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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Phew! (02/11/10)
Jeremy lay sprawled over the top of his desk, head down, in American History. A stream of drool snaked down his chin, pooling on his desktop. His heavy breathing and slurred mumbling earned stares and snickers from fellow classmates. Aggravated, Mr. Benson whacked the marker board. "Mr. Trotter," Mr. Benson snapped. "Mr. Trotter," he bellowed, slapping the board again with a yardstick.

Jeremy rose sluggishly, swatting at a string of saliva tethering him to his desk. "Yes, sir?" he answered groggily.

"You fell asleep again, Mr. Trotter."

“I'm sorry," he mumbled apologetically.

Mr. Benson stomped to the front of his desk, perching on the edge. "Mr. Trotter, can you please tell the class what the assignment is for the rest of the week?"

"I think I might have missed it Mr. Benson."

"You think? Well, try anyway."

“Yes, sir.” Jeremy pushed to his feet; a shade of crimson crept up from his collar. "I think we're supposed to study for a test on the first President of the United States," his voice cracked, uncertain.

Giggles sprang from all around the room

"That would be incorrect. That test was last semester."

"Oh..."

"But, since you have brought up the topic, and since this class does have a comprehensive final at the end of the year, maybe this would be a good time to review the material."

"This oughta be good," a voice joked from the back of the room.

Mr. Benson returned to his chair, adjusting his half-glasses on the tip of his nose. "Proceed, Mr. Trotter."

"The first President of the United States was Abraham Lincoln. He came to America on the Mayflower in 1776 and charged up San Juan Hill on a streetcar named Desire."

“Phew,” he whistled. Jeremy collapsed into his chair, shaken by the whole ordeal. Around him, the dam broke. Giggles turned to waves of raucous laughter. Mr. Benson smacked his desk, calling the class to order.

"That was the most historically askew hodgepodge of information I have ever heard," informed Mr. Benson.

Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. "Why thank-you sir."

"That was not a compliment," Mr. Benson's voice crescendoed.

"Oh," he responded dejectedly.

Mr. Benson scanned the seating chart, and then pointed. "Sarah, would you please inform Mr. Trotter of his upcoming assignment?"

"Certainly," she began. "We are to be prepared to take a test over World War II."

"Yes," he fist pumped. Ignoring the rest of Sarah’s explanation, his hand dove into his backpack and retrieved a pencil. He began scribbling notes furiously.

Mr. Benson noted the change in Jeremy's countenance. "It appears you have taken a real interest in the topic at hand."

"Oh, yes sir. I review this material all the time. In fact, I'm writing down cheat codes right now."

Mr. Benson's eyebrows arched. "Cheat codes?"

"Don't worry Mr. Benson, I won't use them in class, but they sure help while I play the game."

"The game?"

"Dogfight II. That's why I'm so sleepy today. I was up until four this morning playing online."

Looking unimpressed, Mr. Benson pushed for more information. "And this game is about World War II?"

"Sure, I guess."

"I see."

A shrill bell sounded sending students spilling into a narrow hallway with multi-colored lockers marching from one end of the building to another. Mr. Benson observed his pupils shrugging into various types of outerwear, slinging backpacks over their shoulders. "Wait," Mr. Benson ordered. The students moaned and slid back into their seats. "So, Mr. Trotter, you think this game will help you on Friday’s test?"

Jeremy nodded.

Mr. Benson stood, leaning on his desk. "Name one American General who served in World War II."

Jeremy stroked his chin; his eyes lit up. "General George Washington," he blurted.

“Erghhhhhhhh,” he growled, slumping into his chair. “Class dismissed!”
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This article has been read 1077 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Chely Roach
02/23/10
Very entertaining. I also loved the tethered saliva line, lol. Head shaking realistic, and I felt for the teacher. Nice job!
Barbara Culler 
02/23/10
I first thot that perhaps the student had a seizure.

How frustrating for teachers!

Great story.
Virgil Youngblood 
02/23/10
A typical day in the classroom, me thinks. You've captured it well. Very enjoyable.
Gregory Kane
02/23/10
If he had played Empires: Dawn of the Modern Age instead of Dogfight he would have known to answer General Patton. Shame that.
An entertaining story with a victim who deserved all that was coming to him.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/23/10
Kids today. You captured them well.
Carole Robishaw 
02/23/10
Good job. I've often wondered what a history book would look like if it reflected the "facts" we hear in movies, and on TV.
Rachel Phelps
02/24/10
*groan* As a history lover, this is killing me - and yet it sounds just like some of my classmates in college - yes, in COLLEGE! Very well written, even if it did make me hurt on the inside.
Carol Penhorwood 
02/24/10
I LOVED this from beginning to end. It was so realistic. I could capture the images right away in my head and you KNEW your MC. Fabulous job!
Beth LaBuff 
02/24/10
LOL! a fun look into the classroom... Your MC's recollection of George Washington was priceless, especially "the charge up San Juan Hill on a Street Car nameed Desire!" (and I agree with your MC... I think computer games are educational :))
Lollie Hofer 
02/24/10
THIS teacher (who use to teach high school history) loves the story. I had a couple of nodders too (no reflection on my teaching style, I hope). Great characters and a fun story to read. Your visual descriptions were strong as well. (One year, as an elementary teacher, I had a 4th grader who thought Pilgrims were green little men living under bridges. :) Where was she in K-3rd grades?)