Storymania - Q by Don F Vaccarino

Q (4)
Don F Vaccarino

The boys ask Manferd if he knew if Ferris was taking Miss Floozy to dinner tonight.
“It’s not Miss Floozy,” says Manferd. “She is on the committee to help with the decorations,” he continues. “By the way”, he adds while standing back up. “Your first duties are clean up work in the auditorium tonight at 7:30 PM.”
After school, the boys listen to the afternoon telephone conversations on the way home in the Bentley. His date tonight is with Miss Peabody. She lives in the house next to Miss Peal.
“He must be trying to use her for something,” says Art. “She is rather plain for Ferris to be dating her,” he continues.
“Yea,” says Fergy. “Miss Floozy may not be brilliant, but she is nice to look at,” he continues.
“No,” says Art. “Ferris has something in mind all right,” Art concludes.
“I would like to be the fly on the wall,” says Q.
“You will be,” says Art.
The boys head to the restaurant immediately. After a few friendly words, and a couple of one pound notes make it to the pocket of the head waiter, Art returns to the Bentley.
“How hard is it to turn that thing on and off?” Art asks Q.
“Just push this button,” answers Q. “One push turns it on, the next push turns it off.”
“Great,” says Art.
The boys head inside and attach the device under the bench seat of Ferris’ favorite booth. Next they ran the microphone wire to the lamp just over the table. The switch was mounted just under the bench. Q showed the waiter how to turn it on and off.
“No problem,” says the waiter.
“We will be back around 9:30 PM to collect this,” says Art. “Then you can collect a couple more of these.”
Art holds up two more one pound notes. The boys head home for dinner and to study till 7:30 PM. The finals are only six days away!
They have gone all the way through their books, and started over again. This time they go over their weaker subjects first. At 7:25 Art picks the boys up in the Bentley. While cleaning up the auditorium, Art makes friends with Miss Floozy. They are cleaning the folding chairs. She acts dumber than she is on purpose.
“It makes men feel more at ease around me if they think they are more intelligent,” she says. “It is hardest to do that around Mr. Ferris,” she continues. “He just thinks he is intelligent. He expects me to believe he is helping Mr. Hobs work on his final exam tonight. I know he has a date for dinner with another woman,” she finishes.
“Is that so,” Art inquires.
“I had a hard time getting him to go home the other night,” she says. “I practically had to beg to get this job in the first place. He thinks I owe him something for doing what I was trained to do. I just wish he would go away,” she concludes.
“Q needs our help,” says Fergy to Art.
“On my way,” says Art.
Art explains to Q, Manferd and Fergy about the plight of Miss. Floozy. Mr. Ferris is using his position to his advantage over the teachers. “Ferris told Miss Floozy he was helping Mr. Hobs with his exam tonight,” says Art.
“He told us it was done over a week ago,” says Q.
“Right,” says Manferd. “I will help you guys with Ferris, if Q will help the track team,” says Manferd.
“I have some good ideas for them,” says Q. “I will explain them to you on our way to the restaurant tonight,” says Q.
“Restaurant?” asks Manferd.
“We will explain later,” says Art.
“Now grab a corner, ”says Q.
The boys move all the lunch tables to form straight rows to make the auditorium look like a dinner restaurant with the dance floor in front of the stage.
“Are we serving food this year?” asks Fergy.
“Some of the parents and teachers are bringing food for a buffet,” says Manferd.
“I can get Aunt Millie to bake cookies,” says Art. “She all ready is,” answers Manferd.
“He is too organized,” says Fergy.
The boys have the tables all in place by 9:30.
“You boys did a fine job,” says Miss Floozy. “You can go now, and we will finish up,” she continues.
“Thanks Miss Floozy,” says Art.
The four boys head to the restaurant. When they are only a few blocks away, they see Ferris heading back home with Miss Peabody. He is busy trying to impress her and he doesn’t see the Bentley.
“Perfect timing,” says Art.
Q and he enter the restaurant and collect the recorder. As Q rewinds the wire his battery dies.
“Well we won’t hear this tonight,” Q says.
“I have some new batteries at home,” says Art. “We will head there now.”
On the way to Art’s, Q tells Manferd about his ideas for the track team.
“First, they need to do their exercise runs with some extra weight on their shoes. Second they need some soft support in their running shoes to lesson the fatigue. I read about what vitamins they need to increase short term energy. Lastly, they can swallow a little sugar water about five minutes before the start of the races. The long distance runners will need to take a small drink about half way through the race to increase their finishing energy.”
Those are wonderful ideas,” says Manferd. “We will start the training with the weights tomorrow,” he says.
“I will supply some vitamin and energy drinks for you tomorrow afternoon,” says Q.
The boys can’t get the batteries into the recorder fast enough. Q rewinds the rest of the wire, and begins to play it back. After a few minutes of chitchat, Ferris gets to the point of the dinner. Miss Peabody wants to be the new librarian, the old one is retiring this year. Ferris wants to get Q and Art in big trouble. Ferris wants her to have the school board president over her house, then with a fake license plate on his Stuts Bearcat, have him see it in front of Miss Peal’s house. She was then to say ‘those boys are always over there.’
“What a lame idea,” says Art.
“Besides,” says Q. “We thought of it first.”
“When does he plan to do this?” asks Manferd.
“He didn’t say,” says Art.
“We will find out tomorrow,” says Q.
He was planing to put the recorder back in Fergy’s locker in the morning.
Art took everyone home. Manferd lived the farthest away, so he was last. Manferd had a good idea.
“When you know when this is supposed happen, I will get my father to borrow your car, and have the school board presidents wife with him and mom,” he says.
“That will work out great,” says Art.
“If you know the exact time, they can be picking up the board president from Miss Peabody’s house,” says Manferd.
“Manferd, you are a genius,” says Art.
“Just between you and me,” says Manferd. “My father has a strong distaste for Ferris too. Several highly qualified teachers have refused to teach here because of him,” Manferd continues.
“Then Q and I are not alone in our quest to dispose of Ferris,” says Art.
“To a degree,” says Manferd. “We will do nothing dishonest or deceitful,” he continues. “Picking up a friend in a borrowed car is neither,” he finishes.

Chapter Four

The next morning Art explains Manferd’s position to Q and Fergy on the way to school. Q connects the recorder back up in Fergy’s locker.
“Well, back to the grind,” says Fergy.
They all head for class. During their morning free time, Q and Manferd visit the home economics cooking room. Q mixes up a collection of fruit and vegetable juices, along with some maple syrup and powdered sugar. “This tastes good,” says Manferd.
“Save some for the track team,” says Q. “They should have a small glass of this four times a day, and a half hour before the track meet,” Q continues.
Q mixes up some fresh lemon and powdered sugar in a small glass. “This stuff will give them a quick burst of energy about five minutes after drinking,” says Q.
“Now for the practice weights,” Q goes on.
Q takes out a pair of knee socks. He ties a knot about fifteen centimeters form the toe end. Then he pours in about a pound of jelly beans. After that, he ties another knot about fifteen centimeters from the open end of the sock.
“Place your foot up on this chair,” Q tells Manferd.
Q then wraps the sock around Manferd’s ankle a couple of times, then ties it there.
“How does that feel?” asks Q.
“It’s okay,” says Manferd.
Q makes another one and they tie it to Manferd’s other ankle.
“Now you can wear those all day to build up your leg muscles,” Q says.
“What a terrific idea,” says Manferd. “We will put these on the whole team today,” he finishes.
“After a couple of days,” says Q, “You can add more weight to them.” Manferd shakes Q’s hand.
“Thank-you,” says Manferd. “The only thing that might not be ethical is the drink during the race,” Manferd says. “I will check it out, the rest of this help is just wonderful. Just let me know how I can help with Ferris,” Manferd concludes.
At lunch time, the boys check out the recorder. After listening through the earphone a while Art speaks first.
“There is some good stuff here,” he says.
Q puts a new wire on the recorder.
“We will have to give this a lot of attention later,” Art says of the recording.
They lock it up in the Bentley, and go to lunch. While walking through the hallway, Art and Fergy notice the entire track team with baggy ankles. “Q was here,” says Art.
“What is that for?” asks Fergy.
“Those are conditioning weights,” answers Q. “Every step they take builds extra strength in their legs,” he continues.
“That will help with the endurance too,” adds Art.
“I hope it give us just enough edge to beat Dover this year,” Manferd interjects. “I am sorry we didn’t start this back last September,” Manferd concludes.
Q and Art wait around Fergy’s locker after school. They know he takes an extra couple of minutes to get cleaned up after his last class. It is automotive mechanics, and he gets his hands really dirty.
“Did you guys wait long?” asks Fergy.
“Only a minute,” answers Art.
When they are sure no one is looking, they slip the recorder into Q’s brief case. On the way back to the Bentley, Art notices Fergy is wearing the extra weights on his ankles too.
“It’s a little late to join the track team Fergy,” Art says.
“Oh, I just want to build them up a little for tennis this summer,” Fergy answers. “Manferd had some extra ones, and let me have them.”
Once in the car they load the morning wire back in the recorder. Art was right, this is just what the boys need to fix Ferris but good!
The second conversation was with Miss Peal.
“You do not have to mention names, or give descriptions,” says Ferris. “Just say those boys come around here all the time. You can even say you chase them away because they are just boys, even if they do have plenty of money.”
“If the word gets around, then it might keep some of the younger customers away,” she complains.
“Listen,” says Ferris, “I send you plenty of customers, and spend a lot there myself. Now I want a little help back in return. You know the bobby on duty at that time of night is one of your steady customers, he won’t cause any trouble.”
“All right,” says Miss Peal. “I better get a big tip for this though,” she concludes.
“Don’t worry,” says Ferris. “I will take good care of you on this one.” They disconnect.
Art calls Manferd on the Autophone before they even get to Art’s barn. “I have to stay and time the track team,” says Manferd.
“Than we will come to you,” says Art.
The boys meet Manferd on the track, and play that telephone call back for him.
“This is all ill gotten information,” says Manferd.
“Still,” says Art, “We are being set up.”
“We will play this for my father,” says Manferd.
“We will do whatever he says,” says Q.
Manferd heads back to the track.
“I will be done in a few minutes,” he says. “Then we will go to see my father at his office.”
Manferd’s father worked for the government. He never discussed anything about his work with anyone, not even his wife or son. They did live well though.
Manferd’s father has an office in the same building as the bank. There were accounts and oculists and other similar types of business’s in that building. His assistant, Mr. Moneypenny, met with us in the outer office. “Good afternoon gentleman,’ he greeted us. “What can I do for you today?” he asked.
“We would like to see my father,” says Manferd.
“I think we can arrange for that if you can wait a few minutes,” he replied.
Mr. Moneypenny went into Manferd’s fathers office. A moment later he returned.
“You may go in now,” he announced.
Manferd’s father was dressed in a suit with his hands folded seated at his desk.
“What can I do for you young fellows?” he asks.
“I would like you to listen to this device father,” Manferd tells his father.
“Okay,” he answers.
Q plays back the telephone conversation of Ferris and Miss Peal. After hearing the entire plan, in Mr. Ferris’s own words, he looked Manferd in the eye and asked what we would like him to do about this situation.
“Sir,” Manferd began, “We would like you to borrow Art’s automobile and pick up the school board president from Miss Peabody’s house at precisely 7:45 PM this Friday evening. If possible could you bring his wife and mother with you?”
“It sounds to me like a great opportunity to test drive a Stuts Bearcat,” he responds. “Just make sure the auto is at our house with enough petrol in it by 7:00 PM. Be sure to block my auto in the drive, so I will have to use the Stuts Bearcat please.”
“Thank-you sir,” they all responded.
Art dropped Manferd home first, then he took Q and Fergy home to study some more before dinner. After dinner they all met back at Art’s house to study together. They took turns asking each other questions they thought would be on the finals. After an hour of that, they needed a break. Art took them for a ride to the ice cream parlor. On the way there, they saw Ferris’s Bearcat in the back of Miss Peabody’s drive way.
“There are no light’s on inside,” says Fergy.
Art picks up the Autophone and asks Aunt Nina to ring Miss Peabody for him.
“Sorry, there is no answer,” she says.
“I thought so,” says Art. “Thanks for trying,” he says.
“Why didn’t she answer the telephone?” asks Fergy.
“She is not home,” answers Q.
“Ferris is at Miss Peal’s house,” says Art. “I have seen his car there before. He parks at Miss Peabody’s house to hide his car from view. We would not have seen it if we didn’t look on purpose,” Art concludes.
“He must be a regular there,” says Q. “That is why Miss Peal was willing to lie for him,” Q concludes.
“Where does he get all the money?” asks Fergy.
“Manferd told me Ferris inherited a great deal of money from his father quite some time ago. He only wanted the principal job to gain control over people,” says Q.
“He owns the apartment building he lives in,” says Art. “He can spend every pound he makes, and never run out of money,” Art concludes.
“It is obvious he wants to discredit us,” says Q.
“He knows we want him out of that job,” agrees Art.
“He wants to make an example of us to anyone else who try’s to displace him,” says Q.
“We better keep the recorder on his telephone tomorrow,” says Art. “In case he makes any changes in his plans.”
“Good idea,” says Q.
The boys head home to sleep after the ice cream snack.
Friday morning, the boys hook the recorder back up to Ferris’s telephone. Miss Floozy was asking the school secretary for a transcript of her work record.
“Why do you need that Miss Floozy?” Art asks.
“I am tired of putting up with Ferris,” she answers. “There are plenty of teaching jobs around here. I don’t have any ties in this town anyway,” she continues.
“The students will be losing a great French teacher,” says Art.
“I do love the children, but Ferris threatens to fire you if you don’t do things his way,” she continues. “Ferris wanted me to change Q and your French grades before the transcripts are sent to the colleges you want to attend. Then change them back afterward. Hoping that the seats would be taken before they get your correct grades. He wanted Mr. Hobs to do the same thing. He refused too. Mr. Hobs and I went to the board president with that, and he said there was nothing he could do about it, we had no proof.” “Thank-you for your honesty,” says Q. “Please don’t be in a hurry to leave here,” Q continues.
“If Ferris stays, I go,” she says as she leaves the room.
“I sure hope things go well tonight,” says Art.
“Yes,” says Q. “We can’t afford to lose teachers like her and Mr. Hobs.”
“He worked with me after school for two months to help me with geometry,” says Fergy. “I would never had a chance at the Rolls Royce training school without him,” he finishes.
“We can’t let Ferris alienate all the good teachers in this school,” says Q. “One way or another we have to get him out of here,” he continues.
The boys head for their class rooms. The track team is still wearing the foot weights. Manferd has them wear double the weight until lunch time today. The meet is after school today, and Manferd wants them to rest up in the afternoon.
At lunch time, Q and Fergy replace the wire in the recorder, the morning wire was near the end. In the lunch room, Manferd was passing out vitamin drinks to all the track team members. Then he collected up the foot weights. Most of the guys wanted them back to use all summer.
“The rules committee says we can’t serve drinks during the race,” Manferd tells Q. “They can have some right up until they are called to the starting line,” he finishes.
“How were the trial times yesterday?” Q asks.
“Everyone was just a little better. They complained of being a little tired from the weights. They wore them right up until the practice, that is why they are taking them off at lunch today,” Manferd continues.
Looking around the auditorium, Manferd likes what he see’s.
“You fellows did a splendid job on the prom decorations,” he says. “Thank-you Manferd,” they all answer.
“I hope you fellows have a good time,” he continues.
“I don’t have a date yet,” says Q.
“I am sorry Q,” says Art. “I forgot to tell you. You are taking Sally!” “How do I rate the prettiest girl in the entire school?” Q asks.

Go to part: 1 2 3 4 5 6