RamPrompTime

For The Larger Good (Prompt: Cheat)

For someone who is called 'Phil Jones,' I was a picture of grace. It was all the more unnerving for Mr. Wood that there wasn't any semblance of guilt on my face.

I mean cheating in an examination is an offence, I don't deny that. But Mr. Wood was flustered more because I looked calm than because I cheated.

'Mr. Edward,' he hollered at the principal who for his part seemed annoyed more that his siesta was ruined. The balding old man sat up and for a moment and shot a look at Mr. Wood that would've burned anyone else. It was Mr. Wood and so, he didn't.

'This shameless young man here,' Mr. Wood took a pause to adjust his rimless glasses, 'has the audacity to cheat in an examination and then sir, come to your office and stand as though he has done nothing wrong.'

'You are stating the obvious, Wood,' the principal said in drab monotone. 'What else must I know?'

Poor Wood was taken aback. My heart almost went out for that man. His day was becoming worse with every passing minute. The poor man must have waddled in that morning hoping he would have a smooth day. A smooth half-a-day really. He would then go home early, sleep and settle down on the couch and watch TV till dinner time. He had a drab life, but loved it. The mundaneness of his life didn't deter him from enjoying it to its fullest. That it annoyed others didn't matter to him. And so, when he caught me red-handed, he knew it meant at least an hour more of staying back at work.

'Can I see your ID?' he said and baulked upon seeing it. He was as sharp as he was a sloth and so, it didn't take him long to find out that the ID owner merely resembled me.

'Now this will take some explaining,' Mr. Wood's face purpled at the prospect of a longer day at office. 'I will ruin you just like you ruined my day,' he waved a fist as he handed the principal the ID.

'Wood,' the principal said disinterestedly as he gazed at the ID. 'Don't make this personal. This chap on the ID, is he one of our students?' Wood wasn't sure and left the room to find out.

'Young man,' the principal turned towards me. 'Do you realise this is a serious offence?'

'Yes sir, I do,' I said, feigning guilt. 'I am a poor farm hand and I thought this would be my ticket to a good life. I snooped around school and learnt the lessons, but couldn't afford the all-important examination fee. And so, when I found the ID lying around and the face resembled mine, I thought the heavens were handing me a chance. I am truly sorry. If dirt and hunger is all that defines you, you don't hesitate to take your chances.'

I turned around to find Mr. Wood frozen in his place. Perfect timing. The principal seemed to have bought into the story too.

'Now look here kid,' the principal said, 'you've cheated twice. I would've had you reported for this and ruined your life. But your story moves me, us actually.' He turned in the direction of Wood who nodded in agreement. 'And so, I will spare you. Go away and let's pretend this was a bad dream.'

'Wood, why don't you stay back so we can clean things up?' The principal said and Mr. Wood groaned as I left. The poor chap would be held up until four at least.

The prospect of helping a poor kid get away must have made all the pain worth it for them. At least as much as the money I was promised to keep Wood away – so Mrs. Wood could put the couch to better use – did.