We the People Are Good to Eat
2. Homecoming Dance

Thetables had been moved out of the H.S. L-1378-55 Cafeteria Green and goldstreamers radiated from the revolving prism lights in the center of theceiling. Beneath the radiating streamers, teenage boys wearing suits and tiesdanced to the beat of recorded music, with High School girls wearing formal dresses.Chaperons drifted around the couples on the dance floor.

Astage had been set up against a wall. A simulated throne had been set up on thestage. A sign on the wall above the throne declared:

"H.S. L-1378-55 ANNUAL

HOMECOMING DANCE!"

JimmyHaskins danced with Alyce Vanderland.

Thatafternoon, while Karen was still twitching, the crowd had begun to disperse.Jimmy saw Alyce standing beside the body of Mike Patterson.

Jimmycame over to her.

"SoAlyce," he said. "I see you've suddenly become a candidate forHomecoming Queen, without a date for the Dance."

"Andyou've just put yourself in the same situation Jimmy."

"Thenmaybe we ought to help each other out tonight."

"SureJimmy. I'd love to."

Shelooked up at the dying Karen. "'It'spart of being a cheerleader.'"

Whoeverthe Homecoming Queen was, she'd be crowned around 9 P.M. Then she'd do it withwhoever her date was. Win or lose, Alyce would be doing it with Jimmy thatnight.

Tonight,Dave Krendell danced with Louise Torelli.

Thatafternoon, right after the game, Louise had come over to Dave, who'd stood atthe foot of the seats, looking at the dead Karen Bennet, hanging at the end ofa rope.

"SoDave," she'd said, "your former girlfriend's had her moment ofglory."

Hesaid, "She told me she wanted to be a Teams' girlfriend Louise. She saidthey're the girls who have all the fun."

Shetold him, "It wasn't all that much fun for me."

Thatnight, as they danced, she asked, "Tell me Dave. If Karen Bennett hadn'tbeen hanged this afternoon, and you were still dating, what'd you two be doingtonight?"

"Thesame thing we're doing."

"What?"

"Imeant dancing."

"Oh."She sounded relieved.

Thenshe asked, "What about doing it?"

Hesmiled and stood taller.

"Whythank you Louise. I know we haven't been dating that long. I didn't think you'dwant it tonight."

Shefelt like saying, "Oh I do. With you. Tonight."

Whatshe said was, "I wasn't talking about us Dave."

"Thenwhat are you talking about?"

"Youand Karen Bennet." She said, "If you were with her, that's what you'dbe doing after the Dance, wouldn't you?"

"Ohyes. That would have gone with her being a candidate for Homecoming Queen. Eitherreward for the winner, or consolation for the loser."

Heheld her a little tighter.

"Orit can be a very pleasant time for us."

Shesmiled. Then she drew back.

"I'msorry Dave." she told him. "It's never been a pleasant time for me.I've never been able to enjoy it, and neither would you."

Shethought, Why did I have to tell him that? Now I've lost him for sure.

Davesaid, "Louise, there's no rush. Listen. I'm glad to be with someone who Iknow's still gonna be around, after all the combat games are over."

Louisedrew herself up closer. She put her lips up near his ear.

Shewhispered, "You won't have to wait that long."

Then she gave him achaste kiss on the cheek.

As the music blared, heand Louise danced under the flashing lights. Dave noticed that people hadstopped dancing. They were all turning their attention to the entrance.

Karen Bennet stoodalone in the entrance, wearing the dark green strapless gown that she'd boughtfor this occasion. The recorded music still blared out a lively beat, but noone was dancing. Even the people at the refreshment table had stopped munchingon the fried Parochial Warrior sausages.

Karen's gaze movedacross every face in the crowd. Everyone in the crowd looked at each other.

Then Karen's gazestopped moving. She was staring at Jimmy Haskins.

She thought, He'sdancing with Vanderland, most likely to be chosen Homecoming Queen.

Karen started headingacross the floor, straight toward Jimmy and Alyce.

Someone said, "Herneck's undamaged."

That was DaveKrendell's voice. She stopped and turned in his direction.

He's with his newgirlfriend Louise Torelli, Karen thought. That nerdy girl with glasses, alwaysgets top grades, and has plans for college.

Karen walked up to herformer boyfriend.

She said, "Youprayed for me, didn't you?"

"How did youknow?"

"I heard yourvoice in my head."

Karen now turned awayand walked up to Jimmy and Alyce.

She spoke to Alyce."Are you planning to do it with my date who stood me up tonight?"

Jimmy said, "Stoodyou up? I thought you were dead."

Alyce was taken aback.All she could think of to say was, "Well, I'd had a date with MikePatterson tonight, but he was killed during the game; and after the game...youdidn't look...like you'd be... available...for any guy to…do it with...everagain. It's the same thing you've done.

"'It's part ofbeing a cheerleader.'"

Karen shouted,"The noose was tied incorrectly!"

Everyone heard that.They relaxed, and resumed dancing.

Jimmysaid, "Now don't go blaming this on me. All I did was pull the rope. Yourformer boyfriend Krendell's the equipment handler. You ought to be asking himwhat happened."

Karencalled out, "Mr. Avery! Is my name still on the ballot for HomecomingQueen?"

"Yes!"The Principal was a little tongue-tied. "Karen! You're stilleligible!"

Sheagain spoke softly to Jimmy.

"Thenafter I win, I'll be very available, for the complimentary effing that everycandidate is supposed to receive from her date."

"Forgetit.” said Jimmy. "Our date was canceled when you were."

Alycerepeated, "'Part of being a cheerleader.'"

Karenasked, "Do you expect me to be the only candidate for Homecoming Queenwho'll go home without doing it tonight?"

Alycesaid, "We expected you to be getting ground into a pile of sausagestonight. It's wrong that you're not."

Alyceand Jimmy resumed dancing. Everyone seemed to be dancing, except Karen. Shestood to the side with her arms folded in front of her.

Jimmyand Alyce danced a few steps away from Karen. Dave and Louise were also nearby.

Alycecalled out, over the music. "Do you see that Karen? Your former boyfriendDavid Krendell's with the studious Louise Torelli tonight. I bet she's notgoing home without getting it tonight!"

Karenanswered over the loudness of the music.

"It'sover with him and me! I hope he gives her a really good one tonight! The hornynerd could use one!"

Louisestopped dancing. She stepped away from Dave, who followed her as she broughtherself over to Karen.

"Iheard what you just said about me."

Karensaid, "I just meant that I hoped you'd have a very pleasant evening; ifyou're enough of a woman to handle it."

"OhI am," said Louise, "and I will. We horny nerds know how to keep aguy around; unlike you."

Sheand Dave moved away from Karen, and resumed dancing.

Mr.Avery walked up to Karen.

Hesaid, "I want to see you in my office on Monday morning, MissBennet."

At9 o'clock that evening, Mr. Avery stood on the stage, behind a microphone. Allthe candidates, who included Karen, Alyce, Sarah Denski, Debbie Sheridan andCarlotta Obregon, stood on the stage behind him, in front of the throne.

Mr.Avery held a 3" by 5" card in front of him, and spoke into the mike.

"Thisyear's winner, as Manhattan High School L-1378-55's Homecoming Queenis..."

Arecorded drum roll was played.

Heread from the card. "Miss Alyce Vanderland!"

Thestudents cheered. Some girls sighed. Everyone applauded. Karen and the four othercandidates forced themselves to smile.

AsAlyce stepped out of the line, heading toward the throne, she moved close toKaren, and gave her the finger.

Karenstopped smiling.

Alyceseated herself upon the throne. Mr. Avery placed a tiara upon her head. She satthere grinning victoriously at everyone.