F018. The helicopter.

I snap my knuckles and turn my wrist to check the time. It's ten past 7pm and the day is over, over finally. I did more paperwork than expected. I feel in control. Reason to party. I've been neglecting Christina, I think. Then the special phone rings.

I flip it open, kick the drawer and take the safe off the gun in the time I say "Perenti."

It's Venturi. It should not be her. She has no access to this line, I think. Wrong - she is supposed not to. As I correct myself mentally she is apparently saying security has called her, a student is critical and another dead, and she called in medevac from the local army base.

I'm saying "You need my clearance for that, Venturi, stop this madness now. We'll be on each and every newspaper..."

A loud noise of blades fending air makes me stop. I scream on the line but Venturi is gone. I fold on the desk and want to be home. A vague memory of being in control pops like a soap bubble.

I pull up and light a cigarette. Keeping calm is the only way. I take five deep drafts.

Then I throw the chair back and start running.

V003: Diary Entry

By the good graces of God heads shall roll, Circle be damned. Dragged off by Circle senior cell in the dark of the night to handle "clean-up". Damn them; I was done, DONE with that. That is why I came here, to this forsaken corner of the colonies. Hell. My buggering leg hurts still.

Note to Perenti, detained on Circle business. Let the poltroon wonder what it was about. Ha.

Notes from the junior nurse. Barely competently handled situations as they arose. Some of the medications for the 'applicants' need compensation. Pity I cannot simply fire her and replace with someone more useful (and more attractive). And more pliant. Perhaps one of these younglings will serve.

Little Grace in my office today. Perhaps something there to make use of. Note to self, schedule follow-up examination and review the girl's psychochemistry.

Good things come to those who wait.

(( Note that Dr. Muromachi would be seen about the College, walking with a slight limp in unguarded moments. ))

Scene 1.07. Grace and Dr. Muromachi

Grace sits down in the sick bay, waiting for the school physician to return after lunch break

Dr. Venturi Muromachi enters.

Dr. Muromachi hums softly to herself a Chopin piece as she wanders, and steps into the ward. She glances over the girl with a neutral look.
Grace looks up as the door opens
Grace: Good afternoon Ms Venturi
Grace slides her bum forward on the bed, kicking her legs, looking quite relaxed with the kindly physician
Dr. Muromachi nods slightly then goes about and collects forms from the counter. "And you are..?"
Grace: I'm grace ! don't you remember, I came to see you about a month ago
Dr. Muromachi nods again, humming randomly. She grunts and digs through the files. "Grace. Grace. AHmm.. yes, here's your file."
Dr. Muromachi settles down on a rolling stool and slides over to the girl, the woman's expression rather reserved yet non-threatening
Grace: yes... ma'am

Grace: Your medication helped me to sleep better at night
Grace: I mean sometimes i might still wake up suddenly when i think i hear a noise..
Grace: but after i write in my diary for ten minutes i can fall asleep again
Dr. Muromachi sniffs slightly then marks a bit in the file, looking at Grace over the edge of her glasses. "Very good. How about your instructors? Any.. comment from them about your attentiveness?"
Grace is rambling on, nervously, not sure if she is ready to ask the physician for help regarding the principal's request
Grace: Umm... from the teachers? Gee, I .. no they havent' said anything to me
Dr. Muromachi nods slightly, making another mark in the file. The papers are angled so the girl cannot see the annotations.
Grace: Wait, Mr C. said I am improving
Grace: my results i mean
Grace: but said that I should get additional tutoring to really catch up
Dr. Muromachi tilts her head a little and nods. "Difficult subject for you?" She rises, and tugs a penlight from her jacket.
Grace swings her legs back and forth gently as she studies the matronly physician
Grace: Yes, there are so many texts to remember
Grace: And I can't seem to memorise very well
Dr. Muromachi smiles a hair. She raises her left hand and holds up a finger, next to her own eye. "Watch my finger, hm? I'm going to check your eyes. For my files."
Grace: Yes ma'am
Grace focuses on the woman's finger
Dr. Muromachi flicks the penlight over the girl's eye, light on, as she moves her finger around. She leans quite closely, wafting the faintest scent of lavendar and clean skin. "That's a good girl.. watch the finger."
Grace: yes ma'am
Grace continues focusing intently on the finger
Dr. Muromachi: Have you been sleeping well otherwise?
Grace: It helps.. the medication you gave me previously
Grace: Although two weeks ago...
Grace hesitates
Dr. Muromachi nods a bit, switching left for right and motioning for the same examination. "mmm? Come now, dear. Tell me." She smiles a little, a warming gaze.
Grace: I was mugged two weeks ago ma'am, and I haven't been sleeping that well since
Dr. Muromachi: Ahah..
Grace: I think I was sent here for a day, but you were out of town so the nurse attended to me
Grace looks visibly distressed, thinking back on the events of the mugging
Grace: but anyway, I really came today to ask you advice...
Dr. Muromachi grunts a bit, and continues, peering as she shines the penlight in the girl's other eye. "Advice, mm?"
Grace: Sorry if it seems out of place.. but I really have nobody else to turn to. I thought I could confide in Barbie but even she said the girls have been talking about me putting out for the guys, which is totally untrue.
Grace: She wouldn't speak to me today
Grace looks dejected, ".. and I feel so hurt"
Grace lifts her chin up so that the good physician can look into her eye
Dr. Muromachi brushes her finger gently under the girl's chin, prompting the other to look to the side. Her touch is quite warm, voice lower, deeper. "What did you confide in your friend?"

Grace: What did I want to confide in her? Well I told her that the principal has said there has been a student complaint against me, but he wouldn't tell me who. But he gave me a deadline to make sure whoever complained will retract the complaint. I just wanted to talk to Barbie on this mess, but she was a little standoffish, like she believed the rumours
Grace: Principal Perenti said I have to talk to each and every student to find out who complained and have it retracted, or I'll be punished
Grace: I have been trying to think who complained against me
Grace: Might be that weird Bobby
Grace: Barbie said maybe there's more than one person
Grace: i'm feeling at a loss
Grace: there are so many students
Dr. Muromachi frowns slightly, staying close as she looks carefully over the girl's complexion. "I see. When is your deadline, dear."
Grace: and its so humiliating to ask each one
Grace: one week
Grace: And its not even my fault. The rumours are untrue
Dr. Muromachi grunts and nods a little. She brushes again under Grace's chin to turn the girl back to herself. "Just between us ladies. Tell me that you have been a good girl, hm? In all things."

Grace breaks out of her daydream, focusing on the physician, "I thought somehow talking to you might help.... " pausing to hear her question.
Grace: A good girl?
Grace: err....
Grace: thinks about Tom trying to kiss her, and then about how the mugger made her jack Tom off
Grace dismisses that thought and thinks about the principal
Grace: Can I tell you a secret ma'am?
Dr. Muromachi smirks a bit and nods. "Of course. Lady to lady."
Grace: You won't tell anyone
Grace: Principal Perenti.. he.. he touched me there...
Dr. Muromachi arches an eyebrow. "'There'?"
Grace looks down between her legs
Grace: Yes
Grace: But please don't tell anyone
Grace: remembers the video clips that the principal has of her sucking the previous principal
Grace: I can trust you right?
Dr. Muromachi chuckles softly. "I'm the physician. I can hardly go about doing so without my young ladies trusting me."
Grace nods
Grace looks up at Ms Venturi
Grace says, "Yes Ms Venturi, I trust you. Please don't tell anyeone please"
Dr. Muromachi nods a bit and smiles, reaching to brush a fingertip over Grace's cheek. "But of course. That is a physician's oath. Tell me. How does that make you feel. Being touched."
Grace looks vulnerable, like she is going to burst into tears
Grace sniffs a little, blinking, "Being touched? I-.."
Grace: I felt like it was happening all over again
Grace: Felt helpless
Grace: trapped
Grace struggles to find a word
Grace: I also felt humiliated
Dr. Muromachi nods, cupping the girl's cheek in her hand. "Will you do something for me? For your next appointment with me."
Grace: Yes?
Dr. Muromachi: Do you keep a diary?
Grace: Yes i do
Grace: Sometimes when I can't sleep, I would write in it
Dr. Muromachi: That's a very good girl, mm? Do you write about your.. ehm, mugging, and being touched.. there?
Grace frowns slightly, "I mentioned about the mugging.."
Grace: The principal touched me yesterday.. I haven't updated my diary since
Dr. Muromachi nods a bit. "Do so. In detail. Then write a page with what you would tell me, hm? Organize your thoughts. We will talk about it."
Dr. Muromachi slowly caresses the girl's cheek in her hand, touch warm and gentle.
Grace sits up suddenly, holding the woman's hand, "Ms Venturi? What do you think I should do? I don't think it is right .. for the principal to do this. Makes me feel dirty. What should I do.."
Grace considers asking if she should call the police, but decides she can't do it with the tapes in the possession of the principal
Dr. Muromachi accepts the girl's grip, her hand gently squeezing as her other continues its gentle caress. "You need to be a good girl.. learn your proper place, hm? After all, you do wish to graduate, hm?"
Grace lets go of the hand, "Please help me ma'am"
Grace: Yes I do
Grace: I just want to go to classes, do cheerleading, graduate, that's all. I don't want all these troubles with other students and with the principal
Grace: i wish they would all leave me alone
Dr. Muromachi nods slightly, smiling a bit. "The world is not so simple, my dear. You shall have to learn to get along with others, now. I shall help you, hm?"
Grace: Yes please, thank you ma'am
Dr. Muromachi: Very good girl. First.. write in your diary. Then. A page in your diary to me. Telling me how you feel. It is a therapy.
Grace: yes ma'am
Dr. Muromachi nods a bit. "I shall have a little different medication for you as well, for your next appointment."
Grace: thank you Ms Venturi, for your time
Dr. Muromachi: Is there any thing else you might want to talk to me about?
Grace: No I don't think so ma'am
Dr. Muromachi offers a gentle smile, then starts to re-tie the girl's necktie in a proper Windsor knot.
Grace smiles back
Dr. Muromachi: Very good. Let me tie this properly for you, hm? Remember. Write in your little diary.
Grace: Yes I will
Grace: so I am supposed to write about... what the principal did to me?
Dr. Muromachi nods a bit and finishes the tie. "That is correct. Not for me, but for you. Let it out. It will help you be less distracted by it."
Grace: nods slowly, as she gets up from the bed, "Yes, that makes sense.."
Dr. Muromachi smiles, fingerip gliding over the girl's cheek before she lets the girl slip past herself.
Dr. Muromachi: Good girl.. listen to your physician. She knows well, hm?
Grace smiles at the friendly woman, liking her
Grace: I'll run off now, thanks once again!
Grace turns to leave
Dr. Muromachi: Very welcome, young lady. Come again if you need to talk, hm?
Dr. Muromachi idly runs her eyes over Grace's form as the girl turns.
Grace sticks her head through the door "Yes ma'am. I will, " smiling sweetly before pulling the door shut after herself

Grace exits.

Dr. Muromachi grunts a bit, her demeanor turning back to its usual colder visage. She goes about annotating Graces' file, and returns said sheaf to the cabinet, locked safely away. She pockets the key then steps off to the staff apartments, limping slightly.

Dr. Muromachi exits.

F021. Eventful Friday.

I'm lucky that I've told Mr. Ubik that "the nurse disappeared." Because today when I was arriving at the school, Christina tapped my shoulder softly with surprise on her face. I turned to see Ms. Muromachi nonchalantly walking inside the school. I have tried to talk with her but I had to walk away before strangling her. A strangled nurse. Not a good publicity for the school. I had a detective team looking for her and she just says "you-know-what activity, I cannot give details". Unsufferable.

I should have told her about the plans for Grace, Mr. Ubik and all the rest. But she made me so upset that I could not bear to see her anymore. Instead I moved on with the plans for Grace. The kid has a busy week in front of her.

I've finally seen the report from Mr. Ubik. He found out what I guess is simply Circle money. Much more than I get. The part about spying on me could be just natural, meaning he's reporting on me to the Circle, or it could be something more worrying. I cannot do anything but wait for things to happen.

F018. Weekend Of Nothing.

It's nearly one month. As I look back, it feels nothing and it amounts to nothing. The years are still there, heavy and unscrutable in front of me. But hell, I've started.

I make a quick balance. I have two students under processing. Still months before I can start to make them work. I need a trainer.

My hold over the school is strong. I have my men, and I have the dorks gang now. A gamble that worked. They will be very useful, and perhaps some of them will be Circle material.

I have a mystery. What happened to Mr. C? What happened to Venturi? The blood in the car was hers. Traces of cordite. She's been shot inside the car. Chances are that she's dead, but I have the feeling she's not. Tough material, that woman. I think I'm better without her.

Then my wife, Maci. What's she been doing? Our phone calls have already grown scarce and formal. Next week I'll be home. I miss her in everything I do. I keep dreaming about burning the school and running away. A suicidal dream.

Nothing. I'm going to do nothing all the weekend. I've sent Christina away and I'll just sleep, drink by myself and watch TV. A weekend of nothing.

F012. Searching.

It's weird but these two are nowhere to be found. I searched all town to no avail. Abu and the other assassins are useless - well, they do work if I have to scare someone for information, but not for the investigation work. I have informed my circle cell, no reaction. They think it's my problem, and I'm afraid they are right.

We've broken into the houses of both. Venturi has all her things still there, but I guess she's been packing - it's all set in boxes and plastic bags. Mr. C has cleaned his house. So he has left, knowingly, and without telling me.

Unnerving. I have enough firepower to raze the town. And those who supposedly should be my best advisors slip away. I keep looking over my shoulders, wondering where the hit will come from. Not the best way to pass my Sunday.

F011. Developments. A startling disappearance.

Days pass in school activities that seem to be slowly getting routine. This morning I had my secretary call Mr. C and he was nowhere to be found. Seems that the man has disappeared. Damn, I was thinking, what happened to him and why he did not inform me? I should have had a meeting with him.. Then it dawned with me that I've been postponing that meeting for an unreasonable length.

I scolded the secretary for not informing me before and I went in a fury to the nurse's room; perhaps they will have spoken and .. The light was off in the room. No trace of the nurse. I yelled at the secretary, asking for explainations.

At least that was a reason to sit down and understand all the electronics here at the school. In fact it's pretty amazing. I can lock and unlock all doors from my room, and the camera are recording everything. Included someone that should not have been in the girl's room. Miss Menna has been quite active these last days, even without her cell. Well, she's due for a new call soon.

I relax in the smell of expensive leather from my chair. Changes, I think. Where are they gone? I'm the only circle member in the school. I can open and lock door. And my dork gang.. I need to talk with them about the cheerleader.

I slowly call Abu from the assassins. Is the circle getting against me? Abu answers with his detached tone, asking if I have a name for them. No, Abu, I was just calling to know if they have seen the other members. He has not. I tell him to search the city.

Taking a long breath, I close my eyes at the whizz of the PC and the tick of the wall clock. Something is setting in motion, and I do not have all the pieces. Fuck. It's only my second week.

F009 Diary Entry. Friday. A beating.

Well, i think as I wake up, I have survived the first week. Christina has readied my luggage, I'll leave directly from the school. She keeps that resentful gaze on me, especially when she thinks I'm not looking. Annoying. She should know better, should not she? Does she think I can spend all day with her eyes on my back?

I feel a need to put her to her place. So when she sets up things for breakfast I pull up from my chair. Nosily. It could be a normal gesture. We both know it is not.

She staggers back. I advance, fists closed. A raucous "what" dies in her throat. I hit her hard in her plexus and look at her crumbling, breathless. There's something wrong. A kick on her chest, not to break her ribs, just a whipped kick on her breasts. The hurt reflect on her face and I rejoice. I know I'm going to see the color of her blood now. Now. My heartbeat is too fast and a voice in my head keeps saying that there is something amiss.

I use my fists and a kick on full power. No restraint.

The kitchen storage and the table break in pieces. There is blood on my hands. Mine. I forgot to take my pill. Celestial damnation, how could I? The pain calms me. Christina is puking. It took all my willpower not to kill her with my fists. I run to my room to take the accursed pill. I return with makeshift bandages on my hands. She is on her knees, cleaning.

Before leaving, I just tell Christina that this was nothing exceptional and that I could beat her any time I want. I ask her if this is ok. She nods, unable to word her answer; they have told her about me. I hate myself now, but this will pass too. Maci. I need to go back home.

I send Christina away as I arrive to the school. I need that Muromachi woman services for my hands. I wonder what she will say, slightly curious about her mystery.

V002 Diary Entry. Wednesday

Work. Still going through student files. Boredom.

I've posted an announcement for a student intern for the ward; compensation, basic arts, extra credit, et cetera. That should appeal to some bright young lady. Or two.

Met with some of the staff. Unremarkable sort, though Mr. Perenti's assistant is a bright-eyed one with a figure to match. Ah, Christina. Likely already Perenti's slattern so, out of my reach. For now.

Set a broken finger, heavily bruised. Stubborn young man saw fit to not satisfy my inquiry about how such was obtained. Obstinate. Filed for later.

F006 Diary Entry. Tuesday.

It's madness. The file on the nurse is empty of content. Just a few words on education, bank account - probably false - and meaningless remarks. I can feel someone laughing at me through the words there. Well, Venturi Muromachi, you're here to report on me? You're friends of someone higher?

Paranoia I guess. It could be true; she could be a plain, unremarkable.. But why the circle would..

I should meet with the two of them, Venturi and Mr. C. Would they ask for instructions? I still have to make out a plan. The largest part of the day is spent with the students' files, selecting the more promising targets. The circle so-called-friends will have to wait. I select a few promising target.

On my way out I meet the gym teacher. I organize a soccer match for tomorrow. The guys I selected will find a nice surprise, if my plan works. I pass a list of names to Mr. C and ask him to make sure they do not show tomorrow. I will have only the worst male students: a mix of frustration, pent up rage and hormones; the kind that is totally invisible for girls. Them, me and the gym teacher.. well, apart from someone else.

F005 Diary Entry. First day at work.

First day. I make a point of arriving first at the college. My assistant yawns shamelessly on our way in. I meet people, shake hands, smile and introduce myself. Too many faces to remember them all. With all of them, I use my old trick: I imaging grabbing their head, with a delicate but precise grip, one hand under their chin, the other high on the back of the head. Then I imagine bumping their head on the wall until I see the white inside. This way, I keep perfectly relaxed. Something everyone should do.

No time to talk with everybody; even with Circle member, it's just a few phrases of circumstance. I see Mr. C and I know at first sight we will understand each other. Dependable and self confident, the kind women like instinctively - so useful here. Then I gasp when I meet the nurse. She's coming out of a Victorian fiction, included accent and manners. No hint - I cannot read her, must check her file again.

Students everywhere. Pretty, ugly, happy, sad. I have no time for them. They flow from a classroom to the next one.

The afternoon is slow. I fight my way in the administration rooms, doing something I hate: checking accounts. All about power. Boring. But rewarding. I've already an idea of who is diverting money - there is always some, especially since the Circle is pumping so much money here. I have no intention of doing anything about that; only, they know I know.

When Christina takes me back, I'm destroyed. No call to Maci today. I give Christina an address; a couple hours from the school, but it's worth it. A glass and stone house, hidden in a forest, where I do bad things to people that works there; the Circle foots the bill. Nothing to be proud of. But at least I'll sleep.

V001 - Arriving

Hell.

I suppose it must be poetic justice that the Powers see fit to dump me in the colonies. Private school, physician, or what-do-you-have, "Nurse". Bugger.

Pleasantries with the Headmaster. Or what is it? Supervisor? Any way, I do not know him, but is a Power nontheless. Apparently higher rank than myself, bugger that. We shall see.

The college is clean well enough. Ward is tidy, though as expected the files are a complete disaster. The previous 'help' left rather abruptly I'm told. I shall have to get some pretty young girl to sort them out for me, while I sort her out. I am told the college has a sixty-fourty girl-boy ratio. At least there is a bright side to this purgatory? Of course their manners are excreble. They shall need some teaching, the Americans.

Teaching in a great many things.