December 5th 1941
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Johnny Evans walked out of school this Friday afternoon confused. The thought that someone might have vandalized principal Block's car to help him seemed possible. But who would care enough about Johnny to do that? Then the answer came to him in an unexpected manner. Eugene, the kid who borrowed money from him last month and still hadn't payed him back, Eugene came up to Johnny and began speaking to him.
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Eugene: Everything okay with principal Brock?
Johnny: I guess. He still blames me for, well anything. But he can't kick me out without proof. But I honestly have no idea who wrote "Remember Pearl Harbor" all over his car.
Eugene: Yeah, that would be me.
Johnny: You? Why?
Eugene: Figured if I kept you from getting expelled, maybe you'd be more reasonable about my repayment of the loan.
Johnny: Yeah, I'm sorry about that. It's just that when people borrow money and don't repay what they owe, I lost my temper.
Eugene: Apology accepted. But let me ask you, did you actually set fire to the gym?
Johnny: No, it was just a couple of girls smoking, and they didn't put them out right. I gave that girl my word I wouldn't rat her out. Brock would have just blamed me either way.
Eugene: I believe you. What about putting that phrase in wet cement?
Johnny: That I'll admit, to you. I also wrote it all over Brock's record book. Guy's a creep, just assumes certain people are always bad. I had some people in juvie who tried to reach me. But Brock, he just seems to see me as an ex con who will always be a crook.
Eugene: Remember last year, we had two negro students, and they both dropped out?
Johnny: Yeah, I heard they had to drop out to help their families.
Eugene: That might have been part of it, but Brock did all he could to make their life here hell until they left. This year, he focused on you because you've been to reform school. I get why you don't like Brock, but what does "Remember Pearl Harbor" even mean?
Johnny: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Eugene: Try me.
Johnny: I had this really vivid dream last night. There was this beautiful beach, and navy ships. But then, it looked to be early morning, these planes come in and start dropping bombs. They looked like they must have been nazies or from Japan. People getting blown up, drowning in the water. And I kept hearing "Pearl Harbor." I woke up just before sunrise, and I felt the need to warn people. So I came to school, and saw the wet cement. Maybe writing in the record book was overkill, but like I said, brock is a creep.
Eugene: I can understand the dream.
Johnny: You think it's some kind of premonition?
Eugene: It's possible, but unlikely. News about the war in Europe is in all the papers and newsreels, we're all nervous about being at war with Germany and/or Japan. Truth is it will probably happen before the end of the school year.
Johnny: You think I should try to call Franklin Roosevelt?
Eugene: I'm sure that the president has his best military advisors preparing and trying to figure out where the axis armies will strike. On the off chance it is someplace called Pearl Harbor, maybe you should keep quiet. No offense but they're not going to listen to some random teenager, but after they might wonder if you're an axis agent.
Johnny: Brock would probably think that about me. If we were at war though, I'd enlist.
Eugene: Sure that's a good idea, given your temper? Marine drill sergeants aren't exactly known for coddling their recruits.
Johnny: I see your point, but at leat in the army I could focus my anger on people who deserve it, like the nazies.
Eugene: That's a good point. And I'll try to get the rest of the money within the week.
Johnny: Thanks, you're all right.
Eugene: You're all right too.