Fallout (Pt 4) - Off To The Principal’s Office I Go

Dear Diary,

I had a real spring in my step when I set off this morning. Spirit Guide (SG) wanted me to go down to the school, near Vault 101. Apparently he has unfinished business there. I assume it’s something to do with school bullying. I understand it’s really damaging when you’re growing up. Can’t say I ever suffered from it, but from the bits of SG’s mind I see, I’d say he was a ripe candidate. Freak!

I wanted to find Dad as fast as I could and that meant I had to go to a nearby town called Megaton. Megaton - that sounds good. With a name like that, I bet it has lots of cool shops and restaurants and bars and I could meet gals of my own age and we could hang out and I could get my nails done. I really need a make-over. I feel gross with all the dried blood in my hair. Megaton sounds like a blast.

But, SG made me go to school after taking a long walk. He was very keen for me to limber up before school. More on that later, skater.

So, after taking the craziest, longest way ever, I eventually got back to the right neighbourhood. Even though the school really could have done with a bit of paint and most of the roof put back on, I could see that maybe kids would’ve had a nice time there. I was home schooled (well, duh) and it never felt special but as I walked down that road, I could see playground equipment and I imagined what it would be like to be swinging my backpack and stealing the other kid’s food.

Like every other kid who’s looked forward to going to school, the reality is a disappointment. I opened the front door and the first thing I saw was a cage, rubbish on the floor and the worst, most depressing, paint job. Oh, and a dead body hanging from some chain-hooks. The place really needed a good airing out.

And then there was the staff. I've read how kids used to play hooky or go truant or whatever it was. SG was thinking “wagging” but that sounds rude. Whatever you call it, it’s no wonder kids before the war weren’t keen on school.

I was looking through the busted lockers in the hall, wondering which one would be mine, when I heard some bone-head yell “Looks like we got a bleeder!” and he came running around the corner, waving something nasty and acting really unfriendly.

Diary, I should tell you about my long walk before school.

SG got me to go all the way up the west side of the map, across the north and diagonally back to the school. In that time, I gained a little cred, quite a few firearms and loads of ammo.

And big knives. I also found explosives and armour. Food and drugs and ciggies and money. It amazes me how I’m able to fit it all in my pockets and still change clothes at a moment’s notice.

Anyway, it’s safe to say I collected a fair bit of stuff while I was out there. Not one friend, though. In fact, the thing I collected most of was a crap reputation. Nice one, Stupid Guide.

The wildlife seems to be permanently pissed off with me as well. Cockroaches, I can understand the instant dislike, but SG is pathological about anything that can’t smoke and ride rollerskates. Anything that snuffles up to me to say hello ends up toast and it’s no wonder the word’s got around that I’m not one for pet shops.

In fact, SG was gloating about all of that. Apparently, I have limbered (or levelled) up five times and some frustrated teacher in a busted-arse school wasn’t going to ruffle my uniform.

So, Mr. Bone-Head, Principal of Angry Elementary School, started up like he was going to dish out some corporal punishment. For what, I don't know. I couldn’t have been late for classes. I’m not even enrolled.

I wasn’t sure if all the teachers were going to be on his side but once his head rolled across the floor of the staff-room, they pretty much assumed I wasn’t there for play-lunch.

While I was going through their clothes for loose change, I kept an eye out for any kids that might have been hiding, but the place was deserted... now. School’s out for summer.

That didn’t go so well. At least SG is happy to let me go to Megaton now. Oh goody – shopping. On the way, he just wants me to drop in on a lady who lives near the school. Sounds nice.

So, Dear Diary, I’m off to find Daddy and scold him for missing my graduation. Stupid absent fathers. No wonder some of my social skills are a bit blunt and rusty.

Overwriting data,

Jules*

*Well done! I guess SG stands for Super Genius, now you’ve sorted out how to do capital letters.