Nobody Beats the 11-10
(Annie is holding a piece of paper, looking down at it and smiling slightly.)
Annie: Full credit again!
(Frederick walks up holding a similar piece of paper, a smirk on his face.
Annie sees him, rolls her eyes, then turns to face him.)
Annie: (aside) Oh, here he comes, the Eleven of Ten. (to Frederick) Hey, Fred.
(Frederick looks dignified and offended.)
Frederick: Please, call me Frederick – or better yet, Mr. Vernon. Or better yet – The Eleven of Ten.
(Annie rolls her eyes again.)
Annie: So...um…Mr. Vernon, what did you get on the test?
Frederick: (waving paper dramatically) What do I always get?
Annie: Eleven out of ten?
Frederick: You guessed it! And what’s more…there wasn’t even any extra
credit available. That means I did such a good job, Mrs. Shelby thought I deserved an extra point.
(Annie sighs and looks down at her own paper, and makes a movement to hide it behind her back. Fred reaches around and snatches it.)
Frederick: Wow, Annie! (mockingly) Amazing. Ten out of ten again. (patronizingly) Really, Annie, what is this going to do for your scholarship application? You really need to quit being mediocre and start being outstanding, or you’ll have no chance at the scholarship at all.
(Annie snatches the paper from Frederick angrily)
Annie: Get your stupid nose out of my business, jerk.
Frederick: (petulantly)Just because I’m smart doesn’t mean everybody needs to hate me.
Annie: Believe me, Fred, it’s not your degree of intelligence that so endears you to people. (sarcastically) It’s more your charming personality and ability to make other people feel important.
(Frederick looks down at his paper and a shocked expression comes across his face. Annie, who has turned away, slowly looks back, curiosity overcoming her irritation.)
Frederick: Wait…I don’t believe this! I must have…did I…I couldn’t have… (he rubs his eyes and shakes his head, then looks at the paper again.)
Annie: What? What’s wrong?
Frederick: I misread the paper! I only got a nine on the test!
(Annie grins, then quickly tries to mask the smile in sympathy. She pats Frederick on the shoulder.)
Annie: It’s okay, Mr. Vernon. Even gods make mistakes, according to Greek mythology.
(Frederick sobs brokenly for a few moments…then he suddenly looks up and grins wickedly at the startled Annie.)
Frederick: I fooled you, Annie! Ha, you actually thought I’d be less than perfect! How wrong you were!
(Annie recoils from him, disgust on her face.)
Annie: Were you seriously joking?
Frederick: No, Annie, I was lightheartedly joking.
Annie: Why would you do that, you weirdo?
Frederick: Just a little friendly fun! Lighten up, Annie. (he punches her shoulder, laughing, and she winces)
Annie: It’s hard to lighten up when the rest of my life depends on whether or not I get A’s.
Frederick: Well, just remember that no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be better than me.
Annie: Oh, wow. (sarcastically) Thanks for that valuable piece of encouraging advice.
Frederick: (sing-song chant) You can’t beat the Eleven of Ten. Nobody beats the Eleven of Ten. (Frederick exits and Annie stares after him, then slowly tears her paper to pieces.)
