Dawn of the Knight: The Lance Rock Chronicles Volume 1.

  ***

  "Did you see all the championship pennants lining the back wall when you came through the front doors this morning?" asked Coach Pernell while sitting behind his desk and sizing me up.

  "Yes sir, I did."

  "That should be enough to tell you that this high school's team is the premier team in the state. We don't sign up players just because they come barging into my office and demand to play."

  "I apologize, sir, but I'm in a hurry to get this done so I won't be late for my next class."

  "I'm sorry too, son," said the Coach. "But the team has already been picked. Tryouts ended two months ago. Our first game is this Friday night."

  "I know that," I replied. "However, I'm here on the Student Exchange Program. I only arrived this past Friday. That's why I was only able to come to you about it now."

  "Where are you from?"

  "Canada."

  "Canadian ball, huh? What position do you play?"

  "Quarterback."

  "I already have an outstanding quarterback and a back-up player at that position; too bad."

  "According to the Student Exchange Program rules you have to give me a chance to make the team. It's all right here," I said while laying down some papers on his desk.

  "I don't have to do anything. I'm busy. So, if you'll kindly leave—"

  "You don't understand what this means to me. I have to play—"

  "I don't care what this means to you. Now get out of my office."

  "If you want to try and be ignorant to me, I'll go down to Mr. Taylor's office right now and explain to him what's going on here, and how I'm being treated. Is that what you want me to do?"

  "Are you threatening me?" he asked, now glaring at me.

  "I'm not trying to. I only want to be treated fairly. That's all."

  "You want to be treated fairly, huh? Be on the practice field at 3:15 PM sharp. Understand?"

  "Yes sir, and thanks."

  He did not reply. I turned and sped out of his office. I was already 15 minutes late for Spanish class.