August 22
“That’s right,” Phillip said. “Today was an election or something, and they were counting on Rob’s vote against Deacon Flay.”
“I see,” Daniel said. “Very well. Please tell the children that Rob will be in class tomorrow. I will escort him personally to the gate.”
The voting period was short, only about three minutes or so. However, it felt like an eternity for Jeanne. The four Antarcticans present all stared at each other once their ballots were filled out, and Jeanne thought back to Mrs. Baum’s class. Monsters and abysses, Deacon and Rob, the election and the Foundation… all of this swirled in her head. The tension was starting to become untenable; she wished she could reach her hand across the desk and take Tegan or Nick’s, to start the synchronization that they relied on at lunch. It would be too obvious here, though.
“All right, we’re going to do this by continent,” Mr. Walsh said. “West to east, north first. Put your ballot in this box,” he said, indicating the receptacle on his desk, “and take one of these quiz sheets. North America, come on down.”
Antarctica, according to the reckoning used in Mr. Walsh’s class, was situated between the Americas and Europe; as such, they were the third group to cast their votes. Jeanne glanced at Mr. Walsh as she put her ballot into the box. The grin on his face seemed to be genuine joy, but he also seemed to eye each student carefully as he or she passed. Jeanne picked up the quiz and returned to her desk.
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