Saved by the Bell
-3-
The Son of God goes forth to War

I don't think one signal word passed between the three of us as Jamie guided Daisy out of the lunchroom and toward the headmasters office. Jamie and Daisy walked ahead of me, and I trailed a little behind the two. Then something happened, as we drew closer to the headmaster office. Daisy paused and took a deep breath. And then in a light, airy tone of voice he started to sing a cappella. The sound of his voice seemed to echo down the hallway. 

“The son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain; his blood-red banner streams afar: who follows in his train? Who best can drink his cup of we, triumphant over pain, who patiently bears his cross below, he follows in his train.”

I blinked and Jamie blinked.

“The martyr first, whose eagle eye could pierce beyond the grave, who saw his Master in the sky and called on him to save: like him, with pardon on his tongue, in midst of mortal pain, he prayed for them that did the wrong: Who follows in his train?”

Jamie sighed and out of respect I think I just stood there. I was held in rapture by his voice and how softly the words rolled off his tongue. And as his blood and the blood my attacker mixed and dripped down on the floor. I could sense what Daisy was trying to do. He was expressing his displeasure at what was about to happen in the only way he knew possible. Through song.

“A glorious band, the chosen few on whom the Spirit came, twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, and mocked the cross and the flame: they met the tyrant's brandished steel, the lion's gory mane; they bowed their necks the death to feel: Who follows in their train?

At this point a small crowd had gathered and the head appeared and she took a deep breath and out of respect paused as Daisy started on the third and forth verse. Now I was raised a pagan. I don't pretend to understand the Christian faith. Nor what spiritual force drives these people called Christians onward. I think for the most part it's a bunch of bullshit. But at that moment, standing before me, I knew I was standing the real thing. A noble knight who would defend the weak, who would uphold his honor at all cost.

“A noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid, around the Savior's throne rejoice, in robes of light arrayed: They climbed the steep ascent of heav'n through peril, toil, and pain: O God, to us may grace be giv'n to follow in their train.”

“Daisy.” I said, wiping the tears away from my eyes. “That was beautiful.” 

“Are you quite done Mr. Bell?” The head said as she appeared in front of us.

“I guess.” Daisy said in a cocky tone of voice. The Head blinked and sighed. “I was hoping to do this in private. But since you've attracted an audience. I guess we should do this right here and now in the hallway. Do you have any objections to that Mr. Bell.”

I blinked and I was about to say something when Daisy held up his hand and smiled.

“I think Shakespeare said it best when he said 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.' I welcome an audience to see this mistrial of justice.” He said, tossing his head back. Jamie blinked and the head flushed a beat red.

“Fine.” She closed the office door and a few minutes later she tossed it open, in her right hand she held a slender cane and in her left hand she held a chair. 

“Mr. Bell, you have been accused of drawing attention to yourself. Of handling matters that should have best been left up to the school appointed prefect and staff. Of brawling with a fellow student. Of causing a stir in the hallway just now with your little performance just now and of being rude and smarting off to a member of staff. And how do you plead?”

I blinked and blinked again. This was something. This was something. I could not believe the scene that was unfolding before my very eyes. It was like a drama, but the drama was all too real. All eyes including mine now shifted toward Daisy who just stood there as if weighing his answer. Then turning his head around and peering into each of his eyes, his eyes though seemed to linger a little on mine a little too long.

“Guilty on all accounts.” He said, flicking his ponytail around. 

The head blinked. 

“Then Mr. Bell you are sentenced to four weeks of in school suspension. You will also have two two weeks of Saturday Detention.” She paused. “Furthermore, you shall be given six strokes with the cane. Here and now.” She said as she pushed the chair in front of them.

“I shall charge Ms. Potter.” She said as she handed the cane toward Jamie. “To carry out the sentence.” She shifted her gaze toward Jamie who seemed to take a few steps back.

“I would like to remind you, Miss. Potter.” The head said in a stern tone of voice. “That when you accepted the post of 'Prefect' you agreed to enforce the rules of the school and to command any and all legal order given to you by a member of staff.” The Head said in a stern voice as she pushed her glass up the rim of her nose.

“Furthermore, should you waver, I will have no choice but to see it as insubordination on your part. Which means you are not fit to discharge your duties as 'Prefect' anymore and will be removed.” The Head said, her English was very formal and stiff as a board. I don't know if she was always this formal, or if this was all part of the show.

“Furthermore, if you are removed from the office of 'Prefect' I will have no other choice but to remove you from your position as co-captain of the Varsity Cheerleaders. And also remove you from the squad.” The head said as she once more once more pushed the cane toward Jamie.

“Do I make myself clear Miss. Potter?” The head asked.

“Crystal,” Daisy butted in.

“You have just earned your yourself another stroke Mr. Bell.” The Head said gritting through her teeth.

“Anything else you would like to add?” The Head asked.  As she watched Jamie take with trembling hands the cane from her hand.

“Oh yes, ‘Father, forgive them; For they do not know what they are doing'.” Daisy replied with a smirk as he watched Jamie take the cane from the head.

“Add another stroke Mr. Bell.” The head said in a resounding voice that echoed up and down the hallway. “I will not stand for your smart alec attitude. I don't know how they did things in St. Katherine's Mr. Bell, but here in Benton Academy we do things differently.”

“Six to one, half a dozen to the other.” Daisy said. “And by that I mean all these semi private school's are just the same. Benton Academy is nothing more than a former segregation academy trying to act like it's a poor copycat of St. Katherine's And St. Katherine's is nothing more than a private Episcopal School that tries to act British and fails.” Daisy said as he took a deep breath. “Right down to the 'Prefect System' and the use of the cane instead of the traditional paddle.” 

The head blinked and blinked again and I swear at that moment I could have heard a pin drop. It was like somebody had sucked all the life out of the room. Daisy, though, just stood there and smirked a little.

“Add another stroke to that Ms. Potter.” The head said. “Anything else you would like to add to Mr. Bell?” The head said.

“Yes.” Daisy said as he tossed his head back again. “As a student of the Marquis de Sade. I quite enjoy the pain. So feel free to keep adding as many strokes of the cane as you wish. A good caning chills the blood and fastens the beating of the heart.” He said.

I could not believe what I was hearing! The more Daisy spoke the more I felt myself becoming enchanted with him. Here is a boy, who should have been begging for his life, he should have bent the knee eons ago and have accepted his fate. Instead he had refused to accept his face, and was now battering with the head! He was fearless. Even in the face of the towering authority he remained cool, calm and quick witted 

“We shall soon see about that. Ms. Potter Discharge your duties.” The head said. 

“Yes ma'am.” Jamie said as she moved toward Daisy. 

“Assume the position..” Jamie said though her voice seemed strained to the breaking point.

“Et tu, Brute?” Daisy said, smirking.

To be continued.