KHADIM: What are you talking about? I’m not lying.

DANIELSON: No, you are. About pretty much everything.

KHADIM: I’m not a liar, Dr. Danielson.

DANIELSON: (calmly, matter of fact) Well, let’s see. You told me you voted in the school election, but you didn’t. I know you didn’t. Because I have a list of every student’s name who didn’t vote in the school election. I have a list of 2,103 names, and you’re one of them.

Isn’t that interesting?

And then I asked you about cross-country and you gave me this story about being overwhelmed with your studies. But I know that you were kicked off the team for smoking. And I also know you were kicked off for smoking with Mike Dozier. A.k.a. “The Doze.” We know all about The Doze here in the vice-principal’s office. How well do you know The Doze?

KHADIM: Mike?

DANIELSON: The Doze.

KHADIM: We ran together.

DANIELSON: And you were kicked off together. For smoking.

We know all about The Doze.

(pantomines smoking a joint) Smokey smokey? Yeah, that’s right, marijuana.

The walls have ears, you know? The walls at Sheffield High are very perceptive. So, I wonder if you’re using drugs.

KHADIM: I don’t do drugs!

DANIELSON: Well, now you can see that the trust established between us has been weakened.

And then there’s this business about your parents being at work, when I know for a fact that they are both back in Saudi Arabia right now and that they will be staying there for a month and in that time, you have the house to yourself.

KHADIM: How do you know that?

DANIELSON: Here’s what else I know: Although you claimed that this weekend you were “studying,” I know that you threw a party, attended by many Sheffield students, and that there was alcohol and drugs / all over the . . .

KHADIM: / That’s a lie! That’s not true—

DANIELSON: Now calm down. What you do off campus is your business. But I have some more questions for you, and I’d like you to make an attempt to be honest with me. Okay?

(beat) Okay, Khadim?

KHADIM: Okay.

DANIELSON: Do you understand where I’m coming from?

KHADIM: No.

DANIELSON: I know more than you think I know.

I just do.

KHADIM: Fine.

DANIELSON: All you kids think that we’re in the dark about your crazy secret social lives. But we watch you very carefully and we have systems to keep track of you. I don’t want to alarm you, but just be careful. Don’t lie to me or I’ll know.

KHADIM: Okay.

DANIELSON: I’m not trying to be a tough guy here.

KHADIM: I know.

DANIELSON: I’m just a shepherd, that’s how I always look at myself. A shepherd. And you: You are all my sheep.

KHADIM: Okay.

DANIELSON: Are you all right? You look tired.

KHADIM: I’m tired.

DANIELSON: Stressed out.

KHADIM: I’m glad its spring break.

DANIELSON: Of course. Of course. It’s been . . . an eventful semester. (beat) It’s been a . . . well, it’s been . . . tough.