As Stephanie waited for Principal Smith to allow her in, she continued to listen to Nadine Ferguson, the newest teacher's assistant at the school. She paused for a moment, thinking it strange that she was under the impression earlier that Nadine was a student, but that was obviously wrong. After all, she was clearly much older than a high school student. And now that she thought about it, the young man she was lecturing to seemed too old to be a student as well. Why did she think that he was a teen? He was obviously at least 20. Though, unlike with Nadine, Stephanie wasn't quite sure who he was. A student's older brother, perhaps? His attire seemed rather dark. Not quite gothic, but clearly he might have gone through that phase when he was younger. Stephanie could relate. She had a phase like that growing up, but like most people, she had grown out of it and had become a productive member of society.
"Come in," came the voice of Margot.
Stephanie opened the door and pulled Simon in with her.
"Sorry about that. I was taking a call," she told Stephanie. Then she looked at Simon, who came into the room behind the teacher, and she sighed. "What did he do this time?"
"He grabbed two students in the hall," Stephanie explained.
"They had it coming!" Simon bellowed. "They wouldn't tell me where Sabrina Johnson went and then they started yelling profanities at me when ..."
"Okay, that's enough!" Margot yelled, standing up and placing her hands on her desk as she did. "Stephanie, you can leave. I need to have a talk with our assistant principal."
Stephanie nodded, then left, closing the door behind her.
"You are turning out to be such a disappointment," Margot said. "And to think that I actually made plans to have you take over as principal after I retire. But with your recent behavior ... you're more likely to be fired than anything else."
"Fuck you, then," he snapped. "I quit!"
Margot flinched, not expecting that. She was going to suggest that he fix his behavior, but she couldn't help but feel relieved. Obviously, the decision to hire Simon just two years ago to be the assistant principal was a mistake. He couldn't handle it. But now she could find someone else to take his place.
With that, Simon turned and left Margot's office in a huff. It wasn't until he was back in the main office that he realized what he had done. He wasn't sure if he was more dismayed or relieved. After all, he wouldn't have to constantly track down troublemakers like that Sabrina girl or any of her deviant friends. He was free. Free to do whatever the hell he wanted.
