INT. XAVIER INSTITUTE CLASSROOM MINUTES LATER
A crowd of students have gathered, facing the front. BERZERKER AND JUBILEE are there, too.
Hank glares at them, his eyes bulging.
HANK
I know it has been a stressful year
for all of us. And with Storm gone, Im sure times will be difficult. But that does not permit you to behave irresponsibly. Storm is displaying a great deal of trust in you. The least you can do is obey her wishes.
The students stare at him, bewildered.
HANK (CONTD)
As Im sure you already know, Storm does not tolerant this sort of behaviour. And neither will I. As long as I am here, you will act like responsible members of society.
JUBILEE
Err
Mr McCoy? What are you talking about?
HANK
Im sure you know full well, Miss Lee. One of the X-Vehicles
I found it this morning. I dont know what made you think you could get away with it, but I can assure you
I will find out who did this.
Some of the students start to giggle. One of them in particular, HUSK, is smiling. Hank catches her eye.
HANK (CONTD)
You seem to find this funny, Miss Guthrie. Were you involved?
She doesnt reply. He walks over to her, touches her arm. But her body folds in on itself, and crumples to the floor. The other kids start laughing.
Hank is furious. His voice rises to a shout.
HANK
Thats it! All of you! If no one will own up, I will have to punish you all! I will be contacting every one your parents and-
Suddenly, there is a knock at the door and ANGEL walks in.
ANGEL
Is everything okay, Hank?
HANK
Of course. I can handle this.
ANGEL
(Smiling)
I heard.
Hank stares at him.
ANGEL (CONTD)
How do you know it was any of these, Hank?
HANK
Well, I-
ANGEL
Have you even checked the security footage? You know the school is fitted with CCTV. You might be able to recognise some of them.
Hank looks embarrassed.
HANK
But the children-
ANGEL
Theyre not children anymore, Hank. Besides, theyve got enough to deal with. Let them be.
HANK
Ill check the footage now.
With one last look at the students, he stomps off. The students look towards Angel, curiously.
BERZERKER
Mr Worthington, we
ANGEL
I know, guys. I know what youve been through. But just try and stay out of trouble, okay? You know what Hank is like. A dog with a bone, he wont let it go.
JUBILEE
But the tape-
ANGEL
Dont worry about it. I swiped it clean before I got here.
The students smile.
BERZERKER
Thanks, Mr Worthington.
ANGEL
No problem. Now go on. Scuttle. Before Hank realises whats happened.
The students make their way out of the classroom. Angel looks out at a window, where Hank is storming around, furious and muttering to himself. Angel smiles, and follows the students out.