"Do you want something else for dinner?"
"What?"
"You don't like the casserole?"
"It's great. I was thinking about the class. I'm really trying to empathize. I've always been an overachiever, so I can't understand how they can be stagnant."
"They're not like you. You should pity them."
"Why?"
"They're not smart or motivated to accomplish anything. Why do you think they're in the ghetto and uneducated? They don't want better circumstances."
"That's racist."
"I'm a bigot for being honest? Look at their neighborhoods? There is trash everywhere. It's not like they graduated in a tough job market. Those people aren't trying to improve. I really think you're wasting time teaching them anything."
"I want them to succeed. I don't know how they can with so much baggage."
"Are you going to let that class takeover your thoughts?"
"No."
"Is Marcus still poaching?"
"Yes, and my answer isn't changing. I can't deal with impoverished communities every day. I want to help, but I don't want their issues to affect my mental health."
"He should hire a few people from the class. Why hasn't he offered since he cares so much about poor neighborhoods?"
"That's a great idea."
"He probably won't."
"He might consider it."
"Livvie, Marcus is doing this for accolades. He doesn't want uneducated slackers working for him."
"He should offer them a job if they complete the program and enroll in community college. Maybe a receptionist or mail clerk. It would be a step up from Gettysburger."
"You really care about this class?"
"I want to understand why they choose to stay in poverty."
"You're better than me Olivia. I wouldn't waste my time. Don't let them pull you down to their level. If you get gold teeth and a baby daddy we are not getting married."
"The ghetto jokes are not funny."