Coach Cooper escorts Lloyd through the quiet hallway toward Assistant Principal Stevens’s office. Mikey follows behind them, his ankle cleaned and his completed reflection sheet held carefully in both hands.
Coach Cooper
Stay together until we reach the office. Lloyd, your referral and written statement are attached. Mikey, your report is included as well.
Assistant Principal Stevens looks up from her desk as they enter. Her broad shoulders square behind the paperwork, and her large disciplinary paddle remains visible beside the filing cabinet.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Place every document on my desk. I will review Coach Cooper’s account, Lloyd’s explanation, and Mikey’s request for a severe punishment before I question anyone.
Coach Cooper lays down the referral and points out the recorded interruptions. Lloyd sets his folded statement beside it, while Mikey places the reflection sheet on top of the gym records.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Lloyd, wait outside with the door open. Mikey, remain here quietly until I have spoken with him. I will question each of you separately.
Lloyd steps into the hallway, glancing once toward Mikey before facing the wall. Stevens opens his statement and begins reading, while Coach Cooper stands nearby to answer factual questions.
“I persuade Stevens that Lloyd deserves to be paddled for his persistent defiance of Coach Cooper and for deliberately distracting me during PE.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Conversation, rolled -1)
Stevens reads Coach Cooper’s referral, then lifts her eyes to Mikey. The paddle remains beside the cabinet, visible but untouched, while Lloyd waits silently beyond the open door.
Mikey
Lloyd repeatedly defied Coach Cooper, kept interrupting after being told to stop, and deliberately distracted me during PE. He deserves a paddling.
Mikey’s voice shakes on the final words. Stevens writes his statement into the disciplinary summary, adding that his report is consistent with Coach Cooper’s account.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Your report is specific, and Coach Cooper’s record confirms persistent defiance. I accept your account that Lloyd’s conduct disrupted your participation.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Lloyd will receive a formal paddling for refusing repeated instructions and interrupting instruction. His explanation will be filed, but it does not erase the recorded conduct.
Stevens opens the door wider and calls Lloyd back inside. The decision is made, but Mikey’s name now appears as the student who requested the severe consequence, a fact Stevens says she will document.
Lloyd
I understand that I broke the instructions, but I did not deliberately distract Mikey. I accept the review, and I want that distinction kept in the record.
✓ Quest Accepted
Have Lloyd receive the formal paddling
“Can I wait outside while Lloyd receives the formal paddling?”
YES (Likely, rolled 34)
Assistant Principal Stevens
Mikey, you may wait outside with the door open while I handle Lloyd’s formal disciplinary consequence. You will not participate or comment further.
Stevens gathers the referral and Lloyd’s statement, keeping Mikey’s report clipped to the front. She gestures toward the hallway, where the bench remains visible from the office.
Lloyd
I understand. I still want the record to say that I was trying to support Mikey, even though I interrupted and refused to stop quickly enough.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Your explanation is filed. The conduct remains established, and the consequence will proceed. Cooper’s account carries the controlling weight.
Lloyd steps toward the office interior, clutching his folded statement. Stevens closes the door most of the way, leaving it open enough for supervision but not for conversation.
Coach Cooper
Mikey, sit on the hallway bench and remain quiet. Your reflection is complete, and your report has been recorded. Do not add anything else.
From the bench, Mikey can hear Stevens give Lloyd the final instructions, followed by the muted sounds of the formal procedure. The hallway stays still, and no one asks Mikey to enter.
“I grin with amusement as I hear Lloyd receive a severe paddling, with each loud crack of the paddle followed by a high-pitched yelp from Lloyd.”
Mikey sits on the hallway bench, his completed reflection sheet resting in his lap. A grin crosses his face as the office door remains partly closed.
Inside, Assistant Principal Stevens administers Lloyd’s formal school consequence out of Mikey’s view, following the established procedure while Coach Cooper supervises. The hallway offers no details beyond its muffled finality.
Lloyd
I understand the consequence. Please keep my explanation attached to the report.
Assistant Principal Stevens
Your explanation is attached, Lloyd. The consequence addresses your repeated refusal to follow instructions.
After several minutes, the office falls quiet. Assistant Principal Stevens opens the door, and Lloyd steps out carefully with his statement still folded in one hand, his expression subdued.
Coach Cooper
Lloyd, return to class when Assistant Principal Stevens releases you. Mikey, remain seated and keep your reflection sheet with you.
Assistant Principal Stevens
The disciplinary record is complete. Lloyd’s conduct, his explanation, and Mikey’s report have all been filed.
Quest Complete
Have Lloyd receive the formal paddling