No one on Boston Public belongs to me, they belong to
DEK and Co. However Elizabeth "Tipper" McCarthy does belong to me. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
It had been a few weeks after Principal Steven Harper had to fire the cheerleading coach. She had come up with an overtly sexual performance piece for a cheerleading competion that was coming in a month or so. The coach refused to make a new program, let along change the last one so Steven had no choice but to let her go. It was tough for him since he had just barely lost Milton Buttle and Kevin Riley to a teacher-student romance scandal that rocked the school. So many things were rocking the school lately, he was hoping for a nice quiet few months before summer came. But knowing what went on behind closed doors at Winslow High School, peace and quiet was a huge pipe dream.
Today he was meeting the new coach. He had two very unsuccesful temps in the position, but they all fell short of his epxpectations. Maybe this new one would be the right fit.
Louisa ducked her head in. "Elizabeth McCarthy is here."
"Send her in." He said. He sat back in his seat. A blonde woman about 5'8 came in wearing a light blue pantsuit. She had her hair up in a twist. She looked about mid thirties.
"Elizabeth McCarthy." Steven stood up. "I am Principal Steven Harper."
"Nice to meet you Principal Harper." She said. "Sorry I'm a little late. I used to go to school around here. I was just doing a little stroll down memory lane."
"I saw that you attended school here on your resume." He said. "Very impressive. Your team won the state cheerleading finals in your senior year of high school?"
"Yes. We would have gone to the nationals but the entire team came down with a case of mono." Elizbeth explained.
"Sorry to hear that, Elizabeth." Steven said.
"It's all right, not like I'm in therapy for it or anything. By the way, people usually call me Lizzie."
"All right, Lizzie. You seem to have the qualifications here."
"Thank you." She said.
"I can hire you under one condition." Steven said.
"What, may I ask, is that?"
"The last cheerleading coach we had was preparing the squad for this years state competition." Steven got up and got a video tape. "This is the program she had prepared." He inserted the tape into the machine and pressed play. "I'd like you to see why she was fired."
Lizzie sat still and watched the infamous cheerleading program. She said nothing, but her reaction was wideeyed. The routine ended, and Steven hit "eject".
"Thats it?" Lizzie said.
"Thats it." Steven said.
"Theres something missing." She said thinking.
"You mean besides taste?" Steven asked.
"Yah. Business men in little suits dancing around them stuffing their pants with singles." She said. "We would have never gotten away with this. Not even today. Did this woman even watch other cheerleading squads? This was over the top."
"We need a new routine in a month." Steven said. "I know its a lot of pressure but..."
"I'll do it." Lizzie said. "Does this mean I have the job?"
"Yes, you do." Steven said. "Welcome aboard, Ms McCarthy."
"Thanks. When can I start?"
"Today would be good. I'll let the squad know to meet you after school." Steven said as she stood up. "Now remember, the girls were very close to the last coach, the author of that program. They may be a little resistant to you."
"Don't worry. I'll win them over." Lizzie said going to the door as Harry Senate came in. "You can count on me." She gave him a thumbs up. He nodded and she left.'
"Wow, who was THAT?" Harry said.
"Our new cheerleading coach." Steven said.
"I'll be right back, I think I need a little cheering up." Harry said going to the door.
"Get back here Senate." Steven said.
"All right. I was just gonna welcome the new faculty." He said innocently.
"I bet." Steven said.
Later
Harry was at the bulletin board in the teachers lounge posting something. Lauren and Marla watched him.
"Whats that?" Marla asked him.
"New faculty betting pool." Harry said. "How long is this cheerleading coach gonna last?"
"We've had alot of them lately." Lauren said. "The gym is becoming more frightening than the dungeon."
"Let's not go overboard hon. Nothing beats the dungeon." Marla said.
"Thanks Marla."
"Welcome." Marla said. "I give her two weeks."
"Two weeks." Harry wrote. "Lauren."
"This is stupid. She won't last two weeks." Lauren said. She sighed. "Three."
"I'll put myself down for 72 hours." Harry said. Vice principle Scott Guber came in the door. "Hey Scott, want to put down your vote?"
"Vote for what?" Scott asked coming to the board.
"Faculty pool, how long is the new cheerleading coach going to last." Harry said.
"This is a very idiotic idea, Mr Senate." Scott said. "The last thing we need around here is a pool undermining one of our own teachers. We all need to support each other, not make a childish bet on who might be the next to go. Which might be you, Mr Senate, if you don't watch your step." Scott reached out and ripped the piece of paper off the bulletin board. He balled it up in his and walked away.
"Geez, Mr Scott 'I'm a spoil sport' Guber." Harry muttered as Scott left.
Outside he un-balled the paper and read the name at the top of the list. "Elizabeth McCarthy, Head Cheerleading coach." He read to himself. "Elizabeth McCarthy? No, it can't be." He said to himself.
