The end of the road

A message came at 3.30 this afternoon. "Come upstairs to the staffroom as soon as you can."
Gradually the staff drifted in. One look at L. the acting deputy's face was enough to tell everyone there the latest news on the closure. The final attempt to fight it had taken place that morning. The council and it's various committees had been closeted all afternoon debating their decision - or at least, that was what they would have everyone believe. A cynic might take the view that the decision had been set in stone since it was first mooted. The school will definitely close in July.
"I'm sorry," said L. She struggled to say more.
Outside the window, dark clouds were becoming darker and heavy rain continued to fall into the puddles on the flat roof.

Unwelcome phone calls

Here's a great idea from T.K. for getting rid of those annoying telemarketers who insist on phoning when you're trying to relax after a long, hard day.


The phone rang as I was sitting down to my evening meal, and as I answered it I was greeted with, "Is this Karl Brummer?"? Not sounding anything like my name, I asked who is calling.
The telemarketer said he was with The Rubber Band Powered Freezer Company or something like that.? Then I asked him if he knew Karl personally and why was he calling this number.
I then said off to the side, "Get some pictures of the body at various angles and the blood smears."? I then turned back to the phone and advised the caller that he had entered a murder scene and must stay on the line because we had already traced this call and he would be receiving a summons to testify in this murder case.
I questioned the caller at great length as to his name, address, phone number at home, at work, who he worked for, how he knew the dead guy and could he prove where he had been about one hour before he made this call.
The telemarketer was getting very concerned and his answers were given in a shaky voice.? I then told him we had located his position and, "Stay where you are.? The police are entering the building and should be with you momentarily to take you into custody."? At that point, I heard the phone fall and the scurrying of his running away.
My wife asked me as I returned to our table why I had tears streaming down my face and so help me, I couldn't tell her for about fifteen minutes.? My meal was cold, but it was the best meal in a long, long time.