"Hello?"

"I seek the one known as Brian of Trent," a deep, gravely voice said from the other end.

"And who should I say is calling?"

I heard another voice in the background. "I am his father," said the first voice.

I could see the speaker now, and I shuddered. The creature looked for all the world like a six foot flounder wearing a gray uniform. "You mean that Brian is half-human, and half alien fish?"

Someone laughed, and I knew the voice now. "No, I am his father. Tell Brian of Trent that I will meet him on the next rotation after the learning...." After a pause, the creature said, "The time period called tomorrow after school."