The Paperboys Club by Mobashar Qureshi

Author:Mobashar Qureshi [Qureshi, Mobashar]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2010-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

***

In the afternoon, Mr. Smith had them organize the classroom. Tonight was parent-teacher night.

He had them lay out assignments on desks, place projects on walls, and even label which seats they sat on.

After class Maryann hurried up the stairs and down the hall.

Thomas and Christopher were waiting for her.

Together they went to him.

He had his locker open and was putting stuff away.

The hallway was busy with students rushing home.

He slammed the door and turned.

They were gathered around him.

“What do you want?” he said.

Maryann said, “We’re sorry.”

Galen’s eyes narrowed. “I’m in trouble because of you,” he snapped.

“We know and we feel bad.”

He looked at Thomas, who lowered his eyes, and then at Christopher, who nodded.

“Really?” he said, not believing them.

“Yes.”

His voice suddenly took on an air of authority. “You are all traitors. You are in counsel with the enemy. In other countries, you would be shot, hanged and stoned.”

They glanced at one another, not sure of what to say.

“I was betrayed.” His finger rose up, pointing to the ceiling. “You are slaves and they are the masters. I was fighting for your freedom.”

Thomas gave Maryann an are-you-serious look.

“I was Caesar and you were my Brutus.”

Who? They were confused.

“As your leader I wanted greatness. I wanted the best—for all of you.” He spread his arms like a king over his kingdom, but the hallway was empty. “What you three did is unforgivable. I will probably not make it to the end of the school year. They would rather have me locked in a dungeon with the keys thrown away. Thank goodness for human rights and Amnesty International. My punishment has just begun. My sentence: hard labour with no chance of parole. But I will not be defeated. Like Gandhi, Mandela, and Batman, my spirit will live on.”

Thomas gave Maryann a this-was-a-bad-idea look. Even Christopher was not sure anymore.

Maryann ignored them and said, “We want to help you with your… uh, sentence.”

“You do?” Galen said, surprised.

“We do?” Both Thomas and Christopher were shocked as well.

“We do.”

“So you have seen the light?”

Maryann wasn’t sure what he meant but said, “Yes.”

With his voice a whisper and his eyes narrowed, he said, “This is perfect. I can start building my own army in my battle with the evil forces.”

Thomas had had enough. “I’m going home.”

“Yeah, me too,” Christopher replied.

“No, wait.” Galen put his hands up.

Maryann faced him. “Do you want our help or not?”

“Yes. Please.”

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