Juji -- Teen Investigator

Chapter 8 - "Test of History"

    “Good morning Miss Juji”, said Miss Erika as I walked in the front door. She immediately looked up at the ticking clock and was annoyed that I had made it by just a few seconds. “I hope you’ve gotten all your personal business resolved.”

    I sat down in my chair, put my pen down on the desktop, and pretended not to hear the comment.

    “RING!!!”

    “I hear you’re again refusing to mind your own business,” mumbled Miss Erika. “And making accusations.” She stood by her desk moving her head in a sign of disapproval.

    Freddy suddenly came running in leaving Coach Kenny standing in the doorway looking around the room.

    “Welcome Mr. Freddy,” commented Miss Erika as she walked over to the door. I could see a reassuring smile as she and Coach Kenny began to talk. Freddy nervously walked straight to his desk and immediately began reading from his big history book.

    “Freddy,” whispered a nervous Haley. “Did you study? Do you think you’re ready?” Haley positioned her desk in such a way to make her test more visible, but she couldn’t get Freddy’s attention.

    Brooke suddenly spun around in her chair and looked at me with a smile, “Did you study? You think you’re ready?”

    “Yes,” I replied.

    “Do you have your special test pen?” she asked with a laugh.

    “I’m all prepared. Thank you.” I was not shy about my study habits and test preparation routines, but in class before a test was not the time.

    “I have a secret,” Brooke whispered as she looked around. “If you don’t know the answer, just fill in the C.”

    “Why C?” I asked with confusion.

    “Because that’s the most common answer.”

    I looked confused and did not respond. I believed just that suggestion showed that she was unprepared for the exam and could be looking at a twenty percent score.

    Miss Erika finally ended her conversation with Coach Kenny and closed the door. She then walked back over to her chair. “Okay, class. As you know, I have the big exam we’ve all been planning for. It is a summary of the topics I’ve been explaining for the last three weeks. This is an examination of one of the most important periods in world history, the fifteenth century.”

    Miss Erika opened her sealed briefcase and began sorting an organized stack of papers. There were stapled pages of questions and a stack of multiple-choice answer cards for a computer to grade. The tests were fresh from a local printer and obviously not from a public file, where other tests had originated.

    I was not worried about this test, but I had a lot on my mind from my ongoing investigation of the TR-4A car. What might have been in that box under the front seat? If I notified the principal or police, what would be their response? Would I only be disciplined for not minding my own business?

    “This is not a small quiz to check spelling,” announced Miss Erika when she had all her sheets organized. “Today’s mid-term exam contains fifty multiple-choice questions, and will be computer graded.” She then began walking up and down the aisles laying the multi-page tests face down on each desk. “It is recommended that each student use a number two pencil when filling in circles on the test. Students will then have the opportunity to make corrections by simply erasing the letter on the answer sheet for all those necessary corrections.”

    I knew Miss Erika hated the fact that I used an ink pen for taking her multiple-choice tests, but I felt confident that the filled-in circled letters on my tests could not be altered. I was the only one in all her classes, but it was just my way of ensuring the appropriate grade.

    “Each question will have a multiple-choice of five answers. When you have chosen the letter most closely matching the correct answer, you may color in the circle.”

    Without hesitation, cheerleader Haley raised her hand. “Miss Erika? What if there is a question with two correct answers? Can we fill in both?”

    “No. If you feel two answers are correct, then you are to select the answer that is... ‘most’ correct,” responded Miss Erika. “Two answers on one question will be graded incorrectly.”

    “And if we don’t know the answer, are we better off just leaving it blank? Or should we just make a random guess?”

    “Like all multiple-choice tests, if you randomly select one answer from the five options, you have a 20% chance of getting the answer correct.” Miss Erika seemed annoyed as she continued down the aisle, laying each test sheet face down. “If you leave an answer blank, then it is automatically wrong. You are therefore better off making that random guess.”

    “Thank you, Miss Erika. That will help all the students,” Haley said before looking around the classroom with a proud smile. When she looked at Freddy, once again he did not return her smile and stared nervously at his upside-down test and answer card.

    “I know some students have a lot riding on this test... And I wish you all the best of luck.” Miss Erika then walked behind her desk and sat down. “But I must announce, and I want everyone to hear. If anyone is caught cheating in any way, their test will automatically receive an F. That score will also be a big part of their semester grade. Do we all understand?”

    The class looked around and then nodded in a nervous agreement.

    “I will also pursue full prosecution for cheating, which could result in academic probation, temporary suspension, or full expulsion from Pixley High School. Do we all understand?”

    Again, the class nodded in agreement.

    Miss Erika looked back at the clock on the wall and around the nervous classroom, then finally announced, “You may turn your tests over and begin. You will have till the bell ending today’s class. Good luck to everyone.”

    I casually turned over my test, and I noticed right away a small typo on the first question. As I looked over the question sheet, I noticed other words misspelled, and improper grammar that could be found on several basic questions. I was annoyed but humbly continued taking the test. I wanted no hard feelings from Miss Erika or from other students.

    The first five questions were very simple. They were questions of just the year of each event. I was more annoyed that I couldn’t fill in the month and the day. Too easy.

    Answers involving names were all recognizable, and I believe I could have taken this test without having to read five names from the multiple-choice list. Nevertheless, I began speeding down the page and filling in answers. Using my pen, I covered the entire circled letter without going over the lines.

    When I got to the end of the first page, I looked back at Haley. She appeared nervous and was looking around at other students, a certain sign of insecure guesses with each question. Freddy, on the other hand, seemed deep in concentration. He was reading each question carefully and cautiously filling in letters. I was relieved to see honest work being done by the athlete who had a lot riding on this test.

    Miss Erika cleared her throat as I looked back around. She was staring at me, and I smiled politely before turning that first page. I believe she knew I was not cheating but was being very cautious with the behavior of all students. I felt comfortable knowing that it would be very hard for anyone to cheat on this exam.

    Again, I quickly raced through page two. It was often unnecessary to read all five answers in the multiple-choice, but I wanted to make sure there was no confusion. Some answers were debatable; but as usual, I could easily rule out the four incorrect answers.

    On page three, I ran into a small problem. It was a question about ‘The Julian Day’. It was listed as part of ‘The Julian Year’, but in reality, there was no correlation between the two.” This question was more than a simple typo because it used the wrong word.

    Again, I flew through the next two pages. I noticed several additional incorrect labels and typos, but the questions on the entire test all seemed relatively easy. I had a habit of rechecking each question to double-check, but after examining the first page I was satisfied. I had nearly thirty minutes of time left, and this was my opportunity to continue my important legal investigation -- uninterrupted.

    I looked around the room again noticing confused faces but most important for everyone was Freddy’s exam. A low grade could result in his suspension from the Friday Football game and the Fall Formal dance.

    Haley also seemed nervous as her cheerleading celebration was at risk, and her date for the dance also endangered. Both seemed deep in concentration, which was a good sign.

    Brooke smiled with pride when she saw me carrying my test up to the front of the class, but most other students looked annoyed. Again, just a fourteen-year-old girl was finishing the exam ahead of older students and leaving them behind.

    When I got to Miss Erika at the front desk, I tried to point out the “Julian Day” error with a polite whisper. As expected, she pulled the test away and motioned to the door. I could tell she saw the mistake I was referring to but was just annoyed that I was pointing it out. I smiled politely and put my test face down in the perfectly shaped computer box.

    As I walked towards the door, I noticed a recyclable aluminum can in the trash. I would be happy to ignore the waste but had to reach down to pick it up. I made this move as subtle as possible to avoid a disturbance, but when I looked back, the glare of anger on Miss Erika’s face was unmistakable. I again tried to smile politely and carry it out.

    Pacing outside the classroom was no surprise. Coach Kenny had a lot riding on Freddy’s exam. With a passing grade, Freddy would be starting in the Friday Football game and leading the football team against a major school rival. But with Freddy sitting out, Coach Kenny was not only risking a loss but risking a losing season -- and possibly his job.

    I smiled politely as I walked by Coach Kenny, but in return, I felt a look of hate. Was it resentment for not voluntarily cheating? Or just a nervous look of envy. There was now nearly thirty minutes before he would be knocking his special code knock and drawing Miss Erika to the door to discuss the exam. But he now had no choice but to spend that time pacing outside the window.

    My first stop was my locker. I wanted to return the ‘test pen’ to its string holder and stack up my history book. I also needed to pick up my laptop computer containing documentation and notes from online and from my phone. I would not be studying or doing homework but investigating the major crime being committed in the parking lot of my school.

    I entered the full five-digit combination, and the locker door opened right up. I returned the pen and began organizing books and notes. There was a mess of items at the bottom of my locker, but I did not waste time trying to examine them.

    When I left my locker, I saw Ms. Dana pacing around her office. She seemed more confused by actions I’d witnessed than the principal, other teachers, and the security guard. I wondered did she know about possible illegal distribution, or was she covering up for criminal activities. I could approach her now to ask questions, but that might cause more disdain and a possible cover-up.

    It was instead important that I begin uncovering documentation of facts.

    When I entered the school library, I wandered back to a row of mostly unused student computers. As expected, the librarian, Ms. Quincy, was immediately suspicious. “Can I help you, Miss Juji?”

    Ms. Quincy was always curious when any student entered the empty library. “I know your regular library schedule doesn’t usually begin until lunchtime. Is this something important?”

    “I’m sorry, Ms. Quincy. I’m between classes and just wanted to check a few things.”

    “Your class will not be exiting for another... twenty-three minutes. Do you have a note?”

    “Well, I finished my history exam in Miss Erika’s class and was dismissed early. I decided to use my extra time researching information on library computers.”

    “Library computers are turned off, and need a special setting to go online,” she proudly stated.

    “Oh,” I replied. “Then please press the ‘on’ button so I can begin my research.”

    Ms. Quincy looked around before angrily turning away. “Fine. If you want to waste your personal time in the library, that’s your call.” Ms. Quincy then looked at her watch. “But I don’t like students playing on my computers just cause they’re bored.”

    “I’m not bored, Ms. Quincy,” I replied politely. “The school library is open thirty minutes before the first class in the morning, and one hour after the last class in the afternoon. Rules apply to all students, teachers, and employees at the school. I’ll be using my time for important research... twenty-seven more minutes.”

    Ms. Quincy then stuttered, “I don’t think... This is not...” She finally turned around and walked into the back computer headquarters, turned on the light, and threw the switch. I had never been in that room but saw major computer hardware and storage through the window.

    As the computer access turned on, I immediately went to work. I needed identification of that driver and each student he was photographed talking to. With school computers, I wanted to access more internal information than just identity, but sports involvement, grades, participation statistics, and discipline records. This was all information not available via internet websites or simple annual yearbooks.

    As I went down the list, the faces of each student were easily identified using photos from freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years directly on file. Each face was accompanied by a short biography listing clubs, teams, and organizations.

    I was not surprised to see most of these students belonged to no sports teams and participated in few school clubs or organizations. Other information that popped up showed disciplinary action applying to several students with dates of recorded suspensions. Of the students in photos, two different students had documented reprimands.

    I continued downloading information into my laptop and snapped photos directly from locked documentation I was unable to download from files. I was determined to get as much information I could from the computer in my limited time.

    When I started the search for the driver of the Triumph car, as feared I found nothing. Recent graduating seniors over the last ten years showed no male student with the same recognizable features -- from hair color to simple facial features.

    I had no name, but through each class of graduating seniors, there were no students that could be identified as the driver of that car. Sports teams and school clubs also turned up no one who resembled the driver.

    Ms. Quincy was looking in my direction and at the clock on the wall. I knew she was getting a reading of all the information I was studying along with files I was opening. Although she didn’t like my curiosity, this documentation was legally available to students and faculty of the school.

    “RING!”

    When the first bell rang, I immediately shut down my computer, got up and headed for the door. I had used my full twenty-five minutes and was anxious to get to my next class. The information I had uncovered was just the first step in my attempt to solve a case.

    As a last effort, I tried “Winston” from disciplinary records, and one repetitive name turned up -- “Winston Alexander”. At first glance, that was the face.

    It turned out that Winston had not graduated from Pixley. He was a student who had been suspended quite a lot for skipping class, cheating scandals, and illegal drugs. He was finally expelled one month before graduation and was not listed in yearbooks. Immediately, I downloaded documented information into my phone.

    Voices recorded on the phone video continued, “All I got is my Mom’s credit card,” m

    “Take it to the grocery store. Buy ten dollars’ worth of ice cream, then return it for a cash refund,” replied one boy. “It’s easy!”

    “I ain’t returning no ice cream. I’ll just have to eat it.”

    “Okay. Buy some vegetables!” said another voice. “You don’t have to eat ‘em.”

    “I guess I can do that.”