|
Going back and reading this I can't help but picture Mahoney as Michael Cera.
In second period, Mahoney is sitting at his desk by himself, the teacher enters, he stands in front of the class, he is young and has an optimistic attitude, he is a substitute.
Teacher: Hello, I'll be subbing for this class today, so there's nothing awkward between us, you can just call me Jordan. I'll introduce myself for you, I'm 22 from Indianapolis, I just recently graduated college and moved into the area. Now... I understand that you have a packet from last class that you're supposed to be working on today. Was anybody not here last time?
Nobody raises their hand.
Jordan: Alright, did anybody lose theirs?
Mahoney raises his hand. Jordan places a packet on his desk.
Jordan: You can go ahead and work in partners if you want to, if anyone has a question just feel free to ask. I'll be at my desk.
Jordan sits down at the teacher's desk, pulls out an iPod and starts to listen to it. Mahoney looks up and sees Jennifer at her seat across the room, another girl has moved her desk closer, the two are working together, Mahoney stares back down at his paper as all of the other kids in the class form into their own respective groups to socialize and do their work. Mahoney can't remember any of the answers he put on the previous packet, so he grabs his calculator and begins to work out the problems again, a pen tossed from the other side of the room hits him in the head. He looks up, Jennifer is waving him over, he gets up and scoots a desk up to Jennifer's and the other girl's.
Mahoney: Hi Jennifer.
He looks at the other girl whose leg is uncontrollably shaking, she is holding a pencil between the index and middle finger of her right hand holding it by her face.
Mahoney: Hey, Caroline...
She nods in his direction.
Mahoney: Are you ok?
Caroline: No.
Mahoney: What's wrong?
Jennifer: She's trying to quit smoking
Mahoney: Is that why she's holding the pencil like that?
Jennifer: Yeah.
Caroline: OK, I can't do this.
Jennifer: Yes you can.
Caroline: No, I really can't. It's only been a day, look at me.
Caroline stands up and starts to walk toward Jordan's desk.
Jennifer: Where are you going?
Caroline ignores Jennifer and asks Jordan, he takes his headphones out.
Caroline: May I use the bathroom.
Jordan notices how uneasy and miserable Caroline looks from not having smoked, he assumes she is sick.
Jordan: Would you rather a pass to the Health Room?
Caroline: No, bathroom's fine.
Jordan: Alright.
Jordan grabs a sticky note and writes out a pass. He hands it to Caroline.
Caroline: Thanks.
Jordan: No problem.
Jordan puts his headphones back, Caroline grabs her purse and walks to the bathroom, inside James and Abbi hear the door open then rush into a stall, James sits down on the toilet and Abbi sits on his lap with her feet up so nobody will know two people are in the stall. Caroline walks in, reaches into her purse and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, she lights the cigarette and sighs in relief when an alarm starts to go off, she attempts to run but Mr. Keller catches her at the door. A female administrator goes into the bathroom, Mr. Keller waits outside with Caroline. The administrator sees James' feet at the bottom of the stall, she knocks on the door.
Administrator: Ma'am I'm going to have to ask you to finish up and come out here.
Abbi replies.
Abbi: Just a sec!
Administrator: It's ok, I'll wait.
James: God damn it...
The administrator's eyes widen at the swearing and the sudden change in tone. James and Abbi walk out. The administrator seems infuriated. She takes the two outside, James looks over at Mr. Keller.
James: Hey...
Mr. Keller: Hey...
|