LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2005

Restrictions

Characters:

Dr. White: 9^th grade instructor, very strict and unrealistic

Bonnie: a student, eager to participate in discussion, protests

Jamie: a student, did not make a stop at the restroom before class

Micah: a student, sent to the office for what the instructor considers inappropriate behavior

Tara: a student, insults the teacher, protests

Karen: a student, stirs up the class to protest against the teacher’s wishes

Mary Kay: a student, protests

Daniel: principal

Class: all the characters above plus Jamie, Jennifer, Andrea, Alissa, and Lindsay

Concept Sentence: The instructor leads the lecture like every other ordinary day while the 9^th grade students try to participate, but he continues to ignorantly discourage student-centered discussion or any sort of freedom.

Dr. White: Today we are going to learn about similes and metaphors.

Bonnie: I think—

Dr. White: Okay, there are no “I thinks” involved, and you did not raise your hand to speak. A metaphor is a comparison without the use of like or as.

(Everyone makes a loud sigh as though thinking, here we go again.)

Jamie: (Raises hand)

Dr. White: Yes Jamie?

Jamie: May I go to the restroom?

Dr. White: No, you had a chance before class. You will just have to wait.

Bonnie: I have an example of a metaphor.

Dr. White: Uh. You need to raise your hand before speaking. That is our first procedure. What do we do when we break a procedure?

Bonnie: But I didn’t even—

Dr. White: (Sternly) What is to be done when we break the first procedure?

Bonnie: (Frustrated and sarcastically) We recite the procedure we break.

Dr. White: Very good. Now will you please recite the first procedure?

Bonnie: (Shakes her head out of frustration and rolls her eyes. She speaks sarcastically.)

Do not speak without raising your hand.

Dr. White: Super!

Micah: (whispers to Lindsay) Man, he acts like we are little kids. I can not wait until we get out of here.

Dr. White: Micah, would you like to share with the class of what is so important that you would have the nerve to interrupt my lecture.

Micah: Man, what lecture? You’re too busy trying to correct everyone who you think needs to be corrected. Besides, I don’t have to share anything. You don’t care to hear anyways.

Dr. White: Micah, you can go directly to the office. Your comment is severe enough that it looks as though you need a visit to the principal’s office. (He grabs a refraction slip, writes on the slip, and hands it to him. Micah snatches the paper and storms out the room.)

Jamie: Dr. White, I really need to go to the restroom.

Dr. White: If I let you go, that means the whole class will think they may go during class. If you really need to go, you will have to ask permission from the entire group of students.

Jamie: Whatever. (Desperate enough so she complies but speaks sarcastically.) Everyone, is it okay if I go to the restroom?

(Class does not answer. They act as though they are dumbfounded.)

Jamie: Dr. White, they don’t care.

Dr. White: You may not go until you get an answer.

Jamie: This is ridiculous.

Dr. White: Well then perhaps you will think twice before setting up your own ridiculous situation.

Jamie: Whatever! I have to go.

Dr. White: Not until you get an answer.

Jamie: Oh my Word! What are you?! Will ya’ll please say yes so that I can go the freaking restroom?

Class: (loudly and in an annoyed tone)Yes!

Dr. White: Okay, you may go.

Jamie: (Rolls her eyes, sighs, and leaves for good.)

Dr. White: Okay, where were we?

Bonnie: You were talking about—

Dr. White: Oh yes, I remember. What is a simile?

(No one raises their hand to speak.)

Dr. White: A simile is a comparison using like or as.

(Everyone sighs loudly.)

Tara: (Raises hand)

Dr. White: Yes Tara?

Tara: I know an example of a simile.

Dr. White: Okay?

Tara: My teacher is as dumb as a dog. (The class laughs.) Oh, and I added alliteration too.

Dr. White: We are not discussing alliteration, and you are lucky that you are using third person. A more accurate example would be, the girl is like a flower. To make that a metaphor you simply take the word, like, out of the statement. Okay, we are going to take a quiz over what we just learned. Get out a piece of paper.

Karen: (whispers to Jennifer) What could possibly be on the quiz? He only went over a couple of ideas. This is crazy.

Mary Kay: (whispers to Andrea) I know. What is his deal?

Dr. White: Ladies, there should be no talking at this time.

(The announcement comes on as Dr. White distributes the quiz.)

Daniel (Principal): Teachers, at this time, you may release your students to attend the assembly in the auditorium. The assembly will address the issue of drinking and driving. I look forward to this assembly, and I’m sure you, that includes both students and teachers, will find this informative and extremely helpful. Thank you and you all have a nice day.

Karen: Hey, you didn’t tell us about an assembly today. You are going to let us go, right?

Dr. White: You have an important quiz you must take, and we have an activity following this. I’m sorry but my work comes first.

Karen: Uh uh. There’s no way in hell I’m going to miss that assembly for this ridiculous quiz or for some other assignment. I’m leaving. (Stands up and walks towards the door but turns around to face the other students)Is anyone with me? (Everyone hesitates to answer.) Come on guys! You know that we have a right to go to that assembly!

Dr. White: Karen have a seat. You are being very disrespectful. Would you like to visit the principal’s office?

Karen: Dr. White, I am not a child, and you cannot make us sit here like prisoners. You like that. That was a simile. Now I made a 100 on my quiz. I’m out of here.

Mary Kay: (Stands up and walks towards the door with Karen.)Wait Karen, I’m going too. (Karen waits.)

Dr. White: Oh I see how this is going to be. Well, I have plenty of time for writing out detention slips.

Karen and Mary Kay: (almost simultaneously) Whatever.

Bonnie: I’m going too. (Stands up and walk toward the other protesting students.) The principal told all teachers to dismiss the class. Later.

Lindsay: I agree (joins the others)

Dr. White: (frustrated) Alright, let’s all jump on the bandwagon. Any other takers?

Tara: Yes (joins the others)

Karen: Anyone else?

(No more students left. The other half of the class, who were afraid of the consequences, remained seated and upset that they still had to take the quiz.

Dr. White: I’m sorry that those students misbehaved as they did. Please get started on your quiz while I write out my detention slips.

Theme Sentence: Respect is easily lost when we don’t respect others’ needs and interests.