17
CYNTHIA: (shrugs) Okay.
(CYNTHIA begins to dress in her school uniform.)
MOTHER: I think that's the best idea. It's getting close
to the end of the year and you can't afford to
start missing out on work. That reminds me, have
you got the results back from that maths test
you did last week?
CYNTHIA: Yeah.
MOTHER: Well, how did you go?
CYNTHIA: Not very well.
MOTHER: What mark did you get?
CYNTHIA: Charlene beat me.
MOTHER: Oh well, still, you've been ahead of her all year
haven't you?
CYNTHIA: I s'pose.
MOTHER: How much did she beat you by?
CYNTHIA: Look I don't want to talk about it now, okay.
MOTHER: (holding up her hands) Okay, fine. Look, I'm glad
you're taking your schoolwork seriously but...
CYNTHIA: But what?
MOTHER: Well, you seem to be being a bit hard on yourself.
Just because in one test, Charlene gets-
CYNTHIA: Mum, you don't know what you're talking about.
MOTHER: Oh okay, fine. I don't know what I'm talking
about. I'm a moron. (turns to exit) Just get
you're school uniform on and get ready for school.
(exits)
(Lights change as MOTHER and BECKY exit and
CYNTHIA finds her place in the classroom.)
SCENE 2:
A classroom. CYNTHIA, CHARLENE and JO are sitting
at tables, the teacher, MR BENSON is standing.
The other girls have their heads down and are working
studiously while CYNTHIA's eyes are wandering and she seems
distracted. MR BENSON notices and walks over.)
MR BENSON: How are you getting on there, Cynthia?
CYNTHIA: Oh, fine.
