This Class Has Reached Its Climax

(It’s the last class of the day on the first day back. Over the holidays we were supposed to each create a presentation on the same artist, and after that, different groups would argue points that are either positive or negative about the art. Not many people did the work, so the teacher ends up dropping the presentation part completely and just asks the opinions of the groups instead. Before we leave, the teacher takes a moment to talk to the class about the original lesson plan, and ends with this.)

Teacher: “Well, I’m sorry we couldn’t do the debate. I know you were looking forward to it. But we did do it a little bit, didn’t we? Just not a mass debate like—”

(A couple of students and I start giggling.)

Teacher: “What?”

Student: “Mass debate.”

(Everyone else realises and laughs, too, including the teacher.)

Teacher: “All right, go home.”