EVENTS LEADING TO THE FALLING GRADES OF WILMONT HIGH’S LEADING SCIENCE STUDENTS, 1962

 Copyright 2011 by Sam Yulish

At the Friday night Teen Town Sock Hop,

Harold Epstein is experiencing a fantasy-come-true evening;

everything is going great.

Undefeated in the game room,

he wins at pool, ping-pong, and pinball.

Jingling coins and crumpled bills bulge his left pant pocket.

As the applause for his latest triumph fades,

Harold announces his temporary retirement.

Straightening his tie, he moves to the dance floor.

The band plays a slow number, ONLY YOU.

Sparked by the limelight of success,

Harold asks bashful Wendy Steiner,

chemistry lab partner, for a dance.

A first-time closeness two high school bookworms,

up until now, only dreamed of.