One Night At The Library

 

“I’m sorry Jack, but if you don’t have the assignment turned in by tomorrow, you won’t be playing in the game on Friday night. No second chances,” Jacks Chemistry teacher looked him square in the eyes and didn’t blink.

“But Mr. Wilson, I’m the star quarterback. I have to play in the game on Friday night.  You wouldn’t let something like one paper be the reason why our school loses the playoff game, would you?” Jack famous cocky grin was met with Stonewall Jackson!

Looks like Jack was going to be spending the rest of his day (and night) in the library. There was no way he was missing that game.

After practice, Jack went out with some of the guys from the team to get a burger and discuss a few last minute pointers for the game. Before he realized it, it was 8pm. The library was only opened one more hour!
Speeding across town in his Jeep with his favorite band playing, Jack didn’t notice the police lights coming up behind him.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Jack said out loud to his own foolish self. Reaching for his license and registration, he slowly rolled down his window.

“Well, if it isn’t Jack Dollin, QB1 of the Central High Cougars. License and registration please.”

Jack knew this guy. Ron Beecham. He played football with Jack’s dad back in the day. From the stories Jack had heard, the two of them were constantly going at it. Ron felt he deserved being QB, but never quite made the cut. Lots of bad blood between them.

“Hi, Mr. Beecham. I’m kind of in a hurry. Can you tell me why you pulled me over and let me go? The library closes in 45 minutes and I have to get in there before that.” Jack respectfully asked.

“It’s Officer Beecham to you, son, and yes I can tell you why I pulled you over. You were speeding, and I don’t really care if you make it or not to the library, so just sit there while I write this up.”

Jack’s palms started sweating and his heart started racing. If he didn’t make it to the library to get the books he needed to write the paper that he had to have by tomorrow morning, he wouldn’t play in the most important game of the year. The coach would be furious, his dad would be disappointed and his mom would ground him for the rest of his high school days. After 15 stressful minutes, the officer finally handed him the ticket and let him on his way.

Pulling the door of the library opened, Jack ran in and looked around for the help desk. He heard a vacuum running in the distance and could have sworn he heard someone singing. The lights in the back were shutting off and he looked at the clock on the wall. He had 15 minutes left.

“Excuse me, I am so glad you are still opened. I have a Chemistry paper due in the morning, and I need to check out a few books. Can you point me in the direction of the science area?”

Jack waited for the lady to turn around and look at him. She was on the phone.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” He waited.

She just held up her finger like he was 5 years old and kept talking. He decided to start looking for himself. He walked down the aisles until he started to feel claustrophobic. Romance, mystery, fiction, historical, Science fiction, magazines, periodicals…Jack could feel himself start to sweat. Looking at his cell phone, he only had 5 minutes left.

“The Library will be closing in 5 minutes. Please bring your books to the front to check out.” The overhead speaker blasted. Jack wanted to shout out to anyone in the quickly darkening library, “where is your science section?” He was pretty sure no one would hear since it looked as if he were the only person left in the building.

“Hey, you. You need to get your book and come up front. We’re closing in less than 5 minutes. Didn’t you hear the announcement?”

Jack saw that the woman who had been on the phone was standing at the end of the aisle, hands on hips and a glare in her eye.

“Yes, I heard it, but I needed your help and you were busy. Now I’m lost and can’t find what I need. Can you please show me where the science section of books is located? I need a couple to check out for an assignment. It’s important.” Jack heard his voice sound a little like begging.

“Science section? I don’t even know what that is? We don’t have a science section. So you’re just going to have to leave and maybe try a bookstore tomorrow.”

Jack could tell that she wanted to end her day now! She wasn’t going to do anything that might make it go longer than absolutely necessary.

“Okay, fine. Maybe you don’t have a “science section” but I need a book on the life of Louis Pasteur or Ernest Rutherford? I just need a couple books on either one and I will be out of your hair.” Jack spoke a little more confidently, feeling for sure she would help. She was a librarian for goodness sakes!

“I’m sorry. The library is now officially closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

Jack couldn’t believe his ears. She turned and walked away. Jack started to follow but nearly ran into an elderly man who was vacuuming.

“Oh excuse me, I’m sorry. I was just trying to catch the librarian before she locked me in or kicked me out.”

The old guy turned off the vacuum and smiled kindly. “I wouldn’t bother with that one. She runs this place like a Gestapo. I’ve worked here for 10 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her keep the library open 1 minute past closing time. I overheard you were looking for a couple books on some very well-known and extremely bright scientists! I know just where they are. Follow me.”

Jack couldn’t believe his good fortune. He followed the old man who left the vacuum and started some tune Jack had never heard before. Within a couple minutes, they were standing in front of an entire section of books by famous inventors, scientist, archeologists.

“Here ya go. Two books on Rutherford and one on Pasteur. Now get out of here and good luck.”

Jack ran down the aisle and to the front desk. No one was there. Now what?

“She shut everything down? Well, don’t you worry. I have my library card right here, and since I’m an employee, I am going to check them out and leave her a note to find tomorrow. She may wonder why I took a sudden interest in inventors and Nobel Prize winners. But don’t you worry. You take them home, study them and write a great paper son.”

The kind old guy with greying hair and hunched shoulders had a little twinkle in his eyes as he patted Jack on the shoulder. Heading across the parking lot, Jack could have sworn he heard someone singing. With a “not-so-cocky” grin on his face, he jumped in his jeep and headed home.