a-cantabrian-operetta-2

Subject: A Cantabrian Operetta Chapter 2 This story is a work of fiction and only contains characters who are entirely fictitious. You’re not in here, and neither is anybody else you know. I wrote it – I should know. The action of this story takes place early in the 21st century. I have not attended any of the august places of learning mentioned in the text, and the details of those places are accurate only geographically. The fact that a crime takes place in one of them is no reflection on the integrity of that institution. I repeat – work of fiction.It is just possible that activities of a sexual nature may take place, and some of that may be cross generational. There is NO pornography. Look elsewhere for that. If you wish to provide feedback I can be contacted at lfa4321jonah@outlook and please bear in mind that you don’t pay to read these stories, but it does cost Nifty money to provide them. Please consider donating to Nifty fty/donate.html A Cantabrian Operetta. by Jonah Chapter 2, Opening chorus. “Morning Mr. Cummins, Sir,” said the porter. “Good Christmas?” “Don’t ask, Warboys,” I replied, “don’t ask.” “Sorry to hear that, Sir,” he said, “I’m not sure it was much better here.” I’d heard some rumours. “Dovey?” I said quietly. He breathed deeply and finally let it out again in a violent “Hmmph!” – so violent that I involuntarily took a step backwards. “Sorry Sir,” he apologised, “but that boy really gets my goat. Where does he get off?” “Yes, well, he’s not my favourite person at the moment,” I told him. “He’s just incensed my parents enough for them to chuck me out, but at least he didn’t try to get the police set on me.” “Oh, it could well have come to that Sir,” he said. “The Master had to consider calling in the police, but he realised that the two boys I had allegedly felt up, hadn’t made any complaint and when he thought about it, Mr Dovedale hadn’t actually said that anything happened. He’d just sort of hinted at it”. “So that, if you tried to sue for defamation, he could just say you’d misunderstood,” I said. “What a lovely chap”. “He’s not making too many friends round here that’s for certain,” said the porter. “Good to see you back Sir.” I had a single room over at the North Court and intended to go there to freshen up after the journey, but, on impulse I called in on my friend Norman, who I knew had stayed in for Christmas. “Jonaaaaah!” he greeted me. “Salutations! Come and take the weight off your feet whilst I prepare an appropriate libation. Did we get the Ding Dong merrily on high?” “Yes, but not the way I expected,” I replied. “Somebody gave things a push.” “Don’t tell me,” he said. “Mater opened your Christmas card?” “Oh, yes,” I breathed, “but how did you know?” He reached for the shelf above escort bayan his desk and tossed over a folded paper. Inside, stapled in one corner, was a familiar photograph “We’ve all got one,” he said. “Invitation to audition for the G & S, and a photo by way of a Christmas card. I gather his mentor’s been asked to have a word with him about it. Well it’s bad enough spreading that sort of thing around the campus, but sending them outside. I mean, crumbs! It wouldn’t have surprised me if your folks chucked you out.” “Well, I’m glad you’re not going to be surprised Norm,” I told him. He looked as if somebody had struck him. “Oh no!” he said,”Oh dear. Oh mate, I am sorry,” he said lamely. “”No big deal mate,” I told him. “It’s been coming for years. Is the Prof back?” “He never went away,” He replied. “We were at his for dinner on Christmas day. He’s a good sort.” “Yes, I think I need to pop up to see him,” I said, “but, if that’s your best whiskey you’ve just poured into that tea, I’m going to do justice to that first.” I certainly did need to update my mentor on the changed circumstances at home. In some respects that wouldn’t be any of the university’s business, but universities, at least the good ones, don’t work like that. I got back to my own rooms a little after twelve, intending to freshen up and change, then go in search of the Professor. I had barely taken off my jacket when there was a sharp rap on the door which was immediately opened by a good-looking youth with almost sallow skin, wavy dark hair and brown eyes. His lips were almost too sensual, and he was inclined to pout, “They told me you were back Darling,” he announced. “Morning Dovey, didn’t recognize you with your clothes on,” I commented. “Well season of good cheer… ” he commented. “There’s not a lot of good cheer around St. John’s Wood, thanks to you,” I responded, ” but I dare say you’ll grow up one day” “All right, don’t get your knickers in a tizwozz Dear,” he said. “I only called to see if you were auditioning for the Duke”. ” I thought we were doing Yeomen,” I said. “Dr. Harvey want’s Yeomen,” he replied, “but he’s not producing it Darling- I am”. “Only one good tenor part in the Duke, and Sally’s better than me,” I pointed out. “Yes, well I was going to offer you Ludwig, but I’ve decided to do it myself”. I thought about pointing out that it was a big part to do if you were producing as well, but then I thought I didn’t want to be in a conversation with the idiot anyway. “Yes, well Dovey, it’s been fascinating,” I told him. “Pop in again sometime, when you’ve less time to spare.” I shut the door firmly behind him. I still had to see the Professor, and it would be a good idea to do it before anybody else interrupted. Normally I’d have called to kocaeli escort bayan ask if it was convenient, but during the Christmas holidays things were a lot less formal among those remaining in Cambridge. I picked up my jacket and, locking the door behind me, headed for the B wing, where the Professor had his rooms. I didn’t quite get that far, because I met the Professor coming downstairs just as I was about to go up. “Looking for me Jonah?” said the tall, bearded American. “I was Sir, if it’s convenient,” I replied. “I don’t really care if it’s convenient or not,” he replied. “I’m off to search for lunch and, if you haven’t had any I’ll stand you lunch in the canteen.” “That’s very kind of you Sir,” I said,” but you don’t have to do that.” “You missed Christmas dinner Jonah,” he replied, “which was a good dinner, if I say so myself, and now you’ve got problems at home. At least, if you haven’t got them, you’re going to have, but I guess, since you were looking for me, you’ve already got them.” “Yes Sir,” I affirmed, falling into step beside him. “You know the Master has asked Dr. Palmer to have a word with Dovedale?” he said, “though it doesn’t help you. ” “I almost had a word with him myself Sir,” I said, “but I’m not sure it’s worth it.” He smiled grimly. “I’m sure it isn’t,” he replied, “and I’m glad you’re sensible enough to realise that.” “Why is he still here?” “To be honest, I’m asking the same question,” he said quietly. “If it were up to me he’d have been sent packing the moment he first started those vile lies about Warboys, but the Master is concerned about those lies. He doesn’t believe them, but he doesn’t want to give prominence to them or let them get loose outside the college.” A number of students were in the canteen and they almost all were people who’d been associated with last year’s Pirates, so potentially candidates for this year’s show. John (Sally) Salisbury had the cheek to ask the Professor if he’d be auditioning. “Oh I don’t mind a bit of Gilbert and Sullivan,” he replied, “and I can growl away in the bass, or I know my way round a violin, but the show is supposed to be for students. ” “I shall be auditioning for Ludwig,” announced Sammy Garton. “Good luck with that Sammy,” I said. “The word is that the producer’s snaffled that part for himself.” “He’ll be producing it from hospital if I catch him snogging with my bird,” Sammy replied. “You don’t know that Lettie will get Lisa,” I pointed out. “Huh! Don’t I?” he responded. “Why do you think he wants Ludwig?” “He’ll have to convince Dr. Harvey that he can sing it,” said Terry Wright. “The sausage roll song might not be high, but it’s for a singer who knows his music, and his bit in the Act 1 finale is bloody rapid.” kocaeli escort This was the point at which the Professor arrived at the front of the queue, so gossip about the performance had to be suspended. Once we were served the Professor and I found a quiet table in the corner, where I could bring the Professor up-to-date with my situation. I knew he wouldn’t be surprised. “Well your father’s right about one thing,” he said. “Since your fees are paid up, though it sounds as if he thinks he paid them, there’s no reason why things should change much. It’s only your allowance that he’ll probably stop. You can find part-time work that will pay your expenses. If you have difficulty doing that, come and see me. The University can help with extreme cases. We occasionally employ students in odd jobs just to help out. I think the Master should be aware, since it might be another nail in Dovedale’s coffin but, more to the point, we could end up needing his help if your finances get too tight.” “It’s jolly decent of you to help me Sir,” I told him. “Mr. Cummings,” he replied. “You’ve got yourself a scholarship to the best university in the United Kingdom. It’s not quite an American university, but it’s the best there is this side of the pond. You’d expect it to do something to live up to that distinction, now wouldn’t you?” “I’m not sure they’d agree with you in Oxford,” I said, as soon as the mouthful of lamb-chop and mint sauce permitted. He arrested his fork in mid-journey to his mouth, and looked at me for what seemed a long time. “What do YOU think Mr. Cummings?” he said finally. “Oh, I’m a Cambridge man through and through,” I assured him hastilly. “Good,” he said, resuming his meal, “I’d heard there was some sort of establishment in Oxford. I hear they might even learn to row one day. I don’t think we need pay them a great deal of heed. We certainly shouldn’t discuss them at mealtimes.” “Professor Alves, can I have a word?” The newcomer was a fully robed and hooded professor, complete with balding grey head and gold rimmed spectacles. He certainly looked the part. I had seen Professor Palmer about the place, but had never met him formally. “I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch.” I don’t know whether he addressed that to the Professor, or to me. Probably it was both. “How can I be of service?” the Professor said. “Something rather serious has happened. ” returned the other, ” The Master wishes to speak to all faculty heads that are on the premises, immediately.” TO BE CONTINUED If you’ve enjoyed this story you’d probably enjoy other stories by the same author, also on Adult/Youth. “Immigrant”, “Marooned”, “Letter from America”, ” Stranger on a train” and “The Boston Tea Party” are all by this author, as is, “The Pen-Pals” (on Young Friends). You would also probably like “A Neglected Boy” by Jacob Lion. Pictures of some of the characters in this story can be found on Jacob’s bly/jonah-stories.html My thanks go to Jacob for his generosity and hard work in making this available.