When Discipline Was Enough

Something was off that night.

The teacher moved a little slower, his response time delayed.

The pace was different, some of the students in particular preoccupied.

I knew something was up when class started a bit late.

Class always started on time.

When one of the students crossed the dojo floor and headed for the changing room, it was odd that the teacher followed them.

Maybe she wasn’t feeling well?

Without missing a beat one of the senior students in the dojo stepped in and continued the training drill with the class.

The pace and intensity picked up.

Class was back on.

When the student returned to class, they didn’t look much better and it was at that point that I noticed the teacher was in the dojo office making a phone call and looking out the window.

Hanging up the phone he opened the back door to the dojo which blasted us all with the Winter air, before nodding to me -a green belt- and one of the senior black belts in the dojo, calling us over to the office and front door to the dojo.

His instruction were specific and direct.

He was going to go downstairs and out to the front of the dojo 

If anybody else comes up the stairs besides him or the police, don’t let them in the dojo.

Did we hear him?

Repeat it.

Police.

Him.

Nobody else allowed in.

Addressing me by name he said I was first, and to stand here by the door.

Addressing the senior student by name he instructed them to stand by the door to the training area where the class was, and if I was unable to deal with it, they were to deal with it.

I was first.

They were second.

Before we could even acknowledge the directions, the teacher turned and exited the dojo down the stairs, closing and locking the door behind him.

A few minutes later the senior student whispered to me asking if I could hear anything since I was closest to the door.

Nothing.

It was quiet.

All you could hear was the sound of movement from class still going on in the other room.

Maybe we should look out the window was the follow up question.

There was no response needed from me.

It was then that we both heard it together at the same time.

The outer front door opening, and somebody walking up the stairs.

Hearing this the senior student took a step back.

I held my ground.

It was the teacher.

Dismiss, and return to class, and close the back door before the dojo gets too cold.