Tense

Miss Holliday, the headmistress' white haired secretary, is already preparing a stack of folders when you get to the meeting room. She greets you with a nod, handing you a folder with your name on it without missing a beat. You leaf through the contents, finding an agenda, your class schedule, a calendar of coming events, a faculty and staff list, and a list of student room assignments and contact numbers, among other items.

You choose your seat with care, wanting to be in a position that gives you a good view of the door so you can see who is entering but also keep your eye on the room as well. With a wry grin you remember more than one argument you've had with past girlfriends who didn't care for your peculiar needs when it comes to seating. You recognize some of the teachers with whom you've had interactions but as the others drift in and take their places you try to determine which of the others are most likely to object to your arrival. Ms. Naylor looks as composed as ever in yet another of her conservative suits and when Miss Holliday hands out the last of the folders she nods at the Headmistress and Ms. Naylor stands up and clears her throat for attention.

"I think we're all here now. Let's begin. Welcome to another year at Pink Rose Academy. I'm very glad to see you all, both those of you who are returning and our newcomers. And having said that let me start by introducing our new faculty members. Mr. Mason Carter joins us this year as our biology teacher," she says gesturing at him. "And brings a great deal of experience with him. Welcome to Pink Rose Mr. Carter." There's a spattering of applause and you see Mr. Carter stand briefly and nod acknowledgement.

Ms. Naylor continues, indicating a lean hawk-featured man in his mid-thirties. "Mr. Sharp has impeccable academic credentials and I consider us lucky to have him join us this year. Welcome to Pink Rose, Mr. Sharp." Her voice softens a little as she turns to the next new member. "Mr. Brian Watts will teach physical education and coach our softball team, as well as assisting with other teams." You can't help but wonder if Mr. Watts' welcome is warmer than the other's because he is by far the best looking of the four of you but before you can reach any conclusion Diana is pointing at you.

"And last but certainly not least, Mr. Kyle Hawkfeather joins us. Mr. Hawkfeather will teach computer science and will also fill the position of Dean of Students, which has been restored this year." She adds without any hint of the skepticism you know she has. "Mr. Hawkfeather joins us after a career in the Marine Corps and brings a wealth of experience. Welcome to Pink Rose Mr. Hawkfeather."

The applause for you is even more sparse than what the other newcomers received. Several who clapped before do not do so now, although Monica is even more enthusiastic than she had been for the others.

"I trust you will all welcome our new colleagues to Pink Rose Academy and do your best to make them feel welcome," Diana is as aware as you are of the tension in the room, she pauses looking significantly at a cluster of teachers whom you have identified as the least receptive. "As you know, this is the first time in it's history that Pink Rose has included men among it's faculty, and I know that some among you are concerned with this breach in tradition. It's no secret, and I have expressed it personally to these gentlemen, that I share some of your concerns. That being said, I have no doubt of their academic credentials, and I fully support the decision of the Board of Regents to hire them. I will expect the same support of that decision from all of you, regardless of your personal opinions."

"Enough on that matter. I'd ask you to go around the room and introduce yourselves, so our new colleagues can but a face to names. I know some of you have already met, but most of you have not. Perhaps you could start Ms. Considine?"

"Donna Considine, Math, welcome aboard gentlemen. Mr. Carter and I have already met."

"Christina Thorpe, Music," a lean young woman dressed in a long sleeved black sweater and black slacks smiles in welcome.

"Lorri McKay, Physics and Chemistry. Good to see you fellas." she says with a flashing grin. She's wearing a flamboyant dashiki shirt that together with her ebony skin easily makes her the most noticeable person in the room.

Mrs. Sommersby-Walker, Art." A older woman says, her face carefully composed. She was one of those that only gave perfunctory applause, although she had not shown the open hostility of some of the others.

"Monica Fulton, Languages, Dean Hawkfeather and I have already met and I want to welcome him and the other three gentlemen to Pink Rose."

"Alice Wilder, Librarian. Oh, and cheer coach." A diffident woman says shyly. She's younger than you had first thought, but dressed in an almost dowdy manner apparently trying to look more mature than her age. Librarian you have no trouble believing, but the fact that she's a cheerleader coach seems highly unlikely.

"I'm Agnes Swanson. I teach Domestic Science and Deportment." An austere woman who is well into her fifties says. She was among those who did not applaud and appeared the most hostile. "I haven't met any of the...gentlemen before this, and I mean no personal insult, but I want to go on record as registering my personal disagreement with the addition of men to this august academy. It seems as though every year the long established traditions of Pink Rose are eroding. There was the addition of scholarship students, the addition of..." she breaks off, obviously catching herself before she says something, glancing at Lorri McKay. "In any event I'd like my objection noted," she finishes lamely.

"Why don't y'all just say what's on yo' mind Miz Swanson," the black woman says with a exaggerated accent. "This place just started goin' to hell when they started lettin' coons and greasers in. An' lawd a' mercy, it was surely on the road to perdition when they let a jet black Aferkin join yo' faculty. Next thing you know they'll be makin' you eat watermelon every meal."

There are mutterings of outrage at her words although you notice suppressed smiles from Ms. Considine and the younger teachers. Miss Swanson looks like she's about to explode when the headmistress raps on the table.

"That will be enough," she says with steel in her voice that would make an officer proud. "Miss Swanson, your objection is noted, as it has been noted repeatedly before. Ms. McKay, please frame your comments in a professional manner when addressing other faculty members." The black woman nods agreement, smiling broadly at the Domestic Science teacher. "Miss Swanson, I will hear no more on this subject," Ms. Naylor cuts off whatever the older woman had been about to say. "We will continue with the introductions now, and I will insist that there be no further editorialising on this matter. A Board of Regents decision has been implemented and this is not the forum to debate it."

The introductions continue, but the tension in the room is palpable. You lose track of the others who speak, barely registering their names, noting that some are relatively warm, other reserved and accepting and a few make poor attempts to hide their hostility.

"Very well. Thank you all," Ms. Naylor says when the last teacher has spoken. "We will now move on to item two on our agenda. As you know, Pink Rose has a code of conduct that is sent to all parents and students each year. As you also know, that code of conduct has not been rigidly adhered to for several years. The restoration of the office of Dean of Students has led to a re-evaluation of that practice. I'm going to ask Dean Hawkweather to outline the policy of Pink Rose going forward from today. Dean, the floor is yours."