Punishments and Promotions
- S.Q. shows up early to take Sticky to see Mr. Curtain and gives him the confusing advice, "'Don't admit to cheating, and don't lie'" (24.14). This advice is made even more confusing by the fact that Reynie gave Sticky the exact opposite advice, telling him to come clean right away.
- Sticky decides that Reynie is probably the more reliable source when it comes to reading people and deciding how to interact with them, so the minute he enters Mr. Curtain's office he blurts out, "'I'm sorry I cheated, sir!'" (24.23).
- When Mr. Curtain asks him who he was helping, Sticky implies that he was helping a Messenger and adds in enough information for Mr. Curtain to deduce that he's talking about Martina Crowe. (Good plan, right?)
- Mr. Curtain tells Sticky that the cheating doesn't bother him so long as he understands the circumstances, so that he can manipulate—ahem—manage them (24.40).
- On their way to lunch the kids overhear Jackson telling Jillson that they finally caught the kid who was spying on the gym. Apparently they think it was an average-looking Messenger, who, of course, won't be a Messenger anymore.
- Kate thinks it's fantastic. First Sticky gets himself off the hook for cheating, and now Reynie's off the hook, too (24.63). Reynie, unfortunately, feels very guilty for getting both this Messenger kid and Martina (even though she's cruel) in trouble.
- But apparently he doesn't need to worry too much about Martina. When she enters the cafeteria that evening, they see that she's been made an Executive.