Act Five: Politics and Crime
Derrick Menna was what some student's at X Middle School called a student with a purpose. And that purpose was to leave his mark on the school by becoming student Council President. He was not tall by any account but not short either he was a middle height. He had jet black hair that he always kept slicked back and brown eyes that were always narrowed contemplating those around him. His appearance showed that his family was very well off although he tried not to show it. He stood leaning against the doorframe of Principal Folsom's waiting to meet his new bodyguards, a bag of Cheesy Wiffs in his hands. He wasn't disappointed. Vice Principal Raycliff opened the door and told the young boy to enter. Menna followed closely behind the Vice Principal studying the way he appeared and moved. If Raycliff noticed he did not reveal it, he simply moved to take his place beside and behind Principal Folsom.
"Derrick Menna, meet your new body guards." Folsom said cutting straight to the point obviously relieved to have this matter over.
Menna gave her a short nod and turned to his to speak with his newest bodyguards. A small appeared on his face when he saw them. Perfect.
"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you, I am Derrick Menna." He said while giving Fillmore a casual nod and not casting a slight glance at Tehama. Fillmore noticed this and was sure Tehama noticed as well.
"So you're the guy that we're babysitting through the election." Fillmore stated not trying to hide the sarcasm in the statement. Tehama on the other hand barely managed to cover the snicker that she released.
Derrick Menna was anything but amused by Fillmore's impudence towards him. What right did such a petty criminal have to disrespect those above him? And his partner Tehama she was less than nothing in his eyes. But Derrick Menna did enjoy a challenge. Let us see where this goes.
"I see the stories the tell about you are true Officer Fillmore, a sharp wit matched with an even sharper tongue." Menna smirked at Fillmore's reaction to being called officer and turned his attention to Tehama, "and I assume that this is your partner Ingrid Third? She's not what I expected."
Tehama inhaled a sharp breath when she heard this. Was Menna insane?! Everyone in the room knew Fillmore was getting more and more frustrated about not being with Ingrid. On top of that she knew Menna was purposely provoking Fillmore.
"Actually I'm Karen Tehama, Fillmore's temporary partner." Tehama said hoping to defuse the situation.
"Yeah Menna, besides you know what they say when you assume something?" Fillmore all but growled.
"ENOUGH!! While I find all of this delightfully invigorating, if you don't resolve this now I will personally see to it that all of you are locked in detention until you grandchildren graduate from this school!" Folsom said with her ever-present smile on her face.
"I apologized if I offended either of you officers, but my current predicament easily frustrates me, and Derrick Menna hates to be frustrated."
"No problem, it been a hard couple of days for my partner and me." Tehama answered for herself and Fillmore seeing how he was refusing to speak to anyone.
"Well then I, Derrick Menna, look for to working with both of you until the time I become Student Council President." He said the left the office.
Tehama looked at Fillmore and saw him thinking about what just transpired. He kept looking at the doorway that Menna just walked through and then he locked eyes with her.
"What's up Fillmore?"
"You remember what you asked me an hour ago?"
"Yeah."
"What was strange about what just happened, besides the fact that Menna is a stuck up ass?" Fillmore asked.
Tehama thought about what she had seen, Derrick Menna had come into the room and acted like he had them all in his pocket. Then he had faltered when Fillmore had insulted him, but she couldn't think of anything else that was strange.
"I'm not sure Fillmore. All I can think of was that he was an arrogant snot." Tehama said not hiding the small amount of dislike she had for Menna.
"True, but what about his comment about the presidency?" Fillmore asked.
Tehama thought about that and realized that Menna ha seemed confident that he would become Student Council President. She looked at Fillmore and he just nodded.
"I think we should go see about the letter Derrick Menna received."
Student Council Offices
It is well known by the students and faculty that X Middle School is one of the largest campuses in the state. It is also known that because of the school's large size it also houses an abundance of clubs and after school activities, all of which are run by or through the student council office. If asked why the Council was so successful most student would say that it was because the system was purely democratic, others would say that it is because only one person, Student Council President Peabody. He was elected president after winning a debate on the school's policy against the instating more Safety Patrol Officers. It was a surprising win seeing how Peabody was the underdog for most of the race. But that was last year's race and the times seemed to be changing more quickly than most student politicians. Proof of that fact stood in Derrick Menna's office at this very moment.
To say that most of the students present were shocked was an understatement. Derrick Menna stood before them along with Officer Karen Tehama and more surprisingly Officer Fillmore. Menna and Fillmore both had almost identical smiles on their faces due to the attention their presence brought. Menna made a show out of walking to his office and casually moving under the crime scene tape. This was noticed by almost everyone who Menna and his overbearing urge to have all attention centered on himself. Fillmore cast an exasperated glance to Tehama and rolled his eyes as they entered Menna's office. Tehama immediately began looking around the office for any signs of forced entry. Finding none she turned and told Fillmore what she noticed.
"You're still thinking like a Safety Patroller." He said simply.
"NO I am a Safety Patroller and so are you!!" Tehama said frustrated with Fillmore's continually pointing out her mistakes. She realized too late that she had said the wrong thing. Fillmore simply gave her a quick look and turned to Derrick Menna who was simply watching their exchange.
" This was all I found when I arrived this morning officers." Menna said pointing out the letter laying open on his desk.
DERRICK MENNAIF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE YOUR HIGH PROFILE STYLE OF LIFE AT X
I SUGGEST THAT YOU REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTION OR YOU CAN PERFORM THE SERVICE I HAVE PREVIOUSLY ASKED OF YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE.
It seemed like a pretty clear cut threat in the letter, but there were no distinguishing marks or handwriting that the Safety Patrol could follow up on. The only thing obvious was that Sting Ray had the note delivered. Tehama looked over the note once more and found orange markings around the corners of the letter and that the letter was made up of newspaper clippings.
"Mr. Menna can you tell me if these orange marks were there when you received the letter?" Tehama asked hoping she had discovered something valuable.
Menna gripped tighten slightly on the bag of Cheesy Wiffs but made sure not to allow any of his surprise to show.
"No Officer, Derrick Menna did not see these marks before." The boy answered.
"Okay it looks like we have a lead to work with, so we will just leave you to what ever it is you have to do." Fillmore said breaking into the conversation.
Tehama looked at her partner and saw that he was still not looking at her in the slightest and knew that Fillmore and herself were going to have it out when they left. Menna nodded his head to the officers and took his seat behind the desk thoroughly demising them from his mind and presence.
"Listen Fillmore I'm….." Tehama began but Fillmore was quick to cut her off.
"Tehama just drop it, we both know that it won't get us any where to go over this again. I'm with the Safety Patrol until I get Ingrid and bring in Sting Ray, that's it."
Tehama nodded dumbly and allowed her partner to walk, at a distance, with her to HQ.
Nevada Casino
Jimmy Nevada was out of his element with his current clientele. While his business was not completely legitimate, he was worried more than most about the Safety Patrol finding out about this little meeting. Before him stood the most sat and stood the most powerful criminal bodies at X. Their being present at his club was easily the most dangerous position he had ever put himself in. He allowed his eyes to scan the crowd to remember the background on each of them and try and piece together why they were all here.
First were the easiest to identify because of their red and blue uniforms. The Red Robins had been the organized crime at X Middle School for almost two decades and weren't showing any sign of losing that position since leadership had given to Malika. She was the brain behind the brawn of the Red Robins making them an even bigger force to be reckoned with , especially because of the rumor about their secret vault. Next was the Metal Shop Gang. These kids were supposedly the best at when it came to stealing scooters, bikes, opening lockers , and anything else you could think of. Their leader was a kid named Wheels, who had made a name for himself by boosting Folsom's cart on campus, impressive but foolish. He ended up doing 8 months detention and barely got by without being expelled.
Sitting at the table next to them well two students well known by X. the first was Tony Clementina, X's resident protection dealer. He was the guy at X who could force anyone to buy protection for the smallest thing, but his main targets were X's big name sport's teams. He made a good amount smoits off his dealings but was considered little more than a thug in Nevada's eyes. The second was considered to have the devils luck when it came to his crime. Parnassus had been found guilty of possession with the means and intent to detonate several large-scale stink bombs. His only mistake had been to frame the partner of Cornelius Fillmore, Ingrid Third. Parnassus was expelled following his arrest, but was allowed back in school because of his substantially high scores on tests.
Which brought Nevada to the final table that was occupied by 4 of X's finest criminals. The first two were held in high regard because of their past dealings with Fillmore. They were Penny Madrid and Sonny Lombard, who were each masters of their own criminal trades; namely counterfeiting and arms dealings. Next to them, and under the hateful glare of Penny, was the object of Fillmore's affection, Ingrid Third. Her criminal ability was attributed to her almost constant movement while she was growing up and her skills only improved as she stayed with Fillmore. They were unrivaled team whenever they agreed to pull off a certain job. The final member of this intrepid group was currently in a deep conversation with Ingrid Third and was also one of the most known criminals at X Middle School, Randal Julian aka Flava Sava. He was the most ingenious minds at X and had become the only student to ever be held in the maximum-security detention facility at the school, until his recent escape. The way he thought was an enigma to everyone who crossed his path except for Julian and the officer who arrested him, Wayne Liggett.
Nevada found his train of thought broken as he noticed Parnassus moving toward Ingrid and more importantly Julian. What could he possibly be thinking making a spectacle at this moment, Nevada wondered. He wasn't alone in these thoughts.
Ingrid had noticed something was amiss from the second she stepped back into the Nevada Casino. She was nervous when she saw the familiar faces of many X Middle School's worst. Her nerves were not put at ease when Penny and Sonny nodded to all the parties present in the room. Ingrid relaxed slightly when Malika made eye contact and offered her a small smile. While it was true they weren't the closest of friend they share a common bond in the respect that they both driven in their pursuits. Her focus returned to the discussion with Julian, who she had found to be a large help in putting many of her fears to rest. The movement of Parnassus toward her table was not, all together, unexpected by Ingrid but rather foolish. The last couple of weeks had taken their toll on Ingrid's self control, the constant heckling from Penny and lull in activities giving by Sting Ray had given her a very short fuse.
Parnassus continued to make his way over to Ingrid and took a place standing behind her, hoping to take advantage of her nervous behavior. He had always prided himself on being able to read those he encountered and using their apparent weaknesses to his advantage. Ingrid Third, at this very moment, had the largest weakness to his eyes the absence of Cornelius Fillmore. He smiled when he saw the girl put on a mask of in difference at his approach. Yes this would be the sweetest revenge.
"Ah the lovely Ingrid Third. It has been quite a long time since we last met." Parnassus statement went ignored by the boy. But his statement did gather the attention of everyone present.
"Ingrid why is that you continually are involved in situations that are much too big for a little girl like you to handle? Especially since your so-called better half is away from your side. Oh well, we all know that he always did look out for himself in every situation."
No one spoke after Parnassus finished his little speech it would have been a moot point. Everyone present knew that Fillmore was extremely loyal to those he worked with; Ingrid however, was a special case. Malika could barely control her smile when she saw Ingrid relax her shoulders under Parnassus' hands.
"Parnassus whoever said that I needed Fillmore to watch out for me?" Ingrid asked sweetly. " You of all people should that I'm a big girl."
In the blink of an eye Ingrid had latched onto Parnassus' left hand and threw him over her shoulder on the ground directly in front of Randal Julian, who looked mildly interested at what had just transpired. But Ingrid it seemed was not done. She casually stepped forward and placed her Doc Marten firmly on the boy's chest.
"Now you listen to me you little worm. If you so much as touch me or breathe the air in the same room as me again I will personally see to it that you never have children. Understood?" Ingrid said in a low snarling voice.
The boy wisely kept his mouth shut and nodded his acceptance. He moved slightly under the enraged girls boot trying to relieve the pressure on his chest. That did not go unnoticed by Ingrid, who add more of her weight to the boy' chest.
"And Parnassus, if I ever hear you bad mouthing Fillmore again, lets just say I'll use some of the more interesting ideas I've had for making someone's life a living hell." Ingrid purred then removed her foot completely from the boy's chest and returned to her seat.
Malika released the laughter that she had been holding in check during the entire episode. The situation was so like the Ingrid she had worked with for a short time in the Red Robins. Calm, cool, and calculating in everything she did. It was good to see that her friend's skills had improved since the last time they had spoken. Malika was not the only one present who found Ingrid's display impressive and entertaining. The entire casino was laughing at Parnassus's expense.
"Very impressive Ms. Third. I'm glad to see that you are finding ways to entertain your self, but we have more pressing matters to attend to." Sting Ray said sucking the positive air Ingrid had gain for a short while.
"As you all know I have brought you hear to allow you all to be involved in the new era at X Middle School. Very soon I will have control of the most inner workings of the student body and control over Principal Folsom as well."
His statement caused a small ripple of curiosity to move through the Nevada Casino. Which was undoubtedly the reaction Sting Ray was hoping for, thought Ingrid and Julian. Sting Ray calmly looked over the face of those present and smiled to himself from his hidden location. I have them all right where I want them.
"How do you plan on doing that exactly?" Malika asked voicing the doubts that every one present had been thinking.
"Yeah and what are you going to do about the Safety Patrol? Because I have a good setup on my own already." Tony Clementina added.
There were several vocal agreements to their statements, and justly so. Every criminal present had been doing just fine with his or her organization, so why did they need to be here in the first place? Ingrid remained silent and waited for the reply to those questions but was puzzled by the identical smirks on Penny and Sonny's faces.
"You both make good points, but you forget one thing that each of you lack. None of you has the ability to evade the Safety Patrol as you are now. Malika, while your Red Robin troop has the safest storage facility in the school for stolen goods you have no way of acquiring those goods on a monthly basis. Mr. Clementina on the other hand has no such problem gathering these said items; his main problem lies in finding a suitable place to store them. You see each of you and your organizations have skills that compliment each other. It is those skills that I require from everyone present."
No one could see a flaw in the criminal mastermind's plan so far but Ingrid was still skeptical about his whole plan. How could he hope to control Principal Folsom of all people?! She was by far the most headstrong woman Ingrid had ever met. Folsom would sooner blow up the school her self them let it be over run by any of the criminal element.
"How do you plan on taking control of Principal Folsom, I wonder?" Ingrid shifted her eyes quickly to the boy across from her. If Julian noticed this he did not acknowledge it, but simply waited for his question to be answered.
"Ah Mr. Julian it has been a while since we have last spoken." Sting Ray said.
"Indeed it has, but I still wonder what you intend to do and what services you believe I can provide, other than those I am already." The Vandal said not being side tracked in the least.
"Very well Mr. Julian. As you know the Student Council Election will soon be upon us. I have engineered for a selected candidate to work for me in this race. When he is elected I will have the Student Council as well as Principal Folsom in the palm of my hand. But before we go any further into this manner I would like to know those among you who are willing to go along with this." Sting Ray stated.
This was news to every one present. It appeared that Sting Ray was in total control this situation and had every possible contingency thought out. For most the answer was an obvious one.
"Metal Shops in." Wheels said for his group.
"I'm in." Clementina echoed.
"Of course I'm willing to help, it simply can not be done without me." Parnassus said.
"The Red Robins are in until we get a better offer." Malika stated.
"There is no better offer." Penny stated.
"I will be of whatever help I can." Jimmy Nevada said easily.
"Very well then, it goes without saying that Ms. Third and the rest of you are already a part of this plan. I will contact you all when my plan is ready to be moved into the first stage." Sting Ray said dismissing the meeting .
Malika moved over to Ingrid's table quickly after the rest of the casino began to depart. Ingrid smiled slightly at the other girls approach. She had always liked Malika because they were so alike.
"So Ingrid, what do you think of this whole situation. It seems to me that Sting Ray has a pretty fool proof plan." Malika said.
"Yeah it does but I still don't trust him, I mean what kind of guy says he want everyone cooperation but doesn't show us his face? Maybe I'm just being paranoid." Ingrid finished with a sigh.
"Well I always trusted your instincts when you were with the Robins, so I say you do have a point. Beside it almost seemed like he knew where the Vault was. And that has me worried." Malika admitted quietly.
"I wonder what Fillmore would do in this situation?" Ingrid thought out loud.
"Speaking of him, how are you two getting along these days still doing the whole Bonnie and Clyde thing?" Malika teased.
"Let's just say we're on a break and leave it at that ok Malika?" the green eyed girl pleaded.
"Ok. But if you need to talk to someone come by the club and I'll be there." Malika said before moving out of the casino.
Ingrid grabbed her bag and began to rise from her seat when she heard Sting Ray's voice once more telling he had a new assignment for her.
Safety Patrol HQ: The Next Day
Vallejo was, for once, having a good day. There had been no new crimes reported, he didn't have to check up on any of the damage reports from pursuits, and most importantly he need to deal with Fillmore until after the election. Yes all was right in his world. That is until he walked into his office. Across the far wall was the calling sign of Randal 'The Vandal' Julian.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS DOING HERE!!!"
Needless to say the entire office was at his door after the out burst. Unfortunately for Vallejo the first officer present was Cornelius Fillmore, who release a low whistle at what he saw.
"Oh snap." Fillmore said with out hiding his obvious awe at the tag.
It took everything that Vallejo had not to strangle the boy at that very moment. Somehow Randal Julian was able to get into his office and leave his calling card without leaving a single trace.
"If your done looking at the scenery then maybe you could tell me how some one got in here AND TAGGED MY OFFICE WITOUT BEING SEEN LEAVING OR ENTERING!!!" Vallejo yelled.
The other officers present looked over the room with a fine tooth comb and found nothing while Fillmore easily took the chair behind Vallejo's desk and watched them all work. He had to admit that they were true professionals at what they did they checked and doubled checked each others work, but they still found nothing. Fillmore smiled at how easily they over looked the simplest answers. Tehama looked up at just that exact moment and sighed at her partner.
"You know you could help us instead of laughing about this."
" Ok I'll help you guys out but first thing first. Tell how would do you think some would get in here and do a tag that big while we were all here?" Fillmore said.
"What are you talking about? They couldn't we would have heard the spray cans or smelt the wet paint." Tehama stated.
"Exactly keep going." Fillmore encouraged.
"As for entering while we're all here that impossible especially because the paint is already dry."
Fillmore smiled at the look of understanding dawning on the girl's face, but he remained silent to allowing her to learn this on her own.
"So this had to be done some time in the last eight or nine hours, and none of the doors show forced entry and the windows are free of prints. So how did he get in?" Tehama said finally.
Fillmore simply pointed his finger to the ceiling. Tehama followed and saw the grating for the ventilation shaft. She blinked once quickly then looked at Fillmore.
"But the vent doesn't look like it was moved and who would crawl around the vents?" She asked.
"That is exactly why you guys have such a hard time catching guys like me. You never look for the obvious answers. 1: no one is going to check the vents because it looks to high for anyone to get back to if the fall from the ceiling. 2: the vents easy to over look because you came claim that rain or movement upstairs caused it to be loosened." Fillmore explained.
Tehama nodded in understanding but still wondered why Fillmore was so determined to have her think like he did after what had happened the other day. But that would have to wait for another day because they had to report for their assignment as bodyguards. Something they both equally hated.
Student Council Offices
Derrick Menna was currently sitting behind his desk going over his newly approved campaign slogan when his door opened to reveal his opponent in the election, the current Student Council President Peabody. And it appeared the boy had something to say.
"What is this about Menna?!! You can't possibly be serious about putting these ridiculous ideas into effect if you're elected!" Peabody yelped.
"Of Course I, Derrick Menna, plan to implement those ideas. So I don't see what the problem is."
" You don't see the problem!?! You are going to allow those .. those animals to run loose in the school and do as they please!"
They were interrupted by the entrance of Fillmore and Tehama who looked at the scene before them.
"Is there a problem here?" Tehama asked.
"Not at all officers, in fact the Student President was just leaving." Menna stated easily waiting for Peabody to leave the office.
"I hope you realize that you're allowing this school to fall into the hands of people like him." Peabody stated casting a glance at Fillmore before slamming the door behind him.
"What was that all about?" Tehama asked once again.
"The current Student Council President doesn't seem to agree with the changes I, Derrick Menna, hope to make at X when I am elected."
"And those would be?" Fillmore questioned.
"The erasure of all criminal records at X and the official pardon all convicted felons at the school." Menna said simply.
Tehama stared at him open mouth while Fillmore could not decide whether he for or against the idea. Whatever their reply was it was cut off by the arrival of yet another person to the office.
"Ah yes, allow me to introduce the both of you to my newest cabinet member. Officers Fillmore and Tehama meet my secretary, Ms. Ingrid Third."
Sorry to all of you guys who have been waiting for this chapter. Things have been complicated recently and I've had to help out some of my relatives. But Chapter 6 will follow very closely to this one.
Thanks for the reviews.