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A lot of students took their chances and went to see the movie. Janice wanted to see it and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Michael and Rudy were no match for her skill at getting her own way. So tapping into that naughty, sometimes reckless streak, off they went for the nine o'clock show. But what they didn’t see was, sitting two rows behind them , was old "chuppy Boy",-- their science master Mr D'Mello. He couldn’t believe his luck when he saw them and was really rubbing his hands at the prospect of showing up these top class students. He hated them because they always gave him a hard time in class. Always asking questions "how does that happen Sir? and Why Sir? and how Sir? nah nah, nah nah nah, on and on, until he could take no more" God how he hated the two young, clever Clogs. And every year he had to endure at least one or two more bloody "know-it-alls". He got up from his seat in the dark and snuck out. "Now my dear laddies, I've got you. Tomorrow you wont bloody know what hit you".
Next morning, The final hymn at assembly " The bells of St Mary are calling--------Ave Ave Ave Maria". Michael and Rudy singing in harmony. Michael, in a deepish, not yet fully developed baritone and Rudy in a beautiful young man's tenor. They still loved to sing. The echo of the last note faded and the whole school turned, anticipating the order to go quietly to their classes, but instead their Principal, Father Germain Peter Wilkenny, said. "Stay where you are!". Whispers rippled across the assembled students, like the sound of the wings of bats, disturbed in a steeple. "Quiet!!!". A long pause --- every single student's eyes were fixed on Father Wilkenny's face. The weaker willed students began to tremble, and the weaker still began to lose control of their bladders. "I am going to call out some names, he said "When you hear your name called, come to the front and stand on my right". A hush, pregnant with questioning whispers. "Quiet!!!". Again, although there was no sound. He knew his students well, did old GP.

He then proceeded to call out the names of seven boys and they all went to his right . "Now, these next two boys will stand on my left . Michael Francis and Rudy Marshall." Another,-------- bat wings in a steeple, ripple of whispers, only this one went on longer. These two guys were well thought of , popular even, but, " What had they done?". Another stentorian "QUIET " from Father Wilkenny and then he went on. "You were all seen during the past week at the pictures, watching that Satan movie. You seven boys, go upstairs and stand outside my office" everyone knew what that meant, a caning, (cuts)--- "and you two",---to Michael and Rudy ----" I'm shocked and dismayed at your behavior, you ought to know better. I have no option but to send you home today and I want to see your parents tomorrow, now the rest of you, go to your classes ---- and quietly".

The assembly area emptied, except for two forlorn figures. Michael and Rudy were rooted to the spot, they didn't know what to do. They had never, ever been in such a position before. But, leaning against a pillar in the veranda was old "chuppy boy", watching them, with a smirk on his face. When they saw him, and trusting him to help, they walked up to him, unable to articulate their utter confusion and dismay. He pounced, this was the moment he had been waiting for. No mercy. He wanted to see them squirm. "So, my clever friends", he said, rubbing his hands with glee "Have you lost your voices?. Cant you speak anymore?. Sing anymore?. Funny! Ha! Just like your hero in Jailhouse Rock, eh?" Oh how he was enjoying this. "But don’t worry, maybe your voices will come back eh? Like your hero eh?. In your new school eh?. Whichever school is mad enough to have you". He spat out the last sentence right in their faces and they could smell the alcohol on his breath even this early in the morning.

Michael and Rudy stared at him stunned. then suddenly realisation. He was the one who snitched on them. "Oh My God! Chuppy Boy, the ba--ba--bas****!" Michael was about to explode, but, "No, Michael no!" said Rudy pulling his friend away. Come on, lets not make it worse!" They walked towards the cycle stand, with the sound of their science master's laughter mocking, gloating, in their ears.

Still at a loss as to what they should do next, they picked up their bikes and went to Naidu's Bunk. They ordered two sarsaparilla drinks and were sipping it, when suddenly Michael choked and spluttered. Rudy absent mindedly slapped him on his back, but Michael was pointing and trying to speak. "Look, look" he finally managed to say "There’s Janice". As she joined them Rudy asked Incredulously."Not you too Janice"?. Oh God!. Oh the utter disgrace. All three were suspended for a week, and their parents took away their cycles. I know that some of you might scoff at what all the fuss was about, but that was the way things were in those days. Although, having said that, you may be right to scoff, because at the "end of school year show", some of the boys were allowed to play some rock'n'roll with a band they had formed. So life moves on. You cant stop progress, and all that jazz. At Christmas that year, the three friends got back their cycles and the world was a nice place again.