The Betrayal of Bindy Mackenzie (14 page)

A Note from the desk of Try Montaine
Dear Bindy,
This is a note to let you know some of the things that I'm hoping . . .

Best wishes,
Your FAD teacher,
Try

PS I'm also hoping you don't think this note is totally corny I was so disappointed when you didn't come to FAD yesterday—our last session before the break! I had a sleepless night thinking about it. This lame note is the result!

A Memo from Ernst von Schmerz

 

Yo Bind,
Cos equals adjacent over hypotenuse, girl, who died and made me the messenger? Mr B. wants to see you. Mrs L. wants to see you. That small teacher with the plaits and a name like
Attempt
wants to see you. And where you at? Trapped inside your own auditory canal? The PA is phat with your name today, Bindy:
Bindy Mackenzie, please report
—;
Bindy Mackenzie, please
—. I deduct that you ignore their pleas because the plaintive keep on pleading. You want they should come pleading to me?

Nice.

But I don't know where you are, shadow-girl, you are
elusive.

You want to talk? Post me a message with the subject line HELP on my blog bull-board, and I will be there. Enter a chatroom and converse! (You never engage in IM.)

Or give me a call. Maybe we could meet up on the break?

Otherwise, Bind, I'll leave you to your intervisibility. And next time a teacher asks me where you are, I'll say, ‘Bindy? There is no such girl.'

It's your choice.

Catch,
Ernst

A Note from Auntie Veronica
Thursday afternoon
Dear Bindy,
Welcome home from school. How's your health? Sorry, I can't find that ‘messages for Bindy' paper you gave me, but I do have two messages for you. Do they still count if they're not on the right paper?

One message is that Maureen Brentwood called. You remember Maureen. You babysit for her. She said she wants you to phone her about an idea she has for your holidays. ‘You mean about a babysitting job?' I said. ‘No,' she said, firmly, ‘an idea.' She had a mysterious air.

The other message is that your mum came by today, and we had a catch-up and a cup of tea. She waited on the porch, hoping you'd come home from school earlier than usual, but then she had to leave. She wants me to ask you the following: Are you coming to visit her during your break? Why don't you ever answer your phone? (She says she's been calling you a lot the last few weeks.) How is your health? (I told her you'd been unwell.)

Your mum also had a few letters for you, which I've left on your bed—apparently, they arrived at your old address a few weeks back but your mum's only just picked them up. Looks like the Board of Studies is after you. Maybe they're bored of study (ha ha), and want to conduct experiments on your mind?

Speaking of minds, I'm off to the park with Bella, to see if I left mine on the swings.

Lots of love,
Auntie Veronica

Letters from the Board of Studies

Letter 1

Office of the Board of Studies, NSW

Ms Bindy Mackenzie
24 Clipping Drive
Kellyville NSW 2155

Dear Ms Mackenzie,

Thank you for your letter.

We have conducted inquiries on your behalf, and we are happy to confirm that Friendship and Development (FAD) is a course currently offered at Ashbury High. The course is to be taken by senior students for one lesson each week. It covers personal development issues such as self-esteem, stress management, career planning and study management.

We trust that this has been helpful.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,
George Sutcliffe
Student Liaison Officer Office
of the Board of Studies

Letter 2

Office of the Board of Studies, NSW

Ms Bindy Mackenzie
24 Clipping Drive
Kellyville NSW 2155

Dear Ms Mackenzie,

Thank you for your letter.

It appears that you did not receive our previous letter. A copy is attached.

We understand that you are now concerned about a ‘concertina wall' which needs to be ‘opened' and ‘closed' during the course of your ‘FAD' lessons. We have contacted your school to inquire about this wall.

We trust that this has been helpful.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,
George Sutcliffe
Student Liaison Officer Office
of the Board of Studies

Letter 3

Office of the Board of Studies, NSW

Ms Bindy Mackenzie
24 Clipping Drive
Kellyville NSW 2155

Dear Ms Mackenzie,

Thank you for your letter.

It seems you did not receive our previous two letters. Copies are attached.

We are always pleased to hear when a student is enjoying a course at his or her school. If you would like to continue providing us with ‘reports' on your ‘FAD' classes, please feel free to do so. All future ‘reports' should be sent to Mr Cedric E. Constantine (Assistant to the Student Liaison Officer).

We trust that this has been helpful.

Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Cedric E. Constantine (Assistant to the Student Liaison Officer) if you have any further queries. I have given him a copy of your file.

Yours sincerely,
George Sutcliffe
Student Liaison Officer Office
of the Board of Studies

A Memo from Bindy Mackenzie

 

Dear Ernst,
Thanks for your memo. Don't worry, I'm taking steps to ensure that those teachers won't bother you again. Well, I can't be sure of that. They might bother you for other reasons. Other messages, other notes. They might bother you to blow up a balloon, or to rescue a tiger from a tree.

Forgive my insanity. I think it is temporary. I think I will return to myself one day soon. Maybe we can meet up on the holiday, as you suggest, but of course they only last for two weeks, and I'm sure you are busy. I'll be busy with Kmart, babysitting, some extra work I've just been given at a book-shop owned by one of my babysitting clients, assignments, essays, revision, advance preparation for next term
etc, etc.
You understand.

However, in relation to the teachers who want to see me: You may be pleased to know that I have arranged to meet with Mrs Lilydale at the start of lunch today, and with Mr Botherit at the end of lunch. I am just about to write to the other teacher: the small one with the plaits and a name like
Endeavour.
She wrote me a note herself, so I'm replying.

So! Thank you very much and I hope you won't be bothered again.

Best,
Bindy