The Gate Keeper

by Violetta Alaiyan

Professor Henry- A high school Algebra 2 teacher, in his late forties. In a suit and tie.

Daniel Harding- Senior. Must pass the class to graduate.

Ms. Harding- Daniel’s mother.

Cindy Lou Johnson- Perfect, straight A student. Other students call her a “teacher’s pet.”

Ms. Johnson- Cindy’s mother.

Mr. Landers- The school Principal.

Mike: Another student in the class.

SCENE 1- The First Day

(It is the first day of school, and students enter class chattering about the year’s new gossip, and looking around to see if friends are in their same class. Mr. Henry sits at his desk. On the white board, in perfect handwriting reads:
“Mr. Henry, Algebra 2. Take your seats, we will begin promptly.”)

“VRRRRRING VRRRRRING.”

Professor Henry: Take your seats and be quiet, or you will be marked tardy.

(The students’ smiles close as they look for an open seat.)

Professor Henry: My name is Professor Henry, and you may call me Professor Henry. You sophomores may be—

Daniel: Actually, I’m a senior. Me and my bud Mike, over there.

(Daniel points to his friend, Mike, who is on his cell phone.)

Professor Henry: Are you now? I’m sorry, but that’s not the kind of thing I would want to be sharing with the rest of the class. I mean, being held back doesn’t exactly prove you’re the smartest of chaps…

(The students in the front rows of the class softly snicker. Professor Henry walks over to Daniel’s friend Mike, who has put his phone in his pocket, interested in the conversation.)

Professor Henry: Give it here.

Mike: Whatchu want?

Professor Henry: Your cellular device, give it here.

Mike: Hell naw I ain’t givin’ you my phone.

Professor Henry: You can either give it to me, or you can give it to Principal Landers, when you pay him a visit in 5 seconds. Your choice.

Mike: Damn, bra.

(Mike slams his phone onto his desk. Professor Henry takes out a napkin from his pocket, and picks up the unsanitary phone. He walks over to the front of the room, opens his desk cabinet, and slips it in.)

Professor Henry: Well I guess we’ve pretty much gone over my cell phone rules. Let me lay out the rest of the rules. I do not tolerate any chattering, talking, conversing, or speaking, unless you are directed to do so, by me. The fewer times you cough or sneeze, the higher your grade will get. Basically, I demand no noise. I do not abide with food or drink of any kind. That means no water. You may not go to the bathroom. Ever. If you get up and leave the class, without permission, for any reason, you will not be let back in. The door is locked at all times.

(Several of the student’s are eyeing their friends, giving them a “What the heck?!” look.)

Professor Henry: After all, we are here to do math. And math is what we shall do. Each day, before entering my classroom, you must all line-up, single file, outside my door. When the second bell rings, at 8:27, the first person in line may then open the door and you may all proceed into the room and take your seats. If you are not in your seat, working on your warm-up problem by thirty seconds after 8:27, you will be marked late, you will not be given credit for the warm-up, and I will call your parents.

(Many of the student’s jaws have/are beginning to drop.)

Professor Henry: Now, are there any questions?

(Cindy Lou confidently raises her hand high.)

Professor Henry: Your name?

Cindy Lou: My name is Cindy Lou Johnson.

Professor Henry: Your question?

Cindy Lou: What is your grading process?

Professor Henry: Ah yes, how could I forget!

(His lips curl into a cruel little smile.)

Professor Henry: It is quite simple, actually. Tests are worth 95% of your grade. Warm-ups are worth 3%.

(Daniel’s hand shoots up. A huge grin is plastered on his face.)

Professor Henry: Daniel?

Daniel: Wow, Professor Henry. No offense, but I thought you were smarter than that…95 plus 3 is kind of 98…

Professor Henry: The other 2% is how much I like you. I think it’s rather obvious how much of that portion you’ll be earning.

(Daniel blushes and looks down at his desk.)

SCENE 2- A Not So Warm- Warm Up

(The students walk into the classroom in a single file line. Warm up is on the board: x²+2x+3
Daniel raises his hand.)

Professor Henry: Yes, Daniel.

Daniel: You haven’t taught us how to do this…

Professor Henry: Do I need to teach you how to do everything? Figure it out.

Daniel: But Profess—

Professor Henry: YOU MAY NOT SPEAK UNLESS YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO SO!

This warm up is worth 10 points. You have 10 more seconds to complete it.

(Professor Henry’s timer goes off. He walks around and collects all the warm-ups.)

SCENE 3- Parent Teacher Conferences

(Ms. Harding walks into the classroom. Professor Henry gets up to great her.)

Professor Henry: Hello, how very nice to meet you! You must be Ms. Harding, Daniel’s mother.

(Ms. Harding gives him a quizzical look, as if she was expecting the devil.)

Ms. Harding: Yes…Hello. Nice to meet you too…

Professor Henry: Come, come. Have a seat. I’m so glad you’re here.

(He directs her to a student desk in the front row and sits in his chair across from her.)

Professor Henry: So, these parent- teacher conferences are pretty normal. We do them every year. You need not worry that Daniel is struggling in this class, he’s doing quite well, actually.

Ms. Harding: Seriously? I was under the impression that…

Professor Henry: Yes most certainly! I enjoy him quite a bit. Such a cunning young fellow.

Ms. Harding: Oh, well thank you.

(Ms. Harding blushes, stunned.)

Professor Henry: But I must tell you, tests are worth a mediocre, but important portion of my students’ grades. Daniel’s test grades have not been the best, but I do offer tremendous support for my students. The school assigns me tutoring sessions three days a week, and I try to get as many students as possible to come.

Ms. Harding: That’s wonderful; just what Daniel needs. It’s odd though, he’s never mentioned that you tutor before. I would have gotten him a private tutor, but we can’t afford it.

Professor Henry: That is odd, I’m sure he’s just being modest. Most of the students who need tutoring aren’t as bright as him.

Ms. Harding: Wow, thank you.

Professor Henry: Oh! It looks like our time here is up. Thanks so much for coming, and give Daniel my best.

(Professor Henry smiles cheerfully.)

SCENE 4- Shocker

Cindy Lou: Oh mother! My report card has arrived!

(Cindy dances around the house, clutching her report card to her chest as if it is her most prized possession. She pirouettes over to the fridge, and kisses all her perfect report cards for good luck. She tears the wrapping off as her mother comes into the room.)

Ms. Johnson: Oh, how wonderful. We have another to add to the collection.

(But as Cindy Lou’s eyes glance at the report, they grow very wide. She looks queasy, as if she will faint.)

Ms. Johnson: What is it darling?

Ms. Johnson takes the report card from Cindy Lou, gasps, then faints.

SCENE 5- The Harsh Truth

(Cindy Lou and Ms. Johnson storm into Principal Landers office.)

Principal Landers: Can I help you?

Ms. Johnson: As a matter of fact, you can Principal. I scheduled this meeting because of Cindy Lou’s math teacher, Professor Henry.

Principal Landers: What seems to be the matter?

Cindy Lou: HE’S DREADFUL IS WHAT THE MATTER IS!

Ms. Johnson: Cindy Lou! Hush girl, let me handle this.

Cindy Lou: Yes, mother.

Ms. Johnson: Professor Henry is dreadful sir. My baby has gotten perfect report cards, straight A’s, for the past 5 years. There is no way she deserves an F is this class!

Principal Landers: Ah, I see. Yes, many other parents have come to me complaining about the grade they received in Professor Henry’s class. It seems as though Cindy Lou isn’t the only one having this problem.

Ms. Johnson: Problem?! This is an outrage! My Cindy studies more than anyone in this whole school! She is nearly perfect!

Principal Landers: I’m sorry to say there is not much I can do. The grade a student gets depends on the teacher, and I have no authority to change it.

(Cindy Lou breaks into tears.)

Principal Landers: What I will do is examine the class tomorrow and see if I can identify what the problem is. There must be a problem when every student in the class fails.

SCENE 6- Deception

“VRRRRRING VRRRRRING.”

(Students walk in to the classroom. Behind them is Principal Landers.)

Professor Henry: Hello there Principal Landers! What a pleasant surprise!

Principal Landers: Yes hello. May I talk to you for a quick second outside Professor?

Professor Henry: Yes of course. Hello kiddies! Please start the warm up while I am gone. It’s a little harder today than usual, so just take your time.

(Students look around at each other quizzically, wondering where the real Professor Henry has gone.)

Daniel: Did he really just call us “kiddies?”

Mike: Man that was weird.

(Professor Henry and Principal Landers walk outside.)

Principal Landers: I just wanted to let you know I’ll be watching your classroom today. I just want to see what the classroom environment is like.

Professor Henry: Why of COURSE! We’re delighted to have you! Come on in!

(They walk back into the classroom. Principal Landers sits in a desk in the back row.)

Professor Henry: You guys may have 10 more minutes to finish the warm-up. Ask me if you have any questions at all.

(Professor Henry smiles sweetly, then sits down at his desk.)