Study Hall -- Wednesday, September 28th

[principalconnor.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Wednesday's study hall. I'm in a considerably better mood than yesterday, which mostly means none of you will be getting set on fire today. I reserve the right to threaten you with it, though. You have no fucking idea how entertaining the looks on your faces are when I do that.

*grins wickedly and takes a drag off her cigarette*

The announcements for today --

-- Biff is missing once again from the front of the teachers lounge. If somebody could find that stupid goddamn bear and drag it back, I'd appreciate it. (I won't be rettaching any limbs you might lose, though. That's your fucking problem, not mine.)

-- After the events of last weekend, I'm thinking of lifting the weapons ban. I'll be opening up a discussion section in the comments for those opposed and those for the weapons ban to hash out any differences they might have, any requests they might have for licensing or policing those who wish to carry their weapons, and any other problems they might wish to discuss.

-- Parents Weekend will take place on October 28th, 29th, and 30th. For the record, you may make one new RPG journal for whichever parent, guardian, relation, or mortal enemy you might wish to bring in for your character. These characters cannot already be enrolled in the school or exist in town, and if you can find someone not already involved in the game to play them just for that weekend, all the better. However, these characters will not be allowed posting access on FH or any related communities, they will only be allowed to comment in designated threads -- open houses for classes, the Halloween dance, etc. They're only here to visit for one weekend, folks -- they won't be hanging in the dorms or taking classes or anything. Also, teachers will be allowed to call parent/teacher conferences with any of their students they might wish to meet with (or any "parent" they might wish to interview ... *snerk*).

(OOC: Also, for the record, I'm not playing John Connor anymore -- I've passed him off to someone else. Now he can get a little more play, the poor antisocial bastard. :))

Comments

Re: Weapons Ban

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie stands, clears his throat, and by force of habit takes his hat off. He turns it absently in his hands as he speaks, hesitantly but clearly.

“Ma’am, I would respectfully suggest that the concern of those in favor of the weapons ban may be partially misdirected. I understand that there is a certain fear of students violently turning on each other, but if I may say so, this concern is relatively minor. We all know that this school is . . . unusual. Strange things happen: I point to locker 327 as an example. As another example, it’s my understanding that Edward Elric opened what appeared to be a closet door in the common room and found himself in a desert; who knows how soon it will be before another student is inadvertently displaced, and whether or not the situation is less benign? And I don’t feel I need to point out the weekend’s events. Therefore, I respectfully submit that, by and large, what we wish to defend ourselves against is the more dangerous aspects of the school’s capricious nature -- not each other.”

He pauses and takes a long, slow breath, then begins to pace back and forth in front of his desk. “I have lived the past few years of my life in close quarters with many other men in conditions that are far from luxurious, in situations that would try the patience of a saint. If anyone is likely to lose their temper and lash out at his fellows, it would be in that situation. Our straits are nowhere near so dire here.”

Agitatedly, he twists his hat in his hands, quite unconscious of the damage he’s doing to it; he stares down at his feet as if collecting himself, then draws another breath and looks up at Principal Connor. His face is flushed and he is trembling, though it’s barely perceptible. “I’ve seen what happens when one man chooses to unleash the maliciousness of his nature on his fellows. I have been the victim of it many times. It may seem odd that among so many able-bodied men, one might be allowed to exercise ill will so freely on the rest, but madam and fellow students, this is what happens when we allow fear to keep us from taking a stand. We were all terrified of being punished further for it, and our captain was not a man who commanded authority. I don’t think that the latter is the case here.

“My suggestion is this: we establish neutral parties to whom we can report situations of feeling threatened without fear of retribution. How matters would be dealt with from that point on I’m not sure, but it would be worth putting on the table so that everyone is comfortable with the proceedings. I agree with those who have emphasized the need for clear accountability measures; should any one student demonstrate an inability to behave responsibly with a weapon, let actions be taken against that one student individually. Further, we make sure that for all of our students who are not versed in martial skill and wish to learn, the options are available for them, as it’s only fair. I would even go so far as to suggest that those of us with weapons skill volunteer to teach them; it would demonstrate that we can be trusted with our weapons, as well as build their confidence.”

Re: Weapons Ban

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*nods in agreement*

*loves it when Archie is so eloquent*

Re: Weapons Ban

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

*thinks Archie might be on to something with the "neutral party" reporting*

Re: Weapons Ban

[janet_fraiser]

Nicely said, Archie.