Principal Vance reached for a manila folder at the corner of his desk and laid it open.

He tapped a printed page inside with his fingernail.

“If you’re bringing in unrolled cash or loose change, the cafeteria staff won’t take it,” he said.

“The district audit is this Friday at four in the afternoon.

County auditors deal in exact paperwork.”

“What happens if the balance isn’t processed by Friday?” I asked.

“The total lunch debt for Washington Elementary is nine hundred eight dollars and forty cents,” Principal Vance said, his voice sliding into his formal administrative tone.

“Twenty-three children have unpaid cafeteria accounts.