Tales of the Ragoon, Kate's Movie Star by Stan Morris Page A

the stairs.
    “Good night, Katey,” he replied softly as she
shut the door.
    School began again after the holidays. Kate
was busy with homework. Runyon was busy with the talent show class.
The principal of the high school was much more comfortable with his
involvement now since, ‘the two of them had shown such excellent
discretion’ concerning their relationship.
    The only fly in the pudding happened when
Runyon found an unsigned note in his briefcase warning him that
‘Kate is a spy for the Ragoon.” The note went on to assure him that
there were several other girls of upstanding character who would be
happy to help him relax during his taxing sojourn in Livingston.
When Runyon suggested that Kate star in a school play about Mata
Hari, his pretend girl friend smacked the side of his head with a
not so pretend newspaper.
    “You are a violent young lady,” complained
Runyon as he rubbed his head.
    “I have three brothers,” she replied.
    Runyon was contacting the Ragoon at Merced
about the show again, but he refused to tell Kate why. He did say
that Luke was fitting in well with the production, and that Ashley
and Britney were happy to drive him home after the afternoon class
was finished. Kate refused to accept that she was a little jealous
of the two girls, especially well stacked Britney, as that would
have meant that she might have to wait for Runyon instead of
driving herself home.
    She wanted to get home as fast as possible to
check on Juan and Pete. She was positive that they were cutting
school more that they usually did, and this disturbed her. She was
reluctant to worry her father about the two boys. Carlos was
feeling better, but he was still not as healthy as he used to be.
She didn’t want to have anything else disturbing him.
    Finally, one afternoon, she asked Runyon to
talk to Juan and Pete.
    “Aw, Kate, that is not a good idea,”
complained Runyon.
    “Come on. They listen to you,” insisted
Kate.
    “They won’t after this,” predicted Runyon
darkly.
    Runyon knocked on their door and entered upon
their invitation. As usual, the two boys were engaged in a
multi-player computer game. Their wrists, arms and legs were in
frantic motion, and their gazes were locked to the large screen
fastened to their wall.
    “Hey,” began Runyon.
    “Sec,” replied Juan. He swept his finger
before the screen and destroyed yet another set of imperial
fighters.
    “Your sister wanted me to talk to you,” said
Runyon.
    Pete gave the top of his head a pat and the
screen froze. He turned to Runyon. Juan gave a cry of dismay.
    “What about?” Pete asked.
    “Kate says that you guys have been cutting
school. Plus, you’re not turning in your homework. The school
called.”
    “Big turds,” sneered Juan. “What’s the big
deal about school? Why do we need an education? So we can grow up
and become minions of the Ragoon?”
    “’Minions of the Ragoon,’ repeated Runyon
thoughtfully. “That’s not bad. Anyway, I told Kate that I would
talk to you. So, here I am.”
    Juan looked at Pete. Pete looked at Juan.
Pete gave his head another pat, their game sprang to life, and the
two boys turned back to their screen.
    “Been nice talking to you,” said Runyon.
There was no response.
    Runyon reported back to Kate. He assured her
that the boys had carefully listened to him. Another week went by.
Kate got another call from the school.
    “You’ve got to be firmer with them,” she
insisted.
    Runyon sighed and tried again.
    “You guys have to go to school,” he said.
“And you have to turn in your homework.”
    “Or what?” asked Pete as he commanded his
virtual population to build another tower.
    “Or what?” Runyon asked Kate.
    “Well, tell them that I’m not going to buy
any snacks,” replied Kate.
    “No snacks? Aw, come on, Kate,” replied
Runyon appalled at the idea.
    “Then you think of something.”
    Runyon thought about it. Another week went
by. An idea occurred to him.
    “Look, guys, if you cut