Class in Session
[first action, in school]
[As the students trickle in, they will see Susan calmly sitting at her desk reading a book. There is an ever so faint gleam in her eyes . . . Despite herself, Susan is not as far above such typical human emotions as pride or arrogance as she sometimes claims to be. She will rise to her feet as the last student shuffles to his desk.]
I thought, today, we'd try something a little different. Someone's mentioned in the past that the art of 'eloquence' is the most vital skill to master for English class - or rather, the art of being completely inarticulate while still maintaining a facade of great import. I've never been a fan. It seems to me that cutting through bullcrap is a much more important sort of skill. The assignment for today, then. In two sentences or less . . .
[She snaps her fingers. The classroom will dissolve, and the students will find themselves in the center of the town park, desks, chairs, tables, and all. Susan herself sits back down in her chair and leans back with her book.]
Describe the quality of the soothing atmosphere as experienced in the park. You have from now until the end of the class period. Go.
[Her hair loosens into a more subdued sort of look. Anyone, teachers or otherwise, who enters the classroom will find the class working diligently at an assignment at their desks. The people in the park will pay no attention to the mass crowd that suddenly materialized before them, nor will they respond if spoken to.]
[second action]
[As she goes about her business picking up groceries and other shopping from downtown, Susan will pass by the Mayfield Dairy once or twice. Each time, she makes a special effort not to even glance up at the building. On her final pass, though... Those who are acquainted with Susan Sto Helit may be surprised to see her expressing as much emotion as removing a stick from one of her bags and smashing the front door as forcefully as she can. That being done, she drops the weapon and calmly walks away.]
[voice]
Who is President Eisenhower and why is he important?
[As the students trickle in, they will see Susan calmly sitting at her desk reading a book. There is an ever so faint gleam in her eyes . . . Despite herself, Susan is not as far above such typical human emotions as pride or arrogance as she sometimes claims to be. She will rise to her feet as the last student shuffles to his desk.]
I thought, today, we'd try something a little different. Someone's mentioned in the past that the art of 'eloquence' is the most vital skill to master for English class - or rather, the art of being completely inarticulate while still maintaining a facade of great import. I've never been a fan. It seems to me that cutting through bullcrap is a much more important sort of skill. The assignment for today, then. In two sentences or less . . .
[She snaps her fingers. The classroom will dissolve, and the students will find themselves in the center of the town park, desks, chairs, tables, and all. Susan herself sits back down in her chair and leans back with her book.]
Describe the quality of the soothing atmosphere as experienced in the park. You have from now until the end of the class period. Go.
[Her hair loosens into a more subdued sort of look. Anyone, teachers or otherwise, who enters the classroom will find the class working diligently at an assignment at their desks. The people in the park will pay no attention to the mass crowd that suddenly materialized before them, nor will they respond if spoken to.]
[second action]
[As she goes about her business picking up groceries and other shopping from downtown, Susan will pass by the Mayfield Dairy once or twice. Each time, she makes a special effort not to even glance up at the building. On her final pass, though... Those who are acquainted with Susan Sto Helit may be surprised to see her expressing as much emotion as removing a stick from one of her bags and smashing the front door as forcefully as she can. That being done, she drops the weapon and calmly walks away.]
[voice]
Who is President Eisenhower and why is he important?