Pay It Forward2000

Arlene McKinney:
Mr. Simonet?

Eugene Simonet:
Yes, I'm Eugene . . .

[He turns around and sees Arlene.]

Eugene Simonet:
. . . uh, Simonet. [A beat.]

Arlene McKinney:
Hello.

Eugene Simonet:
Hello. [A beat.]

Arlene McKinney:
What is this assignment?

Eugene Simonet:
'Scuse me?

Arlene McKinney:
What did you tell my son to make him bring a homeless man into my house? [A beat.]

Eugene Simonet:
Uh, I have two problems. One, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about and two, I don't know who you are.

Arlene McKinney:
Arlene McKinney. My boy is in your social studies class. Trevor.

Eugene Simonet:
Trevor. He's very attentive. He's very, uh, exigent, which I like. [A beat. He notices some confusion on Arlene's face.] Exigent. It's challenging, testing -

Arlene McKinney:
I know what it means. Would you like to tell me why my kid brought a bum into my house?

Eugene Simonet:
I have no idea.

Arlene McKinney:
Bullshit.

Eugene Simonet:
Mrs. McKinney, I don't know how your son interpreted the assignment.

Arlene McKinney:
How do you think he interpreted it? [A beat.]

Eugene Simonet:
Well, I don't know. My suggestion to you is if you wanna know, why don't you go home and talk to your son?

Arlene McKinney:
Hey! I talked to him.

Eugene Simonet:
Really? Then, why did you come all the way down here to ask me what the assignment is? [A beat. He points to the board.] It's not a state secret. [A beat.]

Arlene McKinney:
Yeah? And? [A beat.]

Eugene Simonet:
It's an assignment I give out at the beginning of every year to inspire. I don't expect them to actually change the world.

Arlene McKinney:
You don't expect them to change the -

Eugene Simonet:
Excuse me. It's to get them to think, not walk on water. It's a very good assignment.

Arlene McKinney:
You give them an assignment you don't think they can do? What kinda teacher are you?

Eugene Simonet:
I didn't say that. You know, they make attempts. Every now and then, they clean up a little graffiti before they lose interest -

Arlene McKinney:
Hey! This is my kid. You don't know him. [A beat.] You tell him he can do something, and he's gonna believe you. And when he can't, it's gonna wipe him out. They oughta fire your ass outta here right now.

Eugene Simonet:
Well, they probably won't do that because I fill a very excellent quota. I'm just this side of parking in the blue zone.

Arlene McKinney:
Oh, so you think you can do whatever you want just 'cause your face is messed up? [A beat.]

Eugene Simonet:
Mrs. McKinney, why don't you put down in writing your little and loud complaints, and I'll make sure they get put in the suggestion box. [A beat.]

Arlene McKinney:
Jesus. You are really somethin'.

Eugene Simonet:
Thanks. I appreciate the euphemism. I always wanted to be somethin'.