Not Buying It 2014-08-13

[jwhouk]

Right on her PHONE? Oh God.

That abdication speech doesn't rank up there with Edward VII's "Woman I Love" quote.

[wwf]

Running the school?
That does not make sense.
Atsali is 15 years old. She must be in grade 9 or 10. She is not a senior.
Jessie seems to be in the same classes (Physical Education) so she is probably in the same grade. (There are other students who look older.)
Even if Jessie is a mermaid and high in the social order, I doubt she would be socially higher than a senior.
What do others think?

[Atomic]

It's the vanity of her thinking she "runs" the school, so she's taking an ego hit by "stepping down" and passing the buck to Atsali. Maybe now that she's distancing herself from some wholly unrealistic expectations, Jessie will actually be able to unwind a bit and become more honestly sociable!

[Opus the Poet]

It has been a long time since I was in HS (Ford was President when I graduated, went through the whole Watergate thing my Sophomore year), but as I recall didn't the adults run the school and the students just attend? Besides I don't think Atsali is the kind to "run" the school anyway.

[kingklash]

Of course, Atsali just might drop it right back in Jessie's lap, because she's just way too dorky to hold proper court like a Queen Bee-otch should.

[Dave]

Right on her PHONE? Oh God.

Krystle hasn't yet learned the danger of viral humiliating selfies.

Atsali said "her life would end" if Castela sent out the photo of Atsali dancing. Imagine what would happen to Jessie's rep if this video "leaked".

That abdication speech doesn't rank up there with Edward VII's "Woman I Love" quote.

Berdine's verbal push-back, and Jessie's response, remind me of an episode of Babylon 5, in which a ghostly spirit of G'kar the Narn confronts Centauri ambassador Londo Mollari, about the horrible things Londo has done over the past few years (arranged assassinations, started a war, acquiesced to bombing of the Narn home planet back into the Stone Age).

"You aren't sorry because what you did was wrong! You're sorry because you got caught!"

Of course, Atsali just might drop it right back in Jessie's lap, because she's just way too dorky to hold proper court like a Queen Bee-otch should.

Yeah, that seems entirely possible. "If nominated, I shall not run. If elected, I shall not serve." Or, as President Lincoln is reported to have said, "By God! What is there about this job, that any man would want it?"

I suspect that seeing what the Nu Gui had done, and having the experiences of an entire civilization full of insane minds channel through her, might have rather soured Atsali on the "pleasures" of "ruling" over people.

[TheDOCTOR]

I like the bottom panel. Those two look as though they're about to square off. All we need is a little Mambo No. 5. They got the hands on the hips.
♫ "A little bit o' Monica in my life".......♫

[oldmanmickey]

Jessie is right about one thing. She is totally outclassed. Atsali is a queen daisy, not queen bee.

[AnotherFairportfan]

Running the school?
That does not make sense.
Atsali is 15 years old. She must be in grade 9 or 10. She is not a senior.
Jessie seems to be in the same classes (Physical Education) so she is probably in the same grade. (There are other students who look older.)
Even if Jessie is a mermaid and high in the social order, I doubt she would be socially higher than a senior.
What do others think?

Has the school been in existence long enough to have a senior class?

How many seniors are there, if it does? Sophomores may well outnumber the seniors and juniors.

[Dave]

It has been a long time since I was in HS (Ford was President when I graduated, went through the whole Watergate thing my Sophomore year), but as I recall didn't the adults run the school and the students just attend? Besides I don't think Atsali is the kind to "run" the school anyway.

Well, there are levels and then there are levels.

On one level, yes, the adults run the school.

On another level, the "school" is the social system of the students... the dynamics and rivalries within and between the numerous cliques, clubs, groups, teams, and gangs. Any savvy teacher will probably acknowledge that the adults do not run this... in fact, don't even know all that much about what's going on between the students at any point in time. Most students won't talk about these things to any adult... and the parents are often the last to know.

I'm sure Jessie is referring to this latter "school" (for which the physical school, classes, teachers, etc. simply provide a convenient canvas and environment). She probably was the ruler... but has just been trumped with an amazing thoroughness. She can't even hope to compete, so she's trying to cede the game in a face-saving way.

Berdine's definite got her number.

I just saw a bit of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" this weekend... it's a pretty good look at this social dimension of "school" (and made me realize that, as Jack Flanders said when asked if he was afraid of dying and being reincarnated, "I could do without going through high school again.")

[shadowinthelight]

Of course, Atsali just might drop it right back in Jessie's lap, because she's just way too dorky to hold proper court like a Queen Bee-otch should.

More like a game of Hot Potato.
"You take it."
"No, you take it."
repeat ad infinitum

[TazManiac]

"...And some have Greatness thrust upon them..."

[My2Cents]

Jessie is selling, but I don't think Atsali is buying. "Let it run itself" is an obvious responce.

[KnightDelight]

How many seniors are there, if it does? Sophomores may well outnumber the seniors and juniors.

Indeed there may not be many ... left, that is. Given how paranormals tend to settle things, anyone making it to senior year might be better termed as "survivors." A large group of powerful paranormal kids with raging hormones and barely contained claws and fangs might undergo a serious herd thinning process as things progress. Heck, Castela came close to stomping the life out of the princess without hardly even trying. Had she not been stopped, she could have easily popped off another tiny Fae head for her collection. I wonder if she has the other head/skull tucked away somewhere?

[oldmanmickey]

I have also noticed that the only teachers we have seen was one in pickles class and the swim coach. M shows up, pickle curb stomps cricket almost killing her, mom shows up to calm them down. Where the devil are the teachers during all of this? Maybe they view it as the herd needs a'thinnin.

[Elvis]

In what form was the video taken?

http://wapsisquare.com/comic/for-my-fish/

[lake_wrangler]

I'm expecting Atsali to intervene, next, but I have no idea whatsoever what she'll say.

BTW, as messed up as all this situation is, it's nice to see that the two-na were telling the truth, regardless of (or maybe in spite of...) their motivation.

[eee]

It has been a long time since I was in HS (Ford was President when I graduated, went through the whole Watergate thing my Sophomore year), but as I recall didn't the adults run the school and the students just attend? Besides I don't think Atsali is the kind to "run" the school anyway.

Well, there are levels and then there are levels.

On one level, yes, the adults run the school.

On another level, the "school" is the social system of the students... the dynamics and rivalries within and between the numerous cliques, clubs, groups, teams, and gangs. Any savvy teacher will probably acknowledge that the adults do not run this... in fact, don't even know all that much about what's going on between the students at any point in time. Most students won't talk about these things to any adult... and the parents are often the last to know.

I'm sure Jessie is referring to this latter "school" (for which the physical school, classes, teachers, etc. simply provide a convenient canvas and environment). She probably was the ruler... but has just been trumped with an amazing thoroughness. She can't even hope to compete, so she's trying to cede the game in a face-saving way.

Berdine's definite got her number.

I just saw a bit of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" this weekend... it's a pretty good look at this social dimension of "school" (and made me realize that, as Jack Flanders said when asked if he was afraid of dying and being reincarnated, "I could do without going through high school again.")

Hear hear. The social interactions between high school students are as complex and difficult as any tribal society. In such a setting a self assured, intelligent, charismatic student, especially if from a recognized high social ranking, can have enormous power, regardless if they're a senior, junior, or even sophomore. What and who is acceptable, who's part of the 'In' crowd, who is to be shunned and disparaged... School kids seldom commit suicide because of schoolwork. But because they're outcasts, or the Queen Bee dislikes them? Oh yes.

The thing is, while Jessie realizes she's outclassed by Atsali - the friend of Fae and Bruins, adopted niece of the Jaguar Girl, with hints of other powerful connections - and is willing to concede, I doubt Atsali wants the job. And she may not even be able to do it, despite having had a whole civilization rammed through her brain. If Atsali DOES wind up being the Queen, as Cricket says she's about to become, she'll probably want everyone to be friends and treat each other with respect. Which will throw the whole high school social system on its ear, and cause who knows how much chaos, anger, and hurt feelings. Especially from the 'In' crowd, which will see that sort of thing as a threat to all they are...

[zachariah]

What a line of Bull. Just how was Jessie outclassed? She wasn't by Sali as Sali did nothing. Instead Jessie found out that Sali's connections are beyond what any one imagined. It gave Sali a perceived status that Jessie choose to avoid a confrontation about. Given those connections if Sali tried to become the school head bitch she would with no problem. Realizing that Jessie is choosing to abdicate rather than struggle against it. He first move was to try and join Sali's cliche and remain near the top. She was called on that by the bear girls. Her next move when realizing they would not just accept her in the group was to try and toss the queen bee status on Sali. This is something Sali does not need and taking it would be totally wrong to do.

The real question is what are Jessie's motives? Is she really trying to let go of the queen bee social power she had? Or is this an attempt to get Sali to overstep herself and try and assume a social position she can't hand;e, isn't ready for, and doesn't understand. Given how complex HS social rules can be it would be very easy for Sali to totally screw the queen bee role. Once she failed at that all the social groups would dump Sali and put Jessie back in the position.

So is Jessie and honest girl looking for less stress in life? Or a class as manipulator trying to get Sali to self destruct rather than contending for the queen bee spot?

[AmriloJim]

So is Jessie and honest girl looking for less stress in life? Or a class as manipulator trying to get Sali to self destruct rather than contending for the queen bee spot?

She's eaten enough humble pie to reinforce her implied sincerity, her instructions to the clique to "lay off" also bolster that tack... but I'm still not convinced. She may not be actively plotting and scheming to set Sali up for a fall, but I wouldn't rule out an "I told you so" after the chips fall.