Simon stared at the list of students Debbie had prepared. The district had never done anything like this before, and he certainly didn't want them to find out, either. It was a good thing he was prepared. Simon Davison wasn't the kind of man who would go off half-cocked; just like a chess player, he always thought a number of moves ahead before he did anything. He smiled as he called for the first student.
"Debbie, please call Jon Gibson in."
The boy was average build, average height, average looks. Very unforgettable. Simon was sure he'd passed the boy a hundred times in the hallways, but because of Jon's average demeanor, Simon couldn't remember once. The only remarkable thing about the boy were his grades. In history, he was the best in the school. The kid would probably go on to study the subject in university, maybe even become a professor. Right now, however, there were other things in store for him.
"Jon," the older man said, "have a seat."
After the boy sat, Simon let him wait, pretending to read through a file. Always make them sweat, that was his policy when dealing with students. They always had to know who was boss, and Simon Davison was always glad to be that boss. Deliberately closing the file and placing it on the desk in front of him, he looked Jon in the eye.
"Well," he began, "it has come to my attention that you have been doing very well in your History class. In fact, your teacher, Mrs. Appleton speaks very highly of you."
A look of relief crossed the boy's face. He probably was thinking that he was going to get away scott-free.
"Unfortunately Mrs. Appleton couldn't be here today, as she's away, so we only have your records to go by," Simon indicated the file on his desk, "which I find highly irregular."
"What do you mean?" the nervous boy said.
"Well, you do so well in History, but not in your other classes. In everything else you are an average student. Jon, is there anything you'd like to tell me? Maybe about cheating?"
The boy's face turned bright red. "I swear, Mr. Davison, I don't cheat. You can ask my parent! I work hard for that grade!"
"You do know that the punishment for cheating is immediate suspension, don't you?"
"I didn't cheat!"
Simon paused and folded his hands on his desk. After a beat or two he said, "I want to believe you, Jon, but I don't see how I can..."
"I'll do anything! Give me a test! Pop quiz! Anything!"
"Well, there is one way, but it's highly unorthodox."
"Anything, Mr. Davison. I've worked really hard for my History grade and I don't want to screw it up."
"All right then," Simon reached and pressed the button on the intercom, "Debbie, Mr. Gibson says that he'd participate in our program. Please take care of the necessary details."
"Program?" Jon sounded nervous.
"Yes, Jon. You see, Mrs. Appleton is away this week, as I've already stated. I don't have a replacement teacher, but since you say you've worked hard and know the material, I've decided to test you. If you really haven't cheated, then you'll have no problem stepping in for her this week, will you?"
"Um, I guess not," again, Jon's nerves came through his voice.
"Well can you stand in for her or not?" Simon asked forcefully.
"I can," Jon piped in immediately, "I can totally stand in for Mrs. Appleton."
"Good. I knew you wouldn't let me down. Now, you have to know that this is just between you, me and Debbie. You can't let anyone know that we're doing this."
"Mr. Davison, what about everyone in my class? They'll all know."
The moment Simon had waited for had come. Pulling a small remote control from his desk, he pointed it at the boy and said, "No, Jon, they won't."
A bright light washed over Jon, making him feel dizzy. When his head cleared he knew that something had changed. Looking down at himself, he no longer saw himself. Instead, he was wearing the body of the lithe History teacher that had so motivated him to study hard, the leggy brunette who had inspired him to seek hear approval.
He was Mrs. Appleton.
