Roderick has a busy day today: boathouse until noon, then meet up with Molly to study Literature, and later over to Megan Cupcake's for Latin.
Molly stretches as Roderick leaves, gets up, throws on a shirt, pads downstairs and rummages in the refrigerator. Finding some leftover tofu surprise, she nukes it, woofs it down, runs back upstairs, dresses in her gi and heads to the dojo for karate.
After karate and Literature study with Roderick, Molly wants to spend some serious time banging on the Bosendorfer.
At seven, Mary Bloom gets up, makes all of the beds, then goes to the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. After breakfast, she helps Mrs. Bloom clean the house, then walks next door to see Mrs. Peacock.
Mrs. Peacock is already up and in fine sprits. Mary makes breakfast for her, then helps her to the comfy chair in the sun room. From the bookcase, Mary chooses Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley, and begins to read the first chapter.
The school-room at Roselands was a very pleasant apartment; the ceiling, it is true, was somewhat lower than in the more modern portion of the building, for the wing in which it was situated dated back to the old-fashioned days prior to the Revolution, while the larger part of the mansion had not stood more than twenty or thirty years; but the effect was relieved by windows reaching from floor to ceiling, and opening on a veranda which overlooked a lovely flower-garden, beyond which were fields and woods and hills. The view from the veranda was very beautiful, and the room itself looked most inviting, with its neat matting, its windows draped with snow-white muslin, its comfortable chairs, and pretty rosewood desks.
Mary paused, and sighed. "How many times have we read this book? It's still my favorite 'Elsie'".
Mrs. Peacock nodded. "Mine too".
"Mrs. Peacock, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, dear".
"If I want to be a prostitute, how do I go about it?"
"A prostitute, dear? Well, first, you need a pimp, or a madam."
"What's a pimp?"
"You need someone who will help you find customers, make sure that you get paid, and so forth. Someone to take care of the business end, so to speak".
"Should I ask my dad?"
"Well, dear, I suppose it can't hurt to ask, can it?"
Mary smiled. "You seem to know something about it".
Mrs. Peacock gave Mary a wink. "It's how I made it through Wellesley. My parents weren't well off, and they weren't so generous with student loans and such back in the day. Lester, bless his heart..." -- Mrs. Peacock was speaking of her deceased husband -- "Lester never knew about it. Of course, he had his monthly visits to Mrs. Lupa's house on Fernwood, which he thought I didn't know about."
Mary hugged Mrs. Peacock, then continued to read from Elsie Dinsmore.
At noon, Roderick finished work and headed to Molly's house. She met him at the porch; they went inside and made smoothies for lunch, then sat on the living room floor to study. For the weekend, Mr. Cooper had assigned the class to read John Wilmot's Restoration closet drama Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery. They read the play aloud, Roderick taking the major male roles: Bolloxinion, the King of Sodom; Pricket, the Young Prince; and Buggeranthos, General of the Army. Molly read the major female roles: Cuntigratia, the Queen of Sodom; Princess Swivia; and the four Maids of Honour (Officina, Fuckadilla, Cunticulla and Clytoris).
Roderick explained to Molly that the play is a satire of the court of Charles II. Molly couldn't remember who Charles II was, or why this was relevant to American Literature. She also didn't understand the use of the word "buggery". Roderick explained. Molly thought it sounded gross.
Just as they finished reading the play, Mary returned home. She waved shyly to Roderick. "Hi, Roderick", she said, seeming to linger slightly.
"Hi Mary", said Roderick, smiling pleasantly. He waved back. Roderick likes Mary. She's a nice girl. Not like so many of the slutty girls in school.
Molly had already seated herself at the Bosendorfer and was working on scales. Roderick waved to her as he left -- she did not look up -- and ran home for a quick supper with Mom and Dad. After dinner, he walked over to Megan Cupcake's house for a Latin study session.
Megan, bubbly and buxom, greeted him at the side door. She wore her red hair long, with a green plaid shirt and blue cutoffs. Per usual, there was no sign of Mr. and Mrs. Cupcake. Megan invited Roderick upstairs so they could study on the bed, which is way more comfortable than studying on the living room floor.
Latin is a required subject for all students in Beauneville Academy, and for the first two years at Beauneville Latin. Starting in the Junior year, Latin is an elective covering various works of literature. The Latin assignment for the weekend is to read the first two chapters of Ovid's Ars Amatoria.
Roderick and Megan got through the first chapter okay, but as they start the second chapter Megan says she is really struggling, and would it be possible for them to share the same book so she can follow along better?
Roderick is happy to oblige. Megan says she really needs to get a pair of glasses, but until she does she'll just have to snuggle real close.
