Notes from the Life of a Total Genius (13 page)

I think Dad was glad that he didn’t have to go, but he did seem a bit sad about it when I told him that it was way cooler this semester. I asked him if he wanted to rejoin, but he said he was going to stick to something more passive. It’s probably for the best. To be honest, RJ, I didn’t really want him to come back anyway.

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean

January 30th

Dear RJ,

Rehearsal was good today. Von was less annoying, but I think that’s because he has strep throat so he’s not allowed to talk very much. I watched a couple of other rehearsals too while I was waiting for Dad to pick me up, and my play is definitely going to be the best. I just kind of wish I could be in my own play! Hark says that we need to learn how to work with others as directors, and that it’s good to hear our words in other voices. He’s probably right, even though I have to remind myself of this every time Von says his lines wrong and I have to correct him. I tried to tell him exactly how to say the lines to make them funny, but he never does the same voice as I do.

In other good news, Kennedy seems to have forgiven me for the New Year’s resolution article. She was being super fun and hilarious in today’s newspaper meeting. She even touched my shoulder at one point when she was laughing about something I said. So that’s definitely a step in the right direction. I think maybe she is waiting for me to extend an olive branch so that we can be real friends again.

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean

From: Arthur Bean ([email protected])

To: Kennedy Laurel ([email protected])

Sent: February 2, 9:30

Dear Kennedy,

Happy Groundhog Day!

I don’t know if you’re busy, but I was thinking of watching this movie called
Groundhog Day
today. It’s really old, but it’s really funny. I know you love funny movies, and I bet you haven’t seen this one! Let me know if you want to come over. I’m home all day, so whenever works for you. It’ll be like old times!

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean

From: Kennedy Laurel ([email protected])

To: Arthur Bean ([email protected])

Sent: February 2, 17:17

Hi Arthur,

I actually hate Bill Murray! I can’t believe that people like him! I don’t think he’s funny at all! He just smirks all the time! My brother made me watch a bunch of his movies a couple of years ago and I’ve made sure to NEVER watch another one LOL!

But I really hope you enjoy your movie!!

Kennedy :)

February 2nd

Dear RJ,

I really wanted someone to watch
Groundhog Day
with me today, but there was no one around. I tried a bunch of people. I got so desperate that I even considered calling Von, but c’mon, RJ, I’m not a sucker for torture! I don’t have Millie or Joie’s phone numbers, but even if I did, I don’t know if I would have called them. RJ, I don’t know how to make friends. Like, how do I invite them over without it sounding like a date? And what if they laugh at me and say no?

Anyway, in the end, the three people I asked were busy, so now I’m just waiting for Dad to get home. I know he’ll watch it with me. He loves Bill Murray. But still, I’m a guy whose only plans this weekend were watching a movie with his dad.

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean

February 7th

Dear RJ,

You won’t believe it; I am SO MAD at Kraleigh.

We were rehearsing this afternoon after school, and we were just coming to the big climax scene when she walked into the Drama room. She stood in the doorway, leaning on it, listening. I didn’t really want her to see my play, but I also thought she should see that I am a great director and a great writer, so we kept going. But after we were done, she walked all the way in and demanded to speak to Hark. He was in the other room, helping Georgia and Simon develop their romance play. (It’s so boring right now. It’s basically them making out and telling each other that they love each other, the same way they do at the back of homeroom every morning.) ANYWAY, Kraleigh stormed in there and pulled Hark out into the hall. They were out there for a long time, but eventually only Hark came back in and said that we had to put a pause on rehearsals for the time being.

You know why?!? She thought my play was too violent!!!

Hark told us that she was questioning some of the content in our plays, and that she wanted to read them over before they were performed publically. And she only saw mine, so she clearly hates me and wants to ruin my life. I can’t think of anything other than the fact that some guy dies that would be questionable. And it’s not questionable; it’s funny!!

I wanted to yell at her, but Kraleigh had already left, and Hark was trying so hard to stay calm about it. I wanted to scream, but I know it’s not Hark’s fault that she’s so awful.

I can’t believe that she would stoop to this level. She should be more professional! I’m pretty sure it’s against the law for teachers to have personal vendettas against students. I wonder if there’s someone I could complain to, maybe the head of the school board or something. This is totally unfair. We’ve been working on these plays for so long! Not only that, but Hark already okayed all the plays. He’s the Drama teacher, not Kraleigh. He should get the final say!

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean

From: Von Ipo ([email protected])

To: Arthur Bean ([email protected])

Sent: February 8, 11:07

Hey, Arthur!

Bummer about yesterday, hey? I hope we get to start up again soon! You seemed really mad, which I get. But I guess she’s kind of got a point. The school basically has a no-gun policy, so it probably counts for the theatre department too. But still, what a crappy thing to have happen.

I was thinking that if we can’t do our plays as plays, you and I could make them into movies! Bet Hark would let us do that if we asked. Especially if you’re involved. I think you’re like his fave student!

Von

Assignment: Superstitions

We’re starting
Macbeth
this week! I think you’ll enjoy the elements of the supernatural, the bloody battles and treasonous acts found in this Shakespearean tragedy. We’re going to take our time reading this play, and studying different aspects of Shakespeare, and the unit will culminate with a field trip; we’ll get the chance to see
Macbeth
at Theatre Calgary later this year!

A main theme in
Macbeth
is one of superstition. In fact, in the acting community, saying the word “Macbeth” is considered unlucky, so you’ll often hear it referred to as “The Scottish Play.” Write a one-page reflective essay on superstitions. What are some superstitions that you have heard about? Provide examples of superstitions people you know believe. Do
you
believe in superstitions? Why or why not?

Due: February 17

February 11th

Dear RJ,

I stopped in to talk to Hark today at lunch and see what was happening with our Leg Breakers plays. He seemed so stressed out! He said that we would just have to wait and see. He felt so bad that this was happening. He said that he should have known better and that he screwed up because he told us to push the envelope with our pieces. But that’s not true, and I told him so! He’s been the best teacher I’ve ever had, and I think that he’s awesome. He smiled and thanked me for saying so, but said that we would see what the future holds, and that, even if we couldn’t do our plays, we would find something equally great to do.

But I’m going to do my play. We’re going to make it happen, even if it’s without Hark. I don’t plan to be stopped by just a lowly principal!

Yours truly,

Arthur Bean