It was eighth period when I strutted into the classroom, and I can tell you I received some fairly odd looks from the children seated in small groups around the room. Obviously, I can understand their surprise at seeing me, Nurse Ratched, a fictional character they had grown to despise, entering their multiple choice game uninvited. However, I was desperate to see the social dynamic of the room, as I was desperately in search of a new way to torture, I mean cure, my patients, and I had heard tales of the stress that accompanied this class.
The group I sat down with was working diligently, attempting to pick an answer out of the multiple choice packet. They barely acknowledged my presence they were so absorbed in their work, frantically discussing the options. I then understood- it was a competition! I had to get in on this game. So I joined the team and read the question they were debating, when one individual, a young man, suggested they just guess on a difficult question. I refused and exclaimed, “‘You’ll do more than guess!’” (98). I was now determined. My team would win.
However, as the discussion time went on, the conversation became more and more intense. The debate became hostile as me and the boy, whom I learned was named Dominic, became more persistent with his answers. When we disagreed on one answer, he even told me “I enjoy telling people they’re wrong” (2nd Quarter). This set me off, and I screamed to the person next to me, “‘He will insist on acting foolish!’” (177). The child then fell rather ungracefully from his chair, only to scramble to the corner of the room in sheer terror. Now this game was getting fun.
That is, however, until the final score tallies were put on the board. My unsuccessful, horrendous, preposterous team finished in last by ten points.
I dislike losing.
I ran to the gentlemen and screamed as loud as I could, “‘I hope you’re finally satisfied!’” (318). I stormed from the room, and I will never return to that classroom again, not even by threat of lobotomy.
Brooke! I also did a parallel of a multiple choice game, but Bromden was the guest classmate. This was so funny! Nurse Ratched made a comical addition to the class, it reminded me of when Ms. Serensky became a student during our poetry lessons. Not that I'm making any comparisons...
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