Branded - Eric Walters [4]
“Mr. Roberts!” she yelled. “We have to talk, right now!”
He looked down at her. “My office. Two minutes.”
She nodded in agreement.
“And Ian, you come too,” he said.
We settled into chairs—Julia, myself and Oswald, who was still wearing the new school uniform. On the short trip from the auditorium, we’d been bombarded by people complaining about the uniforms.
chapter three
We settled into chairs—Julia, myself and Oswald, who was still wearing the new school uniform. On the short trip from the auditorium, we’d been bombarded by people complaining about the uniforms. Most of the students thought they were unfair and asked Julia what she was going to do. There were threats that kids weren’t going to take this lying down.
I knew Julia was about ready to burst. This was looking like the opportunity to take a stand against the principal that she had been waiting for.
Mr. Roberts closed the door to his office, sealing us in. He took a seat behind his desk. It was enormous. There were lots of papers on it, but it was very organized. Each pile of paper was neatly stacked and labeled.
“I assume that you are not in favor of the uniforms,” he said.
“I’m completely opposed to them!” Julia thundered. “It’s not fair!”
“Not fair?” Mr. Roberts questioned. “The concept of fairness involves conformity to standards in which all people are treated equally. How is this not fair?”
Julia opened to mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She looked helpless. I needed to do something.
“Maybe she chose the wrong word,” I said. “Since everybody is going to wear the uniforms—”
“Including the teachers and myself,” Mr. Roberts added.
“Yeah, including all the staff makes it fair, but maybe it isn’t the right thing to do,” I said.
“And how do you think it is wrong, Ian?”
“I really, you know, don’t know if it is wrong,” I sputtered.
“You think this is a good idea?” Julia asked angrily as she turned to face me.
“I didn’t say that either!” I said.
“So you do think this is a mistake,” Mr. Roberts asked.
I felt myself stuck between a rock and a hard place…no, that would have been better.
“I only came because you asked me to come. I didn’t really…” Julia was growing angrier by the second. “But I’m glad I’m here now. I want to hear both sides of this argument. I really do.”
I really didn’t.
“Good. An open mind is a good thing,” said Mr. Roberts. “Let me start by explaining the reasoning behind this decision.
“The concept of uniforms is based on a sense of equality. You all know how students use clothing to define status. Rich kids wear the most expensive designer clothes.”
“And those who can’t afford them struggle to keep up,” I added.
“Exactly,” Mr. Roberts said.
I worked at not looking at Julia because I knew I wouldn’t like the look she’d give me. She had in the past accused me of being the “principal’s pet.” I was nobody’s pet, including hers.
“Uniforms cost money,” Julia said. “What about those who can’t afford them? They’re not free.”
“They cost less money than regular clothing,” Mr Roberts answered. “And we have worked out an arrangement where all students will receive uniforms at a reduced price. For those who still cannot afford them, they are free.”
So much for that argument.
“If you think about it logically, between gym clothes with the school name on them, team uniforms and the dress code we already have, this isn’t a giant leap,” Mr. Roberts added.
Julia looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what to say.
“There is a l so the safety factor,” Mr. Roberts continued. “The uniforms will allow us to quickly identify who belongs here and who doesn’t. That makes it safer for all the students. You do want the students to be safe, don’t you, Julia?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then you can see why the uniforms are, in fact, not only fair but also a good idea.”
Julia nodded her head ever so slightly in agreement.
I had to hand it to him. Mr. Roberts had all the answers, and Julia was