America 1982-Chapter 58 - 15: Committee Meeting
Lincoln High School’s grandest Lincoln Round Table Conference Hall.
This was undoubtedly the most imposing and elegant room in Lincoln High School, built in 1976 with the purpose of following the trend of private high schools, allowing its students to gain more direct understanding of the world.
The International Strategic Simulation Club, a school organization that attempts to have students role-play as representatives of various countries, to express their suggestions on an international matter and exchange opinions, thus honing their abilities.
Public high schools, however, failed to grasp one problem, which is that their students hold no interest in such simulated topics. Most could even drop out without graduating, so how would they care about the causes of the Vietnam War or when the Soviet Union might spark World War III?
Many public high school students couldn’t even locate their designated country on a globe if the label’s font wasn’t large enough, let alone simulate.
Just imagine, would it be more interesting to sit puzzled in this room, with a faculty member handing you a document that says you’ll role-play as the Chancellor of Germany, facing a group of classmates role-playing leaders from the United States, the Soviet Union, and others, elucidating your views on the Cold War scenario, or would it be more interesting to take a drive with your beloved girl?
Even if they had to choose ten times, they’d make the correct choice, the girl.
Even heading to the gym to participate in sport activities, while casually admiring the cheerleaders from our school practicing their routines in their breezy outfits, would make them happier than sitting in the conference hall.
In ’79, a certain high school student at Lincoln High School left a philosophical piece of graffiti on the conference hall door with spray paint: "Simulation can’t make us fall in love with politics, but pussy can!"
Although the school cleaned it up quickly, this did not stop the subsequent juniors at Lincoln High School from remembering these words and expressing their attitude towards political gamesmanship.
Today, this long-unused conference room was reopened for a crucial meeting of the CSLS committee.
Standing at the head of the large round twenty-person conference table, Tommy Hawk placed his fingertips on the surface of the table and scanned the eyes of everyone present who had found their seats:
"If anyone has any questions about this summer camp, feel free to ask now."
A few people glanced at each other, and the chubby guy with glasses, David Schafer, spoke up first: "David Schafer, Georgia... Uh, I have a question. Committees like this are usually made up of school authorities and initiators, we’re just students, so why do we also become committee members? Of course, I’m honored, but more curious."
"It’s because my committee looks quite empty right now. Including the faculty advisor, which is Miss Farell who can make you guys go starry-eyed, there are only four of us. I need other people to help maintain the normal operation of this summer camp, as apart from you guys, there are fifty-three other participants," Tommy Hawk spoke candidly.
"That’s so uninspired, just as I expected. Giving a fancy title and then making me work for free, that’s a usual trick I’ve seen used on black students in Georgia," David Schafer shrugged, unsurprised.
Frank Grillo looked at Tommy Hawk and shrugged: "I’m happy to help others, my mom always says to find joy in helping, but I need to call her first to inform her. She doesn’t like me doing things she’s unaware of."
"Ha ha ha ha ha~" Kevin Nipfen laughed loudly, his voice full of mockery: "Frank Grillo, that reminds me of the state league when your coach had to call home to get your mom’s permission to take you to the post-game dinner."
"Shut up, Kevin Nipfen, don’t push me to break your spine," Frank spoke up and warned. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Alright, bring it on!" Kevin got up from his seat as if ready to act.
"Communicate like adults, gentlemen, or I have the authority to kick you out of the summer camp. And let me add one more thing, according to the contract, if expelled for personal reasons, you won’t get a refund," Tommy Hawk said lightly, tapping on the table with his knuckles when he saw the two about to squabble: "If you insist on giving up your spots, allowing me to earn money from two more high school students, I couldn’t ask for more."
Seeing the two sit back down and remain quiet, Tommy Hawk stared at them for a few seconds before continuing: "Let’s get back to the previous question."
"My mom says to be a sweet and likable girl. If I can help everyone, I’m willing," said Zoey Winters, with a smile.
Catherine Naun, observing her brightly painted nails without lifting her head, spoke: "I’m not interested in managing some troublesome people. I just want to talk with heads of state to get the credentials I need because I’m going to study political science at university."
"I just need various sports scores," Chris Ferguson took off his cowboy hat to reveal a head of brown hair, and shook his head as if talking to himself: "Although I don’t understand why I need a pile of sports scores to apply for those prestigious schools when I only aim to major in mathematics. If being a committee member helps me get outstanding scores, I don’t mind."
Seeing that Stephen Binn had no intention of speaking up and was gesturing for him to continue, Tommy Hawk said:
"There is no reward without effort; your competition scores will be very good. Since you all are here, you naturally know what this summer camp is worth, and I’m well aware of your needs, which are essentially impressive looking credentials on paper. So first, this point will be satisfied for you as a priority, second, you will get a joint recommendation letter from the founder of the summer camp committee and the principal of the founding school, praising your sense of responsibility and great contributions, and lastly, in the summer camp’s political simulation, you have the priority appointment right. Yes, within one hour of arriving in that country, you can become that country’s Chief of Police, Foreign Minister, Education Minister, Sports Minister, or any other position, and then you will have the right to appoint, selecting from the fifty-three high school students not on this committee to be your subordinates. Additionally, the actual occupants of the positions you experience, like the real Chief of Police or Foreign Minister, will give you a letter of recommendation at the end. This is a privilege not extended to the fifty-three other high school participants," Tommy Hawk said, calmly surveying the group:
