The Substitute

Question

Nate Dern

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."

Write: What is Calvin's point of view about Mr. K's story?

Answer 1

Calvin's point of view about Mr. K's story is one of skepticism and disbelief. He finds the premise that a substitute teacher is a time traveler absurd, perceiving it as an outlandish fabrication rather than a legitimate claim. His initial incredulity reflects a broader mistrust of authority figures and a resistance to anyone trying to impose their values or perceptions on him. Calvin suspects that Mr. K's declaration is part of a social experiment or a prank orchestrated by his peers, indicating his belief that this scenario is more likely to be a ruse than a revelation.

Calvin views the idea of needing an "attitudinal adjustment" as unnecessary and patronizing. He believes that his attitude stems from authenticity rather than any moral failing. He is not interested in conforming to societal expectations, such as being overly polite or agreeable, which he perceives as inauthentic. Mr. K's insistence on Calvin's uniqueness as a candidate for this adjustment further alienates him. Rather than feeling special or singled out for positive reasons, Calvin sees it as an unwelcome intrusion into his personal beliefs and self-expression.

As he grapples with Mr. K’s claims, Calvin’s inner dialogue reveals a battle between curiosity and defensiveness. Although part of him is drawn to the absurdity of the situation, he ultimately prioritizes his own instincts and judgment. He views Mr. K's confidence as misguided, interpreting the time travel narrative as a convenient excuse for what he perceives as an attempt to manipulate or control him. Overall, Calvin's reaction is one of defiance, a strong desire to assert his individuality in the face of what he perceives as nonsense.