Paul leaned back in his chair, this kid was getting on his nerves.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cole yesterday was the 5th time I have had your son in my office this year, so you must understand the importance of this visit. He is at risk of being kicked off of the soccer team, and stripped of his enrollment here.”

Mrs. Cole scoffed, “If it is so important, then why am I not speaking to your superior, or is my son not important enough for the principal’s time?”

Paul’s headache doubled, “Mam, I have the means and authority to make or break your son’s entire educational, and possibly entire, future if I were to even add any one of these ‘misdemeanors’ to his record.”

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Mr. Cole rose sharply from his seat. “Are you threatening me? This is an outrage! My boy did nothing shy of a few dumb pranks, and now you are putting our reputation over our heads!”

Paul’s eyebrow quirked, and he raised himself as well. “Your precious ‘boy’ has assaulted multiple students, and nearly killed one! It is a miracle that they didn’t press charges, except it isn’t! Now sit your ass back down and let us sort this out like adults.”

They both sat in their respective chairs. Paul continued, “So we both know that no one can find out what happened yesterday or today, and all I want to know now is how much are you willing to pay to get this information under the bridge?”.

Mr. Cole beamed, “Ten thousand by Friday, in your office.” Mr. Cole outstretched a burly hand, rings gleaming in the fluorescent lights, Paul took it grinning, his smile crooked and grey.