The first rule of Fight Club

So, I've talked a little about my karate club. Some vital background info: We have four paying members -- two boys and two girls (let's call the others Ginger, Gilligan and the Skipper). The club is in some serious financial trouble because our dues don't really cover the rent, but our master (from herein to be referred to as the Professor) is covering the difference in hopes that the economy will turn around. In addition to the financial stress, there is a huge gap of talent between the students. Suffice it to say that Gilligan and the Skipper are really, really good and Ginger and I are, well, about what you'd expect for 30ish and 40ish women who aren't all that athletic. The boys don't particularly like to work out with us because they don't see us as much of a challenge.

At the tournament on Saturday, Ginger and I were talking to our young champion from my blog over the weekend (Gilligan). as we watched different sparring matches. Somewhere in the conversation, he happened to let it slip that he, the Skipper and a number of our former male students were participating in a "fight club" to hone their sparring skills. At our school. For free. And this whole thing was being directed by one of the other teachers in our school. Who I'll call Mr. Howell.

I thought it was odd that Ginger and I weren't included -- we are the only ones in our club who aren't. But we've never participated in tournaments, so I didn't think too much about it. Ginger did, though. She was thoroughly offended and feels that our dues are what's keeping the school alive, as well as funding a fight club that we aren't allowed to participate. So she confronted the Professor at our Monday class. I could tell right away that he was uncomfortable talking about it, but she was furious.

So I go to class on Wednesday and I'm the only one there. The Professor is freaked out because now Mr. Howell is pissed off because the fight club was supposed to be a secret. Mr. Howell then emails Ginger and I inviting us to participate in said fight club. But he's angry with Gilligan for telling us about the club and has now ex-communicated him not keeping it a secret.

I know that discretion is the better part of valor, but really? Gilligan can't play because he spilled some big secret? When he's the only champion we've got? And now the Professor and Mr. Howell aren't speaking, Mr. Howell isn't speaking to Gilligan, the Professor is frustrated with Ginger. And I'm stuck in the middle. We're not talking about teenagers, here. Most of the parties involved (with the exception of poor Gilligan) are in their 30s, 40s or 50s. So why do I feel like I'm back in high school with the bickering, name-calling and cliques? Seriously, next time, can I just fight a schizophrenic Ed Norton??????