Senior Prank (9781620957295) by Tom Bunevich Read Free Book Online Page A

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.
    â€œCatalina, 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.
    â€œYou’re sure nobody knows?” Jose asked. “Got to be kept on the down low.”
    â€œPositive,” answered Catalina. “Now when can we get together?”
    â€œSomeday, 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