Not a Bestseller

Lull-Life Again

It turns out plagiarism is a crime. How did I learn this invaluable lesson? After another passive-aggressive email from Mr. Randell, I googled "Delcoph cartel" and did the good old copy and paste. When my teacher didn't like that, I found the loophole: use original content.

Science is boring. Daydreaming is much better. What if it wasn't the cops who busted the cartel? What if Peterson had nothing to do with it? I closed the Encyclopedia. Mr. Randell wanted original content?

I'd give him original content.

The drug cartel never existed. There was some kid selling pot. Upon discovering this, the cops spread stories to news people about a cartel for media hype. In fact, the "dealers" weren't selling drugs at all, but superpower pills. It is still believed they exist at the place of their original sellers.

The fountain.

I submitted the third draft of my paper. Two minutes later, my computer dinged, and a little number plopped in front of my inbox.

Ben,

I'm not sure where you are getting your facts about drug cartels and pills, but I can tell you that current day science presents no artificial superpowers in its contents. Why don't you look past science and more at the effects of its trade on youth? Are the dealings still an issue?

Time to procrastinate.

✎✎✎

"Look at the board. What do you see?"

We stared at Doctor White. Everyone scratched the wood of their desks, focusing their eyes on the plate of chocolate cookies towering beside Dr. White's computer. Julia's obsession with these things made the whole room smell like a bakery.

Feeling brave, I raised my hand. "That's a door."

"Yes, Ben." Dr. White's eyes lit up. "It's a closed door. Do you know what's inside?"

I shook my head.

"Does anyone?"

We all shook our heads.

Dr. White dropped the chalk. "And how do you expect to get the door open to see what's inside? Assuming you want to know."

"Draw an opening." I was on a roll.

"Exactly!" But he didn't pick up the chalk. "You all see a two-dimensional world. It's you and yourselves. But there's a whole world out there. It's going to take more than what you know here to survive. You need new angles."

I didn't get the door analogy. Apparently, Dr. White didn't either. He grabbed his eraser and swiped across the chalk. Still, I appreciated the Disney-Channel-esque effort.

Kim shoved Willie off and muttered, "I'm confused."

"Yeah..." Austin bit his lip. He didn't look at me. He looked at Julia. When she scowled, they both turned to Stuart.

Dr. White wrote more words on the board. You. Me. World. "World" was huge, "you" and "me" were small. Then he drew it again, with a tiny "world" circling a gigantic "you" and "me."

"I challenged you all to discuss personal beliefs. There's one thing in common with all of you. You see the world this way." He pointed at the tiny "world" picture. When silence ensued, he looked at the big "world" version. "We have three seniors this year. You three need to understand, and the rest of you for that matter, that the world is bigger than you and me. You won't be able to control your environment like we do in here."

Seniors? I followed Doctor White's eyes. Stuart. Austin. Julia. I'm friends with three seniors?

"Um, no offense, Dr. White." Austin scratched his forehead. "But so much goes wrong in here it's not even funny."