The Conscientious Cross-Guard

At the annual dinner of the Campbell County Custodial Commission, an emcee named Harry presents Bernard Walton with the group's highest honor, the Golden Squeegee Award, naming him Outstanding Custodian of the Year. In his acceptance speech, Bernard admits that over the years he has thought about quitting the custodial arts, but he learned early on that you never get anywhere in life by quitting - and he tells the audience about the incident that taught him the value of sticking it out.

Back in middle school, Bernard and his best friend Nick serve as crossing guards, working opposite corners every morning and taking their duties very seriously. One morning Tanyer Hyde, the ringleader of the baddest and rowdiest kids in the school, jaywalks across the street with his gang. When Bernard insists that they follow the rules, Tanyer's boys grab his belt, bag, and sign, then pick Bernard up to haul him across the street themselves. Principal Bigsby arrives just in time, breaks it up, and sends the gang to his office. He tells Bernard to write them up and says he is proud of him for standing up for what is right.

Word spreads, and by lunchtime Bernard is a celebrity in the cafeteria. Then Tanyer and his gang storm in. Because of Bernard's write-up, they have been given detention after school - which means the coach will not let them play in the biggest baseball game of the season. Tanyer demands that Bernard go to Vice Principal Hadley and take back the write-up, or get pounded. When Mr. Hadley himself walks over to ask if everything is all right, Bernard says everything is fine, and Tanyer leaves promising that Bernard will pay. Nick advises his friend to lay low, but the plan collapses at the crossing guard meeting, when the sponsor teacher, Mr. Risken, asks Bernard to fill in on the afternoon patrol and stay late to cross the boys getting out of detention - Tanyer's gang.

Nick urges Bernard to change the write-ups, but the old school custodian, Mr. Umphrees, overhears and disagrees. Changing them would not be right, he says. Bernard gave his word when he joined the safety patrol, and he has to live up to his responsibilities no matter how unpleasant that might be - otherwise he should quit. He also suggests trying a higher power for strength. Bernard resolves to do his job, but his search for help goes nowhere. Vice Principal Hadley is out for the afternoon, Officer Labell gets called away to direct traffic at a broken signal, the other kids refuse to get involved, and even Nick backs out, telling Bernard nobody asked him to be a hero.

So when the bell rings, Bernard stands at his post alone, more jumpy than a cricket on a hot skillet. Waiting for the gang, he finally understands what Mr. Umphrees meant: the higher power is the highest power, God, and Bernard has forgotten all about him. He prays for strength to do what he has to do - and immediately feels better, just as Tanyer arrives. Bernard refuses to run, so the gang shoves him toward the street until a hard push from Tanyer sends him sprawling to his knees, right in the path of an oncoming car. Suddenly old Mr. Umphrees races past the gang and pushes Bernard out of the way, but cannot get clear himself and is struck down.

Mercifully, Mr. Umphrees survives with only bruises, scratches, and a broken leg. When Bernard visits him later that week, the old custodian confesses he is amazed the boy stuck it out - and explains that when he was Bernard's age he faced a similar situation, ran away, and somebody got hurt. Seeing Bernard stand up to the bullies, he knew he had to act, if only to make up for what he did not do before. The thugs, as it turns out, have since joined the safety patrol, with Bernard training them. Mr. Umphrees leaves Bernard with the lesson he hopes he will never forget: don't quit, don't give in, always stick to your guns.

And, Bernard tells the banquet audience, he never did forget it. People may look down on his profession, but he chose it, worked hard at it, and became the best - because of an old custodian who taught him, through word and deed, the importance of sticking to his guns. He dedicates his award to Mr. Umphrees, wherever he is.