Theodore Boone: The Scandal

Chapter 22

The Sunday newspaper ran a long article about the scandal and the problems it was causing. The criminal charges added a new layer of intrigue to the story, and the chance that the teachers might go to jail seemed to bother a lot of people. It certainly bothered their lawyer, and Mrs. Boone’s photo was on page two. She declined to discuss the case with the reporter, saying it was her professional responsibility to stay quiet and fight the charges in court, not in the press. This was unusual, Theo thought. Nowadays it seemed as though lawyers couldn’t wait to jump in front of cameras and chat with reporters. He admired his mother for staying out of the limelight. Dr. Carmen Stoop likewise had little to say. She took the position that the matter was now headed for court, and until things were resolved there she would stay quiet. Jack Hogan, the prosecutor, was notorious for saying little to the press, but based on the tone of the article, he was taking some heat for pursuing the teachers in criminal court.

Mrs. Boone had filed a thick motion demanding that the charges be dismissed. Judge Henry Gantry had decided to grant her wish for a speedy hearing and scheduled one for the following Thursday. Mrs. Boone had not mentioned the hearing to Theo, probably because she suspected he would immediately start scheming of ways to get into the courtroom.

And she was right. He started right then, on Sunday morning as he read the newspaper. He said nothing to his parents, but the wheels were already turning. How could he, Theo Boone, the only kid lawyer in Strattenburg, miss such an important event? It was unthinkable. He almost choked on his Cheerios when he hatched the idea that he could be considered one of the victims of the scandal; thus, he would need to be in the courtroom.

What a great idea.

Without complaining, he showered and dressed for church. He sat through the worship service with a smile on his face and didn’t hear a word the pastor said. Over lunch with his parents, he chatted about his next debate and his next camping trip, never once mentioning the scandal or anything related to it. Sunday afternoon he met April at Guff’s and finally convinced her not to send any more letters. One was enough.

First thing Monday morning, he cornered Mr. Mount after homeroom and laid out his plan. The hearing in Judge Gantry’s courtroom would be the perfect place for another field trip, for Mr. Mount’s class to observe the judicial process in action.

Mr. Mount was not so sure but said he’d think about it.

Late Monday afternoon, Theo stopped by Ike’s office. Parked outside was a brand-new bicycle, a ten speed with a helmet strapped to the seat. Ike said, “They took away my car keys for six months so I’m biking it now. I need the exercise.” He was drinking coffee from a paper cup and looked fresh, even bright-eyed.

“I’ve stopped drinking, Theo. No more booze for me. This DUI has taught me a valuable lesson, and I’m sobering up.”

“That’s great, Ike. I’m proud of you.”

“Booze is a dead-end street, Theo. Don’t ever start drinking, okay?”

“I’ve managed to avoid the stuff so far.”

“You’re only thirteen. Wait until you get to high school and start driving. That’s when the trouble starts. Promise me you’ll say no when a buddy offers you the first beer.”

Actually, that had already happened. Theo was hanging out at Woody’s house one day when his parents were away. The refrigerator was full of beer, and Woody thought it would be cool to drink a few. Theo declined and left not long afterward.

“I promise, Ike,” he said. “And I’m proud of you.”

“You’re one of the reasons, Theo, to be honest. I was humiliated when my favorite nephew came to the jail to rescue me. I finally realized that enough was enough, and I promised that I would never again put myself in a situation like that. I’m quitting for my own well-being, but I’m also quitting for you. I want to set a better example.”

His voice cracked a little, and his eyes moistened. Theo was not sure what to say.

Theo began his letter that night when he was supposed to be reading a book for English. The first draft began:

The more he wrote the better it sounded, and at midnight he was still pecking away on his laptop. The “victim” angle was pure genius, he thought, and he finally fell asleep filled with confidence that Mrs. Gladwell could not say no.

He wrote the final draft early Tuesday morning, printed it, and folded it into an envelope. He did not mention it to his parents. When he arrived at school, he took it straight to Mrs. Gladwell’s office. He bypassed Miss Gloria because she would ask a dozen questions, and he placed the letter in the center of Mrs. Gladwell’s desk.

During lunch, Mr. Mount found him in the cafeteria and handed him a small envelope. He tore it open and pulled out a handwritten note from Mrs. Gladwell. It read:

Tuesday, after school, Theo and Judge climbed the stairs at Boone & Boone and walked into his father’s office. Mr. Boone was hard at work with a pile of paperwork, his unlit pipe stuck in one corner of his mouth.

“How was school?” he asked.

“Boring. I can’t concentrate these days, not with the big hearing coming up on Thursday and being kicked out of the courtroom and all. It just seems so unfair.”

“Haven’t we had this conversation?”

“I wouldn’t call it a conversation. I’ve brought up the subject a couple of times and you guys just slam the door. I don’t get to say much.”

“Maybe there’s not much to discuss. You’re not missing school to go to court. It’s really quite simple.”

“I plan to boycott my classes on Thursday.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m boycotting. Not skipping. I’ll be in class all right, but I will not listen to the teachers and I will not take part in any discussion. I’ll do the homework because I’ll get in trouble if I don’t do the homework, but I plan to zone out and just sit there ignoring everything.”

“And you call this a boycott?”

“Something like that. I can’t think of a better word.”

“Sounds pretty stupid to me. Just sitting in class like an imbecile while the world goes by.”

“I don’t care. I’m taking a stand. You guys won’t let me go to court. I have to do something to protest.”

“Protest all you want, but if you make bad grades you’ll pay a price.”

“I’ve got straight A’s, Dad. One day of boycotting won’t hurt my grades.”

“Whatever. Don’t you have Scouts today, or are you boycotting that, too?”

“I’m leaving now.”