Secret of the Sevens Read Online Free PDF Page B

Passion, Achievement, Strength, and Glory.”
    Under my breath, I mumble, “Bullshit.”
    Solomon’s head swivels 180 degrees. Just my luck; the guy’s entire body is rotting, but his ears are sharper than a satellite dish. He wobbles to his desk and tears a slip of paper off a pad. “Profanity is not allowed in my classroom.” He scribbles something on the form and hands it to me. “Apparently you haven’t learned your lesson, Mr. Michaels. Or perhaps you’re just eager for a little more of Principal Boyle’s attention?”
    Crap. Afternoon detention.
    The professor returns to the board. “Our new Chairman of the Board has an interesting interpretation of the purpose of this school,” he says. “Fortunately for us, our founder defined personal excellence differently. My dear friend William Singer devoted his life and wealth so that students could mold productive lives according to values that enrich the world. His motto for this school will always be virtus sola nobilitas —virtue alone is noble. From the ceiling in Founders Hall to the scroll above our gates, the seven virtues remain our beacon.”
    He grabs a blue marker and scribbles six of them on the board:
1. Courage
2. Compassion
3. Justice
4. Faith
5. Sacrifice
6. Wisdom
    â€œNow let’s consider Mr. Kane’s definition of success.” Solomon limps over to the banner. “ Leadership is authority over another,” he mutters, “and pride is a high opinion of oneself. Passion is any strong emotion—love or hate or even sex or anger.”
    He pauses to catch his breath. “ Achievement indicates an accomplishment of personal goals, strength is an individual’s power in relation to someone else, and glory is recognition for personal achievements.”
    Solomon points a shaky finger at Kollin. “Mr. LeBeau. Who would you say benefits most from these qualities?”
    Kollin squirms ten different ways before guessing. “The person who possesses them?”
    â€œPrecisely. These qualities benefit one’s self.” Solomon shakes his ghoulish head. “One could argue that Hitler possessed all six of those qualities, and his legacy is anything but excellent.”
    Our attention hones in on Solomon’s every twitch. Suddenly this is getting interesting. “Now consider our founder’s interpretation of personal excellence,” he continues. “Courage, compassion, justice, faith, sacrifice, and wisdom.” He peers down at Laney. “Ms. Shanahan. Can you tell me how the qualities on this list differ from the Pillar list?”
    She looks from the banner to the board and squeaks out, “They serve others rather than oneself?”
    Solomon roars, “Exactly!” and scribbles one last virtue on the list on the board:
7. Service
    Then he pulls out his chair and eases himself into it, his eyes slowly panning each of our faces. There’s a fury in his voice that doesn’t fit his feeble body. “Virtue requires the sacrifice of self in service of others. That’s why it will always be more excellent than some”—he looks directly at me—“ bullshit definition of success.”
    I’m so stunned, I drop my pencil.
    The old guy seems pretty pleased with himself. “The Singer School motto will always be virtus sola nobilitas —virtue alone is noble. No matter what our new chairman of the board says.”

Five
    The great thing about Adderall is it totally helps me focus. The bad thing is, I’m not always focusing on the right thing. While my math teacher is introducing herself and the fascinating world of Senior Calculus, I’m still cracking up over Senile Solomon calling the Pillars bullshit .
    Professor Anderson answers a knock on the door and steps outside. She returns a second later, waving a yellow pass. “Mr. Michaels, you’re wanted in the Hadley building.”
    Great. What did I do