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//Enter students, Sophie, Julie, and Maria, along with their teacher, Ms.Griffon.//

Sophie: Ms. Griffon you cannot honestly be telling me that out of 300 students she is the only one you could find to replace Kim. Julie: You do realize that this is going to be a scholastic challenge. You didn't forget that right? Ms G: Now ladies, she is going to be just fine. Maria: She's basically the school jester! Ms. G: Now Maria, Sophie: (//Interrupting)//Stacey is going to ruin this challenge. We have practiced way too hard Ms. Griffon and I want to win this. Julie: You just want to win because Matt is-- Sophie:(//interrupting again):// This has nothing to do with that cheater. This is all about having pride. I want to win this because we deserve it. //(Julie and Maria roll their eyes.)// Ms. G: Ladies Stacey is going to be fine, I know you all think she is a. .. well. . . she's a ditz, but I truly think she has potential with this group. Maria: You're right Ms. G. she is a ditz, which is exactly why we are asking you to find someone else. Ms. G: The debate starts in less then an ten minutes, how do you expect me to find anyone else? Sophie: There has to be somebody. Ms. G: But there's not, so you ladies will just have to deal with it. I'm sorry you're not happy with my decision but I'm sticking with it.

(//Exit Ms. G)//

Sophie: Ugh! How does she expect us to win with her on the team Julie: Maybe they will ask a question about shoes, or clothes. Maria: Doubtful. Julie: Hey! You never can be sure the first question could be "According to seventeen, who's the hottest celebrity of today."

(//Enter Stacey, she's applying lip gloss.) The girls all turn to something to make them look busy as she walks in.//

Stacey: Hi girls! Maria,Julie,Sophie: Hey. . . Stacey: Did anyone read the newest issue of seventeen. Maria: (//whispering to her friends)// Here it comes. . . Stacey: It said that the best way to have perfect lips is to use this gloss! I just had to go out and buy it. Sophie: That's great Stace. . . did you look over any of those papers I gave you. Stacey: (//twirling her hair)// What? Oh yeah, I looked over them a little. Maria: (//Barely audible)// Sure she did.

(//The girls sit, Ms. Griffon reenters and begin the debate.)//

Ms G: Good afternoon everyone. I would like the welcome the students from East High to our annual scholastic challenge.I know you have all been working very hard to prepare for this so I wish both teams good luck. Are both teams ready? Good. The first few questions of the day will be from the 'tossup' section. Each question will be worth 10 points. Again, good luck to both teams. Let's begin. //(slight pause)// 'The name of this Southern city appears both in a 1953 Manifesto and in Dr. King's "Letter from a Jail." Name the Alabama city.'

Stacey: //(conversing with the team)// Oh I know this! It's Birmingham Jule: Are you sure? Stacey: Positive. Maria: (//hits buzzer)// Ms. G: Answer? Julie: Birmingham. Ms. G: Correct. 10 points to West. Sophie: Wow. Nice Job Stacey. How'd you know that. Stacey: I love to read. It may not seem like it but I've read a lot of books, even quite a bit of Kings work. I actually didn't know for sure if it was in the Manifesto, but I had a hunch. Ms. G: Next question. What percentage of the US house of representatives are elected each year? Maria: 100 percent. (//Hit's buzzer)// (//The rest of the girls shake their heads yes. Stacey looks slightly confused.)// Ms.G: Answer? Julie: 100 percent. Ms. G: Correct, another ten for West. Now we will move on to some more difficult questions. These will be worth 20 points. The Lascaux cave paintings were discovered in what country in 1940? (//Pause)// Ms. G: France is correct. Twenty points for West. Next. The ten highest U.S Summits are in what state. Julie: I'm guessing Alaska. Stacey: Isn't Alaska just flat, with a lot of snow. One of my friends said that they new a guy in Alaska that rode a polar bear to work. Wouldn't that be so fun! Sophie: That would be kinda funny, I guess Stacey. But lets go with Alaska. (//hit's buzzer and then leans towards Maria and whispers)// Maybe she should have read a little about Geography. Ms. G: Answer? Maria: Alaska. Ms. G: Correct. Next question, What graphical user interface software was introduced by Microsoft in 1987? Stacey: Didn't Microsoft create apple? Julie: Nope, they created windows. Stacey: So Bill Gates didn't create the Ipod? Maria: Nope. That was Steve Jobs. Stacey: Who's he? Ms G: Correct answer is Windows. Twenty to West. The teams are now tied. This will be the final question of the day. Again I wish both teams good luck. And remember the winner of this challenge will advance to the State challenge next week. What short novel by Ernest Hemingway includes the characters Manolin and Santiago? Maria:I haven't read much of Hemingway. Stacey: I have, I just can't remember what it is. Gosh, why couldn't they just ask an easier question. Something about shoes. Or clothes. I can't remember all the titles of the books! Julie: I'm just glad you've read so much you've really helped us today. Kim wouldn't have even known the answer to the Alabama city question. Sophie: Yea Stacey you've been a great help. Ms. G: Answer from West. Maria Yea Stacey you've been great. Besides I really didn't want to go to the State Challenge anyways. It's going to be a sea of nerds. Ms. G: I'm sorry West 'Indian camp isn't correct. East you have 10 seconds. Stacey:Sea? Oh my god (//hit's buzzer)// Sophie Maria and Julie: Stacey?! Ms. G: Answer? Stacey: The Old Man and the Sea! Ms. G: Correct! Congrats to East! You're going to States! Stacey:I can't believe they said Indian Camp. That's not even close. There's no one in the book that are even close to Manolin and Santiago! Julie: Wow! I can't believe it Stacey you just won us the challenge! Maria: That's incredible! Stacey: Well I'm late for a date with a shoe sale. I'll see you all later! Maria Julie Sophie: Bye (//Stacey Exits)// Sophie: I can't believe that! She's better than Kim! Maria: I know I'm stunned. Julie: Same here. I guess maybe we shouldn't have judge her so quickly. Sophie: Well she is quite a ditz. Who doesn't know that Steve Jobs created the Ipod? Maria: True, but I'm not going to underestimate her anymore that's for sure. Julie: Let's just hope she's that ready when it comes to the State Challenge. Kim wont be ready by then. Sophie: I'll make sure she is. Hey girls I'm starving. How about some celebratory pizza? Maria: Sounds good to me (//Exit all)//