TERRA EMPIRE: ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR

Episode 11: REPORTING TO MR. MILLER

“I hope you are satisfied to mess up..” Sally said with a stern tone as soon as she left Mr.'s room. Comb. Fortunately, the school hallway where they were located was quiet because the learning hours were still going on, but his words accompanied by a shrill tone made Jordan worried in case it would disturb those in the classroom.

“Will you keep quiet if someone hurts your friend?” Jordan asked, looking back at his brother.

“What is clear I will stay away from difficulties,” reply Sally. “Remember, Jordan..this is a new opportunity for us...for you.. lest this fail while we just start it.”.

“Not me who wants to move to this city,” said Jordan then gave a gaze that made Sally so wrong.

“The debt collectors know our home, Jordan! And they threatened to kill us,” he replied softly because he did not want to be heard by anyone even though the school hallway was still quiet at that time. “And this school is better than your school used to be.”

“That's because Lynbrook High is a school enrolled in a government assistance program so you don't have to pay anything for me.”

“My life has been quite difficult. I have to work all day at McDonald's, also on the weekend shift, and that's not enough.”.

“That's why you also work at Royal Casino?”

“As I've said, my salary at McDonald's doesn't quite meet our needs.”

“I see, the problem is you work in the same place as when we were in Brooklyn. That's where your debt comes from. And I don't want you to fall into the same hole at Royal Casino.”

Sally was so annoyed to hear that, “Why am I being judged? We're talking about you.”

Next Sally nyerocos at length, nagging Jordan by revealing all the past mistakes made by Jordan, which Jordan thinks is the same case with what happened to him today, he said, something that comes from a misunderstanding and Sally who does not want to be bothered about her existence. Especially when called Mr. Comb, Principal Lynbrook High, is on his working hours, which means cutting his income calculated by time per day.

“As I said, he doesn't care about me. Only cares for himself,” Jordan said to himself.

‘What is so right?’ a voice in his heart. ‘If he doesn't care about you, where would he want to come to school?’

“Maybe so that he gets satisfaction can scold me.”

‘He can scold you elsewhere, in the apartment for example..’.

“But he won't know what happened to me. By getting a story from Mr. Comb he's got a gun when one day he'll nag me again.”

‘Maybe! But deep in his heart he wants to make sure you are not involved in more complicated affairs.’

“You are always optimistic.” Jordan laughed in his heart.

‘At least someone entertains you while you are being emailed at length.’

Jordan laughed again. It was pointless to argue with Sally at length because it would increase the length of the matter, and obviously she didn't want the other kids to see her standing up in anger in this hallway. Presumably soon the class hours will be over because the teenager saw Lana standing in the hallway towards the headmaster's room with a bag leaning on her back. The blonde-haired girl looked at Jordan and Sally anxiously because Sally was yelling at her, as well as curious.

“Just stay away from trouble,” Sally said with a reddened face like a boiled crab. “Yes already! I have to get back to work. It's already an hour past my break.”

Sally left in a hurry to leave the place towards the school exit. The direction he took was different from the place where Lana was waiting, it was because of Mr.'s office location. The combs closer to the school gate were to the south, while these classrooms and hallways, from where Lana McQueen had come, were to the north, until the two girls clearly could not cross paths.

“Who is it?” lana asked as soon as Jordan approached her.

“My brother, Sally! Mr. Comb called him here about my fight yesterday.”

“Oh, fast. She's too young to be your mother,” Lana chuckles. “So why Mr. Comb called you?”

“He's a respected prosecutor in this city, as well as a big donor Lynbrook High. Don't be surprised that Tom can often escape Mr.'s detention. Comb.”

“Really? I thought Mr. Comb is a good guy.”

“I don't know how you can judge it so. You just met him for the first time in the clinic room, when he asked you,” said Lana. “There have been many cases like this. Usually other children who bear the punishment.”

“That makes Allen and his friends more careless to treat other children,” Jordan shook his head.

“I agree with your brother, after this as much as possible stay away from Allen..”.

“Hey, I didn't know you eavesdropped on our conversation,” Jordan grinned.

“Your sister's voice is loud so, how could I not hear it,” said Lana.

“Let's just relax, I don't like looking for it because, okay! I just can't keep quiet seeing her treatment for you.”

“Don't think of me,” said Lana with a worried face. “Allen can make you more fall into a heavier problem than this.”

“Iya, anyway..what is heavier than undergoing detention cleaning the school for a month?” Jordan groaning.

“You want to see Mr. Miller before lunch?” Lana asked as soon as she arrived at the canteen.

“Which person, yes?”

“You want me to accompany?” Lana. “Normally this hour he's in the canteen.”

It was not difficult to find Fred Miller, the man was in the back of the cafeteria, fiddling with a dust cleaner who seemed to be clinging to it. The man who served as a school janitor was apparently Mexican, heard from hispanic accent that was so obvious when the man spoke in English. His age may have reached his fifties, even the age of the man feels much more than the combined age of Jordan and Lana at once.

The man looked at Jordan probingly, seemingly unsure if Jordan could help him with school cleaning. It might also be thought that the boy would only be troublesome, but he was unable to resist since Jordan had come at the Headmaster's order. If he does not give him the tasks as detention for the actions he has done, the child can behave arbitrarily after that…

“Try me to see your hand...”

Jordan was puzzled to hear the request but he extended his hand as well…

Fred Miller looked closely at Jordan's palms, “Hmmm, quite well too. I'm sure you're not like the other spoiled kids at this school. The big question, can you sweep and mop the floor. it will be seen Monday.”.

“Good, Mr. Millerite. So we meet after school?”

“Hey, just want to decide!” fred Miller. “You should come at seven in the morning. exactly at seven..”.

“That shawl?” Jordan's dumbfounded.

“What do you think this place can clean itself when you come early in the morning?” said Mr. Miller with a stern look. “Come at seven in the morning and I will teach you the necessary things first before you start your detection.”

“Alright, Mr. Miller! See you Monday at seven in the morning,” Jordan nodded.

***