Getting schooled, butt far from feeling fooled (?)

Stepping back in time: As in a reflection of times of my initial "book learning" which preceded formal "practice" that, in time, eventuated in an accumulation of lots of experience that one would have thought, would have prepared me for this moment, in time. One which had already set precedent as a remarkable situation from a few others professional perspective. That is, one which had initially been encountered by the first-hand eyewitness, the "playground supervisor" whose responsibilities include a general surveillance of the school yard, before, during, and just after all the participants in "Recess!" can enjoy a brief 'care-free' time on and around the actual play-ground -- the latter of which are seen to contain four-legged participants during after-hours, despite signs posted at every gate "strictly prohibited" -- signs posted to discourage unwanted visitors from hanging around and leaving 'stuff' behind...("can't they read?!") OK, the scene is set...

Acting up, (ob)scene two: In comes the teacher, from what we figured was the "teacher's lounge", where they hand out while we are out "recessing!" Who just about managed to walk right into 'it' - but lucky for her the student "in question" had the mysterious substance cupped safely, deftly, in the palms of his two hands..."clenched fists" is what they are sometimes called, under similar conditions, circumstances..."OK, my friend, open your hands so we can all see, what you brought back in from the playground..." Known for remaining cool as a cucumber in such instances, he offered the teacher and class just a glance, accompanied by "Go ahead, take a whiff!" (when was the last time someone dared you to?)..."See if you can guess" Taken aback, while the rest of the class scattered, as in "Yuck!" the teacher suddenly realized or gathered what the student had...gathered together..."what the doggy do, I mean did...just what and why did you bring that ---- into my classroom, just what do I make of this...?!?! What a set-up, as she stepped right into it..."Well, it's to make a teacher of course..." And on we go, up the chain in command..."Go, straight to the...

Office, of the Principal: Where we find said student, still with cupped hands, holding fast...as in unyielding, even in the face of...going toe to toe, with "You know who I am mister; just what do you intend on doing, isn't it about time to give it up...?!" Paws..."Not until I get done making a principal..." Oh, Oh...now he really stepped into some "brand new territory..." Which, of course, landed "mister" in yet another office, just a few doors down, where he found himself, greeted, more 'breezily' this time (as in open windows as well as in character) in the person, while she presented herself as being on our side, "to be trusted" was someone we approached with a degree of caution, given the proximity to the other persons in authority...guilty by association, while enjoying a contrast in approach, we eventually learned...when and what we could talk about...what to avoid. In so many words, "step carefully...don't give it up too soon, make her work for it..." Which this "mister" with the mysterious mass did...in due-due course, you might say...

Intro-ductions: "I don't know if we've met; I'm the new social worker here, and I want to tell you there's nothing that we can't talk out...we have all the time in the world...I wonder how you must be feeling, after being (mis) - treated, handled already today, which obviously added up to, what you've been holding in, I mean on to..." (As he sees her taking a deep breath, of fresh air, before she can continue on and on and...) "Lady, I know you mean well, but we're wa--y-y-y beyond talking here...but you've already given me new inspiration from all the perspiration you're already showing...of yet another piece of art taking shape in my hands...a whole assembly of well-meaning folks who wouldn't say ---- if they had a mouth-full but, because they didn't let it out, ended up acting real ---ty...sound familiar Ms. do-goody two shoes...?!" (when was the last time you heard this sly reference, regarding one who may be posing as just a little too virtuous, perhaps just a bit self-righteous?) "Can I just go back to class, I'm already bored to tears here and I can see you're tearing up..." In reply, not allowing him to have the upper hand..."That's what I was also thinking, but before you do, there's just one more person-nel I want you to meet..."

In walks: As in "A guy walks into the school psychologist's office...holding, in his hands..." Accompanied by none other than the school social worker..."As an act of last resort, in desperation..." A curious greeting, one which I have actually heard on occasion throughout years of "practicing" which is, of course, "open for interpretation..." Here heard simply as yet another "interesting case" our professors told us about, the ones that we could look forward to...Here in the form of someone and something that seemed to be taking shape. Well, I'm well equipped, trained for this. I am, after all, the "head examiner" aren't I? Equipped with all the tools of the trade...visualization, mental rehearsals...psych. reversals...which, collectively allow me to be pre-emptive, if not, as in this case...a bit presumptive..."You need not say anything, son, as I can read your mind (what a lot of kids, teens fear, which takes some un-doing at times)...it's obvious to someone with my keen in-tuition as to what you have not only in your hands, but what you're intending...as in you're going to make a school psychologist out of..." But before the school shrink could declare "game over!" the youth, now under psychological examination, far from being dis-quieted, uncapping just one hand, just enough to let out...a hint of what was to come..."No, Doc, there's not enough on the whole play-ground to make one of you..." 

"Crap!" Sometimes that's all I can get out, instead of saying something worse, on such occasions...And in reply, what else could I expect, after being first humbled, then even having my face rubbed in it..."You finally caught on, eh? Next time, I suggest you watch your step...look before you leap, keep your big mouth shut, not just go on prior knowledge, learn to think beyond the obvious...and then maybe, just maybe...you'll come to the right conclusion..." 

"How was your day?" A typical, benign enough question. One that took on new meaning when I answered, "Thanks for asking...nothing out of the ordinary...just got schooled..."  Relate? An experience that caused me not only to paws, as to what I really do and don't know, but to mind why...this whole concept of "Recess!" should be brought under revue (as in "Recess: the Musicale!")...which I intend to do, right here, but it can wait until you and I, recover...from all this play-ground 'material'... 

First, some "off-shoots" from what's still called, allowed at Recess time...