259's History | ASSIGNMENT

[SJ Taylor]

Name: Research
Requirements: 10 Per
Job: Delve into someone's story line.
Bonus: Look into something involving the Main Plot.
Payout: +1 exp, +$200





SJ was ever so curious. 

She had chosen PHS #259 because on paper, it was the opposite of the private school she had attended. She didn't realize just how different a school that enforced corporal punishment was compared to even normal public high schools. Day by day, she was wondering if she should transfer out because it was just not for her- they weren't even close to being accommodating to her needs which made learning 100x more difficult. Teachers didn't know what to do with her and would sometimes send her up to the library to do some independent work. Clearly, this was not beneficial to her learning in any way.

But at the same time, she made some pretty solid friends- people who went out of their way to help her, whether it was through learning the ropes of this school or even just mapping things out. It was something genuine. At her private school, friendships were based on how much money one's parents made. 

This whole pillar system and corporal punishment though- it was so interesting on how it came to be. She's heard here and there about Emily and the other pillars... Who didn't? It was practically a school-wide known fact.

But she wanted to go deeper. 

The problem was, SJ couldn't just waltz into the office and read a bunch of files. No, she was blind- unless everything was in braille, it was a foolish plan. 

So SJ would do what she kind of did best: use her people skills and her uncanny use of perception. 

Over the past couple of weeks, she's been getting to know the librarian. She went up during her free period and would sometimes chat with her- and this time, she knew exactly what to talk about. 

Why the librarian? 

Well, it's because they practically know everything. Plus, this librarian must have been working at the school for YEAAAARS!

Once at the library... 

"Hello?? Mrs. Davidson??"

[Stevie-Rae]

Mrs. Davidson looked up as the door opened and shut telling her someone had entered the library. Upon seeing the young woman with the dog, she immediately recognized her as SJ Taylor. She was blind so it was alright for her to have the dog. Besides, Burrito was so well behaved. She made eye contact for a brief moment before looking away again. Right, blind.

"Hello, Ms Taylor. How may I help you today?" Her voice teemed with bright and cheery emotions.

[SJ Taylor]

"Mrs. Davidson, how long have you been working at 259?? Why do you choose to stay...?" 

It was genuine curiosity. SJ literally could not imagine this sweet librarian busting up fights if they broke out in the library - which she was sure happened on occasion given the nature of this school. She knew there must have been some sort of policy about fighting in the library because it was always a peaceful, quiet place to come and do work...but reckless students will remain reckless and will claim that rules were made to be broken. 

So she was curious. Because someone like Mrs. Davidson could easily get a job elsewhere. It wasn't the pay- the education system in the US was ridiculous and staff were ridiculously underpaid- unless you were a professor at a well-known university. But 259 was also where the rejects of the other public high schools were sent. 

Sometimes, she would just ask for a book recommendation and download the audiobook and listen. Other days, she would ask the librarian random questions- today just happened to be one of those days. 

[Stevie-Rae]

Her smile stayed planted as she spoke. Looking back up at her, I thought on it. Why did I stay? The students. Why else?

"Well, I stay because I like my job here. I enjoy reading and helping people find books to whisk them away from the troubles they face in their day to day lives. I worked at the school for three years before it closed ten years ago."

I took a stack of books from the desk in front of me and placed them on the rack behind me. I'd put them away later. Before turning back around, I'd continue the conversation.

"Is there anything else you wanted? More questions or a book perhaps?"

[SJ Taylor]

SJ grinned- she was thankful for the librarian. Without her, she wouldn't have gotten such great recommendations on audiobooks to check out, and it was true- the library was a safe-haven, an escape for countless of students. She hadn't fully realized that teachers were sometimes more than just educators; they took on the role of counselors...and sometimes, even a parent. 

"Well, you know that I always love your audiobook suggestions but- ... wait, the school shut down? What happened?" 

Was this on the news? Was this knowledge open to the general public?

[Stevie-Rae]

Her smile faltered. How much should she tell her?

"There was a large riot. A lot of people got hurt that shouldn't have. After that, it wasn't long before the board of directors decided to close down the school. Won't you come sit down dear?"

She knew the girl had more questions. She could tell by her voice. She needed to know something today. The librarian came around the desk and, if SJ let her, would lead her to a pair of cushy chairs near the desk.

[SJ Taylor]

A...riot?

That was another thing that SJ liked about the librarian. She was an observer- it was like she just knew the heart of students...and it was reassuring in an almost motherly way. She sat down on a cushy chair-- the chairs were always so comfortable, and you could tell by the number of students who would come up to just take a nap during their free period.

"Thank you."

A pause.

"...a riot... Is that why we have the pillar system now?"

...along with the SHCP and ... Militia? 

Wait. 

"Did the riot back then- I mean, this might sound far-fetched but- does it have anything to do with the riot that happened recently?" 

She was talking about the riot that happened in the lunchroom the other day. Granted, it was by 'outside' forces, but she kind of couldn't imagine a riot happening in-house...unless #259 really was that effed up. 

[Stevie-Rae]

She smiled at the student. She was so polite, even when she needed something right aweay. She was never rude, unlike most students around here were.

"Yes. The Pillars and the SHCP are what protects the student body as well as the teachers and other staff. They were first tested a long time ago. As a matter of fact, Mr Asiv was the first School Captain. Oh no, dear. This recent riot has nothing to do with that. As far as I know, it was just a bunch of students looking for trouble. It was a good thing our school had already chosen it's School Captain as well as three Pillars. It could have gone awfully awry if not for them."

She sat forward and patted the girl's hand reassuringly.

[SJ Taylor]

"Mr. Asiv!?! No way. I mean, I do teachers fight??-- I mean, I guess they would know how to but I guess-- I guess I never just thought about it because I never hear about it..." 

Woah! That came as a shocker. She really didn't think about teachers being fighters too, but it made sense because they were in a school that promoted corporal punishment. Also, with the amount of fights amongst the student body, she realized now that all the teachers must have some sort of self-defense or experience of fighting under their belts. She wondered if the librarian could fight, too?...

"So...then what started the riot? Back then, I mean- for the school to shut down? That's... That's some pretty heavy stuff..." 

She couldn't imagine how far the violence had to have gotten for a school to shut down. 

[Stevie-Rae]

She shifted a little uneasily. How much should she tell her now? How much was too much? She took a breath and began what she thought was right.

"Well, there was a lot of drug and violence. More than there is now. It caused a huge fight and the. there was a riot. After the riot got too big, the administration pulled the plug."

Tags:Momma Kammie

[SJ Taylor]

The librarian had every right to feel reserved when it came to sharing information- 259's history was marked with drug use and violence which is hardly a conversation any 14 year old should be a part of unless it was part of some drug abuse awareness program specifically tailored for teens her age. But with that being said, SJ's curiosity was piqued even further because of her hesitation. There was something else- and SJ really, really, really wanted to know. 

"I'm sorry if it seems like I'm asking too many questions... 259 is one of few schools that allow corporate punishment, and I guess I kind of just wanted to know how this school got to that point." 

A majority of public schools were 'normal'- any sort of physical violence were grounds for suspension and, in extreme cases, expulsion. But there was none of that here- in fact, this was the school that other schools sent their problem kids. 

"Like...why did the school close down for ten years? Who came up with the pillar system?" 

It was a huge wonder for those that didn't know as to how SJ ended up at this school. She was no problem child; her history was clean, mental status completely normal and sane - with some weird quirks, maybe - never once physically fought another student, or teacher! But that was why she chose to come to this school...because it was so different than everything else. 

There was a tug to this school. 

And even she couldn't fully explain what it was.

[Momma Kammie]

The librarian sighed and leaned forward. She supposed she could tell her a bit more.

"The drugs were a mishap given out by the administration. The parties involved were fired and new members were hired on. Ten years was how long it took for the administration to agree to give this school another chance. Not only that, but Mr Asiv was the head of pushing it so far and getting the final say so to open it. The Pillar system was proposed to the national school board to use the school captain that was already a title that was already a title for the students to give themselves and lead the school. A man by the name Dimir put the proposal forward. After a few days of deliberation, and test runs were made, until the system came about we have today."

The librarian sat back and sighed. Had she said too much? Had she told SJ what she wanted? Damn... It may have been too much.