Page 167 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Not bad, not bad.” Harrison waved them to lower theirhands, then posed a new question. “How many of you—children, parents, andguardians alike—have been through kindergarten orientation any time in the lasteight years?”
Half the audience waved.
Harrison addressed himself to the three Amaranthinenewcomers. “One reason we have kindergarten orientation is to make sure ourstudents know which grown-ups are part of our Landmark family.” He showed themthe photo ID on his lanyard. “You have these now, and that means you belongwith us.”
All three new teachers lifted their nametags.
Harrison turned back to the larger audience. “I’m Mr. Peck,and you can recognize me easily, because I always wear a bowtie, even when Iplay bingo.”
“It’s true!” Tami assured, because for once, she’d beengiven the script. “I’ve seen him!”
The kids hooted and hollered. They all knew how this wassupposed to go.
“And you’ll all be able to remember Doe Craghart, who knowsall about nature.”
Tami offered a helpful aside. “Doe Craghart also hasantlers.”
“Oh!” said Harrison, as if he hadn’t thought of that. “Isthat all right to mention?”
Fossa smiled and inclined her head.
“And you’ll be able to remember Lady Bellsweet, who alwaysknows the perfect book to recommend.”
Tami cheerfully added, “Lady Bellsweet also has antennae.”
“Oh!” Harrison blinked at their librarian. “Do you mind if Imention that?”
Viv folded her hands over her heart and smiled.
Harrison went right on. “And you’ll remember ProfessorHighbranch, who can teach us to have good manners with all of our Amaranthineneighbors.”
Tami said, “Professor Highbranch also has red hair.”
“Oh! Uh-oh,” said Harrison. “We may have a problem. LandmarkElementary already has someone with red hair!”
People chuckled, and several kids called out Kip’s name.
“You know,” said Harrison. “Introductions go both ways. Ournew teachers haven’t met two important people who are part of our Landmarkfamily. Should we see if they’re here?”
The vote was unanimous.
“Ash!” called Harrison. “Where’d you get to?”
“Here, sir!” he answered, striding out from the wings.Lifting his lanyard, he said, “I’m Ash.”
Harrison stage whispered, “You’re a grown-up, Ash. Thatmeans our kids should call you Mr. Fowler.”
“No, thanks. I’d rather be Ash.”
“I suppose that’s all right, since you gave your permission.Now, aren’t there supposed to be two of you?”
“Yeah, there’s two of us.” And like they’d always done, he puthis fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle.
Nothing happened.
“Kip!” tried Harrison. “Where’d you get to?”
“Coming!” And Kip burst through the back doors, charged upthe center aisle, pretended to trip, tumbled into a series of backflips, andput on the brakes right before crashing into the stage. Brushing off hiscoveralls, he walked slowly up the steps, as if nothing out of the ordinary hadoccurred. “Does something need fixing? Or … did you spill something, Mr. Peck?”
