Athens Area High School - Athenian Yearbook (Athens, PA)

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Dishonesty: Well, Athenian, you look troubled. That must mean you didn’t try my plan and you are thinking of your report card. Athenian: 1 did try your way— Dishonesty: Why so dejected then? Did you get caught? Athenian: No, I was spared that humiliation, though it would have been a just punishment. No more of your tricks for me. I am thoroughly disgusted with being dishonest and underhanded. What do you get by dishonesty that is worth having? Nothing. I prefer getting a zero honorably. Curtain SCENE 5 Description: School building in the background. Students outside on the bank of a river that flows close to the building on one side. Discovery: Politics and Athenian on the bank of the river. Politics: I’m glad you are running for the presidency this year. You’re mak- ing a good beginning for your High School activities. Don’t you think the spirit of the parties is fine this year? It excels that of the preceding years. Hut would you mind telling me how you overruled the law concerning the number of points necessary for the President of the school? Every Athenian: Pull has been using his influence to help me. I couldn’t have done it alone. Politics: Oh, I understand it now. You’ll have it easy, all right. Every Athenian: And it is a good thing I have his influence, with such a close contest this year. Pull (approaching): Yes, the Liberals are putting up a stiff fight. If they continue at the present rate, in another year or two they will win in every way. Politics: Did you know, Athenian, that the Liberal party has been revived just this year? The party was in existence a few years ago, but this year is the first since then. Pull: It is so funny. Push, the leader of those Progressives, has worked him- self up to his nomination for the presidency alone, using no influence, and now he thinks he will succeed. They are doing fine, but it is ridiculous to think that they will carry the election. Every Athenian: They’ll find out this afternoon at the election that they can’t down the Conservatives and can’t overlook Influence. Will have to be going. Will see you later. (Exit) (4 p. m. Athenian in class room which is empty except for Push) Every Athenian: To think that Push, using his own ability, should win. I don’t believe that Influence is so necessary as Pull said. I wish that I had followed Ideals. But it is too late now. (Turns and starts). I didn’t see you, Push. Push: I unintentionally overheard you speaking. Let me say it is never too late to mend. I’m sure, next time, you will do better, Every Athenian. Every Athenian: I appreciate your interest. But I am discouraged at the way everything has turned out since I came to Athens. Curtain Sixth Scene Just a Day Off, That’s All Description: Same as the first scene. Discovered: Athenian standing on the bank, looking toward Round Top. Presently he turns and looks towards the school. Enters Truancy, who approaches him. Truancy: Say, youngster, it’s too pleasant to hang over books today. Let’s take a day off and go to Round Top. It looks so enticing and it certainly is wonderful up there! You know you can get Chance or Venture to write an excuse and the Principal won’t know the difference. Athenian (Brightening up): That’s the idea—you’ve got the real stuff in your make up. Glad I saw you this morning. (Starts walking slowly). 8

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Pleasure, may I present my friend, Athenian. He is a new student here and I’m sure he’s going to be fascinated over our entertainments. Athenian: Pleasure, how do you do! I’ve already heard much about you, and I feel very much honored to have the opportunity to meet you. Pleasure: Oh, of course! Awfully glad to see you. Yes, I feel myself an important individual at evening parties. Certainly you have something to be proud of; we don’t let everyone attend! (Turns, joins others). Frivolity (Walking up to Politics): And this, my dear Athenian, is Politics. He is one of the livliest lads of “our set.” Athenian: Pleased to meet you, Politics. I have already seen you. Politics: Oh yes, of course! Glad to know you. As I haven’t time now, I want to see you later on a scheme of mine. (Turns and joins others). Athenian (To Frivolity): Important, isn’t he? Frivolity: Politics is always important with us, my dear Athenian. Come! Here is another I want you to meet, Athletics. (Enter Caution). Caution (In a low tone to Athenian): Athenian! (Athenian is so amused that he does not hear.) Caution: Athenian! (Still he does not hear). Caution (Speaking quietly to herself): I have called him but he does not heed me. I can wait no longer. (Caution, with a bowed head and faltering step, walks out). Frivolity (Walking up to Athletics): Athletics, let me present Athenian. Athenian: Charmed, I’m sure. Athletics: Athenian? Oh! Yes, yes, of course I remember seeing you. Now for a chat. At the High School we have the boys’ and girls’ associations. But in the coming two weeks Politics and Frivolity have something on for both evening and daytimes. So later on in the school year I will have something doing. So join now and be prepared. Athenian: All right; don’t worry about me failing you. (Meets the remaining friends and then speaks to Frivolity): Oh! tonight has been a charming adventure to me. Frivolity: Well, I suppose so, and let me tell you, tomorrow Politics intends to have something doing and he doesn’t want you to fail to see him. Athenian: I didn’t fail you tonight and you can count on me for tomorrow after such a pleasant evening as I have had. (All begin to laugh and dance—Curtain). SCENE 4 Description: Auditorium of the High School. Discovery: Athenian conversing with Dishonesty. Every Athenian: Did you wish to speak to me, Dishonesty? Dishonesty: Yes, I wanted to speak with you last night before you left school. I heard you telling Ideals, then, that you didn’t know whether to go with Frivolity or study for the examination today. I had a proposition to offer that would allow you to have your good time and yet do splendidly in the exam. It was certainly too bad that I couldn’t find you. Every Athenian: Oh. but I did go. Dishonesty: You did? I supposed Ideals would have persuaded you otherwise before he left you. You want to hear my suggestion then? Every Athenian: Yes, Yes. I was wondering what I would do. I have thought of everything without success. What is your plan? Dishonesty: Merely by dishonesty. A very simple plan. Come over to these rooms and I will give you a few pointers on it. Athenian (disappointed): Oh, I dislike that way. I guess that I will have to take it though, as I mustn’t fail in that test. I will go and think it over. (Exit) (Two hours later Athenian and Dishonesty meet again) 7

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Truancy: (Meets Careless and Thoughtless): Oh, here comes Careless and Thoughtless. They can come with us! Won’t that be fine? (Turning, speaks to them). Oh say, fellows! I want to speak to you a moment. If you want to make a hit with Athenian, come to Round Top with us. Careless: What an idea! I was just thinking that I wasn’t prepared in a single thing today. Oh, Truancy! You always come to my rescue! (Start on, chatting). Athenian: What a blessing it is to have such a friend: I’m certainly enthu- siastic over the trip, even if my knees have to shake when I hand in that excuse. Careless: I’ve tried to do it. but of course, not being as clever as Truancy. I always had the misfortune to get caught. Then—Oh well, words couldn’t express it! Say, I tell you— Thoughtless: Well. Athenian. I think you must be quite fascinated over Round Top the way you take things in. Athenian: I certainly am, and this isn't the last time I’m going to visit here. It is a great deal easier to come here than be down there poring over textbooks. (Jumping up quickly). Say, boys, it must be four p. m. I’ll have to get home, as I have a date with Ideals and Punctuality at half-past four. Truancy: Oh! Is that so? Well, be careful you don’t give them any news. You know they’re some of the studious kind. Athenian: I understand. Good night, boys. Truancy: Farewell, my friends. (Exit all in opposite directions. Enter Hope and Ideals). Hope: There’s no sign of him yet. Are you certain that he said half-past four? Ideals: Yes, I’m certain. Well. Hope, he’s going to fail me this time. Hope: Ideals, you must be patient. He’ll be here soon—even now I hear someone approaching. I’ll see. (Exit. Enter Athenian with nervous steps). Ideals (With his back towards Athenian): Oh, Athenian, I had great confi- dence in you, but— Athenian (softly): Ideals! Ideals (Turning quickly): Is that you speaking. Athenian? What have you been doing and pray, where have you been today? Athenian: Yes, it is I, and I wasn’t feel-ing-ing— Oh. Ideals, I have no courage left—but look! Look where I am! I was enticed into the society of Truancy and “that other set’’ you told me about. Now I’ve made a failure of myself. Ideals, is there such a thing as another chance? Ideals: Yes. Courage my boy! There may be a chance to crawl back in safety. Hope (Entering): Tell me! Tell me! Athenian, have you lost your last oppor- tunity at Athens High? Ideals: He has lost the first fight, but he has conquered the inclination he had to join Frivolity and “her set’’—and that’s the greater victory. Hope: But isn’t Athenian going to try again? Athenian: Certainly, but where is Opportunity? (Exit Hope). Ideals: He will be here soon and this time when you try you’ll finish with honors, my boy! Opportunity: Athenian! Athenian: Oh. Opportunity, forgive me, but I thought you had such foolish ideas, it made me shudder to think of your friendship, but now! Oh. Opportunity! Guide me on the road to success. Opportunity: “An honest confession is good for the soul.’’ Come Athenian, with the help of Ideals I’ll guide you back to where Knowledge is always awaiting you at Dear Athens High. (Exit—Curtain). THE END. 9 HONORA COVENEY, ’18. LILLIAN GEROULD, 18.