Horst was pissed. He sat in the library fuming with the open text book in front of him unread. He glared at the clock, as soon as the passing bell sounded he was going to track down Vinnie. He had to get Ryan back, and get him back around his waist where Ryan belonged. He was already plotting how to get Vinnie to let Horst keep Ryan as his jockstrap longer when the Vice Principal stole Ryan from him. Horst seemed to think that as soon as Vinnie told the VP that the jockstrap was Horst's he'd get it back.
The bell rang, and Horst bolted for the Language Lab. He recalled Vinnie joking about having Spanish for lunch then for class on Burrito Day in the cafeteria. He saw Ryan's girlfriend Stacy coming out of the lab, and asked her.
"Where's Vinnie?"
"Probably still at the Vice Principal's Office," she snapped distastefully.
"The Vice Principal?" Horst asked in surprise with concern.
"Since when are you so concerned about Vinnie?" she asked, "Your buddy Ryan was supposed to make sure that Vinnie didn't get to be Valedictorian, and he's been hiding from me for over a week. Oh, wait, did Ryan finally do something to get Vinnie in trouble? Is that why Vinnie's in the VP's office, I just figured it was to discuss his Valedictory Speech. Maybe I'll get to give it after all!" There was glee in her voice as she walked toward her next class without waiting for slack-jawed Horst's reply. She assumed he didn't know anything.
"Vinnie, you really have filled out nicely. Don't know why we didn't change the school policy to allow guys to go shirtless a long time ago," the tubby man said squeezing Vinnie's bare shoulder.
His index finger snagged the chain around Vinnie's neck as the Vice Principal walked from behind the chair in which Vinnie was seated. Vinnie jumped out of his seat as the chain with Medal flew off his neck. The VP spun and shoved Vinnie's chest knocking him back into his chair. The VP clutched the medal tightly in his fist with the broken chain dangling from his hand.
"I know all about Ryan Standish," the VP continued snapping his waistband.
Vinnie hung his head. He hadn't yet realized that Ryan was under the VP's suit.
"So this medal's what changes men into articles of clothing? Well, I don't need two jockstraps, so I think I'll change you into a pair of stretchy blue athletic shorts," the VP said.
"What?" exclaimed Vinnie standing up, "You can-"
Vinnie's face froze as it changed a shiny shade of royal blue. His trousers dropped to his feet as he began to shrink.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, that's it Vinnie turn blue and shrink like a Smurf into my new athletic shorts. Oh, yes that's perfect!" exclaimed the VP snatching the flowing blue shorts out of midair with Vinnie's face still embossed on the crotch.
"Now I need to tie up the loose ends, Carter and Horst, and maybe Stacy. Ryan's mind has been an open book to me. I've been able to close a few open files too thanks to his knowledge. And thanks to your medal Vinnie, I'll be able to mete out justice like never before."
Just then there was a buzz on the intercom.
"That Horst kid is out here asking to see you," said the shared office secretary.
"Well, well, I suppose an t-shirt might be appropriate, but since I intend to have a body that is worthy of showing off my chest, I think not. Let's see maybe red or black shorts? Or Horst my left sock and Carter my right one? Or shoes? Hm?"
The intercom buzzed again.
"Yes?"
"Well, what should I do with him? Will you see him?"
"Have him wait. I have another appointment. I'll see him in about 20 minutes."
He disconnected the intercom, and ducked out the side door from his office. He was holding Carter's class schedule in his hand.
Ten minutes later, Horst was told to go into the VP's office. He was surprised to see Carter already sitting in the chair facing the VP's desk. No one else was visible in the office. The door closed shut behind him. He turned and saw the VP.