“He planned this?”
Jennings winks. “He’s unconventional, but the children love him. Even the ones who bite.”
“That’s a low bar.”
She just shrugs and exits, leaving behind the smell of synthetic vinaigrette and one very full envelope labeled: “Permission Slips – Zoo Excursion.”
I pick it up, thumb running over the seal.
Jav Kuraken planned a field trip.
I drop the envelope like it burns.
I find him at pickup time, kneeling beside Ben, helping him zip up a backpack that appears to be leaking some kind of glitter putty.
He doesn’t look up when I approach, just says, “You’re late.”
“I’m exactly on time.”
“You’re late emotionally.”
I stare at him.
Ben pipes up, grinning. “We made zoo bucks!”
“Zoo bucks?”
“Yeah!” he waves a little paper square. “We’re gonna trade them for extra time with the squigglebeasts!”
Jav stands, dusting his knees. “They’re not real currency. I tried to teach the dangers of inflation by flooding the market. Two kids cried. It was a success.”
“You traumatized children to prove a point?”
He grins. “They’ll thank me when they’re stockbrokers.”
I take a breath, tugging Ben’s backpack higher. “A field trip, really?”
“It’s educational.”
“It’s risky.”
His smile fades. Just a bit. “I ran the numbers. We’ll have a hoverbus, three chaperones, and an armed escort.”
“Armed?”
“Standard protocol.”
“For who?”
“In case the squigglebeasts riot.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You can’t do this.”
“I already did. You can sign the slip, or come along and supervise me.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t trust me. That’s fair. So come along. Make sure I’m not teaching them how to launder zoo bucks.”
