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As soon as I walked into the room, I knew my life was about to change forever. The morning had started normal enough, but it was about to turn sour.
“Robin, are you awake?” Mom’s maid inquired.
“Come, Sonya. I’m out here on the balcony,” I shouted.
“Are you dressed?”
“No, I’m buck naked.”
“Robin!”
“Of course I’m dressed! I wouldn’t upset your delicate sensibilities.”
She came out on the balcony carrying Mom’s breakfast tray, “The monsignor called. He wants to see you as soon as you can get there.”
“Did he say why?”
“No. I would guess it’s about you returning to school.”
“Thanks, Sonya. I’ll get ready and go make his day.”

I rang the door bell and the Monsignor‘s housekeeper answered it instantly. “Morning Mrs. Flannery I’m here to see the Monsignor.” The scowl on her face said I was late.
“He’s waiting in his study.”
The shades and curtains were drawn; a library desk lamp, with a green shade, dimly lit the office. Looking up and nodding at the chair in front of his desk, he spoke. “Sit.” Then returned his attention to the paper he was reading. Looking up and past my right ear, he said, “I’ll get the information to you next week.”
“What . . .” I started to say, but a creak of from the chair behind me interrupted me. I turned in time to see a tall shadow disappear out the darkened doorway. “Whom was that?”
“Who!”
“OK, Who?”
“Who what?”
“Who was that that just left?” I exclaimed.
“No one you know. Now, I want you over at the school in, ah,” he said, consulting the watch he’d withdrawn from his vest pocket, “ten minutes. Plan to spend the morning. We need to test you and see what remedial work needs to be done in order that you graduate and not embarrass the school and me.”
“What about embarrassing me?”
He thought, “You’re quite capable of embarrassing yourself. You don’t need my help to do that. Now, get out of my office. Some of us work for a living.” As I reached the doorway he added, “And one more thing. Monday morning, at the school, 8:00am, and be ready to start learning. You’ll be attending summer school three day a week - until noon. Is that clear, young man?”
“Yes, sir.” I left his office. I can kiss my summer fun in the sun goodbye!

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From the other side of Caredoe's prompt ---

“As soon as I walked into the room, I knew my life was about to change forever.” But just as I knew, I knew he did too. He just never grew weary. He would have gone on and on, giving the benefit of the doubt, letting them try this and that out. The crux was -- as great as he was, he was never sure if all the names stayed in that book or just how many would fade like disappearing ink.

I have been tooling around down here for a long time, getting and giving just due. This place is mine. He knows that. What’s up – did he not think I would hear. The rumbles shaking the ground, rumors of folks getting all stirred up. Seems some are feeling inspired and dreaming of compassion and turning of the cheek. Some are actually getting into groups so their voices will rise as one to be loudly heard above my folk. You know, the ones who so easily get stirred and riled right up – just throw ‘em a diversion – a red herring works fine, deliver some fresh blood, the mob is mine.

Yeah who does he think he is, this is my rightful place. I’ve gotten it all heated up, it’s ready for the final spin. This Internet is not a bad deal, spread of the word and the work is a two-way street, Indeed “every eye shall see and every ear hear” -- blow his cover, well sure I did – I aim to win.

As soon as I walked into the room, I knew my life was about to change forever.
My oaken destiny sat rigid and proud - it reminded me of Grandma Jane's rocker on her front porch in Colburn. 'cept her rocker wasn't festooned with enough leather straps for a team of eight horses.
The momenty vision of my lovin' grandma was like catching a wiff of a rose. How I wished I could apologize to her for not living up to her expectations. There'd probably be no chance for that to happen where I was going.

I'd never had so much help getting seated in a chair as I did this time. There were three male guards and one female as well as the warden and a priest. Of course, the warden and the priest just observed the proceedings. The warden was grim-faced and said little, save for a few terse instructions as to how to tighten which straps and such.
The priest just stared while holding a bible in his right hand with his index finger holding to a particular page. I could feel his stare, but I couldn't bring myself to meet it eye to eye.

Another guard behind us checked the operation of the phone on the wall, and still another was attending to the louvered metal cabinet on one wall of the cubicle. It had switches and levers on it that were checked and double-checked.
There was a moment once I was strapped in and connected when the only sounds to be heard was the nasal wheezing of one of the guards behind me. That and the humming of the clock motor on the wall to my left.

After what seemed the longest minute I'd ever known, the warden asked me if I wanted a drink of water. I nodded affirmatively and the female guard brought a cup and straw to my lips for me to draw from. I swallowed a few gulps and licked my lips.
The warden then asked if I had any last words I wanted to speak. I thought for a moment and then spoke up: "I suppose you're wondering why I've gathered you all here today." No one laughed. I'd bombed again.

Then I heard the warden say: "OK" And as they placed the leather muzzle across my face, I thought to myself of my failed joke: Just one more failure to your life. No wonder you're where you are. Well bud - all that's about to change.

Interesting stories, all. :)