Ms. Considine chats

As the meeting breaks up you take your time gathering up your stuff. Several teachers approach with personal words of welcome, some sounding much more sincere than others. What you want more than anything is a chance to talk to Ms. Naylor, but she like you is surrounded by a group of teachers who all have a some issue that they want her attention directed to. The other men are clustered together, perhaps in a defensive position considering the barely hidden hostility from a half dozen or so of the teachers. Not all the women are hostile, one of them makes it a point to great you in person.

"Dean Hawkfeather, welcome to the land that time forgot, otherwise known as Pink Rose Academy," Ms. Considine greets you, giving you a strong handshake. She's in her forties, handsome rather than pretty, but with glittering humor in her eyes that makes her rather intriguing. You recall that she had raised the issue of the student auction, her reservations sounded valid to you, although thinking she could derail this fundraiser less than a month before it was scheduled strikes you as a little naïve.

"Thank you Ma'am, I appreciate the welcome."

"Glad to see you, and glad to hear what you have in mind. It's just what the school needs, in my opinion and that of a few others. You'll get lots of opposition but don't weaken."

"I'm not the weakening kind Ma'am. Thank you for your support."

"On another matter I understand that antique I've seen parked in the underground is yours. The old Indian?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"I ride myself. A Kawasaki Ninja. There are some great backroads around here that are a pleasure to wind it out on. Perhaps you'd like to join me some time."

"I'd be happy to Ma'am," you smile, fighting your surprise that this middle aged woman owns and rides a sport bike.

"Good. Let's talk soon," she says with a nod before departing. Once again you look for Diana, but this time she is gone. How did she do that? Instead of following after her like a stray puppy you look around the room where the three new teachers are still chatting.