Scheming and Cunning

When Old Cage stood in position with his big belly sticking out, everyone fell silent for a moment.

The irascible old man was popular with the students, and the players clearly wanted to give him a different kind of experience.

Amid the commotion coming from the school building, a huge tight end stood opposite Old Cage.

The big guy made a comical face as he tried to taunt Old Cage, drawing a chorus of boos from the school building.

Old Cage was clearly delighted by all the "attention" the players were giving him. Laughing heartily, he steadied a punching bag, waved at the big guy, and called, "Come on, kid. If you can't beat me, you're spending a day in the Detention Room."

The big guy glared with his tiny, beadlike eyes and snarled viciously. Then, amid his teammates' cheers, he charged forward.

When he neared the cheerleaders, the sleazy fatso skidded sideways, as if he'd lost his footing, and slid across the grass right into their ranks, drawing a chorus of screams.

But that wasn't the end of it. Once the fallen big guy had cleared a path, a tiny figure in a jersey that dragged on the ground came running at Old Cage, squealing as she toddled along on little legs. Her chubby hands clutched a helmet nearly as big as she was.

Alvin covered his forehead as he watched little Ginny charge foolishly into the punching bag, then sit down hard, looking a little dazed.

Old Cage froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. He pushed the punching bag aside, scooped Ginny up, lifted off her helmet, and kissed her twice. "The loser has to go to detention. Today, my office is your Detention Room."

Grinning, Old Cage let Ginny tug at his nose and whispered,