Morning, Joe
These days, every school has a “Joe”: someone to provide a sly shot of the banned pick-me-up to keep you sharp.
I did business in the basement art room, killed years ago by budget cuts.
Just before first period Principal Singh walked in. My heart raced but my expression remained bored.
“Morning, Joe.”
“I’m Viraj, sir,” I said, sounding confused.
He put a bill on the desk. “Dark roast, double cream.”
I grinned and knocked three times on the kiln where the bean boys worked, receiving a steaming cup marked JUICE.
“Thanks, Joe.” He took a sip. “Stay in school.”
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
A wry take on prohibition
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Yes, people find a way to getting what they want, regardless of rules.
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Cleverly done. Principal Singh recognised initiative when he saw it!
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Very good. I thought he was up to something much worse, as you intended. Great twist, and I love the characters.
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Nice scene should coffee ever have to go on the black market.
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You made me think of Cuppa Joe.
The name stems from a 1914 ban on alcohol on U.S. Navy ships imposed by the Secretary of the Navy Josephus “Joe” Daniels. After his order, imposed near the beginning of World War I, the strongest drink a sailor could get on a ship was black coffee.
Your stories David, always stoke and evoke the imagination. What could be better than that, or a higher compliment to any writer.
One of your many fans.
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That’s fascinating. Your historical knowledge is inspiring. 🙂
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Takes an inspirer to know one. Coined a word there.
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Ed told me that actually. FDR was Daniels’s second in command at the time.
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Dear David,
Now there’s creativity in the art room. 😉 The principal obviously new gifting when he saw it. Love it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I would hope coffee would never be on the banned list, but I guess anything’s possible. Let’s hope not.
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Whatever works, as long as it’s joe. Well done.
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I like that principal. Fun story.
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Yeah, you always appreciate a principal who can get along, haha. Clearly the ban on coffee wasn’t his idea.
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Fun wordplay in this one. I like the speakeasy for Joe.
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a more age-appropriate speakeasy. 🙂
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🙂
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