Easy as A-B-C

[Mustang Mimi 04]

I wrote this a while ago (before I had seen the episode where Tootie finds out
Jeff can't read) and wasn't trying to copy or anything. Hope you like it!

Easy as A-B-C?
Natalie comes into the kitchen.
Nat: Mrs. Garret- I’m getting together with Patrick Stevens to work on a project after dinner tonight so I’ll be getting back a little late.
Tootie: Oooooh Patrick Stevens- well hopefully you’ll get some work done.
Nat: We will, don’t you worry about that.
Mrs. G: Ok- but do focus on the project (she gives a wink).
Nat: Right.
That night in the library. Natalie has six books next to her. Patrick walks over.
Patrick: Hi Nat.
Nat: Hi. Well we have to do a report on Athena. I’ve picked out these books so we can get an understanding of both the gods and goddesses of Greece and a little history of Athens. So lets get started. You wanna look through the book on Greece and I’ll look up about the gods?
Patrick sits down and picks up a book.
Patrick: Sure.
Nat: Umm- you’ve got the wrong book. I was going to read about gods and you were going to read about Athens.
Patrick: Oh sorry I thought you said the other way around. Here you go.
Nat picks up the book on Greece and hands it to Patrick as he hands Natalie the book he has.
About twenty minutes has gone by.
Nat: Ok you want to exchange the info we learned?
Patrick: Sure.
Nat: Ok so what should we include about Athens?
Patrick: Oh I don’t know- this book wasn’t very good.
Nat: Really- when I looked through it, I saw a lot of information on Athens.
Patrick: Well I’m not too good at skimming- maybe if I brought it home tonight then I’d be able to help you out tomorrow.
Nat (a little annoyed that they didn’t get anywhere): Alright. Well do you want to meet at the same time here tomorrow?
Patrick: Ok.
They leave. Nat comes in the door.
Tootie: So how was your study date?
Nat (snaps): It wasn’t a date!
Tootie: Well soooorrrrry- what’s the matter with you?
Nat: Oh nothing- its just that this is turning out to be a disaster- I’m going to end up having to do all the work.
Tootie: Really? Did he refuse to do anything?
Nat: No but we looked at books for twenty minutes and one would think he did absolutely nothing. I wrote up two pages of notes and he just said that he didn’t get any information from the books. He took one home but I don’t really have much confidence that he’ll magically get more info.
Tootie: That’s lousy. I’m sorry Nat.
Jo (punching fist into hand): You want me to find this Patrick person and have a -ahem- talk with him?
Nat: No, that’s ok. At least if I do the whole thing I’ll deserve the grade we get.
Tootie: That’s typical Natalie- always looking at the bright side of things. (Tootie gives Natalie a smile)
Next day- Natalie goes to the library again and finds Patrick there already.
Nat: Hi- did you find out any information?
Patrick: Yes I sure did.
He starts telling her a lot of information on the history of Athens. Ten minutes later he stops talking.
Patrick: Was that enough information?
Nat: Yes- whew- talk about writers cramp. How did you learn all that?
Patrick: It was in the book you gave me. I told you I learn a lot more when I can have time to read the stuff.
Nat: Ok well I have a lot of stuff too- you want me to read it to you and you write it down?
Patrick: Umm- well- I sprained my wrist a few days ago. I can’t really write too well.
Nat: Oh. I’m sorry. Ok well I’ll write it out.
Natalie starts writing and telling her information at the same time. Another ten minutes goes by then she stops.
Nat: Ok well I think we’re done. Do you want to type it up? Oh right- your wrist- does it hurt too much to type too?
Patrick: Yeah sort of.
Nat: Ok don’t worry about it. How about you read it over and make sure it sounds ok then I guess I’ll type it tonight and we’ll hand it in tomorrow.
Patrick: Umm ok.
Patrick takes the notebook and is holding it upside down. His eyes are shifting back and forth like they are reading. Natalie’s smile drops away and her face looks dead serious. Patrick puts the notebook down and looks up as if he was done.
Patrick: Sounds great! What’s wrong?
Nat: Patrick- you can’t read can you?
Patrick: What are you talking about? Of course I can read. We’re in the eleventh grade for goodness sakes! Who’s ever heard of someone not being able to read in the eleventh grade? I’ve got to go- you type it up and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Nat: Wait-
Patrick leaves. Natalie is very concerned. She goes back home and is pacing around the living room.
Mrs. G: What’s wrong Natalie? (Laughs) I haven’t seen you this uptight since you thought the pastries were running out.
Natalie: This is a serious matter Mrs. Garret.
Mrs. G: Sorry- what’s up?
Natalie: How can someone go through life without having learned to read?
Mrs. G: I don’t think I’m following you.
Nat: Well, Patrick- the guy who I’m doing the report with- I don’t think he can read.
Mrs. G: What makes you think that?
Nat: Well he is always avoiding any type of reading aloud or writing. And when he was “rereading” my notes he had the notebook upside down. Either he really felt like a challenge or he can’t read.
Mrs. G: Oh I see. Well some people are good at tricking others. He probably is wonderful at memorizing and just memorizes things.
Nat: That’s true- he was going on and on for about ten minutes on information today and he didn’t even have notes!
Mrs. G: Well I think your assumption about his reading capabilities is probably correct. You would make a great detective Natalie!
Nat: Thanks Mrs. G- but seriously, is there anything we can do to help him?
Mrs. G: Well obviously he would need to accept the help- but yes there are reading programs. Since he obviously is very bright- he could probably easily pick up reading. However you first have to make him admit to you that he can’t read.
Nat: That’ll be a tough one. Well thanks.
Next day in class.
Nat: Hi Patrick!
Patrick: Hi. I’d like to talk to you after class if you don’t mind.
Nat: No problem.
The bell rings to dismiss the class.
Patrick: Ok- you found out my secret. No one knows except for my best friend James. My parents don’t even know.
Nat: How can you keep that type of secret.
Patrick: Well its easier with projects cause I pretend I can’t type or I’ve
hurt myself. James helps me out a lot- he writes up stuff that needs to get
handed in. There are other tricks to the trade too.
Nat: well how did you magically read that book I gave you?
Patrick: Oh- I got that book on tape. I do that a lot.
Nat: You memorized the entire book?
Patrick: Just enough to convince you I’ve read the book. I can memorize a lot.
Nat: Well I was talking with Mrs. Garret and she said that there are reading
programs out there. You are really smart and could get real far if you would
learn how to read. She said it probably wouldn’t be too hard since you are
real sharp.
Patrick: I don’t need your help. Although now I’m sure my secret will be all
over the school soon.
Nat: Why would you think that?
Patrick: You don’t think I’d believe you could keep this a secret do you?
Nat: I’m not the type to spread rumors around.
Patrick: No but you live with Tootie Ramsey and she is.
Nat: I wouldn’t tell anyone that you can’t read.
Patrick: You already told Mrs. Garret.
Nat: Your right. But that’s cause I was concerned for you. Neither she nor I
will tell another soul. But I do urge you to get some help. I think you’d
find studying and schoolwork a lot easier if you weren’t constantly in a battle
with words.
Patrick: Well it’s not your problem. And I’d appreciate it if you did keep it
quiet. I’ll see you later.
Patrick leaves the room. Natalie is upset but she gives up and leaves.
Later.
The doorbell rings.
Mrs. G answers the door.
Mrs. G: Hello?
Patrick: Hi I’m Patrick Stevens. A -er- friend of Natalie’s. Is she here?
Mrs. G: Yes she is. Please come in. (shouts upstairs) Natalie! Someone’s
here for you.
Natalie comes downstairs.
Nat: Patrick! Why are you here?
Patrick: I was wondering. Do you honestly believe I could really do something
with my life?
Nat: Yes I do. Your clever, hardworking, and have the potential to go far.
Patrick: Well if you have this much faith in me, I suppose I should have that
much faith in myself. And I should give myself every chance I can. So I was
wondering if you could ask about when and where I could get signed up for a
reading program.
Nat (smiles): Sure. I have a booklet on different reading programs. I was
really hoping you’d change your mind. You want to look at them?
Patrick: That would be great.
They go over to the couch, sit down and start looking through brochures. The
credits start rolling as they flip through the panflips.
THE END

[BlairandJo]

I love it!!!!!!!!!;o)

[LiL_Miss_Goodwrench_815]

that was great!

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Jo: there are two things we dont joke bout, the yankess and wht roy just did to me!
*~Katie~*