Welcoming Mr. Carter

"Very pleased to meet you Ms. Naylor, and very pleased to be here," Mr. Carter say as he takes a seat.

"I'm sure," you nod, taking the papers you’ve prepared and introducing him to the plans for these coming days, "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,” you look at him pointedly as you add, “A man of course. Here is a map of the campus grounds,” you hand over a stack of papers with much of the same info as you’ve told him in addition to the overview map of the Pink Rose, “Do you have a vehicle?"

“No Ma’am,” he shakes his head.

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

"It all seems straightforward so far," he smiles, perhaps in an attempt to counter your stern demeanor, which have remained since having to deal with young Valerie.

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

“Yes, Ma’am,” he replies, a question seemingly on his mind as he watches you for a brief moment, your business-like tone and the aggression brought out by having to deal with Valerie did little to hide your true feelings regarding this experiment of bringing male teachers into the Pink Rose, "Have I done something to irritate you Ma'am? We seem to have got off on the wrong foot," he asks following his pause.

You keep your eyes fixed on him, maintaining that cold demeanor as you consider his question and your own behavior, briefly, before taking a deep breath and responding.

"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,” you let him know your feelings about this fundamental change pushed by the board this summer, before turning to your concerns regarding the interaction between the students and these new teachers, “I suspect the presence of men will lead to some unhealthy and inappropriate behavior among the more willful students. I think we saw a bit of that just now.”

“I see,” he nods.

“Do you?” you ask, a little harshly as part of the concern in the case of Mr. Carter also evolves around his own past troubles, “I hope you do. I trust that you can behave in an appropriate manner even if some of the girls cannot," you sigh, catching yourself being perhaps not entire fair to someone who seemed to have turned his life around. Eyeing him you add in a friendlier, but still firm and to-the-point tone, “- your credentials as a teacher are very good, Mr. Carter, but I cannot say the same for your behavioral issues. The board of regents may believe you have reordered your life and deserve a second chance. That is their business. I have my doubts and will deal severely with any evidence of wayward behavior on your part, or any such behavior in students which I have reason to believe you are responsible for. Is that clear?"

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

"I hope so,” you sigh, deciding to add some words regarding what took place with regard to Valerie, “- 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."

This reminds you of the slap you gave that insolent little bitch, making you almost feel the sting of it on the palm of your hand just now. Eyeing Mr. Carter you consider whether this too requires some clarification…