Finals: The Dolbin School Book 4--Chapter 17--Preparing for the Final Presentation

 

Finals: The Dolbin School Book 4

I am serializing my next book here first before it is available anywhere else.  It is still in the formatting stage at the moment.  I have serialized the other three books here on Steemit in the past year.  Here are the first chapters from where I serialized each book.
Dolbin School for the Extraordinary

The Dark Cloud Rises

The Return of the Professor

You can click here to see them on Amazon.

And Now this book is available for preorder on Amazon.  Click here to have it delivered to your Kindle when it is released.

Hope you follow along!  Click here for Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16

Summary: While meeting with Professor Powers about his final presentation Jake learns a little more about how the school keeps it's secrets.

Jake opened the door and walked in Professor Powers office.  The opening sitting room was empty, save for the chairs, table, and magazines.  Jake realized he had never actually seen anyone use the sitting room when he visited Professor Powers.  The door was partially opened, Jake knocked.  “Come in Jake,” said Professor Powers from behind the door.

Jake walked in, and sat down in the chair in front of Powers’ desk.  Jake’s lap was full with his tablet and research for his paper.

Powers looked up from his desk.  He motioned with his one arm at the items in Jake’s lap, “I see you brought a lot to look at.  Do you have any specific questions today?”

“Am I just turning in paper to you next week?  Or am I turning in a project?”

Powers shrugged his shoulders.  “What do you want to turn in?”

Jake was dumbfounded.  He had never had a teacher ask that questions before.  “I’m not sure what I want to turn in.”

Powers smiled, “Fair enough.  I want you to write a report, but I am going to want you to present it to me next week.”

“I present a paper?  Like an oral report?”

“I want you to write it, so that you can put your thoughts and research down.  And it will give me something to review.  But here is what I am looking for.  I want to know what your opinion is on The dark Cloud.  I want to know what your research was.  I want to see your interpretation, I don’t just want you to repeat what someone else has written.  Now, if you want to add pictures, videos, or holograms, then that would be more than fine.  But I am not going to give you specific page count on how long your presentation should be.”  He pointed to the papers in Jake’s lap. “I can clearly see that you have done your research.”

“How can I find out what Dolbin alumni are doing now?” Jake asked.

Powers cocked his head.  “Why are you interested in that?”

“I wanted to see what those students that participated in Extra in the Open while they were here to see what they are doing now.”

Powers leaned back in his chair.  “Interesting.”  Powers pondered for a moment and stared at the ceiling, “It sounds like you are trying to see if there is a connection between that activitity and their current situaton?”

“Yeah,” Jake replied.

Powers leaned forward in his chair.  “I am willing to bet that connection has been made by others.”

“Why can’t I get the information?  I was told by a librarian, that information on Alumni was only available to certain staff members.”

Powers furrowed his brow.  “Of course that information is protected.  It should be easy to find out where all the current Extras are—much less to what they are doing.”  He pointed at Jake, “Only a few people know where your family is.  And that’s the way it should be.”

Jake looked down, “Yes, sir.  But who does have access to that information?”  Powers cocked an eyebrow.  “I mean who are the people in the Extra world that have that information?  Who is it that controls that information?”

“There are a group, a board, if you will, that keeps that information.  They have that information so that when a new Extra shows their skills we know where to send the suitmen pick-up the child.  So, yes, there is a group that has that information.”  Powers leaned forward.  “The Extras need this group.  They are the ones that negotiate with the Basics about which Extras are allowed to be seen.  The Basics know that this school exists, but they don’t know where it is.  That is all because of the board, that keeps this information.”

“I guess I never thought about how all of this really works,” Jake waved his hand.

Powers leaned back in his chair, “Let’s change the subject for a second.  How are things with you and Brad.”

Jake cringed at the name.  “He is being a butt recently.  He and Bruce almost got into a fight this afternoon in the locker room.  And I have no idea why he got so mad.”

Powers leaned forward, “I want you to be very careful with Brad.”  Powers held Jake’s gaze.  “I want you to do your best to not fight him.  Do your best to walk away from him when he gets angry.”

“When he gets angry?  What is it you know, Professor Powers?” Jake asked.

Powers let out a deep breath.  “Brad seems to be easily angered.  Almost like he is looking for a fight.  Do your best to not give him what he wants.”

“I know I could be expelled.  That’s what Principal Glover told me after the fight on the baseball field.”

“I know.  I can’t speak for Principal Glover. But do your best to not give Brad what he wants.  Which seems to be a fight with you.” 

“How do I avoid that, Professor?  He lives on my hallway.  He is in several of my classes?  How do I keep him from wanting to start a fight with me?”  Jake spoke faster and faster.

Powers took a deep breath.  “We are watching.  I know it may not feel like it, but we are watching.”  He took a sip from his coffee mug, “Also you seem to have developed a lot friends here in the two and half months that you have been here.  Use your friends, hang-out with them, let them know when Brad is bothering you.”

“But Professor, he even wants to fight my friends.  I had to stop Bruce from fighting him in the locker room.”

Powers stood up, excited.  “That’s exactly right!  That’s what I am talking about.  You as a group of friends can help one another.  Use them, adults can be a lot of places, but your friends can be with you more.  There is power in friendship—use it.”