Michael Reckord, ContributorARTIE MET me at the door of our favourite New Kingston restaurant, but instead of moving straight to the counter for us to make our selections for lunch, he held back.
"Just a minute, Dads," he said, clutching my arm.
"What is it, Artie? I'm hungry."
"We're going to eat in that booth." He indicated one with a jerk of his head. "But when we sit down, don't talk. I want you to listen to the couple in the adjoining booth.
"We're going to eavesdrop?" I frowned disapprovingly.
Artie grinned and nodded. "And without drawing attention to ourselves. It could be exceedingly harmful to our health."
"What on earth are you
talking ..."
Artie put his finger to his lips and lowered his voice. "The woman is a recruiter for an inner-city educational institution. The man is a teacher at a Kingston high school but wants to resign. Seems he's unhappy with his salary."
"Who isn't these days, when the dollar is declining and double-digit inflation looms on the horizon?"
"I bet the 144 Government consultants who are getting $326 million of taxpayers' money aren't hurting too much."
"Well, them, perhaps ..." I shrugged. "Unless they're faced with paying $28,000 per term for a child at prep school. I gather that'll be a regular school fee this academic year."
By this time, we had selected our various dishes at the counter. I paid the cashier and we headed toward the booth Artie had chosen for the eavesdropping.
Artie whispered, "The woman is screening staff for the school principal, if I can call him that. He's a former drug don who wants to set up this unique kind of school in his community."
"Why, that's very com-
mendable."
"It's a school for criminals," Artie said.
I stared at my young friend incredulously. "Wha!"
"Sit down," he mouthed. "Listen."
We sat.
The voices of the couple floated over and around the high back of the adjoining booth. As I listened, I was glad the speakers were hidden from our view. It meant we were hidden from theirs.
Man: ...and I'm sorry I didn't bring my resume, but you said this was going to be an informal discussion.
Woman: I think I used the word "preliminary." I'm screening applicants for teaching and administrative positions. Mr D will make the final selections, but he wants to see only qualified people.
Man: I have eight years' experience as a teacher.
Woman: Eight years' experience is good, if you grew over the period. I hope it wasn't one years' experience repeated eight times.
Man: My students do well in their exams.
Woman: Fine. I'll need to see the course outlines for your subjects. And a couple lesson plans. I want to know your delivery methods ...
Man: I use several lectures, discussions, research projects, even some Drama-in-Education modes. I'm flexible.
Woman: Excellent, because you'll need to spend a month or two learning some new material before you actually start teaching.
Man: I don't understand
Woman: Remember, Mr D-'s school is unusual, innovative. That's why he's paying his lecturers and Admin staff so well.
Man: What new material?
Woman: You have to understand the opposition we're facing is becoming organised to an unprecedented degree. Peter Phillips is a serious minister. He called in experts from Scotland Yard, the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for advice. The new Organised Crime Investigating Division will take a lot to infiltrate a lot of time, effort, intelligence and money, above all of money. It takes a lot of cash to corrupt a cop these days.
Man: I know you guys have got organised, too. Gangs from Kingston have linked up with the St. James posses, right?
Woman: We're also beefing up our international connections.
Man: But tell me the new material I am to...
Woman: Material for new subjects Mr D- wants on the curriculum. Advanced Extortion. Car-jacking in the 21st Century. Highway Trap Evasion. Cyber-Crime 1, 2 and 3: Pornography, Money Laundering and Computer Embezzlement. The Perfect Murder. DNA Detection. Smuggling by Air and Sea. Gang Organisation, Management and Financing. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture.
Man: (Faintly) Yes.
Woman: So, how can you help us?
Man: Er
Woman: Speak up, man. You have any experience with the computer?
Man: No. I teach Caribbean History and Geography.
Woman: Geography will be useful. You know, a lot of the cocaine comes into the island in go-fast boats. We need maps which will show us the best routes and drop-off points.
Man: Well, I guess...
Woman: So, where did you get your degree?
Man: I... I don't have a degree. I just went to Teacher's College.
Woman: (impatiently) Why didn't you say so before? Mr D needs teachers with degrees. Criminology College isn't graduating CXC-level students, you know? It's to be a tertiary education institution. We're offering Diplomas. Anyway, thanks for coming and...
Sensing the interview was about to end, I signalled to Artie and we hurried out of the restaurant.
"I agree it's best not to let them see us," I said.
"Right, but where are we going?"
"To the nearest street phone. What's the number for Crime Stop?"
