Monday September 30, 2019, 7:51 a.m.
The front walk and driveway of Whitmyer High School, Smalltown, Ohio.
Teenage students covered the school grounds enjoying the warm Fall morning and trying to make it last before the first bell rang. The children’s spirits were high despite this being the beginning of their school week. There was an exception to this. There was a group of students who woke up this morning knowing they would be the brunt of every joke and criticism of their peers. It is an unavoidable fact of life they have no choice but to accept. However, they were teenagers and by nature they must constantly learn to adapt to the cruel world they live in. As these students arrived for school they were pointed at and laughed at. But, so was the source of their humiliation, the scoreboard across the street at the football field, displaying their overwhelming defeat by the Birkey Hills Panthers.
Inside the glass covered, front entrance to the school, at the top of the stairs overlooking the arriving students and the scoreboard across the street, stood Coach Butch Shelton. No emotion crossed his face as he staired out across the school grounds. At first glance he looked like an imposing figure standing almost 6' tall, his well built frame obvious from his form-fitting t-shirt and sweat pants and his large arms crossed over his broad chest. His face was rugged looking with dark eyes that squinted into the rising sun. His close-cropped salt and pepper flattop was hidden by his favorite, well-worn baseball hat. He looked very intimidating. His students knew better. Teaching History, Gym and Football, Coach Shelton had a kind smile and encouraging word for anyone that made an effort. Still, the members of the football team were unsure if they should approach him and most avoided eye contact as they entered the school. Coach Shelton did not turn to look at them as he spoke. His voice was gravely with a soft hint of a southern accent. “My office at study hall, boys. I have the tape of Fridays game and we will learn from it.”
“Yes sir.”
“Yes Coach, ” they responded.
One of the players stopped after passing the coach and spoke up. “Why did ya leave the scoreboard up there? It’s embarrassing.” Coach Shelton continued to look straight out the windows but he was looking past that now, at another place, another time. “Really? That score is staying up there because you earned that score. And it is going to stay up there until you earn a better one this weekend.” That got everyone in the halls cheering and yelling as the continued to class.
The traffic in the halls began to thin as 8:05 grew closer and Coach Shelton was just getting ready to head towards his office when he heard someone yelling his name from down the hall. “Coach Shelton! Cooaaach Shelton!” That was no student. That voice was far to shrill to belong to one of the students. That was the voice of Principal Harrington. That was the voice that finally made the Coach close his eyes and slowly shake his head, wishing he could be somewhere else. He turned to face Principal Harrington and was surprised to see 3 other men with him. These three men all wore jet black suits and sunglasses. Seemed that look never went out of style.
“Coach Shelton, I wanted to let you know that the gymnasium will not be available today. The government has sent these gentlemen to conduct the annual gen-scan on the students and they will be setting up in your gym. But judging by the disaster our football team brought us this weekend, it doesn’t seem like that should be much of an inconvenience.”
“The gen-scan!” Coach Shelton realized he was yelling and quickly dropped his tone. They were aware of the nature of the scanning, as teachers. The general public was not aware. It was played off as a safeguard for the students, something that checked for sickness or disease like a high-tech physical. It seemed very odd that people bought that story but this was all conducted by the Federal Health Department and who was going to question the government. Especially these days. “The gen-scan is conducted after winter! It’s a proven fact that it’s 21% more successful in Spring than any other time of year!”
“Trust us, there is a reason for this,” said the head Federal agent. He had short, dark brown hiar and was otherwise rather bland looking except for the short, random scars that appeared across his face. He removed his sunglasses with one hand and extended his other in a handshake. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve the children’s future. We have had great success with your school in the past, almost no...illness... has ever been detected here. That is something that requires closer attention by our department. I am sure you can understand. You should be honored that we are here.”
“Oh, we are very honored! Aren’t we Coach Shelton?” Principal Harrington made it obvious the last part was not a question but an instruction for the Coach. Reluctantly, Coach Shelton returned the man’s gesture and shook his hand. “Yes, I’m glad we can help each other.”
“Wonderful!” yelled Principal Harrington. “Now if you would all follow me, I will lead us to the gym where you can unload your equipment and Coach Shelton will provide you with anything you need.” He continued to talk to the group all the way to the gym, oblivious to the tenseness between Coach Shelton and the government agents.
Feel free to make Kyle sweat for my goof. 
