"Unequal Expectations"

by the Roguebfl

This is my first every entring ins the s.s.s summer story contest [500 words]

Class 2Y sat in subdued excitement at their desks as they waited for their accelerated maths class to begin. It was the last class of the week and they were looking forward to their weekend. They stood almost as one in mild surprise when Mr. Jones enter the class. He was not one of there usual teachers.

“Be seated class,” Mr. Jones instructed when he had put his brief case on the desk. “As you can see Mr. Epps could not be here today and I've been asked to take your class today. Before you get too excited I have here your weekly quiz and your weekend homework that he left for you.”

Taking out a stack of papers he started placing one sheet face down on each desk. “Do not turn over your paper until you are instructed. Now as I don't normally teach second form classes none of you have had me before. There is something you should know. I give the pupil — or pupils if there is more than one — that scores the best mark on test I give, a voucher for a cream bun redeemable at the tuck shop. But for those that fail the test they get a stroke of my cane for ever mark below passing, with a Bonus two for the lad with the lowest score. But as you're only second formers it will of course only be using the slipper, but never the less it should still motivate you all to do your best.”

The class while supervised at this change of procedure took the news surprisingly well. As they were the accelerated class for their form and they knew Mr. Epps' end of week quiz were simply 20 questions that covered what they had worked on this week. None of them feared failing and most of them expected a good shot at bun.

When Mr Jones got back to the front of the class he said, “Right you may now turn over your papers and begin.” Before turning his back to them to copy down — form his handout — their homework onto board for them to start after they finished their quiz. He was unaware that 2Y was the accelerated stream class for their form.

But when the test was over, Tom Wilkens was not at all pleased to received two hard whacks of the slipper on the seat of his grey school shorts when he bend over in front of the class for his mark of 18 out of 20; the lowest result in the class. Not only had a good quarter of the class manage to get the treat vouchers from their substitute but Wilkens knew he was in for a proper bottie warming that night from his dorm-master. For getting a whack in class because it did not matter why he got them, the rules where the rules. Such was a boys lot at this school the believed in good order.