Prof. Litigation: Who can tell us what happened in today's case? How about ... (consults seating chart) ... Mr. Rivera.

Mr. Rivera: Uh ... I'll take a pass today.

Prof. Litigation: OK. How about ... (finding name of adjacent student on chart) ... Ms. Holden.

Ms. Holden: I'm sorry, but I didn't read it.

Prof. Litigation: Ah ... (finding next name) ... Ms. Jenkins?

Ms. Jenkins: I really don't know.

Prof. Litigation: OK ... (in admirably even temper) ... Mr. Goldstein?

Mr. Goldstein: I didn't read it either. Sorry.

Prof. Litigation: What's that?

Mr. Goldstein: (more sheepish) I didn't read it.

Prof. Litigation: Ah, I see ... who's next ... (irritation creeping in) ... Ms. Ogilvy?

Ms. Ogilvy: Um ... I don't know.

Prof. Litigation: (balanced between annoyance and fascination) Then ... Mr. Lewis?

Mr. Lewis: (accurately describes case & averts academic crisis)

07 Sep 05