Frank, What Exactly Had He Done?

Alvin was in an excellent mood as he greeted Ben Parker. "Old friend, being the electrical engineer at Community School isn't an easy job. You're going to be busy from now on. These brats are all little troublemakers."

Ben Parker was surprised to find the famously brutal principal so easygoing. He laughed and said, "It's great here, Principal. I've been here three days, and I've never seen a school where the kids are so well-behaved. You know, I have a nephew who'll be starting eleventh grade next year. I'm thinking about sending him here."

This was the first time Alvin had heard anyone volunteer to send a kid to Community School. Curious, he asked, "Old friend, I'm glad to hear you say that. Can you tell me why? It might help us attract more students in the future. Either way, I have to say you've got a good eye."

Old Parker was delighted. He smiled and said, "I've been here three days, and I've never seen an atmosphere like this anywhere else. My God, if I'd gone to school somewhere like this, I wouldn't have become an electrical engineer. Maybe I'd have gone to Harvard and then found an office job on Wall Street."

Alvin happily shook Old Parker's hand. "See? Some people can recognize the benefits of our school at a glance. Old friend, where are you living now? I haven't seen you around Hell's Kitchen."

Old Parker smiled shyly. "I live in Queens now. It's not too far, and it's easy to drive here."

Alvin nodded. "Oh, that's not exactly close, old friend. Maybe you should consider moving to Hell's Kitchen. The area around 24th to 26th Street is very safe these days. You're not getting any younger, and driving an hour and a half to work every day can't be easy."

Old Parker didn't answer right away. He thought it over before saying, "I'll consider it. It's not something I can decide on right away. I have to think about what my wife and nephew want, too. Maybe when my nephew transfers here in September, I'll sell the old house and settle down here."

Alvin smiled and nodded. "That's right, old friend. You'll need to get ready. What's your nephew's name?"

Old Parker sounded a little proud. "Peter. Peter Parker. He's a good kid, and his grades are excellent. But my salary can't cover a good tutor for him. Otherwise, he'd do even better!"

Alvin nodded absently, then suddenly froze. He studied Old Parker closely. "Hey, what did you say your name was? I didn't quite catch it."

Old Parker looked at Alvin kindly. "Ben Parker, sir. You can call me Old Parker."

Alvin tapped his head. How could he have forgotten this man? "With great power comes great responsibility." Those words had made him one of the Marvel Universe's finest and most beloved Superheroes. This man deserved more respect than many so-called Superheroes. He was a truly good person.

Alvin formally shook Old Parker's hand again and said earnestly, "Old friend, would you mind taking on a little extra work? Of course, you'd get extra pay."

Old Parker looked at Alvin in confusion and answered nervously, "I don't mind, I don't mind. But you don't need to pay me extra. I like it here, and my salary is enough. I'd be happy to do a little more for the school."

Alvin smiled sincerely at the kind old man standing before him. He could hardly keep himself from applauding his own idea. "The job I have in mind won't be easy. The Punisher's Office needs someone as kind as you to clean up after Frank. He's been in charge for a week, and several parents have already called to tell me their kids came home and wet their pants for days. Old friend, I don't think being tough is always the answer. It wouldn't be a good reputation for the school if people went around saying its kids were always wetting themselves." He looked Old Parker straight in the eye. "I need your help, old friend. If nothing else, do it for the kids!"

Old Parker had lived an ordinary life. This was the first time anyone had told him he mattered, that he was needed here. It made him feel deeply valued and moved him.

"If that's really what you mean, then of course I'm willing, Principal. I believe now that you're nothing like the person the rumors describe." Old Parker spoke with quiet conviction.

Alvin laughed heartily and gave Old Parker a hug. "Then welcome aboard! You'll go down in the school's history. I'm sure of it."

Alvin didn't really care that much about Peter Parker, the kid who would one day swing around New York. He liked Old Parker, the wise old man, much more—not wise in the sense of book learning, but possessing the open-mindedness that came from a lifetime of experience. He hoped Old Parker could inspire more people, instead of having to give his life to create a Spider-Man.

He turned and picked up his lucky star, little Ginny, then waved goodbye to Old Parker, feeling better than ever. Even the brats hurrying past him didn't seem so annoying anymore. He strode toward the school building with a spring in his step. Today had to be my lucky day! It just had to be!

At the entrance to the school building, the students lined up neatly and filed inside. There was no more running around, shoving, or roughhousing. It was still lively, but orderly.

Alvin's arrival quieted the whole area in front of the building. Principal Nelson spotted him and came over with a beaming smile. He happily praised Frank. "Principal Alvin, we've got an outstanding Director of the Punisher's Office. I was hesitant about setting up the department, but now it looks like you were right!"

The guy had clearly been put through the wringer by these brats back when he worked at the school. Now, finally, someone had come along who could keep the little troublemakers in line, making things much easier for him. After all, Principal Alvin might be scary, but he wasn't at school very often!

Alvin looked at the sly old Nelson and smiled. "Sounds like you're pleased with Frank's work. That means he's right for the job. By the way, I met an electrical engineer at the entrance just now. His name's Ben Parker. Do you know him?"

Nelson looked at Alvin cautiously. "I hired him. The school really does need an electrical engineer, and his salary requirements weren't high."

Alvin waved a hand and smiled. "Don't be nervous, Nelson. Old Parker's a good fellow. I just hope he can take on an additional role in the Punisher's Office."

Nelson let out a breath, then asked, puzzled, "That's no problem, of course, but why? Old Parker won't be able to keep those brats in line."

Alvin tapped his head, looking troubled. "Yesterday, a few big shots from Hell's Kitchen called me. They said if their kids came home wetting their pants again, they'd send someone to bring them to school at gunpoint. Hey, tell me, what exactly did Frank do?"