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It was early May when word got out about graduation...Eddie's name was to be absent from the program. Nancy was the one to find out, after presenting her valedictorian speech. Higgins asked her to remove Eddie out of her speech and when she refused, the principal threatened to have her speech removed entirely.
When the party heard all this, Dustin and Steve flew into Principal Higgins office in an outrage.
"Why is Eddie not going to be mentioned at the ceremony?! He died along with everyone else and was on track to graduate this year. Why is he being singled out?" asked (more like screamed at) Dustin upon entry.
Mr. Higgins stared at the boys before regaining his composer, "Harrington my boy, good to see you! Henderson...you know exactly why."
Steve finally getting a moment to speak, "Mr. Higgins, excuse us but Eddie was exonerated of any murder charges. In fact, he was a hero that saved Dustin and our other friends during the earthquake. He scarified his life for theirs's Sir."
"Harrington, Henderson, regardless of the statement released by the police, Mr. Munson was a bad egg who continuously left a bad taste in everyone's mouth."
"He was our friend! And the creator of Hellfire Club, a club ran at this very school!" Dustin tries to interject.
The principal continues as if he hadn't heard the boy, "His presence would be an unsettling distraction away from remembering those who actually contributed to this school and the community. And furthermore, I've been asked by both the Cunningham and Carver families to remove his name from the graduation bill." replies Principal Higgins, in a very callous and diplomatic way.
"Jason started manhunt for Eddie! And Patrick was a part of it. How is that "contributing to the community"", Dustin yells while slamming his fists against the man's desk.
Higgins rises to reprimand Dustin's aggressive behavior when Steve asks, "How much did they pay you?" Principle Higgins slowing sits back down. "I'll double that to have him placed back in."
"I don't appreciate the insinuation that I can be bought off Mr. Harringt-"
The new gymnasium says otherwise...Sir" Steve cuts in.
After a few moments of heated tension, Dustin steps forward placing a hand on Steve's shoulder.
"We can see that your mind can't be changed sir, sorry for the interruption. We'll be going now." Dustin nods his head to the door and walks to leave, with a confused Steve trailing behind him.
"Henderson, what happened to not leaving that office till we get Eddie remembered?" asked Steve as they make their way to the parking lot.
Dustin pausing before opening the passenger's side door of Steve's BMW, "I have a plan. And if it goes right, Higgins will regret ever thinking that Eddie could be forgotten" he said with his signature smile.
And that was how operation Eddie the Hero was born.
The following weeks leading up to Graduation, The Party assembled and planned. They gathered new members and NDA's were broken... cause in the end it was important that these people knew just how much Eddie did for them all. Whether the town appreciated it or not.
Graduation day arrived and The Party filed in along with the proud parents of the Class of 1986. Upon seeing them arrive, Higgins pulled them aside and asked them to not make a scene. Dustin reassures him that they were there to support their friends and nothing more. Taking up the first two rows bleachers, they all sat and waited. Nancy stood tall and delivered a riveting speech, filled with warmth and emotion. Beautiful words spoken about the injustice of those who are gone, looking out for the lost and leading them, and be authentically yourself. Nancy ends her speech with the moniker, "Never Change", and receives her diploma.
Robin follows up next with getting her diploma and receives a large fanfare from family and friends plus an enthusiastic "woot woot" from Steve. Jeff makes his way across the stage and the Hellfire crowd (Gareth and Frankie sitting nearby) proudly shout and cheer for their fellow member.
Higgins makes his way further thru the alphabet...I, J,K, L until he arrives at the M's. "Jessica Mully!", he proudly says and watches her cross towards him. He shakes her hand and continues on, "Matth-" when he sees something out of the corner of his eye.
Dustin slowly rises. holding a sign above his head.
-Eddie Munson saved my life-
Higgins goes to say something, but more people start to rise...Steve holding another sign
-Eddie Munson deserves to graduate-
Mike's saying
-Eddie Munson 86' baby-
Lucas's saying
-Eddie Munson cannot be forgotten
Max's saying
-Eddie Munson cannot be erased-
more people rise, Gareth Frankie Joyce Johnathan Hopper Erica Claudia Will El.
Discomfort rings thru the auditorium, while Higgins try's to think of how best to handle the situation. While the Party start to move and leave the bleachers, he sees movement from the group of students behind him. Nancy, Robin, and Jeff all approach and walk past him to gather with the small group standing below Higgins on the stage. All of them look up at him, dead in the eye, and flip him the bird. They throw their signs and graduation caps at his feet and turn to leave.
Higgins stands frozen and stunned on the stage as he watches this group leave when he notices a figure at the door. Every one of the kids stops to give him either a hug or a pat on the shoulder. The man, Wayne Munson, turns to look at Principal Higgins. His face full of disgust, anger, and disappointment. He shakes his head as to dislodge such hard emotions, and flips Higgins off before following the group out the door.