The Middle School Melodrama

SCENE: The setting is a middle school classroom. There are many students, sitting at desks, two of which are Bob and Andrew. The teacher, Mr. Brown, is sitting at the front of the classroom at his desk.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Mr. Brown: A middle school teacher in his early 40s.

Andrew: A 13-year-old kid in Mr. Brown’s middle school class.

Bob: A 13-year-old kid in Mr. Brown’s middle school class.

Mr. Brown: Okay, everyone, I’ve passed out your quiz results. You are free to go. Oh, Andrew, Bob, stay after class for a minute.

Andrew: Mr. Brown, what’s the problem?

Bob: Yeah, we didn’t do anything wrong!

Mr. Brown: Are you sure? I was grading the class’s tests, and I noticed that your and Andrew’s test results were both the same.

(Bob gulps)

Andrew: So? Why does that mean anything?

Mr. Brown: You also both marked the exact same answers for each question. I think you, Bob, copied off Andrew.

Bob: That could be a coincidence. Trust me, Mr. Brown. I didn’t cheat. I don’t need to, I’m very smart.

Andrew: No, you aren’t.

Mr. Brown: But there’s one last thing that can’t be a coincidence.

Bob: And what’s that?

Mr. Brown: You copied his name, too.

Andrew: Bob, how could you?

Mr. Brown: Andrew, not so fast. I know you cheated, too.

(Andrew sighs)

Andrew: Okay, fine. I cheated off Steve. But how did you know?

Mr. Brown: I didn’t. But I do now. You both are failing the quiz.