Elite School Strategy

Elite School Strategy

With Frank's smell driving most people away, Alvin handed Chief George a beer and said, "Chief, if there's anything else you need and it's convenient to discuss, go ahead and tell me. Honestly, I don't dislike cops!"

George looked up at Alvin, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm not sure whether I should tell you. I've read your written reports and watched the videos. You have some rather special abilities, as well as some very powerful pets. I wanted to ask your opinion. Maybe it'll help."

Alvin grumbled inwardly about the way these people talked. Whenever they asked whether they should say something, they always ended up saying it anyway. So why waste your breath? If I don't say anything, I'll just watch you squirm.

The seasoned old chief showed no embarrassment whatsoever and continued, "Recently, a senior executive at Stark Industries was attacked. Her bodyguard died saving her. After investigating, we discovered that her attackers were vampires."

Stopping Alvin from voicing his mockery, Chief George said, "They really are vampires—fangs, active at night, drinking human blood. A thorough investigation revealed that they're a very large group. Many missing-person cases over the past few decades have been connected to them."

Alvin looked mockingly at the chief in front of him and said, "Wow. You didn't discover them for decades, but the moment a Stark Industries executive gets attacked, you know all about it!"

As he spoke, Alvin rubbed his eyes and said disdainfully, "Honestly, Chief, you've lowered my opinion of Big Apple City cops to a whole new level!"

Chief George gave a bitter smile and said, "I won't shirk my responsibility. When I learned about this, I ordered an investigation. But I lost more than ten officers. They were all good men.

"I don't want to watch them go die anymore. That's why I came to you. I think you might know something."

Rubbing his throbbing temples, Chief George said sincerely, "If you know anything, tell me. Let me send those sons of bitches straight to hell."

Alvin thought it over. Chief George's expression did not seem fake. He genuinely cared about public safety and grieved for the officers' sacrifices. Besides, night, fangs, bloodsucking—they all sounded familiar. There were no vampire movies in this world, but Alvin had watched plenty in his previous life. It made him curious, though he was also worried it might bring trouble to his door.

Beside them, Jessica had been drawn in by Chief George's story. She leaned against the bar with her chin propped in one hand, listening as if it were a tale.

Ginny happily climbed onto a barstool and copied Jessica, resting her chin on one hand. She could not understand what the adults were talking about, but she could watch her daddy!

Ginny's pose made Alvin laugh. He tickled her twice, making her giggle.

After kissing his daughter on the cheek, he turned to Chief George and said, "Maybe I know something, but I'm not sure. Can you bring in someone involved to confirm it? Have them tell me in detail what they saw, heard, even smelled."

Alvin paused, then said, "But shouldn't this sort of thing be handled by S.H.I.E.L.D.? This is supposed to be their area of expertise."

At the mention of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chief George's face filled with indignation. Clearly, he had not received good news from them. Just as the FBI looked down on the CIA, S.H.I.E.L.D. clearly had not taken the chief seriously.

"I got only one sentence from them: the matter is being handled, and they'll notify me when it's over. Those sons of bitches don't care at all whether civilians or police officers live or die.

"A city councilman raised this issue several times, and then his entire family disappeared. Those bastards are completely lawless."

After cursing S.H.I.E.L.D. a few times, Chief George seemed to feel better. "I can arrange a meeting with the Stark Industries executive. Can you do it?"

Alvin stretched and said with a smile, "I'm the owner and cook of this restaurant. As long as you come by during mealtime, I'll be here. I've got a whole family to feed, after all, don't I?"

As he spoke, Alvin affectionately pinched Ginny's little nose, then gave Jessica a disdainful look.

Ignoring Jessica's hopping protest, he held out his hand to Chief George and said, "I don't know how this will end. But I can tell you're a good cop. If this is real, I promise I'll do my best. After all, I have a child now, and I'm also a principal."

George clearly knew about Alvin calling himself a principal, and Alvin had made a promise.

Chief George joked, "Yes, Principal. Your school is the most unusual school I've ever seen. My daughter is about to start eleventh grade. Maybe I'll consider transferring her to your school.

"You know how troublesome girls can be during their rebellious phase. I'd love to follow her around with a gun every day to keep some bad boy from getting close to her."

Alvin looked at Ginny, the silly little girl sitting on the bar and hugging his arm while playing with his fingers. He nodded in deep sympathy and decided to issue a document later strengthening the school's rules against teenage romance.

Nodding fiercely, Alvin said, "My school absolutely does not allow teenage relationships! You can consider transferring your child here next year. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can guarantee our college admission rate. Our senior-year teachers are all highly respected old professors."

Inwardly, Alvin quietly kicked Professor Cage out of the ranks of highly respected scholars, but there was no need to tell George that, was there?

Chief George had not expected Alvin to actually dare invite him to send his daughter to the school. Unsure how to respond, he laughed awkwardly and said halfheartedly, "I'll have to go home and ask my wife and daughter what they think!"

Then Alvin suddenly realized that George's daughter would be an excellent student prospect. If he handled this well, she could serve as an example. After that, if outside students wanted to enter the community school, they would have to pay a hefty price.

It was not that Alvin looked down on other schools, but in another two years, when it came to exams, the community school would leave every other school far behind. What? Being good at tests was not enough; students also needed practical social experience? The kids of Hell's Kitchen went home one day every week during their break. That one day was the best practical social experience there was.

If he wanted to make the school good, it needed results. It was too late for that at this stage, but were there not underhanded methods? Bring in more outstanding students to take the exams, and would that not become the school's achievement? Maybe it would take only one year to become an elite school.

Thinking about elite school admissions in his previous life, wealthy people had practically thrown stacks of cash at prestigious schools. If they encountered a demanding one, they still had to face teachers picking them apart during interviews. The community school did not need that. If you had money, Alvin would admit you.

But first, he had to talk George into sending his daughter over. Alvin said, "Ask them? What's that? Don't make me look down on you, George. I can guarantee that your daughter absolutely won't get a boyfriend at my school. And since she'll be in eleventh grade when she comes, she'll be taught by two retired Columbia University professors: Professor Wilson and Professor Cage.

"Wilson was nominated for the United States' top literary award. Professor Cage is even more impressive—a Nobel Prize in Mathematics nominee. Just think about what your daughter's future will look like under their guidance!

"Either professor could recommend your daughter to one of the top universities in the country. What are you waiting for, George? Think about all those bad boys circling around your daughter at school. Your daughter's future is in your hands."

George was clearly tempted. Stroking his chin, he said, "I'll think about it."