Rain:1013: Rumor Mill

Synopsis

Everyone at school shares speculation about what happened to Father Quenton, and Emily says Brother Arthur will be filling in as principal for the rest of the year.

Author Notes

I'm sure you have some questions. ^^;

As should be abundantly obvious after over a thousand pages, Rain is a work of fiction. It is also a slice-of-life school dramedy story and NOT a courtroom drama. I wanted this arc to be in here (for reasons), but I didn't want to derail the overall tone. And while I know many readers wanted to see judges passing down verdicts, or people getting fired/expelled, or just some of our antagonists slowly writhing through punishments, I felt that going too deep into it was just going to pull the story into a weird tangential direction.

The "rumors" here mostly chronicle what I had in mind for the wrap up, and it doesn't take dozens or more pages of off-topic scenes to set up to bring us there. How do people hear these kinds of things though? Well, if the pre-E3 cycle has taught me anything this year, it's that secrets can always get out. XD

I've actually been really nervous about these pages, because I don't know if readers will feel satisfied. "So that's it!? Everything is just wrapped up very neatly and quietly off-screen in two little pages of exposition!?" Here's the thing: not really. There are still some questions unanswered. I never said this was the end of Father Quenton and Todd either. And it's not as though everything is back to normal...

But hey, most characters to ever appear in a single update. That's fun! XD

Transcript

April 8th, 2013 - Monday

I just overheard something strange. Is it true Father Quenton resigned?
I know we haven’t seen him in a couple days, but without so much as a peep seems... odd.
It is odd. And here I was convinced I was going to be retiring before he did.
Do you think he's okay? He is getting on in years.
I don't know if this is true or not, but I actually heard it was some kind of scandal.
A scandal? Really?
Think about it, big bro! Todd Bittner hasn't been in school for over a week now, and then the principal just stops coming in too?
When you say scandal though... you don't mean like... you know... You know!
Ew, no! Nothing like that! At least, I don't think.
I heard it was hush money.
Hush money?
He was taking bribes?
Yeah, like the school was getting some seriously generous donations under the table from Todd's parents to look the other way when he did some messed up shit.
I mean, i know Father Quenton has a reputation as being "Evil Incarante", but why would he just agree to let this one kid go bully whoever he wants? Shouldn't that go against his priest code or something?
Randy just said maybe they're related. Father Quenton could be that Todd kid's uncle. Hence, being extra lenient with him.
Where do you hear this stuff, Randy?
So, was Todd expelled then?
I overheard someone in class mention it was a more unofficial removal. Like, so expulsion doesn't show up on his permanent record.
So, it was more like the school insisted he be transferred. They also said the bribe money that was still available would be used for therapy and anger management for Todd.
I think I'd be more satisfied if he were punished, but I guess rehabilitation is probably the better route.
Anyway, it sounds like the diocese will be assigning a new priest to be principal next year. But Brother Arthur will be acting as interim for the rest of this year.
That won't affect most of us, but are you okay with that? Do you plan on staying in St. Hallvard?
Rudy's been convincing his mom to let him go back to public school next year. If he does, maybe I'll go too. I just want to be where my friends are.
It's why I convinced my parents to let me come back. I kinda need you all.

Links and References