Senior Prank (9781620957295) (5 page)

The bell rang and it was onto Mr. Potts' history class. The target for this class was ROTC student Charles Torgan. Torgan was gung ho USA, had already enlisted in the Army upon graduation, and was the assistant commander of the school's ROTC program. His nickname was Patton, mostly because of his methods with the younger military program underclassmen. He constantly talked about nuking Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and any other country that messed with Americans.

Elvis knew that getting Patton to take the potion wouldn't be easy. First, he was unlikely to cooperate. Second he sat in the front of the class. Third he had to make sure nobody saw the exchange. So, as class started he devised a plan.

For the first 30 minutes of class, there would be a movie about the Americans fighting in Okinawa during World War II. Then the class would discuss the movie and battle. So Elvis came up with a plan he was unsure would work but their only chance.

With two minutes left in the movie, Jose ‘accidentally' tripped over the cord to the movie player causing it to be disconnected. Then while all was dark, Elvis placed the bottle under Patton's nose and made sure he got a whiff. He did it but wasn't sure it worked. The lights came back on and the movie continued, ending shortly after that. Then it was time to wait.

Mr. Potts asked, “Well what do you think?” He looked directly at Patton, knowing he'd get the ball rolling.

“I don't understand why men want to kill each other,” Torgan said softly. “It's sad to think that civilized people behave in such a manner. I don't believe in war. I'm for peace and love. Sad was all those Japanese citizens committing suicide,” he concluded, referring to the estimated 10,000 inhabitants of Saipan that jumped to their death once it was apparent the Americans would win.

This time the entire class sat in silence. They couldn't believe that Patton had voiced such opinions. Some figured he was being sarcastic, while others thought he was just being funny. Nobody, even Mr. Potts, took him seriously considering his gung ho attitude.

“Mr. Torgan that doesn't sound like you,” Mr. Potts offered. “If you understand that this really was Japan's last stand you'd realize they were fighting until the end. The rain, terrain and determination of the Japanese fighters made it hell on earth. Over 12,000 Americans died on that tiny island of Okinawa.”

“We should just let things be,” answered Patton. “I see no reason to kill others. We should just turn the other cheek. We waste lots of money on our military complex.”

The discussion moved to other classmates and most praised the heroism of the American forces. Then about 10 minutes later Patton, the real one, spoke up.

“We should have blown the crap out of those Japs,” Patton said, this time singing a completely different tune. “They got what they deserved. Those who died were real American heroes. The motto should be don't mess with the US.”

“That sounds like the Mr. Torgan I know,” said Mr. Potts. The real of the class nodded in agreement, thinking Patton had just been playing games.

Elvis and Lamont knew the real deal. They had proof their mixture works. Now came the real planning. They had to make sure they were secretive and committed to the plan. The first step was to find out the complete plans for the governor's visit. It was less than two weeks away. He'd have to use his inside sources to gain access to that information.

As the bell rang and class dismissed Mr. Potts called Lamont up to his desk.

“Remember if you want to join the track team we have practices Tuesday and Thursday right after school,” said Mr. Potts. “Come on out and let's see what you can do. Just remember the rules.”

“I'll be there tomorrow,” Lamont assured Mr. Potts.

With that he left the room and met up with Jose and Elvis, who were standing in the hall, now convinced of the power of their secret formula.

“I talked to Potts about track and he said come on out,” Lamont told Jose.

“You're really going to join the track team, aren't you?” Jose asked of Lamont.

Then Lamont told Jose they tested the potion on Patton and it worked, turning him into a peacenik instead of the war monger all knew him to be.

“This potion really works,” said Lamont. “Looks like we got a winner.”

“This is can't miss,” Elvis interjected. “Now we got to figure out how to use it.”

“Man, if I go with both of you on this plan, it could backfire on all of us,” said Jose. “I'd hate to see things if it doesn't work. We all could pay big time. But I'm in it to win it.”

“Let's meet at our out of school spot tonight at 6 and we can discuss it,” said Elvis. “Lamont remember you have to pick up Jose. We need to be out of there by 6:45 cause my band has practice at 7.”

With that the friends fist bumped, and headed off to their next class, confident that they were on track for a senior prank to remember.

Jose and Lamont joined Elvis near the fountain in the local mall. It's where they went to get away from the rigors of education, although very often they ran into other school mates there. They would sit on the benches for hours and discuss everything from school to girls, their futures, and current events.

Elvis often hung out at the mall with a junior at the school, Priscilla Barnes. Priscilla was a good looking blonde who liked Elvis, especially his musical ability. She was always listening to her iPod and went to many concerts. She worked at the mall as a part-time sales clerk in order to afford her musical habit. Elvis went with her to a few concerts. They were good friends, and neither had designs on a long term romantic relationship. It was simply two birds of a feather, flying together.

“After today I think we have our item if we want to give the school a senior prank to remember,” Elvis started the conversation. “That mixture seems to change a person's personality to the opposite of what he is for a period of about 10 minutes. Best thing is they seem to forget it all and don't realize how they are acting.

“This is a prime opportunity boys,” he continued. “If we can figure a way to deliver the potion without anyone knowing we got it made. Remember when the governor comes there will be tons of news media there and we can have a blast watching it all develop. It could really big news.”

“Ya, but the there's the risk of getting caught or someone snitching,” chimed in Lamont. “I want to run track; it may be the only way I can get to college. We've got too much to lose. The plan's got to be air tight.”

“My old man will kick the crap out of me if something happens,” offered Jose. “I'm getting my car in less than two weeks and one of the agreements is I can't get into any trouble and I have to keep a C average in school.”

“What's really important is that we learn the governor's schedule for his visit,” said Elvis. “Once we find out what he's going to do we can plan how to carry out our idea. We need a way to deliver the potion without anyone knowing. We can't just ask them to take a whiff or it will be obvious what happened.”

Just then a woman walked by with a small electric fan. It was blowing a mist from the holder into her face. “That's it,” said Elvis, pointing to the lady. “First problem solved. Now we can go to work on the others. But first, I want a commitment you're both in by tomorrow. Remember it doesn't matter who does stuff we're going to get blamed anyway. Might as well have fun with it.”

Then the boys parted, each going his own way for the evening.

As Elvis drove away he tried to remember some of the top pranks the senior class had done at the school. He wanted to make sure the one they were to do would outdo them all. Among the notable pranks were the drawing a large penis and testicle display in paint on the football field; filling a classroom full of Dixie Cups, post it notes and balloons; setting alarm clocks in every classroom in the school for 11 a.m; sending a note home on school letterhead announcing free condoms for the prom, and the mother of all pranks, putting marijuana muffins in the faculty lunchroom.

The latter prank resulted in a police investigation and arrest and expulsion of two seniors. Even Elvis thought that might have crossed the line, despite the fact many teachers asked for the recipe for the muffins.

They reconvened at the flagpole in the morning. Looks like all three were in and committed to the plan. Now it was time to get to work on getting the governor's itinerary. It was being kept quiet to prevent all disruptions. Winston wanted to see a day for his school to shine and earn the title of All American school. It would not only bring prestige, but a $1,500 bonus as well.

Elvis and Jose went to work. They knew that one of the school's secretaries, Ms. Joan Wright, had a habit of leaving important papers exposed on her desk. In the past, the usual pattern was a student would steal the items, copy them and return them to her desk. One student stole a copy of the state endorsed reading test, copied the pages, and returned it the same hour. His score went from a 54 to a 90 out of a possible 100. Two of his friends went up 35 points each, allowing them to meet the graduation mark of 70.

The plan for getting that information rested with a third party. A junior named Catalina Gonzalez, one of Ms. Wright's student assistants, had the hots for Jose. She wanted badly to be his girlfriend, but her extra 40 pounds, wasn't something Jose wanted to be seen in public with. After all, rumors may start.

“Catalina, I need a favor from you,” Jose pleaded. “When you see the copy of the governor's plan for his school visit, let me know. You can't let anyone else know though. If I get a copy I'll think about getting together.” He knew it was a lie, but with the visit less than two weeks away, you do what you have to do to get what you have to get.

Two days later Catalina came through. It spelled out the details of the visit in a note to all the school administrators, county school board members, and the upper management of the school district.

“You're sure nobody knows?” Jose asked. “Got to be kept on the down low.”

“Positive,” answered Catalina. “Now when can we get together?”

“Someday, someday,” said Jose.

It was lunchtime that same day when Jose came into the lunch room, smiling and with a bounce in his step. “I got it boys,” he said to Elvis and Lamont. “Now it's time to plan.” He carried it in a book to avoid suspicion.

The memo spelled the visit in detail. It read:

Itinerary for Governor Montoya's Visit, October 15

9:15 a.m. - Arrival at main entrance. Greeted by pep band.

School band plays National Anthem, school chorus sings alma mater.

Then to media center, meet with school board members, administrators, and upper district personnel.

9:50 a.m. – Press conference.

10:15 a.m. – Meets with National Honor Society in school auditorium.

11:00 a.m. – Attends Ms. Heron's Honors English class and joins in discussion of
The Scarlett Letter
.

11:45 a.m. – Goes to football locker room and meets with coaches, team.

12:20 p.m. - Lunch in cafeteria.

1:00 p.m. – Departure.

1:45 p.m. – School press conference, media center with principal and board members.

One of the last paragraphs read “This information is strictly private and not to be disclosed to the public. Please respect the privacy of the governor's visit.”

While inspecting the note, Lamont called attention to an incident that was happening a few tables away. Two of the school's thugs were picking on a third youngster, insisting he give them cash and some of his food. The youngster looked scared and wanted to avoid harm. He handed over his two slices of pizza.

Elvis told Jose and Lamont to follow him. As they neared the table where the shakedown had taken place, Elvis approached the two thugs who were walking away with the pizza.

“Fellows, you need to give that back to the kid,” Elvis stated. “He didn't do anything to you. I saw you take it, now give it back.”

“Elvest, or whatever your name is, stay out of this,” one of the thugs answered, “or else you'll be wearing this pizza on your face.”

“First, the name is Elvis. Second, it's called stealing. Third is the kid doesn't deserve it. Someone's got to stand up to what's wrong. You know you're wrong.”

It looked as though we might have an old western stand off, but after a few seconds, one of the thugs said,”It ain't worth it. Here's your pizza, kid. Now let's go elsewhere.” He handed the pizza to Elvis. The other thug followed tossing his slice at Elvis who caught it with both hands.

Elvis returned the pizza to the shakedown victim. A few of the students nearby clapped. They knew of Elvis's reputation for mischief, but often saw the other side. He knew right from wrong, the limitations, and how to handle almost any situation. Although bullying was ignored by many students, Elvis always stood up for those being bullied.

Once a bully took a swing at Elvis when Elvis did an intervention. The bully missed and Elvis tackled him before a teacher came to the situation. The bully was suspended, but when students that witnessed the incident stood up for Elvis, he wasn't punished.

Interestingly, the cafeteria was a place of action. If one ever wants to see the real high school, sit in the cafeteria during lunch time. First, everyone complains of the food, but because it's free to most students, it is consumed. About 40 per-cent of the school's enrollment was qualified for the free lunches as a result of family income but somehow almost 75 per-cent of the students received them.

It was well known that since the administrators did not check on the validity of income that people often lied on the application in order to qualify their children for the freebies. The school benefitted because the more students in the lower income areas, the more the federal government paid to the school. The more the school received from the feds, the less it had to obtain from local taxpayers. School districts love money; the more the merrier. School systems never have enough money.