The desks in ROSS’s classroom are split by an aisle, with both sides of the room facing the middle. MR. ROSS sits on a stool at the end of this aisle, near the whiteboard. He’s in his 30s, boyish, and rumpled. There’s an obvious excitement to his discussion style. This is a man who loves teaching.
MR. ROSS
So let’s see what you guys have retained over the weekend. Emma. Can you define socialism for us?
EMMA MARTIN, 16, is a fresh-faced soccer player type. She looks around nervously before answering.
EMMA
Socialism - that’s where the goal is to improve the outcomes for, um, the working class, through, um - pooling and redistribution of resources.
MR. ROSS
Very good. And Jonathan, can you explain communism?
JONATHAN COOPER, 16, is a cute, smart-looking Mock Trial kid. He has glasses and speaks confidently.
JONATHAN
Communism is socialism plus a dictator.
The class laughs.
MR. ROSS
Clever. Can you give us a real definition?
JONATHAN
Sure. Communism is basically a movement that aims for a classless society. With, um, common means of production, and --
BRITTANY cuts in from beside him.
BRITTANY
Free access to articles of consumption and --
(snapping her fingers)
And the end of wage labor and private property in the means of production and real estate.
MR. ROSS
Well done, Brittany.
BRITTANY
Thanks.
MR. ROSS
Since you’re just raring to go this morning, can you also give us a definition of fascism?
BRITTANY
Fascism is basically the polar opposite of communism, right? It’s the one where you’ve got, um, a corporatist society within a totalitarian single-party state. It’s all about conformity and the creation of the ideal “new man.”
Another classmate, KYLE, whistles.
KYLE
Oh my god.
BRITTANY
(embarrassed)
I just remember stuff. Sorry.
MR. ROSS
That was a great definition, Brittany. For those of you who missed it, Brittany just explained that fascism is a form of government ruled by a single party. There’s no room for single identities, no room for uniqueness. Fascists believe that you have to commit violence and go into wars to keep your nation strong. They believe that certain groups of people are, let’s say, undeserving of civil and human rights. They’re big on physical labor, family planning, and getting the kids involved in the movement while they’re young.
EMMA
So like, Hitler Youth?
MR. ROSS
Great job, Emma! Yep, Hitler Youth was a great example of that. So were the storybooks I showed you guys last week, the ones that had Hitler as sort of a father figure to German kids. The way these people thought, if you get these kids believing in the party system as early as possible, there’s no way they’ll ever be able to throw it off.
SARAH, 16, a chunky teen with her textbook open on her desk, bites her lip and raises her hand nervously.
MR. ROSS (CONT'D)
Sarah, go ahead.
SARAH
All right, this is kind of a stupid question, but fascism could definitely never happen in the United States, right?
BRITTANY looks up from doodling a whale on a piece of notebook paper. She snorts audibly.
MR. ROSS
Well, what do you guys think? Brittany? Do you think a fascist movement could actually come to power in the United States?
BRITTANY
Are you kidding? No way.
ROSS
You sound pretty sure of that.
BRITTANY
Okay, come on. Maybe elsewhere in the world, but here? I don’t think so.
JONATHAN
What about the Tea Party? Glenn Beck? Grassroots movements like that?
BRITTANY
Yeah, but it’s like - Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are extremists, but they could never actually spearhead a movement that big. Like, people here cry fascism if you try to give sick people health care. I think we’d notice if fascism was actually happening.
MR. ROSS
I see.
The bell rings and the class begins to gather their possessions, chattering amongst each other.
BRITTANY has already practically packed up. She slings her backpack over one shoulder and heads for the door, but turns back to MR. ROSS before leaving.
BRITTANY
By the way, Mr. Ross, congratulations. I saw your Educator of the Year thing on the news this morning, that’s awesome.
MR. ROSS
Thank you, Brittany!
BRITTANY
So what, does that come with money or what?
MR. ROSS
A little bit. It’s in the form of a grant for the classroom, so it’s nothing I can go out and buy a Corvette with. But this means I’m in the running for the California State Educator of the Year Award now.
BRITTANY
Oh my god! How exciting. Anyway, I gotta go.
She heads out the door, then turns back again.
BRITTANY (CONT'D)
Congratulations, again, though!
MR. ROSS
Thank you, Brittany.
He smiles at her as she leaves, then looks down, a contemplative look growing on his face.