Jekyll stood suddenly and gathered all his things, and then he left.

"Bloody hell, the League's gonna be dysfunctional, I can tell," Joe remarked. "I mean, we can't even talk to each other civilly and all that."

"Last time I checked, you're the one who drove them away," Michael said.

"Bet your life on it, eh? You're the one who scared the Jekyll lad off."

"I did not… !"

"Yes, you did."

"Look, I don't want to argue with you. You're right, none of us are getting along, and I don't want to lose you too."

"Yeah." Joe looked thoughtful for a moment, a rare expression for him. " 'ey, Michael, what'd ya think of that Shaw bloke?"

"He's all right." Michael shrugged.

"Don't you think he's a bit suspicious and all that? I mean, look 'ow he just turns up and wants us lads, no less, to go on this secret mission of some sort. I mean, if he's who he says he is, he's got to have lots of 'em spies and secret agents and what have ya to do that kinda thing."

"My dad says he's a decent chap. Just got to get his priorities straight, is all."

"Which priorities are those, then?"

"My dad says he cares too much about some things he shouldn't."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, really. Something about money, I think."

"Oh, he's just like an ordinary person, then. I mean, who doesn't care about money?" Joe chuckled.

"Yeah. Right, I got to go." Michael finished up the last of his food. "See you later, then, Joe?" He picked up his tray and left.

Leaving Joe sitting there by his lonesome.

"Right, then."

He rose from the table and walked down the aisle.

"Oi, Jim! Didja hear about Mr. Berkley and his hairpiece!"

Being Joe Skinner, he couldn't last a moment alone.

Jekyll slumped down in the bench, looking exhausted beyond measure. On closer inspection, he looked slightly upset.

Amy turned to him and asked, "Are you all right?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I've spent a great deal of energy – perhaps too much – on my work."

"I mean, really, you sure you're fine? Did Joe do something to you?"

"He didn't do anything worse than I'm used to, I'm sure. It's all right. I thank you for your concern over my well-being, but I assure you, I'm quite fine."

"Recess's not over yet. I bet they're still in there goofing around… boys…" Amy glanced at Jekyll. "Sorry, no offence."

"None taken."

"Hey, why aren't you with them, then? If you're here to check up on me, well, let me assure you, I'm fine too."

"No, no, I'm not here to check up on you. Um… the conversation was going into a rather unpleasant direction. So I left."

"Good. I know how unpleasant Joe can be sometimes."

"No, it wasn't him. It was… personal." Jekyll looked at her. "You talk about Skinner fairly often. And I've noticed, so does he. The only difference is that he talks of how lovely you are, and you speak of his badness. Um, is there… anything…" He gestured aimlessly around with his hands. "Um, you know… is there anything… going on… between –"

"Yech… no, of course not. I'm shocked you'd even think that. As far as I'm concerned, Joe's a desperate git and I don't feel anything for him." Amy twiddled her thumbs. "Um, how did your parents react when Shaw told them the news?" She didn't give him time to answer, however, and he was thankful for that. "Mine said no, a straight-out no. Said I'd be wasting my time… what's a little girl like me going to do, save the world? They think I'll be risking my life unnecessarily and my grades would drop. They never gave in, even when told that the school I'll be going to is one of the best schools in Britain and that I'd receive a top quality education while I'm there. Finally, Shaw said that I have no choice but to go, because I am needed there. Now, my parents won't even talk to me." She slumped, sighing. "It's not like I wanted to go anyway. I hate my life."

"I hate my life." That struck a chord in Jekyll. Jekyll thought of his own household. There was only his mother – his father had left before he was born. No, don't think about them. Best not to think about them. "I think it's an honour to be selected and entrusted with the duty of the League. I'm rather keen on going away for a while." He didn't say why.

He looked away and stared at the painting of a man on a horse on the wall opposite them. His mind, on the other hand, was not on the painting – though he did find it interesting – but on his life and the present circumstances. He had a feeling that the girl was also lost in thought.

RRIING! Off went the bell.

"Ah, good day to you, then, Miss Harker," Jekyll said as he stood up gravely and walked away.

"Same to you, Mr. Jekyll," she called out, mocking his formality. Without wasting a moment, she ran off to her next class.

Thus, the day played out as usual. This was to be their last day as ordinary children.