The Files of the Big Damn Principal

Jamie knocked on the doorframe. "Principal Washburn? You asked to see me?"

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"I did. Come in please," she said, waving him in. "Now, is there something you would like to tell me about the pranks involving the Stickbug and Meerkat cabins? In particular, your involvement with these pranks?"

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Eep.

"My involvement? Er. Did I ever mention on my school records that I have an evil twin named 'Skippy'?"

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"I've seen evidence that you have many twins, Mr. Madrox, but I'm fairly certain that they're all you in the end." Zoe smirked. "What would you say if I told you that I have some video taken from the camping area that show you participating in pranks against the members of the Meerkat cabin."

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"If it's the one with me dancing shirtless? I really have a better singing voice but I didn't have a chance to warm my voice up first," Jamie said. "Also if some guy name Guido calls asking for a copy of the tape, make sure you ask for 10% of the profits when he submits it to 'Mutants gone Wild'."

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"No, it's not that video," Zoe said, sounding a little thankful. "But I'll be sure to keep that in mind if Guido calls. The video feeds I have are from what I assume are later pranks, seeing as how they seem a little more escalated and out there."

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"You got me. It's a fair cop but society is to blame," Jamie said holding his arms in the air. "I assume this is the part where you lock me up and throw away the key?"

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Zoe gave him a weary look. "No, this is the part where I tell you that you'll need to report to detention this weekend."

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"Just detention?" Jamie asks cheerfully. "Okay. That's fair for having a bit of fun. Anything else?"

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Zoe just shook her head, laughing softly. "No, that will be all for today. Thank you."

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"You sure? Because if you need entertainment? I've been taking a workshop on how to be an entertainer," Jamie said pulling out his sock puppet.

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Zoe tilted her head a little at the puppet. "What in the world is that?"

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"Yo," the puppet says. "I'm Julio. Can I just say I love your combat boots? What kind of socks do you wear? Tube? Wool?"

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"Well thank you...Julio," Zoe said uncertainly. These were the moments where she was glad Mal was a galaxy away. "I wear wool socks, if you're genuinely curious."

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The sock seems to shiver. "Ooooo Mama."

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Zoe glared at the sock. "You know, I have a very dear young friend who I believe has taken up knitting. I bet she'd love to have some freshly unwoven yarn."

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There's a sound that vaguely sounds like an "Eep" and the sock disappears back in the trenchcoat.

Jamie looks a little flushed. "I'm sorry. Is there anything else?"

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Zoe just shook her head, doing everything in her power to keep from laughing again. "No, that'll be all, really. Thank you."

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Good thing the door is open.

Otherwise there'd be a Jamie shaped hole in it.

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Tyler closed up the library and slowly made his way to the principal's office. He hoped Willow hadn't tattled.

"Good-morning-principal-washburn," he said. "Can I help you with something?"

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"I certainly hope so," Zoe replied. "You can start helping me by explaining why I have a video of you participating in pranks against the Meerkat cabin."

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Tyler shrugged. "Probably because I did it," he said. "Is that all?"

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Zoe wasn't sure whether or not she was glad he wasn't arguing with her about his participation. "No, that's not all. Last week the Meerkats got to do their time in detention for the pranks, and this week, it's your turn. If you had any plans for Saturday, I would suggest you change them. Now that is all."

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Tyler clenched his hands into fists, then relaxed them. Something about Principal Washburn's tone suggested arguing would not be a good idea.

"Detention, ma'am?" he said mildly. "Is that all day?"

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"Detention usually runs from the morning into the late afternoon," Zoe explained.

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Tyler nodded. "I'll cancel my plans to climb Mount Everest then."

He hesitated a moment. "Are the pranks the only reason you wanted to see me, ma'am?"

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Having a good immunity to smartassery was definitely working in Zoe's favor today.

"Yes, that's it. You're free to go."

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Tyler nodded. "Then have a great day, Principal Washburn."

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Cameron had a feeling that this couldn't be good. Come to think of it, he wasn't expecting much good to happen today in general. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the doorframe before entering.

"Principal Washburn?"

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This was definitely a conversation Zoe wasn't looking forward to either.

"Mr. Mitchell, come in please," she said, glancing up at him almost sadly. "Do you know why I called you here this morning?"

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Cameron entered the room and touched the bruise on his forehead (stupid place to have a bruise).

"Possibly, ma'am?" he said not sounding too sure, but ready to feel guilty after getting that particular look.

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"Are you all right?" she asked, eyeing the bruise.

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Cameron dropped his hand quickly and nodded. "Just was a little bit slow ducking in a spar," he explained sheepishly. "Is that why you called me in here, ma'am?"

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"Not exactly," Zoe said, although she almost wished it was. "I called you in here to talk about the pranking that went on between the Stickbugs in the Meerkats. In particular, I wanted to ask why I have a video showing you participating in the pranking."

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Oh. He belatedly realised that he never asked Molly what she got detention for. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, but he wasn't going to lie. "Because I was part of the pranking, ma'am."

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"So when I asked if anything interesting was going on at the cabins, and you said there was just some fun being had, you meant some fun and escalating acts of juvenile aggression?"

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Cameron frowned. "We never intended for anyone to get hurt, ma'am. It was all meant in good fun and I don't think either side has actually fought about it either."

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"Well, even if it was meant in fun, you all still could have gotten hurt, both your cabinmates and the people in Meerkat. Now the Meerkats who were caught served detention last week." Zoe sighed. "I hate to do this, but this week is your turn."

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"I understand, ma'am," Cameron said apologetic. "I'm sorry if things got out of hand. That wasn't meant to happen."

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Zoe was glad, and not extremely surprised, to see that he seemed genuinely sorry. "Thank you for not arguing with me about your punishment. Hopefully, I won't have to do this again."

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"I'll try to stay out of trouble, ma'am." Cameron promised quickly as he really didn't want to have another conversation like this again.

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"Why do I get the feeling that might be easier said than done?" Zoe broke into a smile. "It's not that I don't enjoy seeing you in my office, I just prefer that your visits are for more neutral reasons."

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"Because you're probably right, ma'am?" Cameron finally relaxed and smiled back. "But I will give it my best shot, I'd prefer not to repeat this."

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"That's what I like to hear." Zoe settled back into her seat. "That's everything I needed to talk to you about, so you're free to get back to whatever fun things you had planned for this morning."

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"Thank you, ma'am," Cameron said even if he didn't look too enthusiastic about the fun things he had planned as he headed towards the door. "Have a nice day."

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Peter rapped on the doorframe before bowing to the Principal.

"My Lady, you summoned me?"

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It really was hard to be stern with someone who showed such politeness, Zoe realized.

"I did, yes. Please come in," she said. "Mr. Pevensie, is there anything you'd like to tell me about the pranks that occurred at the campsite between your cabin and the Meerkats?"

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"They were the work of two groups of friends who enjoy a bit of good fun during the summer," Peter offered with a slight smile as he entered the office. "For the amusement of all and the harm of none."

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That was a surprisingly good answer, and Zoe had to take a moment to figure out how to respond.

"Well, I suppose that could be true, if it weren't for the way that the pranks escalated. Exploding cheesecake was not only a waste of food, but it carried the possibility of being rather dangerous."

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"Not at all, Lady," Peter replied. "The mechanism was rather carefully calibrated to prevent any harm. Except to the cheesecake of course so I can't deny the wasting of food."

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Zoe couldn't help but snicker, despite her best efforts. "The point is, the pranking could have become dangerous if it had continued, and some of the acts taken on by both sides were extremely disruptive. Now, I have some material from the video feeds that show you participating directly in the pranks. Last week, the Meerkats got detention, and I'm afraid that I'm going to have to give detention to you and some of your cabinmates this week."

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Peter nodded. "I would like to think that we were conscious enough of our actions to prevent anything too dangerous from occurring, but I certainly accept the punishment without protest. I apologize for any disruption."

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"Are you always this polite?" Zoe asked, amused.

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Peter raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm British." He grinned. "But really I've been at Court the past four years, my Lady. I suppose I've picked up the habits."

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"Well, keep those habits up, and hopefully I won't have to call you into my office again."

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