The Great Greene Heist

Jackson tells his parents that he is meeting Charlie at the library to work on a project. Instead, he meets up with Hashemi, who is dressed in all black, and they go break into the school. Charlie, already inside hiding in the janitorial closet, lets them in through the window in Mrs. Cooper’s room. They use the bump key to enter the main office and then the new key to enter the copy room. Jackson examines the closet, nicknamed the “Fallout Shelter,” to see if he can fit into it while Hashemi inspects the Scantron machine. Hashemi discovers the machine is a Technomoso, not Scantron, but he can still hack into it to manipulate the election results. He suggests that they wire the machine to change their test grades, but Jackson reminds him to stay focused on the plan and just gather enough information to order another machine. Jackson reminds him to keep it simple saying, “‘Rule Number Eleven: Don’t use a battering ram when a crowbar will do’” (127).

Gaby works on her campaign speech and reviews the new campaign posters Carmen created. Though she does not agree with all the organization’s tactics, she admires Carmen’s work ethic. Lynne is distracted by formal preparations and missed the latest meeting. Gaby calls her friend and suggests that Lynne resign and let Carmen be the campaign manager. Lynne agrees to resign and tells Gaby she will still help the committee and take orders from Omar, whom she insists is only helping because he is in love with Gaby.

Jackson’s father called the library and discovered it was closed on Wednesdays, revealing he knows Jackson was lying about his plans. Donald reminds Jackson of Rule Number Twelve, “As Dad used to say, ‘Secondhand research yields D-minus results’” (131). Though Donald loves seeing his son follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, he does not want him to upset his mom by getting into trouble again. Jackson admits the caper involves Gaby, and his father laughs until he cries, telling him he is breaking Rule Number Three of the Code, “Never for love” (132). Jackson reminds his dad that he stole Mrs. Greene from another guy, and Donald admits that sometimes a person must break the rules.

Gaby wants her father to change out of his dirty work clothes before Omar arrives at their house. Mr. de La Cruz says he is glad Omar is coming over even if he is slow at basketball. He teases Gaby about her pickup game with Jackson and she exchanges playful banter with her dad before he leaves to change his clothes. Sitting down to have a heart-to-heart with her daughter, Mrs. de La Cruz says she is surprised to hear Jackson was at the house but encourages Gaby to give Jackson another chance. Gaby confesses she does not want to go to the formal with Omar. When he arrives, she plans to tell him about naming Carmen as campaign manager and be honest with him about her feelings and her wish to attend the formal as a group of friends, not with a date.

Keith waits at the library for a secret meeting. He admits to himself he might not be able to outsmart Jackson, but he can use his money and power to win the election. After texting his location, the unnamed recipient enters the library, and Keith prepares to bribe him to sell out Jackson.

Jackson’s team, named “Gang Greene” (140) by Bradley, bubbles 371 ballots to secure Gaby’s victory while Hashemi completes the modifications on the machine. Five days before the election, Hashemi returns home on Monday to find someone burgled his shed stealing the machine and all the ballots. He is relieved his memorabilia is untouched and uses the MAPE to call in a Code Blue to Jackson. The thief left a note asking for a meeting with Jackson at the park in one hour. The team is distraught, worrying that Victor sold them out, and their heist is over. Jackson meets Keith near the scene of the Blitz where Keith calls for a truce. He admits to bribing Victor by promising not to cut the Chess Team’s budget and offers the same for the Botany Club if Jackson will call off the heist. Keith claims he has been fair by not escalating the conflict and not stealing Hashemi’s action figures, an agreement the boys made earlier. Jackson says he cannot trust Keith will keep his word and vows to continue the fight, proclaiming Gaby will likely win fair and square without his help.

The team is stunned by Victor’s treachery, but Jackson forbids retaliation and focuses the group on a new plan. Hashemi is doubtful he has time to reprogram a new machine by Wednesday, but Jackson says he just needs him to break it and procure communication equipment for the team. Bradley is tasked with helping Jackson replace the stolen bump key. Everyone is worried about money, and Charlie suggests asking Megan for help. Jackson is reluctant to trust her considering her history with gossip, but he agrees to keep her as a standby option. Charlie’s job is to consult Ray on a new machine.

Megan finds a gossip note in her locker claiming that AJ broke up with Brandy. One month earlier, she found a message telling her Keith gave Stewart a copy of Ultimate Fantasy IV. She debates spreading the gossip to the Drama Club since Brandy is as much of a bully as Keith but decides to keep the news to herself. She learned her lesson when she snitched on Jackson. At the end of the day, she finds a note in her locker from Jackson telling her she passed the test and to meet him at the Fitz after school. During the meeting, Megan apologizes for ratting him out during the Mid-Day PDA. Jackson explains about Keith cutting funds to the Tech Club and their plan to sway the election. Megan agrees to help, though she does not like the way Jackson tricked her and calls him names in Klingon. When Megan arrives at Hashemi’s, he is struck dumb by her beauty. Jackson introduces Megan to Bradley who was the note deliverer. She mentions Hashemi has missed Tech Club meetings. Hashemi goes over the supply list but struggles to focus with Megan around.

Gaby waits backstage before delivering her campaign speech, fearing her speech is too boring. As she paces, she thinks of Rule Number Two: “Stay cool under pressure. A rattled crew is a mistake-prone crew” (155). Carmen arrives to encourage Gaby, and just before she takes the stage, Carmen steals Gaby’s speech telling her to speak from the heart. Gaby delivers a short, but impactful message telling the student body she wants to make the school better for everyone, not just certain groups of people. She commits to serving them, not just as their leader but as their friend, and the crowd gives her rousing applause.

After the speeches, Jackson finds Gaby waiting at his open locker. She thought she would see if she could pop the lock for old time’s sake just like Samuel taught them, but instead, she guessed the code was her birthday. Jackson is stunned by her outfit and her friendly behavior. Jackson denies scheming again and deflects her questioning by praising her speech. Gaby concedes that she is going to the dance with Omar as friends, and Jackson admits he wishes he had been brave enough to ask her to the formal and apologizes for the last four months. He tells her Omar should bring her flowers and hints he might bring her some as well. He wants to be there when she is named the winner. The couple almost kisses, but Gaby pulls away. Later, Gaby wonders what Jackson meant since the results should be official before the formal.

Keith storms into the office demanding to see Dr. Kelsey, worried the corrupt administrator has lost control of the situation. Dr. Kelsey asks Keith to persuade his father to increase the donation to guarantee Keith a win. Keith says he will try, but his father is out of town. As Keith leaves, Dr. Kelsey considers using the extra money for a trip to Italy instead of purchasing an espresso machine.

Twenty-four hours out from election day, the team works tirelessly to finish their preparations. Hashemi works on a microphone while Megan, Charlie, and Bradley review their positions. Jackson has yet to crack the Guttenbabel, but he is confident he will be ready the following day. Charlie checks in on Jackson’s plan and teases him about the bouquet for Gaby. Jackson assures Charlie he will not mess up things with Gaby this time. Megan is impressed with Hashemi’s work on the microphone and offers to help him finish the final adjustments. As Charlie and Hashemi leave to pick up the communication equipment, Jackson’s brother Samuel walks into the shed.

Miranda Greene makes a special meal for Samuel’s visit. Jackson’s dad alerted Samuel that something was going on and asked him to come home. Samuel teases Jackson about Gaby, but Jackson explains he is trying to take down Keith and help save his friend’s club. Samuel does not understand why Jackson is still so upset over the Mid-Day PDA, but Jackson explains that he did not want to kiss Katie, especially if it meant losing his friendship with Gaby. Reviewing the plans for the following day, Samuel has some concerns. Jackson wants his brother to stay out of it saying, “This is my crew. My job” (173). Samuel agrees to be a driver and lets Jackson borrow his suit. As he pulls it out of the garment bag, Samuel quotes Rule Number Fifteen, “If you’re going to pull a con, know how to pull a con in style” (174).