Manning Residence - Monday morning
Stewart Manning was not looking forward to this conversation, but the matter concerning his daughter had to be dealt with.
He sat down and punched in the number for Principal Randall.
Principal RandallRandall let the phone go unanswered until the last second of the last ring, at which point she picked it up gingerly, with her fingertips, and held it just barely away from her ear.
"If you're calling to tell me your kid didn't do it, don't waste your breath," she said in a voice that was basically a verbal sneer.
Stewart ManningMr. Manning was patient, to a certain degree. He was ready to hang up the phone when she answered.
"Excuse me? Principal Randall, correct?"
Principal Randall"Yes, that's me." She didn't really have to add 'unfortunately' out loud; it was pretty obvious. Then, with a sigh, she asked, "If it's not about a teenager's guilt, what is it?"
Stewart ManningIt was a good thing Meg wasn't coming back to this school.
"This is Stewart Manning, and I'm calling to inform you that my daughter, Meg Manning, will not be returning to school, there at Milieux."
Principal RandalWell, one less teenaged brat skulking about certainly wasn't a bad thing. Merry Christmas indeed.
Funny how Randall was suddenly a lot cheerier now.
"Really?" she practically crooned. "Well, that's . . . unexpected. I'll make a note of it in the records. Is there something you wanted me to tell her friends?"
Because mmmm, the potential for inflicting mass trauma on students.
Stewart ManningMr. Manning frowned, not that this oddly irritating woman could see it.
"Meg was in a car accident yesterday afternoon, Ms. Randall. She's still unconscious, entirely unresponsive. I'm sure you will think of something to tell her friends."
Principal RandallNo, Randall didn't cackle gleefully. Out loud, anyway. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said, not entirely without sincerity since you couldn't give detention to an unconscious student. "I'll make an announcement."
Stewart Manning"Thank you," he said, his tone crisp, but tinged with a weariness he wouldn't touch upon.
"Would you see to her belongings, please? They can be shipped to the address you have on file for her. At my expense, of course."
Principal RandallShe'd have to have Mesogog send some Tyrannodrones for this, maybe. Oooh, that would be fun.
"Of course," said Randall, and wasn't it kind of creepy how her mood just seemed to get better and better as this conversation went on?
Stewart Manning"I will compensate you for the trouble," he replied.
"I believe that is all unless there is anything you need to tell me regarding my daughter?"
Principal Randall"Could? Plenty. Need to? Not particularly," Randall said airily. She wasn't worried about the compensation; Tyrannodrones existed for unpaid labor, anyway. Or, well, students.
Stewart ManningStewart paused. Could?
He decided he wouldn't touch that. Meg would have nothing more to do with this place.
"Good day, Ms. Randall." He hung up.
[Preplayed with the wonderful cyborgnatrix!]
He sat down and punched in the number for Principal Randall.
Principal RandallRandall let the phone go unanswered until the last second of the last ring, at which point she picked it up gingerly, with her fingertips, and held it just barely away from her ear.
"If you're calling to tell me your kid didn't do it, don't waste your breath," she said in a voice that was basically a verbal sneer.
Stewart ManningMr. Manning was patient, to a certain degree. He was ready to hang up the phone when she answered.
"Excuse me? Principal Randall, correct?"
Principal Randall"Yes, that's me." She didn't really have to add 'unfortunately' out loud; it was pretty obvious. Then, with a sigh, she asked, "If it's not about a teenager's guilt, what is it?"
Stewart ManningIt was a good thing Meg wasn't coming back to this school.
"This is Stewart Manning, and I'm calling to inform you that my daughter, Meg Manning, will not be returning to school, there at Milieux."
Principal RandalWell, one less teenaged brat skulking about certainly wasn't a bad thing. Merry Christmas indeed.
Funny how Randall was suddenly a lot cheerier now.
"Really?" she practically crooned. "Well, that's . . . unexpected. I'll make a note of it in the records. Is there something you wanted me to tell her friends?"
Because mmmm, the potential for inflicting mass trauma on students.
Stewart ManningMr. Manning frowned, not that this oddly irritating woman could see it.
"Meg was in a car accident yesterday afternoon, Ms. Randall. She's still unconscious, entirely unresponsive. I'm sure you will think of something to tell her friends."
Principal RandallNo, Randall didn't cackle gleefully. Out loud, anyway. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said, not entirely without sincerity since you couldn't give detention to an unconscious student. "I'll make an announcement."
Stewart Manning"Thank you," he said, his tone crisp, but tinged with a weariness he wouldn't touch upon.
"Would you see to her belongings, please? They can be shipped to the address you have on file for her. At my expense, of course."
Principal RandallShe'd have to have Mesogog send some Tyrannodrones for this, maybe. Oooh, that would be fun.
"Of course," said Randall, and wasn't it kind of creepy how her mood just seemed to get better and better as this conversation went on?
Stewart Manning"I will compensate you for the trouble," he replied.
"I believe that is all unless there is anything you need to tell me regarding my daughter?"
Principal Randall"Could? Plenty. Need to? Not particularly," Randall said airily. She wasn't worried about the compensation; Tyrannodrones existed for unpaid labor, anyway. Or, well, students.
Stewart ManningStewart paused. Could?
He decided he wouldn't touch that. Meg would have nothing more to do with this place.
"Good day, Ms. Randall." He hung up.
[Preplayed with the wonderful cyborgnatrix!]