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And If Elected--Lael J. Little
Part one
I'm not one of the in crowd at Haskell High School. I'm sort of on the outside of things. So I was surprised when Dagny Draperman asked to have lunch with me one day. Dagny is in the in crowd. She's in everything.
"Suzie," Dagny said, after we had found a table. "As you may know, I'll be running for president of the Student Organization in the up-coming election. I'd like you to work on my campaign. Would you like that?"
Would I like that? Would I like to find a thousand dollar bill?
"Yes or no?" asked Dagny.
"Do fish swim?" I said. "Do birds fly?" I say things like that when I'm nervous.
"I guess that means yes, " said Dagny. "Great. I'm going to have the best campaign Haskell High has ever seen. I'd like you to think of some campaign slogans for my posters. You do those things so well."
"You can count on me." I said, pleased.
"I'll be having a meeting at noon tomorrow with the members of my committee," said Dagny. "The rules say we only have two weeks to campaign. So we have to move quickly."
Just then, Eugene Beckman stopped by at our table. He smiled at us in that sweet, shy way he has that's so nice.
"I've been, y'know, looking for you, Dagny," he said. "I wanted to, y'know, congratulate you. About your, y'know, running for president."
Eugene is one of the smartest kids in the school. He knows a lot about science. But when he talks, you're so busy counting the "y' knows" that you lose track of what he's saying.
Dagny looked back at Eugene. "Thanks," she said. "I hear you'll be running for president, too. So good luck. Y'know."
I thought to myself that she didn't have to add that "y' know."
Eugene blushed. "Thanks," he said. "Well, I guess I'll, y' know, be seeing you."
I watched him leave. I didn't know he was running for president. If I had, maybe I wouldn't have agreed to help Dagny. Eugene lives across the street from me, and we've been friends forever.
But this was my big chance to break into the in group. I didn't think Eugene could possibly win anyway. So I might as well be on the winning side.
"He's got Mad Mel to run his campaign," Dagny said.
"Mad Mel," I groaned. "Wow."
"You're as smart as Mad Mel," Dagny said to me. "Don't worry about it. Have some ideas ready for the meeting, will you?"
I was pleased that Dagny had confidence in my abilities. But I didn't want to hurt Eugene. Still, he had Mad Mel on his side. Mad Mel really knows how to get attention. I'd really have to be sharp.
I didn't sleep much that night. I was too busy thinking up ideas. But I felt it was worth it when I went to the meeting. I found out who else was on the committee. There were Tanya, Rod, and Courtney, three of the most popular kids in the school.
I expected them to ask me what I was doing there. But they all smiled and said, "Hi, Suzie. Welcome aboard."
Dagny said the first thing to do was think about what her campaign ought to focus on. There was a lot of talk about whether she should promise to provide better food in the cafeteria. Dagny finally decided to push for a glass cabinet to show off the school's trophies.
I didn't want to speak up in that crowd. But I did. I said, "I think the food might be more important. Eugene will probably use it if you don't."
