Speaking of stewpeed, (looking back, of course), there is a little incident I remember fondly sometimes. I can't decide if it was incredibly stupid or just incredibly Paul.
About half way thru my senior HS year, I got called into the principal's office at this big school. The vice principal was a former marine and a real dick who scared everyone; yet no one saw much of the doctor; but hee hee, we had met; and he didn't make me nervous, and I liked the way girls and cronies reacted to getting called down there. The VP would pull people out of classes to discipline them as part of his terror image, summons by the devil (I remember those pink slips delivered in the middle of class by hall monitor/office assistants); but the other guy was invisible, like the owner of the whole hot dog stand.
This is weird. He says to me, "Would you like to go to the University?"
I thought it was weird. I said that, but again, it was weird. [Oh I know - like, "Is this a trick question?" Kids are looking for those.]
I said, something like, sure, I guess, sooner or later, if I don't get drafted. I don't remember what I said. (Ish, I think we discussed student deferments; did we? I didn't like them.)
Principal says, "Okay, I can get you signed up tomorrow." He leans forward in his chair and shoves this stack of papers on his blotter together. Like this had gone a lot easier than he thought.
"Well. Wait a second. I haven't graduated!" It was the probably the first thing I could think of.
"I can fix that."
"How would I pay for it?"
"I can get your tuition waived."
"What about my parents?"
"I thought I'd talk to you first. I think you'll be more comfortable up there."
But I think I would have wound up responsible or something. |
