• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • 1
    CommentGo Back
Download
 
George Pollock State KidIssue 37
Manning the Battlements
In the wee hours, Fairview University students began arriving at Granite City School with bedrolls and bulging overnight bags. All wore red flags tied at the right knee in support of Billy Stone.“Come in. Come in,” Billy said. “Bunk down in the dining hall -- unless you want to feelthe thrill of being locked up.”Many opted for a cell as an exciting change of pace from a boring dorm room. Vansarrived, dropping off groups of East Side mothers, including Mrs. de Cruz, then quicklydrove off.“Welcome, welcome,” Billy said. “Don't be nervous. You're just visiting. You all get towalk out of here.” Not one East Side mother wanted anything to do with a cell. Next came Father Thom Colahan from St. Sebastian's with a timid knock at the frontentrance. Billy opened the door. Squinting, the good Father said, “I am looking for arunaway girl named Joy Stojak. I have been told that the school has information about her whereabouts.”“Come in.”Billy led Father Colahan straight to a cell and locked him in.“What are you doing? I'm here about Joy Stojak. Her parents want their daughter back.”“I'm sure they do.”“What are you doing? You can't keep me here. I have to say early Mass tomorrow. I haveto ...”“We all have things to do, Father,” Billy said, cutting him off. “By the way, I heard thatyour sermons on that juvenile fugitive ... what was his name? Oh, yeah, Billy Stone. Iheard those sermons were great. Bet you're glad he's behind bars.”Father Colahan immediately ascended the pulpit. “Surely, he is a child of God as we allare, but the Lord has taught us that His wrath shall fall upon all violators of the innocent.”“Right. What that kid needs is a good dose of wrath,” Billy said as he walked away. Over his shoulder, he said, “Oh, glad you got our message.”***Later, Billy returned to Father Colahan's cell with a tray of sandwiches and a thermos of coffee. He pulled up a chair outside the cell.“Have something to eat, Father. I guess I owe you an explanation. You see ... I'm BillyStone.”
 
“You're
who
?”“Billy Stone... you know, the deviant.”Father Colahan's mouth fell open.“Well, I'm really not. It's all a big lie.” He passed a copy of his Factual Report through the bars. “Read this. What really happened is all there.”“Where is the school staff?”“Locked up.”“I don't understand.”“I've taken over the prison.”“Don't give me that. Let me out of here at once!”“Sorry, Father.”“Let me out of here now!”“Does the name Billy Ruggieri ring a bell with you?”“No.”“Maybe I can jog your memory. He's a friendly, nice-looking kid who ended up here for stealing from convenience stores. But the real reason he's here is because he has nofamily and nobody wants him. He's gullible, not very smart and he has trouble readingeven simple words. So I've been reading to him and he's been talking to me about things.I'm Billy's best friend. He told me all about how you took him to your camp onesummer.”“I may well have. It's well known that I have opened up my summer camp to manyunderprivileged boys.”“Yes, that's what I understand.”“What are you getting at?”“Father, the sleeping arrangements at your camp were, shall we say, unconventional.”“What are you saying?”“Do I have to spell it out for you, Father?”“How dare you insinuate ...”“Shut up.”The priest gasped.“Billy told me what went on at that camp. He is confused about it and all torn up inside because, as you know, he is a good Catholic and he worships you. His faith is all he hasin this world.”“Prove it. Who would believe
 you
?”“There were many others. I have their names right here. Let me read them to you, inalphabetical order. You tell me when you've heard enough.”
 
Billy began reading names.“Stop. Stop. Please stop.”Father Colahan grabbed the bars with both hands and hung his head.“Father, you're a predator. You prey on poor, unwanted, vulnerable boys with nobody to protect them. You are guilty of the ultimate betrayal -- of God and of His most helplesschildren. May God forgive you.”Father Colahan sank to his knees and covered his face, sobbing.“However,” Billy said softly. “I have no wish to pursue this.”Father Colahan took his hands from his face and looked up at Billy.“What do you want?”Billy told him.***Billy went to Director Carson's office to try to get a couple of hours rest. He immediatelyfell into an exhausted sleep. It seemed like he had just laid his head down when an inmateguard shook him.“A car,” the inmate said.Groggily, he looked at the big clock. It was 3:45 A.M.“A car,” the inmate repeated.Finally awake, Billy jumped up. Man, this was one busy place considering the hour. Thewelcoming committee got ready to do their visitor routine. Billy looked out the windowand signaled okay. It was David Weatherall.“Am I happy to see you,” Billy said, going out to meet Weatherall. “Is your father coming?”“No.”“Oh,” Billy said, disappointed.“But I got someone even better -- Congressman Waters.”“A United States Congressman? How did you do that?”“Billy, Weatherall Industries is his biggest contributor. Without us, he wouldn't be aCongressman.”“He's a law-and-order guy! Why didn't you get some liberal?”“Weatherall Industries doesn't give money to liberals. He's flying out from Washingtonthis morning. He'll be here about ten o'clock, I figure.”“Question. What's to stop him from calling Carson or the police?”“All he knows is that there is a tense situation and that his immediate presence would behelpful and appreciated.”“He follows orders like that?”
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
11 / 27 / 2010This doucment made it onto the Rising List!
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...