They both arrived to the college´s central courtyard. There were hundreds of people sitting in front of an outdoor stage, where the major—alongside some apparently important people who Swindle had run into several times throughout his career as dean—was.
"And here he is," the major said into the mic, and everyone turned towards Swindle and started clapping.
Swindle was so confused the police chief had to take him to the stage. He was beside the major.
"Ringo Jones, ladies and gentlemen," the major left the stage, and an old man took his place. Swindle had already met him. He was the secretary of education, Dr. Zuckerberg—but all his underlinks called him behind his back as Dr. Zucker.
"Thanks. As you may know, today we are here to honor Dr. Ringo Jones. Thanks to him, the country's average education level—as the unemployment level—has increased significantly. Even the number of foreign students we receive per year is through the roof. Our country is already recognized globally as a pinnacle in education. And because of that I want to give Dr. Ringo Jones this recognition," the secretary de education gave Swindle just a framed diploma.
Everyone started to clap and to cheer Swindle.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting this," said Swindle with a smile. "Everyone, thanks a lot, and I hope our college keeps growing as it has done until now. Thank you so much."
But some reporters raised their hands.
"Oh, yeah, questions, sure," Swindle picked someone randomly. "What's your name?"
One of the staff members reached the reporter and gave him a microphone.
"My name is D. W. Easel, and I work as a reporter for The Snitch."
"Hi, D. W. Easel, it's so nice to have you here today," said Swindle. "Give it up for D. W. Easel, ladies and gentleman."
Everyone started clapping for D. W. Easel.
"Thanks," he said after the applause.
"Tell me, D. W. Easel, what's your question?"
"I have investigated you for a while, Dr. Jones, and I found out your friends call you 'Swindle' because of the many business you were part of. What you have to say about it?"
Everyone immediately began to murmur among themselves. The major and the apparently important people stared aghast at Swindle.
But Swindle was so calm.
"You see," he said, "I'm going to be honest with you: everything D. W. Easel just said is true, and I want to say I'm not proud of my past. I was Young and I lacked ambition, but, since I got here, I've been working tirelessly to make sure that everyone receives our education, regardless of their income—we have countless educational credits—or where they live—online classes have been a huge success in recent years—since our commitment is to educate this generation's professionals, and the teachers who will educate the next one, and in order to educate as many people as possible, I am willing to grant educational credits to anyone who enrolls in any of our degrees today, and also I will give 10% scholarships—only during the first semester—to those who enroll three people in any of our degrees. Please come forward and fill out the registration forms that my assistant, Abby," Swindle gave Abby an urgent, stern look, and Abby sprinted toward the nearest copier, "will bring in a moment."
That moment passed, and Abby returned with the registration forms. People gradually filled their files, received their educational credits—or, rather, their debts—and enrolled more students.
And, on this occasion, the police did not stop the event or arrest anyone. The police chief even enrolled in a degree.
Apparently Swindle Jones had no longer to escape anywhere.
And so he started to get bored.