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Do you know the article The Substitute Nate Dern 2023
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Despite his tardiness, Calvin Koning casually strode down the empty hallway toward Mr. Taupe’s classroom. He had thought about ditching biology entirely, but he’d been warned that another unexcused absence would all but guarantee a failing grade.
The door to the biology classroom was covered in a full-size illustration of the human nervous system, showing the parasympathetic nerves with a level of detail Calvin found slightly disturbing. He paused before opening the door. He needed to psych himself up to stay awake for another boring lecture on some esoteric topic, like the difference between mitosis and meiosis, that had no direct application to his life. Calvin had paid just enough attention to glean that they were both about a new cell splitting from an original cell, but he couldn’t remember which one meant the new cell was the same and which one meant there was variation.
As far as he was concerned, it wasn’t his fault he wasn’t learning much biology. Mr. Taupe was boring. He wore corduroy suit coats in neutral colors, spoke without inflection, and had the habit of keeping his eyes closed a bit longer than normal when he blinked, so that for a moment it seemed possible that he’d fallen asleep in the middle of a lecture, which Calvin had done himself more than once. He was not a good student. He hated school. He hated being made to feel like the honors students were better than him or that the teachers knew more than him just because they were older. He hated being told that getting good grades now would somehow “ensure the likelihood of future success.” And he hated that if he didn’t pass biology, he’d have to repeat senior year or flunk out.
Calvin realized he’d been standing in front of the closed door for quite some time. But he also noticed the classroom was strangely silent. No droning, tedious words coming from Mr. Taupe; no overeager questions from the so-called smart kids trying to show off.
He opened the door. The classroom was empty except for a lone figure standing in front of the whiteboard. He wore a form fitting black suit that shimmered, a white shirt and black pencil tie, and oversized glasses that peaked at the corners — a style Calvin had never seen before. Calvin had an innate distrust of authority figures in general, but something about this figure in particular was especially unnerving. He realized it was the man’s eyes, which sparkled with dark purpose. They reminded Calvin of a nature documentary Mr. Taupe showed them where a rat snake was stalking a bird’s nest, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“Hello, Calvin,” the man said. “You’re late.”
“Who are you?” Calvin asked.
“Mr. K,” he replied with a curt nod. “I’m the substitute teacher.”
With the suit? And those glasses?
“What happened to Mr. Taupe?”
“Mr. Taupe is fine.”
“So why isn’t he here?”
“Because I am, Calvin.”
“How do you know my name?”
“Like I said, I’m the substitute,” Mr. K said. “Any information I need is provided to me.”
“So you’re going to teach the class?” Calvin asked and gestured to the empty seats.
“I dismissed them early,” Mr. K said. “Today’s lesson only applies to you. Please, have a seat.”
Calvin squinted. It was true that biology was the final period of the day, and there had been one or two times previously when they’d been allowed to leave early since they were all seniors, but such occurrences were rare. A class solely for him? Was this remedial? Was this about to be some lecture from some stranger who thinks he knows what’s what because he read a grade sheet? It occurred to Calvin that he should leave. His eyes darted back toward the hallway.
“I can’t force you to stay, Calvin,” Mr. K said, as if reading his mind, “but I will have to mark it as an unexcused absence if you leave.”
Calvin considered this. The whole thing felt off, but he also didn’t want to clock up another absence. He stepped forward and took a seat. He looked up at Mr. K and raised his eyebrows.
“Today’s lesson is of utmost importance,” Mr. K began, striding over to the windows where, one at a time, he pulled down the shades. “The significance of which applies not only directly to you and your life, but also to all of mankind.” Having finished with the shades, Mr. K walked over to the door, opened it and then looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear. Satisfied, he shut the door, then locked it. Calvin sat up, his fingers clenched around the underside of his seat. “And what I have to tell you will at first be overwhelming, but — ”
“Cut it out and tell me what’s really going on!” Calvin shouted, his sudden outburst startling himself more than Mr. K.
Mr. K’s composure was unshaken. He moved closer and then knelt down in front of Calvin. He smiled as he studied Calvin, like he was searching a familiar room for some lost object that he knew was there, somewhere tucked away, just out of sight.
“Okay, Calvin,” Mr. K said quietly. He stood up, took a step back, and then launched into what seemed like a rehearsed speech, his voice taking on a tone as if he was making a pitch to a group of investors. “I’m a time traveler. You may think that’s impossible, but you’ll very quickly have to believe me because I don’t have much time to convince you of the truth. Where? The future. How far? Approximately thirty years, give or take. How? By utilizing disruptive quantum technology developed by a rogue group of scientists known as The Optimal Trajectory Society. The OTS have made a series of concerning discoveries and believe that in the future — the future that I’ve come from — it is too late to change things. We have arrived at a certain power dynamic that appears to be intractable. So, I’ve come here on a mission. You, Calvin, are the target of my mission. My objective is to facilitate an attitudinal adjustment."
Calvin stared incredulously at Mr. K for a long moment before replying. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me then,” Mr. K said, his confidence undiminished. “I do believe with more time I could sway you easily, but I’m afraid we don’t have much time.” He gestured to the clock hanging on the wall. “Class will be over soon, and so too will my allotted appointment in this timeline. Standing out there, wasting time pondering the benefits of biology class didn’t help.” He pointed at the front door.
How could Mr. K have seen him standing there? Calvin pushed the question away, trying to focus on the topic at hand — a substitute teacher had just declared he was a time traveler. The most likely explanation was that this was some kind of classroom experiment, like they do on hidden camera shows, some kind of sociological research, and that any minute now the rest of his class would walk in and play along. They were likely all in on this. Still, Calvin didn’t want to be in a room alone with this man. Yet something compelled him to stay.
Calvin crossed his arms. “No offense, but your story doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Why would future scientists care about an attitudinal adjustment or whatever of some random teenager in the past?”
“Calvin,” Mr. K replied. “While many teenagers could use an attitudinal adjustment, your need for one is rather, shall we say, unique?”
“I don’t need any adjustments,” Calvin protested. “I’m not a bad person. I just don’t feel like I need to be fake nice or whatever just to get a golden star on a phony piece of paper.”
Mr. K nodded, taking this all in. “By phony piece of paper you mean a high school diploma? Tell me, Calvin, this righteous rage of yours, is that winning us a lot of friends?” Mr. K walked to the windows on the side of the classroom. He pulled back one of the blinds he’d lowered. The view overlooked the parking lot. It was the last period on a sunny Friday afternoon, a spring day where the dabble of white puffy clouds accentuated the vivid blue of the sky. He watched as students climbed into their cars to drive away. Talking, laughing, flirting, shouting.
“The world is still so… itself,” Mr. K said quietly. “It’s breathtaking. None of you know how lucky you are. You take it all for granted.”
“What?” Calvin asked. Mr. K didn’t reply. He just kept staring outside. “Mr. K?”
Mr. K let go of the shade and turned back to face Calvin. “The reason why it’s you is that, without intervention, you will go on to become a very powerful person. You’re not the smartest or the strongest or the most attractive, I’m afraid to say, but you’ll learn that you have a great degree of something that not everyone has or is willing to use — cunning. You'll learn to wield vulnerabilities like daggers to carve your path to success. Those who once ignored you or looked down on you will instead eagerly fall in line behind you, following you with fierce devotion, cheering your name and jabbering your praises as you stand above them and chisel the world into the new shape of your choosing. They’ll shriek with delight as the shards of the old world reign down on them.” Mr. K paused here to catch his breath. After a moment, he spoke again. “One decision you make in particular will have… consequences.”
Calvin was speechless. He tried to process what Mr. K had just foretold. This no longer felt like an experiment or prank. The grand prognostication settled in. Belief. Calvin found he liked the way it felt. Slowly, the corners of his lips inched upwards. Calvin had never had followers before. He barely had any friends.
“I’ll have power?” Calvin said.
“Yes,” Mr. K replied. “It will be intoxicating, especially at first. But this won’t last. Nothing does. You’ll want more, but that’s the thing about power, Calvin. There’s no such thing as enough. That’s why I have to show you that there’s another way. Reframe how you look at things, how you see the world.”
Mr. K reached into his pocket. Calvin stood and stepped back. Mr. K pulled out what appeared to be a smooth, obsidian orb with a single indentation on the top. He placed it gingerly in the center of the teacher’s desk. The orb pulsed with energy.
“What’s that?” Calvin asked.
“It’s called a Substituter,” Mr. K said.
Calvin rolled his eyes. “The substitute teacher with the Substituter. Got it. What’s it supposed to do?”
“You know how when you read a book, it’s sort of like the author is putting their words directly into your mind? Think of it like that, except it’s technologically advanced to the point where it can directly interface with the consciousness of whoever holds it. See that small groove on the top? You plac
The door to the biology classroom was covered in a full-size illustration of the human nervous system, showing the parasympathetic nerves with a level of detail Calvin found slightly disturbing. He paused before opening the door. He needed to psych himself up to stay awake for another boring lecture on some esoteric topic, like the difference between mitosis and meiosis, that had no direct application to his life. Calvin had paid just enough attention to glean that they were both about a new cell splitting from an original cell, but he couldn’t remember which one meant the new cell was the same and which one meant there was variation.
As far as he was concerned, it wasn’t his fault he wasn’t learning much biology. Mr. Taupe was boring. He wore corduroy suit coats in neutral colors, spoke without inflection, and had the habit of keeping his eyes closed a bit longer than normal when he blinked, so that for a moment it seemed possible that he’d fallen asleep in the middle of a lecture, which Calvin had done himself more than once. He was not a good student. He hated school. He hated being made to feel like the honors students were better than him or that the teachers knew more than him just because they were older. He hated being told that getting good grades now would somehow “ensure the likelihood of future success.” And he hated that if he didn’t pass biology, he’d have to repeat senior year or flunk out.
Calvin realized he’d been standing in front of the closed door for quite some time. But he also noticed the classroom was strangely silent. No droning, tedious words coming from Mr. Taupe; no overeager questions from the so-called smart kids trying to show off.
He opened the door. The classroom was empty except for a lone figure standing in front of the whiteboard. He wore a form fitting black suit that shimmered, a white shirt and black pencil tie, and oversized glasses that peaked at the corners — a style Calvin had never seen before. Calvin had an innate distrust of authority figures in general, but something about this figure in particular was especially unnerving. He realized it was the man’s eyes, which sparkled with dark purpose. They reminded Calvin of a nature documentary Mr. Taupe showed them where a rat snake was stalking a bird’s nest, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“Hello, Calvin,” the man said. “You’re late.”
“Who are you?” Calvin asked.
“Mr. K,” he replied with a curt nod. “I’m the substitute teacher.”
With the suit? And those glasses?
“What happened to Mr. Taupe?”
“Mr. Taupe is fine.”
“So why isn’t he here?”
“Because I am, Calvin.”
“How do you know my name?”
“Like I said, I’m the substitute,” Mr. K said. “Any information I need is provided to me.”
“So you’re going to teach the class?” Calvin asked and gestured to the empty seats.
“I dismissed them early,” Mr. K said. “Today’s lesson only applies to you. Please, have a seat.”
Calvin squinted. It was true that biology was the final period of the day, and there had been one or two times previously when they’d been allowed to leave early since they were all seniors, but such occurrences were rare. A class solely for him? Was this remedial? Was this about to be some lecture from some stranger who thinks he knows what’s what because he read a grade sheet? It occurred to Calvin that he should leave. His eyes darted back toward the hallway.
“I can’t force you to stay, Calvin,” Mr. K said, as if reading his mind, “but I will have to mark it as an unexcused absence if you leave.”
Calvin considered this. The whole thing felt off, but he also didn’t want to clock up another absence. He stepped forward and took a seat. He looked up at Mr. K and raised his eyebrows.
“Today’s lesson is of utmost importance,” Mr. K began, striding over to the windows where, one at a time, he pulled down the shades. “The significance of which applies not only directly to you and your life, but also to all of mankind.” Having finished with the shades, Mr. K walked over to the door, opened it and then looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear. Satisfied, he shut the door, then locked it. Calvin sat up, his fingers clenched around the underside of his seat. “And what I have to tell you will at first be overwhelming, but — ”
“Cut it out and tell me what’s really going on!” Calvin shouted, his sudden outburst startling himself more than Mr. K.
Mr. K’s composure was unshaken. He moved closer and then knelt down in front of Calvin. He smiled as he studied Calvin, like he was searching a familiar room for some lost object that he knew was there, somewhere tucked away, just out of sight.
“Okay, Calvin,” Mr. K said quietly. He stood up, took a step back, and then launched into what seemed like a rehearsed speech, his voice taking on a tone as if he was making a pitch to a group of investors. “I’m a time traveler. You may think that’s impossible, but you’ll very quickly have to believe me because I don’t have much time to convince you of the truth. Where? The future. How far? Approximately thirty years, give or take. How? By utilizing disruptive quantum technology developed by a rogue group of scientists known as The Optimal Trajectory Society. The OTS have made a series of concerning discoveries and believe that in the future — the future that I’ve come from — it is too late to change things. We have arrived at a certain power dynamic that appears to be intractable. So, I’ve come here on a mission. You, Calvin, are the target of my mission. My objective is to facilitate an attitudinal adjustment."
Calvin stared incredulously at Mr. K for a long moment before replying. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me then,” Mr. K said, his confidence undiminished. “I do believe with more time I could sway you easily, but I’m afraid we don’t have much time.” He gestured to the clock hanging on the wall. “Class will be over soon, and so too will my allotted appointment in this timeline. Standing out there, wasting time pondering the benefits of biology class didn’t help.” He pointed at the front door.
How could Mr. K have seen him standing there? Calvin pushed the question away, trying to focus on the topic at hand — a substitute teacher had just declared he was a time traveler. The most likely explanation was that this was some kind of classroom experiment, like they do on hidden camera shows, some kind of sociological research, and that any minute now the rest of his class would walk in and play along. They were likely all in on this. Still, Calvin didn’t want to be in a room alone with this man. Yet something compelled him to stay.
Calvin crossed his arms. “No offense, but your story doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Why would future scientists care about an attitudinal adjustment or whatever of some random teenager in the past?”
“Calvin,” Mr. K replied. “While many teenagers could use an attitudinal adjustment, your need for one is rather, shall we say, unique?”
“I don’t need any adjustments,” Calvin protested. “I’m not a bad person. I just don’t feel like I need to be fake nice or whatever just to get a golden star on a phony piece of paper.”
Mr. K nodded, taking this all in. “By phony piece of paper you mean a high school diploma? Tell me, Calvin, this righteous rage of yours, is that winning us a lot of friends?” Mr. K walked to the windows on the side of the classroom. He pulled back one of the blinds he’d lowered. The view overlooked the parking lot. It was the last period on a sunny Friday afternoon, a spring day where the dabble of white puffy clouds accentuated the vivid blue of the sky. He watched as students climbed into their cars to drive away. Talking, laughing, flirting, shouting.
“The world is still so… itself,” Mr. K said quietly. “It’s breathtaking. None of you know how lucky you are. You take it all for granted.”
“What?” Calvin asked. Mr. K didn’t reply. He just kept staring outside. “Mr. K?”
Mr. K let go of the shade and turned back to face Calvin. “The reason why it’s you is that, without intervention, you will go on to become a very powerful person. You’re not the smartest or the strongest or the most attractive, I’m afraid to say, but you’ll learn that you have a great degree of something that not everyone has or is willing to use — cunning. You'll learn to wield vulnerabilities like daggers to carve your path to success. Those who once ignored you or looked down on you will instead eagerly fall in line behind you, following you with fierce devotion, cheering your name and jabbering your praises as you stand above them and chisel the world into the new shape of your choosing. They’ll shriek with delight as the shards of the old world reign down on them.” Mr. K paused here to catch his breath. After a moment, he spoke again. “One decision you make in particular will have… consequences.”
Calvin was speechless. He tried to process what Mr. K had just foretold. This no longer felt like an experiment or prank. The grand prognostication settled in. Belief. Calvin found he liked the way it felt. Slowly, the corners of his lips inched upwards. Calvin had never had followers before. He barely had any friends.
“I’ll have power?” Calvin said.
“Yes,” Mr. K replied. “It will be intoxicating, especially at first. But this won’t last. Nothing does. You’ll want more, but that’s the thing about power, Calvin. There’s no such thing as enough. That’s why I have to show you that there’s another way. Reframe how you look at things, how you see the world.”
Mr. K reached into his pocket. Calvin stood and stepped back. Mr. K pulled out what appeared to be a smooth, obsidian orb with a single indentation on the top. He placed it gingerly in the center of the teacher’s desk. The orb pulsed with energy.
“What’s that?” Calvin asked.
“It’s called a Substituter,” Mr. K said.
Calvin rolled his eyes. “The substitute teacher with the Substituter. Got it. What’s it supposed to do?”
“You know how when you read a book, it’s sort of like the author is putting their words directly into your mind? Think of it like that, except it’s technologically advanced to the point where it can directly interface with the consciousness of whoever holds it. See that small groove on the top? You plac
Thank you for sharing an excerpt from the article! It appears to set the stage for a fascinating story involving themes of education, authority, and the implications of power through the experience of the main character, Calvin, and his interaction with the mysterious substitute teacher, Mr. K.
Here are some key themes and elements from what you've shared:
-
Authority and Distrust: Calvin's initial distrust of Mr. K and his appearance underscores the tension between students and authority figures. This theme is often prevalent in narratives focused on the adolescent experience.
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Choice and Consequences: Mr. K's assertion that Calvin has the potential to wield great power suggests a deeper exploration of choices and their long-term impacts. The idea that a single decision can change the course of one's life is a compelling message.
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Power Dynamics: The concept that Calvin could become a powerful figure, yet power is portrayed as something dangerous and intoxicating, hints at moral and ethical questions regarding leadership and influence.
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Technology and Future: The introduction of the "Substituter," a device that connects directly with consciousness, adds a science fiction element, further complicating the story. It raises questions about manipulation of thought and the nature of learning.
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The Role of Education: The setting of the story in a biology classroom, as well as Calvin's feelings about school, suggest a critique of traditional education as unengaging and disconnected from real life, which many students can relate to.
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Self-Discovery and Growth: Calvin’s journey seems poised to explore his identity and values, especially as he grapples with Mr. K's notions of success.
If you have any specific questions or aspects of the story you’d like to discuss further—such as character development, themes, or predictions about the plot—feel free to share!
your palm there, you’ll feel a small prick, and the interface begins. It doesn’t hurt. Some describe it as causing a pleasant dizzy sensation.”
“Uh, sorry to burst this bubble you got going on here,” Calvin said, “but we have e-readers now. You didn’t travel back to the Stone Age. And our e-readers don’t have to stab you to turn on.”
“I know that, Calvin. Am I Billy Pilgrim? Have the Tralfamadorians unstuck me from time and plopped me here?”
“Huh?”
“You’re being willfully obstinate, Calvin. It’s no wonder the teachers… never mind,” Mr. K said. He composed himself, then continued. “Look, this device does more than that. With normal books, a reader can sometimes stop paying attention. Readers can skim or their mind can drift. They can miss the point. That’s not possible with this device. It’s not mere reading, it’s a pure mindmeld between two consciousnesses. In other words, it generates complete empathy and understanding with the viewpoint of another. You can swap — or substitute, if you will — a more useful worldview than the one you’ve had your entire life.”
Calvin looked at the device like it was radioactive.
“So it makes you a better person?” Calvin asked.
“In a nutshell, yes, that’s the idea,” Mr. K said. “Or a worse one, depending on your point of view. But either way, not identical to the person you were before. You will be changed.”
Calvin nodded, trying to understand. “So if I… interface… with that thing, I won’t become powerful and stuff, like you said?”
Mr. K looked down. “We’re not sure what will happen,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to paint too dire of a picture of the future, but this is sort of a Hail Mary for me. For us.”
“You don’t know if it will even work?” Calvin asked.
“No, I don’t know if it will work. But I do know what happens if we don’t try.”
There was a chirping noise. Mr. K looked down at the display on his metal wristband, which conveyed some information that troubled him.
“I don’t have much time. Not a lot of flexibility for chitchat in the time travel business, I’m afraid. So, what do you say? Will you interface with the Substituter?”
Calvin began to pace around the front of the classroom. He still didn’t know if he should trust Mr. K or not. It occurred to him that this still might be some kind of prank after all, or the entire thing could be a hallucination. The school counselor certainly seemed to think there was something wrong with his brain.
Mr. K snapped his fingers. “Calvin! Focus. You have to make a decision now. I have to leave soon and the device can’t stay. No physical trace of my presence can, it’s too risky.”
“This is wild,” Calvin said. “I don’t even know you. Why should I believe you? Why should I trust you?”
Mr. K removed his glasses. “I would’ve thought that was obvious by now.”
Calvin moved closer and stared into Mr. K’s dark eyes. “That’s impossible,” he said. “You’re lying.”
“I know how angry you are, Calvin. I remember that feeling. It’s why I did the things I did and why you’ll do the things you do. It’s too late for me to undo them in the future, but it’s not too late for you. This is our last chance. Interface with the Substituter, Calvin. I can’t force you. You have to do so willingly. The mindmeld won’t work otherwise.”
Calvin looked at the orb. He moved his hand toward it. As he came within an inch of its surface, a small needle protruded from the indentation and the pulsing intensified.
At the sight of the needle, a new thought occurred to Calvin. “How do I know you’re not here to assassinate me? That thing could be filled with poison.”
“Oh, please,” Mr. K said. “There would be far easier ways to terminate you if that were my directive, Calvin.”
A bang came from the supply closet in the back of the room. Calvin turned toward the sound.
“Hey!” Mr. K said. “Forget that. Look at me. What’s it going to be, Calvin?” His wristband band was beeping louder, and there was a new urgency in his voice.
“Even if you are me,” Calvin said. “I can’t trust my future self. I can’t trust anyone but my now self. I mean, how do you know that you coming here didn’t make things worse? Maybe you coming here is what planted the idea in my head about wanting power in the first place!”
Mr. K froze. His eyes widened. Slowly, the corners of his lips inched upwards. “I knew you’d get there, bud,” he said. His wristband’s chime became a solid, incessant tone. “Go time.” Mr. K grabbed the orb off the desk and tossed it into the air in front of Calvin as he ran past him. In a split second, Calvin knew he had a decision to make: catch the orb or let it drop to the ground.
Calvin grabbed for the orb, just as Mr. K flung himself toward the supply closet.
Calvin felt a dizziness that seemed to resolve through a reorientation of his baseline, like he’d fallen while spinning circles on a balance beam only to land somewhere completely new and sturdier than before. He was still himself, but a variation of himself he hadn’t been just moments ago. He saw everything that had already happened as if it could have been another way; he saw everything that could be as if it was up to him to make it so. If a vision can be transformed into a memory with a simple shift in time, then a conversation, with a prophecy attached, can become a roadmap just as quickly.
A few moments later, Calvin realized he was lying on the ground with his eyes shut. He opened them. He looked at the clock. The final bell was about to ring. Although the orb was no longer in his hand, he thought he could still feel the pinch of where it pierced his palm.
He pushed himself up. There was a scuffling that seemed to be coming from the supply closet. He walked toward it and opened the door. Mr. Taupe was curled up in a ball, wearing his corduroy suit coat. His arms and legs were bound with electrical wire, and his mouth was covered with tape.
“Mr. Taupe,” Calvin said.
Mr. Taupe struggled to mumble something unintelligible, his eyes wide and unblinking.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to help you, but you’re going to help me first,” Calvin said. “Can we discuss my grade? I want to ensure the likelihood of my future success.”
heres second half of the article
“Uh, sorry to burst this bubble you got going on here,” Calvin said, “but we have e-readers now. You didn’t travel back to the Stone Age. And our e-readers don’t have to stab you to turn on.”
“I know that, Calvin. Am I Billy Pilgrim? Have the Tralfamadorians unstuck me from time and plopped me here?”
“Huh?”
“You’re being willfully obstinate, Calvin. It’s no wonder the teachers… never mind,” Mr. K said. He composed himself, then continued. “Look, this device does more than that. With normal books, a reader can sometimes stop paying attention. Readers can skim or their mind can drift. They can miss the point. That’s not possible with this device. It’s not mere reading, it’s a pure mindmeld between two consciousnesses. In other words, it generates complete empathy and understanding with the viewpoint of another. You can swap — or substitute, if you will — a more useful worldview than the one you’ve had your entire life.”
Calvin looked at the device like it was radioactive.
“So it makes you a better person?” Calvin asked.
“In a nutshell, yes, that’s the idea,” Mr. K said. “Or a worse one, depending on your point of view. But either way, not identical to the person you were before. You will be changed.”
Calvin nodded, trying to understand. “So if I… interface… with that thing, I won’t become powerful and stuff, like you said?”
Mr. K looked down. “We’re not sure what will happen,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to paint too dire of a picture of the future, but this is sort of a Hail Mary for me. For us.”
“You don’t know if it will even work?” Calvin asked.
“No, I don’t know if it will work. But I do know what happens if we don’t try.”
There was a chirping noise. Mr. K looked down at the display on his metal wristband, which conveyed some information that troubled him.
“I don’t have much time. Not a lot of flexibility for chitchat in the time travel business, I’m afraid. So, what do you say? Will you interface with the Substituter?”
Calvin began to pace around the front of the classroom. He still didn’t know if he should trust Mr. K or not. It occurred to him that this still might be some kind of prank after all, or the entire thing could be a hallucination. The school counselor certainly seemed to think there was something wrong with his brain.
Mr. K snapped his fingers. “Calvin! Focus. You have to make a decision now. I have to leave soon and the device can’t stay. No physical trace of my presence can, it’s too risky.”
“This is wild,” Calvin said. “I don’t even know you. Why should I believe you? Why should I trust you?”
Mr. K removed his glasses. “I would’ve thought that was obvious by now.”
Calvin moved closer and stared into Mr. K’s dark eyes. “That’s impossible,” he said. “You’re lying.”
“I know how angry you are, Calvin. I remember that feeling. It’s why I did the things I did and why you’ll do the things you do. It’s too late for me to undo them in the future, but it’s not too late for you. This is our last chance. Interface with the Substituter, Calvin. I can’t force you. You have to do so willingly. The mindmeld won’t work otherwise.”
Calvin looked at the orb. He moved his hand toward it. As he came within an inch of its surface, a small needle protruded from the indentation and the pulsing intensified.
At the sight of the needle, a new thought occurred to Calvin. “How do I know you’re not here to assassinate me? That thing could be filled with poison.”
“Oh, please,” Mr. K said. “There would be far easier ways to terminate you if that were my directive, Calvin.”
A bang came from the supply closet in the back of the room. Calvin turned toward the sound.
“Hey!” Mr. K said. “Forget that. Look at me. What’s it going to be, Calvin?” His wristband band was beeping louder, and there was a new urgency in his voice.
“Even if you are me,” Calvin said. “I can’t trust my future self. I can’t trust anyone but my now self. I mean, how do you know that you coming here didn’t make things worse? Maybe you coming here is what planted the idea in my head about wanting power in the first place!”
Mr. K froze. His eyes widened. Slowly, the corners of his lips inched upwards. “I knew you’d get there, bud,” he said. His wristband’s chime became a solid, incessant tone. “Go time.” Mr. K grabbed the orb off the desk and tossed it into the air in front of Calvin as he ran past him. In a split second, Calvin knew he had a decision to make: catch the orb or let it drop to the ground.
Calvin grabbed for the orb, just as Mr. K flung himself toward the supply closet.
Calvin felt a dizziness that seemed to resolve through a reorientation of his baseline, like he’d fallen while spinning circles on a balance beam only to land somewhere completely new and sturdier than before. He was still himself, but a variation of himself he hadn’t been just moments ago. He saw everything that had already happened as if it could have been another way; he saw everything that could be as if it was up to him to make it so. If a vision can be transformed into a memory with a simple shift in time, then a conversation, with a prophecy attached, can become a roadmap just as quickly.
A few moments later, Calvin realized he was lying on the ground with his eyes shut. He opened them. He looked at the clock. The final bell was about to ring. Although the orb was no longer in his hand, he thought he could still feel the pinch of where it pierced his palm.
He pushed himself up. There was a scuffling that seemed to be coming from the supply closet. He walked toward it and opened the door. Mr. Taupe was curled up in a ball, wearing his corduroy suit coat. His arms and legs were bound with electrical wire, and his mouth was covered with tape.
“Mr. Taupe,” Calvin said.
Mr. Taupe struggled to mumble something unintelligible, his eyes wide and unblinking.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to help you, but you’re going to help me first,” Calvin said. “Can we discuss my grade? I want to ensure the likelihood of my future success.”
heres second half of the article
Thank you for sharing the second half of the article! This part amplifies the story’s themes of choice, power, and self-realization, while introducing high-stakes tension and a twist regarding the narrative's direction. Here are a few key observations and themes that emerge from this section:
Key Observations:
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The Nature of Choice: Calvin’s internal struggle about whether to trust Mr. K and interface with the Substituter reflects the larger theme of choice. It underscores the importance of agency in personal growth, illustrating how crucial decisions shape one’s character and future.
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Ambiguity of Empowerment: The idea that the Substituter can make one a "better person" or a "worse one" reflects the duality of power. Just as power can be used for good or ill, the chance for transformation through the device is laden with uncertainty.
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Existential Reflection: Calvin’s reflections on how Mr. K’s intervention might paradoxically contribute to his desire for power showcase the complexity of influence and causality. This leads to deeper philosophical questions about destiny versus free will.
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Action and Consequences: The climax, where Calvin must decide whether to catch the orb or let it fall, serves as a metaphor for seizing opportunities or letting them slip away. His choice to catch the orb not only empowers him but also starts a transformative journey.
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Identity and Transformation: After Calvin interfaces with the Substituter, he experiences a moment of clarity and empowerment. This suggests that understanding oneself and one’s potential can lead to significant personal transformation.
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A Twist Ending: The revelation that Mr. Taupe has been incapacitated raises the stakes. Calvin's decision to negotiate about his grade shows that he is beginning to embrace his agency and take charge of his future, indicating a shift in his character from passive discontent to active participation in his life.
Thematic Elements:
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Education and Authority: The juxtaposition of Mr. Taupe, who embodies traditional authority and the struggling student, Calvin, hints at a critique of conventional education. Calvin is implying that he must take control of his learning and future, rather than passively accepting what is handed to him.
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The Burden of Power: As Mr. K mentions, the allure of power can be intoxicating, yet it comes with responsibilities and consequences. Calvin must grapple with this reality as he steps into a potentially powerful role.
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Conflict of Reality: The balance between what is real and what is perception is emphasized through Calvin's suspicions about Mr. K’s intentions and the nature of the Substituter. It raises questions about trust, both in others and oneself.
Overall, this narrative effectively combines elements of science fiction, character development, and existential inquiry. Calvin’s journey encapsulates the trials of adolescence—shifting from a place of frustration and apathy to one of consideration, engagement, and empowerment.
If you have any further questions about themes, character motivations, or implications, feel free to ask!
Now i just have a few question on the article
Of course! Feel free to ask your questions, and I'll do my best to help you with them.
Which statement best describes calvins POV about school in paragraphs 1-3
Calvin knows school is important and worries about being late
Calvin enjoys school
Calvin detests school
Calvin avoids attending school
Calvin knows school is important and worries about being late
Calvin enjoys school
Calvin detests school
Calvin avoids attending school
The statement that best describes Calvin's point of view about school in paragraphs 1-3 is:
Calvin detests school.
In these paragraphs, Calvin expresses a strong negative attitude towards school. He mentions hating being made to feel inferior to honors students, feeling that school is boring, and shows frustration about the consequences of failing his biology class. His reluctance to attend class and his critical perspective on the educational system underscore his disdain for school altogether.
1 answer