It didn't take very long on Monday morning for Steve and Gwen to realize their lives had changed dramatically. Classmates Gwen had known since first grade asked for her autograph. Girls flirted shamelessly with Steve. Jordan had been a celebrity when she first attended Sparta, but her stock had risen even higher.
Ms. Walker summoned Gwen, Jordan, and Steve to her desk when they entered the homeroom. "Correct me if I'm wrong. The fact that CBC aired your benefit concert last night meant that they were invoking the option they had for two more shows. That would mean that the hospital fund should be receiving another million dollars for last night and another million when you do another show for them. Is that accurate?"
"It sure sounds pretty close. I'm not the genius going to Stanford next year, but she's here, so let's ask her," responded Steve as Gwen prepared to answer Ms. Walker's question.
"Hey, Charlotte! We have a math question for you," called Steve to Charlotte, just before Gwen balled up her fist and smacked Steve's chest.
"You're doing your best to keep me grounded, aren't you?" laughed Gwen. "I never saw that one coming, but I should have. Go ahead and have Charlotte do the math for us."
"Guys, we have a problem with the prom and it's all your fault," interrupted Tyler as he entered the room. "The gym isn't going to be big enough to fit all the people that want to attend. You know that every kid in high school has always been allowed to go to the prom if they buy the ten dollar ticket that covers them and a date. If kids had trouble getting the money, no one ever cared and they were let in whether they had a ticket or not. Very few underclassmen ever went. When they did, it was usually girls that dated upper classmen.
"The problem now is every kid wants to go, whether they have dates or not. They want to see and hear you three perform. I heard some of the freshmen boys are going to bring their mothers as dates, because their moms insisted! Some are bringing cousins, aunts, sisters, almost any kind of female that can breathe.
"It isn't a lot better with the younger girls. Some have fathers that will attend with them, but most have suddenly become popular and have kids from other schools asking them if they can go to our prom with them. Charlotte, you're the math whiz. If every student attends and brings a date, how many people will that be, allowing for the ones that actually date another kid from our school."
"Suddenly Charlotte's the math whiz? Okay, she's good at math. I admit it. What's the answer, Genius?" demanded Gwen.
"Well, I'd estimate that there'll be about a hundred couples from the school. That would leave almost a thousand kids that would be free to bring a guest from outside the school. A few won't show up regardless of who's doing the music. No offense, Gwen. I'm thinking we'll have around two thousand kids, moms, sisters, cousins, clowns, and jokers. Don't they also allow any and all parents and grandparents of seniors that want to act as chaperones? Usually, they have to beg to get at least ten parents there. Then any faculty that wants to chaperone is allowed to attend. Again, it often requires bribes and threats from the administration to force some faculty to volunteer, but probably not this year. Added all together, it comes out to exactly a crap-load," concluded Charlotte.
"That's the same answer I came up with!" agreed Tyler. "If the bleachers are out and we have the stage set up for the band, most of the crap-load will not be able to get onto the dance floor. The bleachers will hold around two thousand if they all have small asses and we know some of these mothers and cousins will be amply assed. If the bleachers are rolled back against the walls, like they usually are for the prom, we'll have room for several hundred very crowded dancers and wallflowers, not to mention a riot created by the folks that can't get inside."
"That's the math of a genius?" marveled Gwen. "A crap-load? That's your best estimate? To think I was going to rely on Charlotte to help me get through the math courses at Stanford! I am so screwed."
"You don't have to keep telling us! Wasn't last night on national TV enough? Have you no shame?" questioned Charlotte. "You keep bragging about that hunk and some girl might want to take him for a test drive and see what the fuss is all about. Her initials might even be C-H-A-R-L-O-T-T-E."
"Enough about the highly publicized sex lives of our valedictorian and her football star boyfriend. How're the other guys in the senior class going to get laid if the prom is cancelled because it's too crowded?" worried Tyler.
"Uh-oh! We have a bigger problem, Steve. Tyler is taking Stephanie to the prom and he's expecting to 'get laid', as he put it! Can you handle this or should I ask Uncle Will to give Tyler a talking to, like Dad did to you?"
"I could probably hurt him bad enough so he won't be able to have sex for a few weeks, but Steph would be all over me for injuring her date. I think this is a job best suited for her father. After that comment by Tyler, I think Will can legally have him whacked, or maybe use his shotgun on him," added Steve.
"Gwen! It was just a figure of speech. Don't say anything to Stephanie, or her dad! I know we won't be having sex that night. I've just barely talked her into holding my hand on dates. I really like her. Please don't say anything!"
"Well, okay, as long as you promise her virtue will remain intact," replied Gwen. "She's like a sister to me and I don't want anything bad to happen to her. That reminds me. Tyler, have you heard if Kate's going to the prom with anyone? I've been so busy I haven't been talking to her as much as I should."
"Stephanie said that some guy from Middletown asked Kate last weekend and she accepted. I don't know what school he goes to or anything about him. You'll have to talk to her if you want to know more," responded Tyler.
"Now, back to the overcrowding issues created by our rock star student performers," continued Tyler. "My dad's bank had to take that huge warehouse by the river back when the corporation that built it went under. It's never even been used. The economy went south about the time they completed it. They never managed to rent any of it.
"My Dad said that the bank would allow us to use it if we thought it would work. I was wondering if you guys would go with me to see it this afternoon? Dad said he'd meet us there at five. The bank would have it insured and make sure all utilities were working, especially the bathrooms, if we decided to have the prom there."
"That's a great solution, Tyler!" exclaimed Gwen. "Small wonder you were made chairman of the prom committee. You always get results, except with Stephanie, of course."
"We'll see you there at five," agreed Steve as Tyler blushed at Gwen's remark. "I consider Steph to be like a sister, so I want her to have a great time, but within reason. I know you'll take good care of her."
Gwen invited Charlotte and Billy to accompany her and Steve to look at the warehouse they were considering for the prom. Tyler and his father were there when they arrived. After touring the building, the kids were very enthusiastic.
"This looks perfect, Mr. Smith!" enthused Steve. "It's big, has great lighting, lots of electrical outlets, plenty of parking, it's clean, and the price is right. Thanks for all the help."
"I thought you kids would be impressed. The bank is hoping that the exposure from the prom will help raise awareness of all the building has to offer, and maybe get us a buyer. I'll contact the school board and the principal and give them a tour as soon as possible. If they agree, you can start advertising the location for the prom immediately. After watching that great show you kids put on last night, it's a safe bet that they'll be an awful lot of people here for your prom."
Gradually, school returned to a new normal. Jordan, Gwen, and Steve had been elevated another notch or two from their previous lofty position. They made every effort to be friendly with other students and respectful to their teachers. Jordan's lessons of the past were not lost on them.
