During the winter months, the vents were wide open, and Dr. Joseph never interviewed girls in his office at that time. But as the spring came on, and the heating system was shut off, the vents were also closed.

The vent in the girls' bathroom was in the wall in the last stall on the left. It was the least-used stall in the bathroom, if only because most of the girls didn't like taking the long walk. On rare occasions, such as when there were proms of basket ball games, and the girls crowded in en masse, then the last stall was used, but otherwise, almost never.

Jo Ann had a fetish about being sanitary, and as a result, having discovered no one used the last stall for the most part, always used it, herself. Thus she discovered that the janitor had somehow forgotten to shut the vent when he had turned off the heat. As a result, she had been barely able to make out sounds coming through the vent the previous Friday. Standing on top of the toilet seat, she pressed her ear to the vent and listening, she heard, "I'm willing, Dr. Joseph. My folks think I'll be out on a date tonight. I'll wait for you on the corner of Fourth and Carroll. There's no one there after six in the evening."

"Fine," she heard Dr. Joseph's voice say. "I think we can give you some coaching and help you pass English this year."

"Do I have to have the coaching, too?" the girl's voice was heard to ask.

"It would look good if you knew a little bit about what I'm teaching in class. Don't worry, Marilyn, I promise it won't be too taxing. The coaching is just for effect. However, after tonight, your passing grade will be assured."

Jo Ann's vivid imagination immediately went to work. She knew precisely what was going on. Dr. Joseph was making one of his illicit appointments with one of the senior girls.