She frowned at me。 “I think Ill stick around to make sure。”
The Booster Club president; Mrs。 McClure; had been fluttering around the basket boys; fixing
ties and giving them last…minute instructions; but
now suddenly she was slamming her gavel on the podium; calling into the microphone; “If
youll all settle down; were ready to begin。”
Id never seen six hundred kids quiet down so fast。 I guess Mrs。 McClure hadnt either;
because she smiled and said; “Why; thank you。 Thank you
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very much。” Then she said; “And wele to the fifty…second annual Basket Boy Auction! I
know that your teachers have gone over the procedures
with you in homeroom; but Ive been asked to remind you of a few things: This is a civilized
proceeding。 No whistling; catcalls; or other degrading
behavior will be tolerated。 If you wish to place a bid; you must raise your hand high。 Bidding
without raising your hand is prohibited; and should you
decide to be a funny guy; you will be caught and detained or suspended。 Are we all clear on
that? Good。” She looked from one side of the gym to
the other。 “Teachers; I see that you are in position。”
Six hundred heads turned slowly from side to side; looking at the blockade of teachers on
either side of the gym。
“Man;” Darla whispered; “theyre not leaving much room for fun; are they?”
Mrs。 McClure continued; “Minimum bid is ten dollars; and of course; the skys the limit; but
we dont accept IOUs。” She pointed to her right。
“Winning bidders should go directly to the table at the north door when I declare the basket to
be sold。 And as youre aware; winners and their
basket boys have the rest of the school day off and are exempt from tonights homework in
all classes。” She smiled out at the blockade。 “Teachers;
we appreciate your support on this。
“All right; then!” She put on her reading glasses and looked at a three…by…five card。 “Our first
basket has been brought by Jeffrey Bisho。” She
looked over her glasses at him and said; “e on up; Jeffrey。 Dont be shy!” He inched
forward as she continued。 “Jeffrey has brought a
scrumptious lunch consisting of chicken salad sandwiches; oriental noodles; baby grapes;
iced tea; and fortune cookies。” She smiled at him over
her glasses。 “Sounds delicious; and sounds like fun! Which;” she said; looking back at the
crowd; “Jeffrey is! He enjoys skateboarding; skiing; and
swimming; but ladies; he also enjoys a day in the park and watching Humphrey Bogart