Cyler heard a knock at the window behind him. He ignored it at first, and kept watching the costume contest.

Tap tap tap!

Confused, Cyler looked around at the windows. The windows were 7 feet up in the air. Convinced that no one was knocking on them, he turned his attention to the contest once more.

Tap tap tap! "Psst! Hey, Cyler!"

Turning around, Cyler looked up into the window, and saw Paco's face peeking in. His voice was muffled by the closed window.

"How did you get up..."

"Sssshhhh!!! Hold on! You got the music?"

Cyler simply nodded.

"Ok, when you're ready. We'll wait for it."

Cyler turned around, and walked away. He tried to be careful not to be seen. Finally, he found a boom box, hidden behind a table. Pulling a tape out of his pocket, he brought the radio and cassette over to another friend, standing in the corner. They exchanged some words, then Cyler returned to the group.

The crowd cheered, as the two boys, dressed like Lenny and Squiggy, walked away. Their costumes, although not all that elaborate, had received the highest scores of the night.

"That's just cause they did a skit, Mr. H!" Cyler complained, as they walked off. "I mean, come on. They've got nothing! Nothing but a leather jacket and some hair gel!"

Ralph looked at Cyler and smiled.

"Well, we could do a little skit, too? Maybe get Han Solo to open fire, that sort of thing." Ralph fiddled with his light saber, and was sad that it didn't really light up.

"Nah, Mr. H. We'd have to prepare something. We got nothing."

Ralph turned around to his class and all his friends who joined them, and called them together. They all gathered near Harlan and Ira, who were seated on folding chairs near the wall.

"Well, listen up, guys!" Ralph said "In a few minutes, we're going to be called up to show off our costumes. If you want to, we can do a little skit. You know, role play? It may help us win the first prize."

The students and Pam all began to chatter among themselves, excited by the idea. Bill, Harlan and Ira, on the other hand, were a little nervous.

"Uh, kid, I hate to break it to you," Bill called over to his partner. "This ain't gonna work."

Ralph turned around, then agreed.

What we should do is just let me, Mrs. Hinkley, and maybe Rhonda and Cyler take the lead. You know, we can be the main players. That way, we don't mess things up."

Rhonda, starting to get stiff, asked the obvious question. "Well, what are YOU going to say?"

Ralph, tugging at his red suit underneath his Jedi costume, simply replied "Well, I'll just use the force. Don't worry. It'll be great!"

As they chatted about the possible role play, Mr. Knight tapped and blew on the microphone.

"And now, Ralph Hinkley's class!"

The group let out a wild cheer, excited to perform. A few of the students, dressed as Jedi, took out their light sabers and did a mock fight as they rest gathered together. Han Solo, Yoda, and Obi-Wan walked together, a bit slower and a few steps behind the rest. Cyler, in Lando's outfit, stayed behind, and slowly walked over to the entrance, where he had left his portable stereo.

Ralph, in the center of the group, decided to take the lead.

"Rebel alliance!" he began, trying to act the part. "I wanted to bring you here today to tell you about the force."

As if on cue, Cyler pressed play. Blaring from the other end of the gym, Darth Vader's theme echoed throughout the room. All eyes turned to the entrance, as a figure in black walked in. Following behind, on a chain, was an exceptionally tall, and exceptionally furry, figure. As the two approached the group, Cyler joined them, and followed them in.

The crowd roared, as they cheered and applauded.

"Chewy!!!"

"Vader!!!"

The math nerds in the Rubik's Cubes, standing in the back, began a chant.

"Free the Wookie! Free the Wookie!"

Another group began to sing along with the music, which immediately drew more and more people in.

"Dum dum dum, dumdedum, dumdedum...!!"

As Darth Vader approached Ralph, the crowd applauded more. The furry character began to growl and flailed his arms in the air.

From underneath the dark helmet, an amplified voice began to speak through heavy breathing.

"Goooood! The entire Rebel Alliance is here!"

Ralph, with a big smile on his face, was delighted to see two more characters join in. He wasn't sure who they were, however, since their faces were both covered. He decided, however, that this would be a good opportunity to continue with his skit.

"Darth Vader! Who are you??" Ralph asked, hands on his hips.

The amplifier coming from under the helmet continued to project heavy breathing.

"Vader! I ask again!" Ralph insisted. "Who are you??"

"I am your father..."

With that, a thunderous roar of cheers, laughs, and applause filled the room, echoing through the hallways. Ralph waited for the applause to die down.

"Vader! You are not my father!!" Ralph continued, improvising.

"I AM your father...Indeed, the force is strong with this one, but not his memory..."

Again, the crowd began to laugh and applaud.

"Vader, I will ask one more time. Who are you?" Before the figure in black could answer, Ralph gently pulled at his red suit with his left hand, and extended his right hand out, as if trying to use the force. Instead, using his telekinetic powers, Darth Vader's helmet slowly began to lift up off of the figures head.

The entire gymnasium froze in silence, aside from the Vader theme music, still pounding in the background. The helmet lifted off and hovered inches above Vader's head.

In shock, the seven and a half foot Wookie lost its balance, and tumbled to the ground. Metal stilts clanked as they hit the ground, still inside the furry costume.

Everyone was silent, except Bill, who was not surprised by his partner's powers. Instead, he was more surprised at the revelation of Vader's true identity.

"Villicana??? What are you doing here??"

Ralph rushed up to Vader, and grabbed the helmet that was floating above. He looked at Tony, patted him on the shoulder, and softly whispered "Hey Tony. Glad to see you back in school." Typically Tony would have offered a reply, but he was still too stunned.

Ralph finally turned to the audience, and, as if the entire scene had been scripted, said in a loud voice "And may the force be with all of you!"

He took a bow.

Maybe it was magic. Maybe it was the force. Either way, it was beyond explanation. After a moment or two, the crowd suspended belief and let out a grand and glorious cheer for Ralph Hinkley and his group. Cyler and a few others helped the Wookie back get back on his elevated feet.

Bill walked up to Ralph from behind, and put an arm around his shoulder. Still smiling, he added, through grit teeth, "You just couldn't help yourself, could you?"

Ralph, bowing for his students, colleagues, and guests, just smiled.

–continued–