I12DT: The McManus School for Wayward Boys

[Wayne Cole]

Surrounded by two police officers, Wayne was marched up to Professor McManus' office for the official transference of custody for the mutant from various juvinile detention facilities to the custody of Xaviers. It wouldn't take a telepath to figure out they would be happy to get Wayne off of their hands.

[Samantha McManus]

"You can come in Mister Cole, Officers." She said from inside the office without having to look who it was. "I'm ready to see you now."

[Wayne Cole]

"Excellent," one of the officers said.

"This here is Wayne Cole. Under the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Criminal Court System, juvenile division, and in the best interests of both security and the child's well being, with approval from three seperate social workers in charge of his case over the past four years, he is to be put under the protective supervision of this facility, pursuant to division A of section 2151.414, until the child attains the age of eighteen years, as agreed to by the various representatives of this institution and Her Majesty's government."

Wayne seemed bored by the whole thing, not looking at Sam at all.

[Samantha McManus]

"I've read his file. I understand there's been some... friction, regarding dealing with his mutant abilities?"

[Wayne Cole]

The pun went over the head of the police officer, if not Wayne, who rolled his eyes.

"If you mean the little brat's been creating a right nuisance of himself, then you're absolutely right. I recommend anything you hand him be tethered to something else -- at least, if you ever want to see it again."

[Samantha McManus]

"I don't think we'll have to worry abut my office decor," she said with a good-natured smile.

"Is there anything I need to know before I sign?"

[Wayne Cole]

"On the record, officially? No, I think you've gotten just about everything," the officer said, after a brief pause.

[Samantha McManus]

Ms. McManus quirked a brow at the officer.

[Wayne Cole]

The officer...didn't exactly have the best view of mutants.

"It's not my place, ma'am, but I think the brat's getting off easy -- free room and board in the countryside and all that."

[Samantha McManus]

"You might do well to think of why Sir Braddock had the foresight to allow his estate to be used as a refuge."

[Wayne Cole]

"As I said, that's not my place either...ma'am."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well then, let's get the formalities over with, and you gentlemen can be on your way."

She went to go over the paperwork, signing where appropriate.

[Wayne Cole]

"He's all yours, ma'am," the officers said, and excused themselves, leaving a surly kid standing in Sam's office.

His emotional state was a ball of anger and resentment -- with a bit of resignation layered over the top.

[Samantha McManus]

"So," she said, steepling her fingers on the desktop after the officers left, "would you care to vent, Mister Cole?"

[Wayne Cole]

"Got nowt to bitch about, Mam, so y'kin shove the 'compassion' speech. I've heard it summack like a t'ousand times before, so gan on 'n point me to the food, aight?"

[Samantha McManus]

"No speeches, just thought I'd give the opportunity after the officers left."

[Wayne Cole]

"Same shite, different day."

[Samantha McManus]

"I think you'll find that Xavier's is rather different from anywhere else you've been, but perhaps it's best you see that for yourself."

[Wayne Cole]

"Like bleedin' 'ell it is. Ye think ye know what's best fer me."

[Samantha McManus]

"That's not how we operate here. Rather, we want to give you the tools to decide for yourself what that is."

[Wayne Cole]

"Oh, bugger off, ye damn munter. And take yer poxy 'tools' with ya."

[Samantha McManus]

If he'd intended to provoke a reaction, Ms. McManus was failing to take the bait.

"If you're that tired of this meeting already, I suppose I should give you your rooming arrangements."

She passed a folder across the table at him. It included forms to choose his class schedule, as well as directions to his dorm and a key.

[Wayne Cole]

"Yeah, right. I'll take the key, aye, but you can put yer little schedules away."

[Samantha McManus]

"This is a school, Mister Cole."

[Wayne Cole]

"This is a prison, Mam."

[Samantha McManus]

"Only if that's what you expect it to be."

[Wayne Cole]

"Then, am I free to go?" he smirked.

[Samantha McManus]

"The restrictions in place are due to our agreement with the British juvenile offender system. Should you show improvement, I have a fair amount of leverage to appeal those restrictions."

"You have to give me something to work with though, Mister Cole."

[Wayne Cole]

"Oi, if you want somethin' to work with, I'm sure I could find you somethin'," he leered.

[Samantha McManus]

"Very amusing, Mister Cole. Is there anything else?"

[Wayne Cole]

"I dunno, Mam, is there?"

[Samantha McManus]

"We've taken the liberty of drawing up a class schedule should you fail to turn those forms in, but I do hope you'll complete them. The terms of the agreement were not ambiguous. You're to be attending school."

[Wayne Cole]

"And 'oo's gonna make me? What'd ye do if I don't go?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Mister Cole, surely you've noticed you're not the only one here with powers."

[Wayne Cole]

"Yeah, but I'm the only one here with any class."