Fifth Story: Two Sides of The Same Coin

Chapter 3

18 January 2022

As Yến, Hiếu and An struggle to carry the suggestion boxes back to the Student Council Room, they bump into the vice-principal, who does not seem too surprised when she sees them.

"How was it?" Ms Nga asks the trio. "Rejected, am I right?"

"Do you enjoy rubbing salt on others' wounds, Ms Vice-Principal?"

"Pardon me," she holds her wrist. "I really want to help you guys too, but unfortunately, my hands are tied."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I can't tell you... I'd lose my job if I did."

"Ms Nga," Yến inhales deeply before she continues, "we will hold our annual address in the gymnasium tomorrow during the flag-raising ceremony. I hope that will convince you to change your mind."

"Good luck with that, children. And isn't it nearly time for your next lesson?" the vice-principal smiles wistfully before heading off upstairs.

"You've already rehearsed your script, haven't you?" An asks as she has some difficulty opening the door with both hands full. "Do any other teachers know about this?"

"No, only the three of us and Ms Nga are aware of it. I'm sure this will be a shock to her."

The familiar chime signals the beginning of the next period, and the trio packs their bags and hurries out of the Council haven.

The next morning, as the PA speakers announced a change in the venue of the flag-raising ceremony from the schoolyard to the gymnasium, many students are confused as to what was going on. Only a few were able to connect the dots and ascertain that the Student Council is going to address the student body and the staff of the school today.

Peeking out of the stage wing, Yến can see that the gymnasium is completely full and noisy. The 11th-grader was not expecting a full house. Even though the flag ceremony is compulsory, she had a feeling that some would ditch the first period. She can see Oanh, Châu Anh and Thủy standing with the rest of the Communist Youth, just beside the leaders of the school. The Chairwoman seems uninterested in the whole ordeal; nonetheless, she stands perfectly straight with her hands behind her back. Châu Anh and her junior are engaged in a discussion, probably speculating what the Council is up to.

After the singing of the National Anthem of Vietnam and the Song of the Vietnamese Communist Youth (4), everyone quickly sits down and waits for the President of the Student Council to make her speech. Yến takes a sip of water, calms herself down and walks to the podium with confident steps. Several students begin whispering to their neighbours and only stop when the student leader begins her address.

However, it was only three minutes into the speech when Mrs Ngọc suddenly stands up; the sound of the chair rubbing against the wooden floor startles everyone, including Yến. Then the woman strides towards the stairs at the side of the stage and gets on it. Students and teachers are holding their breath in fear since they are anticipating a confrontation in front of the entire school.

"What is the meaning of this, Student Council? You don't have my permission to address the school today."

"Mrs Ngọc, it is a tradition that the Student Council is allowed to make their annual address without informing the principal, or the vice-principal, or even the Board. We have every right to hold this event."

"Well, I will have to ask you all to leave. This speech is over. Go to your classes."

The gymnasium is filled with oppressive silence until a brave soul among the audience breaks the precarious balance of power.