These Times

A one-scene play

It’s late afternoon in a principal’s office at an expensive private middle school. In attendance are the principal, an 11-year-old boy, and the boy’s mother and father. The boy faces possible expulsion for several alleged offenses.

PRINCIPAL: Let’s get to it, shall we? We’re all here to figure out what will be most helpful …

SON: I didn’t do it! Whatever they say I did, I didn’t do it. They’re liars. You can’t prove I did anything wrong!

MOTHER (patting her son’s knee): Now, now. I’m sure you didn’t, but let’s hear what your principal has to say.

FATHER (staring at his son): Y...