Getting to Know you (Teachers and Staff only please)

Carlos Machado sat in the teacher's lounge, the taste of his last cigarillo still lingering on his tongue. It had been a couple of weeks since the new semester started and plans for his Glee Club were coming along nicely. His classes were going well; his club was finally harmonizing and performing far beyond his expectations; his trumpet was even sounding better.

One thing that bothered him was his co-workers. He had not gotten to know them as well as he should have. In fact, most days he ate or smoked by himself barely exchanging more than the usual pleasantries with the staff. Unpleasant. Sterile. It was not what the gregarious man was used to. He flipped through his papers,then stuffed them into his bag. Maybe he'd just go back to the choir room and work on song selection for Glee club.

Helena walked into the teacher's lounge, going to get herself some fruits snacks and a bottled water, for she ran out of the ones she kept in her mini fridge that sat in her office. Before she went over to the vending machines, she saw the Glee club sponsor and Spanish teacher that worked at the school. She stopped, smiled, and waved at the Cuban man.

"Hello, Mr. Machado. Are you having a nice day?" Helena asked.

Aldrick was already comfortably hidden in the corner, reading a book. He was constantly anti-social in his nature, preferring to stay as far away from students and other teachers as possible. It wasn't that he disliked them, he just didn't want to bother with the burdens of society. He was thankful for his off-putting demeanor, though. If it were not for his intimidating face and towering structure, people might actually try to socialize with him.

Gross.

He payed no mind to the other teachers in the lounge, blending nicely into the corner as he focused on the German text. The library had gotten crowded to the point of failure to maintain, and Aldrick needed his quiet time.

---

I'm here to be anti-social : D

More pleasantries,but somehow this seemed a bit more genuine. He looked up with his standard smile before softening it to a sincere one when he saw who it was. Ms.Helena, he had heard good things about her and truly hoped it was a chance to make a good work friend.

"Ah,Hello Ms.Helena. Yes, I am. I was just thinking about getting a coffee and doing my glee club song selection outside. Care to join me?"

Just then he noticed the other man in the room, he seemed to almost blend in with the furniture. "Ah! Didn't notice you there. I'm sorry......ah, I've misplaced your name."

Helena smiled.

"Sure. That sounds nice. Let me get my snack and water from the vending machine real quick, please."

As she went over to the snack machine, put in her money, and punched in the numbers for her fruit snacks, she saw Carlos a little surprised at the figure hiding himself from the rest of society.

"That would be Mr. Aldrick, the librarian. He prefers keeping to himself. We best leave him be to enjoy his serene solitude," Helena told Carlos in a low voice. Aldrick was strange, but not a bad person. She wondered why he didn't want to socialize, but she never questioned him and left him be. And she always made sure to put away her books before she left, so it was one less mess to deal with. That is, whenever she visited the library, which wasn't often.

Helena grabbed her fruit snacks from the holding area before going to the drink machine, paying and pressing the button for her water, and retrieving it from its holding place. She walked over back towards the Cuban man with a grin.

"Ready when you are, Mr. Machado."

Ah!!! Today was just too much!! He had to whine to the major school board to ensure he got the extra funding so that the Glee Club would have some money for their outfits for their future performance, which involved talking to people he really hated to talk to. And then to top things off, coming into the school one of those ungrateful school Glee club members ended up running into him elbowing him in the gut and not bothering to apologize.... so he decided to visit a small oasis (sort of) in the school.

Also known as the Teachers lounge where some sort of sanity reigned... he was hoping it would be empty and attempted to hide his disappointment as he entered and noticed the hoard of school employees also attempting to hide from the children.

He noticed that Helena and Carlos seemed to be making friends which was always good, and that Carlos was foolishly attempting to invoke conversation with Aldrick...

Aldrick wasn't a person you talked with... he was a person you talked at. Big difference in life...

So in a stage whisper, to bring attention to the fact he had entered the room and they really shouldn't ignore their super amazing employer, he interupted the beautiful potential friendship moment between Carlos and Aldrick and said, "I wouldn't bother if I were you, there are days I am certain Aldrick is a mute deaf man who lipreads only when it suits him. The best way to get his attention is to mention something about books, or the fact the library funding has the potential to be cut...."

As he waited for Ms. Helena he watched the solitary German. So he was the elusive librarian with a cold shoulder. He listened carefully to what the counseler had to say. Still, it was not in his nature to merely just brush someone off. He was about to continue his conversation,however one-sided when the principal came in. He had only met the man twice, once when he interviewed for the job and once when he asked to form the Glee Club. Each time it left him with a skewed view of the man.

At the utterance of the statement,he blinked then almost chuckled. Another strange statement. Another skewed view. More pieces of the puzzle that was Principal Vargas. Turning to Helena, he smiled. "Ah, yes. I am ready. Thank you for joining me. I was starting to think I'd never have a chance to converse with my fellow instructors. I was most saddened by that."

He stood up and joined her, leaving the old men to their strange conversation. "Ah, Principal, I do hope we can discuss the Glee Club a bit more. Perhaps over a drink. I know a place." With those words he left with the woman, out of the lounge, into the hallway and outside. He smiled as the fresh air hit his face. "Now, for my caffeine injection." he joked as he continued to walk. He began to hum an old song, unable to resist the urge to sing.

---

He's humming "What a wonderful world" by Louis Armstrong

Helena merely looked over towards Principal Vargas as he entered the teacher's lounge. She generally saw two sides of the man. A nice side and a mischievious side. It was usually the latter that appeared whenever she was around to see him. She heard his comment about Aldrick and ignored it. However, she may as well say hi to him before she headed out to talk with Carlos.

"Hello, Mr. Vargas, I hope you're having a good day. Please excuse me now," she said politely before going outside with the Cuban man. Once she also took in the fresh air of the outside of the school, she chuckled at Carlos' comment.

"Well, nature is addicting," she said with a smile. When she heard him humming, she asked, "Are you humming "What A Wonderful World," from Louis Armstrong?"

At the comment about cutting his library, Aldrick calmly threw an apple at the Principals head. If there was one person he wasn't afraid to interact with, it was him. Ever since he was first hired, he was comfortable with recognizing just was a thick-skull employer he had. In a sense, one could call him his only friend, if a friend was the one person he wasn't afraid to talk to (and if by talk to mean making angry ridicules at).

Either way, the library being cut was one of Aldricks worst fear. He had tried his hardest to keep the library in top shape, a comfortable place for students to work. Anything to change the boards mind. But nothing seemed to deter them.

Thanks for reminding me, Boss.

Catching the apple, Rome feigned injury at the violent action, and wandered over to the other man, after passing some greetings at the other two who were leaving the room.

Rubbing the apple clean on his shirt, he took a bite out of it.

"Mmm!! I don't know where you manage to find such apples," came the happy comment as he sat down beside the other while leaning forward in a interfering 'I am attempting to read your book over your shoulder' manner.

"Do you grow them yourself or something?"

Carlos laughed in response. This is what he needed. Conversation.....and with a charming lady at that.

"Ah, yes....Louis Armstrong is a bit of an idol of mine. I'm a trumpet player myself you see." he commented then blushed a bit. "I have many of his recordings. I was hoping to do a bit of a retro lesson for the Glee club. A bit of appreciation for the past and how the present is affected by it. What do you think?"

"While I don't know as many of his songs as you would, Louis Armstrong has made wonderful music over the years. And the retro lesson sounds like a great idea. I'm sure your club members will learn a lot from it," Helena said with a grin. Hanging around the Cuban man was quite nice. While she did know a lot of the staff and administration, she didn't really become friends with them, only accquatinces. However, she could see herself being a good friend with Carlos.

"I can imagine how much attention your club is attracting. I'm sure the amount of music there is unrestricted in the genres they listen to," Helena commented with a grin.

Carlos nodded. He couldn't help but smile. He was having a nice time walking with her. Actual conversation, real and genuine without the phoniness of trite pleasantries. "He was one of the greats, his soul, his passion, not to mention distinctive voice. I hope to inspire such greatness in my kids." He looked down then smiled at her. "Thank you. I was hoping to get a good discussion going, old verses new, to see the similarities of then and now. Plus, it beats grading midterms."

They walked a bit more, stopping at the school's cafe kiosk. He promptly ordered a cafe con leche and sipped it with gusto. "Perfecto."

"Ah, yes, membership....it seems to have stalled a bit;most meetings we usually just hand out assignments and perform a bit, nothing really exciting. But they are looking forward to the performance at the spring concert. I was hoping to compose a medley of sorts." Taking a nervous sip from his coffee he bit his lip. "Ah, sorry. I have ranted. How are things going for you Ms. Helena?"

Helena smiled at Carlos' enthusiasm. He certainly enjoyed his work as the sponsor of the Glee club. And she also couldn't for the spring concert to arrive. She could only imagine how great it would be.

When she was asked about her work, she replied, "It's alright. I'm either making sure kids are doing alrihgt school wise or personal wise. Basically, my job."

She grinned. "I enjoyed it though. Curious, Mr. Machado, do you think that there will be duets in the Glee club? I enjoy those very much."

Agh, the spring concert. What to do? So many song choices. Something not too edgy but still memorable to fit in with the tone of the event. He imagined the crazy arguments the kids would have over who would sing what. That made him smile and chuckle.

He listened to her explanation and nodded. "Excellente, I am sure you are right, they are good kids. I have much faith in them, they will do well."

"Duets? Ah.....I was hoping but we don't have many strong singers in the club at present. I was hoping to encourage a few more female members to join to get a more harmonized and complete feel. I know this is a bit forward but do you know any students that sing? Dance? Play an instrument?"

Helena thought about the female students she knew and if any of them were good singers. She couldn't really think of any. But she could try and help.

"I'm not sure, but I'll take a peek through the students classes anf refer them to you if they're in band, choir, or dance," she replied.

"Muchos Gracias" he replied in thanks. "It is most appreciated. Thank you so much Ms. Helena." He sighed, allowing his cheerful demeanor to drop for a moment. "I was a bit worried we'd never flesh out to be a true club. At present we don't have enough members to compete officially."

He looked a little worried in that moment. "But right now, we are having fun, creating a place for misfits,the misbegotten, the misunderstood to express themselves. Teachers as well. If you ever feel the desire, please feel free to sit in on a meeting. We could always use another viewpoint"

Helena smiled warmly at Carlos.

"I'm sure you'll get new members soon. Once your club becomes well-known, I'm sure you'll have kids joining by the handful."

When she was told that she could come by and visit, she smiled brightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Machado. I'll definitely make sure to come and visit yuor club."

Her smile. It was comforting and warm. He could see why the students liked her. He could see she truly wanted to help him, like a true friend.

"I truly hope so,the kids are getting antsy and there are only so many events sponsored by the school. I was hoping to do some extra performances for the community."

Another smile. "Please call me Carlos. My friends all do.....and I have a tradition. I buy them a drink. Are you up to it?"

"I'm sure you'll get those performances outside of the school. AS the saying goes, patience is a virtue."

She grinned as he told her to call him by name and his tradition.

"Alright, Carlos. I'm up to your tradition. I happen to be pretty good at holding my drinks."

"Si, si, the do say that. I suppose I am a little over enthusiastic. Now if only my espanol students were as motivated. They just don't seem to like conjugating irregular verbs as much as I would like them to."

He was very happy when she accepted his invitation. A perfect way to seal their friendship.

"Fabulouso! The place I have in mind is the same place I mentioned to the Principal. Its a homey little watering hole and the bartender doesn't skimp."

At her boast he laughed and smiled broadly, his wide shoulders bouncing from the movement. "Excellente Ms. Helena. So can I."

She chuckled. She was enjoying the Cuban man's presence. He was funny, enlightening, and certainly made sure to have a good time with others.

"I can imagine you hold your alcohol well. And the bar sounds quite nice, too."

"Si,I am quite skilled in drinking. Responsibly of course." he said with a small smirk. He was in a quite good mood now. This afternoon turned from such a melancholy endeavor to one of a friendship in the making.

"Oh it is. Its more of a hole in the wall but its very relaxing." he said walking a bit further towards the edge of the campus grounds. "How about we meet here in 20 minutes? I should drop my grade sheets off in my office before we leave. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good. I'm done with all of my work, so I'll go home and change into something more comfortable cause truthfuly," Helena said with a small grin while gesturing her outfit, "this wardrobe is going to make me too uncomfortable in a bar."

"Let's make it an hour then, in front of the school. I should change into a more casual shirt, wash up a bit." he commented then smiled. "I think you look quite charming and most professional, but yes. I see your point though."

"One hour......I'll be ready. Ms. Helena. I do hope we enjoy our outing."