Electra Mangold and the Elemental Academy

Chapter 2: We all love Scones

The cleaning of the garden had gone well, or at least as well as a punishment could go. So, on Saturday morning Tom and Electra were sitting in the

advanced history class. Both tired and (not surprisingly) bored.

<< The Sumerians were an ancient society that lived in the Mesopotamian region, situated in the present- day country of Iraq >> said Bigham without taking his eyes off one of the tomes Electra had cleaned the night before. << They were, in a manner of speaking, one of the earliest civilizations in the world... >>

Electra looked at Jonathan, who was swaying in his chair. His left hand clasped on a large cheese sandwich, his right wielding a newspaper like a club.

<< He's always eating >> she stated

<<.... dating back to the fourth and third millennia BCE. This is, of course, a very rough estimate...>>

<< how are going to the city today? >>

<< like usual?>>. The usual plan consisted in going out Tom window, which faced the ground floor on the street.

<<... and the exact dates are somewhat hard to pin down with any degree of certainty...>>

Before Tom could reply... SMASH.

The newspaper-club wielded by Jonathan was ploughed over the heads of the unfortunate fellows in the penultimate stall.

<< The Sumerian society was, as one might expect, divided into several separate city-states...>>

Tom turned around, smelling the danger. Then Jonathan winked at him.

<<...each with its own ruler, who governed in a very predictable and straightforward manner...>>

SPLASH. Before Electra could retort, a slice of cheese splattered on her head. Disgusting.

<<...The city-states, while retaining a certain degree of independence, were also linked by a delicate and nuanced web of political and economic relationships.... >>

SPLASH. As Tom turned to frame the culprit a banana peel splattered right in his eye.

<<...though it would be a mistake to overstate the importance of these connections......>>

At that moment, several things happened. Electra turned around and looked at Jonathan. And just as Electra could not keep her anger in check, Jonathan's sprite burst out, dousing half of his companions and reaching as far as Mr. Bigham.

Mr. Bigham awoke from his slumber. Jonathan fell on his backside in fright.

Johannes - Jonathan best friend- began to seek shelter from the jets of water under the bench. While his

sandwiches tower crashed and began to roll all over the place.

Tom was soon purple in attempt not to laugh.

It took several seconds for Mr. Bigham to see the sandwiches, the beverages, the fruit helmet and everything else that was included in the banquet of the two. Looking closely, Electra had to admit that at least they were well organized. They also had bottle openers and checkered handkerchiefs. Johannes had even brought a picnic placemat, with which he was trying to wipe the Scones' icing sugar off his nose. All this from the floor.

<< Paddington and Poleman. In the presidency now >> Bigham gasped. And then, after a second during which he was too stunned to speak << The class is dismissed >>