Chapter 3
"Today we will talk about polynomials," the math teacher began. The class groaned.
Writing on the board, the professor began to talk about those wonderful features of algebra that the students were not all that enthusiastic about learning. Except for Daniel that is. Daniel loved knowing how the world worked, and how to improve the world, and one must know math to improve the external world in any meaningful way. After all, there were only two ways to improve the world.
To improve the world, one needed true religious beliefs and mathematical knowledge. To Daniel, it was no contradiction being an intelligent believer, for there really was no contradiction. Daniel knew that he was a carbon-based lifeform, created out of the dust of the earth, and that he had been created in the likeness of God. So he sought to be as God-like as possible in all ways, from being kind, to being good, to being intelligent, for God was all of these things.
"What kind of special polynomials do we need to know for the final?" Daniel asked.
"So the nerd is smart after all," Bill said, somewhat shocked.
"I thought he knew everything anyway," Tom said.
"That�s just because you don�t know anything," Delia said.
"The shy girl just dogged you," Bill said. "You gonna let this mousy Purian insult you?"
"Yeah, but if I slapped her up I�d get sent to the Imperial Marines, and that�s not something I want to do with my life," Tom said.
"True dat," Bill replied.
"Continuing, yes, there are some special polynomials you will need to know for the test. I expect that the second order polynomials will be easy for you. You will need to know the third degree polynomials and fourth degree polynomials that you can simplify directly, as well as the various methods of polynomial division. You will also need to know how to use Pascal�s triangle and how to use basic series of polynomials," the teacher said. "Most of this should have been review from Algebra I from last year."
"I spent that class making out with my girlfriend," Bill said to Tom.
"I spent that class wishing I had a girlfriend to make out with," Tom said to Bill.
"Either way, we�re in trouble," Bill said.
"Yeah, as long as that nerd doesn�t do well, we�ll be fine," Tom said.
"Yeah, the nerd will probably ace the test," Bill said. "In which case we will be in deep trouble."
"What purpose is this class for?" Tom asked the teacher in his usual uninterested manner.
"Alright, I know one of the students in here has an idea," the teacher replied.
"That�s really an unfair statement," Daniel said. "But since you ask, I will tell my struggling classmate what purpose algebra has in the real world. For those of us who will move on into business or engineering, it is important to use equations based on algebraic formulas to simulate the real world. In terms of mathematics, polynomials are actually one of the simplest things to understand."
"You can�t be serious," Bill said.
"I am serious. I had neighbors who were braceros in the strawberry farms who would ask me questions about algebra when I was 9 years old," Daniel answered.
"Okay, so he is serious," Bill said.
At this time Natonito walked into the room and the students sat at attention. He did not have a happy look on his face, and the students were visibly uncomfortable. They were relieved when he spoke.
"Will Henry, Cherie, Daniel, and Delia come with me?" the Directrix said in a way that was not entirely a question.
"Yes, sir," the four said, with a heavy lump in their throats.
"You may continue," the Directrix said.
As the teacher continued his review for the final as the four students followed the Directrix out of the classroom. As he walked to his office, the normally talkative Directrix did not say a word, which made the four students very uncomfortable. So, uncomfortable, in fact, that the normally talkative Daniel did not talk any either. Finally, as he got into his personal office, where four seats in front of the desk had been set up, the Directrix spoke again.
"Sit down. I have some business to discuss with you," Natonito said.
"Alright, uncle," Henry said.
"After what you have done, I don�t want to hear that from you," Natonito replied.
"What have I done?" Henry asked.
"You got Cherie pregnant, which means you guys had sex illegally. You knew there was to be no fraternization until your senior years," Natonito replied.
"Yes, I know," Henry said, downcast.
"Why are we here?" Daniel asked.
"You are here because you knew what was going on as well," Natonito said.
"What do you want to do with us?" Delia asked.
"I have thought about what punishment is fitting. For you and Daniel, I think that this talk will be enough. After all, you have not been fraternizing yourself," Natonito said. "And for Cherie, she will not need to be punished, as she is pregnant and she will have a child to remind her of the event."
"But what about me?" Henry said pathetically.
"You are going to have to face the Young Senators and tell them what you have done, and face their sanctions. You will also have to do public service announcements for the empire on abstinence, and join a fatherhood program. You are not going to be a bum. Cherie is my sister-in-law, and you are my nephew, and I am not going to deal with a disaster here. It is time for you to act like a man if you are determined to be a man," Natonito said sternly.
"Yes, uncle," Henry said.
"I expect you to start dealing with this tomorrow," Natonito said.
"But we have off of school tomorrow to study for exams," Henry said.
"You will have to keep up your marks anyway, for I have told your father what is going on. You have made your bed, now sleep in it," Natonito answered.
"Yes, uncle," Henry said.
"I am very disappointed in you, Henry," Natonito said.
"I was not thinking when I did what I did," Henry said.
"No, you were thinking with the wrong head," Natonito replied.
"Please be kind to him," Cherie said. "He will be a good father."
"I hope so, Cherie, because he will have no choice," Natonito said as he comforted his sister-in-law.
"Are we free to go now?" Daniel said.
"Yes, you are free to go now," Natonito replied.
| Jump to: |
Quick Links: Bobby's Stories | Nathan's Stories | Government | Map | Main