by Avi
8:02 P.M.
Phone Conversation between Margaret Narwin and Her Sister, Anita Wigham
MISS NARWIN: Hello?
ANITA WIGHAM: Peg!
MISS NARWIN: Anita, yes, dear, what is it? What’s the matter?
ANITA WIGHAM: I … I …
MISS NARWIN: What is it?
ANITA WIGHAM: I was just reading the evening paper—and right on page one … is this story—it’s this story about you!
MISS NARWIN: What are you talking about?
ANITA WIGHAM: It’s right here.
MISS NARWIN: Are you sure?
ANITA WIGHAM: Absolutely sure. It must be everywhere.
MISS NARWIN: What does it say?
ANITA WIGHAM: I’ll read it. It’s so awful, Peg. It says, “KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL FOR PATRIOTISM.” That’s the headline. It’s just one of those boxed stories. But it’s on the front page. “Harrison, New Hampshire. AAP. A tenth grader was suspended from his local school because he sang ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ during the school’s morning exercises. The boy, Philip Malloy, who wished to sing in the spirit of patriotism, was then forced to remain home alone, since both his parents work. English teacher Margaret Narwin, who brought about the suspension, maintains the boy was making a nuisance of himself.” Peg, I don’t understand. Peg?
MISS NARWIN: I …
ANITA WIGHAM: But why—
MISS NARWIN: And this was in your newspaper?
ANITA WIGHAM: Peg, I’m holding it.
MISS NARWIN: Dear God….
ANITA WIGHAM: It’s not true, is it?
MISS NARWIN: No. None of it.
ANITA WIGHAM: But where does it come from?
MISS NARWIN: Let me call you back. In a few moments.
8:10 P.M.
Phone Conversation between Margaret Narwin and Dr. Gertrude Doane
DR. DOANE: Yes, Peg, hello. How are you?
MISS NARWIN: Gert, I …
DR. DOANE: Peg, are you all right?
MISS NARWIN: Gert, I just got a call from my sister—in Florida—about a newspaper story—published there—about this business—
DR. DOANE: I know, Peg. I’ve already heard about it.
MISS NARWIN: But I—
DR. DOANE: I just didn’t see any point in upsetting you any more.
MISS NARWIN: But why?
DR. DOANE: I already received a call from some midwestern reporter. There have been telegrams—
MISS NARWIN: Telegrams?
DR. DOANE: At school. I told the office to hold them. Peg, it’s gotten out of hand. I don’t know how. It seems there are these radio talk shows—
MISS NARWIN: I want to see them. What do the telegrams say?
DR. DOANE: Well, they believe what the story says and … Believe me, Peg, I know. It’s all a mistake.
MISS NARWIN: Were they addressed to me? Personally?
DR. DOANE: Well, to me, and yes, some to you, but—
MISS NARWIN: I want to see them.
DR. DOANE: I don’t think—
MISS NARWIN: I don’t understand any of this.
DR. DOANE: Peg, I assure you, I have complete confidence in you.
MISS NARWIN: It’s so monstrous, so …
DR. DOANE: Yes, I agree.
MISS NARWIN: My sister, in Florida …
DR. DOANE: Peg, we’re just going to have to weather it out and—maybe you’ll want to take the day off tomorrow.
MISS NARWIN: No. I can’t give in to this—
DR. DOANE: Peg, believe me. It will calm down.
10:33 P.M.
From the Diary of Philip Malloy
Weird day not doing much. Got these telegrams from these people I never heard of before, talking about something I don’t get. Folks all high. Be glad to be back in school. I hate sitting around. Glad to be in Lunser’s homeroom class again. Get things back to normal. Guess I’ll still be in Narwin’s English. Better speak to her and see if I can do some extra work. So I can get on the track team. Wonder what she’ll say?
Did some extra time on Dad’s rowing machine.
I’m a little nervous.
Letter Sent to Margaret Narwin
To Margaret Narwin,
These days there is so much talk about young people and education. It seems to me that people like you—who don’t believe in patriotism—cause the problems. You should find a better profession for your lack of ability.
LINDA DORCHESTER
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Letter Sent to Margaret Narwin
Dear Margaret Narwin,
As a teacher in the Dayton, Ohio, school system for ten years, I am dismayed and horrified that in this day and age a colleague of mine should suspend a student from school for singing the national anthem. We suffer enough from unfair criticism. The profession does not need people like you who make it so hard for the rest of us.
CARLTON HAVEN
Dayton, Ohio
Letter Sent to Margaret Narwin
Margaret Narwin,
I’m a veteran who fought for his country and gave his blood and I really hate people like you.
DAVID MAIK
Eugene, Oregon
Letter Sent to Margaret Narwin
Margaret Narwin,
Surely you have something better to do with your classroom authority than attacking kids who express their love of our country.
LAURA JACOBS
San Diego, California
7:15 A.M.
Conversation between Dr. Albert Seymour and Dr. Gertrude Doane in the Superintendent’s Office
DR. DOANE: How many are there?
DR. SEYMOUR: Telegrams? Ten. Fifteen. I haven’t counted exactly. I suspect more will be coming.
DR. DOANE: This one is from Idaho. Incredible!
DR. SEYMOUR: Every one of them demanding we fire this Narwin woman.
DR. DOANE: Not this one.
DR. SEYMOUR: Well, the overwhelming majority. And I had twelve calls at my home last night.
DR. DOANE: From whom?
DR. SEYMOUR: People in town, Gert. People who vote. They’re outraged.
DR. DOANE: And they believe that story….
DR. SEYMOUR: I’m beginning to believe it.
DR. DOANE: Al!
DR. SEYMOUR: What do you expect me to do?
DR. DOANE: Support Peg Narwin.
DR. SEYMOUR: A TV network wants to interview people.
DR. DOANE: You’re not going to let them….
DR. SEYMOUR: No. No. Protect the privacy of minors and all that stuff. From what I gather, talk-show hosts—radio—have picked the story up…. The board wants me to issue a statement. Gert, I have an appointment with this Ted Griffen at nine-fifteen.
DR. DOANE: Griffen is running for board….
DR. SEYMOUR: Exactly. He’s already made speeches about this business. Look, Gert, I’m sorry, but between you and me—quote me and I’ll deny it—I don’t care about the board. I can handle them. But the budget—I don’t need to tell you. If we lose again …
DR. DOANE: I know.
DR. SEYMOUR: People scream if the kids are not educated. Then they scream if you ask for the money to do it.
DR. DOANE: I know.
DR. SEYMOUR: I want to see the file on this Narwin woman.
DR. DOANE: Why?
DR. SEYMOUR: I have to decide what to do.
DR. DOANE: Before your meeting with this Griffen?
DR. SEYMOUR: Exactly. When you get to your office, send one of the secretaries over here with it.
DR. DOANE: Al …
DR. SEYMOUR: Gert, my job is to make sure these kids get educated. Whatever it takes. Send it.
7:30 A.M.
Conversation between Philip Malloy and His Parents During Breakfast
MR. MALLOY: You don’t have to be nervous about anything. You were right. The fact that they moved you out of that woman’s class proves you were right.
PHILIP MALLOY: Just homeroom. I have English with her.
MRS. MALLOY:
I’m sure she won’t give you any more trouble.
PHILIP MALLOY: It’s just the other kids….
MR. MALLOY: You said they hated her too.
PHILIP MALLOY: Yeah….
MRS. MALLOY: Do you want me to drive you?
PHILIP MALLOY: No. I’m meeting Ken.
MRS. MALLOY: You’ll be fine.
MR. MALLOY: You know how to make it work?
PHILIP MALLOY: No.
MR. MALLOY: Same as I’ve told you. Half your runs are won at the start. Head up. Leap out of the blocks. Show them what you can do.
PHILIP MALLOY: Easy for you—
MR. MALLOY: The only reason I didn’t make it to the Olympics …
PHILIP MALLOY: I know.
MR. MALLOY: Biggest regret I’ve ever had was dropping out of college.
PHILIP MALLOY: You had to.
MR. MALLOY: I suppose.
MRS. MALLOY: Phil, you better go if you don’t want to miss your bus.
7:40 A.M.
Conversation between Philip Malloy and Ken Barchet on the Way to the School Bus
PHILIP MALLOY: What’s happening?
KEN BARCHET: Nothing. What’s with you?
PHILIP MALLOY: Not much. We going to run this afternoon?
KEN BARCHET: Can’t.
PHILIP MALLOY: How come?
KEN BARCHET: Got track team right after school. Coach told us it’s going to be at least three hours. You really should have tried out, man. You know that Polanski kid?
PHILIP MALLOY: Brian Polanski?
KEN BARCHET: Right. Coach has him down for the 400.
PHILIP MALLOY: Can’t do anything.
KEN BARCHET: Best we got. You could.
PHILIP MALLOY: Sure.
KEN BARCHET: You mad at the coach or something?
PHILIP MALLOY: No. Why?
KEN BARCHET: You should change your mind.
PHILIP MALLOY: About what?
KEN BARCHET: Being on the team.
PHILIP MALLOY: Yeah, I might. I got Mr. Lunser for homeroom.
KEN BARCHET: You told me.
PHILIP MALLOY: Want to know why I didn’t go out for the team?
KEN BARCHET: Okay.
PHILIP MALLOY: Narwin.
KEN BARCHET: What she have to do with it?
PHILIP MALLOY: She almost flunked me in English. That meant I wasn’t allowed to try out.
KEN BARCHET: That why you’re mad at her?
PHILIP MALLOY: But I’m going to ask her if I can do extra work. For credit.
KEN BARCHET: Think she’ll give it to you?
PHILIP MALLOY: I don’t know. No reason she shouldn’t. I’ll ask.
KEN BARCHET: She might be mad at you.
PHILIP MALLOY: If you just tell them you’re sorry, that’s all….
KEN BARCHET: Be great if you could get on the team.
PHILIP MALLOY: That’s what I’ve been saying.
7:45 A.M.
Conversation between Margaret Narwin and Dr. Gertrude Doane
MISS NARWIN: I don’t believe it.
DR. DOANE: It is incredible.
MISS NARWIN: How many telegrams are there?
DR. DOANE: Here?
MISS NARWIN: Yes.
DR. DOANE: Almost two hundred.
MISS NARWIN: There will be letters….
DR. DOANE: Well … The superintendent’s office put out a statement explaining the true situation.
MISS NARWIN: What did he say?
DR. DOANE: Peg, you have to accept the idea that it’s all a misunderstanding.
MISS NARWIN: Easy for you to say.
DR. DOANE: You can’t blame yourself….
MISS NARWIN: I pleaded with Joe not to suspend him.
DR. DOANE: I know you said that. We’ve issued a statement. I think it’s good.
MISS NARWIN: May I see it?
DR. DOANE: Of course. Here. What’s the matter?
MISS NARWIN: This statement doesn’t support me.
DR. DOANE: Peg, it does.
MISS NARWIN: Where?
DR. DOANE: Peg, understand that—
MISS NARWIN: Will the boy be in school today?
DR. DOANE: I suppose…. I need to tell you I said no to some TV people.
MISS NARWIN: No. Absolutely not.
DR. DOANE: Exactly. They can’t come in without permission. Peg, do you want to take the day off?
MISS NARWIN: No. They’ll come to my home.
DR. DOANE: It’s perfectly understandable.
MISS NARWIN: Gert, I don’t understand. I don’t. I have been teaching—
DR. DOANE: People believe what they read.
MISS NARWIN: I have my class….
DR. DOANE: Peg, as of this morning I’ve moved Philip from your English class. He’s with Mr. Keegan.
MISS NARWIN: Why did you do that?
DR. DOANE: Probably for the best….
MISS NARWIN: Best for whom?
DR. DOANE: For you. The boy—
MISS NARWIN: Gert, people will misconstrue.
DR. DOANE: We are trying to be evenhanded….
MISS NARWIN: He’s a student. I’m a teacher. Hands are not meant to be even.
DR. DOANE: That’s my decision.
7:55 A.M.
Conversation between Philip Malloy and Allison Doresett
ALLISON DORESETT: Philip!
PHILIP MALLOY: Oh, hi.
ALLISON DORESETT: I just want you to know that I think what you did was really mean.
PHILIP MALLOY: What?
ALLISON DORESETT: Narwin is one of the best teachers. All the kids say so. It’s really embarrassing.
PHILIP MALLOY: What are you talking about?
ALLISON DORESETT: You were just doing that to annoy her.
PHILIP MALLOY: Who?
ALLISON DORESETT: Miss Narwin. Everybody knows it. She’s so fair.
PHILIP MALLOY: That’s not true! Well, if you’re not even going to listen … !
8:00 A.M.
* * *
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
It is the practice in all Harrison schools that during morning exercises the national anthem is played, part of our program in support of traditional American values.
There is no rule that prohibits a student from singing along if he/she so desires.
The Harrison School District is pleased to encourage appropriate displays of patriotism.
It is the responsibility of our classroom teachers to monitor student behavior in this regard.
* * *
8:03 A.M.
Discussion in Bernard Lunser’s Homeroom Class
MR. LUNSER: Let’s go! Let’s go! Seats! My God, it’s Philip
Malloy, Harrison High’s own Uncle Sam. Take any empty seat, Philip. I’ll set it later.
INTERCOM VOICE OF DR. GERTRUDE DOANE, HARRISON HIGH PRINCIPAL: Good morning to all students, faculty, and staff. Today is Tuesday, April 3. Today will be a Schedule B day.
MR. LUNSER: That’s B for bozos, boys and girls. B!
DR. DOANE: Today in history: on this day, in the year 1366, King Henry IV of England was born.
MR. LUNSER: Not to be confused with a fifth of scotch.
DR. DOANE: Today in 1860, the pony express began.
MR. LUNSER: Faster than today’s PO.
DR. DOANE: April 3, in 1961, actor Eddie Murphy was born.
MR. LUNSER: Eddie Murphy. My only competition.
DR. DOANE: Please all rise and stand at respectful, silent attention for the playing of our national anthem.
MR. LUNSER: Philip!
PHILIP MALLOY: What?
MR. LUNSER: You want to sing?
STUDENT: Yeah, sing!
MR. LUNSER: Keep the lip buttoned, Brian! Philip?
PHILIP MALLOY: No….
MR. LUNSER: Okay. Just want to make sure your rights are protected.
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broa
d stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? …
MR. LUNSER: You sure, Philip?
PHILIP MALLOY: Yeah….
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and, the home of the brave?
8:15 A.M.
Phone Conversation between Dr. Gertrude Doane and Robert Duval, Reporter, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
MR. DUVAL: But that’s just it. I’ve heard your superintendent’s statement.
DR. DOANE: Mr. Duval, I am trying to run a school here with more than four hundred students.
MR. DUVAL: Well, ma’am, I spoke to your local reporter, the woman who broke the story. Ms. Stewart? She gave it to me. Would you like me to quote from the statement?
DR. DOANE: Mr. Duval, I know what it says.
MR. DUVAL: Now, it’s not exactly in support of your Miss Narwin, is it. Would you agree?
DR. DOANE: Mr. Duval, I really don’t think there’s anything more to say.
MR. DUVAL: What I’m hearing, ma’am, is that you’re not altogether happy with the statement.
DR. DOANE: I did not say that.
MR. DUVAL: I understand. But wouldn’t this teacher—this Miss Narwin—like her side of the story set out?
DR. DOANE: I can’t speak for her. She’s a fine person who—
MR. DUVAL: Dr. Doane, I hope I can understand your conflict. But if I’m understanding this correctly there’s something like a shift going on here. Against the teacher. Now, I don’t have to go through you. I could approach her.
