Monday at school*

Everyone is waiting for class to start and are confused when a man they don't recognize walks in and starts writing his name on the board*

Good morning students. My name is Mr. Patriot. I will be substituting for the whole week. Miss Collins is at a teacher's convention in San Fransisco. Don't worry you're in good hands. I have a military background and will take pleasure in disciplining anyone who shows even an ounce of disrespect. Is that clear?

They all collectively respond with a polite yes but he doesn't like that and turns around* I said is that clear cadets?!

Yes sir! "Everyone says scared of his sudden mood change"

Good "Mr. Patriot says" Now turn in your textbooks to page 255. We're gonna be studying astrology in earth science. And why Pluto is a planet despite disbelief

Actually sir "Logan says nervously" Pluto really isn't a planet

Excuse me "Mr. Patriot says"

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded the status of Pluto to that of a dwarf planet because it did not meet the three criteria the IAU uses to define a full-sized planet. Essentially Pluto meets all the criteria except one—it "has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects."

"Logan says"

Oh really? Do you work for NASA? Are you an astronomer? Do you constantly stare through a telescope observing what's happening in the solar system? "Mr. Patriot says"

Logan: Well um…no but-

Then you have no business lecturing me about it "Mr. Patriot says" After school detention for you

Logan gasps*

That's not fair! "Katie says angrily standing up"

And who might you be? "Mr. Patriot says"

I'm Katie and I'm his sister and what you just did to him isn't fair. You can't give him detention for being right "Katie says"

What makes you think he's right? "Mr. Patriot says"

His Uncle Charlie works for NASA. He's way more experienced than you when it comes to what planets do or don't exist. You're just a substitute teacher. He's a scientist with 5 degrees "Katie says"

I will not be talked to so disrespectfully in my classroom! After school detention for you too! NOW SIT DOWN YOU BRAT! "Mr. Patriot says"

Class resumes and he refuses to let them eat outside for lunch and doesn't adjust the air conditioner when it gets to hot in the classroom*

In the lobby*

Katie and Logan sit in the chairs under his supervision while they wait for Ms. Knight*

Thanks for standing up for me. You didn't have to do that. You got in trouble too "Logan says"

I had to do something. No one else was saying anything "Katie says"

Keep your mouths shut. You're in detention. Did you forget that? "Mr. Patriot says"

Did you forget we're not in a classroom and we talk freely as we want? "Katie says"

With that nasty attitude of yours it's a mystery your mother hasn't shipped you off to a facility that disciplines children "Mr. Patriot says"

Isn't school disciplinary enough? "Katie says" I know my rights! You can't keep me or Logan locked up in detention. We didn't do anything wrong

Ms. Knight finally arrives* So sorry I'm late. Yoga class was running 15 minutes over the ending time. What's going on here?

Are you the mother of these children? "Mr. Patriot says"

Yes. I'm Katie's mother and Logan's guardian. His parents are in Minnesota. Did something bad happen? Why are these two with you? "Ms. Knight says"

It's not our fault mom! He's evil! "Katie says"

They both openly mocked me in front of the class. Challenging my ability to explain that Pluto is in fact a planet "Mr. Patriot says"

You're wrong "Ms. Knight says"

Excuse me "Mr. Patriot says"

You had no right punishing them for getting their facts right. Take that detention away so they can go upstairs and do their homework. Logan also has rehearsal later "Ms. Knight says"

Why are you defending these undisciplined children? "Mr. Patriot says"

Are you a parent? Have you ever taken care of a child? "Ms. Knight says"

No ma'am "Mr. Patriot says" I like my solitude

So do I. I'm a single mother who was waitress in Minnesota and in a span of a few months I'm packing everything I own to move here to Los Angela so my son and his friends can pursue their singing dream. I take care of 4 teenage boys and a 10 year old girl all by myself. And I'm very busy. I'm their doctor, driver, therapist, teacher, and shoulder to cry on. I've gotten them to all their hockey practices and any ice rink here in California. When I do find time to relax I want to enjoy it. I can't do that when I'm 45 minutes away and rushing down here under the assumption my kids broke a school rule when the truth is their teacher is mad that they enlightened him on the fact that Pluto isn't a planet anymore. That is ridiculous. Miss Collins will know about this. Take off those detentions "Ms. Knight says"

Ok ma'am. It's canceled "Mr. Patriot says" They're free to go

Good "Ms. Knight says"

Katie and Logan grab their book bags and run to the elevator*