Yes. And Ms. Naylor clarifies matters

Valerie storms out of the office, slamming the door behind her. Ms. Naylor looks at the door for a moment, then turns to you, gesturing you to a chair.

"Have a seat Mr. Carter. Quite an eventful arrival you've had."

"Very pleased to meet you Ms. Naylor, and very pleased to be here," you say with as you sit down. Now that the excitement is over you see that she's younger than you had first thought, somewhere in her mid thirties, but doing her best to dress and look austere and authoritarian.

"I'm sure," she replies. "Well let's not waste time. The students will arrive tomorrow, although a few of them are already here. Monday there will be orientation meetings for students, sorted by grade. Here is the schedule. Classes begin on Tuesday. Here is your classroom, and schedule of classes. You will be housed in Faculty cottage 4. You will share it with another Faculty member. A man of course. Here is a map of the campus grounds. Do you have a vehicle?"

"No Ma'am"

"Should you acquire one, there is a parking stall at your cottage. Any questions so far?"

"It all seems straightforward so far."

"There will be a staff meeting tomorrow evening in the Faculty lounge. Seven o'clock. Precisely. Understood?"

"Yes Ma'am," you pause, returning her stern gaze. "Have I done something to irritate you Ma'am? We seem to have got off on the wrong foot."

She looks at you without expression for a moment then takes a deep breath as though to steady herself.

"Mr. Carter, if you find my attitude curt, you are correct. It has nothing to do with what just happened. I am not in agreement with the decision to bring men into the faculty. The board of regents may believe that male teachers will have a positive influence, but I disagree. I suspect the presence of men will lead to some unhealthy and inappropriate behaviour among the more wilful students. I think we saw a bit of that just now.

"I see."

"Do you? I hope you do. I trust that you can behave in an appropriate manner even if some of the girls cannot," she sighed, looking at you with careful eyes. "Your credentials as a teacher are very good, Mr. Carter, but I cannot say the same for your behavioural issues. The board of regents may believe you have reordered your life and deserve a second chance. That is there business. I have my doubts and will deal severely with any evidence of wayward behaviour on your part, or any such behaviour in students which I have reason to believe you are responsible for. Is that clear?"

You nod solemnly.

"I came here to teach Ms. Naylor. That's all I came to do."

"I hope so. While we're on the subject, let me clarify a few things. I wasn't completely truthful with the girls just now. There are no cameras in classrooms, only in some hallways and in one classroom. The intention was to have them in all classrooms by the beginning of the school year but a board member raised privacy issues and we are awaiting a legal opinion before proceeding. Secondly, my comment about corporal punishment was not entirely true. The matter has been discussed at the board, but a final decision has not been made." She gives you a rueful look.

"I'm afraid I overstepped myself in slapping Valerie," she says. "Unfortunately that girl brings out the worst in me."

"How serious are her threats?" you ask.

"Oh, she'll complain to Daddy, and he'll complain the board, and they will ask a few questions and ultimately ignore him. He doesn't have anywhere near the influence he thinks he has, and certainly nothing close to what Valerie believes. She's threatened me twice before, and four teachers with firing. We're all still here."

"So she's an ongoing problem."

"Yes, and getting worse," Ms. Naylor says thoughtfully. "Something will definitely have to be done with her."