Act Seven: Straight out of the Comic books
X Auditorium
It was supposed to be a day like any other at X Middle School, a few not o random crimes, the Safety patrol doing it's best to defend the greater good, but all that aside today was your average day at X. Well save for the fact that officers Karen Tehama and Cornelius Fillmore were both present on the auditorium doing their decidedly least favorite thing and that was protecting Student Council President hopeful, Derrick Menna. It was hard to tell which of the two patrollers hated their situation more. On one hand Tehama disliked Menna for several reason all of which ranged from his personality to his obvious self-esteem problem. She couldn't remember the last time she heard someone use his name so much in one hour. But her manger hang-up at this point was the fact that despite being blackmailed into running under false pretense, the egotistical moron was willing to put the whole school at risk just to be elected as President. Now that did not sit well with her at all but luckily the vote had already took place ant her vote was definitely for Peabody, no matter how his mother dressed him.
Fillmore on the other hand disliked Menna because the boy was an obnoxious overbearing ass. He could get past Menna's lack of morals, which was simple enough considering Fillmore long involvement in the game, but something else was influencing this whole set up and unknown factors at this point were unacceptable. So in Fillmore's mind the sooner he was off the this bodyguard gig the soon he, Tehama, and Ingrid could start to take apart Sting Ray's little crime empire.
So the two patrollers were content to sit back and watch the outcome for the election it wouldn't affect their caseload in the slightest.
"… and so I, Derrick Menna, here by declare my thanks for the honor of being elected Student Council President."
This was the fifth time that same speech had been read and frankly it was beginning to wear on the nerves of not only the Fillmore and Tehama but anyone else within hearing range as well, which happened to include the current Student Council President, Peabody.
"Do really believe the student body will elect you after your outrageous promise to revoke all criminal offense that have ever transpired at X? you must be completely out of your mind Menna!"
"Ah the soon to be former President Peabody. What can Derrick Menna do for you to day?"
"You can start by answering my question, Derrick." Peabody snarled at the boy's superior attitude.
"You forget your place Peabody, I'm neither fear you or respect your position. As for you question think very hard about how many students have ever committed a transgression at X. then think about the fresh start I'll be giving to all those student who have only been written up for being late to class, running in the halls, or unauthorized use of faculty facilities?" Menna said evenly while watching Peabody' reaction to the offenses that he had listed.
Peabody for his part reacted just as Menna had hoped. Apparently the Student Body President at some point just like the information Sting Ray provided had committed those transgressions. It was an interesting bit of information to have in this situation.
"B…b..bb…but what about the other criminals in this school? Your proposal will let those animals run a rampage through the entire school unopposed! It is bad enough that we are already making deals with these beasts! Look our system isn't prefect but yours in utter chaos!" Peabody exclaimed trying to get his point across.
"And your point is Peabody? Your supposed system is just as ready to take advantage of X's criminal body as they are to condemn them. So please explain to me which of us is the more dangerous?"
"Well I'm not surprised by your response considering the company you keep." Peabody hissed his not so veiled insult to Menna and Fillmore as he left.
Tehama wasn't the only person who quickly turned their eyes to the only reformed criminal in the auditorium, but it seemed that Fillmore was the least affected by Peabody's parting shot. But Menna was decidedly reveling in his apparent victory.
"Come on Fillmore we need to head up front, Folsom should be ready to announce the winner of the election." Tehama said while taking his arm.
"Yeah we wouldn't want to miss that now would we?" Fillmore answered sarcastically.
Stage
Principal Folsom was looking uncharacteristically happy today, but the again the woman was happy whenever her face was to appear in the school paper. The school elections had left X middle School with an uncommon decline in criminal rates. It was almost as if they were waiting for something to happen, but then again that too wasn't a possible idea in Folsom' mind. Only a choice few had any criminal know how to anything but a minor problem.
But those were thoughts for another day. Today was her day to usher in a new Student Council and let the student body run the school. She hoped that whoever won the school would be in good hands. Not that Principal Folsom was opposed to stepping in every now and again.
"Principal Folsom, they'll be ready for you in five minutes." Vice-Principal Raycliff said.
Folsom nodded and moved toward the center of the stage, her speech constantly being run over in her mind
Ingrid was doing one of the things she liked least at X Middle School, sitting with her "fellow" classmates at an assembly. It also didn't help that the obnoxious cheerleader she ran into her first day was sitting next to her and constantly trying to begin a conversation.
"Like, who did you like vote for? I like totally voted for Derrick Menna, because he is like so much better looking than Peabody."
Ingrid clenched for her teeth for the tenth time in the five minutes she had been sitting next to the girl wondering why she couldn't simply get her to shut up. She didn't have to wait long as Principal Folsom walked to center stage.
"Students of X Middle School it is a for change. Two of our most honored and politically inclined students have taken their careers and put them into your hands. You, their peer and those who they will represent in this school's governing body, have been given democratic choice in your school's future. So lets bring out the two candidates for Student Council President."
'About damn time.' Ingrid thought.
"First I would like to introduce your current President, Peabody."
Peabody made hi way onto the stage with his usual prideful gait. His nose held high disregarding the boos he received just as much as he reveled in the applause of his supporters.
"Second one of the most influential and controversial candidates we have ever had at X, Derrick Menna."
Menna was not unlike Peabody with his arrival to center stage. The one exceptional difference was the fact that Menna received an almost thunderous ovation from the entire student body. This was something that Peabody did not fail to notice. Principal Folsom gave her students several seconds to calm down but it seemed Menna had brought more supporter than she originally thought. 'I have a dinner meeting to get to, so I had better hurry this up.'
"Silence!"
Having regained control of the room Folsom proceeded to continue the assembly, despite the shocked expression of the students present. Ingrid couldn't help but smile at that reaction besides Folsom got that annoying Cheerleader to finally shut up.
Back Stage
Fillmore and Tehama shared a quick laugh at the schools expense. They had become more relaxed with each other since they had found Ingrid and arranged to work together to bring down Sting Ray. Tehama was surprised at how effectively Fillmore and Ingrid were able put together plans to bring Sting Ray down. They knew more ways to get around X than the safety Patrol, and Ingrid had the place completely mapped out in her mind thanks to her photographic memory.
Together they were probably the best Tehama had ever seen when it came to planning jobs. She was even more surprised to find out that Ingrid's sister Arial was aware of Ingrid and Fillmore's activities at the school and did nothing to stop them, citing that as long as their grades remained high she wasn't worried and that this was the happiest she had ever seen Ingrid since they moved.
Fillmore was a whole different story on the other hand. Tehama just couldn't get around how easy going he seemed with this whole situation. In less than five minutes Folsom was going to announce they fate of the entire school depending on a so-called vote where the criminal body obviously out numbered the bystanders of the school. Fillmore for his part was keeping a clear head and Tehama had a sneaking suspicion that Fillmore had cast a vote for this election.
"Hey Fillmore. Who do you think won this thing anyway?" She asked.
"Don't know Tehama. But whoever running the show after this whole mess, you me and Ingrid will still have our work cut out for us."
Tehama's response was cut off when Principal Folsom began to speak once again.
"I am proud to name the new Student Council President is…
Front Stage
… Derrick Menna."
The boy's name had barley left her lips when the auditorium was filled with a thunderous roar of approval. It seemed as though the entire school looked ready to riot at that very moment. When Menna finally took center stage the auditorium clamed down. He raised both arms in an exact imitation of Regan the crowd erupted again, except for Ingrid who rolled her eyes in disgust.
" My fellow students of X Middle School, we stand upon the dawning of a new day. With I, Derrick Menna, as your President we will experience a new since of freedom and stability at X. My first act as Student Council President is to throw out all outstanding criminal records at X, every student will have a clean slate." He waited until the roar of the crowd died down once again.
"The second act I will institute is the appointment of Tony Clementina as the new head of a crime prevention program to prevent Safety Patrol corruption. Finally I, Derrick Menna, motion for the legalization of smoit gambling throughout the school. But this motion will be discussed at a later day. So until then I, Derrick Menna, will look to all of you to help me create a new era at X Middle School."
A thunderous ovation erupted as Menna left the stage. It seemed the student body was already well on it way to become totally chaotic, which was just the way Sting Ray wanted it. 'Phase One Complete.' Ingrid thought to herself as she left her seat to meet up with Fillmore and Tehama.
X Hallway
Fillmore and Tehama waited outside the Auditorium for Ingrid, but they were also amazed at the outcome of the election. Well one of them was at least; Tehama was looking incredibly confused by the calm demeanor Fillmore had assumed. After they had left the he had taken to leaning against the wall and looking at his watch every so often.
"Just what are you so calm about Fillmore!" Tehama asked exasperatedly. " Menna just said that its open season at X. He even flat out accused us of corruption! Not to mention how he has created an entirely new law enforcement unit head by that meat-head Clementina!"
"Tehama, chill. All this means is we have to change our plans just a little bit to get the result we want." Fillmore told her still looking at his watch.
Tehama just gaped at the boy not knowing whether to simply trust him or to knock some sense into him. She was saved the choice by the timely appearance of Ingrid Third.
"Guys what are we going to do X Middle School is ground zero for the next No Mans Land, it's already started too. The Robins have already made the first move by shaking down every band member in D wing and it looks like they are not stopping any time soon."
Fillmore just nodded and waited to see what else the girls had to say. Ingrid was simply looking resigned to what was soon going to be happening. Tehama was simply looking to Fillmore who seemed to be the most controlled in this situation.
"Okay first thing we do is get our hands on that ledger to keep Sting Ray off our backs for the time being. Ingrid when does that guy want to arrange this meeting?"
"I have to ask after lunch, why?"
"As soon as you know tell him it's on whenever, wherever. Until then Tehama I want you to find out when our boy Tony is going to start his rounds."
"Got it ,but what are the going to be doing?" Tehama asked.
"After today Menna is going to start putting pressure on Vallejo. When that happens I'll be the first one they start leaning on. So when that happens I want to already have the ledger and any evidence against Ingrid and me on knock. As for Tony, let just say if Ingrid's guy doesn't step up then I'm going to take advantage of a little well known secret of Tony's." Fillmore said a smirk playing across his face.
"You're not going to really do that again are you Fillmore?" Ingrid asked smiling just as much as her boyfriend. "I'm not saying I didn't enjoy seeing a grown boy cry, but what will that accomplish?"
"Two things. First Sting Ray is bound to know that Menna won already so he'll be soaking in his first small victory. That mean his entire organization will know how to play me and Tony will more than being looking for pay back. Second it will send a clear message to Sting Ray that he picked the wrong crew to play games with."
"I just want to know one thing." Tehama cut in. "What did you two do to Tony Clementina?"
Her answer came in the form of two nearly sadistic smiles playing across her friend's faces.
Nevada Casino
Randal Julian was clearly disgusted by the celebration that he was witnessing . It seemed that the entire collection of felons that Sting Ray had assemble were beside themselves with joy at this minor gratuity they had been given.
Tony Clementina was clearly the most arrogant among them all, seeing as he was now in control of the school's law enforcement. He had already begun by reinstating his protection racket through half of the sports teams in the school, and by the looks of it he was clearly just getting started. Yet he wasn't the only one already making plans for themselves. Jimmy Nevada had been smiling since he entered his casino.
Menna had preformed perfectly when he motioned for the reopening of his casino. It fit in perfectly with the massive laundering of smoits that was soon to take place at X, and Nevada was already looking for the chance to give himself a large cut of the profit.
The Red Robins didn't need any special congratulations for their efforts. Rumor had already spread that they had begun their takeover before the election results were even announced.
The last two people who Julian studied were Sonny and Penny. Sonny was casually resting against the black jack table. The boy seemed to be studying the celebration a much as Julian himself. But the look on Sonny's face showed that he was satisfied with the outcome for some reason or another. The question however was what was he planning?
Penny Madrid was becoming a mystery all in itself recently. Her outburst about Fillmore's ability to out think his opponent was something of a shock to him. Out of all Sting Ray's supporters he believed Madrid was the strongest. If for nothing else than the chance than to spite Ingrid Third. Yes everyone who was working for Sting Ray knew about the animosity between the girls. It was a much talked about thing and even started a betting pool as to who would take the other down in the end.
"They are all idiots."
"Ah, Ms. Malika. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I just wanted some intelligent company for the moment, and Parnassus doesn't count in the slightest." The Red Robin leader stated.
"I see. But I am curious about some thing Ms. Malika. What exactly do you gain out of all of this? You already control the Robins, so it can't be power or position." Julian asked.
"Its something more personal for me Vandal, and let's just leave it at that. I was wondering if you knew where Ingrid was?" Malika said cutting off that line of questioning before it got anywhere she didn't want it to be.
"Ms. Third left shortly after the announcement of the results. I believe she is turning in her resignation to President Menna. After that I haven't the slightest idea."
Malika's response was cut off by the disembodied voice of Sting Ray filling the room.
"My comrades we have begun the second phase of this operation. Within the next month we will control this entire school and no one will be able to stop us." A cheer went up through the casino. " But you must exercise caution until we are firmly in control of the Safety Patrol. Therefore all this reckless crime will cease at once."
"Why's that? We got them belts by the balls this time." Clementina yelled out.
"And that is why we must exercise caution. If we tip our hand now we will lose what little of an advantage we have. So follow directions and all will be ours. Any questions?"
The casino fell silent for several moments while everyone cast glances at each other, most of which were thrown penny's direction.
"Ms. Madrid, do you have anything to say?"
Penny started for a moment wondering if they were being watched as well as being spoken too.
"What about Fillmore and Third?" she asked seeing as that was the only thing that could possibly put a hitch in this plan.
"Fillmore is of little consequence at this point, as long as the ledger is safely kept we have everything we need to keep him leashed. As for Ms. Third she will be joining us shortly."
As this was said Ingrid walked through the door. All eyes followed her as she took her customary place next to Randal Julian and surprisingly Malika as well.
"Ms. Third, so nice for you to join us. I trust your time with President Menna was pleasant?"
"That arrogant ass was worst than your pansy ass." Ingrid said simply.
"Ms. Third there is only so much that I will tolerate. Mr. Clementina if you will."
Ingrid sat still as to bruiser of a boy made his toward her. She had dealt with his kind several times before all brawn and very little that passed for brains. She did her very best to keep her sweetest smile on her face as he took her arm and forced it behind her back. Malika winced as Clementina continued to put pressure on Ingrid's arm. Clementina for his part was enjoying this to the fullest, remembering how Ingrid had laughed at him in their last meeting.
"That wasn't a smart thing to say Third." He added a little more pressure to her arm. "If he told me to I would have no problem breaking your shoulder."
"I'm glad that he trained his monkey well then, Tony."
Clementina scowled and moved to break her shoulder just to teach the gothic wench a lesson.
"That will be enough Mr. Clementina, she still has her uses." Sting Ray said.
Tony released Ingrid and shoved her back into her seat with more force than was necessary, and Ingrid and Malika were both sure he left muttering something about stuck-up bitches.
"I trust you have learned your place, Ms. Third." Sting Ray did not wait for a response. " Back to your question Ms. Madrid the ledger has been safely moved into the Red Robin vault which has been given to everyone present save for Ms. Third. None of you are to disclose its location to Third. That is all for this meeting we will convene again once I have need of you all."
Malika took the retirement of all the criminals took check on Ingrid. But Ingrid waved her off before she ever got the words out of her mouth.
"Malika, I know you won't tell but I'll ask anyway, where is the vault?"
"Ingrid if it was anything else I'd tell you in a heart beat, but Sting Ray is going to take over. I can't hope to go against him. I' Sorry Ingrid."
"Its okay Malika, like I said I knew you couldn't tell me." Ingrid said before turning toward Julian. " When's a good time for you to meet up with my partner?"
"I can meet him as soon as he wants, Ms Third. It will be a learning experience for all of us I'm sure."
"Thanks Vandal."
As Ingrid left she reached for her walkie.
"Fillmore we're on."
Sorry about the wait guys thing have been really hell for the last couple of weeks hopefully I'll have something new for the next chapter but it will definitely have Tehama's first Crime.
Thanks for the reviews.