The (New) Night Job Chapter 5: The Students Who Forced Him in This Mess, a night at the museum fanfic

As a note: NEVER EVER do what Larry's going to ask for his students. But then again, this is a work of fiction.

Expect other references to one other show I've been watching and have enjoyed. If you can name that show I'm going to try and pay an homage to (though it'll turn out really badly), then not only are you awesome, but I will gladly write a one-shot for this series (NaTM- if it's pairings... then you'd might want to ask. There are some I'd rather not write for reasons).

Also... yes, I did it- I freed the mummy on the first night. I have my reasons.

That- and there are a few mentioning of SPOILERS for NaTM 3 about the Tablet near the end of this chapter. Once again, you've been warned.

Chapter 5: The Students Who Forced Him in This Mess

He's barely managed to find the list that contains a list of the students' numbers as soon as he gets back (well, who can blame him? He was wiped and probably got about five to six hours' worth of sleep alone before waking up to a thought that might possibly backfire on him one day- it was an idea about the Tablet) before dialing the first number.

A few rings and then a groggy-

"Hnnmn, Porter speakin'..."

The teacher can't help but mentally groan at that response (because it does sound like how he would be while he's on break), "Hey, Porter. It's Larry-"

He winces as soon as he hears a curse, someone falling on the ground, more cursing, something that sounds like objects on the ground, then finally with bafflement, "T-TEACH!?" Then, "What the hell- how did you-"

"I asked for your numbers on the first day of class as one of the schools' requirements in case any emergency rises," Larry deadpans, shaking his head (and trying not to laugh his head off over what he just heard).

"...damn, I thought I gave the home phone number."

"And your mother was really too kind to give me your cellphone number because she was mentioning how much discipline you would need in the future," The teacher smirks, recalling how that conversation went, "So, I was wondering. Are you doing anything today?"

"Oh God- wait, is this about the finals!?" Porter sounds panicked, "Shit- I mean- ohhh man, sorry about Christmas-treeing the answers and all-"

"Whoa whoa, slow down," Larry frowns, "...this isn't about the finals, but what the heck's 'Christmas-treeing'?"

The student slighty pauses before clearing his throat, "...never mind. Okay, what do you want, Teach?"

...that kid nearly flunked his final, didn't he.

"Well, it's something I would like to ask for you to do as... a part of an extra credit," Larry knows he'll have to make sure to keep that silent from the rest of the class, "Don't worry- I'll make sure it'll be credited to your worst exam grade."

...yuuuup, most likely getting in trouble if word about what's he's going to do gets out.

"So, whatcha need, Mister Daley?"

James was more than eager to help out when he hears Larry's proposal.

Then again, this is the guy who has football, has to live through an AP Class, and basketball throughout his sophomore year (along with other classes that makes it a bit tougher for James since he's mostly honors).

And he's mentioned about how his relatives are coming to visit and he's most likely going to be bored and would rather get out of the house than entertain his relatives.

Larry wasn't going to argue the point when James did respond- though he should've realized that James would respond to his call at the first ring. Oh well.

"Well, actually," Larry checks the clock- it was about twelve in the afternoon and the conversation with Porter took about twenty minutes (the partial reason that conversation took so long was because Larry had to ask Porter what Christmas-treeing the exam meant... and on that note, Larry has a feeling he's seen too many of those on the tests he's made), "I wanted to see if you and some other students would be interested in having a meeting with me sometime today."

"Sure! I'm up for that-" The teacher arches an eyebrow at how enthusiastic the football player is sounding right now, "What time and where?"

"It's... wait, how eager are you to leave your home right now?" Larry suspiciously asks one of his students (no student would be caught dead with a teacher unless they have a reason to or their parents would want to have their child accompany them for a more private teacher to parent conference).

There was a moments' hesitation, then the student responds in a low mutter-

"...kinda to the point where I don't want to entertain my nieces and nephews and I really don't want to talk about the stupid awards I got from this football season."

"That eager, huh." Larry then glances around the cityscape before pausing, "Actually, there's a Starbucks near the AMNH." Why oh why did he decide on that location (specifically at near the vicinity of the museum Larry will probably not get (he frequents it to the point where they recognize him as a regular since he gets black coffee in the morning), "Let's say- around 1 PM?"

"All right, I'll go," Naomi agrees to it, "Guess I need a break out of the house."

"Great!"

"But what's the catch?"

Larry frowns as he hears that question.

Two of his students agreed on the spot- but the fact she's more suspicious about this makes Larry either worried or somewhat happy that there's someone who knows how part of the real world (for businesses) works.

"A catch?" Larry can't help but hum before sighing, "Well, this might require a few days of your time. I mean, if you don't accept it, I'm fine with it. It's just it's something... rather urgent."

"...that's it?" She asks.

The teacher can't help but meekly chuckle, "Actually, there is something else. But when you all show up, I think I'll let you know what I really need from all of you."

He was expecting the long heavy sigh from her before she deadpans, "...okay. I'm on the way." Then she states, "Wait- what... exactly is it that you want us to do that would take a couple of days to complete?"

James, Naomi, and Porter were staring at their teacher as if he was insane.

Larry waits for their response, nonchalantly sipping on his coffee.

It takes about a few minutes for them before Naomi and Porter stare at each other before taking a drink (rather a few gulps) from their drinks. The third student was gently turning his drink before facing Larry with some hesitation.

"So... let me see if I can get this straight," James was the first to speak, "You want us... to try to do more research about this and try to make a recreation of this for... research purposes," He gestures to the photograph, "And have it ready for you by tomorrow. Or sometime before Saturday."

Larry grins as he sees the three students stare at him as if he's grown a second head or something, "Just think of this as a thank-you for letting me have this job," The teacher grins, crossing his arms, "Do we have a deal?"

This makes Naomi, Porter, and James stares at teach other before balking back at their teacher. Then with the most suffering tone, Porter dryly asks, "Anything else you'd like to throw on us as payback for forcing this job on you?"

James then adds in, "By the way- this is winter break! I mean, I'm up for the idea since it's extra credit and all- but seriously!?"

"...well," Larry shrugs, "I'd figure it could be something to jog your brain instead of turning it into mush while you all play video games and watch television." He frowns, seeing the guys innocently look away, "At least, that's what I was hoping you all weren't planning to do."

"Ummm..."

Naomi just rolls her eyes, "If those two aren't up for it, I should be able to-"

"Okay, no," Porter turns to her, "I'm helping-"

"So am I!" James interjects, "So all three of us are helping!"

Larry chuckles, seeing the Asian girl roll her eyes at the two.

A while back when they were doing a project based on the city-states of the Greek Empire, he has paired up the three of them together just because he knows they are extreme opposites. ...how did they manage to get along so well? (He doesn't want to know, or ask, or even think about it. Porter's a possible menace, Naomi's a bit too quiet, and James is a straight-headed bullet train.)

"...seriously?" Then she looks at Larry with a slight grimace, "Really? Are you sure that's the only thing you want us to help us with?"

The teacher was about to say yes... when he stops, looking up at one of the solitary security cameras before cogs in his brain slowly turn. An idea is slowly forming in his head, something that should allow him to navigate and allow him to at least do his job on an easier level; and try to at least make sure his suspicions about those three about-to-be retirees were on the right track.

"Yeah, actually," Then he bends in to catch the interest of his three students, who look surprised at his swift change in reaction, "How would you three like to help me with a project?"

An hour or so later, Larry lets his students in his home, which was cleaned and prepared in case any mess happens in his home (in which he hopes it doesn't).

But he's seeing the amount of shopping bags and suddenly the teacher's mentally preparing for tons of trash to be taken out, having a feeling that they'll be making a mess anyway.

"We're here, Teach!"

Larry glances over at the items he's asked for his students to gather before frowning, "How do you all manage to get your hands on these things?"

"Uh," Porter smirks, "It's because we're awesome?" That earns a stare from his teacher before shaking his head, "Okay, we had to look through a lot of hobby stores and some flea markets in case they had any extra crap aside the toy stores you told us to check out." Then he lifts up a larger bag, "...then this. What do we do with this one?"

"Oh, that," The teacher gets the other bag, "I'll take that." He takes the bag from Porter, "Though later on, I'll ask for your assistance on it. The rest of the stuff, you can place it here," He taps on the dining room table, where his students immediately place the bags

"Are we getting any compensation for the money we're spending on this?" James asks, setting more stuff on the table, "I mean, aside extra credit, of course."

"We'll see," Larry hums as he rummages to see if the needed items are there. He stops at the arts and crafts bag before looking at them with questioning look, "...wire?"

"That's for the thing you asked for first," Naomi responses, "And I think from that picture, I had to get about three cans of gold spray paint along with some materials so it'll be easier to make it with."

The teacher nods, eyeing weights that are also included in the bag, "Good... okay, we're all set. And don't bother about dinner- I'm thinking pizza."

"Awesome!" Porter cheers, "Meat lovers!" Naomi shakes her head, but she has a grin as James whoops, grabbing one of the packages, "So, should we try and assemble some of these- if needed? Where do you want us to begin?"

"Yeah- actually, before that..." Larry walks over to the stereo turns it on before placing in a CD before playing it; what begins are beats similar to a song, just a bit on the flat side. "Let's begin," Larry cracks his knuckles, a day's worth of building and planning in his mind, "We got a long day ahead of us, guys."

Hit the beat

And take it to the verse, now

The first thing Larry does when he enters in the museum before clocking in for his shift (that next day) was grabbing the bone that T-Rex threw in front of him last night, rapidly typing against the most taunt string he could find in his home, "And for the fisherman's knot," Larry mutters, a smirk as he loops the strings around the top of the car to secure the bone in place.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...

"First thing," The teacher indicates to the blue motor car that James is currently opening and inspecting, "Can you find out how much weight that thing can hold?"

"On top or dragging around?" Naomi blinks, wondering why would that be vital, "I mean, I guess we can try it out- but what's the weight indicator?"

She barely manages to catch a model of a bone with weights attached to it.

"Try this," Larry then tosses her a set of strings, "It should have about 20 pounds."

"...this warrants having us to buy two motor cars?" Porter asks in confusion as he eyes the other model car, "We're... not opening this one, are we."

The teacher shakes his head before presenting the straws to his three students, who quickly take one before looking at it. Naomi and Porter have normal straws, but James stares at his; he has a red dot on the end before looking at the teacher, slowly realizing what's going to do, "Wait. Don't tell me..."

"Yup," Larry nods, "You're the one testing this."

"Great," James casts a glare as Naomi snickers, handing the weighted bone model and the string, "I can't do it here?"

The teacher indicates to the outside, in which the football player lets out a huff before gathering the motor car, grumbling about what luck possessed him to be this lucky for more work. Then he pauses as Porter and Naomi meet their teacher in the table to begin taking out the other materials from their shopping trip, "Hey, Teach?"

"Yeah?"

"What exactly are you trying to use the car for?" James knows that question is weighing on Naomi and Porter's minds as three inquiring looks meet their teacher.

Luckily, Larry knows the prepared response for that, "Oh... just something I'm planning in case I need to walk the dog."

Silence. Then-

"...huh?" Porter stares, "What dog? You don't own one!"

I love you

But I gotta stay true

My morals got me on my knees

I'm begging, please

Stop playing games

"Because the model and materials that this crap of a model car is made out of," Larry winces as James tosses the now mangled up model car on the floor (after two hours later), surprising Naomi before doing a double-take along with Porter, who was writing up their objectives at the wheeling dry-erase board Larry has taken from one of the renovated classrooms, "I'm pretty sure this car can't hold more than about a hundred and couple of pounds before there was a slight bend on the top of the car. For dragging, I'd say about thirty before the back fender snapped." He lifts up the broken piece of the model to present, "And I placed this thing on auto. It works."

"Well... that's good and all," Larry nods, still wondering what the heck happened to the car, "And the-" He lets out a small oof as the football player tosses the bone, "Wait. I made it so the max for it was twenty pounds!"

"I got some other stuff to place on top or the side, for max weight since you didn't specify what kind of weights to use," James then pauses, "Though it took a while to fill up a balloon with weights."

"...where did you get balloons?" Naomi inquires, to which James points to the arts and crafts bag, "Ah. That explains why you wanted a second bag."

"Well, and also for other reasons."

"I don't want to know what those other reasons are, so I'm ignoring that part," Larry shakes his head as he writes down that placing weights on top of the car actually works than dragging it.

"How the hell did you manage to wreck the car like that!?" Porter finally asks in alarm before James gives a sheepish grin.

"Well, maybe it doesn't help that before I tried placing in more weights on top of the car," The football player then winces, recalling what happened on his last attempt, "That is just swerved and crashed into a tree."

Porter smacks his forehead as Larry shakes with laughter.

"Are you directionally challenged or something?" Naomi witheringly mutters as she returns to sketching.

"Maybe it's a good thing we have two models."," Larry mutters before glancing over at her sketching, "How's it coming?"

"So far, so good," Naomi can't help but grin, presenting her teacher with the drawing, "I can see a few things that can help you with what I needed to do."

She presents him with a few ideas about latching a loop of keys and other important items to his belt.

"Would these work?"

Larry blinks before grinning, seeing how some of them look practical, "Well, we can try a few prototypes."

I don't know what this is, but you got me good

Just like you knew you would

I don't know what you do, but you do it well

I'm under your spell

"I also have something that you need to look up for me," Larry did his fair share of research on the items from the notebook, but knowing how history can be skewed with even the tiniest bit of inaccurate information, he presents them with the black notebook, which Naomi instantly takes before flipping at the contents and reading them carefully, "...well, I think you got the more challenging one. And I think you need it for the first one."

Naomi smirks before going back to reading the notebook.

"As usual," James rolls his eyes with Porter letting out a derisive snort, making Larry frown before handing his other two students something else.

Taking it, Porter looks to see three figures, which causes him to frown, "...er, Mister Daley? Who are they?"

"Those three men," Larry can't help but feel a bit like the mastermind of a slowly intricate plan as he points to the photos, "Are the guards who are about to retire from the jobs at the museum."

"But they're old men!" James balk as he's glances over at the sheet at Porter's side, "Cecil Fredericks, Gus Harrison, and Reginald Fields." Then he stares at his own sheet before frowning, presenting it to his teacher, "...Teach, is this a map?"

"Yeah," Larry nods, "I'll explain about that part later. It's regarding that other thing I asked for you guys to get."

"You mean the..." Naomi then peers over to the map that James shows her before she frowns, "...though I really don't get the circles on the map-"

"I think," Porter gently taps at the paper, a small knowing grin on his face as he inspects at the paper more (the one he has with the three faces that Larry's managed to pull off from the computer, which he had to admit- was crap since the passcode was super easy to get... which screams something about the security system technologically), "You want me to look these guys up."

Larry grins, glad that one of his students is on the same thinking. Naomi and James look at their teacher in surprise before glancing at Porter again.

"So remind me again," Porter grumbles, feeling like he's been through some sort of suffering, "What the hell did I do the deserve this?"

Larry rolls his eyes, "You really need to work on your language. But actually," He glances over at the line that's slowly tricking forward, "It's about these."

"...and you think I'm an expert at these," Porter deadpans, lifting one of the standard black belts, "Just because I wear these doesn't mean I'm great at telling which one's different than the other. Also- why are we buying several ones again?"

"This is in case some of the belts break off," The teacher responds (He can't help but cynically wonder if he has the strange ability to tell the future as three belts break apart while testing for several factors; the other two were later made as backups in case his main one does break apart,) as they reach up to the line to the cashier, "Hi, ma'am. How much for the belt?"

The cashier stares at Larry, who is with Porter before deadpanning, "About twenty." Then she pauses, lifting up the other four belts, "...each."

The student and teacher glance at each other before giving a mental sigh of irritation.

"Now I know I hate shopping," The goth teen mutters, taking out his wallet, "I blame my mom."

"Join the club," The teacher mentally recalls the time Erica went on multiple shopping trips for the family. To say it was eventful was an overstatement. "We're splitting the coast," Larry responds to the ire cashier, "And no, we're not paying on the same method."

Porter gives a shrug as he takes out the wads of cash.

The cashier, on the other hand, doesn't look amused before shooting them a withering glare and begins to swipe the belts on her counter.

You got me begging you for mercy

Why won't you release me?

You got me begging you for mercy

Why won't you release me?

I said release me

The next thing Larry checks before changing into his night guard clothing was to check his belt- it contains a small metallic band that's attached to the end where his keys should go... along with a thick elastic band that winds up. Testing it once more, he pulls the key loop to a certain distance before allowing it to snap back. He smirks, not feeling a single bit of recoil from it before checking the other side; his maglite attached to the other with another elastic cord (for some reason, he's too used to his walkie-talkie in his pocket like a second cellphone so he keeps that in his pocket.

"Good," He whispers to himself, preparing for battle with the monkey, "It works."

"All right, first things first," Naomi hands Larry over the first belt, which was riddled with coloful toys that resemble the loop of keys, a toy flashlight, and a plastic walkie-talkie. The three items were attached to cords of elastic bands wrapped the belt, "Elastic cord testing."

Larry winces, seeing how crudely it was put together before placing it on before glancing at Porter, "I'm really expecting you to try your best to tug on it."

"You do realize," Porter grimaces, "I'm not a pickpocket."

"Test one," James has a camera ready, "Elastic cord test 1. Recording."

Larry nods to Porter as an indicator for the other to walk to him. When the two manage to meet, Porter manages to tug on the loop of keys, which instantly forces him to jerk back before grimacing, feeling the tight tug on his belt before-

-SNAP.

"Whoa-"

BAM!

Porter instantly whirled around as his other two students look in surprise.

"You okay?" Porter quickly asks, causing Larry to wince before nodding.

"Yeah, though I'm glad for the padding," The teacher then glances over to Naomi, "Nope. I can see some problems I can help modify."

"Okay," Naomi tosses James the first set of elastic cord they got, "Reset?"

"Reset," James smirks, causing their teacher to close his eyes with a groan.

Now you think that I

Will be something on the side

But you got to understand

That I need a man

Who can take my hand, yes I do

Larry nods to some of the passing guards who are just about to leave for the day and allow Larry to take over- he hasn't seen Cecil, Gus, or Reginald and Larry's guessing that they took their last shift in the night before (the night after Larry's first night, which should mean something). Passing through the Egyptian exhibit, the teacher-now-night guard turns into the exhibit to see the stone slab still in place (he also checked to see if there are anything binding the stone to the glass case- there was none, thank God) before eyeing a slight dullish-shining item that's facing the Tablet.

At least the cameras were in a pretty discreet place. He's passed by other exhibits earlier and for once, he can't but admire that they were pretty well disguised.

"You all must be the ones who are going to clean the exhibits," McPhee nods to the people who are going to reset the exhibits with their monthly visit on that morning (earlier in the day), "I expect them all to be spot on and clean. Let me know when you're done."

A quiet series of mutterings (and grumblings) were heard as the employees as they scattered to their respectable areas. One such person, on the other hand, has a pouch that wasn't filled with just cleaning tools. He then glances over to another employee before muttering, "Just to be clear- this is the last day for some resetting?"

"Yeah," The other man grunts before glancing warily at the inquiring person, "...I'm surprised you decide to help out, given that your parents have some sort of connection with the company."

James can't help but warily grin- though his hands are on the series of small video cameras that were hidden in the pouch, "Yeah... I'm amazed they allow me to do this." Well, for extra money, it was fine, but he was there for another reason.

Though honestly, he'd have to make his job discreet as possible so that the chances of him getting caught were slim (or hopefully to none).

"Let me get this straight," James was baffled at what his teacher is proposing to him, "You want me... to find a way into the museum with... those," By those, he means the mini video cameras that they found in another store near the hardware ones, "And install them despite the fact that I'm really curious about the lack of batteries-"

"Oh, I took care of that," Porter quips up, "Batteries are in."

Larry shoots a glance at Porter, but he nods for James to continue, who just stares at the lanky teen before resuming.

"...right, forget that. But basically, you want me to install those cameras where you circled on the map?" James holds up the sheet of paper that Larry handed him earlier, "And by that, you mean by tomorrow."

"It's when the exhibits are being cleaned and it's closed for the day," Larry is just relieved to have gotten the notice from other employees, "And they were asking for volunteers to help out."

"And I'm guess I'm to report tomorrow?" The football teen mutters.

"Well... yeah, but it's also because I say your name on it," Larry frowns, wanting some sort of explanation from one of his students, which James' shoulder sags in resignation.

"My parents are one of the few patrons to the Museum, so they asked if I was interested in helping." James grimaces, "They also told me it was a part of the 'real world experience'. I just think they want me out for the day since I was just playing video games as soon as I got back home."

"So," Larry pauses, "Are you up for it?"

James stares at the map with the small red circles and dots before sighing... heavily, "What else do you think I'll be needing to get through tomorrow?" Then he frowns, "...Wait, can you help me explain where's the best place to put these cameras?"

"Oh," Larry grins, handing a small bag to James, "I already took care of making some holders for them. So it should be easy to place in."

"...how come you aren't an inventor?"

The one place James understands where his teacher would be really insistent on placing some of the more discreet cameras was where the valuables were. Frowning, he gently takes out the gold with white gloves while dusting the case. After seeing one of the men indicate the place is good and for James to take over the finishing touches, the teen manages to place the camera where he knows even the best eye won't be able to notice a camera; it was a white box that cleverly hid the camera as he replaces the empty white cardboard box (the one that props one of the necklaces) with the one that has the active camera.

Though why would his teacher would want the camera place in this specific area?

Larry makes the check on carrying his tablet laptop (he manages to sneak it in his coat to make sure nobody knows he carrying a valuable piece of equipment) that Don gave to him as a thank you gift (or rather, something the other guy gives him as a continuing peace offering for some reason Larry can't even comprehend for the life of him) when he stands in front of the displays, the program with the cameras active.

He sees himself in front of the camera, where the other two exhibits were placed. On the screen next to the one he's currently looking at, there stood the display next to the one he's standing in front of.

James had actually did a good job making the cameras really discreet.

Good. He quickly lets the laptop go to sleep for a bit by shutting the screen before moving on.

I don't know what this is, but you got me good

Just like you knew you would

I don't know what you do, but you do it well

I'm under your spell

"I did my research on those three you asked for, Mister Daley," Porter hands his teacher the sheets of paper before cracking his knuckles, "To be honest, looking up records are a lot more difficult than I gave credit for."

He should be glad James wasn't asking about what he was doing- said guy was in the museum for his first half of the day for the job as forced upon by his parents (and his teacher).

"You do realize," Naomi is making up prototype five for the experimental belts as she latches something onto one of the makeshift holes in the belt (Larry's suggestion was to place in some reinforcements for the bands), "That we're probably breaking part of the law for looking up information about certain people."

"Eh, I have my ways to divert that," Porter grins a bit mischievously as Larry reads through the pieces of papers, "So?"

"This is the only time," Larry mutters, "That I'll ask you for doing something this... ridiculous."

"What can I say?" The teen shrugs, "I mean- it didn't take that long to hack into the museum database after I got the info I needed."

That gains not one, but two withering stares from his teacher and Naomi.

"...what?"

Thursday was usually Porter's least favorite time of the week.

He's somehow forced to get into the museum with his folks after running a few tests with his two other classmates and his teacher- then his parents call and say they're going to the museum for the rest of the day and because it's family time, he's coming along with no objections (though that call came in two hours in after James wrecked one of the car models and they were up to prototype two for the belt).

Then there's a stupid family dinner and... argghh Porter isn't looking forward to it (he's trying to weasel his way out, but the chances of that are slim).

But at the moment he realizes which museum they were heading to, for once, Porter can't help but look forward to it. When he passes the main lobby with his family while he can hear his younger sister ask about the giant T-Rex skeleton, he makes a mention that he wants to see something upstairs in the exhibits on the third floor.

"Sure," His father pauses in a low voice, "Just make sure your cellphone's on."

"Got it," Porter grumbles in a bored voice before walking away, making sure his cellphone's on a silent setting to the stairs to head upstairs. When he reaches the top, though, he sees his family disappearing into the hearts of the museum: the exhibits that were on special. He quickly makes his way back downstairs before reaching to the hall where he sees Theodore Roosevelt on the horse before making his way towards where he would guess the security offices were before rapidly walking down the other end of the museum.

He sees someone on the way carrying various files; he can barely hear the musings of the person, but it was about how the main staff changed the passcodes to the electronic files in the museum.

Porter smirks, knowing he's hit a semi-jackpot (despite him knowing his teacher and practically everyone else will probably disapprove of his methods).

You got me begging you for mercy

Why won't you release me?

You got me begging you for mercy

Why won't you release me?

I said you'd better release me

Yeah, yeah, yeah

"Did you just create some sort of chaos or some sort of distraction just so you can get your hands on these?" Larry can't help but mentally ask if one of his students would get charged for causing a minor dismeanor (the answer to that is yes and Larry can't help but groan at the thought of seeing one of his students in jail).

"Eh, nope," Porter shrugs, "I mean, for one, it was pretty simple, getting just a few names of some of the people that work here."

Naomi frowns, now onto a new project that she's been working on since the day before, "You just ran into that poor employee, didn't you?"

"I am so sorry!" Porter feigns panic and being apologetic, but after so many years of causing trouble (and grief) for his past teachers, it's simple for him to make some sort of commotion, "I didn't see you on the way and I don't know why, but I think I lost my way around here ohhh man..."

"It's all right, calm down..." The employee tightens her lips before pausing, "Do you want me to ask the security for you to help find your parents?" Then she sees the mess of papers on the floor before sighing, "Shoot-"

"Do you want me to help?" Porter quickly asks, in which the frantic woman nods as she runs towards where the farthest paper flew off to. In a quick and perfected manner, the teen swiftly takes out his cellphone and quickly takes a few photos of the paper that contained several passcodes and usernames before slipping his cellphone back in his pocket and begins to pick up the paper, the one he took a picture of on top just so he can memorize the username in case his computer failed on him.

"Oh, I am so clumsy..." The woman murmurs to herself before Porter hands her the paper, "Thank you, young man."

"You're welcome," Porter nods, a shaky smile on his face, "And- I think I'll be able to find them on my own- don't worry."

"Okay, are you sure?"

He nods to the woman again for reassurance.

It was only when she walks off with the files that Porter can't help but sigh in relief, glad at not being caught before running back upstairs to the floor he's mentioned to his parents he was being at.

I'm begging you for mercy

(You look at me and think we're the same kind

'Cause you don't know what I got and)

Just why won't you release me?

"Though I did manage to delete traces of that on both my phone and computer," Porter reassures his stressing teacher, "Just in case."

"I think you'd be better off being a hacker instead of a doctor like you mentioned," Larry grumbles, wondering if he's been teaching a villain this entire time instead of a typical teenager before glancing, "You sure?"

"Yeah," Porter nods, "And besides, the person's account I actually used is in a meeting."

And again, he gets the questioning stares.

"I just checked the schedule before I got in," The teen grins.

Larry smacks his head against the papers in his hand, "...remind me to shred these papers up after I'm done reading them."

-00000-

What Larry read was... a bit more information than he needed, but he's seriously wondering about what this means for him if he decides to use those information against them.

He did trust Cecil- really, he did. Reginald... well, looking at that past of his, he's a redeeming type. Gus, though- his temper really needs to cool down.

But their past might've been something that Larry realizes could've been a major red flag on day one of their employment (more specifically, Gus's. Reginald just seems to be having the past of something gone slowly wrong and then he became this way before cleaning up his act- that Larry had to admire).

That and-

-he glances over at again at the paper that supposedly connects Cecil to an old newspaper article that was listed from the 1930's, his eyes scanning it over and over again before thinning his mouth.

Maybe... this is why Cecil Fredericks decided to get the job.

Larry's hoping Naomi can help him shed more light on it.

(I'm gonna get more than I'm asking for

But I just don't want to waste my time)

I'm begging you for mercy

(You know that I'll be the other girl

Just like there's nothing in this world)

"Reset," James can't help but sigh as belt prototype number six was marked as a failure... again, "And we were so close too!"

Larry groans, sitting up as Porter helps him, "I'm starting to think my body's not up for this."

"Hmn, we're missing something," Naomi looks over at the belt that's up for next test before looking at the designs... and at the belts again before looking over at Porter's belt, "...hey, Porter?"

"Yeah?" The other teen was obviously not listening as he helps his teacher up, who can't help but wince, "Something up?"

"Can I borrow one of your keychains?"

Now that earns a stare from Porter before glancing over at his keychains... before frowning, "...which one do you want?" From that, he presents the sets of keychains. The trouble was- there are probably ten of them. Larry can't help but wonder how the hell this skinny kid was able to carry it all on his wrist.

Naomi eyes the keychain that has the retractable cord as her eyes spark with an idea, "...the one on the middle."

"A really quick way to begin a fire and set it out by itself?" Porter blinks before shaking his head, "Nuh uh. I'm definitely not helping you with that."

"It's not like I'm going to set fire to the entire room," Larry wants to make sure it's... manageable enough (luckily for him, Naomi wasn't there yet- she had to finish something before coming to the place and James was still busy with his project), "Just a small amount."

"Teach," Porter stares hilariously at his teacher, "Even I know - and I'm a student for fuck's sake-" He knows his teacher will tell him about language again, "That trying to begin a fire's a stupid idea."

Larry closes his eyes before sighing, already regretting where he's going with this, "...just show it to me, in case I need for emergencies."

"...just for emergencies?"

(At times, Larry have to ask if he's doing something stupid at certain times- like now.)

"I swear." The teacher grims it- whatever happens, he knows he'll take the blame for a burning smell, at least, "Emergency use only."

Porter gives his teacher a wary stare before sighing, "All right. It's electronically done though, so it's timed..."

You got me begging

(I know that I'm gonna get me some

I just don't know where to get it from)

The next thing Larry does prior to going for his desk was to pass by the Egyptian Exhibit (after taking care of some things in the mini hall- while trying not to earn McPhee's ire) again, this time with a bundled package in his hand. Grimacing, Larry glances up towards the Tablet... before looking down at the item in his hand.

"I might need some height for this," He grumbles before going out to get the ladder.

"Here you go!"

Larry receives something a bit heavy before opening the bundle of cloth thrown into his arms; it was what he initially asks for- the duplicate of a certain golden Tablet at the museum. All intricate and pretty detailed to a point- he knows that there are very small room of error when it comes to the worn down parts (it's a really old artifact) since he can still feel the slightly grainy texture from the material used for the duplicate, "...wow. Nice work."

"Thanks," Naomi nods as she begins tinkering on the belt with Porter handing her some tools to help, "It took all night, you know."

"That's impressive," Larry looks at how the smaller slabs can turn and sees the signs that were slightly raised, "How long did it really take you?"

"All night."

The teacher chuckles, flipping the tablet to the back to check out the signs... before his eyes land on the bottom of the tablet. It was prevalent to someone who has really sharp eyes, but there was writing on a darker shade of gold that reads DO NOT TAKE. THIS IS A DUPLICATE.

(Despite people who can't tell from the real tablet to the duplicate, it's just him, his son, his students, and perhaps six others knew before Larry finally told McPhee about the duplicate. And the reasons why were validated (to everyone) to Larry.)

"So, did it really take you three cans of gold to get the correct color?" Larry asks, seeing how brilliantly gold it was.

"Yup," This time, Porter responds before handing Naomi a tool, "I had to help place in the finishing touches this morning after she showed up."

"And this is accurate."

"...yup."

"...did you know it was actually twenty-four karats of gold on it?"

"Mn hmm," Naomi and Porter were too concentrated in their other project at the moment.

"Okay..." Larry blinks, finally seeing what his two other students were doing, "...so, I saw a pink elephant float riding through New York last night. It was wearing a ninja suit."

"Eh, at least it didn't pierce through," Porter muses as he hands another tool to Naomi.

Naomi places the final touches on the belt, "Sounds awesome."

Larry frowns, setting down the Tablet (gently) at his desk, "...okay, what are you and Porter doing?"

"Finishing up the last..." She tosses her teacher, "...belt."

"And did a few tweaks to it too," Porter smirks, tapping on the metal bands, "You'll see. Last test!"

"...again?" Larry warily asks, but he wears the belt; he hopes it works, "And you all do realize there wasn't a pink elephant ninja float last night."

"Oh, we know," Naomi smirks as their teacher hilariously stares at the two of them, "I think you should know how much we love screwing with your head."

"...I can tell," Larry narrows his eyes, glaring at his snickering students.

The door opens and James walks in, looking a bit exhausted before he grins, "Yo."

"So?" Larry asks, hoping for news before James tosses him the pouch that contained the cameras. Lifting it, the teacher blinks before walking towards his desk and activating the software... before grinning, seeing the hidden cameras active and ready as they see tourists and attractors (it's strange that there are few people coming in), "Nice job, James."

The football player grins before glancing over at the other two classmates, who are calmly ready for James to get into position, "Another belt test?"

Larry's small triumphant smile whiplashes into a groan, really not up for another belt test, "Let's hope this is the last one."

It took some convincing from some of the employees (who actually have some idea as to why he wants to do this) and promising not to tell the curator or his bosses (or Cecil, Gus, or Reginald, even) before replacing the Tablet with the other.

After wrapping the Tablet around with the cloth provided for him, Larry glances over at the stone slab on the sarcophagus... and an idea formulates on his mind before calling the same group of guys over to help him with one last thing before they leave for the night.

He still feels the pins to the glass case in his pocket, but he doesn't bother taking it out.

It wasn't until twenty minutes later (and still before six) that after his help manages to place the stone away on the side of the door close to the Anubis guards (as to why, Larry just explains that it's something... of a surprise, to which the response of that were just confusing stares) that he writes a message for the person in the coffin. It was a bit slow, but he manages to memorize the signs a couple of hours before (to himself) placing the note in the sarcophagus since he knows the pharaoh will read it (and hope to GOD Ahkmenrah will understand since this is his botched version of the writing).

'Keep the Tablet safe.'

Mercy, why won't you release me?

I'm begging you for mercy

Why won't you release me?

You got me begging you for mercy, yeah

"All right," James holds the camera ready as Larry and Porter get into position; Naomi having a stopwatch on her, "Testing belt design seven."

"Begin," The only girl calls out, pressing on the stopwatch.

Larry mentally groans, not even wanting a part of this as he walks to Porter, who by now, has the routine memorized and smoothly walks up to him and snatches his keys.

This time, Larry can feel a slight whirr noise as he walks until he stops at the area where Porter walks up to-

"WHOA!"

BAM.

This time, it was Porter that fell on the ground, but this time, he looks at the belt in shock before giving a small grin. Larry then sees the modification that makes him realize what his students were testing for: the elasticity of the cord- it was bit thicker than the ones he's seen from the retractable keychains. Then he sees why the keychain didn't snap from the case- it was reinforced with some metal case that surrounds it. There was another end that has a similar metal clipping, only it has a larger metal ring attached to it- for his maglite, maybe.

(When he does place it on the maglite later, he can't help but wonder how his students know the type of tools he uses for his job).

"Shit," He can hear James mutter in surprise before glancing at Naomi, "You made that thing shorter than normal."

"To make up for the strength," She grins, "So?"

"I had to grip on that stupid thing to make sure I had my hold on it," Porter lets out a wary laugh as Larry slowly walks back up before the grunge-looking student lets go of the plastic keys, "Damn. That hurts. Not even a clever monkey can try to pry it out of this one."

"Yes!" Larry sighs in relief as his three students whoop in happiness and relief.

He can't help but feel proud for his three brightest students (that were from his AP World History class).

(And later that night, he can't help but smirk at how Dexter is ire about how he wasn't able to get ahold of anything from that belt. Ah, the lovely thing called physics.)

I'm begging you for mercy (Mercy, mercy, show me some mercy)

I'm begging you for mercy (Show me some mercy, show me some mercy)

Why won't you release me?

Yeah, yeah, break it down

"Cheers!"

Four exhausted dull 'clanks' were heard before they all drink down their root beer (on Larry, of course; he'll have to buy another set for tomorrow).

"I can't believe we did all of that for two days," Naomi murmurs as she relishes in the cold drink (despite it being winter and cold; it was a bit warm in the room), "I think I nearly pulled an all-nighter for making that model."

"At least you didn't have to wait for the other people to stop asking if you were done cleaning," James chuckles before taking a swing from his root beer, "By the way, I checked before I left- it seems as if there wasn't a camera anywhere."

"That's the beauty of hidden cameras," Larry grins before hearing his cellphone ring. Pausing it, he gets the phone out with the interest of his students glancing over to see it was his ex-wife, "...hang on. And don't you dare say anything- I also have work tonight."

"Oh, why would we say anything since you're still getting calls from your ex-wife?" Porter innocently asks.

Larry glares at the other student before answering, "Hello?"

"Larry, hey. I think for Saturday morning I might have to drop Nick off later in the afternoon."

He blinks and was about to ask if she was messing around with the agreement when she cuts in, "I got something come up in my workplace and a client needs my help. Don's going to let Nick go for soccer practice and then to hockey since they're within the vicinity to where he and I are going to do later."

"Okay...?" The teacher frowns, "Are you trying to violate-"

"Oh, no! I'm not going outside the boundaries of the arrangement," Erica pauses, "It's just I didn't get this notice until a couple of minutes ago. Don't worry, Nick knows about it."

"Thanks for letting me know," Larry lets out a silent huff, leaning back on his chair, "What time should I expect Nicky to show up?"

"Around two."

"Ah, okay," So maybe that'll give Larry some time to clean when he wakes up from his second night from the job. But the fact that Nicky will be late makes Larry a bit slighted, but it's something that's happened a couple of times from both sides, "So, anything else that's going on?"

"Well, actually," Erica pauses, "How's the new job coming along?"

What he would love to say is that the night guard job is chaotic to no end, the museum actually comes to life from the help of a golden Tablet, he's met several exhibits who are coming to life and half of them try to murder him, and now he's trying to help a pharaoh who has been trapped in the sarcophagus for about fifty-years and has a mild case (...understatement?) of social-anxiety so Larry's trying to get him out of the room (but can't because he's the only one who can talk to the pharaoh since he's the one who freed him on the very first night of employment).

So... instead he settles for, "It's fine. Pretty calm, quiet."

He doesn't see Porter whisper to his other two classmates, "In what night job would require you to walk the dog with a motor car? And use a belt that can keep the keys at hand while installing secret cameras!? That isn't calm and quiet!"

Naomi and James just shrug, both equally confused.

"That's good to hear," Erica then pauses before laughing, "Actually, Larry, Nick wants to speak to you."

"He does?"

"Well- here-" Then there was a shuffle and then-

"Hi Dad!"

"Hey Nicky!" Larry brightens up, catching his students' attention at the mentioning of his son, "How's it going?"

"Not bad! Mom said you got a new job?"

Larry stops, wondering what the heck does his mother say to him when his son does ask about how his job's going. Before he can say anything though, he hears his son cheer, "And it's at the American Museum of Natural History- that's awesome! I've been wanting to go there soooo bad! You've been there a couple of times- you said so yourself that it looks really awesome!"

"I... I guess I am working at the museum now," The teacher is surprised- he thought Nick would sound slighted at the thought about him not teaching as much.

"Can you take me there one day?"

...huh?

The thought of taking his son to his shift where everything comes to life at night- okay, that worries him to the point in which he's sure his son would not want to come back, "...are you sure you want to-"

"Pleeeeeeeeeeease? I wanna go so badly!"

It wasn't until he feels a tap on his shoulder that he turns and sees Naomi lift up her sketchbook, but the handwriting wasn't hers- it was from Porter and James (and from Naomi) and it was a message: Maybe? (Porter) Definitely. He seems to like it (James) It might be a good idea... (Naomi)

He smiles, feeling a bit elated that despite it was their idea to give him the job, they are encouraging him to do something for his son.

"We'll see," Larry chuckles as he glances at his three students, "...if all goes well, I might take you to the museum tomorrow, Nicky."

"You will!?" Nick beams from the other side, "It's awesome- you work at a museum now!"

His father can't help but feel a smile creeping on his tired face- he's not only staying to help decipher and figure out the deal with that pharaoh's mummy in the Egyptian exhibit.

It's for Nick.

Mercy, show me some mercy

You got me begging

Begging you for mercy

You got me begging

Larry situates himself at the security desk, mentally listing off the preparations he's done as he looks at the watch ticks away to six-thirty.

Security cameras active and in place in discreet locations? Check.

Motor car with bone attached and remote ready? Check.

Belt secure with the needed attachment secure? Check.

Mini gum wad? ...yeah, check (he winces at how disgusting that was.)

Pathway prepared to the door to those two annoying mammals? Definitely a check.

Duplicate ready and kept hidden just in case things do go horrendously wrong? Check.

Making sure that stupid train is off the tracks along with ANY other weapons on the diorama room? Check (he does NOT want a repeat of that again. He has a bottle of aspirin, just in case).

...despite his bad feeling about this, the settings for a fire ready for the Neanderthals? ...yeah, check.

The note for Ahkmenrah written? Check.

Ready and secure for the worst-case scenario for a night that should go right? ...yeah, check.

Hopefully, things go smoothly in the museum tonight.

"One last thing, Mister Daley," Naomi then looks concerned as she hands her teacher the black notebook since she was the last of the group to clean up and leave his place, "I thought you should know about this, but that Tablet- It says that the power comes from the moon god Khonsu."

"I've already read it, but it's worth mentioning to me again," Larry keeps that in mind as he looks at the notebooked page where it has the last few inscriptions on it before pocketting it, "I think I caught the moon inscription, but... I think that clarifies it." He nods, "I'll definitely use that as the starting point. If I need more help with the inscriptions, I'll let you know."

"Okay," But he doesn't see her moving a step. Instead, there was a concerned expression on her face as she thinks about something.

(Sometime later in the fast-forward of a week later, this conversation sticks to his mind and it doesn't stop bothering him until he gets it solved.)

"...all right," Larry sighs, sitting down on his seat, "What's wrong?"

Naomi grimaces, "...there's more." She sits at the chair she was at earlier before taking out several sheets of paper, "Porter told me about one of the men he's researching. And I saw his name... I think you should look at this."

Down on my knees, I beg

You got me begging

Begging you for mercy

You got me begging...

Larry can't help but think (darkly) that he wishes he wasn't confirming his already dreading suspicions. He gives a heavy sigh before facing up at his student- well, at this point, she's the only one that knows why he's doing all of this (or at least, has a broad idea. He doesn't tell her about the exhibits coming to life though- which was one thing he's sure nobody should know).

It does make the most amount of sense... which makes this even worse on his end.

"Do me a favor," Larry quietly tells his student, "This stays in the room. Don't tell anyone- not even Porter or James."

Naomi nods, "Got it." Then she pauses, "What about Nicky?"

"I don't want him to know what I'm going to do," Larry places his forehead against his hand, "But know this; don't repeat what I'm about to do- don't be stupidly brave and be a hero like what I'm going to do."

"But your job-"

"I know. I might lose it. Along with the one I have." Then with a strained smile, "Despite the trouble it got you, Porter, and James to get it for me."

"...what are you going to tell Nicky?"

Larry pauses before sighing, closing his eyes, "I think I'll let him know the real reason. If he asks." Then he frowns, "What I'm about to do- tell me, as someone younger than me, am I doing something really stupid?"

"...I don't think it's stupid, just dangerous." she finally responds, "But...as student to teacher, you're one of the best teachers we had." Then she thins her lips, a worried look on her face, "Be careful."

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

Those two words will cement him for the rest of his nights to come.

TBC

Just to clear up all of the confusion you all are left with, I'll make this short in summary: Larry gets his students' help and the 'projects' lasts for a miraculous two days before his second day in work.

So, by now, you might have noticed I've left out Rebecca. Don't worry- she'll be appearing soon. Just in a different context and time.

By the way, (and I am not going to kid you), there was an actual Tablet PC design in 2006. It looks bulky though for the time, so I shouldn't be surprised.

Preview of next chapter:

"...I can't believe," Larry mutters before feeling his headache coming up again, "I am going to deal with two little idiots before I check up on the mummy."

And then that's when he sees Octavius and Jedediah freeze, hearing Larry mutter the last two words, "...okay, what. That's the fourth time I see that reaction when I say that-"

"The fourth time?" The cowboy echoes, clearly in confusion.

The teacher stares, "First one was from Teddy. Second one was when I wrote it out to Sacagawea, Lewis, and Clark. Third one, and I'm not going to kid you, it was from Attila the freaking Hun. They all look pretty terrified- well, the Huns were about to kill me again when Attila said something. Not sure what it is." Then he blinks before hanging his head, knowing that this was the one thing all of the exhibits seem terrified about, "Okay. What's going on here? Whenever I mention something in regarding to that mummy in that Egyptian room, you all look like you don't want to meet him."

For once, there was (perhaps) the most uncomfortable silence as even the clattering of the dioramas slowly come into a halt, even the Mayans (surprisingly) look a bit terrified.

Then Octavius lets out a heavy grimace before sitting on Larry's hand, testily saying, "You really have no idea what those... guards- if they are to be worthy of being one- did or said about the mummy, do you, my liege?"

"By that," Larry frowns, a feeling telling him where this direction is heading, "You mean Cecil."

This time Jedediah tips his hat, "Yeeeah. That's... the other issue. Those guards are plotting somethin'."

That, Larry notes, was something he has been dreading to hear ever since he's been hired at the museum.