Student: May I ask you a big, big favor?
Me: Okay, ask away!
Student: I printed out one of my plays. I am a playwright, you see—unpublished as yet. But one of my plays has already been staged during our clan reunion. Can you please read it, and tell what you think? I am sure I will learn a lot from you.
Me: (To myself) I used to write plays in college because I was taking up drama, but I have not written one in eons. (To him) Sure, let me read through it. I will give it back to you, with my comments, on my next teaching day—three days from now.
Student: Ohhh, thank you so much, Ms. I really appreciate it.
Three days later . . .
Me: (Handing him back his script) I sure did.
Student: What do you think?
Me: Well, I have questions and wrote them down on the margins.
Student: Questions like what?
Me: Well, your language is bold—a lot of cursing—and your sex scenes are explicit. Who is your audience? I mean, for whom did you write this play?
Student: (Gesturing wildly and proudly) Everybody!
Me: Anybody at all?
Student: Yup.
Me: Including pastors, priests, and nuns?
Student: Uh . . .
Me: How about an 80-year-old grandma, would she relate to it?
Student: Uh . . .
Me: And kids, grade school kids, would they understand it?
Student: Uh . . .
Me: Think through those questions and get back to me. After you've answered them, I will give you my comments.
Student: (Perplexed) Uh . . . Uh . . .
Me: See you around!
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