Now then girls, do you know why I’ve asked you here at lunchtime?

(Guiltily) Have we been naughty Miss?

(Whispering to Kelly) Sshh! She doesn’t know about the thing

(Whispering back) What thing?

You know, (nudges Kelly) … the thingamabob!

Oh, …. you mean the stink bomb …..

SSSHHH!

What are you two whispering about? KELLY & LOTTIE: Nothing Miss, really, no nothing Miss Pembleton (at different times)
(In a stern voice) Good, then I’ll tell you!! KELLY & LOTTIE: (Quietly) Oh dear! Oh no! (at different times) Eeek (face)!
Now then, you’ve both been shortlisted for the ISMC!

I’m sorry Miss what’s the IMSC?

ISMC! The Inter-Schools Mathematics Competition.

Oh wow that’s great thanks Miss, what do we have to do?

Are we doing it together Miss?

Well, therein lies the dilemma!

(Whispering again) What’s a dilemma, Lottie?

It’s a ‘problem’ Kelly.

What’s a problem?

A dilemma … derrr … the word dilemma means a problem!! (Taps her head)

Will you two stop whispering at once!! KELLY & LOTTIE: Yes Miss, sorry Miss! (at different times)
Now then. I can only choose one of you to become the Schools’ Team leader for the ISMC. (Proudly) The Inter-Schools Mathematics Competition!! You’re both very good at Mathematics, but only one of you will be chosen today, and this is the time to show me ‘what you’re both made of’ - under pressure!

Well, without wanting to boast Miss, but under pressure, I really think I’m probably the best at Maths, I mean Lottie is great at English and spelling, but there’s just no competition when it comes to Maths!!

No competition, excuse me!!?? We’ll soon see about that Miss Arithmetician!!

Now then girls, stop arguing, we’ll soon sort this out. We’ll find out who’s the best ‘Arithmetician’!! Right .. this is a quick fire answer competition between you both, are you both ready? KELLY & LOTTIE: Of course, bring it on, ready, fire away, Yeahh!! (at different times)
50 x 50?

(Immediately) 2500!

(Sullenly) Hmmff! Lucky! Good guess!!

75 x 50?

(Quick as lightning) 3,750!

Oh for goodness sake .. are you going to give us a difficult one please Miss?

Well, I thought they were quite difficult actually! Try this one. 144 divided by 12?

(Immediately) 14 .. that’s so easy Miss!! Huh!!

Kelly?

It’s 12 Miss. The square-root of 144 is 12, so 12 12’s are 144.

Yes, that’s correct Kelly, well done!

(Whispers) Smarty pants!!

Well it seems we have our team leader. Well done Kelly!!

How do you know all this stuff??

I’m just a genius! (Spells out) G E N I O U S!

You may be a genius at maths, but you’re certainly not at spelling. You spell Genius .. (Spells out) G E N I U S!!!!!

Very good Lottie, and why is that?

Because Genius comes directly from the Latin, and a word like ingenuous or ingenue comes from French derivation, which was later than the Roman influences on our language, of course!! … Miss!

Whoo! Brilliant Lottie! You’re now the team leader for the ISSC.

Let me guess!! The Inter-School Spelling Competition?

Yes!

Hhmmff! Whatever, you’re soo good at spelling, aren’t you! (Walks off)

(Tongue in cheek, calling after her) Kelly .. I think that’s a little ... disingenuous of you! MISS PEMBLETON & LOTTIE: (Laugh together)

Miss Pembleton?

Yes Lottie?

Could I say that Kelly is a disingenuous genius?

You could Lottie, you most certainly could! Now off you go now. (Lottie goes back out to her lunch break)
Phew!!! (With a half whistle) I’ve got two geniuses on my plate!! … Or is it Genii?