sign reads "cheerleading tryouts." pan down a long line of
principal smith, a man who burned out long ago, stands behind a microphone on a small stage as he's done for 45 years. the lincoln high "fightin' log" mascot stands beside him, pantomiming everything he says. students fill bleachers on either side.
it's decorated for christmas. fightin' log mascot now wears a santa hat and red scarf. a jazz band on stage beside him starts up. with a voice like jim neighbors, bruce tips the mascot head back and launches into the following to the tune of "rudolph the red-nosed reindeer."