"Schmuck," continued. "Inauguration Day."

Johnny was a bit of an enigma when one even took the time to notice him. A voracious reader when he hadn't smoked too many joints, he was removed from Lester Pearson Middle School one semester early. Superintendent Cowan Boyle himself had to give the OK, after Johnny passed a series of "headshrinker puzzles" with flying colors. J.T. had been pretty much truant for more than a year already the day he strolled into Pearson, to announce he'd been given permission to take his leave by the "Education" chief himself. It was January 20, 1977, and Jimmy Carter's inauguration as US President was being televised in Study Hall. "Why are they watching that bullshit," J.T. wondered. His outstanding memory of the day is talking with Reeve Robertson, who was the coolest, kindest, most gentle and understanding teacher in the whole world. "I'm retreating," said Johnny. "How can you retreat when you never even tried your best to advance?" "Well, whatever, Mr. Robertson..."
Some questions are beyond the scope of an adolescent. Why indeed?
"Because, for some reason I learned more hiding out in my closet reading books like 'God's Own Junkyard,' a fascinating volume about the corruption of the American Landscape. Or 'Chicago's Famous Buildings.' Or 'Johnny Tremain,' a kid's book about a kid's life during the US Revolutionary War. But also, there was, while mom and pop were away, sneaking downstairs and listening stoned to Pink Floyd's 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn:'
'Lucifer Sam, saw your CAT... Always got him by your side, Alwaaays, BY your side...'"
How could boring old Middle School ever compare?
It wasn't long before Johnny Trashcan and Blondie Dreadlocks were attending Urban Youth Institute together. Oh boy!!!