"Doug, you said that until a few minutes ago that you were a 57 year old Principal, right?"
"Yeah... then I lost 40 years thanks to this coin. In that reality you were the librarian and had called me down to the library because I'd said not to throw anything out without checking with me first."
"Bit of a control freak, were you?"
"Yeah, symptom of being an only child."
"But you've got three siblings," said Nancy, looking almost surprised that she knew that.
"In this reality, sure, and it's taught me that sometimes you can't control chaos and it's better to not even try, but to just point it in a direction where it'll do the least amount of harm and let it run its steam out in its own good time. You learn that from having twin little brothers who like to rough house with each other pretty quickly. But in the original reality, I was a one and only."
"That wouldn't have made much sense a minute or so ago, but now... now that my memories are starting to rewrite themselves, it's making a lot more sense to me..."
"What's your memories telling you?" asked Doug.
"Well, that the reason we're in here about to meet with the new Principal isn't because your parents are out of town or I'm going to make Varsity on the Cheer Team... it's cause--"
"Ahh, Miss Page and Mr. Savage, I'm sorry to have kept you both waiting, though glad you hadn't taken advantage of the time alone to continue your affections," said a new younger voice. Doug looked at the name plaque which now read "Luis Calderon", which was a name that Doug did not recognize at all, and he turned to see a man who was likely in his early 40s... maybe his late 30s at youngest...rather young for a Principal of a High School like this one. He was a tall man, well-built physically, distinguished with his graying temples streaking his otherwise jet black hair and goatee, and he carried himself as though he were used to puffing out his chest. To Doug's eyes he had the mark of a former high school and college athlete who'd fallen back on his second choice option of a career when something likely hadn't clicked for him early on in college.
As Principal Calderon sat down, suddenly memories of Doug dating Nancy and the two sneaking out of their shared study hall to make out suddenly filled both their heads and caused both Doug and Nancy to blush and avoid each other's eyes as reality altered to explain why they both were in the Principal's office together.
"If you're worried I'm going to tell your folks, don't. I think it's rather sweet the two of you thought to try christening the old radio lab. Not many teenagers would think of going there to make out."
"We're in for detention aren't we?" asked Nancy, cutting to the point with a certain nervousness to her voice that Doug couldn't help but find... attractive? He was surprised with himself.
"You hit the nail right on the head Miss Page, though I promise I won't force you to write any essays while you're in there," he said with a wink as though it were a shared inside joke that Nancy didn't seem to get.
It took Doug's old memories a moment to get the joke Principal Calderon was making, which only highlighted to Doug just how much of a dud this guy was... if they wanted to, Doug and Nancy could talk circles around him. Or perhaps have the coin do so?
"Excuse me Mr. Calderon, but didn't you ever sneak out to make out with your girl in High School?" asked Doug, not really sure where his young self was taking this, but he felt like he needed to push this punishment as it was entirely unfair, even though his older sense of self was saying it was too lenient.
"Oh, lord knows I have my own happy memories, but that doesn't mean you get out of the consequences of your actions."
"But it's not like we were missing a class or anything like that," added Nancy, who apparently was also letting her younger sense of self emerge more.
"Which is why you're not getting suspended, just detention. Consider it a favor I'm doing you for your college applications. Now if you're both done trying to talk yourselves into a suspension, you have a study hall to return to, and I'll have Mrs. Oldenberg escort you to make sure that there aren't any detours. Enjoy the rest of your day."
Doug had underestimated Mr. Calderon, while he seemed genial and easily manipulated, it was actually an act that hid a rather canny and strong willed mind. Mrs. Oldenberg, the new secretary, was called in and was an equally younger stranger to both of the older Doug and Nancy as Mr. Calderon was, and without many other options before them, Doug asked...