Pride and Seduction

Pride and Seduction(Joseph Logsdon) Pride and Seduction
By Joseph Logsdon

Roger Collins was the greatest teacher of his generation. As a young man, Roger wanted to become an educator, but could not master the art of discipline. After several agonizing years, Roger went to college and got his degree. Unlike most of his fellow graduates, Roger wanted to inspire kids. His teaching career was long and productive, so productive that he barely had any time to focus on a private life. In the end, Roger Collins loved being a teacher.

Despite her innocent persona, Jane Green was a monster. Like so many other students, Jane was captivated by Roger’s handsomeness. After several weeks of planning, Jane Green finally decided to seduce her teacher. One rainy afternoon, Jane walked into Roger’s office. At first, she looked angry, but her anger soon turned into sadness.
“Can I talk to you, Mr. Collins?” Jane asked in an innocent voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you promise to keep this conversation between us?”
“As long as I’m breathing, I will never reveal our private conversation.”
“Thank you, Mr. Collins.”
Without further hesitation, Jane seductively walked across the room. Roger knew that he shouldn’t be attracted to his student, but his carnal desire was forcing him to confront his forbidden feelings.
“Now, how can I help you?”
“I wish I knew how to say this,” she whimpered.
“Say what?”
“I shouldn’t have come here,” Jane cried as she walked towards the door.
“Jane, you can tell me.”
Within seconds, Jane had returned to her previous position. As much as he hated to admit it, Roger Collins was attracted to Jane Green. He was a noble man, but his carnal desire was too strong. In that moment, Jane was more than an innocent student.
“My father doesn’t like me.”
“What do you mean?”
“He beats me, Mr. Collins.”
“How often?”
“I would like to say rarely, but that would be a lie,” Jane stated as she laughed in the back of her devious mind.
“Why are you telling me this?” Roger asked.
“You’re the only teacher that I can trust.”
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Because you’re kind, because you’re sweet, because you’re smart and good.”
“Do you really feel that way about me?”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come to you.”
“If what you say is true, we need to call the police.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid of what he might do,” she whimpered.
“Don’t worry, the police can handle him.”
“You don’t understand, he’ll kill me.”
“What do you want to do, then?”
“Help me, Mr. Collins!” Jane shouted as she wrapped her arms around her teacher.
“Jane, this is very inappropriate,” Roger stated as he attempted to suppress his lust.
“I don’t care, I honestly don’t care,” Jane whispered as she kissed her teacher’s cheek.
“People will see.”
“I don’t care, let them see.”
“I’ll get fired.”
“Deal with it, you’re a big boy.”
“Jane, this can’t continue!”

Before she could do anymore, Roger rose to his feet and walked to the other side of the room.
“Is something wrong?” Jane asked in an innocent voice.
“You’re wrong,” he answered.
“What do you mean?”
“As a teacher, I must uphold my dignity, understand?”
“Frankly, I don’t understand.”
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand, it only matters that you accept the fact that we can never be together.”
“I don’t accept that fact!”
“Your father isn’t beating you, is he?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want the truth.”
“I love you, I really do,” she declared.
“That’s too bad.”
“You love me, admit it!”
“Just because I have feelings for you, doesn’t mean that I’m going to act on them.”
“That’s retarded!”
“Get out of my office!”
“You’ll regret this,” Jane threatened as she left the office.

Within days of Jane’s threat, the principal walked into Roger’s office. At first, Roger wasn’t worried, but his confidence was soon crushed as a social worker accompanied the principal from behind.
“Mr. Collins, can I speak with you?”
“What is it?” Roger asked in a nervous voice.
“Mr. Collins, I really don’t know how to say this,” he stated.
“Say what?”
“Was Jane Green one of your students?”
“Yes,” Roger answered.
“She has accused you of attempted rape,” the principal stated.
“This is a joke, right?”
“I wish it were,” the social worker replied.
“Are you taking her seriously?” Roger asked in a nervous voice.
“Rape is always serious,” the social worker declared.
“Of course, but I’m a teacher, not a rapist.”
“I wish I could believe that,” the principal replied.
“What did she say to convince you?”
“For one, she started crying the second she entered my office.”
“She is a good actress, isn’t she?” Roger laughed.
“Mr. Collins, you aren’t making this any easier,” the principal stated.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m firing you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want an accused rapist working at my school.”
“You can’t do that!” Roger shouted.
“Actually, I can.”
“If you fire me, I’ll sue you!”
“If you sue, you’ll lose the battle.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“Mr. Collins, my brother is the district attorney in this county.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Are you really that ignorant, Mr. Collins?”
“What are you talking about?”
“No matter what you say, the law will never take your side, not even if you get on your knees and bark like a dog.”
“This isn’t fair!” Roger shouted.
“Life isn’t always fair,” the principal grunted.
“Jane Green tried to seduce me, but I resisted and drove her out of my office. Why am I being punished for doing the right thing?”
“The right thing isn’t always the best thing, especially when you’re dealing with a scorned woman,” the principal laughed.
“Jane Green is not a woman, she’s a demon.”

Like so many other unlucky souls, Roger Collins wallowed in self-pity as he became a broken and poor man. He lost his home, career, and friendships. From that day on, he was known as a rapist, even though he had never touched a woman in his life. After years of struggling, Roger Collins died a lonely man.