Meeting the drama teacher

You take Rachel's hand and look at her. She's about forty, with short red hair and dressed with theatrical flamboyance. She gives you a grin and squeezes your hand before withdrawing hers.

So very pleased to meet you Dean Hawkfeather. I trust you don't mind if I join you. We met briefly at the faculty meeting, well, we both attended the meeting, but didn't really meet. I'm so glad to get a chance to talk to you." You have a vague memory of her from the meeting, but don't remember her speaking.

"What do you teach Ms. Franklin?"

"Rachel, please darling. And I have the privilege of teaching performing arts. The theatre, darling. So tell me, what brought a strapping Marine hero to the bucolic pastures of New England? Had you tired of the Corps?"

"I have a medical discharge from the Corps," you answer stiffly. "I wasn't tired of it, but I wasn't much use to it."

"My apologies. That was tactless of me. I had heard you suffered a wound. Please forgive my careless banter. A consequence of the theatre. Flighty and thoughtless."

"Don't worry about it. Apology accepted."

"You're too kind!" she beams, her high spirits instantly restored. "And you have joined us here to instill discipline to our wayward young charges. I fear you may face some challenges there, Dean Hawkfeather."

"It's Kyle. And the opposition to my presence has been made quite clear."

"I didn't mean that. Paddle them all, I say, they've all done something to deserve it. I meant that some of these young ladies are deep in sin. To paraphrase the bard, they are in blood stepped in so far that should they wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er."

"I don't think that Macbeth is a precise parallel for our students Rachel," Honey objects, shaking her head.

"Allow me the theatrical privilege of hyperbole, Honey. They are privileged young girls Kyle. With few restraints, and dark desires. They will test your mettle and your will. Stand fast, my good man."

You find yourself chuckling at Rachel's dramatic tone, and at the sparkle of amusement in her eyes. She grins at you, then touches your arm.

"You are certainly creating a stir among our young ladies, Kyle. You and the other gentlemen of course. You are simply a darling," she smiles, reaching a hand across the table and touching your arm. "Isn't he Honey, isn't he simply darling?"

"Indeed he is," Honey answers, giving you a sardonic smile.

"Well, we must find time to talk again. So glad that you've joined us. I'll stop chattering and leave you to Honey's tender mercies. Good evening Kyle. And you too Honey." She squeezes your arm again and stands, giving you and effusive smile before turning and leaving. Honey gives you a quirky grin.

"Welcome to Pink Rose," she chuckles. "There's one I'm sure you can take a run at, if you want to take the edge off your feelings for Di."

"And not you?" you grin.

"I didn't say no," she smiles. "But not today sugar. I've got to run." She squeezes your hand quickly and rises with a smile before turning away, giving you a quick flip of her hips before disappearing.